Signature Peru with Lares Inca Trail

Welcome to Lima, the capital of Peru. Lima is a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. Home to a plethora of interesting museums and a foodie’s delight, being the ‘gastronomical capital of the Americas’. On Arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Join your local guide will take you on an exclusive half-day tour of Lima’s culinary and historical highlights, designed by us to help you get the most out of the city, starting with a visit to a local market to sample some local fruit and a scenic stroll through the city’s historic downtown with some tastings of famous local bites along the way. Enjoy a stop at the San Francisco catacombs, a tour of Casa de Aliaga, a stunning colonial style mansion. End your tour with a Chilcano or Pisco Sour cocktail - both are made with the local brandy, Pisco. (B)

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure

Today is at leisure, allowing you to spend time wandering the cobble-stoned streets of the ancient Inca capital. With treasures around every corner, Cusco is a wonderful city to explore on foot. Vibrant markets and stores give the traveller a plethora of shopping opportunities set amongst fine Inca and Spanish colonial architecture. This evening have a pre tour briefing, where you will learn about the plans for the next 5 days in the Sacred Valley. The briefing is approx. 45 minutes and allows time for any questions you may have about the days ahead.

Today you will begin your journey from the busy streets of Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, full of lush green fields surrounded by striking mountain peaks. Start your day with either an invigorating hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha, or a visit to the Awanakancha textile centre followed by an exploration of the lively town and colourful artisan marketplace of Pisaq. Midday, both cultural explorers and hikers will reunite in the village of Viacha to learn about traditional Andean farming before a hike or drive to the Pisaq archaeological site for a guided tour.

The day begins with a visit to the small town of Lamay followed by a scenic drive into the heart of the Lares Valley. Your first stop will be Ancasmarca for a guided tour of this seldom-visited archaeological site. Afterwards, choose a visit with the expert textile weavers in the remote village of Choquecancha or a hike amidst turquoise blue lakes and towering peaks to the remote village of Huacahuasi, where both groups meet again to spend the night.

Begin the day with a scenic drive from Huacahuasi to the remote village of Huilloc. From there, choose a morning hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka, or explore the village and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha before regrouping for lunch and a midday exploration of the Pumamarka archaeological site.
After lunch, choose to hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo or drive and spend the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo’s maze-like alleys and passageways.
Note: Afternoon hikers will meet the rest of the group at the hotel upon arrival in the Sacred Valley.

Optional group activity this afternoon – You can visit a locally-sourced Sacred Valley craft brewery (subject to additional costs).

Begin your day with an optional early morning hike to the Inca storage houses high above the town for an impressive view of the Ollantaytambo fortress and ceremonial site. Afterwards, the entire group will meet at the entrance of the site for a guided tour before embarking on a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Alternately, opt for an all-day hike from train marker KM 104 to the Machu Picchu Sun Gate on the classic Inca Trail (subject to additional cost).

Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with a rollicking morning uphill bus ride, followed by a guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel. After the tour you will have free time to explore on your own or hike up Huayna Picchu (additional expense) *, the iconic mountain that looms overhead. After the visit you will have lunch in Aguas Calientes before starting your journey back to Cusco by boarding a return train to Ollantaytambo. A transfer will be waiting as you arrive back to Ollantaytambo station to continue onwards to Cusco.

Join our Chimu Adventures exclusive day tour and explore the city’s fascinating history. This specially designed tour has been perfected to show you the best of this incredible city without the crowds and other tourists. Learn about this city from the Inca times to colonial rule to the present day, winding through narrow cobble-stoned streets and visiting the market of Cusco. Visit the fascinating Koricancha Temple of the Sun, Cusco’s Plaza de Armas and Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace and finish up at Sacsayhuaman, a former Inca fortress perched atop the hill above Cusco.

Included is a BTG ticket which provides access to most of Cusco’s attractions and museums.

After your trekking adventure and soaking up one of South America’s best cities, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. If you would like to see more of Peru, we have several extension packages available such as a visit to the Amazon, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, or a flight over the Nazca Lines to show you more of this fantastic country.