Highlights of Peru

If you purchased airline tickets from YMT, a representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel.

Note: Depending on the departure time of your outbound flight, you may depart one day earlier.

Start your journey with a tour of Lima, Peru’s scenic capital. Explore the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s packed with historic buildings. You’ll see the Main Square, a stunning showcase of wealth from the Spanish Empire, the 16th century Church of Santo Domingo, and Casa Aliaga, one of Lima’s finest colonial mansions. In the traditional Pueblo Libre District, you will spend time at the Larco Museum, a pre-Columbian art museum housed in a beautifully restored 18th century mansion. Enjoy lunch on the terrace at the Cafe del Museo Larco (included), in front of the museum’s gardens. This evening join your fellow travelers for an included welcome dinner. (B, L, D)

Fly from Lima to Cusco, in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Deep in the Andean highlands, the Sacred Valley was the center of the Inca Empire. The region boasts countless ruins, beautifully intact stone terraces, and stunning mountains. Shop for locally-made alpaca textiles, musical instruments, and paintings, as well as carvings, necklaces, and replicas of old Inca pieces at the Pisac Market. (B, L)

Hidden from view by the rugged Andes, the Inca sites of Maras and Moray are two of the Sacred Valley’s most unique destinations. Maras is home to Salineras de Maras, ancient, terraced salt ponds. Moray contains circular terraces that were used by Inca leaders as “test gardens” where they could experiment on plants grown across the empire. Continue to Chinchero town, where you will see ruins framed by the snow-capped Chicón and Verónica mountains. (B, L)

Note: Overnight bag will be needed for your journey to Machu Picchu. Due to luggage restrictions aboard the trains to and from Machu Picchu, passengers may only take 1 small bag weighing no more than 11 lbs (5 kg). The next day, the rest of your luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco City. Guests will be able to retrieve their luggage upon their arrival at night on Day 5.

Travel by Peru Rail’s Vistadome panoramic train to the country’s most famous site; the ancient sanctuary of Machu Picchu. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the ultimate example of Inca architecture, with its polished stone walls and elegantly designed terraces. After your tour, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes to enjoy an Andean fusion lunch overlooking the Vilconota River at the Cafe Inkaterra. (B, L)

Note: Machu Picchu is nearly 8,000 feet in elevation.

Your tour of this UNESCO designated city starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a Spanish complex built on top of the sacred Inca Coricancha. Then, visit the Cusco Cathedral.

Head to the hills to visit Sacsayhuamán, a fortress with panoramic views of the city. Finally, visit Puka Pukara, an Inca military installation perched on one of Cusco’s most prominent hills. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, and join us for an included dinner and show this evening. (B, L)

Take a scenic drive from Cusco down to Puno. Keep your eyes peeled for landmarks including the town of Andahuaylillas, the Temple of Wiracocha, and the La Raya Pass. (B)

Spend the day on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, and one of South America’s largest freshwater lakes. Your first stop is on the floating islands of Uros, a series of manmade islands built by weaving together giant bulrush plants. Continue on to Taquile Island, home to the Taquileños, whose textiles are renowned for their quality. Have lunch on the island, then enjoy free time in Puno. (B)

Take an included flight from Puno to Lima, then enjoy a final day in the Peruvian capital. Join us for a farewell dinner and folklore show. (B, D)