Highlights of Peru
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Experience Overview
You’re in for a treat travelling on this Peru and Amazon tour, uncovering local culture at Machu Picchu, browsing local markets in Lima, marvelling at Quechua textile art and sampling a classic pisco sour. Gain a unique perspective into Galapagos Islands and swim with turtles, sea lions, and manta rays.Please note that the flight between Lima and Quito is not included.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 12 Breakfast (B)
- 5 Lunch (L)
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Lima, Machu Picchu and Larco Museum
- Visit San Francisco Monastery, Ollantaytambo Ruins, Historic Sacsayhuaman, Cusco Cathedral, Qorikancha
- Scenic Drive through the Sacred Valley, panoramic train to Machu Picchu
- Scenic Train Ride to Machu Picchu aboard the Vistadome train
How You'll Travel
- Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
- 4-star hotel and overnight cruise stays
- Deluxe coach, cruise and train travel, and select flights
Be My Guest
- Lima: Explore a local market with Chef Ignacio, then enjoy lunch at his cooking school where you'll learn to cook lomo saltado and craft the perfect Chilcano.
Iconic Experience
- Lima: Take in the highlights of Lima, the 'City of the Kings,' including a panoramic view of the ancient districts. Join a local specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Historic Center. Learn how before it was destroyed by earthquakes in the mid-18th century, observing how the historic buildings display a collaboration between local craftspeople and others from the Old World.
- Cusco: Visit the mystical Incan stronghold of Ollantaytambo. These famous ruins are a massive Inca fortress made of large stone terraces stretching out across a hillside. Walk among the stone platforms, the sun temple of six monoliths and the Princess Baths fountain ― the Baño de la Nusta at the base of the ruins flowing from carved stone into a pool. Over your exploration, learn how the old town is an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings.
- Machu Picchu: Soak in every moment of your Machu Picchu tour in style as you descend to the Lost City in the clouds aboard the Vistadome train. Travelling the Inca Trail, you’ll traverse dramatic landscapes with a panoramic view of the soaring peaks, river, and ruins. Sit back and relax as you enjoy this multi-sensory journey complete with background music, an informative audio commentary highlighting interesting sites, and an included light snack.
- Machu Picchu: Take a shuttle to the top of the mountain where you’ll meet your local specialist for a guided hike of Machu Picchu. You’ll learn about Machu Picchu’s history and the use of each section of including ceremonial, storage, agriculture, temples, astronomical, and observatory as well as the possible reasons why the Incas left Machu Picchu.
- Cusco: Enjoy the flavours of chicha, a Peruvian corn beer. Hear about how chicha is brewed by the local indigenous women and its history dating back to the time of the Incas as a favourite drink of the Andes. Learn about the two types of chicha, alcoholic sour chicha de jora made from fermented jora corn and the non-alcoholic, sweet chicha morada.
- Machu Picchu: The ruins of Machu Picchu beckon yet again and we enjoy one final opportunity to reconnect with its story. Journey to take in the ruins at sunrise spending some time on your own to explore the hill-top fortress. Soak in every moment at this iconic site, making stops at points of interest while your guide shares their insights on the archaeological sites.
- Cusco: Join your Local Specialist for a guided walk through Cusco's colonial centre, including the nearby 13th-century Incan settlement of Koricancha and the Cusco Cathedral. Here in Cusco’s Golden Temple of the Sun dedicated to the Sun God Inti, view the trapezoidal and irregular shapes and rounded edges. Note how the stones fit together and were built simply by placing them on top of each other without using any mortar. This staggered placement also enables them to withstand earthquakes.
- Cusco: Begin your day at the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking Cusco. With zig zagging walls and ruins of giant stones, see how the shape and harmony of the landscape is similar to Machu Picchu. Stroll through this Incan architecture of sacred buildings such as residential buildings, towers, shrines, warehouses, roads and aqueducts. And while you may not be able to take in the grand scale, the complex design is based on the shape of the head of a puma, a sacred animal in Inca spirituality.
- Lima: Join a local specialist for a tour of the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum which houses the largest private collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art in the world. You'll also explore the extensive collection of Peruvian gold and silver from ancient times. Learn the history of the museum founded by Rafael Larco on July 28th, 1926 in Trujillo followed by in 1958 when Larco moved his collection to Lima to a unique colonial residence built on top of a VIII century pyramid.
Dive into Culture
- Lima: You’re treated to a lesson on how to pour the perfect sour, Peru’s native drink. In the good hands of professional chef Ignacio, the results are sure to be delicious. Ignacio will explain the history of Pisco – a type pf wine, the typical Pisco Sour, and an internationally less known but locally more popular drink called “Chilcano”. This cocktail of pisco, lime juice, Ginger ale and bitters is a refreshing twist on the pisco sour that will have you eager to share the recipe with your friends.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Cusco: Visit Manos de la Comunidad weaving centre to learn about artistic traditions and the four Andean camels: Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas and Guanacos. Then step inside a private area to discover one of the traditions of the Sacred Valley called “linderaje”. This typical tradition of several communities reinforces the borders of each community and involves several customs, one of which is man dancing in typical women’s clothes. Then enjoy an exclusive lunch at a beautiful outdoor space near the Weaving Centre. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- Sacred Valley: Meet the artisans working to preserve Peru’s textile heritage through a social project led by Nely Uscapi Levita and José Carlos Sallo Huallpayunca. With a focus on economic empowerment and education, this initiative supports women across Chinchero and beyond, helping them pass down ancestral weaving techniques while improving their livelihoods through sustainable craft. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Trafalgar Difference
- Sacred Valley: Admire your idyllic setting within the Sacred Valley and take in the 18th-century colonial-style features of Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, a former monastery complete with plazas and cobbled streets.
Trip Details
Product Code: 35289
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Explorer, Budget
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 104.685A
Starts: Lima, Peru
Finishes: Quito, Ecuador
Duration: 13 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- A Trafalgar Bonus all Intra-Air Flights: Lima to Cusco and Cusco to Lima, including porter service at all airports.
- Tickets for a ride aboard the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $10476 ($806 /day)
Itinerary
The Capital of the New World extends a warm welcome on your epic voyage through the iconic and unexpected highlights of Peru. Meet your local host on arrival and transfer to your hotel in the upscale shopping district of Miraflores. This evening, you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner.
Accommodation: SOUMA Lima, Vignette Collection
Meals: Dinner
Connect with the colonial heritage of Francisco Pizzaro’s 'City of Kings', admiring the colonial splendour of Lima’s UNESCO-listed Historic Centre, with your Local Specialist. Stand in the birthplace of this ancient, yet modern city, surrounded by the Baroque façades of Cathedral of Lima and Palace of the Union. See the Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs. Celebrate Lima’s status as the culinary capital of South America and Connect With Locals when you meet Ignacio Barrios, who has worked alongside many of Peru's most award-winning chefs. We visit a local market where Ignacio will explain how Peruvian fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats are the basis of Peruvian cooking. Then, continue to Chef Ignacio's cooking school where we’ll enjoy a demonstration on how to prepare some of Peru's most popular dishes and have an opportunity to sample some at a Be My Guest experience with lunch before spending the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: SOUMA Lima, Vignette Collection
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Fly to Cusco this morning and head straight into the Sacred Valley, where your day begins with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Manos de la Comunidad weaving centre. You’ll uncover the traditions of the Sacred Valley, called “Linderaje”. After a lunch of local flavours, check in to your Stays with Stories experience at Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, a former 18th-century monastery set among peaceful gardens. Later, connect with artisans working to protect Peru’s textile heritage. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps fund skills training and job creation across villages like Chinchero and Parobamba.
Accommodation: Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The mystical empire of the Incas takes centre stage today. We visit the famous Sacred Valley stronghold of Ollantaytambo before boarding the Vistadome train (light snack included) for our epic journey to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Delve into the mysteries of this once-great civilization, admiring the 15th century stone ruins of temples, palaces and terraces perched high amidst the clouds. Join your local Specialist, who will take you through the ruins and explain their historical and archaeological significance, as well as the importance of their location.
Accommodation: El MaPi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu beckon again and you have an opportunity to re-connect with this ancient wonder. Board the train to the Sacred Valley, then head to the colonial city of Cusco, stopping en route at a local chicheria. Enjoy the sweet flavors of chicha as you learn how this Peruvian corn beer is brewed by the local women.
Accommodation: Sonqori Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Embark on a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of Cusco this morning, admiring the 16th-century Spanish colonial buildings that stand on the foundations of former Inca temples and palaces. See the baroque Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and 17th-century Church of Santo Domingo. Visit the ruins of the Sacsayhuaman fortress and see nearby warehouses where the Incas once stored their grain. The afternoon is free to explore on your terms.
Accommodation: Sonqori Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Travel to the airport for your flight back to Lima, arriving around noon. Meet a Local Specialist at the Larco Museum, which houses one of the largest private collections of pre-Columbian art in the world. This evening you'll join your travel companions for dinner in the museum's garden restaurant.
Accommodation: SOUMA Lima, Vignette Collection
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Ecuador (flight not included in holiday price). Enjoy a warm welcome in Quito where you will be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel.
Accommodation: Sheraton
Meals: Breakfast
Visit the historical centre of Quito, which was the first place in the world to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and travel to the 'Middle of the World' to stand on the Equator. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Sheraton
Meals: Breakfast
Fly from Quito to Baltra Island where you’ll transfer to your Galápagos cruise for the next three nights. After settling in and having lunch on board, travel to North Seymour Island. Take a guided walk with a Local Specialist across the rocky terrain where you’ll spot frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Sea lions are often seen resting along the shore, and there’s a clear view across to the Daphne Islands. There’s also time to snorkel in the surrounding waters before returning to your cruise. This evening, enjoy dinner on board and relax as you begin your journey through the Galápagos.
Accommodation: M/V Galápagos Legend
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Bartolomé Island with your Local Specialist, where a short hike takes you to a lookout with views across the volcanic landscape and the iconic Pinnacle Rock, with Santiago Island in the distance. There’s time for a snorkel where you might spot Galápagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and sea lions. In the afternoon, visit Sullivan Bay for a walk across its distinctive pahoehoe lava flows. This solidified lava landscape shows clear patterns of past eruptions, making it one of the most geologically interesting sites in the Galápagos. After the hike, enjoy some time on the beach for a swim or snorkel before returning to your cruise for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arrive at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island where a hike up the eroded tuff cone brings panoramic views and the chance to spot all three booby species—blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca. There’s also the opportunity to snorkel or kayak along the coast, keeping watch for sea lions and marine birds. In the afternoon, visit Cerro Brujo, a wide stretch of beach backed by lava formations with a Local Specialist. You can snorkel or take a walk to a hidden lagoon where black-necked stilts, whimbrels and white-cheeked pintails are sometimes seen. Later, return to your cruise for a final evening on board.
Accommodation: M/V Galápagos Legend
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve on San Cristóbal Island, home to the breeding centre of La Galapaguera. Here you’ll learn about efforts to restore the population of the San Cristóbal tortoise and see these iconic creatures at different stages of life. Before heading to the airport, there’s time to visit the town for any last-minute souvenirs. Then it’s off to San Cristóbal Airport for your return flight to Quito, where your Galápagos journey comes to an end. Note: Arrival into Quito is scheduled for 5pm, so please keep this in mind when booking onward travel.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Hector Moreno - Traveled, April 2025
It was a great experience. I would highly recommend to my friends and family. The service and attention was good from the airport through the city of Lima thru Peru and back to the airport to go home. My traveler director, *personal info removed by Feefo* was awesome. He kept us on time with all the activities that he had planned for our trip. He was very knowledgeable of Peru and it’s history. And it was a great guy to know.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/03/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Peru is a magnificent country. Trafalgar' service is very reliable and takes care of details that make the experience more enjoyable. During our experience in Peru with Trafalgar we felt welcomed, supported, and cared for throughout the trip. *Personal information removed by Feefo*, the various drivers and others assisting him did a great job providing our every need upon arrival throughout and at the end of our experience. *Personal information removed by Feefo*, the Tour Director, was exceptionally knowledgeable, attentive, and showed a passion for his country. Job well done!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2024
Carol Cone - Traveled, April 2025
Loved every minute of our Highlights of Peru. Lovely transportation to all our locations, beautiful breakfast in top notch hotels, local guides and tours just perfect. Best trip ever, *Personal information removed by Feefo* our travel directors was perfect! kept us on time, safe and learned so much about the history of Peru.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/05/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
I like working with my travel agent at AAA to seamlessly make the arrangements with Trafalgar. I was happy that it was suggested we arrive in Lima the day previous to the Trafalgar Trip in order to get settled and review Lima on our own. The hotel in Lima was top flight and accommodating, even allowing us to get a late check out on our last day in Lima before returning to USA when our return flight was not scheduled to leave Lime until 11:30 pm. All staff at all hotels were superior. Our Trafalgar Guide, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was the best. Many kudos for his work.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2024
Joseph Ford Jr. - Traveled, April 2025
Our guide *Personal information removed by Feefo* was the best. Hotels in Lima and Sacred Valley were excellent choices. The hotel in Manchu Picchu was just ok. These tours tend to keep you on the go. Would have been nice to spend an extra day in Lima or the Sacred Valley.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/26/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Visit Peru and ask for *Personal details removed by Feefo as you tour guild. By far the best part of the service was our tour guild. *Personal details removed by Feefo * was by all measures excellent and way above average. Organized, very knowledgeable about history and local customs, witty, patient and willing and able to accommodate and solve little problems. The man was outstanding, period. This is a very informative and entertaining trip. Tightly packed with sight-seeing, entertainment and travel. Hotel and busses are very good considering the availabilities in Peru.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/18/2024
James Meyer - Traveled, May 2024
Highlights of Peru - Well Worth the Trip. Overall the tour was exceptional with a lot of great experiences about the Peruvian culture and what it has to offer. The tour director and his team of individuals were very knowledgeable and went out of their way to ensure everyone on the tour was part of the adventure. My family had an amazing trip. The tour director, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was an exceptional individual. His knowledge of Peru and his absolute passion for what he does was apparent throughout this entire adventure. He continually went above and beyond in ensuring the guests of the tour were well taken care of which made the tour that much more memorable. Trafalgar is incredibly lucky to have him as part of their team. We also were blessed with a good group of individuals as part of the tour to experience the trip with. Memories that will last a lifetime.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/30/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2025
Excellent tour of Peru by Trafalgar. I just think Trafalgar is the best tour service provider. I was very satisfied for everything from the beginning (airport pickup) till the end (airport drop off). Hotels were excellent and provided meals were good. Everything was organized flawlessly and we (I and my wife) enjoyed the entire tour very much. - Tour director was very experienced, friendly and professional. - This tour involved several types of vehicles; big, mid-sized buses, train and airplane. We were happily impressed by the team’s luggage handling.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/20/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2020
The itinerary was fine. Having travelled with Trafalgar on numerous trips as a family (about 8) we are disappointed in their ability to provide nut free meals. It could have been fatal for our son, Noah, if his father had not been a medical doctor. It made the meal times stressful for the whole family. We had to ask the servers, the manager, the tour director, etc...before we could get a accurate response as to which food items contained nuts. Noah would have to wait about 20 minutes before he could eat because it was difficult to find people who had accurate information about the ingredients.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/17/2020
Trusted Customer - Traveled, January 2025
Itinerary was great. Our travel guide kept us informed and motivated. He even assisted in our adjustment to the food , culture and atmosphere. My only complaint is that I would have preferred to be seated with my husband on the 2 flights and the train ride. For some reason my husband was matched with a single boisterous lady from Florida. Her behavior in some instances was not appreciated.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/10/2025
