Cultural Immersion in Peru

Upon arrival at Jorge Chávez International Lima Airport (154 m|505 ft), we will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores. You’ll have free time to relax and begin acclimatizing at your own pace.
Overnight in Lima.

We begin the day with a meeting at the hotel to review the travel itinerary and hand over your travel documents. 

Then, we set out to explore Lima through its many historical layers, from pre-Hispanic roots to colonial and modern highlights. Visit artsy Barranco, .a traditional market, stop in ancient huacas (temples). End the day in the historic city center, and the Magic Water Circuit.
Overnight in Lima.

Today we visit Ichimay Wari, an artisan collective formed by Ayacucho immigrants who fled terrorism in the 1980s. You will learn about their traditional crafts—ceramics, textiles, and wood carvings—and participate in hands-on workshops. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family and contribute to sustainable, ethical tourism.
Overnight in Lima.

Fly to Arequipa (2,328 m|7,638 ft), a city of colonial origin with a strong identity and an interesting and well preserved architectural heritage. Their main houses are located in the historic area, within walking distance. Many of its houses are built with “sillar”, a white volcanic stone, which is why it is known as the “White City”. The area is surrounded by volcanoes and, one of them, the Misti ( “lord” in Quechua ) overlooks the city.

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and begin a city tour depending on flight schedule. You will have a walking tour of the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the baroque Jesuit Church. Explore the Santa Catalina Convent, a city within a city,” and admire Arequipa’s signature white volcanic stone architecture.
Overnight in Arequipa.

Today you embark on a two-day journey to the spectacular Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world.This landscape was shaped over centuries as a balanced relationship between culture and nature, best expressed by the agricultural terraces that enabled human development in this valley of great wealth during Inca and pre-Inca times.

Also, home to condors, endless trekking routes, colorful agricultural terraces  and Inca and pre-Inca traditions preserved to this day.

En route, you’ll pass through the Aguada Blanca National Reserve to see wild vicuñas and take in views of volcanoes like Misti and Chachani. Cross the high-altitude pass of Patapampa (4,850 m|15,912 ft) before descending to Chivay, (3,700 m|12,139 ft) where you’ll see the colorful pre-Inca terraces of the valley. From there you’ll go to the small town of Coporaque. Free time for acclimatisation.
Overnight in Yanque

Today, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with vast landscapes on your journey to the Colca Canyon. Prepare to feast your eyes on the immensity of the scenery and witness the flight of the condor in its natural habitat. You’ll traverse charming small villages where Andean heritage and colonial architecture intertwine, creating a vibrant and colorful cultural landscape.

After lunch (not included), board a tourist bus to Puno. 

After lunch, we will leave for the city of Puno (3,810 m|12,500 ft) on a tourist bus. On the way we will stop at volcano viewpoint on the Patapampa Pass on an altitude of 4,910 m|16,109 ft; and at Lagunillas lagoon where you can see the clear blue water and some pink flamengos too.
Overnight in Puno.

This tour takes us to explore Lake Titicaca (3,800 m|12,467 ft) over two days. We are in Collasuyo, the land of the Collas, a name given by the Incas to the southeastern part of Tawantinsuyo, their vast empire. The Collas were a prominent ethnic group whose populations lived in the high plateau region around this immense lake, one of the most important sacred places of ancient Peru. The vibrant colors—reds, pinks, greens, and fuchsias—of the local women’s dresses contrast beautifully with the yellows and ochres of the landscape.

We will leave Puno city to go to the port of Puno. We will start our journey with a motorboat that will allow us to see the vastness and beauty of Lake Titicaca. The first destination will be the Uros floating islands and their community, one of the oldest on the continent. Although today it is said that little remains of the original Uros, their descendants have certainly known preserved techniques to twist and shape the reeds of the region “Totora” as a remarkable cultural legacy.

We then continue to Luquina Chico, located in the Chucuito peninsula, around 1.5-hour navigation from Puno. Community tourism has remained a more authentic cultural experience here, the people of Luquina Chico have Aymara origin and they are mainly small farmers and fishermen. The main attraction of this place is the fascinating landscapes from where you can see the islands of the big Lake Titicaca and part of Bolivia’s Cordillera Real.
Overnight in a local home.
Private room with bathroom; limited amenities and phone signal; solar showers and hot water bags available.

After breakfast, we will spend time with the Aymara people, the activities are up to us and the host family: we could fish, learn to knit, cut firewood, cook, play a football match nearly four thousand feet high or just go for another hike. There is also the possibility of sailing in a traditional boat (not included).
Return to our hotel in Puno after lunch.
Overnight in Puno.

Early in the morning we start the scenic journey to Cusco with guided stops at the Pukara Museum, La Raya Pass (4,335m|14,222 ft), Raqchi archaeological complex, and Andahuaylillas Church.
Arrive in Cusco (3,399m |11,152 ft), once the sacred capital of the Inca Empire.
Overnight in Cusco.

This full day walking experience that will take us to the most important places in the city of Cusco, starting with the Hanan Qosqo (upper Cusco) where the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Center is located, an Inca ceremonial centre which was at the same time a sacred place of administrative control and water resources management.

We will then walk down on foot along the beautiful Inca road that connected to the city taking a few steps off the beaten tourist paths, through the Kolkampata district, now known as the San Cristobal district, where Manco Capac Palace, the mythical founder of Cusco, is located. From here, we will continue down towards the San Blas, or the artisans’ neighbourhood until we reach the Mirador. A break and a traditional drink before we head down to Hurin Qosqo (lower Cusco) where we find the Rimajpampa district; on the way we will stop at the famous twelve angles stone.

After lunch, we continue the route to the Temple of the Sun – Qoricancha, the true sacred centre of the ancient city. From here we go to Haucaypata, the old ceremonial plaza of the Incas, today the Plaza de Armas. We take the royal road or Qapac Ñan towards the Contisuyo, on the way, we pass by San Francisco plaza, where the Glorious National School of Sciences is located, continuing the Inca road that goes to the Chaquilchaca neighbourhood (Barrio Almudena), we will end at the San Pedro Market exploring local products.

Walking distance: 3 km|1.8 mi in the morning, 2 km|1.2 mi in the afternoon.
Lunch not included (recommended amount to take with you is around 32 soles or 12 USD) Walking: 5 km|3.1 mi total

* If, at any point, you feel you need a car your local guide will call a taxi. Paid locally.
Overnight in Cusco.

Today we head to the impressive salt mines of Maras, actively in use to the present day. We will see how the villagers removed the salt with a technique inherited from generation to generation since pre -Inca times.

Then we will go to Moray, an ancient agricultural laboratory located 7 km|4.3 mi from Maras. On natural giant crevices called “Dolinas”, the Incas and their predecessors built a series of terraces or concentric terraces with their respective irrigation canals; what is striking is the difference in the average annual temperature between the top and the bottom of the terraces and in each of the levels. It is a difference that reaches up to 15°C|59 °F. As a result, each year they could plan and control agricultural production throughout the territory, characterized by large differences in altitude and climate variability. Here is where amazing advances in agriculture allowed the expansion of the Inca state.
Overnight in Cusco.

 This day we start very early with a transfer to the Andean Community of Patabamba (3850 m|12,631 ft), we will continue our journey in the direction of Huchuy Qosqo passing by a beautiful road that runs along the edge of the mountain almost 1,000 m|3,280 ft from the floor of the valley which will allow us to have the best view of the Sacred Valley and the snowy peaks of the Andes as Veronica and Sawasiray Pitusiray, is simply great, our path will take us through landscapes and communities that seem to be taken from movies like Sihuas, our first Inca centre will be Leon Punku (4020 m|13, 188 ft) which was used in Inca times as a Tambo (place where travellers can rest and find food) and that is precisely where we will enjoy our lunch box lunch.

After our refreshing lunch, we will begin our descent to the Inca city of Huchuy Qosqo (3,650 m|1,197 ft) through the best portion of the Inca trail in all of South America which will pass through a canyon ingeniously conjured up by the Inca engineers with spectacular stairways and bridges that made the impossible to cross place a wonder for walking. We will finally arrive at Huchuy Qosqo (3,650 m|1,197 ft), where we will be able to appreciate the magnificent architecture of one of the most precious Inca palaces.

Very close to this Inca palace is the community that has the same name and where we will spend the night in the family house of one of its inhabitants.
*You will be able to find a shower with hot water available.

Technical information:
– Difficulty: 3.5 of 5
– Start Point: Patabamba (3,850 m|12,631 ft)
– Highest Point: Pass (4,020 m|13,189 ft)
– Walking distance: Approximately 13 km|8 mi.
– Duration: 8 hours.
Overnight in a local home.

After a big breakfast, we will start our 5 km|3.1 mi ascent to reach an Inca protection system against landslides that protected the Inca Palace, again we will be able to appreciate the impeccable engineering knowledge of this empire, then we will continue our ascent to reach the highest point of the whole trek the Abra Huallata Pass (4,400 m|14,435 ft), then we will descend to the town of Tauca (3,800 m|12,197 ft) which is at the foot of the second largest lake in Cusco crowned this walk with its beautiful landscape, it is in this community where we will enjoy our lunch at the restaurant of the community of Tauca.
Finally, our mobility will take us from this restaurant to the train station in the city of Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Technical information:
– Difficulty: 3.5 of 5
– Start Point: Huchuy Qosqo (3,650 m|11,975 ft)
– Highest Point: Pass Huallata Pass (4,400 m|14,436 ft)
– Walking distance: Approximately 7 km|4.4 mi
– Duration: 4 hours.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu covers an area of over 32,500 hectares (approximately 80,000 acres) in Peru’s Andean cloud forest. It includes not only the iconic Inca citadel but also a rich landscape of archaeological sites, biodiversity, and sacred mountains. Perched on a saddle between two Andean peaks, surrounded by mountains and in the border of the Amazon jungle, the Llaqta or citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the greatest architectural and spiritual achievements of the world.

On this tour, your expert guide will accompany you throughout the experience. you’ll ascend to the citadel for a 2.5-hour guided walking tour, exploring its most iconic temples, terraces, and viewpoints.

Please, remember that Machu Picchu is a sacred site and a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural and Natural Site. Its preservation for future generations depends on all of us — including you. Please respect the rules, stay on designated paths, and behave with consideration for both the site and your fellow visitors.

After the tour, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch.

You may then take the train back to Ollantaytambo and continue by vehicle to Cusco, or stay overnight in Aguas Calientes (recommended if you wish to visit Machu Picchu again the next day on your own, without a guide).

Optional Hikes: If you would like to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, please let us know well in advance, as these require separate tickets and are subject to limited availability.

Return journey: Train back to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco (unless staying overnight in Aguas Calientes).

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and onward international connection.