Inca Trail Private Guided Tour

On your first day, you’ll meet your representative at the airport and be taken to your hotel in Lima. The rest of the day is yours to explore this busy capital city.

Home to approximately nine million people, which is almost 30% of Peru’s total population, you’ll find there’s plenty to do. Walk the historical city centre and admire the impressive Spanish colonial style buildings such as the sprawling squares like the Plaza de Armas and the lavish local churches.

Alternatively, the modern quarters like Miraflores and San Isidro are packed with excellent hotels, restaurants and plenty of entertainment centres. We recommend sitting down to a local dinner; Peruvian cuisine is delicious and is gaining more and more worldwide recognition. 

Today will be your chance to explore Lima in depth with a private sightseeing tour. We’ll pass the Plaza de Armas featuring the grand buildings of the government palace, the town hall, the Palace of the archbishop and the city cathedral.

Then we’ll head to the San Francisco Monastery, home to the biggest collection of religious artworks in South America. Don’t miss a trip to the underground vaults which are known as the city ‘catacumbas’.

To discover a more modern slice of life, we’ll explore the areas of San Isidro and Miraflores. Next, reach the coastline to enjoy panoramic vistas of Lima’s beautiful beaches and the sparkling ocean.

We’ll then embark on a private guided tour of one of Lima’s most famous museums, the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum. This renowned museum is home to the world’s biggest private selection of Peruvian pre-Columbian art.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure. Consider a visit to the local water park. Or visit the Parque de la Exposición, which includes a hearty buffet dinner and an entertaining show featuring customary folk dance from Peru.

Now it’s time to fly to your next destination, Cuzco.

Once you arrive in Cuzco, you’ll be taken on a fascinating tour of the Chinchero community, which lies 28km outside the city. Here you’ll discover the ancient colonial temples built on Inca’s foundations and the ruins of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. 

The highlight of the trip is a visit to the Sunday market. This weekly event was originally planned for the residents of the valley to sell and negotiate their goods. 

Following your market visit, you’ll be driven to ‘El Mirador de Racchi’ where you can admire sprawling vistas of the grand Sacred Valley.

Tuck into a traditional Peruvian lunch before being taken to your hotel for the evening in Yucay.

After enjoying a tasty breakfast, take the time to relax at your leisure or alternatively book an optional excursion or activity.

You can choose to visit the small Andean community of Moray and Maras which is a four hour journey away. It’s renowned for its sunken amphitheatre. Or, head out on a gentle one hour hike to the green terraces of Yucay.

In the afternoon, you’ll go to Ollantaytambo, a local Inca town. Explore the Inca fortress of the community, which looms high above the town. Then, climb the stone stairway navigating through the fortress walls and discover the steep stone terraces that stand high above the community below.

Take the bus and train from Ollantaytambo, passing through the scenic Urubamba River Valley before reaching the small town of Aguas Calientes.

From Aguas Calientes, hop on a bus to tour the world famous Inca town of Machu Picchu. Also known as the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu is a stunning stone complex city, carefully and expectedly crafted by the Inca people many years ago. You’ll be taken on a two hour private guided tour of the stone city that’s been hailed as one of the most incredible ancient ruin sites in the world.

Return by bus and train back to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll be taken to your hotel in Cuzco.

In Cuzco, embark on a half day tour of the city. You’ll discover renowned sights such as the centre of the Inca empire and the Plaza de Armas.

In the city’s Old Town, admire the rich renovated colonial architecture before heading on to Sacsayhuaman. This is an ancient complex that sits high above Cuzco and features impressive views of the city. You’ll also explore plenty of other Inca sites, such as Tambo Machay, Kenko and Puca Pucara.

Then you’ll be taken back to your hotel where you can spend the rest of your day as you please.

Today is a travel day, taking you from Cuzco to Puno. You’ll take the bus, navigating through the scenic Peruvian Highlands, passing the postcard perfect snow capped mountains of the Andes and tiny local villages.

During your travel day, you’ll explore various spots of interest such as the town of Andahuaylillas, the remnants of Racchi and the charming town of Pucara.

Once you arrive in Puno, you’ll be taken to your hotel.

This morning you’ll be taken to Puno’s dock, where you’ll board a boat to the Uros Islands, found on Titicaca Lake.

The Uros consists of 40 tiny floating islands in the Titicaca National Reserve. They are created from packed totora reed. The natives of the lake live simply and harmoniously as their ancestors did, still following special traditions and customs from their past.

Following a visit to the Uros islands, you’ll sail to Taquile Island. You’ll discover that the island doesn’t have any roads or electricity, and many of the locals proudly don traditional dress and follow ancient customs and culture. 

Known for their knitting skills, the locals sell plenty of woollen goodies and handcrafted products in the main square of the island. There’s also a tiny church to explore.

Today you’ll embark on your adventure to the Colca Canyon. Higher than 100m and reaching deep below to 3,400, it’s hard not to be impressed. You’ll explore the Aguada Blanca National Park where you can observe roaming Vicuñas and Alpacas that make the terrain home.

Marvel at the cluster of Misti, Chachani, Ampato and Sabancaya volcanos that loom in the distance. Of the four, the Sabancaya volcano is the only one that is still active.

Indulge in an authentic Peruvian lunch before you return to your hotel. 

Following an early rise for breakfast, we’ll head to the famous lookouts of Cruz del Condor which are found in the lowest area of the canyon.

Next, we’ll discover crumbling colonial churches in Maca and Yanque, as well as visiting plenty more photo worthy lookout points.

Fill up with a tasty lunch in Chivay before reaching Arequipa in the afternoon.

In the morning you’ll be taken from your hotel to navigate a city tour of Arequipa. It’s also known as ‘White City’. You’ll discover the archaic neighbourhoods of San Lázaro before exploring the town cathedral and main square.

We finish our tour with a trip to the Santa Catalina Convent. This stunning and peaceful monastery infuses the architectural styles of various Spanish cities. Then, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to spend as you please.

Day twelve is all about experiencing Peruvian cuisine. In the morning, you’ll visit a collection of four local restaurants known as ‘Picanterías’. In each of these eateries, you’ll discover how foods from the local area are prepared and cooked. 

At each restaurant, you’ll sample some of the region’s renowned dishes, including Adobo Arequipeño, Zarsa de Patitas, Sencca and Chupe Shrimp Soup. You’ll also taste a local drink called Chicha de Jora.

As well as the food samples, a hearty lunch is provided at a restaurant. Then, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to spend as you like.

Following breakfast, it’s time to finish your adventurous Land of the Incas tour. You’ll be taken to Arequipa airport to catch your flight back to Lima city.