Peru 12-day positive impact tour

Lima

Day 1: Welcome to Peru!

Welcome to Peru! Today you will arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, where your guide will be waiting to welcome you and take you to your hotel (flights usually arrive in the early evening).

Lima - Cusco

Day 2: Cusco & the Temple of the Sun

After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for a short flight of approximately one hour and 10 minutes. You'll be heading high into the Andes Mountains to Cusco, the capital of the ancient Inca Empire.

Your guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Cusco is located at 3,400m above sea level, so start slowly this afternoon to give yourself a chance to acclimatize.

Later in the afternoon, take a walk through the beautiful historical center of the city. Wander along tiny Inca streets and take a look inside the cathedral, then visit the Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun, which was covered with gold during Inca times. For dinner, you can sample some Novo-Andean cuisine in one of the many great restaurant options in town.

Cusco

Day 3: Cooking in Cusco

This morning, take a walk to Cusco’s lively San Pedro market where local people buy and sell their wares. You will be escorted by a Peruvian chef, who will help you choose the best ingredients for a Peruvian cooking lesson this morning. The class will be hosted by an NGO that helps local people find better job opportunities.

In the afternoon, walk to the higher part of Cusco and visit the Temple of the Moon with an Andean medicine man. You'll gain insight into local traditions while participating in an offering to thank Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) for everything that she provides.

Cusco - Urubamba

Day 4: Sacsayhuaman & the Sacred Valley

After breakfast, travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En-route, you'll stop at the impressive ruins of Sacsayhuaman on the outskirts of Cusco, to marvel at their enormous Inca stones.

Upon arrival in the Sacred Valley, you'll embark on a beautiful hiking tour of two to three hours. You'll be walking through the verdant countryside with gentle climbs along an ancient Inca canal, and then through agricultural fields and Inca platforms. Along the way, stop to enjoy a picnic lunch and take in the views.

In the afternoon you'll visit the fascinating Museum of Music, where you'll take a journey through Peru's musical heritage.

Urubamba

Day 5: Explore the Valley of the Incas

Spend another inspiring day in the Valley of the Incas. You'll be visiting several interesting initiatives, including a local school project and the Llama Pack Project NGO. This organization does great work for the conservation of llamas, the environment, and the local culture. Take a nature walk with some of the project members, during which they'll explain the important work that they do.

After a picnic lunch, head to the authentic Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Some of its inhabitants still live in the stone houses that the Incas built, and the old Inca water system that runs through the narrow streets is still intact. You'll also see the impressive Ollantaytambo Fortress.

For dinner, enjoy a traditional Pachamanca meal, for which local ingredients are cooked under the earth.

Urubamba - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes

Day 6: Trekking the Inca Trail

Prepare for an early start as today you'll set out on your guided Inca Trail Trek! Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a transfer to Ollantaytambo train station, to begin a scenic train ride along the Urubamba River.

Your next destination is Chachabamba, the starting point for the trek. At around 7.20am, you will start the 10km hike to Machu Picchu. Along the way, your guide will tell you all about the history of this special path, the flora and fauna, and the hidden Inca ruins that you'll be passing through.

After a full day of hiking and a picnic lunch, approach the incredible Lost City of the Incas through the famous Sun Gate. You'll have a few hours to explore the 'citadel in the sky' before catching a comfortable bus to the nearby town of Aguas Calientes, where you'll enjoy dinner after a long day of exploring.

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Day 7: Majestic Machu Picchu

One glimpse is never enough, so in the morning, you'll make the short journey back to Machu Picchu and enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the citadel. Your guide will lead you through the most important features of this magical Inca city, visiting its plazas, temples and sacred fountains.

At around noon, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Then, in the afternoon, hop on the train for your journey back to Ollantaytambo and onward return to Cusco.

Cusco - Puno

Day 8: Scenic train to Puno

Today you will take a stunning train ride on the PeruRail Titicaca Train through the Andes Mountains. Traverse the high Altiplano region heading towards the city of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca (3,800m above sea level).

This is an exceptional journey on a luxurious train, during which you'll enjoy lunch on board. The train features a bar wagon and an observatory wagon, where you can enjoy the landscape and take pictures.

Finally, upon arrival into Puno, you'll be taken to your comfortable hotel to rest for the day.

Puno - Luquina Chico

Day 9: Homestay at Lake Titicaca

This morning, you'll be picked up from your hotel by a typical ciclo-taxi and driven to the small lake harbor. From there, travel by slow boat across Lake Titicaca to visit some of its islands and learn about the different cultures found there.

You'll stop at Taquile, a UNESCO-protected site of cultural importance. There you'll enjoy a beautiful walk and learn about the interesting traditions that have been kept alive on the island.

After lunch, pass one of the floating reed islands of the indigenous Uros people, where your guide will introduce you to life on the island. End the day in the community of Luquina Chico, where you will be welcomed by a local family for a traditional dinner and homestay experience.

Luquina Chico - Puno

Day 10: Return to Puno

Spend the morning in and around the community, taking part in some of their daily activities such as agriculture, fishing or cooking. Alternatively, you could take a walk with your guide to one of the neighboring villages.

After having lunch with your homestay family, you'll return to Puno. In the afternoon, you might like to take a walk around the city and stock up on some last-minute souvenirs.

Puno - Lima

Day 11: Take a guided tour of Lima

Today you'll make a one-hour journey to the airport in Juliaca to catch a flight back to Lima.

In the afternoon, your guide will show you the sights of Lima as well as where to savor the best ceviche - a classic Peruvian dish that you must not miss while you're there!

Afterwards, you'll have the rest of the day to relax and unwind, making the most of your final night in Peru.

Lima

Day 12: Farewell, Peru!

Today is sadly your last day in Peru. At a suitable time, transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. ¡Hasta luego, queridos amigos!