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Peru Holidays

Footsteps of the Chasquis on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

14 Night Itinerary from  £3,436

Chasqui Active Tour

An active Tour of Peru, with day walks in the Colca Canyon and the Sacred Valley. The tour finishes with the incredible Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu.

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Tour Route

Travel Highlights

  • An active tour of Peru, walking through stunning mountain landscapes.
  • Discover historic Lima with its fascinating museums and excellent fusion cuisine.
  • Visit the colonial city of Arequipa and watch condors in the Colca Canyon.
  • Continue to the birthplace of the Inca civilisation at Lake Titicaca
  • Admire the stunning mountain scenery along the Andes
  • Visit the Inca Empire in Cusco and walk in the Sacred Valley countryside
  • The highlight is your trek along the Inca Trail to the legendary Machu Picchu

This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of route, duration, flights, hotels, transport and excursions.

Tour Itinerary

The Plaza de Armas, Lima

Lima - 2 Nights

Day 1 - Fly to Lima

Day 2 - Welcome to Lima

Day 3 - Optional tours 

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Friday, 29 March 2024

Fly to Lima

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Lima.


Saturday, 30 March 2024

Welcome to Lima

Arrive Lima in the morning. You will be met at the airport by your tour guide who will take you to your hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast. Your guide will provide a short walking introduction to the local area. It is also an opportunity for our guide to give advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have. In the afternoon take a guided tour of the city including the historic centre. Visit the Presidential Palace, Plaza San Martín and the Larco Herrera Museum, with a fabulous collection of ancient artefacts from all over Peru.

 


Sunday, 31 March 2024

Optional tours

Lima is known as the "City of Kings" and has an interesting and attractive historic centre containing valuable examples of colonial and republican architecture. The commercial and administrative centre of the Spanish empire in South America, bringing a period of prosperity to the city

Today, enjoy a choice of optional guided tours, including: a tour to the Pachacamac ruins, a sacred and ceremonial site dating back to the beginnings of Christianity; a culinary tour of Lima by night; a full day visit and flight over the Nazca Lines - incredible geoglyph figures of animals, birds and geometric figures etched in the desert; a visit to the Paracas Islands; or a walking tour discovering Lima's wonderful array of street food.

 

 

Allpa

Lima - Tourist Hotel

This small contemporary hotel is located in the heart of Miraflores, with plenty of access to local conveniences such as restaurants and shops. The rooms are comfortable, spacious and modern although simple in character, and all with modern amenities such as WiFi, air conditioning and private facilities. The hotel has a bar and restaurant serving international dishes.

Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis.

Allpa Hotel

Casa Andina Private Collection

Lima - First Hotel

The stylish Casa Andina Private Collection is located in the heart of Miraflores, close to many excellent restaurants. The 148 rooms are furnished in the modern European style, with modern amenities and private facilities. There is a lounge, swimming pool, bar, restaurant, and adjoining sandwich cafe for light snacks.

Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis.

Casa Andina Private Collection

Hotel "B"

Lima - Deluxe Hotel

A superbly renovated family house in the bohemian area Barranco, Arts Hotel "B" is a fusion of high-ceiling historical elegance and modern cultural sophistication. The rooms are spacious and elegant with modern amenties, some with balconies overlooking the boulevard or the square. The restaurant offers excellent modern Peruvian cuisine, providing the highest levels of service.

Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis.

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View of Arequipa

Arequipa - 1 Night

Day 4 - Tour of Arequipa & Santa Catalina Convent

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Monday, 01 April 2024

Tour of Arequipa & Santa Catalina Convent

Leaving Lima in the early morning, travel by plane to Arequipa set in a rich green valley at the foot of the mighty El Misti Volcano. Transfer to your chosen hotel for a 1 night stay. The buildings in the centre have been built almost exclusively of the volcanic material 'sillar', a white, porous rock, giving Arequipa its nickname of 'The White City'.

Your guide and transport will meet you at your hotel for a delightful guided tour which visits the church of La Compania and other colonial buildings, including the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral.  The Santa Catalina Convent once held some two hundred nuns and is a maze of colourful alleyways and rooms and provides a fascinating insight into the way the nuns once lived. 

Posada Del Monasterio San Augustin

Arequipa - Tourist Hotel

In a perfect location in front of the Convent of Santa Catalina, the characterful San Agustin Posada del Monasterio Hotel is a traditional Sillar house dating back to the 18th century. It has been completely restored preserving its architectural heritage with modern touches.

The hotel has 46 rooms, a restaurant serving international and local dishes and a bar. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. 

Each room is air-conditioned with private bathroom, safe, hairdryer, telephone, TV and amenities.

The rates are on a bed and breakfast basis.

 

 

Hotel Posada Monasterio Arequipa

Casa Andina Premium

Arequipa - First Hotel

Formerly the old Mint, the Casa Andina Premium Arequipa has been beautifully restored into a modern first class hotel with lots of character. The hotel is well located in front of the Santa Catalina Convent and within easy walking distance from the Plaza de Armas.

Public areas include a restaurant and bar. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

The 40 comfortable air-conditioned rooms include room service, private bathroom, desk, coffee making facilities, safe, slippers, TV, iron and hair dryer.

The rooms are on a bed and breakfast basis.

 

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Colca Canyon - 1 Night

Day 5 - Travel through scenic mountains to Colca Canyon

 

  • Full Description

Tuesday, 02 April 2024

Travel through scenic mountains to Colca Canyon 

Today we head for the hills with a scenic drive to the Colca Canyon, passing majestic volcanoes and the stunning mountain landscapes on a desert plateaux. Lunch is included today. We drive to the Cruz del Condor and walk along the top of the canyon, observing condors soaring above. You will stay 1 night at a local hotel in the Canyon. 

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca - 2 Nights

Day 6 - Puno, Lake Titicaca

Day 7 - Tour of Uros and Taquile Islands

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Wednesday, 03 April 2024

Puno, Lake Titicaca

This morning, we take a walk past the extensive Inca terracing and through the villages of Cabancay, Chivay & Mara, whose local ladies still dress in their traditional embroidered dresses and hats. After an included lunch, we continue by road over the Altiplano to Puno, on the shore of Lake Titicaca, where we stay for 2 nights. 


Thursday, 04 April 2024

Tour of Uros and Taquile Islands

Today enjoy a fascinating full day boat trip exploring the unique floating Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca. You will meet the local villagers who still live in a traditional way - fishing in the lake and dressing in a style not changed for centuries. We continue to the rocky island of Taquile with just 2000 inhabitants. Here, it is the men that do the knitting of the warm garments and textiles required for living in the highest lake in the world.

Casa Andina Premium

Puno & Lake Titicaca - First Hotel

The Casa Andina Premium, Puno is a few minutes’ walk outside of Puno city centre, including Lima Street which is very popular amongst tourists and locals alike.

The hotel lobby boasts a stone fireplace, ideal for warming up after being out in cold weather. It has 53 rooms, all with TV, FREE Wi-Fi, telephone, en-suite bathroom and mini-bar. The restaurant serves typical Andean cuisine.

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Libertador Hotel

Puno & Lake Titicaca - First Hotel

The Libertador Luxury Hotel is a beautiful and spacious hotel sets on the Esteves Island overlooking Lake Titicaca, the world´s highest navigable lake. All the rooms have a wonderful panoramic view, from where you can see the most beautiful sunrises. The hotel is located only 5 minutes from downtown Puno, 45 minutes from the airport in Juliaca, and 3 hours from the Bolivian border.

 

Boatman on Lake Titicaca

Casa Andina Private Collection

Puno & Lake Titicaca - First Hotel

Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, in the surroundings of Puno city, the Casa Andina Private Collection Puno sits at 3,800 meters above sea level. Each of the 46 rooms includes a cable TV, heating, telephone, safe deposit box and a large private bathroom with hairdryer. The hotel features an excellent restaurant with stunning views of the lake and Puno city, which serves delicious Peruvian food as well as international dishes.

Casa Andina Premium
Admire the incredible weaving skills of the local people

Sacred Valley of the Incas - 3 Nights

Day 8 - Journey to Cusco

Day 9 - Full day tour of the Sacred Valley

Day 10 - At leisure in Cusco

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Friday, 05 April 2024

Bus or train journey to Cusco

Journey by bus (tourist class), private vehicle (first class, Peru Rail's excellent scheduled train service to Cusco. We also recommend upgrading to the Andean Explorer, where lunch and high tea are served at your seat and entertainment provided along the way. Whatever mode of travel you choose, you will enjoy an unforgettable journey across the Andean altiplano, offering dramatic landscapes, stopping at local villages and meeting local people who will try to sell you their authentic textiles and handicrafts 

On arrival in Cusco, you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, staying for 3 nights. 


Saturday, 06 April 2024

Full day tour of the Sacred Valley

Enjoy our extensive, special full day tour of the Sacred Valley. We begin by visiting the market at Chinchero, where locals come to barter and sell local produce and handicrafts. We also visit a local weaving collective to learn the traditions of weaving by hand on a back-strap loom. Next you will proceed to Moray, thought to have been an open-air crop laboratory of the Incas and continue to the pre-Inca salt pans of Maras.

After lunch, we visit the stunning fortress town and ruins of Ollantaytambo. This large archaeological complex is believed to have been a significant agricultural, administrative, social, religious and military centre. The town itself is geometrically perfect; with straight streets, trapezoidal doors and Inca drainage systems. Finally we travel to the colonial town of Pisac, built on the ruins of an Inca citadel and located at the entrance to the immensely fertile Urubamba "Sacred" Valley. Here you can see the bustling market and watch the sunset over the mountains from the ruins. 

 


Sunday, 07 April 2024

At leisure in Cusco

Today is at leisure to relax in your hotel or explore more of the Sacred Valley on an optional excursion.

Pakaritampu

Sacred Valley of the Incas - Tourist Hotel

The Pakaritampu Hotel is located in Ollantaytambo in the heart of the Sacred Valley; ideally situated for exploring the Sacred Valley, starting the Inca Trail, and taking the train to Aguas Calientes. The hotel has large gardens hosting a variety of local plants and flowers and is a series of four separate buildings, built according to the architectural style of Cuzco. From the hotel you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Ollantaytambo ruins. Each of the 37 rooms features its own private bathroom facilities and telephone. The hotel has a cosy living room with open fire, a reading room, restaurant and bar. There is also internet access and laundry service.

Accommodation includes room and breakfast.

Pakaritampu

Rio Sagrado

Sacred Valley of the Incas - Deluxe Hotel

North of Cuzco City, along the shoreline of the Urubamba River, lays the region properly baptized as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, lands where mysterious mountains seem to still guard ancient and lost temples built for the Inca sun god Wiraqocha. Centrally located 3.2 kilometers from the Town of Urubamba, 15 minutes away from the gateway to the eternal citadel of Machu Picchu (Ollantaytambo Train Station) and along a sensuous curvature of the Urubamba River shoreline, Rio Sagrado Hotel, Villas & Spa stands united with the mystique of the holy valley.

This luxury hotel offers 13 Deluxe Suites, 8 Junior Suites equipped with queen or king size beds, direct dial and international telephone, large dresser, hair dryer, steam shower, private exterior terrace and heated wooden floors. Although accommodation in the hotel includes room and breakfast you will want to dine at a choice of two restaurants, one overlooking the Urubamba River.

Rio Sagrado also offers two-story riverfront villas which have accomplished refined functionality and comfort for up to eight guests. Envisioned as a getaway dream home, the villas have been conditioned with all necessary home amenities, services and comforts. Each villa comes with a personal housekeeper fit to treat guests with freshly prepared native breakfasts, afternoon snacks or homemade specialty dinners, as wells as grocery shopping, bartending and translation service while travelling.

 

Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado

Explora Valle Sagrado

Sacred Valley of the Incas - Deluxe Hotel

Part of the Explora group of lodges the Valle Sagrado lodge offers all you would expect of a luxury hotel with a design inspired by the local environment and culture. Located in a secluded hacienda and ancient corn plantation, amidst the mountains that were once the centre of the Inca Empire, it includes all meals, drinks and a complete program of in-depth walks and excursions to explore the whole area. 

Explora Valle Sagrado
Inca Trail tough pass

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 3 Nights

Day 11 - Trekking the Inca Trail 

Day 12 - Ancient Inca Trail trek through scenic passes

Day 13 - Ancient Inca Trail trek - ruins at Phuyupatamarca and Winaywayna 

  • Full Description

Monday, 08 April 2024

Trekking the ancient Inca Trail 

We offer two ways to trek the famous Inca Trail: with a private guide, porters and cook; or for a lower cost per person, you can take the trek as part of a small group. Regardless of whether you travel in private or as part of a group, you will spend three nights under canvas, with all meals, guide, sleeping bag, equipment and porters provided. After a road transfer from your hotel, we begin the trek at Cusichhaca bridge from where we head uphill on the ancient Inca Trail experiencing cloud forests and jungle, past old Inca ruins and running streams. We visit local communities and admire the most incredible scenic views. 


Tuesday, 09 April 2024

Ancient Inca Trail through scenic passes

We continue on our trek through the plains of Lluichapampa, just below the dreaded Dead-Woman's Pass. As the altitude is high today, our pace is slow as we climb this stunning pass. When you reach the top, we relax and take in the magnificent views. From here, we descend into the valley for lunch ready for another climb in the afternoon. En-route we pass the ruins at Runkuracay and Sayacmarca. Camp tonight is in a sheltered, tropical area of the Sacred Valley. 


Wednesday, 10 April 2024

Ancient Inca Trail trek - ruins at Phuyupatamarca and Winaywayna

We start today walking through cloud forest along the ancient Inca pathways finally reaching the 3rd pass. Here we visit the ruins of Phuyupatamarca from where we continue downhill to Winaywayna ruins in time for lunch. This is our magical location where we make camp for the night. We have a leisurely afternoon so you have time to visit the ruins at Winaywayna. 

Cusco

Cusco - 2 Nights

Day 14 - Machu Picchu and Cusco

Day 15 - Guided tour of Cusco

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Thursday, 11 April 2024

Guided tour of Machu Picchu 

An early morning start today to get to Intipunku, the Sun Gate, in time for sunrise. It is a very special experience to view Machu Picchu emerge through the clouds as the day begins. We take a short walk to the awe-inspiring sanctuary of Machu Picchu itself for a guided tour of the site. You have the option of climbing Huayna Picchu, the mountain that shadows Machu Picchu, offering fabulous views and photo opportunities. In the afternoon, we return to Cusco on the Vistadome train. On arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay. 


Friday, 12 April 2024

Guided tour of Cusco

Enjoy your final day in Peru with a guided tour of Cusco. Beginning in the main square of Cusco we visit the cathedral, built by the Spanish on Inca foundations and with an unusual local variation of the painting of the Last Supper.  We also visit Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, part of which survived having a Colonial church built on top of it. From the city centre we travel into the mountains above Cusco to visit the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman, Puca Pucara and Kenko. The mighty fortress and complex of Sacsayhuaman was built with massive stones, some weighing over 100 tons, and which all fit together like a jigsaw, without mortar.

Maytaq Wasin

Cusco - Tourist Hotel

Situated in the heart of the Incan empire, only a few steps away from the main plaza, the Maytaq Wasin Hotel is contemporary in design, boasts high ceiling and plenty of natural light. There is a shaded terrace with views of the hills and chic common areas with modern decor. The hotel is only 150 metres from the Inca Museum and steps away from the main Plaza de Armas.

Public areas include an open rooftop terrace, lounge, restaurant and bar. Free Wi-Fi is available.

The well-appointed rooms have twin/double beds, cable TV and private bathoom with shower.

The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.

 

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Casa Andina Premium

Cusco - First Hotel

This beautifully renovated 18th-century manor house, just 4 blocks from Cusco’s main square – Plaza de Armas, is complete with authentic colonial character. It offers the intimacy of a boutique hotel but the comforts and services of a much larger property.

The hotel has 93 air-conditioned rooms offering private bathroom, safe, minibar, safe, TV, kettle and FREE Wi-fi. The Alma Restaurant & Bar offers an enjoyable breakfast buffet and a varied menu. 

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Belmond Monasterio de Cusco

Cusco - Luxury Hotel

Built 300 years ago atop Inca foundations, the building was originally the Seminary of San Antonio Abad. In 1995, the seminary was tastefully converted into a luxury hotel while still preserving its original architecture of arched galleries surrounding two elegant colonial style courtyards. The Belmond Monasterio de Cusco is  Cuzco's premier hotel, providing its guests with a museum setting of Inca and Spanish traditions. The hotel is conveniently situated very close to the city's central square, the Plaza de Armas, where the Cathedral and museums are located.

All of the 122 air-conditioned rooms have en-suite bathrooms, telephone, mini-bar and cable TV and many of them are oxygen-enriched. The hotel also has a lobby bar, two restaurants and deli/café.

Several activities are available including art tours, cooking classes and pisco lessons.

The rooms and on a bed and breakfast basis.

Belmond Monasterio
Lima monument

Return via Lima - 0 Nights

Day 16 - Flight to Lima and return home

Day 17 - Arrive in UK

  • Full Description

Saturday, 13 April 2024

Flight to Lima and return home

Morning to explore Cusco, before boarding an afternoon flight to Lima to connect with the overnight flight back to the UK. 


Sunday, 14 April 2024

Arrive in the UK

Arrive in the UK in the morning.

Price Guidelines

Season Low Season High Season
Travel Dates 25 Dec-21 Jun, 17 Aug-12 Dec 22 Jun-16 Aug, 13 Dec-24 Dec
Room Arrangement Tourist First Tourist First
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room £3,436 £4,391 £3,642 £4,525
Single Traveller - Own Room £4,706 £6,028 £5,630 £6,983

Prices are a guideline and per person. Please request a quote for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.


What's Included

  • 17 Days/14 Nights
  • International flights (2 overnight)
  • Internal flights
  • Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
  • 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners
  • Transfers to and from airports
  • Transport throughout the itinerary
  • Note - tourist pricing use shared transport, first class use private 
  • Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
  • Exclusive list of restaurant suggestions
  • Prices are per person
  • Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request

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