Signature Peru - Hike, Bike and Foodie Delights

Welcome to Lima, the capital of Peru. Lima is a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. Home to a plethora of interesting museums and a foodie’s delight, being the ‘gastronomical capital of the Americas’.

Embark on a walking food tour in Lima’s Historic Centre. During this food tour, you will have the chance to taste popular on-the-go delicacies that locals devour while learning more about Peru’s history and interesting facts about the local economy and daily life in Peru. (B,D)

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Cusco, where you will descend into the Sacred Valley below Cusco. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a region in Peru’s Andean highlands which, along with the nearby town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, formed the heart of the Inca Empire. The Sacred Valley’s elevation is 2,800 meters above sea level, so it’s recommended to take it easy for the afternoon as your body acclimatises to the altitude. You will stay in a small boutique hotel that is near the town of Lamay for the next 3 nights. This will be your jumping off point for a range of activities. (B)

Enjoy a half day guided bike tour to discover the hidden treasures of the Sacred Valley. Cycle along the banks of the Urubamba river, admiring the picturesque countryside and passing by local farms. Traffic is limited in this area, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as you pedal along. (B)

Today will be a highlight of your trip. You will be able to immerse yourself in local life and culture with a visit to a community that is based in the mountains of the Sacred Valley. You’ll be warmly welcomed by the locals and partake in an exchange of customs and traditions, as well as learning about local farming and Andean weaving techniques. The community will serve a traditional lunch. Your visit will contribute to the sustainable development of the community and all profits from the tour will go back to supporting the people that live there. (B,L)

This morning you’ll be collected from your hotel and drive approximately one hour to the vibrant town of Ollantaytambo, where you will take a guided tour of the giant Incan fortress. You will partake in the traditional Andean tradition of Pachamanca, where food is buried and cooked in the ground, beneath layers of earth, fabric and rocks. A farm to table lunch will be prepared and Andean staples such as potatoes and beans will be included. Tour a local artisan distillery, where you will enjoy spirit tastings and even have the chance to craft your own distilled sugarcane creation. You will finish the day with a visit to a coffee roastery. At the end of your tour you will be transferred to your next stay at the Eco-Resort, Las Qolqas. The lodge has a botanical and herb garden onsite and utilises low impact tents for lodging, uses solar energy and recycled irrigation, as well as supporting the local community through projects and donations. (B,L)

Start your day with a nourishing breakfast at the hotel before heading out on a guided hike. The trail starts near your accommodation and you will walk along the Patacancha River, passing ancient Incan terraces. You will hike up to Pumamarca, a relatively unknown temple that dates back to around 900AD. Enjoy a tour of the site, which offers a mix of Incan and Wari (Pre-Incan) influences. On the return journey you will be able to enjoy stunning vistas of the peaceful surrounding valley. (B,L)

Today will be one of your highlights in South America with a visit to Machu Picchu. A transfer will collect you and transfer you to Ollantaytambo train station to board a scenic train and arrive in one of the world’s most famous ruins after the morning fog and crowds have cleared. A guide will meet you on arrival and take you directly to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will spend the afternoon marvelling at the stunning display of ancient architecture and incredible surroundings. located 2,430 metres above sea level, your guide will explain the 15th-century Inca site before taking you to your hotel for the night in the local village of Aguas Calientes. (B,D)

Start your journey back to Cusco by boarding a return train to Ollantaytambo. A transfer will be waiting as you arrive back to Ollantaytambo station to continue onwards to Cusco. En route, you will stop in the charming Colonial town of Huarocondo and explore it’s quaint main square, before visiting the ceremonial complex of Killarumiyoq, which in Quechwa translates to ‘The Moonstone’. The moon and the lunar calendar held significant cultural significance in Incan times and your guide will discuss theories about how the site was used by Incan priests. The sites you will visit today are well off the paved tourist route and we have designed the itinerary to allow a more off-the-beaten-path experience. You will then be dropped to your hotel in Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes. (B)

Join our exclusive day tour and explore the city’s fascinating history. This specially designed tour has been perfected to show you the best of this incredible city without the crowds and other tourists. Learn about this city from the Inca times to colonial rule to the present day, winding through narrow cobble-stoned streets and visiting the market of Cusco. Visit the fascinating Koricancha Temple of the Sun, Cusco’s Plaza de Armas and Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace and finish up at Sacsayhuaman, a former Inca fortress perched atop the hill above Cusco. (B)

Your morning is at leisure, allowing you to spend time wandering the cobble-stoned streets of the ancient Inca capital. With treasures around every corner, Cusco is a wonderful city to explore on foot. Vibrant markets and stores give the traveller a plethora of shopping opportunities set amongst fine Inca and Spanish colonial architecture. Included is a BTG ticket which provides access to most of Cusco’s attractions and museums, so you can decide what you want to see.
Later today you will learn to make some of Peru’s most iconic dishes in an immersive cooking class with a local chef. The class is also designed to provide a glimpse into the culture and history of Peruvian cuisine. You will visit the local market, create dishes such as Ceviche and Lomo Saltado and learn how to make a Pisco Sour, the emblematic cocktail of Peru. The last part of the class is perhaps the most important, eating your culinary creations! (B.D)

After several days of soaking up one of South America’s best cities, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. If you would like to see more of Peru, we have several extension packages available such as a visit to the Amazon, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, or a flight over the Nazca Lines to show you more of this fantastic country. (B)