Wonders of culture abound on this 8-day best of Peru tour. Designed especially to cover the most sought after offerings of Peru, this tour has it all. Get swept up in stellar beauty. Forget about the world outside of Peru. Watch the colors of the Andes swirl into brilliant life as you witness the diversity of Lima, the eclectic streets of Cusco, and the living history of Machu Picchu. Adventure Peru and understand the world inside the Andes. If you ever strolled through a museum and...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Lima - The Writing on the Wall
The capital city of Peru spreads along the coastline overlooking the gentle waves and reaching the foothills where colorful homes climb the hillside. The sweet scent of the sea mixes with the citrus of fresh ceviche. Wander along the stunning boardwalk of Miraflores that straddles the shore where you can hear the crashing waves on the beach. Surfers cut through the rolling water as sea foam rises into the bright sky. The lighthouse stands proudly on the shore surrounded by the lush grass of a small park and shining its light over the sea when the morning marine layer and evening darkness settle in over the city.
A visit to the Museo Larco brings with it the decadence of the Spanish colonial past within an 18th-century viceroy’s mansion. The museum is plush with the fabulously presented displays of ceramics. The pre-Columbian collection is rumored to contain more than 50,000 pots that span warehouses and history, including Nazca and Inca relics. The transcendent Moche portrait vessels, ceramic containers featuring individualized and naturalistic representations of human faces, are dramatic in their simply lit cases, giving a chill down your spine from the quality and detail of the pottery made almost 2,000 years ago. Within the museum’s housed past and Peru’s outdoor history, the wonders of the country begin to blossom in Lima.
What's Included:
Day 2 - 3
Cusco - Historical Wanderings
Day 4
Sacred Valley - Enriching and Salty Circularity
Day 5
Aguas Calientes - History Written into the Sky
Day 6 - 7
Aguas Calientes - The Past, Present, and Future Lost and Found
Day 8
Aguas Calientes - Written in History
Trip Highlights
- Discover the grandiose and awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu
- Wander through the past and present cultures of the Inca capital, Cusco
- Experience dramatic Nazca and Inca relics at the Museo Larco
- Visit the diverse villages of the majestic Sacred Valley
- Wonder at the engineering and agricultural feats that are the terraces of Moray
- Marvel at the sensational Saltpans of Maras
- Experience the diversity of modern and traditional Peru
- Explore the variety of cultural history in the Museo Larco
Detailed Description
Experience the ceaseless cultural marvels of Peru on this tailored tour that offers you the magnificent sights within the heart of the country. Stand beyond the Incas and see the colorful ceramic faces of the Moche portrait vessels. Explore the Sacred Valley and witness the incredible circular terraces. Stand on top of a mountain with the marvelous city of Machu Picchu beneath you. Indulge in the cultural majesty of the people and the history of Peru where you will find endless wonders.
Begin your cultural exploration with your arrival in Lima. Inside of Museo Larco the sharply hued Moche portrait vessels glisten as you wander along the museum exhibits and absorb the past and present cultures of Peru. Transfer to Cusco, the Inca capital high inside the Andes and witness the dichotomy of culture, from the designer present to the traditional past. Watch the streets meander across the hillside where you can see the Spanish buildings straddling Inca foundations. Journey out into the Sacred Valley where the mountain culture comes to life along the vibrant hillsides. The sloping, circular terraces of Moray are grand and impressive. The saltpans of Maras are ingenious and also incredibly inspiring.
Your cultural journey continues as you travel by train from Ollantaytambo village to the foothills of Machu Picchu. The grand city sits on the citadel and watches over the valley below. Spend time exploring the buildings, absorbing the cultural wonders, and basking in the view. Return to Cusco and the following day you will make the trip home. As you fly above the Andes you know that your journey was nothing less than majestic, filled with awe from a witnessing one of the Wonders of the World and all the wonders of Peru.
Starting Price
$2,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.86 stars based on 902 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel agent managed to ensure we were able to see and do all the things on our list, plus more! It was an amazing family adventure. We only had one issue with an airline delay, but she went above and beyond to help us. The guides and drivers were also spectacular.
Reviewed By Pamela N.
Zicasso's travel consultant planned the perfect itinerary for our family trip to Peru. She really listened to the types of experiences we wanted to have and absolutely delivered on everything she planned. All of our travel logistics went smoothly, with no issues, hiccups, or delays. She was also very responsive prior to our trip and the few times we reached out during our travels. And the app she used was extremely intuitive and helpful. I would highly recommend Zicasso's tour operator!
Reviewed By Jenifer Z.
Our trip from start to finish was absolutely fantastic. The Amazon jungle was a blast. I paid for an extra full-day excursion to fish for piranhas, which was definitely a great decision and one of the highlights of our trip (we had the piranhas for lunch, and they were delicious).
The Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu were fabulous. And then, the Galápagos were extraordinary, from the unexpected serenity of the place to the crew of the boat, and, of course, the proximity to wildlife, including snorkeling with sea lions. It was especially meaningful to be in these places with our entire family (10 of us). Everyone understood how special it was and we will all cherish the experience all of our lives.
The Zicasso travel company was fantastic from start to finish. Our travel specialist went far beyond the call of duty to help us, especially when one family members could not make the trip. He helped us with replacing that person with another. He was remarkably prompt, clear, and informative in all communications, both in planning the trip and during it. He has a very kind heart and is a great human being. I cannot say enough positive things about him.
Reviewed By bradley P.
My adult daughter and I had the most wonderful trip planned by Zicasso's travel company. Their team was exceptional; educational, on time, and just a pleasure to be with. Our itinerary was just what we were looking for. From Lima to the Amazon Rainforest, Cusco, and ending with Machu Picchu, it was well planned and well executed. We have memories that will last us forever.
Our travel specialist was a pleasure to work with. She listened to our thoughts and improved our experience with her great knowledge of the country, cities, and historical sites we wanted to visit. The travel company exceeded our expectations on every level. Thank you to our specialist and the team she assembled. We now have fantastic memories that will last us forever!
Reviewed By Darrin G.
Zicasso's travel agent is a phenomenal trip planner and advisor, and he helped make my husband's and my 20th wedding anniversary trip exactly what we were hoping for. He listened to what we were interested in exploring, provided multiple options for tours and activities, and was incredibly responsive, even after we booked the trip. He patiently answered all of our questions and provided excellent recommendations for restaurants.
Furthermore, he paired us with an outstanding tour guide for our time at the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. He even left us a surprise at our hotel on the final leg of our journey! When we go back to visit South America, we will definitely reach out to him!
Reviewed By Kasha H.
Zicasso's travel specialist was spectacular in every way. From the inception of communication and planning, through arranging for all of our tickets, hotels, transport, and amazing dining experiences, to the incredible support and guides we enjoyed along the way... they were outstanding and we received five-star service.
We were a demanding group of 13, ranging in ages from 17 to over 60, and we all had an absolute blast! We had an absolutely amazing trip. The Lares Trail and Machu Picchu (and our climb up Huayna Picchu) are by far some of the most memorable experiences we've ever had.
Our guide and driver were awesome... kind, professional, and accommodating, and our guide especially was very knowledgeable, with so much respect and love for the surrounding nature and culture.
Our travel specialist was timely, attentive, and responsive to all of our requests, and helped us collectively achieve one of the greatest vacations we have ever experienced.
They were 100% accurate in terms of how to prepare us for the altitude and allow us enough time to acclimatize in Cusco (and with a great, long, mountain bike ride at high elevation). Our specialist provided excellent recommendations for how to fill some additional time in Cusco while we acclimated. We loved touring Cusco itself, and seeing Sacsayhuaman, several spots in the Sacred Valley, and the Maras Salt Mines were all unforgettable experiences. We also loved the hotel she had us at in Cusco. It was a great spot to be able to explore the city on our own time.
After seeing all of the coordination, especially for the Lares Trail and Machu Picchu, we're so relieved we chose to go through Zicasso for this trip and were connected with our travel specialist and her company. Everything was well planned and thought out, and if anything was not right, they sought to immediately correct it. Our guide was on top of every detail and it was great knowing our agent was just a text or phone call away.
Reviewed By Gary W.