La Marina Lighthouse on Miraflores district in Lima, Peru

Peru for Seniors Itinerary: 10-Day Escapade

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Peru

Places Visited

Lima, Miraflores,  Arequipa,  Urubamba Valley...

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Suggested Duration

10 Days

Llamas graze in the mist, and Machu Picchu unfolds before your eyes. Streets of cobblestone and charm evoke the 19th-century era in Arequipa while Cusco baffles with its endless sights and the Sacred Valley immerses you in Incan and Quechua cultures. Handcrafted for senior travelers, this 10-day trip to Peru maximizes altitude acclimatization, ensuring you can fully enjoy all the Andean highlights: Lima, Arequipa, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco.

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Luxuriate in the white city with a two-night stay in Arequipa, which is a superbly preserved insight into colonial times
  • Bask in the wonder of Machu Picchu, spending a relaxed afternoon and morning in the Lost City
  • Connect civilizations in Cusco, the ancient Incan capital that became an important Spanish city
  • Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, admiring vast fortress ruins and glistening salt pans
  • Discover a Quechua style to life, including traditional markets and home-style cooking
  • Take the Harry Bingham train from Machu Picchu to Cusco, with Peruvian dancing and cuisine on board
  • Spend half a day seeing the highlights of Lima, which is the UNESCO World Heritage Site on your tour

Detailed Description

Machu Picchu emerges from mountain mist far more beautiful than the photos could ever suggest. Cusco is a remarkable place where a cathedral is built upon an Incan temple and the streets are packed with colors. Then, there is all the history that surrounds Cusco, such as the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. You cannot forget about Lima. While the more famous Peruvian highlights are in the Andean mountains, the capital city still has plenty of highlights for you.

These destinations combine effortlessly on a 10-day trip to Peru. Direct flights will make light work of the long distances, so you can quickly hop from Lima to Arequipa and then from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Private tours will allow you explore at your pace, with flexibility over the amount of walking and the number of sites that you will visit each day. A handpicked selection of fine hotels will provide space to relax while continuing the cultural journey with Peruvian entertainment and foods. There is no rush, so you can relax, take it slow, and immerse yourself in the culture and discover what makes Peru such a unique country.

This tour has been handcrafted for senior travelers, and the route is carefully designed to maximize altitude acclimatization, which will assist you in overcoming the challenges of the thin mountain air. Many senior visitors are naturally worried about altitude in the Andean Mountains, especially Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is not a potential problem for altitude sickness, but Cusco is, so it is important for senior travelers to end, rather than to start, in Cusco. You may notice that this is the opposite direction to most tours as most start in Cusco and then wind their way towards the Lost City of the Incas.

Traveling the other way around will provide the best altitude acclimatization. At an altitude of 7,660 feet, Arequipa will be a beautiful place to start, which is below the danger zone for altitude sickness. Next, you will spend leisurely days in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba Valley), with hardly any exertion, and an altitude of around 9,000 feet. Machu Picchu will follow. The Lost City is actually lower, at just under 8,000 feet above sea level. You will have to walk in order to see the site, but your lungs will already be accustomed to the higher altitude. You will finish in Cusco, where the altitude climbs to over 11,000 feet. By then, you will have had six days at higher elevations, which will helps negate the risk.

If you have limited mobility, most of the sites on this tour can still be visited. You can explore the Sacred Valley in a private vehicle, getting out at small ruins, markets, and salt pans. A tour in Cusco can be carefully designed to minimize walking as well, especially uphill walking. In Machu Picchu you will need to walk but it is really not as tough as stereotypes suggest. Yes, the steps can be steep, but even a marathon runner would not want to rush through this. On this tour for senior travelers, you will have plenty of time to walk at your own pace, which is recommended as it helps you fully absorb the intimate details of Machu Picchu and the other Andean highlights.  Consider reading some of our travelers’ Peru tour reviews for more ideas to perfect your dream vacation.

Starting Price

$3,600 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

4.87 stars based on 905 reviews.

Peru Vacation Review: Amazon, Desert, Dune Buggy Rides,...

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.

Peru Family Vacation Review: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley,...

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.

Peru, Ecuador Vacation Review: Sacred Valley, Cusco, Machu...

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.

Peru Tour Review: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Amazon Rainforest,...

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.

Peru Anniversary Tour Review: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu,...

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.

Peru Tour Review: Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Lares Trail,...

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.

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