Peru – Land of the Incas
14 Days Starting and ending in UK
Visiting: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco city tour, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Aguada Blanca, Colca Canyon, Arequipa, United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
99502
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
20 - 45
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
21-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
From:
$4774
$4336 (USD)
including Flights from the UK
Operator discount: -$438
Tour Overview
Join us to explore one of South America’s most fascinating, colourful and cosmopolitan countries, and marvel at the treasures of the Inca.
Enjoy the company of a small group of like-minded travellers as you uncover the secrets of one of the world’s most fascinating civilisations and one of South America’s most colourful countries. Begin your tour in Lima, Peru's cultural, culinary and colourfully modern capital. Fly to Cusco, capital of the Inca civilisation, and gateway to the Sacred Valley and astonishing 'lost city' of Machu Picchu. Spend time discovering Cusco's wonders, then travel to Lake Titicaca. Explore her shores and islands before the Peruvian altiplano, the Andes with their canyons and volcanoes, condors and alpacas, and the dazzling 'white city' of Arequipa, complete your wonderful Peruvian adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Fly Overnight To Peru
Location: Lima
Meals Included: No Meals
Fly overnight to Lima, Peru's fascinating capital.
Day 2 : Arrive In Lima
Location: Lima
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3 : Lima Guided City Tour
Location: Lima
Meals Included: No Meals
A guided sightseeing tour brings to life the Peruvian capital. Founded by conquistador Francisco Pizarro, Lima is a thriving city of some nine-million inhabitants that boasts a number of UNESCO-listed historic treasures, legacies of Spanish colonialism. The vast Plaza Mayor (also known as the Plaza de Armas) with its grand Presidential Palace and stunning Baroque cathedral, sit easily alongside the gleaming developments of San Isidro and Miraflores. Wander through verdant El Olivar Park, past its ancient Spanish olive trees, meet the resident cats of Kennedy Park, or take in the view of the Pacific Ocean from the Lacromar mall, in its cliff-side location.
This evening, choose from a vast selection of dining opportunities: Lima is renowned as one of South America's liveliest culinary centres.
Day 4 : Fly To Cusco And The Sacred Valley
Location: Cusco, Sacred Valley
Meals Included: No Meals
Today you'll fly east from Lima to the Inca stronghold of Cusco. From here you'll travel by coach into the fabled Sacred Valley of the Incas, where highlights will include a visit to the tiny Andean town of Ccaccaccollo, where the ancient Inca techniques of weaving and fabric-dyeing live on, and you’ll enjoy a demonstration given in the local Quechua language, before spending the night in the Valley.
Day 5 : Inca Treasures Of The Sacred Valley
Location: Sacred Valley
Meals Included: No Meals
Continue your exploration of the Sacred Valley, today. Visit Pisac, with its substantial Inca ruins and colourful market, and Ollantaytambo, home to the remains of a monumental Inca fortress from which the Inca organised resistance against Hernando Pizarro (conquistador brother of Lima’s Francisco). Highlights of your day will be a visit to an indigenous community ‘Potato Park’ and a traditional lunch. You’ll then spend a second night in the Valley, in preparation for tomorrow’s extraordinary day.
Day 6 : The Magic Of Machu Picchu
Location: Machu Picchu
Meals Included: No Meals
Whatever has gone before, today is sure to be a pinnacle of your holiday as you travel by narrow-gauge railway to the spa town of Aguas Calientes. Take in the panoramic views of the astonishing Andean scenery through the enormous windows of your comfortable, modern Vistadome carriage, and then transfer to the bus for the final leg of your journey, zig-zagging up through the jungle to Machu Picchu, the breath-taking Lost City of the Incas.
This extraordinary mountaintop citadel in the heart of the Andean jungle is an absolutely unforgettable place, part military outpost, part secret retreat of Inca rulers or estate built in honour of Inca chief Pachacuti. During your visit, your guide will explain the citadel's layout and the supposed significance of buildings such as the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Sunken Plaza. It really is, quite simply, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
At the end of the day, you’ll travel to Cusco via Aguas Calientes for a two-night stay in the "archaeological capital of South America".
Day 7 : Cusco City Tour
Location: Cusco city tour
Meals Included: No Meals
The Incas called Cusco the 'Navel of the World', and its citadel (reputedly shaped like a puma) was an intricate maze of palaces and gilded temples upon which the conquering Spanish built their colonial city. It remains one of the world’s most enthralling settlements, and today's guided tour will bring to life the city’s fascinating history and most important landmarks, including the Santo Domingo monastery, built on the site of the Inca Temple of the Sun, the magnificent Cathedral and the elegant Plaza de Armas. You'll also take a walk through colourful San Pedro Market, with its stalls selling local produce, clothing and crafts, before spending a second evening in the city.
Day 8 : On To Puno
Location: Puno
Meals Included: No Meals
You'll have a very early start, this morning, as you board your well-appointed coach for the 10.5-hour journey through the high Andean plains to Puno. Alternatively, you may choose to take the PeruRail Titicaca Train (must be pre-booked, supplement applies). As you travel through the startling landscape, you'll make plenty of stops, including for a gourmet lunch, and arrive in lakeside Puno late this afternoon to spend the first of two evenings in the colourful capital of Peruvian folklore.
Day 9 : Included Lake Titicaca Cruise
Location: Lake Titicaca
Meals Included: No Meals
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, the birthplace in myth of the Inca civilisation, home to shore-side and island communities where life is conducted as it has been for centuries, and refuge for Andean wildlife and many species of resident and migratory birds. Explore its waters as you travel by boat to the floating-island homes of the Uros people, stepping aboard their man-made islands, built with tightly bound reeds, to learn how they maintain their traditions and way of life. Cruise to Taquile Island, where a fairly strenuous walk will be rewarded time to explore some local craft shops, enjoy a traditional Taquile lunch and the opportunity to learn more about the peoples and cultures of the lake.
At the end of the day, you'll cruise back to Puno to spend a second evening here.
Day 10 : Across The Aguada Blanca National Reserve
Location: Aguada Blanca
Meals Included: No Meals
Board the coach early this morning and journey west from Titicaca, heading towards startling, scenic landscape of the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, past herds of vicunas and alpaca, and the Inca farming terraces that are still worked today. Pass across the high plains, enjoy lunch and the opportunity to visit a natural hot spring, then spend the night in Chivay, your gateway to the stunning Colca Canyon.
Day 11 : Condors And The Colca Canyon
Location: Colca Canyon
Meals Included: No Meals
We'll have an early start today, as we drive to the spectacular viewpoint at Cruz del Condor. Here, with luck, you'll catch sight of the enormous, majestic condors that make the Colca Canyon their home gliding on the swirling winds and thermals.
Take a short, guided hike into the spectacular canyon, then continue your scenic journey, pausing at the ancient villages of Pinchollo, with its pre-Inca terraces, at the Andean community of Maca, and at Yanque, with its beautiful Baroque church.
This afternoon, you’ll arrive in the beautiful city of Arequipa, in its dramatic setting beside the Chile River beneath three snow-capped volcanoes.
Day 12 : Arequipa City Tour
Location: Arequipa
Meals Included: No Meals
Today you’ll enjoy a tour of White City, Arequipa, with its elegant main square Plaza de Armas, lined on one side by the great cathedral, and surrounded by 19th-buildings constructed of white volcanic stone. You’ll also visit the extraordinary ‘town within a city’, the narrow streets, cloisters and hidden quarters of the Monasterio Santa Catalina, to discover the convent's fascinating religious art and architecture. Your tour will end with a visit to the stunning Jesuit La Compañía church to see its ornate façade, golden altar and the adjacent chapel with its richly decorated cupola.
This afternoon, you'll head to Arequipa airport to catch your flight to Lima for a last night in the capital.
Day 13 : Free Time And Overnight Return Flight
Location: Lima
Meals Included: No Meals
Spend a last few hours in Lima, perhaps enjoying lunch, before returning to the airport to check in for your overnight flight home.
Day 14 : Arrive Back In The Uk
Location: United Kingdom
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive home, today, after an absorbing, extraordinary Peruvian adventure.
What's Included
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11 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels in Lima (3 nights), the Sacred Valley (2), Cusco (2), Puno (2), Colca Canyon (1) and Arequipa (1), plus two nights on the aircraft
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Guided tours of Lima, Arequipa, Cusco and the Sacred Valley
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A boat trip on Lake Titicaca
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Visits to the Inca sites at Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu
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Return flights to Lima
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Internal flights from Lima to Cusco, and from Arequipa to Lima
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Air-conditioned coach transfers throughout
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Entrance fees to featured sites
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The services of a tour manager and local guides in Peru
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Four lunches
What's Not Included
Transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your first hotel is approximately one hour.
Passports and visas
British citizens require passports when travelling overseas and this must be valid for six months beyond the date you return. If you are not a British citizen, you may need a visa for the country/countries you are visiting (please contact the respective embassies to check and to apply).
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
On your flight
All outbound flights leave in the morning and land at your destination later the same day. All return flights travel overnight and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outbound flights, and dinner and breakfast on the flight home. Drinks are complimentary.
Luggage allowance
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
Optional excursions
We strongly advise you to book optional excursions at the same time as your holiday, as availability cannot always be guaranteed later. Once in South America, prices for excursions are subject to increase.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.
Road Conditions
In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.
Travel vaccinations
Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.
Transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your first hotel is approximately one hour.
Passports and visas
British citizens require passports when travelling overseas and this must be valid for six months beyond the date you return. If you are not a British citizen, you may need a visa for the country/countries you are visiting (please contact the respective embassies to check and to apply).
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
On your flight
All outbound flights leave in the morning and land at your destination later the same day. All return flights travel overnight and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outbound flights, and dinner and breakfast on the flight home. Drinks are complimentary.
Luggage allowance
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
Optional excursions
We strongly advise you to book optional excursions at the same time as your holiday, as availability cannot always be guaranteed later. Once in South America, prices for excursions are subject to increase.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.
Road Conditions
In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.
Travel vaccinations
Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.
Check out our Q&As
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
-
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1983
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our company’s mission is to enrich lives and improve wellbeing through travel. A big part of that is ‘Travel for Good’. Our ‘Travel for Good’ hub is our first step in a long journey to reduce carbon, offset anything we produce as a company and travel without harming the planet or the people of the destinations we go to.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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Fitness to Travel
We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please make sure that you make us aware of any requirements.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Wednesday - Tuesday
Feb 19, 2025 - Mar 04, 2025Wednesday - Tuesday
May 07, 2025 - May 20, 2025Wednesday - Tuesday
May 21, 2025 - Jun 03, 2025Wednesday - Tuesday
Sep 10, 2025 - Sep 23, 2025Wednesday - Tuesday
Oct 08, 2025 - Oct 21, 2025Wednesday - Tuesday
Nov 12, 2025 - Nov 25, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Newmarket Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 35% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of newmarket holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 48 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. You can find the travel restrictions for different countries on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.