Colours of Peru | Small Group Tour | Lima to Cusco

Colours of Peru is a small group tour operated by Viva Expeditions.

This tour is guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 4 travellers. When there are 4- 9 travellers in the group, the tour will be hosted by an experienced local guide in each city. When there are 9 – 20 travellers in the group, the tour will be hosted by an experienced guide for the duration of your tour in South America.

ARRIVAL IN LIMA
Lima, the capital of Peru, sits on the country's arid Pacific coast. Founded in 1535, Lima is now a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. The city is home to the various museums including the Museo Larco that houses a collection of pre-Columbian art and the Museo de la Nación, tracing the history of Peru’s ancient civilizations.

Our base will be the comfortable and elegant Casa Repulica boutique hotel. Located in the vibrant and bohemian Barranco district, one Lima’s premier neighbourhoods. Barranco came to light in the early part of the 20th century as a seaside resort for the wealthy aristocracy in Lima. During this “Republican era” our house was constructed. We continue with the Republican theme throughout the home and welcome you to come and celebrate Lima and Barranco’s unique history and charm, the perfect way to begin your stay in Lima.

With Peruvian food in the international spotlight for the best part of the last decade, Barranco is also home to the famed Chala and Cala restaurants, and many of Lima’s finest restaurants including Astrid and Gaston and Central are close by.

Today is arrival day. Arrival transfer is included. Arrive at any time

Meals included: None

LIMA WALKING FOOD TOUR
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.

Meals included: Breakfast, snacks on tour

LIMA - CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
Today we leave the Pacific shores behind and head to the mountains of Peru. We fly from Lima, high over the Andes landing in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire.
Cusco sits at a height of 3,399 metres above sea level, so the best way to avoid altitude sickness is to drive about 1 hour and a half to the Sacred Valley, which is situated at a lower altitude, enjoying vistas of this fertile valley region along the way.
Along with Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, lies the Sacred Valley, (also known as the Urubamba River Valley) that formed the heart of the Inca Empire. This region was an important for food production, in particular maize. Today its home to major archaeological sites and picturesque villages that have maintained their ancestral culture.

This evening enjoy a 3 course dinner at your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

SACRED VALLEY, EXPLORING MARAS & MORAY
We make an early start for our explorations of this fascinating valley, rich in culture and stories. We explore the town of Maras, with an interesting mix of Inca and Colonial influence, as well as Moray, an impressive Inca ruin of giant terraces forming nearly perfect circles, believed to have been used for agricultural experimentation. We head to the Salineras de Maras salt mines, where, salt ponds are filled with natural underground salt springs that comes from the adjacent mountain. Observe how Andean villagers work and harvest the salt, a method going back to the time of the Incas. During the day we will take a break for lunch at a local restaurant.

Relax and enjoy another evening in the Sacred Valley.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

SACRED VALLEY, PISAC & OILANTAYTAMBO - MACHU PICCHU
The fertile river valley of the Sacred Valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. We continue our journey in the footsteps of the past. The first stop is the village of Pisac, with its famous market. The colonial village of Pisac sits at the base of the spectacular Pisac Ruins – a hilltop Inca citadel and fortress with impressive agricultural terracing. On market days Pisac comes alive with colour as locals from nearby hillside villages in traditional dress come to sell local fruit, vegetables, textiles, and other handicrafts. We wander around the colourful market stalls before having buffet lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue along the River Urubamba, to Ollantaytambo, a town dominated by a giant Inca fortress. Ollantaytambo is perhaps the best surviving example of Inca town planning and was the scene of a rare Inca victory over the invading Spanish.

All aboard to Machu Picchu! This afternoon travel from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu on board the comfortable Voyager Train, and let your feet rest. Enjoy an authentic Andean experience, while relaxing in modern and comfortable interior design illuminated by Latin American music. Comfortable seats with tables in front to share the journey with friends.

*Due to limited space for luggage storage on trains, luggage restrictions apply: one bag or backpack (carry-on luggage) with a maximum weight of 5.0 kg/11 lb, measuring no more than 62 linear inches/157 linear cm (height + length + width). Your main luggage will be safely stored for you at your Sacred Valley hotel.

This evening is spent in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), the small township in the valley below Machu Picchu. Dinner at the hotel is included.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

MYSTICAL MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
An early morning start to catch the bus from Aguas Calientes, to Machu Picchu. You will be astonished by your first view of Machu Picchu, a stunning display of ancient architecture with incredible surroundings.

Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca site, located 2,430 metres above sea level on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley. It is the most famous of all Inca sites, but it was not until 1911 that it was brought to the world’s attention by the American historian Hiram Bingham. The Incas abandoned the city just prior to Spanish colonisation, the city was never pillaged and as a result the ruins are still in fantastic condition. With its location on a dramatic ridgeline surrounded by sheer cliffs and the Urubamba River on three sides, the city of Machu Picchu is a remarkable place to visit. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and in 2007 it was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Enjoy a tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemeteries.
The tour includes guided tour with local English-speaking guide and return bus from Aguas Calientes village. If you wish to climb the iconic hill of Huayna Picchu, please advise at the time of booking. Additional costs apply.

This afternoon travel by 360 Machu Picchu train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, and by road to Cusco making a stop en-route to collect your main luggage.
*Due to limited space for luggage storage on trains, luggage restrictions apply: one bag or backpack (carry-on luggage) with a maximum weight of 5.0 kg/11 lb, measuring no more than 62 linear inches/157 linear cm (height + length + width)

Meals included: Breakfast

DISCOVERING CUSCO
Today, explore the city’s fascinating history, from the Inca times to colonial rule to the present day. Wind through narrow cobble-stoned streets and visit the market of Cusco. Along the way, we get the chance to see the colonial buildings. Visit the fascinating Koricancha Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace. From here, head to Sacsayhuaman, a former Inca fortress perched atop the hill above Cusco, it presents a work of impeccable engineering (gigantic carved rocks that fit with absolute precision).

Your afternoon is yours at leisure, enjoy wandering around the cobblestone streets, calling in at a local café for a coffee or perhaps check out the local chocolate museum.

Tonight, we come together for a fond farewell dinner, we walk to the nearby Calle del Medio restaurant to enjoy a 3-course dinner where you can experience the best of contemporary Peruvian food made with the best regional ingredients.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

FAREWELL TO THE LAND OF THE INCAS
After a final breakfast it is time to bid farewell as this is where our journey together ends. Transfer to the airport is included.

You may continue to travel to discover more of Peru, please ask us for our Amazon jungle, or Lake Titicaca and Bolivia add on programmes. Or perhaps join one of our connecting tours to discover more!

Lake Titicaca & Puno
Amazon Jungle Peru
Nazca & Paracas from Lima

Please Note: All hotels are subject to change and will be confirmed in your final documents 3-4 weeks prior to travel.