Peru 9-Day Tour Colca & Machu Picchu
Peru’s Hidden Treasures: A 9-Day Expedition from Colca Canyon to Machu Picchu
Embark on a mesmerizing 9-day journey through Peru, a land where ancient cultures and breathtaking landscapes converge. Your adventure begins in Lima, with a colonial walking tour through the city’s historic heart. Next, experience the charm of Arequipa, the White City, renowned for its Sillar stone architecture. In the Colca Valley, witness the majestic flight of the Giant Condors against the backdrop of the world’s second-deepest canyon. Fly to Cusco, the cradle of the Inca civilization, for a colorful exploration of its rich history. Delve into the Sacred Valley’s enigmatic Inca ruins, including Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The climax of your journey is the mystical Machu Picchu, an ancient wonder that captivates every traveler. This intimate, small-group tour emphasizes sustainable and safe travel, immersing you in authentic experiences while supporting local communities and the environment.
Highlights
- Arequipa’s White City: Explore the White City of Arequipa, a marvel of colonial architecture and Peruvian culture.
- Colca Canyon’s Majesty: Marvel at the Colca Canyon, home to the spectacular flight of Giant Condors.
- Cusco’s Incan Heritage: Immerse in Cusco’s vibrant history, exploring its colorful streets and Incan ruins.
- Sacred Valley’s Mysteries: Discover the Sacred Valley’s Inca ruins, unveiling the secrets of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
- Machu Picchu’s Splendor: Experience the majestic Machu Picchu, an iconic symbol of Incan engineering and spirituality.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Lima – Begin Your Peruvian Odyssey
- Day 2: Exploring Colonial Lima – Uncover the rich colonial heritage of Lima on a walking tour.
- Day 3: Arequipa’s Historic Charm – Delve into the cultural depth of the White City.
- Day 4: Colca Valley Adventure – Embark on an excursion to the breathtaking Colca Valley.
- Day 5: Condors of Colca – Witness the majestic flight of the Condors in their natural habitat.
- Day 6: Cusco’s Colorful Tapestry – Explore the ancient streets and vibrant culture of Cusco.
- Day 7: Sacred Valley Insights – Tour the mystical ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
- Day 8: Machu Picchu Revelation – Visit the enigmatic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
- Day 9: Departure from Cusco – Reflect on your unforgettable journey as you depart.
Prices for this trip
Hotel Category | Double or Triple room | Single room Additional cost |
---|---|---|
Budget | US$ 1189 | US$ 241 |
Tourist | US$ 1333 | US$ 277 |
Superior Tourist | US$ 1551 | US$ 420 |
* Minimum 2 passengers to confirm the booking; solo traveler is subject to an additional fee.
* Small group min 2, max 12 — group tour; join other travelers at each destination (If you want a private tour just for you, ask your travel agent).
Includes and excludes
Included
- Accommodation: 8 nights in Lima, Arequipa, Colca Valley, Cusco, and Aguas Calientes Hotel with breakfast included.
- The itinerary includes all admission costs (Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cusco, Andean Community, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu).
- English-speaking local guides lead the tours.
- All transfers: airport, train station, bus station transfers, Hotel pickup, and drop-offs.
- Train ticket: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Cusco (Expedition Class).
- Meals: According mentioned in the itinerary (vegetarian or special diets are available).
- All ground transportation.
- 24-hour support by our local staff.
Not Included
- The price does not cover domestic or international flights. Consult a travel agency if necessary.
- VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre, and post-tour accommodation.
- Additional personal costs (alcoholic beverages, laundry).
- The price does not cover gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and support staff.
- Guidance in another language (Germany, French, others), in case you request them, please ask your travel agent.
- Additional items are not included explicitly in the itinerary description.
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
Trip code: CMP8D01-SIC
Day 1 – International Arrival in Lima
- Lima Airport Transfer: Arrive in Lima at any time. Our representative will be waiting at Lima airport with a customized sign with the client’s name.
- Upon arrival in Lima, assistance at the airport and transfer to the lodging.
- No scheduled activities exist, so check into lodging and restore the energy.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Lima.
- Meals included: None.
Day 2 – Lima Colonial Walking Tour
- Hotel breakfast; enjoy a free morning to explore the city alone.
- At 14:00, pick up and transfer to Lima historical center. We will take a fascinating walking tour. We will show our clients the palaces, castles, magnificent Saint Francisco Monastery, and spectacular subterranean Catacombs throughout our city.
- We visit the main square, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, the train station Palace, the unique old-fashioned “Cordano Bar,” colorful mansion palaces, the Jiron del Union Pathway, the Post Office Palace, the Dominicans Tower, and the Historical Rimac Bridge, as well as the lovely surrounded wooden Balconies.
- The historical center is considered a World Heritage protected by UNESCO.
- The tour will end around 18:00.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Lima.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 3 – Flight to Arequipa – City Tour & Santa Catalina Monastery
- Hotel breakfast; at 06:30, picked up from the hotel and escorted to the airport for the trip to Arequipa.
- Upon arrival in Arequipa, assistance at the airport and transfer to the lodging.
- Hotel pickup at 14:30. The excursion will begin at Carmen Alto, where the Chili River is visible. The Yanahuara Viewpoint is our next destination, and this magnificent location is well-known for its charming, winding lanes. Following that, we will go to Arequipa’s Central Square.
- During our journey to the main square, we will see the Basilica Cathedral, which still houses the Arch Bishop and the Jesuits’ Church of the Company of Jesus.
- Finally, we will visit the Monastery of Santa Catalina. The monument’s foundations date back to 1579, and it is one of Peru’s most magnificent, significant, and spiritually famous landmarks. The Monastery has conserved its traditional characteristics for centuries. Its narrow streets and gardens with typical Spanish names bring back memories of the old quarters of Sevilla and Granada. The tour will end around 18:00.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Arequipa.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 4 – Excursion to the Colca Valley
- Hotel breakfast; pick up from the hotel at 07:30 am and land departure toward exciting excursion towards the Colca Valley. In the route, we will drive across Pampa Cañahuas at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve. Our clients will be blown away by the magnificent views of Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu volcanoes.
- Upon arrival at the reserve, they will be able to experience the wild vicuñas in their natural habitats, which is considered a national symbol. Then we continue to Vizcachani, the Pampas de Toccra. Finally, to the Mirador de Los Andes at Patapampa (4800m), we can view the volcanoes surrounding Arequipa.
- Before entering the Colca Valley, we stop in the Mirador. We can admire the magnificent pre-Columbian terraces that indigenous Collaguas are still farming.
- Once we get to the town of Chivay, transfer to the hotel.
- There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and rest up.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Colca Valley.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 5 – Observe the flight of the Condors and back to Arequipa
- Hotel breakfast; 06:00 pick up and transfer to the Cruz del Cóndor for panoramic views of the Colca Valley, the world’s second-deepest canyon, measuring 4 kilometers at its deepest point.
- Be taken aback by the enormous and beautiful condors flying just a few meters away.
- Afterward, we will make our way to the town of Pinchollo and the Antahuilque Viewpoint to see a fantastic terrace built 1500 years ago. On our way back to Chivay, we will stop at the viewpoints of Choquetico and Tumbas Colgantes.
- Then we continue to the towns of Maca and Yanque, where we will be able to set eyes upon the valley’s most beautiful church and have lunch in the quaint small town square. Afterward, have lunch at a nearby restaurant.
- We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Arequipa and drop off at the Arequipa hotel.
- The approximate arrival time is between 17:00.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Arequipa.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 6 – Flight to Cusco & Colorful Cusco Walking Tour
- Hotel breakfast; at 06:30, picked up from the hotel and escorted to the airport for the trip to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital.
- Upon arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transfer to the lodging.
- The rest of the day is free for relaxation to minimize the adverse effects of the high altitude and explore this wonderful city.
- Hotel pickup at 14:30. The walking tour starts in the colorful San Pedro market; there is probably no better place to witness Cusquean life. Enjoy a firsthand look at how residents live day-to-day outside the postcard perfection of Cusco’s main square. The guide explains this market’s history as its wanders through the narrow aisles laden with colorful fabrics, meals, fruit juice, bread, and shaman stalls.
- After, we visit Cusco’s main square. This busy and vibrant space marks the city’s colonial center, featuring wide stone pathways and well-kept colorful gardens.
- Afterward, we will go to Qorikancha, where Santo Domingo’s convent sits atop the ancient temple. For some unknown reason, numerous invaders were awed by the splendor of this temple when they first arrived because, according to tradition, it was fully gold-plated.
- The tour ends around 18:00.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast.
Day 7 – Tour to the Sacred Valley (Pisac & Ollantaytambo)
- Hotel breakfast; pick up from the hotel at 07:30. We embark on a journey back in time to the Inca’s Sacred Valley, beginning in Pisac, 31 km from Cusco. The old Incan archaeological site is on the summit of a mountain. There have the chance to witness the impressive stonemasonry skill of our ancient ancestors.
- Afterward, go down into the quaint little town and wander through its colorful market, where it can buy intricate, beautifully hand-crafted products.
- Afterward, have lunch at a nearby restaurant.
- We next go to Ollantaytambo, an Inca military, religious, and agricultural hub perched on a mountain. Unlike other little villages, this one has retained its original Incan architecture, with magnificent stone structures and winding alleyways.
- Following the tour, we go to the Ollantaytambo railway station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 8 – Visit the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu & Back to Cusco
- Hotel breakfast; at 06:00. Take a bus to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,430m/7,972ft). Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the mountaintop fortress earned every bit of its notoriety.
- Around 07:30 am, the guided tour begins; the guide expertly directs through the astounding ruins and main streets. Then wander around the town squares and climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.
- The guided tour takes around two hours and 30 minutes.
- From 12:30 pm to 13:30, take the bus to Aguas Calientes.
- From 13:30 to 15:00, take lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
- Board the train to return to Cusco later in the day. Arrive at Poroy station and then be picked up and transported to the Cusco hotel.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 9 – Departure from Cusco
- Hotel breakfast; Our representative will meet in the hotel lobby at the specified hour and help with the departure—airport transfer.
- Meals Included: Breakfast.