Overview & Highlights
Travel to recently-opened up traditional areas of Andean Peru close to the highlights Machu Picchu and Cusco. Guided lodge-based trips to remote rural communities and little trodden mountain landscapes, strolling, hiking or travelling by road: it’s up to you.
- Walking tour of the city of Cusco and nearby ruins
- Chocolate, coffee and pisco tasting in Cusco
- Guided walks and culture-focussed activities in the Lares valley
- Guided visit to Pisaq market and ruins
- Guided visit to Ollantaytambo village and Inca fortress
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
On this holiday you can get under the skin of Peruvian culture and set foot on wild landscapes little trodden by visitors. You won’t miss out on the highlights: you visit imperial Cusco, Machu Picchu and the temple fortresses of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. But between visits to these stars of Inca heritage you’ll be walking along silent, sun-blistered upland trails, usually within sight of snow-dazzled Andean peaks, discovering buzzing village markets and the rustic settlements of weavers and livestock herders, meeting giggling bands of children making their daily rural trek to school, all under the scrutiny of grazing llamas. You don't have to go far: new community roads are opening up previously little-visited regions not far from the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
You don’t have to rough it either: sleep in cosy purpose-built lodges, nourished with hot meals. You’re accompanied by guides who will lay out a menu of options for you: drives, strolls or more serious hikes; visits to co-operatives, hamlets or archaeological sites: it’s up to you. The idea is that you enjoy an off-road adventure exerting as much physical effort as you feel comfortable with. Travel between the lodges by road if you wish. Or choose the toughest hikes and be rewarded with sight of truly wilderness landscapes.
In addition, a lot has been going on in Peru. Boutique hotels, fusion cuisine and chic shopping opportunities are springing up in all the tourist hotspots.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Lima, walk to airport hotel.
Day 2
Fly to Cusco, Inca capital, high in the Andes.
Day 3
Guided walking tour of Sacsayhuaman and the historic centre of Cusco.
Day 4
Chocolate, coffee and pisco tasting tour.
Day 5
By road to the Sacred Valley, visit Pisac and isolated Viacha community.
Day 6
Explore the Lares valley; hikes and weaving villages.
Day 7
Learn about Huacahuasi community. Hiking and biking in the Sacred Valley.
Day 8
Visit the ruins at Ollantaytambo with optional hike.
Day 9
Guided tour of Machu Picchu. Return to Cusco.
Day 10
At leisure in Cusco; optional excursions.
Day 11
Fly to Lima and onward destination.
What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
Very efficient with the booking process and very helpful with his service throughout. Adam was always prompt and helpful in answering all our questions prior to departure.
IR, London
Tailor made holiday
Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.
Carrie Gallagher - Travel Consultant
A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Escorted Groups team.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
Inspired by this trip
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Papagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
View Extraordinary Inspiration
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Ben Line - Travel Consultant
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Manager of the Tailor-made Department.
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Sophie Barber - Travel Consultant
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia.
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Carrie Gallagher - Travel Consultant
A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Escorted Groups team.
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Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Consultant
Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made team.
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Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Consultant
Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our Sales team.
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Lina Fuller - Travel Consultant
Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
