Quick Adventures to Experience the Best of Peru
Discover Peru’s most iconic destinations with our customizable adventures. Add a Peruvian extension before or after any of our Peru or Galapagos Islands trips. When paired with our Galapagos Unbound - Signature Tour or Galapagos Islands Explorer, you can continue your journey straight from Quito to Lima the same day, or spend a night in Quito and fly to Lima the following afternoon (our recommended option).
Choose from a variety of exciting extensions—from exhilarating rafting trips to wildlife tours in the Amazon or cultural explorations of Cusco. Get in touch with us to explore all the possibilities available for your adventure.
Our Peru Unbound - Signature Tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore Peru’s highlights, including Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and the Sacred Valley. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Incan brothers Huascar and Atahualpa Capac and discover the ruins of their rivalries, which led to the fall of the Incas. Visit the majestic hilltop fortresses, the stunning Sacred Valley, and the ancient ruins of Ollantaytambo. You’ll also experience the lively market town of Pisac and, of course, the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu.
Note: Below is a sample itinerary for a popular extension that explores the Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. Many of our guests add this 6-day adventure to their travels, whether visiting the Galapagos or Patagonia, or create a custom itinerary with us. Contact us for more details—we’re excited to help you plan your dream adventure!
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Itinerary
Day 1 Sample Itinerary – Fully Customizable
Arrive Lima
Upon arrival, on the first day of your trip to Peru, you will be welcomed by a Peru Unbound representative and transfered to your hotel, After check in you will have a briefing in which you will be handed your “Travel kit” which includes all your travel documents such as itinerary, flight, train and bus tickets, and hotel information.
Overnight in Lima.
Day 2
Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley
At 07:00 hrs. Transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport for your one and a half hour flight, over the Andes Mountains to Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport in Cusco and escorted to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On route you will visit the town of Pisac, a picturesque Andean Village, best known for its traditional market. The market’s main day is Sunday, when locals from all over the region arrive at Pisac to sell their products, however the market does operate the rest of the week.
After visiting Pisac, continue to Urubamba were you will enjoy lunch and a Peruvian Paso Horse presentation and after we will visit Ollantaytambo, with its distinct Inca urban planning. Visit the religious, astronomical and military complex and marvel at huge boulders of nearly 60 metric tons which were moved to this site by the Incas.
Finally, continue to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.
Day 3
HIKE OPTION:
Ollantaytambo – km 104 – Machu Picchu:
At 05:15 hrs, you will be transferred from your hotel to the train station at Ollanta, where you will board the train to KM 104. From here, you will begin your trek toward the archaeological site of Chachabamba (2150m/7052ft) and Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft). You will hike upwards for about 8 km (approximately 4 hours) until you reach the Inca site of Wiñaywayna. This impressive complex consists of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector, and an urban area.
Next, continue to Inti Punku, "The Sun Gate," which takes about an hour. From here, you can admire the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (2400m/7874ft). (Please note that the tour of the Sanctuary will be provided the following day.)
Finally, take the shuttle bus down the hill to the village of Machu Picchu, where you will overnight. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Begin the day with a transfer to the station to catch the train to Aguas Calientes. From the station, you’ll board a bus for the 20-minute journey to Machu Picchu, where you’ll embark on a full day of exploration. Set in a mystical landscape of forests and high mountains, you’ll have the chance to discover the ancient civilization that once ruled the continent. As you walk through the beautiful city, you’ll uncover the rich history of the Incas. After an energetic day of discovery, you’ll take the bus back down to town and check into your hotel for a well-deserved meal and time to reflect on the day.
Alternatively, you can check into your hotel, explore the town, or relax and prepare for a full day of exploration tomorrow.
Day 4
Machu Picchu – Cusco:
This morning, take the shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu (approximately 20 minutes). This stone citadel, located 112 km from Cusco, was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. It was built on a unique spot nestled between two mountains: Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) and Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain), with the Urubamba River meandering below, offering an abundant display of flora and fauna. Upon arrival, we’ll begin the tour of the Sanctuary.
Entrance to Huayna Picchu is included.
A buffet lunch will be served at the Sanctuary Lodge, and in the afternoon, take the first-class train back to Poroy. Upon arrival at the train station, a private transfer will take you to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 5
Cusco - Lima
At 08:30 hrs, departure from your hotel to begin your visit to Cusco’s historical Inca and Spanish Colonial monuments, such as the Main Square, known in Inca times as Huacaypata or the Warrior’s Square. This site was the scene of many key events in Cusco’s history. The Cathedral, originally built on the site of the old temple of Suntur Wasi (House of God), is of particular interest for its choir cloisters, pulpit, and engravings on the altar and furniture.
Continue on to the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, a Spanish construction built upon the foundations of the Inca temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Koricancha, meaning "site of gold" in Quechua, was the main religious building of the Incas dedicated to the worship of the Sun. According to chroniclers, its walls were once plated with sheets of gold. The temple was built using magnificent blocks of finely carved stone.
Next, visit the surrounding ruins of the city of Cusco, including Sacsayhuamán, a massive Inca fortress built on three overlapping platforms, each over 360 meters long.
Finally, enjoy lunch at one of Cusco’s best restaurants before being transferred to the local airport for your flight to Lima.
Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 6
Lima - Home
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
Pricing
2025 Private Tours: This trip is available as a private tour for groups of 2 to 12 participants. Pricing depends on group size:
- 7-12 guests: $3,760 per person
- 4-6 guests: $3,990 per person
- 2-3 guests: $4,390 per person
Special Offer: Book your 2026 trip before July 1, 2025, to lock in 2025 pricing.
Departures
Private tours in 2025 are available daily. Please contact us to confirm availability for your preferred dates.
Included
- Accommodations as outlined in the itinerary
- Meals as outlined in the itinerary
- Service of a bilingual guide (Spanish/English)
- All ground transportation while on tour
- Full support from our Adventure Consultants
Not Included
- Flights to Peru
- Internal flights within Peru (allow $600)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
FAQ & More
What is Included?
Included Private transportation for all the services Bilingual guide for all the services Tourist tickets for the tour in Sacred Valley Meals mentioned in the program Vistadome train round trip Inca Trail entrance fee km 104 Bus Down to Aguas Calientes Bus up and down to Machu Picchu Hotel for 2 nights in Sacred Valley Hotel for 1 night in Aguas Calientes Hotel for 2 nights in Cusco
What is Not Included?
Flights Tickets Tips Extra expenses not mentioned
Do I need a Visa?
Most travelers do not need visas; travelers of most nationalities are granted a 90 day tourist visa. All nationalities, however, need a tourist or embarkation card (tarjeta de embarque) to enter Peru, issued at the customs or on the plane before landing in Lima.
Are there any special events in Peru during the year?
Like most in South America, Peruvians love any excuse for a celebration and the country enjoys a huge number of religious ceremonies, festivals and local events. Carnival time (generally late Feb.) is especially lively almost everywhere in the country, with fiestas held every Sunday. Tours to Machu Picchu during these requires a bit more planning in advance for airfare prices calendar of major public holidays & festivals:
February Carnival - Celebrated most of the month prior to Lent throughout the whole country.
March/April Easter (Holy Week) - Fantastic parades all over Peru. ROW Adventures like the one in Cusco!
June 24 Inti Raymi - Cusco's main Inca Festival of the Sun. A great time to tour the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
August 13 - 19 Arequipa Week - Parades, firework displays, plenty of folklore, dancing, and craft markets.
September End of the month Festival of Spring - Involves dancing, particularly the local Marinera dance.
October 18 - 28 Lord of Miracles - Festival featuring large and solemn processions.
When should I visit Peru?
Difficult to answer, this is really a question of personal preference. The busy season is June to August and it's also the driest part of the year in Machu Picchu. If you don't mind being a little wet while avoiding a heavy flow of visitors, Machu Picchu in December and January is absolutely perfect for you. It's important to remember that tours to Machu Picchu happen all year round but the Inca Trail is closed in February each year.
What currency is used in Peru?
The current Peruvian currency, the Nuevo Sol - whose symbol is S/. Simply called a "Sol" . In Lima and Cuzco (and most other cities), Euros are as acceptable as US dollars for changing into soles.