PERU: Boutique Small Group - Cultural & Textile Tour - Including Machu Picchu - 14 days

Destination:  Lima | (Cusco) | Sacred Valley | (Ollantaytambo) | (Moray, Maras & Chinchero) | Machu Picchu | Cusco | Puno. (Uros) (Island of Taquile) | Lima

Tour Commences In:  Lima

Tour Concludes in:  Cusco - Lima

Number of Days:  14 days / 13 nights

Tour Style: Boutique Small Group Tour

Accommodation:  Modern Boutique Hotels

Meals: B; L; D;

Leaders: Professional specialised guide & Australian Host

Transportation:

Tour Grading:  Moderate:

• Eplore modern & colonial Lima with its elegant colonial architecture, lively plazas, and renowned culinary scene

• Visit the Larco Museum, one of South America’s finest museums

• Wander through the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco

• Discover where ancient stone walls blend with Spanish colonial churches and colourful markets

• Journey through the breathtakingSacred Valley, dotted with traditional villages & terraced hillsides

• Meet local artisans who preserve centuries-old textile traditions at a weaving demonstration

• Learn how natural dyes are created from plants, minerals, and insects

• Discover the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and explore one of the best-preserved Inca towns

• Meander the colourful Pisac Market, one of the most famous traditional markets in the Andes

• Discover the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu with an expert guide explaining its history, architecture, and spiritual significance

• See the iconic landmarks including Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana stone, and the Room of the Three Windows

• Walk the ancient terraces, plazas, and ceremonial areas that have stood for centuries

• Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Andes mountains and the Urubamba River valley

• Perhaps trek up HuaynaPicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for a more adventurous perspective

• Capture the mystical beauty of Machu Picchu at sunrise or during quieter hours

• Be in awe and learn about Incan culture, engineering marvels, and their harmonious connection with nature

• Explore cobblestone streets of San Blas Artisans’ Quarter filled with galleries, studios, and workshops showcasing local crafts

• Shop for traditional textiles, alpaca wool garments, silver jewellery, pottery, and colourful souvenirs

• Enjoy the bohemian vibe with street musicians, cafes, and art installations

• Meet Local Artisans and gain insight into traditional weaving, carving, and other Andean crafts

• Wander past colonial-era buildings, quaint churches, and hidden plazas

• Cusco city tour, Sacsayhuaman archaeological complex and the Central textile Museum

• Stroll through the historic streets, plazas, and colonial architecture of Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire

• Return to Lima with unforgettable memories of ancient Inca sites, dramatic landscapes, and vibrant Peruvian culture.

• Indulge in last minute shopping, in-case you need to do more

• Enjoy a variety of delicious cuisine and regional delicacies

Day 1:   Thursday:    Arrival Lima:
Welcome to Peru.  You will be met by our guide - driver at the Jorge Chavez international airport and enjoy a private transfer to our hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have free time to explore Lima. We are able to offer you a number of options including sightseeing and shopping. Later this evening, we will rendezvous in our hotel Lobby and meet fellow travellers for chat over a cocktail.
You may wish to arrive a day or two earlier to shop or maybe just to get your bearings and recover from any jet lag you may have. If you do choose to arrive early, we can extend your hotel bookings and provide any information or advice you may need in order to make the most of your time and get yourself familiar with the wonderful city of Lima.

Lima, the "City of Kings" famous for its Spanish Colonial architecture, extraordinary museums and cuisine. Founded in 1535 by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro, this colonial city became the political and military capital of the New World until it was declared the capital of Peru in 1821

Lima is internationally recognized as the "Gastronomic Capital of the Americas", and its cuisine is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world, some say on par with French cuisine.

Day 2:   Friday:    Lima:    (B/D)
The day begins in the historic centre of Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through atmospheric streets as your guide brings to life stories of the Spanish colonial era and its fusion with pre-Columbian traditions. Continue to the Museo Larco, housed in an 18th-century mansion, showcasing 5,000 years of ancient civilizations, including exquisite ceramics and preserved pre-Columbian textiles. Afterward, discover the Amano Museum, a hidden gem devoted to the textile legacy of the Chancay culture.
In the afternoon, enjoy a Food Tour Under the Stars:

• Costa Verde: Sip a Pisco cocktail seaside at sunset with fresh Peruvian bites.

• Miraflores: Dine beside the pre-Incan ruins of Huaca Pucllana with traditional dishes and natural wine.

• Beyond Lima: Indulge in a tasting menu representing the Coast, Andes, and Amazon, paired with native potato spirits.

• Barranco: Taste artisanal chocolate and mistela spirit followed by a starlit stroll through the bohemian district, including the Bridge of Sighs.

Day 3:     Saturday:    Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley:    (B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco (11,440 ft). To acclimate, we descend to the Sacred Valley (8,200 ft).
On the way, stop at the Sulca Textile Museum to witness hand-spinning and dyeing with plant-based pigments. You will also have the opportunity to feed Llamas, Alpacas, and Guanacos. Continue to Pisac Market, one of the most vibrant artisan markets in the region, perfect for finding unique handwoven souvenirs.

Day 4:    Sunday:    Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex:    (B/L)
Visit the Amaru Community to decode Andean Iconography. Join your hosts in the fields to gather plants for natural dyes and witness the shearing, spinning, and weaving processes. After a typical Andean lunch prepared with local ingredients, transfer to Ollantaytambo, an ancient Incan fortress and engineering masterpiece featuring imposing stone carvings and agricultural terraces.

Day 5:     Monday:  Sacred Valley – Moray, Maras & Chinchero:     (B/L)
Morning excursion to Moray, the Incan agricultural experimental center with circular terraces. Continue to Maras, where hundreds of pure white salt pools create a stunning landscape.
After a buffet lunch at a Restaurant overlooking the Vilcanota River, continue to Chinchero. Participate in a weaving demonstration to learn the ñawi awapa border technique and see how natural dyes produce a rainbow of colours.

Day 6:    Tuesday :    Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu:    (B/L)
Board the Train to Aguas Calientes. Ascend by minibus to the "Lost City" of the Incas. Explore the temples, altars, and residential areas of Machu Picchu with your guide.

Day 7:    Wednesday:    Machu Picchu:    (B)
On your second visit to Machu Picchu, explore the citadel at your own pace. This visit allows for a deeper appreciation of the site's hidden corners and mystical atmosphere.

Day 8:   Thursday:    Machu Picchu – Cusco:    (B)\
Enjoy a morning at leisure before traveling on the Vistadome Observatory train. Enjoy the panoramic windows and the Observatory Car featuring live music and the traditional Saqra dance. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 9:   Friday :    Cusco – Handicraft markets & emblematic San Blas:    (B)
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Cusco. Visit the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), the Plaza de Armas, and the Cathedral. Walk through the artisan neighbourhood of San Blas. Later, visit the massive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, and the archaeological sites of Qenko, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.

Day 10:     Saturday:    Cusco City Tour & Nearby Ruins:    (B)
Visit the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (MAP) to see jewellery and textiles from ancient civilizations. Then, visit the CTTC (Centre of Traditional Textiles of Cusco) to meet master weavers dedicated to revitalizing ancestral techniques using backstrap looms.

Day 11:   Sunday :    Cusco - Puno:    (B/L)
Travel by land to Puno, stopping at:

• Andahuaylillas: The "Sistine Chapel of the Andes."

• Raqchi: The Temple of Wiracocha.

• La Raya Pass: The highest point (14,271 ft) with views of the Andes.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, offering traditional Andean flavours. A perfect moment to relax, refresh, and savour regional cuisine before continuing toward Lake Titicaca.

Day 12:    Monday:    Puno – Uros - Island of Taquile – Puno:    (B/L)
Explore Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Visit the Uros Floating Islands, made of totora reeds. Continue onto Taquile Island, famous for its UNESCO-recognized weaving traditions where even the men knit fine wool.

Day 13:    Tuesday:    Puno – Lima:    (B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. On the way, you will visit Sillustani Burial Towers on route from your hotel in Puno to Juliaca Airport. Sillustani is a unique pre-Inca complex where we view cylindrical and square shaped hand carved granite (believed to be) funeral towers alsonreferred to as "chulpas".
Upon arrival in Lima, you will be meet and transferred to your hotel. This evening is at your leisure.

Day 14:   Wednesday :    Depart Peru via Cusco – Lima:    (B)
This morning, we check out of our hotel after breakfast. It is time to say farewell to acquaintances and new-found friends. Transfer to the airport via the hotel shuttle for your onward or homebound flight.

Some guests may wish to stay another day or more in this amazing country. Please don’t hesitate to contact Boutique Tours & Travel for further travel arrangements.

Our specially curated itineraries are carefully planned and well thought out and we often can find some wonderful surprises. The magic of travelling in such a small group allows us to cater for this spontaneity and it is sometimes these unplanned occurrences that can be the most memorable. The rich tapestry of experiences and the characters you meet along the way will make this guided tour something special and one you will remember for a lifetime.

• A specially curated itinerary for Boutique Tours & Travel

• A Small Group Tour (2 - 12 Guests)

• Private international airport arrival and departure transfers for all guests

• Hand selected modern & boutique hotel accommodation

• Meals as indicated in Itinerary; B = Breakfast: L=Lunch: D=Dinner:

• Internet Access where possible 

• Fully escorted by Australian Host 

• Private services of local bilingual cultural foodie & textile tour guide

• Concierge / Bellhop services throughout tour

• 24 hour on call support service 

• Luxury private chauffeur driven luxury air- conditioned vehicles for transfers & sightseeing

• Admission fees to all monuments, activities, excursions and shows as per the itinerary

• Bottled water whilst touring in vehicle

• Some porterage, tipping and gratuities

• An exclusive BT&T Travel Information App

• Room Sharing options for singles / solo travellers available  

Not Included:

• International airfares

• Arrival & Departure Taxes, levies or other charges

• Passport & Visa Fees

• City Taxes for hotels if required

• Personal Travel Insurance

• Excess baggage charges

• Cost of any ‘luggage delivery’. – via FedEx or postal services

• Late check-out at hotels

• Porterage and gratuities on your arrival at airport and hotel and in free time

• Extra gratuities to tour guides and drivers and others.

• Meals and Alcoholic beverages not included in the itinerary

• Expenditure of personal nature

• Optional activities not included in tour