Peru-8-days: hiking-adventure-culture-offbeat

Arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport, Lima-Peru (Airport code: LIM). Once you pass immigration retrieve your luggage and clear customs, look for a JrnyOn representative holding a placard with your name. Proceed to your hotel in a pre-arranged transfer vehicle.

Duration: 1 hour
Distance: 22.2 kms / 13.7 miles

Stand in the heart of Lima’s historic centre at Plaza de Armas, the birthplace of the city and a hub of colonial architecture. Flanked by grand buildings like the Government Palace and Cathedral of Lima, it’s a striking setting that captures the city’s Spanish colonial legacy.

Explore the San Francisco Monastery, famed for its ornate baroque architecture, atmospheric catacombs, and extensive library. The complex offers a haunting yet fascinating glimpse into colonial religious life and Lima’s layered history.

Step inside Casa de Aliaga, the oldest continuously inhabited colonial mansion in the Americas. Still owned by descendants of its original 16th-century founder, the house blends antique décor with centuries of political and cultural history.

Discover Peru’s ancient civilisations at the Larco Herrera Museum, housed in an 18th-century vice-royal mansion. Its vast collection of pre-Columbian artefacts — including intricate ceramics and erotic art — offers a deep and sometimes surprising view into Peru’s past.

Stroll through the bohemian district of Barranco, a traditional meeting point for artists and writers, which is characterised by concentrating pubs, discos and peñas Creoles. Walk to the famous Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), immortalised in a famous song of the songwriter Chabuca Granda.

Fly from Jorge Chávez International Airport (Airport Code: LIM) in Lima to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Airport Code: CUZ) in Cusco.

Flight Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Journey through the breathtaking landscapes from Cusco to the Sacred Valley, where towering Andean peaks, terraced fields, and charming villages unfold along the way. This scenic drive offers glimpses of ancient Incan ruins, bustling local markets, and the tranquil Urubamba River weaving through the valley.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Distance: 56 kms / 35 miles

Discover the Sulca Textile Centre, where tradition meets artistry. Explore the Textile Museum, showcasing intricate handwoven designs and ancient techniques. Then, visit the Camelid area to see alpacas and llamas up close, learning about their role in Andean culture and textile production.

In Pisac, explore the vibrant traditional market, where local artisans showcase their unique crafts, textiles, jewellry, and handmade goods. The lively atmosphere invites you to discover colourful souvenirs, perfect for bringing a piece of Andean culture back home.

Visit the Andean village of Chinchero, known for its traditional weaving, Inca ruins, and vibrant Sunday market. Surrounded by sweeping highland views, it offers a blend of colonial charm and indigenous heritage.

Discover the breathtaking Moray Terraces, an ancient Incan agricultural laboratory. These circular terraces, carved into the earth, create microclimates which improved the agricultural production of the empire. Surrounded by the stunning Andean landscape, this archaeological wonder offers a glimpse into advanced Incan engineering.

Walk through the striking Maras Saltpans, a network of thousands of shallow pools used to harvest salt since Inca times. Fed by a mineral-rich spring, these salt evaporation ponds create a mesmerising mosaic of white, pink, and brown hues, offering a surreal landscape.

Explore the awe-inspiring Inca fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo, a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Towering terraces, colossal stone walls, and mystical temples offer a glimpse into its storied past. Wander through well-preserved ruins, marvel at the Sun Temple, and soak in breathtaking Andean views.

A car drops you off at the train station to board your scenic Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, a charming town nestled at the base of Machu Picchu. Sit back and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lush valleys as you travel toward this historic destination.

Train Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Board a comfortable bus from Aguas Calientes Train Station for a scenic ascent to Machu Picchu Citadel. The route winds through lush cloud forests and steep mountain roads, offering glimpses of the Urubamba River below. Upon arrival, step into the awe-inspiring Inca sanctuary perched high in the Andes.

Bus Journey: 20 minutes

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Machu Picchu, the legendary Inca citadel perched high in the Andes. Explore its finely crafted stone temples, agricultural terraces, and sacred sites while taking in panoramic views that make it one of the world’s most iconic archaeological wonders.

During the visit, embark on a 2.5-hour guided tour led by a private local expert who will share fascinating insights into the construction and historical significance of this ancient citadel. Learn about Hiram Bingham’s rediscovery of the site in 1911 and explore its most iconic landmarks, including the Sun Stone, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows, gaining a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and spiritual depth of Inca civilisation.

The bus ride back from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes offers a scenic descent through lush green valleys and steep mountain slopes. The winding roads offer stunning views of the surrounding peaks, providing a relaxing journey back to the vibrant town nestled at the base of the ancient ruins.

Duration: 40 minutes

After check-in, make your way to the local hot springs. Soak in mineral-rich waters surrounded by serene natural beauty. Let the warmth ease your muscles and quiet the mind. Take this time to unwind at your own pace. Stay as long as you like—there’s no set plan, just relaxation.

Board the Vistadome train and return to Ollantaytambo. Soak in scenic views through panoramic windows.

Return to Cusco in comfort. Relax as your private transfer winds through valleys and highland views.

Puka Pukara is a site of military ruins in Peru situated in the Cusco Region, Cusco Province, Cusco District, near Cusco. This fort is made of large walls, terraces, and staircases and was part of defense of Cusco in particular and the Inca Empire in general.

Tambomachay is an archaeological site associated with the Inca Empire, located near Cusco, Peru. An alternate Spanish name is El Baño del Inca. It consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks.

Sacsayhuamán is a massive Inca fortress overlooking Cusco, renowned for its impressive stonework, with some blocks weighing over 100 tons. It played a vital role in Inca ceremonies and defense, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Today, it remains a significant archaeological site and a key location for the annual Inti Raymi festival.

Step inside Santo Domingo Convent, where Inca and colonial worlds converge. Explore the foundations of Korikancha, once the Temple of the Sun. Hear legends of golden walls shimmering in sacred light. Feel history etched into every stone as past and present intertwine before your eyes.

Cusco Cathedral, nestled on Plaza de Armas, was constructed from 1560 to 1654 atop an Inca temple. Its stunning interior showcases artwork from the Cusco School of Painters, with a gilded altar and pulpit. Native workers subtly infused Indigenous symbols, like a jaguar head, into its design.

Start early and head across Valle Sur toward Phulawasipata, the starting point of the hike to Rainbow Mountain.

Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 138 kms / 85 miles

Hiking to Rainbow Mountain, we follow a peaceful stream, surrounded by alpacas and llamas grazing on lush slopes. Hike to the stunning Rainbow Mountain following a peaceful stream, surrounded by alpacas and llamas grazing on lush slopes. Views of the sacred Ausangate Mountain create a spiritual atmosphere. Passing through traditional Andean towns, reach Vinicunca, the colorful Rainbow Mountain, after a rewarding walk.

Head back from the summit and follow a scenic path back down. The trail offers a different perspective of the vibrant peaks, with expansive views of the surrounding valleys. Enjoy a hearty lunch at one of the restaurants in the area.

After a journey from Rainbow Mountain, the return to Cusco offers a moment to reflect on the day's unforgettable experiences. Enjoy the serene drive and be dropped off at your hotel in Cusco.

Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 138 kms / 85 miles

Settle in for an evening at Tunupa Cusco, where Andean flavours meet traditional music and dance. Savour a buffet of regional dishes as performers in vibrant costume bring folklore to life. Watch panpipes and drums fill the room with rhythm. Let the spirit of the Andes unfold before you.

Fly from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (code: CUZ) in Cusco to Jorge Chávez International Airport (code: LIM) in Lima

Duration: 1 hour 20 min

Today your JrnyOn journey comes to an end. Transport will be arranged to get you to the Jorge Chávez International Airport Lima, Peru (Airport Code: LIM) for your flight back home.

Duration: 10 minutes
Distance: 1.4 kms / 0.8 miles