Peru in a Week

(7 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Cusco & Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lima

This luxurious one-week tour is the perfect overview of Peru’s most fascinating cultural and archaeological highlights.

Begin in cosmopolitan Lima, home to Peru’s best museums, art, shopping and restaurants. Experience Lima as an insider—our tours offer the most sophisticated and in-depth Lima touring available. Enjoy access to private collections and homes of some of Lima’s leading antiques, contemporary folk art, and colonial and pre-Colombian art collectors. Your guide will introduce you to the culinary delights of the city and give you an introduction to Peru’s history and culture with a visit to the country’s leading museums, including an appointment-only museum specializing in ceramics and textiles, if desired. Our expert guides bring Lima’s rich history alive with a private tour of Centro—the old colonial quarter with its narrow streets, grand tree-lined plazas, elegant mansions, and some of the city’s best examples of Baroque and colonial-style architecture. In addition to visiting highlights such as the Convent de San Francisco and catacombs, La Catedral, and the Plaza des Armas, enjoy a private insider’s tour of one the oldest colonial mansions in the Americas. Spend time exploring some of Lima’s most exclusive and interesting neighborhoods such as Miraflores and San Isidro. Browse high-quality craft shops and art galleries, and explore quaint side streets in the colorful seaside district of Barranco.

Next, fly to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca empire and the perfect base for exploring the beautiful Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu—the highlight of Peru. Spend the next four days exploring this stunning region in the Andes Mountains. Touring is with your own private guide, and all details have been arranged to make sure your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible (for example, oxygen will be provided in your vehicle and hotel rooms to help with acclimatization to the high altitude). In Cusco, explore narrow cobblestone streets, markets, galleries, boutiques and the best artisans’ workshops. Learn about the fascinating blend of Inca and Spanish cultures evident throughout the city. Private touring also includes a visit to nearby Inca ruins, a private tour of Hotel Monasterio’s art collection, and a Peruvian dance performance.

The following morning, travel by train to the magnificent Inca citadel of Machu Picchu—one of the most important archeological sites in South America. Spend the day exploring the ruins with your private guide before returning to Cusco by the luxury Hiram Bingham train. Upon request, arrangements can be made to meet a local archeologist to learn more about the restoration of Machu Picchu.

One day will be spent exploring the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba Valley). Experience the local culture and people with visits to indigenous markets and atmospheric villages, gentle hikes to important Inca and pre-Inca sites, a private demonstration by one of Peru’s leading weavers. Opt to visit a Quechua village for a traditional pachamanca barbecue or have lunch at a colonial hacienda. More active pursuits can also be arranged such as day treks, rafting, hot air ballooning and horseback riding.

On the final day, a flight back to Lima in the morning provides ample time for a final exploration of the city’s shops, galleries and neighborhoods before an evening private transfer to the airport for your return flight.

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.
Call us at (800) 214-8144 for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.