Peru Itin Highlight
CENTER OF THE INCA UNIVERSE
Step into breathtaking landscapes, walk in the footsteps of the Incas, and experience the soul of Peru.
9-Days/8-Nights
Itinerary | Dates & Prices| FAQ
Inclusions, Terms & Conditions | BOOK NOW
Welcome to Peru
Your journey begins in Lima, the culinary capital of South America and home to some of the world’s finest pre-Columbian art. After savoring Lima’s flavors, venture into the heart of the Inca Empire to witness the spectacular remnants of a once-mighty civilization.
Daily Exploration
Each day, your private guide shares the history, legends, and lore of the Inca civilization as you explore ancient ruins and vibrant villages steeped in centuries-old tradition. Activities and hikes can be tailored to your pace and interests, ensuring both depth and comfort.
Accommodations
Your handpicked luxury Peru hotels and lodges combine authenticity, comfort, and high standards of hospitality. From boutique stays in Lima to serene retreats in the Sacred Valley, each property is chosen to immerse you in Peru’s character while ensuring ease.
Explore: Lima | Sacred Valley | Machu Picchu | Cusco
Why this Trip?
In Peru, not every highlight is obvious. That’s why we’ve designed an itinerary that delivers the must-sees you can’t miss while revealing the hidden gems that bring the country to life. From world-class cuisine in Lima to the living culture of the Sacred Valley, every detail is refined by our decades of expertise.
It’s Peru done the INCA way: immersive, flexible, and unforgettable.
Your Itinerary
Explore Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco. Guided with care and enriched by handpicked accommodations, your journey balances comfort and discovery, offering moments of awe at every turn.
DAY 1
Arrival in Peru
Fly from your home city to Lima, Peru’s vibrant capital on the Pacific coast. Upon arrival, transfer to your boutique hotel for check-in and overnight.
What we love: This first evening in Lima offers a graceful arrival—stylish, welcoming, and just enough intrigue to hint at the adventure ahead.
Stay: Hotel B or similar
DAY 2
Colonial Lima & Museo Larco
Begin your exploration of Lima with a guided tour of the Plaza de Armas, where carved balconies and colonial architecture reveal the city’s Spanish legacy. Continue to the Museo Larco, home to exquisite pre-Columbian ceramics, gold, and silver. This afternoon and evening, take time to discover Lima’s art galleries, boutiques, and neighborhoods at your own pace.
Highlight: Lunch at the Museo Larco Café pairs gourmet flavors with a setting that connects gastronomy to cultural heritage.
Stay: Hotel B or similar
DAY 3
Pisac Fortress & the Sacred Valley
Fly over the Andes to Cusco, your gateway to the Sacred Valley. After a stop at the fountains of Tambo Machay, continue through fields of quinoa and amaranth into the picturesque Urubamba Valley. Ascend into the mountains to explore the Inca Fortress of Pisac, followed by time to wander the village below.
What we love: The Sacred Valley is where history, culture, and landscape converge—an inspiring introduction to the heartland of the Inca Empire.
Stay: Hacienda Urubamba or similar
DAY 4
Chinchero Market, Maras & Moray
Climb to the high plain of Chinchero to experience its bustling indigenous market and a weaving demonstration led by Nilda Callañaupa, founder of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. After lunch with sweeping valley views, visit the salt mines of Maras and the mysterious circular terraces of Moray, believed to be an Inca agricultural laboratory.
Highlight: The weaving traditions of Chinchero preserve techniques passed down for over 2,000 years, once thought lost to history.
Stay: Hacienda Urubamba or similar
DAY 5
Ollantaytambo & Journey to Machu Picchu
Begin with a visit to the temple fortress and village of Ollantaytambo, little changed since Inca times. Board the scenic train that follows the Vilcanota River to Aguas Calientes, gateway to Machu Picchu. After checking in at your lodge, take your first walk through the citadel of Machu Picchu, discovering its engineering wonders and breathtaking views.
Highlight: The rail journey along the Vilcanota River is one of the world’s most beautiful train rides.
Stay: Machu Picchu Pueblo; Sanctuary Lodge by request
DAY 6
Machu Picchu & Mountain Hikes
Return early to Machu Picchu, when dawn mists lift to reveal the citadel bathed in golden light. Choose between the demanding yet rewarding hikes to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu, each offering distinct and awe-inspiring perspectives. After lunch, continue exploring the ruins, with options to hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge.
What we love: Experiencing Machu Picchu at different times of day—and from different angles—deepens its magic and reveals the complexity of its setting.
Stay: Machu Picchu Pueblo; Sanctuary Lodge by request
DAY 7
Machu Picchu to Cusco
After breakfast, board the morning train to Ollantaytambo, then continue by road into Cusco, once the heart of the Inca Empire. After checking in, enjoy a walking tour that takes you through narrow cobblestone streets, past exquisite Inca stonework, and into the city’s vibrant Plaza de Armas. A visit to Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun, offers insight into Cusco’s spiritual significance and enduring legacy.
What we love: Cusco is the living heart of the Andes—where Inca heritage and colonial influence weave seamlessly into modern Peruvian life.
DAY 8
Markets, Museums & Sacsayhuamán
Immerse yourself in daily life at Cusco’s Mercado Central, where stalls overflow with colorful produce, local crafts, and Andean specialties. Visit a private collection of colonial and Indigenous art before enjoying a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, explore the Inca Historical Museum before venturing up to Sacsayhuamán, an immense ceremonial complex where massive stone walls frame sweeping views over Cusco.
Highlight: The Inca Historical Museum offers a comprehensive narrative of the empire’s rise and fall.
DAY 9
Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or continue your adventures elsewhere in Peru and beyond.
What we love: Even as you depart, Peru stays with you—its landscapes, flavors, and history offering memories that continue to inspire.
Ready to Go?
Step into the Center of the Inca Universe with an itinerary designed for awe, comfort, and connection. Whether you dream of wandering ancient plazas, hiking to mountaintop citadels, or savoring Peru’s celebrated cuisine, our specialists will tailor this journey to you.
Start Planning Your Journey
Or call us directly at (510) 420-1550 — Monday–Friday, 8–5 PT
“The trip was absolutely wonderful, everything we hoped it would be and so much more. This was our third trip with INCA, and they have all been special beyond words.”
— Laurie C., Solana Beach CA
Dates & Prices
Center of the Inca Universe operates between mid-March and December. All prices are per person, double occupancy unless otherwise specified.
The following dates follow a Thursday–Friday schedule, however, all departures may be customized to start on any date desired, subject to availability.
2025 Dates
| Trip Dates | Price |
|---|---|
| March | |
| Mar 20 – Mar 28, 2025 | N/A |
| Mar 27 – Apr 04, 2025 | N/A |
| April | |
| Apr 03 – Apr 11, 2025 | N/A |
| Apr 10 – Apr 18, 2025 | N/A |
| Apr 17 – Apr 25, 2025 | N/A |
| Apr 24 – May 02, 2025 | N/A |
| May | |
| May 01 – May 09, 2025 | N/A |
| May 08 – May 16, 2025 | N/A |
| May 15 – May 23, 2025 | N/A |
| May 22 – May 30, 2025 | N/A |
| May 29 – Jun 06, 2025 | N/A |
| June | |
| Jun 05 – Jun 13, 2025 | N/A |
| Jun 12 – Jun 20, 2025 | N/A |
| Jun 19 – Jun 27, 2025 | N/A |
| Jun 26 – Jul 04, 2025 | N/A |
| July | |
| Jul 03 – Jul 11, 2025 | N/A |
| Jul 10 – Jul 18, 2025 | N/A |
| Jul 17 – Jul 25, 2025 | N/A |
| Jul 24 – Aug 01, 2025 | N/A |
| Jul 31 – Aug 08, 2025 | N/A |
| August | |
| Aug 07 – Aug 15, 2025 | N/A |
| Aug 14 – Aug 22, 2025 | N/A |
| Aug 21 – Aug 29, 2025 | N/A |
| Aug 28 – Sep 05, 2025 | N/A |
| September | |
| Sep 04 – Sep 12, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Sep 11 – Sep 19, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Sep 18 – Sep 26, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Sep 25 – Oct 03, 2025 | $7,895 |
| October | |
| Oct 02 – Oct 10, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Oct 09 – Oct 17, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Oct 16 – Oct 24, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Oct 23 – Oct 31, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Oct 30 – Nov 07, 2025 | $7,895 |
| November | |
| Nov 06 – Nov 14, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Nov 13 – Nov 21, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Nov 20 – Nov 28, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Nov 27 – Dec 05, 2025 | $7,895 |
| December | |
| Dec 04 – Dec 12, 2025 | $7,895 |
| Dec 11 – Dec 19, 2025 | $7,895 |
2026 Dates
| Trip Dates | Price |
|---|---|
| March | |
| Mar 19 – Mar 27, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Mar 26 – Apr 03, 2026 | $8,395 |
| April | |
| Apr 02 – Apr 10, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Apr 09 – Apr 17, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Apr 16 – Apr 24, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Apr 23 – May 01, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Apr 30 – May 08, 2026 | $8,395 |
| May | |
| May 07 – May 15, 2026 | $8,395 |
| May 14 – May 22, 2026 | $8,395 |
| May 21 – May 29, 2026 | $8,395 |
| May 28 – Jun 05, 2026 | $8,395 |
| June | |
| Jun 04 – Jun 12, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Jun 11 – Jun 19, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Jun 18 – Jun 26, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Jun 25 – Jul 03, 2026 | $8,395 |
| July | |
| Jul 02 – Jul 10, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Jul 09 – Jul 17, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Jul 16 – Jul 24, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Jul 23 – Jul 31, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Jul 30 – Aug 07, 2026 | $8,395 |
| August | |
| Aug 06 – Aug 14, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Aug 13 – Aug 21, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Aug 20 – Aug 28, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Aug 27 – Sep 04, 2026 | $8,395 |
| September | |
| Sep 03 – Sep 11, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Sep 10 – Sep 18, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Sep 17 – Sep 25, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Sep 24 – Oct 02, 2026 | $8,395 |
| October | |
| Oct 01 – Oct 09, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Oct 08 – Oct 16, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Oct 15 – Oct 23, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Oct 22 – Oct 30, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Oct 29 – Nov 06, 2026 | $8,395 |
| November | |
| Nov 05 – Nov 13, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Nov 12 – Nov 20, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Nov 19 – Nov 27, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Nov 26 – Dec 04, 2026 | $8,395 |
| December | |
| Dec 03 – Dec 11, 2026 | $8,395 |
| Dec 10 – Dec 18, 2026 | $8,395 |
FAQ
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Peru's winter season (May to October) brings mild temperatures to the coast, and clear skies to the highlands, although it gets quite chilly in the evenings in June and July. See more »
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Center of the Inca Universe showcases the best of Lima, The Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco. You’ll have a balance of culture, history, and a chance to stretch your legs. The itinerary can also be completely customized to suit your specific interests. Just ask our experts. See more »
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While Lima is at sea level, Cusco and the Sacred Valley are at significant elevation (up to 12,000'), so we recommend a moderate level of fitness. For those choosing the more active walks and treks, we recommend additional preparedness. Good balance, health and proper footwear are essential for the most enjoyable adventure. See more »
Quick Info
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Destinations: Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco
Best Time to Travel: April–October (dry season, clear skies for mountain views)
Activity Level: Moderate – includes walking tours, optional hikes, and uneven terrain at altitude (can be tailored to different activity levels)
More Details
Customization: This journey can be adapted for families, private groups, or extended with visits to Lake Titicaca, the Amazon rainforest, or Peru’s coastal desert. Explore customizing Peru »
Sustainability: Your trip supports local weaving cooperatives in Chinchero, stays in eco-conscious hotels, and partners with guides and communities dedicated to preserving Peru’s cultural and natural heritage.
Booking Details
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Single Guests
Single supplement is $2615 in 2025 and $2895 in 2026Children
Price upon requestIncluded
All airport transfers as specified in the itinerary
All hotel/lodge accommodations (double occupancy, unless Single purchased) as specified in the itinerary
All meals as specified in the itinerary
All non-alcoholic beverages
All guides, activities, tours, entry fees, and sightseeing arrangements as specified in the itinerary
Emergency medical evacuation insurance coverageAdditional costs (subject to change without notice)
Not included are any airfare, airport taxes, and fees
Tips for guides (at your discretion)
Alcoholic beverages
Laundry
Other items of a personal nature
Insurance coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, travel accident, travel delay, baggage delay, or baggage theft (we recommend obtaining coverage for these items) -
Deposit
A deposit of $1000 per person is due at the time of booking
Any additional arrangements may incur further deposits, due at the time of booking those services
Payment
The balance is due 90 days before departure
Domestic or regional airfares are due at the time of ticketing
Cancellation
Up to 151 days before departure – deposit may be refunded, or transferred to a new departure within one year of the original trip date
150-91 days before departure – deposit is non-refundable but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of the original trip date.
90-61 days before departure – all monies received are non-refundable but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of the original trip date.
60-0 days before departure – 100% of the full trip price is forfeited
Cancellation due to force majeure (circumstances outside your control, including medical illness) must be covered by travel insurance. INCA/Inca Floats, Inc. will not be responsible.
SMALL GROUPS OF FIVE OR MORE TRAVELERS
Deposit
An initial deposit of $1000 per person is due at the time of booking
A second deposit of $1000 per person is due 150 days before departure
Any additional arrangements may incur further deposits, due at the time of booking those services
Payment
The balance is due 90 days before departure
Domestic or regional airfares are due at the time of ticketing
Cancellation
Up to 151 days before departure – the initial deposit may be refunded or transferred to a new departure within one year of the original trip date
150-91 days before departure – initial deposit and second deposit are non-refundable but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of the original trip date
90-61 days before departure – 50% of the full trip price is forfeited. The remaining balance is non-refundable but may be transferred towards a new departure within one year of the original trip date
60-0 days before departure – 100% of the full trip price is forfeited
Cancellation due to force majeure (circumstances outside your control, including medical illness) must be covered by travel insurance. INCA/Inca Floats, Inc. will not be responsible.
See additional Terms & Conditions »
-
Deposit
An initial deposit of $1000 per person is due at the time of booking
A second deposit of $1000 per person is due 150 days before departure
Any additional arrangements may incur further deposits, due at the time of booking those services
Payment
The balance is due 90 days before departure
Domestic or regional airfares are due at the time of ticketing
Cancellation
Up to 151 days before departure – the initial deposit may be refunded or transferred to a new departure within one year of the original trip date
150-91 days before departure – initial deposit and second deposit are non-refundable but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of the original trip date
90-61 days before departure – 50% of the full trip price is forfeited. The remaining balance is non-refundable but may be transferred towards a new departure within one year of the original trip date
60-0 days before departure – 100% of the full trip price is forfeited
Cancellation due to force majeure (circumstances outside your control, including medical illness) must be covered by travel insurance. INCA/Inca Floats, Inc. will not be responsible.
See additional Terms & Conditions »
How to Book?
First, you’ll contact our team of experts and tell them when you want to travel and what your interests are—then your specialist will take care of the details.
Email Us to Start Planning Your Journey
Or call us directly at (510) 420-1550 — Monday–Friday, 8–5 PT