Signature: Peru's Lima, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley

Signature: Peru's Lima, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley

• Trip code: 466X057
• Dauer: 9
• Stil: National Geographic Signature

Trace the legacy of the Incas from the coast to the clouds. Explore the Sacred Valley’s fertile lands before uncovering the secrets of Machu Picchu. Through exclusive encounters with local chefs and artisans, experience a land where ancient traditions breathe life into the modern culture of Peru.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels (8 nts)

Checklist

Cold weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noice-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Smart Dress:
• Smart outfit (For evenings out)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout

Group Size Notes

Max 22, avg. 16

Highlights

Join the museum curator for a private look at ancient Peruvian treasures spanning 5,000 years of history, Visit a traditional indigenous weaving community with a National Geographic Explorer, Tour the private home and workshop of a legendary Peruvian sculptor in Barranco, Explore the Lost City of the Incas with an expert guide to uncover its secrets, Taste Peru’s agricultural heritage with a ceremonial tasting of native potatoes

Introduction

Trace the legacy of the Incas from the coast to the clouds. Explore the Sacred Valley’s fertile lands before uncovering the secrets of Machu Picchu. Through exclusive encounters with local chefs and artisans, experience a land where ancient traditions breathe life into the modern culture of Peru

Meals Included

8 Frühstück, 7 Mittagessen, 5 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD100-130 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Keine optionale Aktivitäten

Start / Finish

von Lima

Transport

Private vehicle, public bus, walking, train, plane

What's Included

Signature Moment: Museo Larco Tour Led by a Curator, Lima
Signature Moment: Women's Weaving Co-Op Textile Experience, Cusco
Dein Foodie-Moment: Nuna Raymi Potato Experience Dinner, Cusco. Arrival transfer. Private Casa Taller Víctor Delfin Visit & Reception. Cooking Class Welcome Dinner. Internal flight from Lima to Cusco. Pisac Ruins Guided Tour. Farm-to-Table Lunch and Corn Lecture. Cerámicas Seminario Workshop Visit. Ollantaytambo Ruins Visit. Machu Picchu Guided Tour. Maras Salt Mines and Moray Visit. Cusco Orientation Walk. Expert-Led Cusco City Tour and Picnic. Internal flight between Cusco and Lima. Free time to enjoy hotel/lodge amenities. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expert Throughout. Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles. Tips are included for all activities, meals and porterage, except for your Expedition Leader and Expert. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Internationale Flüge

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your National Geographic Signature Specialist or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

Minimum Age

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a National Geographic Signature tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12

Itinerary

Day 1 Lima

Welcome to Peru. Your expedition begins in Lima, where the desert crashes into the Pacific. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Miraflores, a district perched on cliffs above the ocean. The air here carries the scent of salt and the hum of the city. If you arrive early, stroll the promenade of the malecón to watch the sunset turn the cliffs gold, browse the shopping complex overlooking the sea, or sample fresh ceviche at a local restaurant before settling in for the night

Day 2 Lima

Meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and Expedition Expert for a welcome briefing before visiting the Museo Larco. Here, you will be led by a museum curator on a private tour of an impressive collection of pre-Colombian ceramics and art. Spanning 5,000 years of history in a beautiful 18th-century mansion, this visit offers a fascinating gateway into ancient Peru and its diverse cultures. After lunch, enjoy a scenic drive past a pre-Columbian adobe pyramid and along the cliffside to Love Park. In Bohemian Barranco, cross the Bridge of Sighs to the private home of the artist Víctor Delfín, for an intimate tour of his gallery and workshop. Cap the day at a culinary studio, where the scent of lime and chili fills the air as you learn to craft causa and pisco sours before a Peruvian feast

Day 3 Lima to the Sacred Valley

Fly over the Andes to Cusco and head to the historic centre for a family-style lunch. Drive through the countryside towards the Sacred Valley and visit the Ccaccaccollo weaving cooperative. Here, meet a National Geographic Explorer and the indigenous women of the community who use traditional techniques to create their textiles. Watch as they hand-shear alpaca wool and dye it with native plants, transforming raw fiber into vibrant geometric patterns on backstrap looms. This intimate encounter connects you to the living culture of the Andes. Descend into the valley to your riverside lodge, settling in as the mountains turn purple in the twilight

Day 4 The Sacred Valley

Travel to the Cuyo Chico community and join local hosts in baking empanadas, smelling the woodsmoke from traditional outdoor ovens. Continue to the archaeological site of Pisaq, where massive Inca terraces carve patterns into the hillsides. Next, enjoy lunch at a family-run hacienda, hearing from the owners about the vital role of corn in Andean agriculture. Finish the day at the studio of ceramicist Pablo Seminario in Urubamba. Tour the workshop to see how pre-Columbian motifs inspire modern art, and meet the artists keeping this tradition alive before returning to the lodge

Day 5 The Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes

Tour the impressive archaeological site of Ollantaytambo then walk the stone streets of town, one of the last Inca settlements still laid out in its original form. After lunch, board a scenic train that winds along the Urubamba River. Watch the landscape shift from dry, rocky peaks to the lush, green canopy of the cloud forest as you approach Aguas Calientes. Settle into your lodge, where your Expedition Leader may offer an optional nature walk to spot orchids and hummingbirds. In the evening, gather for an expert talk on the history and conservation of Machu Picchu, preparing for tomorrow’s ascent

Day 6 Machu Picchu to The Sacred Valley

Rise early to catch the bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu. Enter the Lost City of the Incas as the morning mist lifts, revealing the emerald terraces and stone temples against the dramatic backdrop of Huayna Picchu and the surrounding peaks. Explore the marvels of this UNESCO World Heritage site with your guide, learning about its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham on a National Geographic-supported expedition. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the train back to the Sacred Valley, reflecting on the day as the river rushes by

Day 7 The Sacred Valley to Cusco

Ascend to the Maras salt pans, a dazzling patchwork of white pools carved into the mountainside. Continue to the agricultural terraces of Moray, deep circular depressions thought to be used by the Incas to experiment with crops. After a traditional lunch, drive to Cusco. Join your Expedition Leader for an orientation walk through the historic cobblestone streets built on Inca foundations. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, highlighting Peru’s agricultural heritage with a tasting featuring some of the region's 4,000 native potato varieties

Day 8 Cusco

Explore Cusco’s layers of history, visiting the Cathedral, the sun temple of Koricancha, and the massive stone walls of Sacsaywaman that loom over the city. Pause for a gourmet picnic lunch at an exclusive tented campsite near the Temple of the Moon, soaking in views of the red-tiled roofs below. Spend the afternoon at leisure before an evening visit to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Conclude your expedition with a private cocktail reception in the museum’s courtyard followed by a farewell dinner, celebrating the flavors and stories of Peru

Day 9 Cusco/Lima

Transfer to the Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima. For those with late international departures, a day-use room is available to relax and refresh as you prepare for your journey home

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Lima

Day 2 Lima

Day 3 Lima to the Sacred Valley

Day 4 The Sacred Valley

Day 5 The Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes

Day 6 Machu Picchu to The Sacred Valley

Day 7 The Sacred Valley to Cusco

Day 8 Cusco

Day 9 Cusco/Lima

Please do not book departing flights prior to 6PM