Live and Breathe Peru: An Authentic Exploration | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Live and Breathe Peru: An Authentic Exploration

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PRIVATE TOUR - 8 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 5338

Private Tour Highlights

  • Taking part in a local pottery workshop in Cusco, mastering different techniques for making traditional products.
  • White-water rafting along the Urubamba River, a thrilling experience and great way to see the breathtaking landscape of the Sacred Valley.
  • Enjoying a privately guided hike of Huayna Picchu, the largest peak of Machu Picchu.
  • Trying your hand at spinning and dyeing wool to make beautiful textiles using ancient techniques.
  • Volunteering at a local school and working with children in various ways.
  • Kayaking across Lake Piuray, enjoying outstanding scenery of the surrounding hills, farm terraces, forests and great views of the snow-capped mountains.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

This group-friendly tour has something for everyone to live and breathe Peru. Start the trip in Cusco and get your creative ideas flowing with a pottery class. Onward to Machu Picchu where you will have the opportunity to take a breathtaking train ride through the Sacred Valley that will take you to the famous ‘lost city’. Spend a full day touring the site with a stay in the nearby village of Aguas Calientes. Wake up early the next morning and enjoy a hike in Machu Picchu before leaving for the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley was very important to the Incas because of its agreeable climate and fertile plains. The region also protected Cusco from fierce jungle tribes who would occasionally raid the highlands. Here you will have the opportunity to visit Misminay’s Andean Community and explore Moras and Moray on bike. Spend a day volunteering at a local school teaching the children, as well as learning about Peruvian culture. Finish in the Sacred Valley with an exciting stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking adventure. Before your departure home, you will have the opportunity to participate in a weaving and textile tour in Chinchero.

Tour price is based on double occupancy with a minimum of 4 people. Please inquire with your Yampu Tour Consultant if you would like us to customize this tour for your group.

Recently, following UNESCO recommendations, Peruvian authorities have placed restrictions on the visitation of Machu Picchu, the lost Incan ruins. Currently, no more than 2,500 people daily will be allowed to visit the ruins. While these new restrictions are great for the preservation of the ruins, they may cause some difficulties in your ability to visit them, so we recommend booking with plenty of notice.

Inclusions
Prices include round-trip airfare from Lima to Cusco; hotel accommodation including daily continental or buffet breakfast; private transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling; guided tours in English including all entrance fees; and meals where specified.

Note:

*Cost includes Vistadome train from Cusco or the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. Vistadome is ideal for travelers who want a personalized immersion of Andean culture with traditional dances and music along the way. This train features panoramic windows, leather seats, new table design as well as heating and air conditioning.

*Deluxe service Hiram Bingham train features an observation wagon with a bar and two dining cars. In addition, this train includes a gourmet brunch on board, exclusive bus return to Machu Picchu, entrance to Machu Picchu as well as a guided tour. Afternoon tea in the Sanctuary Lodge, pre-dinner cocktails and a 4-course, a la carte dinner is also included. The train does not operate on Sundays. Upgrades available from Vistadome to Hiram Bingham Deluxe; please ask your Yampu Tour Consultant for the cost of the upgrade.
Exclusions

Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 5338

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

International Flight to Lima

Upon arrival, you will be met by a Yampu guide who will assist you with the check-in at the airport hotel.

Upon arrival, you will be met by a Yampu guide who will assist you with the check-in at the airport hotel.

LATAM Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Day
2

Lima - Cusco

At the appropriate time, you will walk back to the airport to check-in for your flight to Cusco.

Upon arrival to Cusco, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
The elevation in Cusco is approximately 3400 meters (11200 feet), so we highly recommend resting as soon as you arrive for a few hours and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, or heavy meals. Please consult with your physician for additional details.
Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins of the ancient Inca city became the foundation for the Spanish architecture you see today, and many of the stone walls that line the streets were built by the Incas.

In the afternoon, be met at the hotel for a unique experience in Cusco. Take a private transfer to a local Cusco pottery workshop and learn hands-on the different techniques for making these lovely and traditional pottery pieces, inspired by Andean and Colonial art motifs. During this two-hour pottery workshop, create a piece to take home, a handmade souvenir of one's own authentic Peruvian experience!
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Locals_Cusco_Peru
Day
3

Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu With Private Guided Tour of the Ruins

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the train station.

The Vistadome train will take you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, you will board a bus to Machu Picchu and then have a private guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marshes of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the Cusco Imperial style's polished stone works, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, a privilege of the Inca royal family and priests. Enjoy lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge, at the entrance of the ruins, before returning to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in the town of Aguas Calientes.
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Hiram_Bingham_Train_Peru
Day
4

Hike Huayna Picchu

Early this morning (about 6:00 am), board a bus back to Machu Picchu and enjoy a privately guided hike of Huayna Picchu, the largest peak of Machu Picchu (special permits included - subject to availability). This hike is quite steep on a narrow path. It affords a magnificent view of Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, board the train.

Upon arrival to the train station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Sacred Valley.

Early this morning (about 6:00 am), board a bus back to Machu Picchu and enjoy a privately guided hike of Huayna Picchu, the largest peak of Machu Picchu (special permits included - subject to availability). This hike is quite steep on a narrow path. It affords a magnificent view of Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, board the train.

Upon arrival to the train station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Sacred Valley.

Side_view_Machu_Picchu_Peru
Day
5

Huilloc Community

A vehicle will pick you up from your hotel in Urubamba and transfer you to the Huilloc community. This settlement has sought to attract Cusco's tourism industry by promoting live experiences. After getting to know the community and its customs, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Arrive to the rural community of Huilloc in the province of Urubamba, to perform a traditional Inca practice called Kusi Runa, in which you will participate in a day of Chakra (agriculture). A local interpreter will welcome you and guide you to the home of the owner of the Chakra, who will invite you to a muna infusion. Symbolically be an integral part of the community, and as a community member, you will be dressed in typical clothes of Huilloc (ponchos for men and blankets for women) and use traditional tools. Males will farm while the women cook for them with local organic products, ending in a spiritual ritual with local music and dance. In conclusion, you will have an excellent opportunity to experience a typical day endured by the Andean Runa (male). ...read less

Day
6

Ollantaytambo Community Volunteer Work

This morning, you will be met by a guide who will drive to the community where one will work for the day. Depending on what the school needs that day, it will be varied. Work with the kids in the garden, teach them in the classroom, do art projects, and participate in sports. Yampu will bring fruit for the kids will be handed out to them and some art supplies. Bring some educational supplies (also provided by Yampu in the document package) and any gifts one may wish to bring from home.

This morning, you will be met by a guide who will drive to the community where one will work for the day. Depending on what the school needs that day, it will be varied. Work with the kids in the garden, teach them in the classroom, do art projects, and participate in sports. Yampu will bring fruit for the kids will be handed out to them and some art supplies. Bring some educational supplies (also provided by Yampu in the document package) and any gifts one may wish to bring from home.

Peru_school
Day
7

Full-Day Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Lake Piuray

This morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred to Lake Piuray, close to the village of Chinchero, well known for its colorful market with traditional weavings and a variety of handicrafts. The lake sits at an altitude of about 12,100 feet above sea level and is beautifully located. Arriving to the lake, we will have a safety briefing and get familiar with the kayaking equipment and then start kayaking across the lake for about two hours, enjoying outstanding scenery of the surrounding hills with farm terraces and forests and great views of the snow-capped mountains. After our kayaking experience and a tasty Andean-style picnic lunch on the shore of the lake, we will have a free afternoon to enjoy at our relaxing shoreline area. Later we will head back to the hotel for a relaxing evening at leisure.

If you prefer, it is also possible to opt to explore the lake on a stand-up paddleboard.
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Day
8

Private Half-Day Chinchero Tour with Weaving Workshop - Flight Home

En-route back to Cusco this morning, visit Chinchero, a charming valley town. There, attend a seminar to witness how the townsfolk spin and weave using traditional Andean techniques that they have preserved. One can also try their hand at what has been demonstrated, making their very own cloth to take home.
Afterward, the excursion continues on to the airport for a flight to Lima to connect with the international flight home.

En-route back to Cusco this morning, visit Chinchero, a charming valley town. There, attend a seminar to witness how the townsfolk spin and weave using traditional Andean techniques that they have preserved. One can also try their hand at what has been demonstrated, making their very own cloth to take home.
Afterward, the excursion continues on to the airport for a flight to Lima to connect with the international flight home.

Cusco, Peru

Machupicchu, Cusco, Peru

Sacred Valley, Calca Province, Cusco, Peru

Places You'll See

  • Peru_Cusco_city

    Cusco

    Once a powerful Incan city, Cusco is filled to the brim with relics of its grand history. Visit the ruins of the ancient Incan Koricancha Temple, where the Church of Santo Domingo now stands atop. Behold the many beautiful, colonial buildings in the Main Square, including the Cathedral and Church of La Compania de Jesus (Society of Christ).

  • Machu Picchu

    Recently, following UNESCO recommendations, Peruvian authorities have placed restrictions on the visitation of Machu Picchu, the lost Incan ruins. Currently, no more than 2,500 people daily will be allowed to visit the ruins. While these new restrictions are great for the preservation of the ruins, they may cause some difficulties in your ability to visit them, so we recommend booking with plenty of notice.

  • Sacred-Valley

    Sacred Valley

    Situated in the Andes, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, also known as the Urubamba Valley, has become a popular destination. With shopping in its many markets, several hiking routes, and ambitious activities such as rock climbing and river rafting, it appeals to all. Survey significant archeological dig sites, or simply explore the multitude of attractions in leisure.

Hotel Options

4 Star Properties

Cusco : El Mercado

Cusco : Palacio Manco Capac 

Machu Picchu : El MaPi

Machu Picchu : Casa del Sol

Sacred Valley : Casa Andina Premium, Valle Sagrado

Sacred Valley : Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness

5 Star Properties

Cusco : Inkaterra La Casona

Cusco : Palacio del Inka by Libertador, Cusco

Machu Picchu : Sumaq Hotel

Machu Picchu : Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo

Sacred Valley : Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba (Superior Suite)

Sacred Valley : Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa

Luxury Properties

Cusco : Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

Cusco : Belmond Hotel Monasterio

Machu Picchu : Sanctuary Lodge (standard Room)

Machu Picchu : Sanctuary Lodge (Mountain View With Terrace)

Sacred Valley : Rio Sagrado

Sacred Valley : Tambo Del Inka Resort & Spa Valle Sagrado

Testimonials

Debra

Traveled November, 2008

I had a great time and would definitely recommend this trip

The Inca Trail and Amazon were awesome! The Inca trail was definitely the highlight. In terms of feedback, overall, the way the schedule worked out, a little too much time in Lima (the shopping tour with Kuzi was great-felt like I was hanging out with one of my girlfriends). I was also done with the hike, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu by lunch, so I had plenty of time to explore Agua Calientes that same day. I had a great time and would definitely recommend this trip. Thx!

Traveled To

Karen and Stephen

Traveled January, 2007

I cannot really convey in a few sentences how satisfied we were with your services.

I never took the time to thank you for the wonderful arrangements made by you and your team at Yampu for a trip we made in late January of this year to Peru and Bolivia. I cannot really convey in a few sentences how satisfied we were with your services. We had never used a travel company before this trip. Considering the fact that we were traveling to third-world countries where life simply is not the same as here in the U.S., we were wonderfully surprised at the smoothness of all of our travel. We attribute this to your choice of tour guides and accommodations chosen in those countries. I thought of you and Yampu recently because we are planning to travel to southern Spain next year, but unfortunately for us you don’t service Spain! Some day we plan to travel to Chile and Argentina, and hope to make use of your services again. Thanks again for such great travel arrangements.

Traveled To


Caswell & Teresa

Traveled December, 2014

I don’t know where to start but just let me say this was the BEST TRIP we have EVER taken.

I don’t know where to start but just let me say this was the BEST TRIP we have EVER taken. You thought of everything. I must admit I know you said everything would be taken care of but I thought yea, RIGHT, no way. Boy was I wrong, gosh you didn’t miss a thing. All the tour guides, the tours, the hotels were just outstanding. The tour guides took us to airports got our tickets to board flights geeze we were treated like royals. Machu Picchu was outstanding; we did the hike. I have to say I was a little apprehensive about it at first, but once we got started realized we would have no problem. We made it all the way to the top. The hotel there was just wonderful, the weather was nice also NO RAIN!! Galapagos!!! WOW it was JUST AWESOME!!! OMG the snorkeling was incredible. We got to go twice a day and honey we sure did not miss one trip. The hikes were great, we could not believe how close you can get to all the animals. I Really don’t have the vocabulary to express to you just how amazing this whole trip was. All the tours were outstanding loved having the private tours. All the guides were very knowledgeable, and I know this is true cause Caswell knows his history. I am recommending this trip to all my friends. Again thank you so much for preparing the trip of a life time.We were married 30 years January 2 and this was our gift to each other. Thank You,

Traveled To


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