Upon arrival at Cusco airport, our friendly driver will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to your hotel in the historic center. Once you’ve checked in, take a moment to unwind with a warm cup of coca tea, it’s a traditional remedy that helps ease the effects of altitude. Enjoy a free afternoon to rest, explore the charming streets nearby, and begin soaking in the magic of the Andes. Welcome to the land of the Incas, your adventure starts here!

• Accomodation: Rumipunko or Similar
• Meals: None
• Tickets: NA

Get ready for a flavorful day as you dive into the heart of Peruvian cuisine. We’ll pick you up from your hotel at 8:50 a.m. and head to San Pedro Market, Cusco’s most traditional and colorful local market. Your professional chef will guide you through the vibrant stalls, introducing you to native Andean ingredients such as quinoa, potatoes, aji peppers, tropical fruits, and superfoods like maca and kiwicha. You’ll learn about their origin, health benefits, and how they are used in daily Peruvian cooking.

After gathering your ingredients and insights, we continue to a cozy cooking studio where your hands-on culinary adventure begins. With the chef’s guidance, you’ll prepare a starter, main course, and a traditional Peruvian dessert, all paired with a refreshing pisco sour you’ll also learn to make! Whether it’s ceviche, lomo saltado, or causa limeña, every dish reflects the diversity of Peru’s cultural and natural landscapes.

Once everything is ready, sit down and enjoy the delicious meal you’ve created together. The class ends around 1:30 p.m., and the afternoon is yours to relax or explore more of Cusco.

This experience is more than just a cooking class, it’s a cultural exchange that connects you with the local flavors, traditions, and warm hospitality of the Andes.

• Accomodation: Rumipunko or Similar
• Meals: breakfast - lunch
• Tickets: Included

After breakfast, we’ll pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 a.m. to begin an unforgettable day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is Sacsayhuamán, an impressive Inca fortress known for its massive stone walls and panoramic views of Cusco. Your guide will walk you through the site, sharing the history, spiritual significance, and architectural genius behind these enormous stones.

We then continue to a local alpaca farm, where you’ll meet llamas, alpacas, and the more elusive vicuñas. You’ll learn to tell the difference between them and visit a weaving center, where local artisans demonstrate traditional Andean textile techniques passed down through generations.

Next, we travel to the Pisac archaeological site, perched on a mountain slope with sweeping views of the valley. Discover the Inca terraces, ceremonial areas, and tombs, all while gaining insight into their agricultural practices. Afterward, enjoy some time at the Pisac market, perfect for shopping handmade crafts and local produce.

In the afternoon, we continue to Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with cobblestone streets and an imposing archaeological site. Explore the ancient temples, terraces, and water channels built by the Incas, still in use today.

You’ll spend the night in Ollantaytambo village, a charming and historic place to rest and prepare for your upcoming Inca Trail adventure.

• Accomodation: Sol Natura or Similar
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
• Tickets: Included

After breakfast, we pick you up from your hotel in Ollantaytambo at 8:00 a.m. to explore some of the Sacred Valley’s most fascinating and photogenic sites.

Our first stop is Moray, a unique Inca archaeological site made up of circular terraces carved into a natural depression in the earth. These terraces functioned as an agricultural research center, where the Incas experimented with different crops at varying microclimates. Your guide will explain how this site reflects the Incas’ deep understanding of science, farming, and ecology.

Next, we visit the Maras Salt Mines, a surreal landscape of thousands of salt pools cascading down the hillside. These pre-Inca salt pans are still used today by local families who harvest salt by hand in a tradition passed down for centuries. The contrast of the white salt against the surrounding red earth makes for spectacular photos, and you’ll gain insight into the vital role salt played in Andean commerce and diet.

Finally, we head to the charming town of Chinchero, known as the “Land of the Rainbow.” Here, you’ll visit the colonial church built atop an Inca palace, and explore original Inca walls and agricultural terraces still in use. Chinchero is also famous for its vibrant weaving traditions, you’ll witness a live textile demonstration where locals show how they use natural dyes and ancient techniques to create intricate fabrics.

After this full day of culture and history, we return to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll spend another peaceful night in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

• Accomodation: Sol Natura or Similar
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
• Tickets: Included

Today is the big day! At 5:45 a.m., we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Ollantaytambo and walk to the nearby train station to catch the 6:00 a.m. train. Enjoy a scenic journey through the Sacred Valley, following the flow of the Urubamba River until we reach KM 104, the official starting point of the Short Inca Trail.

After checking in with your original passport, your unforgettable hike along the Royal Inca Trail begins. The trail starts with a steady 3.5-hour ascent through lush cloud forest, vibrant wild orchids, and ancient stone paths. Early on, we’ll stop to explore Chachabamba, a ceremonial site used by the Incas for offerings to the surrounding mountains and water sources.

As we climb higher, we reach Wiñay Wayna, a spectacular Inca site with cascading agricultural terraces, ritual baths, and panoramic views. Often called a “mini Machu Picchu,” this sacred site gives you a deeper understanding of the Inca’s mastery of engineering and spiritual connection to the land. Here, we’ll enjoy a boxed lunch surrounded by nature.

In the final stretch, hike about one hour to Inti Punku – the Sun Gate – where the first awe-inspiring view of Machu Picchu awaits. This unforgettable moment is the highlight of the day: seeing the Lost City of the Incas from above, just as the ancient pilgrims once did.

From the Sun Gate, we descend gradually to the citadel, then take the shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes. After checking in at your hotel, unwind with a well-deserved dinner at a local restaurant and rest up for your guided visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

• Accomodation: Inti Punko Machu Picchu or Similar
• Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - dinner
• Tickets: Included

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we’ll take one of the first shuttle buses up to Machu Picchu, arriving in the peaceful morning hours before the crowds. As a Short Inca Trail hiker, you’ll enter the citadel via Circuit 3, in accordance with current regulations. This route leads you through the heart of the ancient city, offering up-close views of sacred temples, ceremonial plazas, precision-carved stone structures, and Inca terraces still clinging to the mountain slopes.

Your expert guide will lead a 2.5-hour tour, sharing the fascinating history, legends, and spiritual significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll learn about Inca cosmology, their advanced understanding of astronomy, and the incredible engineering that helped shape this wonder of the world.

If you’ve reserved a permit for Huayna Picchu (optional, $75 USD), you’ll have the opportunity to hike this iconic peak after the main tour. The climb is steep but rewarding, offering breathtaking panoramic views over Machu Picchu and the surrounding Andes. The round-trip takes approximately 2 hours.

After exploring, we take the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time for lunch (not included) and a chance to relax. In the afternoon, we’ll board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport will be waiting. You’ll return to your hotel in Cusco by around 7:30 p.m., ending the day with unforgettable memories of one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures.

• Accomodation: Rumipunko or Similar
• Meals: Only breakfast
• Tickets: Included

Today offers one of the most unique and breathtaking adventures of your time in Peru. We begin with an early morning pick-up from your Cusco hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., followed by a scenic 2-hour drive to the village of Cusipata, where you’ll enjoy a freshly prepared local breakfast to fuel the day.

From Cusipata, we drive another hour to the trailhead at 4,600 meters (15,092 ft). Your adventure begins with a 2-hour gradual uphill hike, surrounded by spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, grazing alpacas, and the striking beauty of the high Andes. Upon reaching the summit of Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) at 5,100 meters (16,732 ft), you’ll witness the stunning stripes of red, turquoise, gold, and lavender, a colorful masterpiece created by natural minerals.

But the journey doesn’t end there. We continue with a 45-minute hike to the extraordinary Red Valley, a hidden gem with deep crimson hills and otherworldly landscapes rarely seen by most visitors. This serene and less-traveled trail offers a peaceful contrast to the busy Rainbow Mountain viewpoint.

After taking in the incredible scenery, we hike back to the trailhead, meet our driver, and return to Cusipata for a delicious lunch. We then drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 5:00 p.m., with hearts full and cameras loaded from one of Peru’s most unforgettable landscapes.

• Accomodation: Rumipunko or Similar
• Meals: Breakfast - Lunch
• Tickets: Included

Embark on a full-day cultural adventure from Cusco to Puno along the legendary Sun Route (Ruta del Sol), one of Peru’s most scenic and enriching overland journeys. Your day begins with a 6:20 a.m. pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the bus station, where your comfortable tourist-class coach awaits.

As you travel through the Andes, enjoy breathtaking landscapes and fascinating cultural stops that connect the Inca capital of Cusco with the highland shores of Lake Titicaca. Your first stop is Andahuaylillas Church, often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes” for its baroque altars and richly painted ceilings.

Continue to the vast Raqchi Archaeological Complex, once a powerful religious center dedicated to Wiracocha, the Inca creator god. Afterward, reach the La Raya Pass (4,335 meters), the highest point on the route, where snow-capped peaks meet herds of alpacas, offering an ideal photo opportunity.

After a buffet lunch, we visit the Pukara Lithic Museum, featuring ancient monoliths and ceremonial relics from Peru’s pre-Inca civilizations.

By 5:30 p.m., arrive in Puno, where you’ll be transferred to your hotel to prepare for the next chapter: exploring the magical waters and cultures of Lake Titicaca.

• Accomodation: Tierra Viva Puno or Similar
• Meals: Breakfast - Lunch
• Tickets: Included

Experience the magic of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake at 3,812 meters (12,507 ft), on a full-day cultural journey from Puno. After an early morning pick-up from your hotel, we head to the port to begin your adventure across the shimmering high-altitude waters.

Our first stop is the iconic Uros Floating Islands, ingeniously built from layers of totora reeds. Step onto these spongy islands, meet the Uros people, and discover how they’ve preserved their unique way of life for generations, crafting homes, boats, and schools entirely from reeds.

We then continue to Taquile Island, a tranquil place known for its panoramic lake views and UNESCO-recognized textile art. Walk along scenic stone paths, enjoy an authentic Andean lunch, and learn how local traditions and communal living shape daily life on the island. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase handwoven souvenirs, directly supporting local families.

After an enriching day of cultural discovery, we return to Puno by 4:00 p.m., with hotel drop-off included. A truly unforgettable journey into the living traditions of the Andean highlands.

• Accomodation: Tierra Viva Puno or Similar
• Meals: Breakfast - Lunch
• Tickets: Included

Your adventure continues with a 6:20 AM hotel pick-up and transfer to the bus station for a scenic journey to Chivay, the gateway to the majestic Colca Canyon. This 4.5-hour drive offers stunning views of the Andes Mountains, remote highland villages, and vast sweeping valleys—an unforgettable landscape unfolding before your eyes.

Upon arrival in Chivay, we’ll transfer you to the beautiful Colca Lodge, a serene retreat set beside the Colca River. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Soak in the natural thermal hot springs, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and admire the canyon’s dramatic scenery. It’s the perfect way to unwind before your exploration of one of the world’s deepest canyons.

• Accomodation: Colca Lodge or Similar
• Meals: Only Breakfast
• Tickets: Included

We begin the day early with breakfast at your hotel, setting out for one of the most unforgettable moments of your Colca Canyon journey. After checking out, we head to the famous Mirador del Cóndor (Condor’s Lookout). From this dramatic viewpoint high above the canyon, you’ll have the rare opportunity to witness the majestic Andean condors soaring effortlessly on the morning thermals. With wingspans reaching up to 3.3 meters (10.8 feet), these giants of the sky are a powerful symbol in Andean mythology.

Your guide will provide fascinating insights into the condors’ behavior, their role in Inca cosmology, and ongoing conservation efforts. Watching these birds glide across the vast canyon backdrop is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stay with you forever.

After this magical moment, we return to Chivay, where you’ll have time to relax or enjoy a light snack before beginning our 4-hour drive to Arequipa. The journey is filled with scenic highlights, vicuñas grazing in the wild, remote Andean villages, and panoramic views of snow-capped volcanoes such as Misti, Chachani, and Ampato.

We make a few brief stops at scenic viewpoints and high-altitude reserves before arriving in Arequipa, known as the White City for its elegant colonial buildings carved from white volcanic sillar stone. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel to settle in and rest for the next stage of your Peruvian adventure.

• Accomodation: Casa Andina Arequipa  or Similar
• Meals: Only Breakfast
• Tickets: Included

As your unforgettable journey through Peru comes to an end, we’ll arrange a timely transfer to the airport, approximately 2 hours before your flight. Our team will ensure everything runs smoothly, so you can enjoy a stress-free departure with time to reflect on all you’ve experienced.

On behalf of Champions Peru Travel, thank you for allowing us to be part of your adventure. We hope the memories, landscapes, and people of Peru remain in your heart for years to come.

Safe travels, and hasta pronto!

• Accomodation: None
• Meals: Only Breakfast
• Tickets: NA