Peru culture tour: A Voyage to the Cultural Heart of Peru
per person
Your 10 day Peruvian adventure will begin right in the historic heart of Lima, the world’s second biggest desert city. Let your imagination soar when you move onto the White city of Arequipa, spellbound by the majestic condors of the Colca Valley.
Pay a visit to the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where unique Andean camelids wander freely and spend nights like no other staying in cozy local homes where a host family will welcome you to share their customs and cultures.
Allow your tastebuds to be tantalised with delicious foods, locally prepared in picturesque small towns along your trip. Witness the spinning and shearing of sheep in traditions pioneered by Inca ancestors, and finally retrace their steps in the most precious of citadels, Machu Picchu.
Highlights of the Peru Culture tour:
Itinerary Overview:
Click through to “Tour Plan” to see the full itinerary for the Peru cultural tour.
Day 1 | Lima
Your Peru culture tour begins in Lima, the country’s vibrant capital! Lima’s history encompasses Peruvian cultures that predate the Spanish, and even the Incas: the city was once sacred to the Rimac people, and you can still visit one of their pyramids! The city also boasts its fair share of elegant colonial architecture, and a myriad of exciting restaurants.
Day 2 | Lima
Today, you’ll get a feel for the cultural pulse of Lima with the help of your expert guide! Visit highlights such as Lima’s Chinatown, home to the largest community of Chinese expats in Latin America, and pick up Limeño favourites at the Mercado Central, which encompasses an entire city block.
Day 3 | Lima to Arequipa
Catch an early flight to Arequipa, to give you plenty of time to explore the charms of Peru’s beautiful “white city”. The dazzling colonial Plaza de Armas is one of the best examples of its kind in Latin America, and the vibrantly colourful streets of the Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa’s “city within a city”, will leave you awestruck.
Day 4 |Arequipa to Yanque
Venture into Colca Canyon, one of the deepest of its kind in the world! Here, in what is sure to be a highlight of your Peru culture tour, you will meet the indigenous Collaguan people, whose culture predates that of the Incas. Spend the night in a homestay in the village of Yanque, where you will have the opportunity to learn local crafts and traditions; the ultimate in community-based tourism!
Day 5 | Yanque to Sibayo
After breakfast, you will enjoy a performance of the traditional Wititi dance, before heading to the lookout point at Cruz del Condor for a chance to see the elusive Andean Condor. Continue to the village of Sibayo, famous for its ancient masonry. You’ll spend a night of local immersion with a local family in Sibayo, where you’ll discover the traditional process of weaving llama wool.
Day 6 | Sibayo to Arequipa
Your Peru culture tour continues with a visit to a community of alpaca herders just outside Sibayo. Enjoy a morning of responsible tourism as you learn about the traditional art of alpaca shearing. Next, you’ll hike along an original Inca Trail and finish with a soak in the hot springs of Chivay, before returning to Arequipa.
Day 7 | Arequipa to Cusco
Today, you will fly from Arequipa to Cusco, the ancient heart of the Inca Empire! Discover the city’s fascinating history with a guided tour. Visit the bohemian San Blas neighbourhood and the bustling San Pedro market, before travelling to the surrounding mountains to explore the majestic Inca sites of Sacsayhuaman, Q’enco and PukaPukara!
Day 8 | Cusco to the Sacred Valley
Head into the Sacred Valley to visit the isolated Amaru community, who have maintained the language, colourful dress and traditional way of life of their Inca ancestors. Next, visit the fascinating town of Ollantaytambo and explore the Incan fortress, one of the few places where the Spanish were defeated. From the top of the ruin, you can appreciate how the town has maintained its original Incan layout.
Day 9 | Sacred Valley to Cusco via Machu Picchu
Today, you will visit Machu Picchu, sure to be a highlight of your tour and indeed your trip to South America! Discover the most important sites of the awe-inspiring citadel with your expert guide, before spending some time exploring at your own pace. In the evening, you will travel back to Cusco for a final night in the historical city.
Day 10 | Cusco to Lima
Today, your Peru cultural tour will end, either with a transfer back to Lima, or the opportunity to discover the other side of Peru with a visit to the Amazon rainforest! Whichever option you choose, you’re sure to leave full of wonderful memories of Peru’s incredible cultural mosaic!
Important Information:
We recommend you book this tour at least 1 month in advance.
Why book with us?
Travel voucher & contact details:
You will receive an electronic voucher via e-mail once your booking is confirmed.
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DepartureLima / Lima
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Departure TimeAny time
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IncludeDomestic flightsTransportEntriesAccommodationTour guideMealsActivities described in the itinerary
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Not IncludedTravel Insurance
From Our Gallery
Cultural Immersion trip in Peru
Day One: Arriving into the colonial city of Lima
Panoramic view of Lima main square and cathedral church.
Day Two: Central Lima through the eyes of a local
Today’s tour will be a mix of traditional highlights and irregular choice activites, as your guide shares fascinating stories and facts about Lima. Touching on contemporary history and tales of years gone by, you will be privately transported to Lima’s beautiful colonial centre, where typical wooden balconies are sure to enchant. See life as real Limeno’s do as you immerse yourself in Chinatown, an important district due to Lima being home to the largest community of Chinese people in Latin America. You’ll walk through Mercado Central, one block in length and one of the most unique shopping trips you’ll have this holiday. End in the bustling tourist centre of Miraflores, where you will spend another night before departing for the south of Peru.
Overnight in Hotel in Lima Day Three: Small colonial town hidden in a wonderful monastery
Rise early for your flight to the beautiful city of Arequipa. An enchanting place famous for its delicious gastronomy, and for the beauty of its unique streets of white, sillar stone buildings, it’s also known for the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest of its kind in the world.
You will visit one of Arequipa’s finest districts, Yanahuara. Here you will enjoy a delicious lunch in a local picanteria, dining amongst Peruvians and savouring the opportunity to taste the typical rocoto relleno, the famous stuffed pepper of Arequipa.
After lunch, you will visit Santa Catalina monastery, a 20,000 square metre residency built in 1579. With walls of vivid colours, there remains 20 nuns living in the northern quarter of the complex. The rest of the monastery is open for your own discovery, where you can explore its enchanting narrow streets classical water fountain before returning for a night in Arequipa.
Overnight in Hotel in Arequipa Day Four: Be part of the local family in the Colca Valley Valley
Discover a culture that pre dates the Incas as you join the Collaguan people of the Colca Valley. Your day full of landscapes and wildlife begins as you’re picked up from your hotel in Arequipa, journeying to the Colca Valley. Entering the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve, you can observe wild herds of vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas. Alongside try spotting the variety of birds including flamingoes, ibises, and eagles. This is no mythical landscape: this is Peru at its most untouched. These animals live and flourish in the wild, and seeing them in their natural habitat will astound you.
Onward and upwards as you stop to admire the surrounding volcanoes and snowcapped mountains at Patapampa Pass, reaching 4,910 m above sea level. From the pass, travel to the charming village of Chivay, before making the descent into the tranquil town of Yanque.
Here you will sleep in one of local family’s cosy homes. You’ll be able to share in their daily activities, learning skills like candle and mask making, as well as handlooming and agriculture. These are people who earn from the land that surrounds them, and your day will culminate in tasting a meal lovingly made by your new family members. Rest here another night before a day filled with highlights.
Overnight in homestay in Yanque Day Five : Soar with the Condors and learn about the town of Sibayo
Rising early to get the most out of your day of adventure, you will enjoy a healthy breakfast before watching students perform a traditional Wititi dance at the main plaza in Yanque. Taken from the Quechua ‘Witi Witi’ meaning ‘making love’, enter into a state of trance as the skirts of the dancers whirl around in a timeless tribute.
The next stop will be a natural lookout point, aptly named the “Cruz del Condor.” Admire, if you’re lucky, the majestic Andean Condor as it soars high above the canyon, royalty of the sky. These birds are the largest flying bird by weight and wingspan, and here is one of the only places in the world to see them in their natural habitat.
Your adventure will take you to the town of Sibayo, or Rumillacta; or ‘town of stones’ in Quechua. Though the town is famous for its ancient masonry and the rural landscape that surrounds it, it offers many diversions for the passing traveller.
You will learn directly from local families the art of spinning alpaca and llama wool, and you can take the opportunity to go trekking with these fine animals down deserted mountain paths. Spend the night with a local family in this fascinating town that rises 3800 metres above sea level.
Overnight in homestay in Sibayo Day Six :Shearing alpaca and llamas in Sibayo
Early in the morning you will travel to see alpaca herders, located 20 minutes from Sibayo. You will learn the art of shearing alpaca and llamas, meeting people from the area, before enjoying a delicious breakfast. A two hour trek along the Inca Trail will take you toward the hot springs of Chivay, where you can unwind in the balmy waters before having lunch and returning to Arequipa, spending the night in the White City.
Overnight in Hotel in Arequipa Day Seven :Exploring the heart of Inca civilization
Qorikancha in Cusco the most important temple in the Inca Empire
Day Eight : Meet a unique community where tradition and custom is an everyday task
Meet the lineal descendants of the Incas who maintain their traditions and language. Your Quechua and English speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel so you can head to the beautiful sacred valley of the Incas and learn more about their living culture.
The lilt of Andean music and a scattering of traditional native flowers will welcome you to yet another amazing landscape. Watch and participate in the offerings and thanks of the people to Pachamama, the ever presiding mother earth who oversees the harvests and fertility of the land surrounding you.
Visitors will be introduced to flowers and leaves from the surrounding forests, choosing some to be used to dye the fibres which will become part of the colourful clothes you see worn by the mountain communities. A brief explanation and demonstration of the shearing will be given, and the Amaru people will explain more about the fantastic iconography used.
Enjoy the produce of the land around you as a nutritious lunch is prepared, full of fresh and local ingredients are served.
After this experience with a Sacred Valley community, you will continue your adventure toward the town of Ollantaytambo. This town has many houses built over Incan ancient ruins where native lives with their ancient costumes.
The complexity and beauty of the Inca constructions and the contemporary town, huge agricultural complex, religious and military centres, are considered by many scientists and historians to be one of the most important living museums in the world.
Overnight in Hotel in Ollantaytambo Day Nine :Machu Picchu at its maximum splendour
Early in the morning, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes town in order to visit the citadel of Machu Picchu.
On arrival you'll start with a complete private guided tour of the Inca citadel, which will take approximately two and a half hours. You will then have free time to walk around, practicing your photography skills and petting the llamas. You might want to take opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu (optional). Known as Machu Picchu’s big brother, Wayna Picchu is the mountain in the background of most of the recognisable images of Machu Picchu. From here you can appreciate spectacular views over the Inca citadel Machu Picchu. When you've had your fill of the ruins, you'll return to Aguas Calientes, where your train will take you back to Ollantaytambo and you'll continue by private transport to Cusco, where you’ll stay overnight.
Overnight in Hotel in Cusco Day Ten: Farewell to the navel of the world
Tour Location
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Cultural Immersion trip in Peru
