Classic Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca – 9 Days
Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and a Lake Titicaca homestay in a group of up to twelve.
Tour overview
This 9-day small-group trip packs Peru's classic highlights into a short break: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve, and domestic flights are included. You stay eight nights in hotels and one night in a homestay on Lake Titicaca. Breakfast is included daily, with two lunches and a dinner.
Your trip begins in Lima with a walking tour of the historic centre and the chance to try ceviche in South America's food capital. An early flight takes you to Cusco, where a walk with your leader takes in the Qoricancha temple, the San Pedro market, the Twelve-Angled Stone and the San Blas quarter.
Read more
Travelling through the Sacred Valley, you visit a local community, stop at the AMA Restaurant in Urubamba, a social enterprise that trains and employs single mothers, and share a community lunch before taking the train to Aguas Calientes. Early the next morning you ride the bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided visit of its temples, palaces and terraces, returning to Cusco for the night and a free day to explore.
Crossing the high Altiplano to Puno, on the shore of Lake Titicaca, you take a motorboat to the floating Uros Islands, built from totora reeds, and spend a night with a local family on the lakeshore, helping with daily activities and sharing home-cooked meals. You then fly back to Lima for a final evening in Miraflores.
The physical rating is low, with time at high altitude. This trip suits travellers short on time who want to see the best of Peru in a small group.
Trip highlights
-
A walking tour of Cusco (Day 2)
-
A Sacred Valley community visit (Day 3)
-
A guided visit to Machu Picchu (Day 4)
-
A free day in Cusco (Day 5)
-
The Uros floating islands (Day 7)
-
A Lake Titicaca homestay (Day 7)
Your route
11 stops from Lima to Lima
- Lima Day 1
- Cusco Day 2
- Urubamba Day 3
- Ollantaytambo Day 3
- Aguas Calientes Day 3
- Machu Picchu Day 4
- Cusco Days 4–5
- Puno Days 6–7
- Uros Floating Islands Day 7
- Juliaca Day 8
- Lima Days 8–9
Why choose this tour
Peru's classic highlights in nine days. A small group of no more than twelve.
Best suited to
- Travellers short on time
- First-time visitors to Peru
- Travellers on a budget
- Solo travellers and couples
Day-by-day itinerary
9 days from Lima, Peru to Lima, Peru
-
Day 1 · Lima Lima
A walking tour of downtown.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Qoricancha, San Pedro Market, San Blas Cusco
Fly to the Inca capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Sacred Valley, Urubamba, Aguas Calientes Sacred Valley
A community visit and the train.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 4 · Machu Picchu, Cusco Machu Picchu
A guided visit.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Cusco Cusco
A free day.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Altiplano, Puno Puno
To Lake Titicaca.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Uros Islands Lake Titicaca
Floating islands and a homestay.
- Hotel
- Homestay
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Juliaca, Lima Lima
Fly back to Lima.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Lima Lima
The trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Lima (1 night) Hotel
- Cusco (1 night) Hotel
- Aguas Calientes (1 night) Hotel
- Cusco (2 nights) Hotel
- Puno (1 night) Hotel
- Lake Titicaca (1 night) Homestay
- Lima (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 8 nights, including a homestay
- Meals 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
- Flights from Lima to Cusco and Juliaca to Lima
- Train to Aguas Calientes
- Guided visit to Machu Picchu
- Sacred Valley community and Uros Islands visits
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not included 5 lunches and 7 dinners
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want to hike the Inca Trail
- You want luxury hotels
- You want most meals included
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,743 per person, twin share, tour only. 91 upcoming departures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes, from Lima to Cusco and from Juliaca back to Lima.
What is the homestay like?
A clean, basic room with plenty of blankets. Some homes have shared drop toilets and no shower.
Is altitude a concern?
Cusco and Puno are high. The free day in Cusco helps you adjust before the Altiplano.
Do I need a visa?
UK citizens don't need a visa for Peru for tourist stays.
Should I arrive early?
Yes, there's little time in Lima, so an extra night before the trip is a good idea.
How many people travel together?
No more than twelve travellers, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary