Journey to Peru

October 11th - 13th: Lima (2 nights)

• Hotel B

October 13th - 16th: Sacred Valley (3 nights)

• Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba

October 16th - 17th: Machu Picchu (1 night)

• Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel

October 17th - 19th: Cusco (2 nights)
Inkaterra La Casona

October 19th: Departure

If you need any assistance while you are traveling, or if you would like to make any changes, reservations or cancellations during your time in Peru you can contact the following who will be your local contacts during your trip:

• Guide in Lima: will be provided | will be provided
  
• Guide in Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu: will be provided | will be provided

--

• Your Curator - will be provided
  
• Your Traveler Relations Rep: will be provided
  
• Scenset Emergency Line: + 1 (415) 941-3900

Important: Due to the time difference, for small day-to-day things like touring and dining reservations - or emergencies that need immediate assistance - it will be most efficient for you to use the local contacts as they are in the same time zone as you.

WhatsApp: If you don’t have WhatsApp on your phone, we strongly encourage downloading it for free as it makes contacting our local team easier.

In October, Lima experiences mild and comfortable weather with average temperatures ranging from 63 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The city may have occasional fog and mist, but overall, it's a pleasant time to visit. Cusco, located in the Andes Mountains, sees cooler temperatures ranging from 46 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit with some scattered rainfall. Machu Picchu, situated at a higher altitude, can be quite chilly, with temperatures ranging from 43 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Layered clothing and waterproof gear are recommended for exploring Machu Picchu and Cusco during this time.

You don't need a visa for Peru if you have a United States passport.

These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.

• Passport and flight tickets; after you’ve been given your tourist ticket by Peruvian customs, you’ll need to have this and your passport at most hotels and attractions, including on treks
  
• Secure day bag with enough space for camera gear, water bottle/s, poncho and snacks (pack toilet paper in your day bag as many Peruvian bathrooms don’t have it)
  
• Lightweight poncho or waterproof jacket
  
• Lightweight trousers
  
• T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
  
• Underwear, of course
  
• Fleece jacket
  
• Hat or cap to protect from the sun
  
• Comfortable walking/hiking boots with good ankle support
  
• Sun lotion (high factor), lip salve and sunglasses
  
• Basic first aid kit
  

• Insect repellent
  
• Blister plasters (just in case!)
  

• Sanitizing hand gel (good to keep in your day pack)
  
• Basic toiletries (though most of your hotels will provide shampoos and soaps)
  
• Camera, battery charger, spare battery and plenty of memory cards
  
• Plastic sandals
  
• Swim suit
  
• Good quality locks for luggage
  
• Converter, since electricity is 220 volts

Comfortable walking shoes are a must! And, a word to the wise – Cusco’s streets are cobbled, with very slippery stones, so make sure your shoes have good tread and support!

Latam Airlines: Pack light for the domestic flights as you will travel between cities by flight. Checked bags are 50 lbs. (23 kg) and carry-on is 17.6 lbs. (8kg).

Trains to and from Machu Picchu: 11 lbs. of luggage (5 kg) with a total of 62 square inches in dimension (length + width + height). Please note that these are the stated rules of Peru Rail, however, many travelers have found that they could get away with slightly larger, heavier baggage. We recommend simply taking an overnight bag for this portion of your trip. will be provided will transfer the rest of your luggage to your next hotel.

The baggage allowance for your domestic flights is:

• 1 x 23kg (50lbs) checked baggage per person
  
• 1 x 10kg (22lbs) carry on baggage per person
  
• 1 x backpack per person

From the Sacred Valley onwards, you will encounter altitudes of 9,000 feet and greater. In order to prevent the onset of altitude sickness, we recommend the following:

• Do not drink alcohol or do heavy exercise for at least the first 48 hours after you arrive at an elevation above 8,000 feet.
  
• Drink 3-4 quarts of water per day and maintain a diet that's more than 70% carbohydrates leading up to and while you are at these higher elevations.
  
• Avoid tobacco and depressant drugs, such as sleeping pills and tranquilizers.
  
• Get plenty of sleep.
  
• Discuss medicative options such as acetazolamide or dexamethasone with your healthcare provider prior to your trip. These can have serious side effects, so it is important to understand the risks before taking.
  
• We highly recommend drinking Muña Tea throughout your trip. This has proven to be highly effective in acclimatizing the body to the altitude changes, even moreso than coca!
  
• Another local remedy is Agua de Florida. Agua de Florida is a small bottle of yellow cologne made of different herbs. Inhaling it is supposed to help when having difficulties with the altitude, headaches and breathing problems. It’s a famous medicine among locals. You can find it in pharmacies, small shops and in markets.

It is not necessary to tip everywhere, but here are some good rules of thumb:

• It is best to pay in soles, but dollars will be accepted too.
  
• Your guide – At least per day (per couple), but feel free to tip more if you feel that your guide did an exceptional job!
  
• Your driver - per day (from your whole party).
  
• Wait staff at great restaurants – 10% (sometimes service is included in your bill, so check first)
  
• Bellboys – 2 soles or 1 dollar per piece of luggage.

A few Spanish phrases to try during your trip are:

• Hello: ¡Hola! (oh-lah)
  
• Good morning: ¡Buenos días! (bweh-nos dee-ahs)
  
• Good afternoon: ¡Buenas tardes! (bweh-nahs tar-dehs)
  
• Good evening: ¡Buenas noches! (bweh-nahs noh-chehs)
  
• Goodbye: ¡Adiós! (a-dyos)
  
• Thank you: Gracias (grah-thee-ahs)
  
• Please: ¡Por favor! (pohr fah-vohr)
  
• How are you?: ¿Cómo estás? (ko-mo es-tas)
  
• Good, thank you!: ¡Bien, gracias! (bee-ehn gra-thee-as)
  
• Please!: ¡Por favor! (pohr fah-vohr)
  
• No problem: De nada (de-na-da)<br>
• Sorry: Perdón (per-dohn)
  
• What is your name?: ¿Cómo te llamas? (coh-moh teh yah-mah)
  
• My name is...: Me llamo... (meh yah-moh)
  
• Yes: Si (sea)
  
• No: No (with a shorter o sound)
  
• Cheers!: ¡Salud! (sah-LOO)

Welcome to Peru!

Meet your driver in the arrivals area of the airport, after clearing customs. Upon meeting your driver, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Lima.

• Meeting Point: Arrivals hall
  
• Duration: Approximately one hour
  
• Contact: If you have any problems or can't locate your driver, please call will be provided.
  
• Emergency Contact in Peru: will be provided

Booked by Scenset.

Check into your accommodation.

No visit to Lima is complete without delving into the food scenset. Here are some of our favorite casual restaurants:

• El Chinito Sánguches are an important part of Peruvian culture. A Chinese immigrant opened this traditional sangucheria in 1960. The signature sandwich is the chicharrón: a French baguette filled with fried pork that’s both crunchy and juicy, topped with sweet potato, yellow-pepper sauce, salsa criolla and pickled purple onions.
  
• La Picante This casual restaurant run by an individual specializes in traditional Peruvian staples, with an emphasis on the raw bar. Try the clams with lemon or the chef’s homey rice dishes.
  
• Isolina located in Lima's Barranco district, is a celebrated restaurant that brings traditional Peruvian cuisine to life. Helmed by chef José del Castillo, the restaurant pays homage to his mother, and offers hearty, family-style dishes that evoke the flavors of classic Lima. The menu is known for its generous portions and features comforting dishes like tripe stew, ceviche, and offal-based specialties. Set in a restored mansion, the atmosphere is casual yet vibrant, making it an ideal spot to enjoy authentic Peruvian flavors in a relaxed environment.
  
• La Mar Cebichería is one of Gastón Acurio’s flagship restaurants. Prepare your appetite for a seafood feast. It’s fun to begin with the raw bar, where ceviches are carefully prepared with the daily catch, alongside tiraditos, nigiri, and maki.

This is a recommendation only.

• Aposento King Bed
  
• Breakfast included
  
• Confirmation number will be provided

Booked by Scenset.

Meet with an expert guide who will take you on an in-depth, insider tour of Lima’s historical centre. Plaza de Armas is the birthplace of the colonial city centre and where Jose de San Martin declared Peru’s independence from Spanish rule. It serves as the epicenter of the old town, surrounded by the Cathedral of Lima (St. John the Apostle and Evangelist) the Municipal Palace and Archbishop’s Palace, The Magistrate House (Casa del Oidor) and the Government Palace. Casa de Aliaga, a 500-year-old colonial mansion that has been in the Aliaga family for 17 generations. Continue on to the leafy neighborhood of San Isidro and end once again in the beautiful oceanfront of Miraflores.

You'll also visit the Larco museum as part of this tour.

• Meeting time: Morning
  
• Meeting point: Hotel lobby
  
• Duration: Approximately 4.5 hours
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, or can't locate your guide, please call will be provided.

Booked by scenset.

As part of your tour, and accompanied by your private guide, you'll visit the Museo Larco, home to an extensive collection of pre-Columbian art dating back more than 5,000 years.

Booked by a travel agent.

• Aposento King Bed
  
• Breakfast included
  
• Confirmation number will be provided

Booked by a user.

Greeting by your host and private transfer to the Lima Airport.

• Meeting time: Morning
  
• Meeting point: Hotel lobby
  
• Duration: 1 hour
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, or can't locate your driver, please call will be provided

Booked by Scenset.

Meet your driver in the arrivals area of Cusco airport, after clearing customs. You will be transferred in private to the Sacred Valley, which is located at a lower altitude helping you acclimate to the Andes. Upon meeting your driver, you will head to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman for a tour, before continuing the journey to your hotel.

• Meeting time: In the afternoon
  
• Meeting point: Arrivals Hall
  
• Duration: About half an hour to the Ruins of Sacsayhuaman
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, or can't locate your driver, please call will be provided

Booked by Scenset.

Before you leave the city of Cusco for the Sacred Valley, you'll make a brief stop to get an understanding of the human history of the area at the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. It is believed that construction began here during the government of Inca Pachacutec in the 15th century. Supposedly, more than 20,000 men extracted the stones from the nearby quarries and moved it over 12 miles to the hill of the city of Cusco. How exactly did the Incas build Sacsayhuaman with stones of such an immense weight and size at the time? Many questions remain a mystery. Therein lies the beauty of this archaeological site and the Incan people. At the end of your time here, you will depart for your hotel in the valley to get settled and relax.

• Meeting time: in the afternoon
  
• Duration: 1 hour
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, or can't locate your driver, please call will be provided | +51 943 434 308

Booked by Scenset.

In the afternoon, continue the hour and a half drive to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. You should arrive at your hotel in the early evening.

Booked by Scenset.

Check in to your accommodation.

The rest of the afternoon has been left for you to relax at your hotel or explore the area at your own pace.

Mayu Spa, nestled in the serene landscape of the Sacred Valley at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, offers a rustic chic ambiance inspired by traditional Andean architecture, featuring natural therapies in a tranquil, immersive environment.

Highlights include a hot plunge pool, a dry sauna, and a unique healing garden where guests can harvest medicinal herbs for use in their treatments​

Please let us know if you'd like us to make any reservations for you.

This is a recommendation only.

For dinners during your stay at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, we recommend dining at your hotel.

• The Dining Room at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba features a menu crafted by chefs who highlight local ingredients sourced from the property’s own organic farm, including red and black quinoa, Urubamba corn, purple corn, and a diverse selection of potatoes. The restaurant and its terraces provide stunning views of the Sacred Valley and the majestic surrounding mountains.

If you wish to head further afield one evening, we suggest the following:

• Hawa Restaurant at Tambo del Inka Hotel, where organic, homegrown ingredients are featured in each and every dish.
  
• Killa Wasi at Sol y Luna Hotel, which features contemporary interpretations of Sacred Valley’s rustic culinary traditions. This option is a little more fancy.

Both restaurants are around a 20 minute drive from your hotel. Should you wish to visit either restaurant, please book a taxi from the hotel front desk.

This is a recommendation only.

• Superior Deluxe
  
• Breakfast included
  
• Confirmation number will be provided

Booked by Scenset.

For today's tour, please wear comfortable clothes suitable for biking. Please also bring a hat, sunblock and sunglasses. Helmets will be provided.

From the village of Cruzpata, embark on an exciting mountain biking excursion to the terraced ruins of Moray. Stop at a secluded spot facing the impressive Andes for a picnic lunch before you reach the ruins of Moray. Once there, enjoy a tour with your expert guide.

• Meeting time: Early morning
  
• Meeting point: Hotel lobby
  
• Drive time: About 45 minutes
  
• Tour start time: Late morning
  
• Tour end time: Mid-morning
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, please contact the tour operator.

Booked by Scenset.

In the morning, continue your journey to Maras Salt Flats.

Enjoy a tour of Maras, a pre-Incan site that has continuously produced salt for centuries, and Moray ruins. The terraces are divided into over 3,000 salt pools still harvested to this day by local families. You'll enjoy a tour of Maras Salt Flats & Moray ruins lasting approximately two hours.

• Tour start time: Late morning
  
• Duration: Approximately two hours

Booked by Scenset.

Set in the Sacred Valley, enjoy a luxury picnic lunch with views of the Andes.

Booked by scenset - included.

In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.

The rest of the day has been left for you to unwind.

• Superior Deluxe
  
• Breakfast included
  
• Confirmation number will be provided

Booked by Scenset.

This morning, visit the archeological site and ruins of Pisac with their magnificent terraces and views of the mountains.

• Meeting time: Early morning
  
• Meeting point: Hotel lobby
  
• Tour Duration: Approximately 45 minutes
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, please call will be provided | +51 943 434 308

Booked by Scenset.

You'll then be transferred to the ranch. After a short orientation, you set off on horseback along rural paths, across small villages and communities neighboring the hotel. You will take your time to experience the famously smooth gait of Peruvian Paso horses.

As you travel, you are transported into the Sacred Valley’s rural lifestyle, meeting villagers as they cook, herd cattle and till their fields. Like this, we respectfully interact with them and glimpse at their daily rhythms. Our ride continues, following mostly rural routes back to the stables.

• Meeting time: Late morning
  
• Drive time: Approximately 45 minutes
  
• Tour start time: Late morning
  
• Tour Duration: 2 hours
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, please call a representative. The number will be provided.

Booked by Scenset.

Meet your driver, who will transfer you to a historic hacienda, Hacienda Huayocari, for a delicious Peruvian lunch.

• Meeting time: Around midday
  
• Drive time: About 15 minutes
  
• Reservation time: Around 1pm
  
• Number of people: 2
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, please call will be provided

View images of the hacienda experience.

Booked by Scenset - included.

After lunch, your driver will transfer you back to your hotel—you will arrive in the afternoon.

The rest of the day has been left for you to relax.

Please check tomorrow morning's packing list, for advice on what to take tomorrow!

• Superior Deluxe
  
• Breakfast included
  
• Confirmation number will be provided

Booked by Scenset.

This morning, please prepare an overnight bag to bring with you on the train to Machu Picchu. Before you disembark the train for your hike, you’ll leave this bag with the team on the train. They will ensure it is taken to the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, where it will be ready for you upon your arrival this afternoon.

Your main suitcases should be left with your driver in the Sacred Valley. Your driver will transport them to your hotel in Cusco, where they will be awaiting your arrival tomorrow.

Please also pack a separate hiking backpack that you will take with you on your hike today. We recommend wearing / packing the following:

• Comfortable waterproof walking/hiking boots with good ankle support
  
• Lightweight trousers
  
• T-shirt
  
• Long-sleeved shirt
  
• Fleece jacket
  
• Hat or cap to protect from the sun
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Sunblock
  
• Insect repellent
  
• Blister plasters (just in case!)

Check out of your accommodation.

Private transfer with your host to the Ollantaytambo train station in the Sacred Valley and board your train to the Km 104 Station.

• Meeting time: Early morning
  
• Meeting point: Hotel lobby
  
• Duration: Approximately 40 minutes
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, please call will be provided.

Booked by Scenset.

Take the train from Ollantaytambo to the KM 104 Station. Your guide will provide you with your train tickets.

Sit back and enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the majestic Andes, lush green fields, and bright villages. The final portion of the spectacular rail journey to Machu Picchu follows the Vilcanota River down the impressive Canyon of the Vilcanota until it reaches the Km 104 Station.

• Train departure time: Early morning
  
• Train arrival time: Late morning
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, please call will be provided | +51 943 434 308

Booked by Scenset.

Disembark the train at kilometer 104 and hike the last portion of the Inca Trail with your personal guide and porter, passing the marvelous ruins of Wiñay Wayna on your way to the Sun Gate.

You will hike to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! The last 45 minutes down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take more photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There is no better way to come upon this ancient city in the clouds than to hike the path of the Incas!

You will make a stop for a gourmet packed lunch. If you need assistance in carrying your things there will be a porter available to help you with the load.

The overall hike is approx. 6-7 hours with moderate elevation gains.

Booked by scenset.

In the afternoon, you'll take a roughly 30 minute bus ride down the mountain to Aguas Calientes, accompanied by your guide.

Check in to your accommodation.

The rest of the day has been left for you to unwind after your hike!

Dinner this evening is included at your hotel.

• Superior
  
• Breakfast & Dinner included
  
• Confirmation number will be provided

Booked by scenset.

Check out of your accommodation and leave your luggage with reception.

In the morning, your guide will escort you by bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu where you will experience a tour of the UNESCO site. Embedded within a dramatic landscape at the meeting point between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin, the historic citadel of Machu Picchu is among the greatest artistic, architectural, and land use achievements in the world and the most significant tangible legacy of the Inca civilization.

• Meeting time: Early morning
  
• Meeting point: Hotel lobby
  
• Bus: Early morning
  
• Bus journey: About 30 minutes
  
• Tour start time: Morning
  
• Tour duration: 3 hours
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, please call will be provided.

Booked by Scenset.

At around 10am a guide will accompany you on the 30 minute bus ride back down to Aguas Calientes to meet a driver, who will take you to the train station for your onward travel to Cusco.

Booked by Scenset.

The hotel team will bring your overnight bags to the train station - your guide will coordinate this.

Board the train back to the Sacred Valley. A guide will accompany you and provide you with your tickets.

• Train departure time: Late morning
  
• Train arrival time: Early afternoon

Booked by Scenset.

Upon arrival, you'll be met by a driver to continue the journey to Cusco.

Along the way, visit the Chinchero weaving center to meet a local family and enjoy a traditional weaving demonstration. A group of talented local women have organized a weaving cooperative, helping them to support their families while dedicating themselves to their culture’s weaving patterns. The women will demonstrate the art of weaving with traditional back strap looms, and you will be able to browse their creations if you care to buy, or donate to the community.

• Tour start time: Afternoon
  
• Tour duration: About an hour
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, or can't locate your driver, please call will be provided | +51 943 434 308

Booked by Scenset.

In the afternoon, you'll be transferred on an hour-long journey to your hotel. You'll arrive in the early evening.

Arrive at your hotel in Cusco and settle into your accommodations. Enjoy the amenities of your hotel as you recuperate from your journey and acclimate to the altitude.

Cusco is one of the best places to try Peruvian cuisine. Here are some of our top restaurant recommendations.

• Cicciolina one of the city’s top restaurants, Cicciolina offers Italian-style dishes with a Peruvian flair, such as quinoa-encrusted prawns and osso buco with pumpkin ravioli topped by local cheese and a touch of Andean mint.
  
• Limo offers Peruvian fusion par excellence that uses typical ingredients in daring new ways. It’s particularly known for fish, including many types of sushi, as well as a variety of entrées that feature tuna, shrimp, octopus, crab, and salmon.
  
• Pacha Papa Located near Plaza San Blas, enjoy a delicious Peruvian lunch in a charming open-air patio. Try the skewers of tender alpaca meat with local spices or the tangy pork stew.
  
• Chi Cha Dine on delicious Peruvian cuisine in an upscale contemporary setting at this restaurant operated by a famed Peruvian chef.
  
• Mercado San Pedro | San Pedro Market is the most important market in Cusco. This is the perfect place to discover the local cuisine, interesting fruits, vegetables and ingredients of the local Peruvian Andean diet.

This is a recommendation only.

• Balcon Suite
  
• Breakfast included
  
• Confirmation number will be provided

Booked by scenset.

Take time at leisure in Cusco. Visit Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Company of Jesus Church, La Merced Church, and the Archbishop’s Palace to see the private art collection.

• Balcon Suite
  
• Breakfast included
  
• Confirmation number will be provided

Booked by scenset.

Check out of your accommodation this morning.

Please check with the hotel directly to see whether they are able to offer a late check out. This cannot be guaranteed in advance and will depend on availability on the day.

Greeting by your host and private transfer to the Cusco airport in time for your flight to Lima.

• Meeting time: Early evening
  
• Meeting point: Hotel lobby
  
• Duration: Around 20 minutes
  
• Contact: If you have any problems, or can't locate your driver, please call will be provided.

Booked by Scenset.

Scenset invests in making the world a better place. Scenset will offset the fuel used during the trip. On top of that, an extra 10% will be offset to make the trip a carbon-positive experience.

Currently, support is provided for Gold Standard Climate+ Projects from the Gold Standard Foundation.