What Makes it Special?
- Browse Chinchero’s colourful local market, full of handmade textiles and Andean crafts.
- Walk through Ollantaytambo’s Inca fortress, with views over the Sacred Valley.
- Ride the scenic train through the mountains to Machu Picchu.
- Climb Huayna Picchu for a different view of the ancient citadel.
- Explore Cusco’s cobbled backstreets, soaking up the local culture as you go.
- Sample ceviche and other top-tier Peruvian cuisine in Lima.
Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Peru experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
This journey is designed for those who have only just over a week to squeeze the most out of amazing Peru. Despite the long flight from the UK, Peru is still a great option for a shorter break, as the major sites are all relatively close to one another. Centred in and around Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, this short escape is a brilliant introduction to Peru’s rich history, traditional cultures and wow-prompting scenery. Plus, it’s something a little bit different to hopping on a flight to Europe!
Firstly, there’s time to explore cosmopolitan Lima with all of its impressive culinary treats, its great selection of museums, and gorgeous historic centre. Be sure to toast your adventure with a drink at an oceanfront bar in Barranco! Next up, after a short domestic flight, you’ll find yourselves in the tranquil and striking surroundings of Peru’s Sacred Valley, where you’ll visit one of the most colourful local markets in the region. Now, the undeniable highlight: You’ll take a scenic train ride up through the clouds to the iconic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu. After countless photographs and plenty of time to explore the ancient terraces, you’ll spend a night in rural surroundings before heading back to Cusco to spend your last couple of days strolling through the pretty squares and meandering cobbled streets. This would also combine beautifully with a trip to the Galapagos Islands, just chat to us and we’ll bring your perfect trip to life.
12.5 hours from London
When to go
- May to October
Average temperature
- 19°C
Average rainfall
- 40mm/month
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by Day
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Peru holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
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Your Peru adventure begins today with an overnight flight from London to Lima. We'd recommend opting for an overnight flight, giving you as much time as possible in country to make the most of your trip.
You’ll arrive in Lima today, Peru’s coastal capital city, where you'll be met with a smile by our brilliant team on the ground and driven to your hotel in the city. Along the way, your guide will give you an overview of the city, where to go, what to expect and - most importantly - where to eat! Settle into your hotel before heading out to explore Lima and its historic colonial heart. We hugely recommend a sundowner in the Barranco region of the city, before sampling one of the delicious restaurants in the city. Lima is home to some of the very best restaurants in South America and a famed culinary scene, so you’re in for a treat here!
You’ll be met by your friendly local guide this morning and whisked off on a tour around the city to uncover Lima’s rich and vibrant history. You’ll visit colonial landmarks such as the grand cathedral and Aliaga’s House, before taking a stroll around the Larco Museum, home to an impressive array of pre-Columbian art. After your tour, be sure to take another opportunity to sample yet more of the food that Lima is so renowned for.
Today you’ll hop on a short flight to Cusco, where you’ll be met and driven into the stunning surrounds of the Sacred Valley. Here, in the charming town of Ollantaytambo, you’ll begin to acclimatise to the altitude and take in the valley’s peaceful scenery. If you’d like to get even closer to the heart of the country, there is a range of incredible local experiences we could include during your time in the Sacred Valley. Just give us a call and we can chat you through the options.
Today, you’ll head off on a tour around some of the most memorable destinations in the Sacred Valley. First up is the local market at Chinchero, one of the most colourful in the Andes – it feels somewhat more authentic than the better-known Pisac Market, and we love that. Next up, you’ll soak up more of Peru’s history at the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Listen to tales of ancient battles whilst you explore the incredible stonework and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the valley. A delicious stop off for lunch will be included along the way.
Wake up bright and early today, ready for a day that you won’t forget in a hurry. Firstly, a spectacular train and bus journey up through the mountains, where the views will seem to get more and more beautiful, edging you ever closer to this World Wonder. When you make it, you’ll be joined by your very own – and very brilliant – guide to explore the ancient terraces, dotted with llamas, and all set against a dramatic mountain backdrop. It might be a popular spot, but the guides we work with are fantastic at seeking out the quieter spots. After taking in the beauty, you’ll head back to the small town to spend the night.
Today, you’ll have tickets for a second entry to Machu Picchu to explore by yourselves. Armed with all of the knowledge shared by your guide yesterday, take the time to explore the hidden corners and soak it all in. If you’re a keen hiker, we recommend climbing Huayna Picchu, one of the dramatic mountains that form the backdrop to Machu Picchu. It’s a bit of a trek, so a reasonable amount of fitness is required, but the view from the top is worth it. You’ll head to Cusco by train in the afternoon to spend your final two nights in the city.
Cusco is a city that’s rich with Incan and Spanish colonial influences. Add to that its charming cobbled streets, picturesque squares and historic treasures – we love it. Today, you’ll meet your private guide for a half-day tour taking in all of the city’s highlights, including the cathedral and Coricancha, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. A tour is a great way to get your bearings and make sure you don’t miss the key attractions tucked away in the historic centre. For your last night, head out for a delicious dinner, ready to reminisce about your adventures over the last week (you might even be tempted to start planning your return to Peru…)
Today, your quick break to Peru has come to an end, and it's time to head home. You’ll be transferred to the airport in good time for your overnight international flight home via Lima with full cameras and even fuller hearts.
Places you'll visit
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What You're Saying
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Brilliant bespoke planning and expert advice in scheduling our trip to South America, nothing was too much trouble, really refreshing to experience a sincere customer focused approach. We had a fabulous itinerary across Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Easter Island, holiday of a lifetime. They set a very high standard and I can't recommend them more highly.
Gary Bassett
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We contacted HA to plan a family adventure through the Andes from Lima in Peru, through Bolivia and down to Santiago in Chile. Louise at HA was amazing and quickly understood exactly the type of trip we were after and organised it perfectly. Louise helped us plan an action-packed itinerary and once on the road it all went smoothly with excellent guides throughout, the organisation was faultless. It was an incredible experience for the whole family and we would definitely recommend HA. We won't hesitate to use HA for our next adventure - many thanks!
Damien
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A total 5* experience. Excellent, friendly, and courteous service from first to last. The company prides itself on providing detailed, first hand, expertise for each of its destinations. Latin America specialist Louise filled us with confidence and couldn’t have been more helpful in putting together a bespoke trip to Peru and Ecuador. More importantly the travel experience totally lived up to our expectations and everything went according to plan. Many thanks.
Phil Aldridge
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Holiday Architects were amazing from the first time I spoke to them about a trip to Peru right through to the end of my holiday. She listened, came back with an offer that matched my interests, and worked to finalise this. Before we left she made sure our questions were all answers. Before and while there our questions were always answered promptly. We were guided from Lima to the Amazon, on to Machu Picchu and to Cusco - The Sacred Valley, river rafting, mountain biking, and a day tour to Laguna Humanty. Everyone was attentive to details, the staff were so informative and kind, the tours we went on were brilliant. The organised accommodation was superb. The food was out of this world - especially on the four day hike, amazing. I would have no hesitation to use this company again.
Peter
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Dawn at Holiday Architects helped us organise an incredible trip to Peru! She was so helpful in advising and recommending the perfect itinerary! We were able to customise our trip without compromising things that we wanted to do. I would highly recommend their service!
Hinesh
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A great experience from start to finish. Our trip to Peru was incredible, perfect organised by our rep Louise Mumford and we didn’t have to worry about a thing.
Marie Le Hur
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We had an excellent experience with Holiday Architects who organised our trip to Peru for our honeymoon. Communication with Louise was quick and efficient and she sent us possibilities and options for our trip, which we were then able to adjust and change as per our needs. Louise even organised a lovely meal for us as a honeymoon treat! Nothing was too much trouble and I would definitely recommend Holiday Architects to plan your trip.
Gemma Breijer
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Holiday Gallery
Meet our Peru experts
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Dawn and Louise are dedicated to all things Peru and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
Dawn Smith
Destination Manager
Dawn loves Peru. The history, biodiversity and bold landscapes, all of it. She’s hiked with purpose, met incredible communities and explored far beyond the guidebooks, and she’s ready to help you do the same.
Louise Mumford
Destination Manager
Peru combines so many of Lou’s favourite things: mountains, history and colourful local culture. She’s hiked its trails, explored its markets and knows how to build a trip that really connects you to everything that makes the country so special.
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