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Explore Peru's cities, Machu Picchu, and the largest lake in South America on this nine-day exploration of local Peruvian culture. Start in metropolitan Lima and explore the vibrant food scene and history. Continue to Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire, and visit ancient ruins and colorful textile markets. Next, spend a day visiting the iconic Machu Picchu ruins. Finally, venture to Lake Titicaca to see its floating islands and native culture.

Peru 9-Day Itineraries Lima, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca - 9 Days Lima, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca - 9 Days Explore Peru's cities, Machu Picchu, and the largest lake in South America on this nine-day exploration of local Peruvian culture. Start in metropolitan Lima and explore the vibrant food scene and history. Continue to Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire, and visit ancient ruins and colorful textile markets. Next, spend a day visiting the iconic Machu Picchu ruins. Finally, venture to Lake Titicaca to see its floating islands and native culture. Highlights Sample ceviche and pisco sours in Lima Explore the lost city of Machu Picchu Cruise around Lake Titicaca on a traditional boat Discover Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley Brief Itinerary Day Highlights Overnight Day 1 Arrival in Lima Lima Day 2 Lima Market & Food Tour Lima Day 3 Fly to Cusco - Free day in the City Cusco Day 4 Tour the Sacred Valley: Cusco - Pisac - Ollantaytambo Ollantaytambo Day 5 Maras & Moray Tour & Train to Aguas Calientes Aguas Calientes Day 6 Machu Picchu Excursion: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco Cusco Day 7 Arriving in Puno: Cusco - Puno Puno Day 8 Lake Titicaca Tour: Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island Puno Day 9 Fly from Puno to Lima, Depart Peru Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Lima Lima's Plaza Mayor Welcome to Lima, Peru's largest city and central metropolitan hub, and home to a third of the country's population. Located at the site of a pre-Columbian indigenous Ychsma settlement, which was conquered by the Inca empire in the 15th century and later by the Spanish conquistadores, Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian—especially Chinese and Japanese—influences make Lima a dynamic and exciting city to explore. Lima's breezy location on the Pacific Ocean and mild desert climate make it the perfect city for exploring on foot. Head downtown to mingle with locals, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat in one of the city's many award-winning restaurants. Suggested activities include: Explore the historic center of Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating Spanish architecture. Start with a scenic tour of the colonial downtown, which emanates from the main square. Stroll over to the 16th-century Cathedral, which took 80 years to construct and was built in the grandiose style of the Spanish Empire. Visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains, in 1535. This is the only house from that era that still belongs to the same family. Stroll around the Pueblo Libre district to the privately owned Larco Museum of pre-Columbian art, housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built over a seventh-century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts a vast pre-Colonial collection of gold and silver artifacts. In the evening, head to the eclectic "Love Park" in the upscale coastal district of Miraflores, where you can admire a huge kissing statue and beautiful mosaic walls. The park is built on the cliffs of Chorrillos and is a perfect place to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Pacific. Enjoy a nightcap at an open-air cafe or restaurant in the diverse Miraflores neighborhood. Day 2: Lima Market & Food Tour Peruvian ceviche Spend the day discovering Lima's food scene. With a vibrant combination of indigenous American, African, Asian, and European culinary influences, Lima is one of the world's most impressive gastronomic and cultural centers. Start the day early in Lima's historical center to visit a local mercado—a fresh food market—to taste the local produce and sample spices, fruits, and various baked bread. Taste different types of pisco (a high proof brandy produced locally in the wine-making regions of Peru and Chile). Make sure to try ceviche, a fresh seafood dish marinated with salt and lime juice, and a traditional pisco sour, which is a Peruvian classic. Stop for lunch at one of Lima's top restaurants and enjoy a delicious meal on a patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Stroll to the bohemian district of Barranco—a popular oceanside neighborhood for artists, tourists, and locals alike—for a relaxed afternoon drinking coffee and sampling Peruvian desserts. Day 3: Fly to Cusco - Free day in the City Cusco from the Sacsayhuamán ruins Head to the Lima airport for your transfer flight to Cusco. This ancient city is the former capital of the Inca empire, which reigned from the 13th to 16th centuries after conquering the Killke settlement on the same location. Remember that you will be 11,000 feet above sea level, so take it easy and remember to drink lots of water. Since Cusco was designed by the Incas as a city for walking, start your exploration of the narrow stone alleyways on foot. Take a walk through the plaza—if the weather is beautiful, it's a perfect place to sit on a balcony and have a cup of coca tea while adjusting to the elevation....