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Mysteries of the Inca Empire

Mysteries of the Inca Empire

11 day tour from Lima roundtrip
Tour Operator
Cosmos
Departures
Mar 12, 2026 – Dec 2, 2027
Prices From
$2,877
Dates & Prices
On this Peru tour, delve into the past as you spend time in Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca. Along the way, visit ancient ruins, see beautiful scenery, and enjoy guided sightseeing with Local Guides and a Tour Director dedicated to bringing you these destinations and to helping you learn about the local cultures. History comes alive on this tour through Peru. Imagine what life was like in the 15th century as you tour the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, where you'll see this famous Inca complex of palaces, plazas, temples, and homes set in a majestic setting. More history awaits at Ollantaytambo, the archaeological site of the Incas’ resistance during the Spanish conquest, and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress with some of the best examples of Inca masonry. Guided sightseeing in Cusco features the Santo Domingo Monastery, where the Inca foundations remain under the Spanish baroque structures, and the Cathedral, housing a magnificent collection of artwork. On this Peru tour, you'll also learn about the local culture. On your motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca, you'll visit Taquile Island, where you'll see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past, and the Uros Floating Islands, where you'll learn how the Uros people construct their islands, homes, and boats from totora reed, a centuries-old practice. In the Incan town of Ollantaytambo and visit with locals in their homes for insight into their way of life. Spend time at the famous market in Pisaq and learn about the importance of camelids to Inca culture. These are just some of the many highlights of this Peru tour. Designed for savvy, value-minded travelers, it's a vacation of a lifetime!

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
LIMA, PERU
Welcome to Lima, Peru. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums.
Day 2
LIMA
Sightseeing today focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. Founded in 1535, Lima was once capital of Spain’s South American Empire. Visit the baroque 11th-century San Francisco Monastery, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and was once the home of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima and conqueror of Peru. Nearby, see the cathedral where Pizarro’s remains are buried. The remainder of your day is free to explore. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B,D)
Day 3
LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY
Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into precious fibers for ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Continue to Pisaq, a charming village with a famous market, where you have plenty of time to browse the many colorful stalls selling handicrafts ranging from alpaca sweaters and blankets to painted vases and sterling silver. Later, arrive at your hotel in the peaceful Sacred Valley. (B,D)
Day 4
SACRED VALLEY
Start the day with a visit to the village of Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins of the same name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the Spanish conquest—the only place ever to resist Spanish attacks. See how the temple area at the top of the terraces was the perfect defensive stronghold, then visit a local home in this Incan town to experience life in a traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved. Next, visit the Seminario ceramics workshop to learn about Peruvian ancient and modern art. End your day at a local chicheria for a taste of a chicha, a typical Inca drink in Peru. (B)
Day 5
SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU
Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the picturesque Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the quaint town closest to the “Lost City of the Incas.” Ascend the mountainside through tropical forest to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Listen as your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the terraced ruins dating back to the 15th century. Abandoned when the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish, these remarkable ruins remained undiscovered for nearly 400 years. Many mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu remain to this day. (B,D)
Day 6
MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO
Enjoy some free time this morning to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later this afternoon, board the Vistadome train to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. (B)
Day 7
CUSCO
Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco that focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epicenter of the Incas until the Spanish toppled it. In fact, Inca foundations can still be found in Cusco, with the Spanish baroque structures built on top. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, where these two forms of architecture are melded together with the temple of both cultures atop one another. Also, see the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, housing a magnificent collection of artwork, including a depiction of The Last Supper that portrays the apostles dining on cuy (guinea pig). Continue to the hillside overlooking Cusco for a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles that took place here on your tour. Roll up your sleeves to participate in a tree-planting project supporting the local community. Return to Cusco for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 8
CUSCO–PUNO
Today, drive south to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Legend says the first Inca, Manco Capac, arose from the waters of the lake by the power of the sun god to create the Inca Empire. (B)
Day 9
PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA
Experience fascinating Lake Titicaca today as you embark on a motorboat tour of the highest navigable lake in the world and its man-made islands. On Taquile Island, see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past. This is evident by the Spanish peasant dresses made of Andean textiles—the islanders make some of the finest in all of Peru. Continue to the Uros floating islands, a group of approximately 40 artificially made islands. Learn how the Uros people construct their islands, homes, boats, and many other resources completely of tortora reed, a centuries-old practice. Enjoy dinner hosted by your Tour Director this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 10
PUNO–JULIACA–LIMA
Return to Juliaca, where you will be welcomed into a local home for an inside look at life here. Later, a short flight returns you to Lima, where you will transfer to your hotel. (B)
Day 11
LIMA
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)

What's Included

Meals
10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners

Hotels

Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
First-Class
Sonesta Posadas del Inca - Sacred Valley - Yucay
First-Class
El Mapi by Inkaterra
First-Class
Jose Antonio Cusco
Moderate First-Class
Jose Antonio Puno
Superior Tourist-Class

Itinerary Dates & Prices

Start Date
Mar 12, 2026
End Date
Mar 22, 2026
Our Price
$2,877
Guaranteed
Start Date
May 21, 2026
End Date
May 31, 2026
Our Price
$3,027
Guaranteed
Start Date
Jul 02, 2026
End Date
Jul 12, 2026
Our Price
$3,127
Guaranteed
Start Date
Aug 27, 2026
End Date
Sep 06, 2026
Our Price
$3,127
Guaranteed
Start Date
Sep 24, 2026
End Date
Oct 04, 2026
Our Price
$3,027
Guaranteed
Start Date
Oct 08, 2026
End Date
Oct 18, 2026
Our Price
$3,027
Guaranteed
Start Date
Oct 22, 2026
End Date
Nov 01, 2026
Our Price
$3,067
Guaranteed
Start Date
Nov 05, 2026
End Date
Nov 15, 2026
Our Price
$3,067
Guaranteed
Start Date
Dec 03, 2026
End Date
Dec 13, 2026
Our Price
$3,067
Guaranteed
Start Date
Jan 28, 2027
End Date
Feb 07, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
Feb 11, 2027
End Date
Feb 21, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
Mar 11, 2027
End Date
Mar 21, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
May 06, 2027
End Date
May 16, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
May 20, 2027
End Date
May 30, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
Jul 01, 2027
End Date
Jul 11, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
Aug 26, 2027
End Date
Sep 05, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
Sep 23, 2027
End Date
Oct 03, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
Oct 07, 2027
End Date
Oct 17, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
Oct 21, 2027
End Date
Oct 31, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
Nov 04, 2027
End Date
Nov 14, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed
Start Date
Dec 02, 2027
End Date
Dec 12, 2027
Our Price
$3,367
Guaranteed

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