In the Footsteps of the Incas
From the cloud forests of the Andes to the birthplace of the sun at Lake Titicaca, this journey through Peru's altiplanos and the famous floating Uros Islands traces the ancient past of the Incas. Visits with local weavers, corn farmers, and expert photographers infuse this Peru tour with captivating culture.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- Sacred Valley: Connect with Locals over a Be My Guest experience lunch, learn about the culture surrounding the production of Giant White Corn. Our hosts will demonstrate the differences between traditional farming techniques and the newer technologies used today.
- Lima: Dive into the rich history of Casona San Marcos, an ancient building in Lima now part of the property of a university. Learn to play the "cajón" (meaning "box" or drawer") box-shaped percussion instrument played by slapping the faces with the hands, fingers, or sometimes implements. Continue your musical discovery trying the basic steps of "musica negra", a dance that originated in Chincha (near Paracas) that is popular during over the Christmas season. Over your lesson, try a snack from a "pregonero", a vendor who specializes in selling a typical snack through boisterous advertising in the city streets.
- Sacred Valley: We'll Dive into Culture and meet a Quechua Shaman who will perform a ceremony welcoming you to Peru.
- Puno: Bring Peru’s culture to life as you decorate your own torito de Pucará – a colorful ceramic bull steeped in Andean tradition. Found on rooftops across the region, these painted icons symbolize protection and prosperity, offering a hands-on way to connect with local heritage through creativity.
- Lima: Take in the highlights of Lima, the 'City of the Kings,' including a panoramic view of the ancient districts. Join a local specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Historic Center. Learn how before it was destroyed by earthquakes in the mid-18th century, observing how the historic buildings display a collaboration between local craftspeople and others from the Old World. Then drive along the coastline as you learn more about the fascinating history of Peru's capital city.
- Machu Picchu: Learn how to prepare an authentic Ceviche and pour the perfect Pisco sour.
- Cusco: Visit the mystical Incan stronghold of Ollantaytambo. These famous ruins are a massive Inca fortress made of large stone terraces stretching out across a hillside. Walk among the stone platforms, the sun temple of six monoliths and the Princess Baths fountain the Baño de la Nusta at the base of the ruins flowing from carved stone into a pool. Over your exploration, learn how the old town is an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings.
- Machu Picchu: Soak in every moment of your Machu Picchu tour in style as you descend to the Lost City in the clouds aboard the Vistadome train. Traveling the Inca Trail, you’ll traverse dramatic landscapes with a panoramic view of the soaring peaks, river, and ruins. Sit back and relax as you enjoy this multi-sensory journey complete with background music, an informative audio commentary highlighting interesting sites, and an included light snack.
- Machu Picchu: Take a shuttle to the top of the mountain where you’ll meet your local specialist for a guided hike of Machu Picchu. You’ll learn about Machu Picchu’s history and the use of each section of including ceremonial, storage, agriculture, temples, astronomical, and observatory as well as the possible reasons why the Incas left Machu Picchu.
- Cusco: Enjoy the flavors of chicha, a Peruvian corn beer. Hear about how chicha is brewed by the local indigenous women and its history dating back to the time of the Incas as a favorite drink of the Andes. Learn about the two types of chicha, alcoholic sour chicha de jora made from fermented jora corn and the non-alcoholic, sweet chicha morada.
- Machu Picchu: The ruins of Machu Picchu beckon yet again and we enjoy one final opportunity to reconnect with its story. Journey to take in the ruins at sunrise spending some time on your own to explore the hill-top fortress. Soak in every moment at this iconic site, making stops at points of interest while your guide shares their insights on the archaeological sites.
- Cusco: Join your Local Specialist for a guided walk through Cusco's colonial center, including the nearby 13th-century Incan settlement of Koricancha. Here in Cusco’s Golden Temple of the Sun dedicated to the Sun God Inti, view the trapezoidal and irregular shapes and rounded edges. Note how the stones fit together and were built simply by placing them on top of each other without using any mortar. This staggered placement also enables them to withstand earthquakes.
- Cusco: Begin your day at the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking Cusco. With zig zagging walls and ruins of giant stones, see how the shape and harmony of the landscape is similar to Machu Picchu. Stroll through this Incan architecture of sacred buildings such as residential buildings, towers, shrines, warehouses, roads and aqueducts. And while you may not be able to take in the grand scale, the complex design is based on the shape of the head of a puma, a sacred animal in Inca spirituality.
- Lake Titicaca: Cruise the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca with a Local Specialist, discovering its floating islands constructed from reeds by the Uros Indians.
- Lima: Join a local specialist for a tour of the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum which houses the largest private collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art in the world. You'll also explore the extensive collection of Peruvian gold and silver from ancient times. Learn the history of the museum founded by Rafael Larco on July 28th, 1926 in Trujillo followed by in 1958 when Larco moved his collection to Lima to a unique colonial residence built on top of a VIII century pyramid.
- Cusco: Visit Mantay, a social project supporting young mothers in Cusco through housing, education and craft training. Learn how their handmade creations provide a sustainable livelihood while their children are cared for on-site, and take home a hand-crafted gift that directly supports their work. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.
- Lake Titicaca: Cruise across Lake Titicaca to Taquile Island, where you’ll meet Indigenous locals and explore their UNESCO-listed textile traditions. You’ll share a home-cooked lunch and see how the community’s weaving and knitting reflect cultural identity and status. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
- Explore Lima and Cusco with a Local Specialist, learn about giant white corn, and watch a local Marinera dance performance
- Visit the outdoor market at Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman ruins, the Uros Islands, and enjoy a Casona San Marcos Experience
- Scenic Cruise on the Lake Titicaca
- Scenic Drive through the Sacred Valley
- Scenic Train Ride to Machu Picchu aboard the Vistadome train
- Sacred Valley: Admire your idyllic setting within the Sacred Valley and take in the 18th-century colonial-style features of Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, a former monastery complete with plazas and cobbled streets.
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Tickets for a ride aboard the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
- A Trafalgar bonus all Intra-Air Flights: Lima to Cusco, Cusco to Juliaca and Juliaca to Lima, including porter service at all airports.
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- Amazon Rainforest: Discover the Amazon’s otherworldly realm of aguajales rainforest swampland during your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and learn how vegetation has adapted to the exotic species that are drawn here.
Your Bucket List Moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way. Here are just a few of the hundreds of must-sees that are waiting for you.
Must-Sees To Local Secrets
You’ll enjoy that extra special treatment when you skip the lines at must-see sights and uncover secrets with your Local Specialist.
Stays With Stories
In addition to the extensive trusted accommodation partners, on many tours, you will find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. From an Irish castle steeped in history to a South African safari lodge, or a traditional Japanese Ryokan – you can truly experience it all.
Be My Guest
Welcome to your home away from home. Step into the lives of your hosts who open their homes, wineries, farms and more to share stories about their families, history and their communities, over good food and great hospitality. With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you.
Everything Taken Care Of
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
Here’s a quick look at the travel essentials and experiences you'll enjoy.
- Travel Director and Driver team
- Nightly accommodation
- Stays with Stories experience*
- Daily breakfast**
- Many lunches and dinners
- Luxury coach transport***
- Entry to many must-see sights
- Be My Guest experience
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Locally guided tours in many destinations
*Stays with Stories are available to you on selected tours
**On select days on some of our tours, we leave days free to follow your nose to the local bakery or diner to suit your tastes, preferences and budget.
*** On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Your transport and Driver
You’ll travel from A to B in comfort and style, and without worrying about driving, parking, tolls and arguing over the satnav. Your luxury coach features reclining seats, panoramic windows to take in the views, WiFi, air-con, and on-board bathroom facilities, USB chargers and more* – kick back knowing your journey is as good as the destination.
Beyond your coach, you’ll really be able to take in the views on your journey. You could take a ferry through turquoise waters, past grottoes and along a unique coastline to the Isle of Capri, through New Zealand’s Milford Sound, or the Glacier Express Train ride along the Swiss Alps’ lakes and glaciers. You’ll capture incredible sights all from the comfort of your seat.
*On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Complement your tour with Optional Experiences
Unlock even more with a selection of Optional Experiences available throughout your tour. These have been carefully curated to add that ‘extra something’ to your included sightseeing and one-of-a-kind experiences, at just-for-you Trafalgar prices. Selected by our team of experts and organised by your Travel Director while you’re on your tour, you’ll enjoy knowing the research has already been done for you.
Group travel tours - 300 Trips. 70 Countries. 7 Continents.
Trafalgar tours are the ultimate way to experience the world with like-minded travelers. From the historic canals of Venice to the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii, our group travel packages take care of every detail so you can relax and explore with complete ease. We take the worry out of travel, so from planning, to booking, to exploring the world with us, you can rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way.
Each of our group travel packages is perfectly planned so you can enjoy a blend of iconic and local experiences. Our group vacations are the classic Trafalgar experience that allows you to tour differently, with the world’s most loved and awarded travel brand.
Groups - For groups of 9 guests or more
Are you a group of 9 or more looking for the ultimate group trips package? Then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a trip organizer or just looking for a group trip to enjoy with friends and family, with us you can look forward to a rich travel experience that combines exceptional service, great value, and ultimate ease. Choose from over 240 of our existing, award-winning group vacations, or design a custom trip bespoke to your group’s passions and interests.
- I am a group trip organizer
If you are a trip organizer for a corporate, sporting or affinity group, or a Travel Agent, our group trips are perfect for your needs. You can either choose from one of our existing tours, or design a custom tour around your group’s travel interests, knowing that you will still get to enjoy the same remarkable Trafalgar inclusions and world class experience.
- I am traveling with family and friends
Whether you’re a small a group of family and friends looking to get away with ultimate ease, or a larger group celebrating a special occasion like a destination wedding or milestone birthday, we have just the perfect trip. Choose from one of our existing tours and enjoy travel with like-minded travelers.
Family Tours & Travel Packages
Travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences a family can have together. Our family tours let you rediscover the joy of travel with the whole family and make memories that last well after you arrive home. From meeting a real-life cowboy in Montana, or spotting monkeys in Costa Rica, to experiencing life as a gladiator in Rome, the world is your playground with our family vacations.
Custom tours - For groups of 10 guests or more
You dream it, then we’ll create it. Our custom tours option is the perfect choice for groups of 10 guests or more seeking a tailored experience, while still offering complete flexibility and control over your budget, personalized travel itinerary and inclusions. Our specialist team can design a custom group travel experience perfectly suited to your group’s specific needs and interests.
Solo Travel Tours & Singles Vacations
Thinking of taking a solo trip? We make solo travel a breeze. With 24/7 support and everything taken care of by our team, you'll relax knowing you can travel with ease. Our singles vacations attract people from all over the world who are looking to share real travel experiences with like-minded people, so you’ll make new friends along the way in solo travel groups.
Tours for seniors
Discover the world with tours for seniors designed with comfort, culture, and connection in mind. Travel with like-minded explorers at a pace that suits you, experiencing enriching journeys filled with history, local stories, and breathtaking landscapes—all without the stress of planning. You might be looking for European travel tours for seniors, or going even further afield. Wherever your next adventure awaits, you’ll always unlock the best of your destination with Trafalgar.
Your Bucket List Moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way. Here are just a few of the hundreds of must-sees that are waiting for you.
Must-Sees To Local Secrets
You’ll enjoy that extra special treatment when you skip the lines at must-see sights and uncover secrets with your Local Specialist.
Stays With Stories
In addition to the extensive trusted accommodation partners, on many tours, you will find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. From an Irish castle steeped in history to a South African safari lodge, or a traditional Japanese Ryokan – you can truly experience it all.
Be My Guest
Welcome to your home away from home. Step into the lives of your hosts who open their homes, wineries, farms and more to share stories about their families, history and their communities, over good food and great hospitality. With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you.
Everything Taken Care Of
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
Here’s a quick look at the travel essentials and experiences you'll enjoy.
- Travel Director and Driver team
- Nightly accommodation
- Stays with Stories experience*
- Daily breakfast**
- Many lunches and dinners
- Luxury coach transport***
- Entry to many must-see sights
- Be My Guest experience
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Locally guided tours in many destinations
*Stays with Stories are available to you on selected tours
**On select days on some of our tours, we leave days free to follow your nose to the local bakery or diner to suit your tastes, preferences and budget.
*** On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Your transport and Driver
You’ll travel from A to B in comfort and style, and without worrying about driving, parking, tolls and arguing over the satnav. Your luxury coach features reclining seats, panoramic windows to take in the views, WiFi, air-con, and on-board bathroom facilities, USB chargers and more* – kick back knowing your journey is as good as the destination.
Beyond your coach, you’ll really be able to take in the views on your journey. You could take a ferry through turquoise waters, past grottoes and along a unique coastline to the Isle of Capri, through New Zealand’s Milford Sound, or the Glacier Express Train ride along the Swiss Alps’ lakes and glaciers. You’ll capture incredible sights all from the comfort of your seat.
*On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Complement your tour with Optional Experiences
Unlock even more with a selection of Optional Experiences available throughout your tour. These have been carefully curated to add that ‘extra something’ to your included sightseeing and one-of-a-kind experiences, at just-for-you Trafalgar prices. Selected by our team of experts and organised by your Travel Director while you’re on your tour, you’ll enjoy knowing the research has already been done for you.
Group travel tours - 300 Trips. 70 Countries. 7 Continents.
Trafalgar tours are the ultimate way to experience the world with like-minded travelers. From the historic canals of Venice to the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii, our group travel packages take care of every detail so you can relax and explore with complete ease. We take the worry out of travel, so from planning, to booking, to exploring the world with us, you can rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way.
Each of our group travel packages is perfectly planned so you can enjoy a blend of iconic and local experiences. Our group vacations are the classic Trafalgar experience that allows you to tour differently, with the world’s most loved and awarded travel brand.
Groups - For groups of 9 guests or more
Are you a group of 9 or more looking for the ultimate group trips package? Then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a trip organizer or just looking for a group trip to enjoy with friends and family, with us you can look forward to a rich travel experience that combines exceptional service, great value, and ultimate ease. Choose from over 240 of our existing, award-winning group vacations, or design a custom trip bespoke to your group’s passions and interests.
- I am a group trip organizer
If you are a trip organizer for a corporate, sporting or affinity group, or a Travel Agent, our group trips are perfect for your needs. You can either choose from one of our existing tours, or design a custom tour around your group’s travel interests, knowing that you will still get to enjoy the same remarkable Trafalgar inclusions and world class experience.
- I am traveling with family and friends
Whether you’re a small a group of family and friends looking to get away with ultimate ease, or a larger group celebrating a special occasion like a destination wedding or milestone birthday, we have just the perfect trip. Choose from one of our existing tours and enjoy travel with like-minded travelers.
Family Tours & Travel Packages
Travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences a family can have together. Our family tours let you rediscover the joy of travel with the whole family and make memories that last well after you arrive home. From meeting a real-life cowboy in Montana, or spotting monkeys in Costa Rica, to experiencing life as a gladiator in Rome, the world is your playground with our family vacations.
Custom tours - For groups of 10 guests or more
You dream it, then we’ll create it. Our custom tours option is the perfect choice for groups of 10 guests or more seeking a tailored experience, while still offering complete flexibility and control over your budget, personalized travel itinerary and inclusions. Our specialist team can design a custom group travel experience perfectly suited to your group’s specific needs and interests.
Solo Travel Tours & Singles Vacations
Thinking of taking a solo trip? We make solo travel a breeze. With 24/7 support and everything taken care of by our team, you'll relax knowing you can travel with ease. Our singles vacations attract people from all over the world who are looking to share real travel experiences with like-minded people, so you’ll make new friends along the way in solo travel groups.
Tours for seniors
Discover the world with tours for seniors designed with comfort, culture, and connection in mind. Travel with like-minded explorers at a pace that suits you, experiencing enriching journeys filled with history, local stories, and breathtaking landscapes—all without the stress of planning. You might be looking for European travel tours for seniors, or going even further afield. Wherever your next adventure awaits, you’ll always unlock the best of your destination with Trafalgar.
