DETAILS
Travel through Peru with archaeologist Bill Saturno and engage with the country’s remarkable natural and cultural heritage. Begin in Lima with a visit to the Larco Museum including an on-site lunch. Head north to Trujillo to learn about the Moche civilization’s artistry and architecture. In the Sacred Valley, focus on Inca-era textiles, farming traditions, and highland life. Visit the 15th-century citadel of Machu Picchu before ending in Cuzco, the former Incan capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Throughout the journey, archaeology, history, and vibrant living traditions come together in a uniquely immersive experience.
- Pricing from
- $8,990
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Land & Rail Tours
- Departure Dates
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Sep 1, 2026 - Sep 11, 2026
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS
Upon payment of the $1,000 per person deposit, all reservations are subject to the cancellation provisions set forth below and by which the passenger agrees to be bound. Cancellations shall not be in effect until they are received in writing and confirmed by the National Trust Tours. Deposits are refundable (less a $250 per person administration fee) if written notice of cancellation is received within 30 days of reservation. After the payment deadline all payments are 100% nonrefundable, regardless of booking date. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. NOTE: Neither the National Trust for Historic Preservation nor Criterion Travel, the tour operator, accepts liability for any airline cancellation penalties incurred with the purchase of nonrefundable tickets.”
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1
DEPART U.S. / LIMA, PERU Depart home on flights to Lima,
Depart home on flights to Lima, with most arrivals in the evening. Settle into the Westin Lima in the San Isidro district and enjoy dinner on your own. WESTIN LIMA HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER
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day 2
LIMA
Begin the day with a welcome orientation and lecture. Visit Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca adobe pyramid in the heart of Miraflores, offering insight into the ingenuity of Peru’s coastal civilizations. Continue to the Larco Museum, housed in an 18th-century vice-royal mansion, where a remarkable collection of pre-Columbian ceramics, textiles, and gold artifacts vividly illustrates Peru’s ancient history. Enjoy lunch on the museum’s terrace before continuing to Casa Aliaga, the oldest continuously inhabited private residence in the Southern Hemisphere. Granted to conquistador Don Jerónimo de Aliaga in the 16th century, the home has remained in his family for seventeen generations. Later, take a leisurely walk through downtown Lima beginning at the Plaza de Armas, the city’s historic center. View the Government Palace, the Municipalidad de Lima, and the majestic Cathedral of Lima. Then, visit the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Torre Tagle Palace, an architectural gem. Adjacent to the palace, view contemporary exhibitions on art, history, and social issues. End the day with a welcome dinner at one of Lima’s renowned restaurants.
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day 3
LIMA / TRUJILLO
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Trujillo. Upon arrival, continue to the Moche Valley and visit the archaeological site of Huacas del Sol y la Luna. Set against the sacred Cerro Blanco, this Moche ceremonial complex features adobe pyramids with colorful friezes portraying deities, natural elements, and rituals. Enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant in Huanchaco, where you can observe traditional caballitos de totora—reed boats still used by local fishermen. In the afternoon, visit Chan Chan, capital of the Chimú Kingdom. As the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas, this UNESCO World Heritage Site reflects advanced social organization, urban planning, and sophisticated irrigation systems. Its adobe walls are adorned with intricate carvings and motifs.
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day 4
TRUJILLO / LIMA
Today head north of Trujillo to visit the El Brujo Archaeological Complex, an extraordinary site that showcases the ingenuity and artistry of the Moche culture. The highlight of this complex is the Huaca Cao Viejo, where the tomb of the Lady of Cao was discovered in 2005. This groundbreaking find reshaped the understanding of Moche society, revealing that women could hold positions of power— challenging the previous belief that only men occupied high-ranking roles. Next, visit the pyramid where she was buried. This impressive temple is adorned with vibrant murals depicting intricate rituals and ceremonies. From its summit, take in sweeping views of other Moche pyramids and Huaca Prieta, a significant pre-ceramic site excavated in the 1940s. Conclude the day with a transfer to Trujillo’s airport for an early evening flight back to Lima.
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day 5
LIMA / SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCA
Fly to Cuzco this morning and transfer to the Sacred Valley, Along the scenic journey, stop for lunch at Hacienda Sarapampa. Here, learn about the rich legacy spanning three generations of one of the Sacred Valley’s most esteemed families. Gain insight into the experiences and dedicated work behind the production of Cuzco’s giant white corn, a unique crop exclusive to this region. Immerse in a unique culinary experience, featuring traditional cooking with locally-sourced, organic products, a testament to the farmers’ profound connection to their land. Continue to Pisac, a town where Inca and colonial influences intertwine. Browse its well-known craft market, offering ceramics, textiles, and jewelry. Then, arrive in Yucay and check into the hotel situated on a charming plaza. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to relax and enjoy.
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day 6
SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCA
Begin the day at the vibrant Urubamba farmers’ market, then visit a mountain community in Lamay. Learn about the local agricultural calendar, traditional crops, and food processing techniques. Stroll through the fields gaining insight into traditional farming techniques. Then, participate in seasonal activities that align with the agricultural calendar such as harvesting corn, cleaning quinoa, or making chicha de jora, a traditional Peruvian beverage. Afterward, visit Hacienda Huayoccari, the expansive country home of the Lámbarri Orihuela family. Enjoy a private lunch, followed by a viewing of their Pre-Columbian, colonial, and republican art collection. Ana María Barberis’s extensive orchid garden adds another highlight, featuring a wide array of native species.
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day 7
SACRED VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU
Start the day in Ollantaytambo, one of the last living Inca towns, celebrated for its extraordinary archaeological complex and rich history. Visit its fortress, an iconic site that showcases advanced engineering, religious significance, and strategic importance. Once a ceremonial center and royal estate, it also served as a stronghold for Inca resistance against the Spanish. Its terraces, temples, and urban layout offer a fascinating glimpse into Inca ingenuity and daily life. Continuously inhabited since the Inca period, the town seamlessly blends ancient traditions with modern culture, making it a must-visit destination in the Sacred Valley. Continue the journey while enjoying spectacular vistas from the train to Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu. Embark on a guided tour of the legendary Machu Picchu archaeological site. Discover the brilliance of its architecture, from intricately carved stone temples to agricultural terraces, while delving into the history and mysteries of this Inca masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After a day of exploration, check into the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, tucked away in Aguas Calientes, where terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways, and 83 whitewashed adobe casitas nestle in the cloud forest.
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day 8
MACHU PICCHU / CHINCHERO / CUZCO
Early this morning, choose between revisiting Machu Picchu along an alternate route for a fresh perspective or embarking on the exhilarating Huayna Picchu hike, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Take the train back down to Ollantaytambo for lunch. Continue by motorcoach to Cuzco, with a stop in Chinchero for a captivating Andean weaving demonstration led by Nilda Callañaupa, founder of the Center for Traditional Textiles. Gain insight into the intricate techniques and cultural significance behind these timeless creations. This evening, arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire. Check into Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, just two blocks from Cuzco’s central square. The restored 16th-century former monastery combines old-world charm with luxurious accommodations and a colonial art collection. Enjoy time at leisure to savor Cuzco and its wonderful restaurants.
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day 9
CUZCO
Start the day with a visit to Koricancha, the “Enclosure of Gold,” a sacred Inca temple once dedicated to the Sun God. Marvel at the intricate stonework and learn about its significance as a spiritual and ceremonial center. Next, head to the Cuzco Cathedral for its stunning chapels and exceptional collection of colonial art from the Cuzco School, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich cultural and religious history. For lunch, enjoy a serene picnic in the idyllic countryside near Q’enqo, surrounded by the region’s breathtaking natural beauty. In the evening, take a short walk from our hotel to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, home to a remarkable collection that celebrates ancient Peruvian art as timeless masterpieces and highlights their influence on artists through the ages. This evening’s farewell dinner will be enjoyed on the museum’s elegant patio.
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day 10
CUZCO / LIMA / U.S.
Enjoy a free morning in Cuzco. Stroll through its charming streets, visit local markets, or simply relax and soak in the city’s unique atmosphere. Transfer to Cuzco airport for a late afternoon flight to Lima, then connect with an overnight flight to the U.S.
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