Incan Peru and Mayan Mexico 15 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Lima, Peru

After your arrival at Lima airport we will transfer you to your chosen hotel in the Miraflores area of the city. For some you will be staying at the Casa Andina Classic or similar. For luxury travellers it could be the 5* Miraflores Park Hotel or the superb Casa Andina Private Collection (subject to space of course). Enjoy the rest of the day as free time to wander the parks and browse the shops, and enjoy the world renowned Peruvian food.

Day 2: Fly to Cusco, Cusco City Tour.

This morning you will be transferred to Lima airport for your short flight (1 hour) to Cusco.  Upon arrival in Cusco we will meet you and transfer you to you chosen hotel.  For some travellers this could be the boutique hotel Casa San Blas or similar and for luxury travellers the fabulous Monasterio Hotel, subject to space of course.

In the afternoon you will enjoy a Cusco city tour visiting the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the Cusco cathedral and the most important temple of the Inca Empire, the Coricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun.

Day 3: Full Day Sacred Valley Tour

After pick-up from your hotel today you will enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we will be visiting the Inca ruins of Pisac (if on a private tour), the Market at Pisac (on all tours), a great place to buy souvenirs and the lovely Inca site at Ollantaytambo. You will have an English-speaking guide all day and a great buffet lunch in Yucay included in the sunny valley. You will then spend the night down in the valley to take advantage of a change of scene, more oxygen (as you are 800 meters lower), and a shorter journey tomorrow on the train to Machu Picchu.

We recommend these 2 hotels but there are many more that we use in all price ranges. Casa Andina PC Valley and Sol y Luna are our favorites.

Day 4: Machu Picchu

Today you will have an early start to catch your chosen train to Machu Picchu which will be either the standard service (called thje "Backpacker", but that is a misleading name we feel), the Vistadome or the luxury Hiram Bingham service. The advantage you have is that you have stayed in the valley overnight and therefore don´t have to get up as early as you would in Cusco to catch the train. A taxi will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the station or if you are staying in one of the hotels really close to the station you can walk there.

Comparison of the Trains to Machu Picchu

After being met in Aguas Calientes by your guide you can drop off your overnight bags at your hotel and then take your bus transfer to the Machu Picchu site to enjoy a private tour with a qualified English speaking guide. Take the rest of the day as free time to enjoy this incredible site.  In the late afternoon you will return to your chosen hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town that nestles in the valley below Machu Picchu. 

For some travellers we recommend the Inti Inn or similar.  For luxury travellers we recommend the Pueblo Hotel or the Sumaq Hotel, both excellent high end hotels down in the village. If you prefer to stay right at the gate of Machu Picchu you could choose the Sanctuary Lodge as its location cannot be beaten.

Day 5: Revisit Machu Picchu and back to Cusco

Today you will be able to re-visit Machu Picchu and enjoy this fabulous site at your leisure.  You may choose to climb Huayna Picchu, the peak that overlooks Machu Picchu (400 people per day only) and affords fantastic views and photo opportunities.  In the late afternoon you will board the train for your trip back to Cusco.  You will leave the train at Poroy, the last station before Cusco, for a faster and more convenient transfer by road back to your hotel.

Day 6: Fly to Lima, City Tour Colonial Lima

Today you will fly to Lima during the morning and be transfered to your comfrortable hotel in the Miraflores area of the city once again. After lunch you will be picked up for a private tour of colonial Lima, visiting the Lima cathedral and the church and convent of San Francisco amongst other places of interest.

Day 7: Fly from Peru to Cancun, Mexico

Today you will fly from Peru to Cancun, Mexico, home to some of the best beaches in the world and spectacular remnants of the ancient Mayan Ruins, such as one of the new seven wonders of the world – Chichen Itza!

We will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel. We recommend the 4* Cabañas Los Lirios (subject to space of course). Located in the heart of the Mayan Riviera, Los Lirios is a beach front hotel in Tulum only a short drive from the ruins of Tulum and the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, offering unusual comfort and lovely spacious rooms to its guests. Los Lirios Tulum Cabins is the right place if you want to be totally relaxed, far from stress.

Day 8: At the beach

A day to relax at the beach or maybe do another activity such as diving or snorkelling, just let us know so we can arrange this for you.

Day 9: Tulum ruins

After breakfast and spending the morning relaxing at your hotel, in the afternoon you will pay a visit to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, perched above the Caribbean Sea.

If you have some extra time, you might try snorkeling in the world-class reefs of the Mexican Caribbean or diving in the nearby unique cenotes or underground freshwater caverns.

Day 10: Chichen itza

Today you will have a full-day to explore Chichen Itza, the most visited Maya ruins on the peninsula. Eighteen structures have been restored over the years. Pyramid Kukulcan is the tallest of them and allows a view from the top of all Chichen Itza. During the Spring and Fall equinoxes, (March 21 & Sept 21) the setting sun creates shadows down the steps of the pyramid that resemble a snake descending. This is a popular event to see and usually draws big crowds.

You will end the day by travelling to the beautiful, colonial city of Merida, the Yucatan´s capital and largest city. We will transfer you to your hotel, where we recommend the lovel y 4 star Casa del Balam, in the heart of historic Merida.

Day 11: Merida

After breakfast and a relaxing morning, we will take you on a city tour of this special Mayan and Spanish colonial city. Merida was built on the site of the Maya city of T'ho (also known as Ichcaanzihó or "city of the five hills", referring to five pyramids) which had been a center of Mayan culture and activity for centuries. Because of this, many historians consider Merida (with an argument with Cusco, Peru) the oldest continually-occupied city in the Americas.

Many carved Maya stones from ancient T'ho were used to build the Spanish Colonial buildings that are plentiful in downtown Merida, and are visible, for instance, in the walls of the main Cathedral. Much of Mérida's architecture from the Colonial period through the 18th century and 19th century is still standing in the centro historico.

Day 12: Uxmal Ruins full day tour.

Today you will embark on a full-day exploration of the ancient Mayan ruins of Uxmal, considered the best built and the best preserved. Even before the restoration work Uxmal was in better condition than many other Maya sites thanks to being unusually well built. Much was built with well cut stones set into a core of concrete not relying on plaster to hold the building together. Thanks to this great state of preservation, it is one of the few Maya cities where the casual visitor can get a good idea of how the entire ceremonial center looked in ancient times.

At the end of the day, we return you to your hotel in Merida.

Day 13: Transfer to Cancun, Playa del Carmen

The Chichen Itza ruins were fantastic, but now it´s time to just rest and relax at the beach! Today we will transfer you from Merida to your hotel in Playa del Carmen on the beach. We recommend the 4 star La Tortuga, rated on Trip Advisor as the best in Playa del Carmen!

La Tortuga Hotel & Spa is a small hotel, so each of our 51 rooms has personality and charm. Every room has AC, TV, telephone, in-room safe, ceiling fan, coffee machine, and hairdryer. We even provide you with daily beach towels for our beach club.

Day 14: Free day at La Tortuga Hotel (or similar)

Today you will have a free day to just relax at the hotel and wander the beach.

Playa del Carmen, where the turquoise Caribbean Sea laps at white sandy beaches, palm trees sway in the mild breezes and the sultry tropical sun shines down on you as you relax.

Day 15: Transfer to Cancun airport, Fly home

After breakfast at your hotel, we will take you to Cancun airport for your international flights home after an unforgettable trip and with a nice tan!