Have you ever thought about traveling to Peru? Are you looking for an adventure? My husband, Edward, and I are planning a 9-day tour of Peru using our extensive 20 years of traveling. Read more about my many travels on our About Page to get a more in-depth example of just how well-traversed we are in this aspect!
Our knowledge and connections in Peru will allow us to give you an affordable, luxurious, and deep cultural experience. Come on a walking tour with us in Lima and eat in our favorite restaurants. Experience a series of ruins that are off the beaten trail in the Sacred Valley. Hike around Machu Picchu with a professional guide. Visit the museums, plazas, and churches in Cusco. This retreat will be an intimate 12 people experience with many optional (free) side tours. Sign up while you can because spots are going fast!
Lima is known throughout the world as a culinary destination. We put together a list of our favorite restaurants, tours, walks, and hotel to provide you with an unforgettable Lima experience.
Day 1 - Travel day. We will meet at the airport (whoever is going on the same flight.) Arrive in Lima in the evening and transport to the hotel the beautiful 5-star hotel Casa Andina.
Day 2 - Wake up in Lima and enjoy an amazing buffet breakfast, swimming pool, and sauna. We will have an amazing lunch experiencing some of the culinary delight of Lima. After lunch we will be walking along the beach to Barranco enjoying ocean views the whole way. We will explore Barranco and finally (if people still have energy) we will watch the sunset a Mirador. Then we complete our first day with an amazing dinner at Barra Maretazo.
Day 3 – Optional morning walk to Park Kenndey or enjoy the steam room and swimming pool at the hotel. We will meet in the Lobby and go for lunch. Then we will all enjoy a double deck tour around Lima, making our way to the picturesque Center of Lima where we will see the main square and visit a beautiful monastery. Then we will have dinner at another amazing restaurant that we especially curated the experience.
Notes:
Flights in are normally in the evening, but the hotel will be available at 2:00 pm for check-in
We will provide transportation from the airport to the hotel
All meals, tours and transportation are included
The Sacred Valley is commonly overlooked on normal Machu Picchu trips. This is our favorite part of the entire experience! It's like the Garden of Eden filled with exotic vegetation, hummingbirds, and loving people. We have some destinations that took us years to find on our own. We are excited to share them with you!
Day 4 – We will fly into Cusco in the morning and take a van to Urubamba. This drive is through the Andes Mountains but is often missed by tourists taking a train straight to Machu Picchu. During this 2-hour van ride, we will make stops to experience the Sacred Valley and take pictures along the way. We will be staying at Andean Wings, a boutique hotel. This hotel has a beautiful closed in courtyard and there are opportunities to purchase massages or just hang out in the hammocks around the grounds. We will have dinner at the hotel at your leisure.
Day 5 – Lake Day! Today we will be taking it a little easier to prepare for our Machu Picchu trip. We will go to the Laguna Huaypo for paddleboarding and kayaking. We will have a nice spread of wine, beer, fruit, nuts, breads, and cheese for snacking. There are opportunities to purchase a four-wheeler experience if you are feeling extra adventurous. We will have dinner at the hotel .
Day 6 – Machu Picchu! We will take an upgraded train ride with a Vista dome. Then a bus will be bringing us to the park entrance. The whole day will be spent walking around the ruins, feeling the energy, and receiving a guided tour. We will eat a delicious buffet style lunch at Agua Calientes. Then we will take a train and bus back to the hotel (we are still at the Andean Wings) and have dinner in the hotel.
Day 7 – In the morning will go to the Pisac Market for a shopping experience and visit Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary. There are condors, pumas, llamas and all sorts of animals. We are going to visit a magical portal and complete the day at the Cerveceria Del Valle which is a micro-brewery nestled in the Andes Mountains. Dinner will be at Pizzas la Chola.
Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire and is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture.
Day 8 - We will travel to Cusco in the morning. We will be staying at Andean Wings in Cusco for the night. We will visit the famous 12-angled stone and explore all around Cusco. You can go off on your own or be with the group. Your choice!
Day 9 – We will start the day visiting the Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, and Tambomachay which are all amazing archeological sites. In the afternoon you can walk around and explore Cusco on your own or have lunch with us at the hotel. We will take an airplane back to Lima. We will plan with you for your connecting flights home from the airport.
Total Cost is $3999.00 double occupancy
+$300 for a single room
What's Included:
All transportation in Peru
Taxis to and from the airport to Lima, round trip plane tickets from Lima to Cusco, vans around the sacred valley, the train, and bus to Machu Picchu
All hotels in Lima, Urubamba, and Cusco
All meals and drink that we do as a group
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner the whole trip
The entrance to all museums in Lima and Cusco
Entrance to Machu Picchu and fees of all of the ruins
Paddleboarding
All optional hikes and side trips
What's Not included:
Airfare to and from Lima
Any extra drinks, snacks, or side restaurants you want to do on your own
Additional Notes:
We will have many optional hikes that are included. You can do anything you would like; stick with the group, rest in the hotel, or explore the town on your own. Just let us know how you are feeling. This is YOUR trip!
Before the retreat, we will have a Zoom meeting with you for some Q and A. We can convert money for you and help you figure out your internet situation in Peru. There will also be a group chat on What's App so we can stay connected. The whole group will have access to a the What's App so everyone can share their pictures. We've found this is a great way to share the experiences together.
My husband and I participated in the Machu Picchu retreat with Incorporate Yoga in January of 2024. The entire trip was amazing and very much stress free! Poppy and Edward arranged for all travel and attractions, as well as reservations for the meals. We were able to experience many aspects of Peru – the beach, large cities, small towns, mountains, valleys and the rain forest in just over a week! This involved a lot of logistics and everything went as smooth as could be – we never hate to wait more than a few minutes for a van to meet us, and the van accompanied us most places so we were able to bring lots of things with us and leave them securely with the driver in the van while we explored. All of the restaurants they chose were outstanding and we were seated immediately and received excellent service, a rarity these days! The food was incredible and we were able to sample many different foods. I highly recommend this method of travel to Peru – Poppy and Edward know the area very well, are fluent in the language and have many, many contacts to ensure excellent experiences everywhere!
Kelly
We are writing to wholeheartedly recommend Poppy and Edward as exceptional guides for anyone considering a trip to Peru. Our experience traveling with them in Peru, including a breathtaking tour of Machu Picchu, was nothing short of extraordinary.
From the moment we began planning our trip, Poppy and Edward demonstrated their expertise and passion for sharing the wonders of Peru with others. They meticulously crafted an itinerary that showcased the country's rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. Their attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our journey was carefully thought out and seamlessly executed.
During our time in Peru, Poppy and Edward went above and beyond to ensure that we had an unforgettable experience. Their extensive knowledge of the region's history and culture brought each destination to life, providing us with fascinating insights and stories that enriched our journey. Whether we were exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, sampling delicious Peruvian cuisine, or immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of local markets, Poppy and Edward's enthusiasm and expertise made every moment truly memorable.
In addition to their professionalism and expertise, Poppy and Edward's warmth and hospitality made us feel like family from the very beginning. They effortlessly fostered a sense of camaraderie among our group, creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere that enhanced our travel experience.
We have no doubt that anyone who chooses to embark on a tour of Peru with Poppy and Edward will be treated to an unforgettable adventure filled with unforgettable memories. Their passion for travel, coupled with their dedication to providing exceptional service, sets them apart as truly outstanding.
In conclusion, we wholeheartedly endorse Poppy and Edward as exceptional guides for anyone considering a trip to Peru. Their expertise, passion, and hospitality guarantee an unforgettable journey that will leave a lasting impression.
Sincerely,
Justin & Catherine Olson
Poppy and Edward,
Thank you so much for allowing my wife and I this once in a lifetime trip to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Machu Picchu. We loved everything about the trip. Seeing Lima, The Sacred Valley, Cusco. It was so nice to only have worry about what time to meet in the lobby everyday and not stress about transportation, what we were going to see, where we were going to eat. You guys took care of all that. Like everyone said in the group " we were just your little ducklings following mama and papa duck.
The views in every city were amazing. There were truly no words to put things in perspective. Just Awesome!!! The food choices, hikes and walks through the cities were just as jaw dropping. I really could go on and on about the experience. But it would be a small novel. I am very grateful to have been able to experience Peru with you ( Poppy and Edward ) and also your friend/tour guide Natalie. She was great. The 3 of you just made things so easy especially with me not knowing the language in Peru. Good luck opening the 3rd restaurant too! I would definitely go again. We made a coffee table book of our adventure, so many incredible photos with our family and friends.
Many thanks Dave!
From the very second that Edward said they were putting together a Tour of Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, I said how much of a deposit do you need because I want to go! I knew Edward and Poppy Villavicencio before this tour was put together. You couldn't ask for better people to go with or trust in making sure you have all the tools to make this trip one of the best experiences of your life!
From consulting you about flights, to all the transportation, Hotels, and unique top notch lodging needs once you are there. Buses, Ubers, Trains, and just walking in this beautiful country. Wow. They have all the local contacts, old friends and new friends, that know the lay of the land, and the secret little places. And the food, don't get me started! The best!
You feel like it's a one on one personal tour rather than a group.
If Peru is a place you've always wanted to go to, go with who I think is the best!
Jack from Burnsville Minnesota