Essence of Peru
Overview
This immersive 8‑day journey offers a perfect balance of culture, heritage and breathtaking Andean landscapes. Designed to move at a comfortable pace, the experience blends vibrant city energy with serene natural settings, allowing travellers to connect deeply with a rich and living history.
Format
Locations
- Peru
- Lima
- Cusco
- Maras
- Chinchero
- Ollantaytambo
- Yucay
- Urubamba
- Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- Moray Archaeological Site, Maras, Peru
Inclusions
- Round-trip flight to Lima (if the Flight & Hotel option is chosen)
- Round-trip domestic flight in economy class between Lima and Cusco
- Round-trip train ride between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
- Round-trip bus ride between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Shared airport, sightseeing and inter-city transfers, unless noted otherwise.
- 7 nights accommodation in select category (2 nights in Lima, 3 nights in Cusco, 1 night in Urubamba, 1 night in Aguas Calientes).
- Early check-in upon arrival (not counted towards the total number of nights)
- Daily breakfast, unless noted otherwise
- Other meals as per itinerary (drinks not included)
- More Moments activities included:
- Lima’s Historic Centre shared tour
- Cusco half-day city shared tour
- Moray Archaeological Site tour
- Maras Pre-Inca Salt Mines tour
- Chinchero visit
- Yucay Living Museum tour
- Ollantaytambo Fortress tour
- Full-day Machu Picchu tour
- Hotel taxes
- Fees and service charges
- Service of an English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fees to the monuments as mentioned in the itinerary
- Earn extra Aeroplan® points per member on this tour
- *Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC)
*Personal and non-transferable document that provides access to 16 important attractions in Cusco and its surroundings, such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. It also allows entry to various sites in the Sacred Valley Circuit, including Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray and Chinchero.
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Lima
Upon arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport, you will need to clear customs and immigration. Afterward, you’ll collect your luggage and proceed to the exit, where a local representative will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name. They will assist you with your transfer to your hotel. Your early check-in is included!
This afternoon, you’ll enjoy a guided experience through Lima’s Historic Centre with hotel pick‑up and return transfer included. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Lima’s Historic Centre shared tour
Begin with a visit to the Aliaga House, a historic mansion with over five centuries of history and considered the oldest residence in the Americas. Continue to the UNESCO‑listed Plaza Mayor, including a visit to the impressive Lima Cathedral. Conclude at the Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre, home to an extensive collection of pre‑Hispanic gold and silver artifacts, as well as a curated selection of erotic art, offering insight into more than 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 2
Lima - Cusco
After breakfast and check-out, your local representative will meet you in the lobby of your hotel to take you to Jorge Chávez International Airport to catch your flight to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca empire.
Welcome to Cusco! Upon arrival, collect your luggage and proceed to the exit, where a local representative will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name. They will assist you with your transfer to your hotel to check in and freshen up before beginning your first adventure in this magnificent city.
This afternoon has been thoughtfully planned with a half-day city tour designed just for you. After the tour, you'll be transferred back to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Half-day city shared tour
Begin with a visit to the Santo Domingo Convent, built atop the sacred Coricancha temple, followed by the Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption, the city’s main religious landmark. Continue to the surrounding hills to explore the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, the Qenqo archaeological complex, Puca Pucara’s military structures and the ruins of Tambomachay, known as the Inca spa. Return to your selected hotel at the end of the tour
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 3
Cusco – Moray – Maras – Cusco
After breakfast, you’ll meet your local guide and enjoy a scenic 1.5‑hour drive through the Andean countryside toward Maras, home to the remarkable Moray archaeological site and the famous Salt Mines.
Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cusco to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Moray Archaeological Site tour
Experience this remarkable Inca complex set high in the Andean landscape. Its unique circular terraces descend gracefully into the earth, creating a dramatic and visually captivating setting. Steeped in ancient ingenuity, Moray offers a fascinating glimpse into the sophistication and harmony of Inca design, making it one of the region’s most memorable highlights.
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Maras Pre-Inca Salt Mines tour
Explore the captivating Salt Mines of Maras, a breathtaking landscape shaped by centuries of tradition and natural beauty. Thousands of glistening salt pools cascade down the hillside, creating a striking mosaic against the Andean backdrop. Still harvested today using ancient methods, this remarkable site offers a powerful glimpse into Peru’s living heritage and stands as one of the region’s most iconic and photogenic wonders.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 4
Cusco – Chinchero – Ollantaytambo – Yucay – Urubamba
After breakfast and check‑out, you’ll meet your local guide and begin a scenic drive into the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas toward Urubamba, its cultural capital.
Along the way, enjoy visits to Chinchero, Ollantaytambo and Yucay, each offering a unique perspective on the region’s most iconic landmarks and enduring traditions.
Upon arrival in Urubamba, you will be transferred to your hotel, where the remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Chinchero visit
Discover a picturesque Andean village famed for its impressive agricultural terraces and a striking 17th‑century church (entrance to the church is not included), built atop the remains of an ancient Inca palace.
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Yucay Living Museum tour
Step into a living cultural showcase where skilled artisans demonstrate traditional textile weaving, pottery, and silverwork, all crafted using time‑honoured Inca techniques passed down through generations.
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Ollantaytambo Fortress tour
Explore one of the most significant ceremonial centers of the Inca Empire, renowned for its monumental stonework and dramatic agricultural terraces that rise majestically along the surrounding mountainsides
Meal(s): Breakfast and lunch
Day 5
Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
After breakfast and check‑out, your local guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to Ollantaytambo, where you board your scenic train journey toward Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.
- Luggage Notes
Due to luggage restrictions on the train to Aguas Calientes, the following guidelines apply:- Please leave your main (checked) luggage in the lobby of your hotel. Our local team will collect it and deliver it to your hotel in Cusco.
- Pack a small overnight backpack for your stay in Aguas Calientes (please refer to the size and weight restrictions below).
- Train Luggage Allowance
- On all train services to/from Machu Picchu, passengers may carry only one piece of hand luggage (backpack, bag, or briefcase).
- Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17.6 lbs
- Maximum size: 157 cm / 62 linear inches (height + length + width combined)
- Your main luggage will be safely transferred and will be waiting for you at your selected hotel in Cusco.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you’ll exit the station, where a local representative will greet you with a sign bearing your name. You will then be guided to the bus station for the winding ascent to Machu Picchu, marking the start of a truly iconic and once‑in‑a‑lifetime Inca adventure, the crown jewel of your Peruvian journey.
More Moments Activities Included
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Full-day Machu Picchu tour
Discover Machu Picchu, an extraordinary masterpiece of Inca engineering and architecture, believed to have served as a sacred sanctuary and royal retreat for the Inca ruler Pachacútec. Perched dramatically amid mist‑covered peaks, this UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World captivates visitors with its harmonious blend of history and natural beauty. Known as the “Old Mountain,” Machu Picchu stands as a timeless symbol of ingenuity, mystery and awe—offering a truly unforgettable journey into the heart of the ancient Andes.
Meal(s): Breakfast and lunch
Day 6
Aguas Calientes – Cusco
After a leisurely breakfast and check‑out, you’ll meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and begin your journey back toward Cusco.
Enjoy a scenic train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where a local representative will be waiting to escort you onward to your hotel in Cusco.
Upon arrival, you can check in and unwind, with the remainder of the day free to enjoy at your own pace.
Note: For those wishing to further enhance the experience, an optional second visit to the Machu Picchu Citadel may be arranged locally (at an additional cost). This must be done early to ensure your tour ends on time for your transfer to Ollantaytambo.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 7
Cusco – Lima
After breakfast and check-out, you'll be transferred to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport for your flight to Lima.
Upon arrival in Lima, you’ll collect your luggage and proceed to the exit, where a local representative will be waiting to welcome you and escort you to the airport hotel shuttle, which will take you to your accommodation near the airport. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 8
Lima – Canada
After checking out, you’ll meet your local representative in the lobby of your hotel, who will assist you with your transfer that will take you to Jorge Chávez International Airport for your return flight to Canada.
Meal(s): Boxed continental breakfast.
Accommodations
Where you'll stay
Location
Hotel
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king or 2 double beds (bed type available upon request (not guaranteed)
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 guests (2 Adults or 1 adult + 1 child)
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king or 2 double beds (bed type available upon request (not guaranteed)
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 guests (2 Adults or 1 adult + 1 child)
Important Information
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October 25, 2026 – March 27, 2027
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Not included:
- Meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Travel insurance and visa fees (where applicable)
- Airport taxes (where applicable)
- Optional activities, excursions and any related transfers
- Transfers or services not expressly included in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to attractions not listed in the program
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Additional visit to Machu Picchu Citadel ($)
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- Car for all airport-hotel-airport, sightseeing and inter-city transfers
- Plane from Lima to Cusco
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Bus from Machu Pichu to Aguas Calientes
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Plane from Cusco to Lima
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- If your itinerary includes domestic and/or regional flight tickets, as well as entry tickets to landmarks that require passport details, you must call Air Canada Vacations immediately upon receiving your booking confirmation. Failure to provide Air Canada Vacations with your passport details may result in the unavailability of domestic and/or regional flight tickets and entry passes for certain landmarks included in your tour package. It is mandatory to call Air Canada Vacations at the number provided in your electronic confirmation as soon as your booking is confirmed to submit your passport details.
- Please note that some areas of this tour may present challenges for travellers with limited mobility. While all locations included are accessible, the itinerary covers a variety of regions, towns and historic and archaeological sites where uneven surfaces and steps may be encountered. Customers should be fully aware of this before booking to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience throughout the tour.
- This itinerary includes travel through high‑altitude regions in the Andes, where thinner air may affect comfort and energy levels. To help you feel your best, we recommend planning accordingly: arrive well‑rested, stay hydrated, avoid heavy meals and alcohol on arrival day, and take it easy for the first 24–48 hours while your body acclimatizes.