See The Lines Peru with Alán and Zac

Let's raise a glass and cheers to an exciting trip ahead during your welcome dinner! Tonight's gathering will take place at a local restaurant. The evening promises a delightful 3-course set menu, offering a taste of the most authentic Peruvian flavors. Please note that a cold tea or infusion is included, and additional beverages should be purchased at the venue.

On our first night together, we’ll break the ice by drawing each other. Portraiture is an incredible way to immediately connect with someone, and there’s no pressure to create a masterpiece. Zac will teach three different approaches to quick portrait sketching and learn a few simple tricks for capturing someone’s likeness. Think of it as a warm-up for both our sketchbooks and our new travel friendships.

Overnight in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit.

After breakfast, meet your trekking guide in the hotel lobby for a brief 25-minute transfer to Tambomachay ruins, marking the start of your hiking adventure. In the morning, you will get transferred by private transport to Tambomachay, an archaeological site just outside of Cusco. From here, you’ll head on 2-3 hours hike back to Cusco. First, you will visit the huge “Inca Ceremonial Center of Sacsayhuaman”. This enormous structure overlooks the city of Cusco. Its constructions are amazing, with huge rocks perfectly fitted. It is said that it took over 10,000 workers 50 years to build it. The origin of the temple of Sacsayhuaman is still today unknown. The archaeologist attributed its construction to the Period of the Inca Pachacutec. Later, you continue visiting another important Inca site known as “Qenqo”. This is a place with subterranean passages and carved stone channels in a zigzag pattern. In its inner part there is a carved stone table where it is said the Incas mummified their dead. Afterwards you will do a short visit to the archaeological Inca sites of “Tambomachay” a temple dedicated to the God of Water and “PucaPucará”. After these visits, you will return to Cusco. Conclude the hike with an easy 30-minute walk back to Cusco downtown. You'll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own at the nearby restaurants close to your hotel. Distance: 6.5 miles | Duration: 4.5 hours | Difficulty: Moderate

Enjoy a free afternoon in Cusco at your own pace. Wander through cobblestone streets, relax in a cozy café, browse local markets, or simply soak in the city’s unique blend of Inca heritage and colonial charm. This time is yours to explore, unwind, or discover hidden corners of the former Inca capital.

We begin in Cusco, focusing on structure and clarity. This session is about simplifying complex streets, organizing architectural forms, and designing a strong composition before detail. We’ll warm up with quick studies, then develop one main sketch that sets the foundation for the days ahead.

What’s a trip to Peru without drawing a llama or alpaca? We’ll set out to sketch some of Peru’s most iconic animals from life. Luckily, they tend to be fairly still models. We’ll focus on quickly identifying shapes, proportions, and defining characteristics.

Overnight in Cusco.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit.

Take a private transfer to Pisac Ruins.

We will head to the Pisac Ruins, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley of Peru. Located on the mountainside above the town of Pisac, the site features beautiful agricultural terraces, ceremonial temples, panoramic viewpoints, and impressive Inca stonework. It is considered an important spiritual, military, and agricultural center from the Inca period. Please note that access to your luggage won't be available during the day, so it's recommended to carry a day pack with your essentials. Additionally, bathrooms are available at the market for an additional fee.

During your visit to the Sacred Valley, a buffet lunch at Tunupa Restaurant is included. Enjoy a variety of delicious regional dishes, offering a flavorful selection of local favorites. The buffet features seasonal ingredients, allowing you to sample a wide range of traditional Peruvian flavors.

Take a private transfer to Ollantaytambo.

This workshop is dedicated to the Shadows-First approach. We’ll begin by identifying and painting the major shadow shapes to establish depth and mood before adding line or color. The Sacred Valley provides the perfect setting to learn how light defines form and leads the eye through a scene.

Markets are some of my favorite places to draw because they’re full of characters, movement, vibrancy. We’ll head into the mercado and sketch vendors and market-goers from observation, learning how to capture these scenes quickly.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit. The exact style of breakfast and offerings will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Following an early breakfast, a brief 5-minute walk will take you to the train station. Enjoy a comfortable 1.5-hour train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, offering scenic vistas along the way. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, a short 5-minute walk will take you to your hotel for check-in, bag drop-off, and a chance to freshen up. Please remember to leave your main luggage at the Ollantaytambo hotel. The train ticket permits only one piece of hand luggage weighing no more than 17 lbs., so pack only your essentials for your one-night stay in Aguas Calientes.

Your expedition to the 'Lost City of the Incas' commences with a 30-minute public bus transfer from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu site. Upon arrival, your guide will lead a 3-hour tour showcasing the highlights of this ancient town. During the exploration you will cover the main attractions along a 2-mile trail, unveiling awe-inspiring terraces and stone structures. Gain profound insights into the historical significance and architectural marvels. The tour offers stunning panoramas of the Andes Mountains and the Urubamba River, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace. The permit for this tour will depend on overall availability -- typically, it will either be circuit 2-A or 2-B. Post-midday, return to Aguas Calientes by transfer, with free time to enjoy lunch at your leisure. Restrooms are available at the site's entrance for an additional fee. Drinking water is available in the vehicle, so please ensure you carry a refillable bottle to stay hydrated throughout the journey.

This session is entirely watercolor-focused. We’ll work without ink, learning to build structure, depth, and atmosphere using layered washes and value control. The goal is to loosen your approach and trust watercolor as a complete drawing tool on its own.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit.

Start your day with an early breakfast and check out of the hotel, leaving your luggage stored there. A 30-minute transfer will take you to the Machu Picchu checkpoint, the last opportunity for restroom facilities. From there, embark on a 25-minute journey to the trailhead, beginning your hike through the lush Andean cloud forest, teeming with diverse flora and fauna. As you ascend, the landscape transforms, granting unique perspectives of Machu Picchu. The trail comprises steep stone steps and narrow paths, suitable for moderate fitness levels and a steady pace. Upon reaching the summit of Montaña Machu Picchu, take your time to savor the unparalleled views—a bird's-eye perspective of the ancient citadel, the Urubamba River valley, and the stunning Andean landscapes. Descend along the same path and take a transfer back to Aguas Calientes, where your luggage awaits. Enjoy some free time for lunch at your own expense before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. The permit for this tour will be circuit 1-A but is subject to change based on overall availability. Carrying a small backpack with water and snacks is recommended, and trekking poles can be helpful. Distance: 2.5 miles | Duration: 3.5 hours | Difficulty: Difficult | Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft

After finishing lunch, head to the train station to catch your train back to Ollantaytambo. Enjoy a relaxing 1.5-hour journey back. Upon arrival, it's just an easy 5-minute walk to your hotel, leaving the rest of the day free for you to unwind.

This is a structured, mobile workshop built around short stops and fast studies. We’ll focus on quick value thumbnails, perspective notes, and small vignettes, training your eye to capture essential information efficiently while traveling through the landscape.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit.

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, a simple 15-minute walk will lead you to the Ollantaytambo ruins. This historic site holds significance as the place where the Incas successfully defended against the Spanish conquest. Your visit to the Ollantaytambo ruins reveals an essential Inca construction from their peak era. Ollantaytambo served not only as a religious and agricultural center but also stood as a strategic military fortress characterized by its remarkable stonework and towering 13-foot-high structures. Accompanied by your guide for approximately 1.5 hours, delve into the hidden narratives of this Inca marvel. Please be aware that this activity involves walking approximately 0.5 miles with several stairs amidst the mountainous landscape. After concluding the visit, a 1.5-hour transfer will take you to our next attraction, the Moray Agricultural Terraces.

Take a private transfer to Moray.

The visit to Moray unveils a testament to Inca innovation and agricultural mastery. Nestled in the Andes mountains, this archaeological site showcases impressive concentric terraced circles, a testament to the Incas' advanced farming techniques. Each terrace creates distinct microclimates, highlighting the Incas' experimentation with crops and adaptation to varied environments. You'll explore these terraces, marvel at stunning landscapes, and gain insight into the ingenious agricultural practices that sustained the ancient civilization. Plan to spend around 1 hours at the terraces, covering approximately 0.5 miles on foot. Afterward, a 30-minute transfer will take you to the next highlight: the Maras salt ponds.

Continue 15 minutes by vehicle to Maras. Upon arriving at the Maras Salt Ponds, embark on an intimate exploration led by your guide through this unique, centuries-old salt production site. Nestled within the Sacred Valley, these iconic terraced salt pans offer a mesmerizing landscape, featuring thousands of shallow pools adorning the mountainside. Discover the intricate process of salt extraction, dating back to pre-Incan times, observing locals employing traditional methods to harvest salt from the natural springs that nourish these ponds. Approximately 4,500 individual salt ponds line the steep hillside, each belonging to families within the community and passed down through generations. A fascinating aspect of this tradition is the creation of new ponds for newly married couples, highlighting the community's customs. These ponds, roughly 13 square feet each, are crafted with stone and mud mortar walls. Plan to explore these terraces for about 1 hour, covering approximately 0.5 miles on foot. After concluding the visit, you'll board the vehicle for your journey back to Cusco, pausing at Maras Village for lunch at your own expense. After lunch, enjoy a 1.5-hour transfer back to your Cusco hotel, allowing for free time to enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Take a private transfer back to Cusco.

This workshop focuses on pattern, repetition, and contrast. Using terraces and salt ponds as reference, you’ll learn how to simplify complex textures, control edges, and design a strong page that balances rhythm, depth, and clarity.

Overnight in Cusco.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit.

The day is at leisure. We recommend visiting the traditional and picturesque neighbourhood of San Blas. To arrive to this place, you must take a short but increasingly steep walk from the Plaza de Armas. Here, you can find art studios, artisan workshops, many of the best bars and restaurants. It's a great area to wander around.

Later in the afternoon, a quick 10-minute walk will take you to Calle del Medio restaurant for your final dinner with fellow travelers. Enjoy a delightful 3-course set menu featuring traditional Peruvian cuisine. Please note that a bottle of water is included, and additional beverages can be purchased at the venue. Keep in mind that the menu is subject to change based on the confirmed restaurant.

The final workshop brings everything together. We’ll start with a focused perspective lesson, then apply it to a complete ink and watercolor sketch. This session emphasizes confident structure, clean decision-making, and finishing a piece that reflects the full learning arc of the trip.

To close out our journey, we’ll turn our attention to the people we’ve spent the week traveling with. Everyone will create a portrait of another traveler, incorporating small details or memories from our time together in Peru. At the end, we’ll exchange the drawings so everyone leaves with a one-of-a-kind portrait and memory from the trip.

Overnight in Cusco.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit.