8/7 Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Cusco, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)

About this trip

Exactly what you do each day, where you sleep, and how it flows — written by us, from the real itinerary.

1. 1
   Day 1 · LimaArrive in Lima

   

   Arrive in Lima. You'll be met by local guides and fellow travellers on each day's activity rather than a fixed group, with all transfers and accommodation pre-arranged by the operator.

2. 2
   Day 2 · LimaLima City Tour

   Your guide picks you up at 2PM for a private Lima city tour. Visit Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco Convent complex—a sprawling 1674 monastery with cloisters, churches, library and catacombs where you'll see frescoes and the tomb of conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Mind your head in the low doorways.

3. 3
   Day 3 · LimaLima - Paracas - Ballestas

   3AM transfer to Crús del Sur bus terminal for a four-hour drive to Paracas. After settling in, a boat tour of Ballestas Island ('small Galapagos') gets you close to pelicans, penguins, cormorants, sea lions, dolphins and whales without landing. You'll also see the Paracas Candelabra, an ancient sand etching, from the water.

4. 4
   Day 4 · ParacasNazca Lines - Lima

   

   Drive four hours further south to Nazca's small airport for an aerial tour of the Nazca Lines—giant figures etched in sand visible only from above, including the Monkey, Spider and Hummingbird. Their purpose remains mysterious. Return by bus to Lima and check into your hotel.

5. 5
   Day 5 · LimaLima - Cusco flight. Cusco City Tour

   

   Fly east over the Andes to Cusco for a one-hour flight. After checking in, rest and acclimatise to the 3,300-metre elevation. In the afternoon, your guide shows you Plaza de Armas, the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha), and the Inca sites north of the city: Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo and Pucapucara.

6. 6
   Day 6 · CuscoSacred Valley Tour. Train to Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes

   Full-day Sacred Valley tour north-east from Cusco. Stop at scenic overlooks, then explore Pisac—an Inca fortress with indigenous craft market and ruins above the town square. Continue west through the valley to Urubamba, then catch the train to Ollantaytambo and on to Aguas Calientes for the night.

7. 7
   Day 7 · Aguas CalientesMachu Picchu Tour. Return to Cusco

   

   After breakfast, take a 20-minute bus to Machu Picchu's entrance. Spend two hours with your guide exploring the Inca estate, then hike freely. See the Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun and Room of the Three Windows—polished dry-stone structures probably built by Pachacutec. The site's magnificence unfolds as mist rises at sunrise.

8. 8
   Day 8 · CuscoCusco - Lima

   Check out and transfer 15 minutes to Cusco airport for a one-hour flight back to Lima, your final destination.

What's included

• Guide: Group Tours Professionally educated English / Spanish speaking bilingual naturalist guide in Paracas Professionally educated English / Spanish speaking bilingual guide in Lima Professionally educated English / Spanish speaking bilingual guide in Cusco & Sacred Valley Professionally educated English / Spanish speaking bilingual guide in Aguas Calientes
• Meals: Fine breakfasts Included in all hotels daily Andean buffet lunch included on Sacred Valley Tour
• Activities: Summary of What is Included: All hotel, train, tour, port and airport in-out transfers All guided tours w/ professional bi-lingual English speaking guides All accommodations in tourist quality hotels centrally located Cruz del Sur Bus Lima-Paracas-Nazca-Lima Boat tour of Ballestas Islands Aerial tour of Nazca Lines Cusco Turistico Boleto Roundtrip bus tickets Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes Roundtrip train tickets to Aguas Calientes Tour of Machu Picchu and admission Cusco City Tour (Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q'Enqo, Pucapucara & Tambomachay) and admissions Sacred Valley Tour (Ollanta, Chincheros, lunch & Ollantaytambo) and admissions Lima City Tour Personal assistance everyday via Whatsapp 24/7
• Transport: Airport and train station transfers in safe, modern vehicles Cruz del Sur bus Lima-Paracas-Nazca-Lima Aerial tour of Nazca Lines in small planes OPTIONAL Plane from Pisco to Nazca rather than Paracas to Nazca to save time Roundtrip train/van to Machu Picchu Roundtrip bus Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes
• Accommodation: All centrally located 3* hotels in Peru in comfortable accommodations in double room with private bath

How travellers rate it

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