Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines

Day 1 - Lima

After your arrival at Lima airport we will transfer you to your chosen hotel in the Miraflores or Barranco 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.

Alternative "Culture and Contrasts" Lima City Tour

Day 2 - Lima City Tour

Today you will be collected from your hotel for a morning tour of Colonial and Modern Lima, visiting the Lima Cathedral and the Church and Convent of San Francisco amongst other sites.

In the afternoon we will transfer you by first class bus to Ica, 4 hours drive from Lima, and the center of the wine and Pisco growing industry. We recommend the Las Dunas as a base for your explorations of this area. You will have fun-packed couple of days here so ask us about all the options.

Day 3 - Nazca Lines

In the morning you will enjoy an overflight of the amazing Nazca Lines in a light aircraft, we fly people from Ica airport rather than taking them by road to Nazca as its quite a long journey. Depending upon the timing of the flight you have options also to visit the Huacachina Oasis for buggy rides and sandboarding, horse riding, museum or Pisco / winery visits etc. You will be worn out, if not, why not! Then back to your hotel to rest.

Day 4 - Paracas & Ballestas Islands

After a very early breakfast we will take you to visit the Ballestas Islands from nearby Paracas. Commonly referred to as the "little Galapagos", here you will see an amazing concentration of sea birds and sea lions in their natural habitat. Returning to the mainland you will have a trip to the Paracas National Reserve, the only protected coastal reserve in Peru. The trip includes a visit to a museum showing the natural history of the Paracas Reserve in addition to the pre-Inca Paracas culture. The return journey to Lima will take about 3 hours (either in private or by VIP public bus). Overnight in Lima to check out the great nightlife in Miraflores.

Day 5 -  Fly to Cusco and enjoy a City Tour. 

In the morning you will be transfered to Lima airport for your short flight 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 Cuzco Cathedral and the most important temple of the Inca Empire, the Coricancha - Inca Temple of the Sun.

Day 6 - Sacred Valley

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 7 - Machu Picchu

Today you will have an early start to catch your chosen train to Machu Picchu which will be one of the services described in the link below. 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 transfer 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, or in the station itself, 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 8 - Revisit Machu Picchu

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 9 - A free day to enjoy Cusco. 

A free day to enjoy Cusco at your leisure. Your vacation package with us includes the "Cusco Tourist Ticket" which gives you access to many museums, art galleries and Inca sites in and around Cusco. If you wish, we can arrange additional activities for you on this day. Please ask us for more details and options.

Day 10 - Fly to Lima, home, or onward with Escaped to Peru. 

We will transfer you to Cusco airport for your one hour flight back to Lima. When you arrive in Lima. If you are staying over in Lima again then please speak to us about arranging this and anything else you might need in and around Lima.

To see our entire range of Peru tours please CLICK HERE.