Mysteries of Peru: Ica, Nazca & Machu Picchu

Upon your arrival to the Lima Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our representatives, who will provide a brief introduction to the city and our services while driving you to your hotel in Miraflores. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax and get acquainted with the city at your own pace. Depending on your arrival time, we have plenty of suggestions for you so you can make the most of your first day in Lima.

Meals: None provided
Accommodations: (S) Tambo Hotel 🍃, (C) San Agustin Exclusive, (P) JW Marriott Lima 🍃

Get ready to explore Lima and all it has to offer! Our tour starts in the morning with a visit to the Historic Downtown area. First, you will stop off at the Main Square, where you will walk through its most important streets and observe its architectural monuments like the Cathedral and the Government Palace. Afterwards you will head to the San Francisco Convent and its renowned catacombs. Lunch will be at a traditional restaurant where you will enjoy classic Peruvian cuisine, as well as learn how to prepare a Pisco Sour, Peru´s signature drink.

You will complete your tour of Lima with a visit to the Bohemian neighborhood of Barranco, a neighborhood called home by countless artists, photographers, and authors. Walk along beautiful streets lined with Republican houses, admire the splendid views, and visit the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), the source of inspiration for one of Peru’s great composers, Chabuca Granda.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: (S) Tambo Hotel 🍃, (C) San Agustin Exclusive, (P) JW Marriott Lima 🍃

This morning, we have an early departure heading south along the Pan-American Highway to the valley of Ica located 186 m / 300 km south of Lima and surrounded by the endless sand dunes of the Ica desert.

Ica is well know for its warm and dry climate, perfect for cultivating grapes. We’ll make a short stop for a guided tour through an historical vineyard where world-class wine, as well as our famous Pisco liquor, is made. Afterwards, you will enjoy a traditional lunch highlighting the delights of southern peruvian cuisine.

We then leave for the natural lagoon of Huacachina, known as the Oasis of America.

Optional: From this beautiful landscape we go racing across the desert aboard powerful dune buggies, feeling all their speed and adrenaline. We will make stops along the giant dunes where you can go sandboarding, which is a lot like snowboarding only without the snow – it’s a marvelous, one-of-a-kind experience. After observing the sunset from the vastness of the desert we go back to Huacachina and relax in our charming hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: (S) El Mirador Ica, (C) Hotel El Mirador – Junior Suite, (P) Hotel Las Dunas

You will start this amazing journey with a flight over the Nazca and Palpa Lines and gaze down at giant drawings of animals and geometric figures ranging up to 984 feet (300 meters) in size, some of them include: hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fish, sharks, orcas, and lizards, etched on 84 square miles of desert plains. We will enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant in Nazca City.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: (S) San Agustin Paracas, (C) Hilton Paracas 🍃, (P) Libertador Paracas 🍃

Today we will have an early rise and board the fully equipped speedboat departing from the Libertador Pier towards the Ballestas Islands, also known as the little Galapagos because of the great variety of marine wildlife that inhabit them. En route, our boat stops to observe the “The Chandelier”, an enigmatic figure that can only be seen from the sea. You will explore caves and rock formations that have been carved by the sea and wind over time and will be able to observe sea lions, penguins, seagulls and a wide variety of marine fauna.

In the afternoon we will head to Lima where we will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Accommodations: (S) Tambo Hotel 🍃, (C) San Agustin Exclusive, (P) JW Marriott Lima 🍃

At the scheduled departure time, you will be met by our representative at your hotel and escorted to the airport. Upon arrival to the City of Cusco, you will be welcomed by a Peruvian Sunrise representative, who will drive you along scenic roads to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

For lunch, you will enjoy a traditional Peruvian – Andean cuisine at Tunupa Restaurant, conveniently located in a beautiful setting overlooking the Urubamba River. In the afternoon, you will continue to visit Ollantaytambo, an old Inca fortified village where we may observe some of the best examples of Inca architecture in the region. Surviving structures here include multiple walls and towers that were used to protect the citadel from possible invasions.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: (S) Casona de Yucay, (C) Sonesta 🍃, (P) Rio Sagrado

After a very early rise, you will board the train from the Ollantaytambo Station heading to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). This train journey is a spectacle in itself! You will be able to appreciate the Peru’s immense biodiversity, as you witness the landscape transition from Andean green fields to lush rainforest, descending alongside the Urubamba River.

Upon arrival to the Aguas Calientes train station, you will take a 20 minute bus ride up to the site of Machu Picchu. You will explore this enigmatic sanctuary where your expert guide will lead you through the ruins, providing archaeological and historical information on key areas of interest, including The Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (the Sun Dial) and the Sacred Plaza. You will appreciate the most amazing views from the top of the citadel! This is an opportunity to revel in the energy and atmosphere of one of the most significant and spectacular archaeological sites of the world, set high in the cloud forest.

You will also have the opportunity to see Llamas meandering around in their natural environment.

After descending to Machu Picchu Pueblo, you will have some free time for lunch, and wander through this picturesque town. In the afternoon, you will board the return train to the Ollantaytambo Station, where one of our representatives will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: (S) Casona de Yucay, (C) Sonesta 🍃, (P) Rio Sagrado

Today you will experience a full-day private guided excursion through the Sacred Valley on our way back to Cusco.

First, you will visit the ruins of the Andean village of Chinchero, located high-up on the windswept plains of Anta (12,342.52 feet). You will find yourself surrounded by gorgeous views overlooking the Sacred Valley and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. This excursion combines Incan ruins with a typical Andean village, a colonial church, some wonderful mountain landscapes, and a colorful traditional market.

We continue on to visit the sites of Maras and Moray. En route, you will have one of the best panoramic views of the valley. First, we will stop at the ancient salt mines, nearby the town of Maras, then, at the huge circular agricultural terraces at Moray built by the Incas in natural sinkholes on a limestone plateau overlooking the Urubamba Valley. Afterward, we head to Cusco where you will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Accommodations: (S) San Agustin Internacional, (C) Sonesta 🍃, (P) Palacio del Inka 🍃

Today we will explore the amazing city of Cusco, which was the Capital of the Inca empire and one of the most historical cities in the Americas.

In the morning, you will begin your tour visiting the Fortress of Sacsayhuamán, one the most important military and ceremonial centers in Incan times. We will continue our tour strolling through the main square, where you will be able to explore the Cathedral and admire its exquisite vestibules and priceless paintings from the Cusco School of the 17th and 18th centuries. Just a few blocks away, you will explore one of Cusco’s most impressive buildings, Qoricancha or The Temple of the Sun, whose interior walls were said to have been covered in gold. As you return to the lower part of the city, you will stop off at the San Pedro Market, where you will be mesmerized by the variety of unique and traditional produce and discover new aromas and tastes of the region.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: (S) San Agustin Internacional, (C) Sonesta 🍃, (P) Palacio del Inka 🍃

At a set time our representative will accompany you to the airport to take our flight back to Lima and connect with your international flight home.

Meals: None provided

The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, which typically runs from May to September. However, each region has its own climate, so it's essential to check the weather for specific destinations on your itinerary.

Stay hydrated, take it easy on the first day to acclimate, and consider drinking coca tea, a local remedy. If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional.

The flight usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes, providing ample time to see the mysterious Nazca Lines.

You'll enjoy an exhilarating ride through the desert dunes, often combined with sandboarding. It's a thrilling adventure with stunning views.

The Ballestas Islands are known for their diverse marine life, including sea lions, penguins, and various bird species like pelicans and boobies.

Yes, most tour operators and restaurants offer vegetarian options. Inform your guide about any dietary preferences in advance.