National Program: Lima, Ica and Cusco 8D/7N
National Program: Lima, Ica and Cusco 8D/7N
Overview
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Lima / City Tour Lima
Upon arrival in the city of Lima, a representative will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to your selected hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will receive an informative briefing about the activities planned during your stay in Lima.
Between 2:00 – 2:30 p.m., the transfer will pick you up from your hotel to begin our first activity: the City Tour. We will enjoy a fascinating journey through Lima, exploring its three stages: Ancient, Colonial, and Modern Lima.
We will start with a panoramic view of the Puccllana Pyramid, an ancient ceremonial and archaeological center built in the 4th century AD, considered a sacred place by the Incas. Then, we will visit the Historical Center of Lima, where we will explore the old main square and admire more than fifty colonial monuments and buildings, including the Paseo de la República, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, Municipal Palace, Archbishop’s Palace, and the Cathedral Basilica, among other iconic sites.
Next, we will visit the San Francisco Church, which houses the largest collection of colonial religious art in the Americas and is famous for its underground crypts, the “catacombs”. Finally, we will head to the Contemporary area of Lima, observing main buildings and residential districts such as Parque El Olivar de San Isidro, Miraflores, Larcomar, and Parque del Amor.
The tour will conclude with a return to your hotel around 6:30 p.m. Overnight in Lima.
Day 2: Ballestas Islands and Oasis Huacachina
At 4:30 a.m., our vehicle will pick you up at your hotel. We will begin a 4-hour trip to Paracas, arriving at approximately 9:00 a.m. During the trip, we will make a short stop to use restrooms and purchase breakfast if desired.
Upon arrival in Paracas, we will head to El Chaco Dock to board a motorboat that will take us to the Ballestas Islands. Our first stop will be at the enigmatic Candelabra, a huge geoglyph in the shape of a trident, over 2,500 years old. Here, we will explore the various theories about its origin, which may be related to ancient pirates or even the creators of the famous Nazca Lines.
Continuing our journey, we will reach the Ballestas Islands, three small islands home to impressive marine and ecological biodiversity. You will be amazed by the large colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and the numerous seabirds flying over the area. After the visit, we will return to the dock.
Next, we will continue to Ica, where we will visit a traditional winery that produces the famous Peruvian Pisco. Our local guide will lead a tour of the winery facilities and explain the traditional process of making pisco and wine. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to taste the different varieties of pisco and wine produced here.
Then, we will visit the Huacachina Oasis, located just 5 km from the city center. In this beautiful oasis, visitors can enjoy the tranquility of the place and stroll around to capture great photos during free time.
At 4:00 p.m., the exciting sand buggy ride begins through the dunes surrounding the Huacachina Lagoon. The massive dunes also offer the opportunity to try sandboarding, a thrilling activity where you slide down the desert sand on a board.
Finally, we will return to Lima, arriving at our hotel at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Day 3: Arrival to Cusco / City Tour and surrounding archaeological parks
Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be welcomed at Velasco Astete International Airport and transferred to your hotel. An informative talk will be given, and tickets for the upcoming tours will be distributed.
At 1:00 p.m., the City Tour begins. We will start by visiting the impressive Temple of Qoricancha. Then, we will continue by vehicle to the nearby archaeological centers, starting with Sacsayhuamán, strategically located and offering spectacular panoramic views of Cusco. This site is renowned for its enormous polished and sculpted stones.
Next, we will explore the mystical Temple of Qenqo, where the Incas performed religious ceremonies. Afterwards, we will visit Puka Pukara, the Inca military and control center. Finally, we will arrive at Tambomachay Temple, famous for its remarkable water fountains.
We will return to the city of Cusco at approximately 6:30 p.m., dropping you off near the main square, where you can enjoy the enchanting night scenery of the city.
Day 4: Super Sacred Valley (VIP Valley)
At 06:30 a.m., our vehicle will pick you up from your hotel to begin the Sacred Valley tour. We will start with a visit to the picturesque town of Chinchero, where you will explore its church and fascinating archaeological park. You will also have the opportunity to experience traditional textile production at a center where ancestral weaving and wool dyeing techniques are still practiced.
Next, we will visit the impressive Archaeological Park of Moray, famous for its mysterious circular terraces. Then, we will continue to the Maras Salt Mines, a network of around 5,000 small pools still used for salt extraction for human consumption.
After this exciting morning, we will head to the charming town of Urubamba for a delicious buffet lunch. Later, we will visit Ollantaytambo, known as the “Living Inca City” due to its well-preserved Inca urban layout. Here, we will explore the archaeological park, including the imposing Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Ten Niches, sacred fountains, and the face of the Andean God Tunupa, among other highlights.
Finally, we will transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the train to the charming town of Aguas Calientes, a journey of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Upon arrival, our staff will take you to your assigned hotel. That evening, a local guide will meet you to provide details and preparations for the exciting tour of Machu Picchu the following day.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: Machu Picchu
At the agreed time, we will board the bus to undertake a short 25-minute trip until we reach the access point to the Majestic Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. We will spend around 2:30 hours exploring this world wonder, and our guide will provide you with detailed information about its history and meaning. Once the journey within the Inca citadel is over, the work of our guide will come to an end. Then, they will have the afternoon free to enjoy lunch on their own. At the indicated time we will go to the train station for the return to Ollantaytambo in Ollantaytambo, our mobility will be waiting to take them back to the city of Cusco.
Day 6: Humantay Lagoon
The tour will start at 04:00 a.m. with pick-up from your hotel. We will begin our journey on a paved road until we reach the picturesque village of Mollepata, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, we will continue along a dirt road until we arrive at the charming town of Soraypampa.
From Soraypampa, we will start a hike of approximately 1.5 hours to reach the impressive Humantay Lagoon, located at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level. Here, you will have time to admire the breathtaking landscape and take memorable photographs. This tour has a medium difficulty level and requires a reasonable level of physical fitness.
After visiting Humantay, we will descend back to Soraypampa, where we will board our vehicle for the return to Mollepata, where a comforting lunch will be served. Finally, we will continue our journey back to the city of Cusco, arriving around 5:30 p.m.. We will spend the night in Cusco, carrying fresh memories of the spectacular Humantay Lagoon.
Day 7: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
At 04:30 a.m., we will pick you up at your hotel and begin our journey along a paved road to the town of Cusipata. From there, we will continue on a dirt road until we reach the charming town of Paucarpata, where you will enjoy a well-deserved breakfast.
Once refreshed, we will continue our journey to Qomer Qocha, where you will have time to prepare, and our tour guide will provide all necessary recommendations before starting a walk of approximately 1 hour. This hike is of medium difficulty and requires a reasonable level of physical fitness, as our destination, Vinicunca (the Rainbow Mountain), is at an altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level.
Upon reaching the mountain, you will have ample time to take photographs and create unforgettable memories. Afterward, we will return to Qomer Qocha, where we will board our vehicle and go to a restaurant for lunch.
Following a short break, we will begin the return trip to the city of Cusco, with the tour expected to conclude around 5:00 p.m.. We will spend the night in Cusco, having experienced the breathtaking beauty of the Seven Colors Mountain (Vinicunca).
Day 8: Cusco / Departure
At the agreed time, our mobility will go through your hotel for the transfer to Cusco airport. With this, you conclude our services. We wish you a safe and pleasant trip back to your destination, and we hope you have enjoyed your stay in Cusco and all the experiences we offered you during your visit to Peru. Until next time!
Included:
- Transfer airport – hotel – airport (in Lima and Cusco).
- 02 hotel nights In Lima.
- 04 hotel nights in Cusco.
- 01 hotel night in Aguas Calientes.
- 01 Buffet lunch on the Sacred Valley Tour.
- 01 Breakfast, 01 Lunch in the Tour of the Colors Mountain.
- 01 Breakfast, 01 Lunch on the Humantay Lagoon Tour.
- Tourist transport on the tours.
- Professional tour guide.
- BTG (General Tourist Ticket) in Cusco.
- Entrance ticket to Qorikancha.
- Entrance ticket to the salt mines.
- Entrance ticket to the Humantay lagoon.
- Entrance ticket to the mountain of colors.
- Entrance ticket to Machupicchu.
- Aguas Calientes bus ticket – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes.
- Tourist train ticket Voyager or Expedition (Ollantaytambo – Machupicchu and vice versa).
- Income for tourist places in Lima.
- Buggie and sandboarding (Ica).
- Slider ride (Boat in Paracas).
- Tax in Paracas.
- Tax in Huacachina.
- First aid kit; Oxygen ball in the Tour of the Color Mountain and the Humantay Lagoon (Group Use).
- Permanent guidance and monitoring to the passenger.
Not included:
- International air tickets.
- Internal air tickets Lima – Cusco – Lima.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Consumption or personal expenses of passengers.
Recommendations
- Travel documents and money.
- Suitable clothing and footwear.
- Personal hygiene items and medicines.
- Sun protection and sun hat.
- Camera.
- Plug adapter (if necessary).
- Rain poncho (depending on the weather).
- Insect repellent (if necessary).
- Travel insurance and copies of itinerary and important contacts.
