National Program: Lima, Ica, Nazca and Cusco 9D/8N
National Program: Lima, Ica, Nazca and Cusco 9D/8N
Overview
Itinerary
Day 1: City Tour Lima
Upon arrival at Lima Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in the city. At 2:00 p.m., our vehicle will pick you up from your hotel to begin the exciting City Tour of Lima.
During the tour, you will explore Lima through its three historical 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.
Next, we will head to the Historic Center of Lima, where you will discover 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 others.
Continuing the tour, you will visit the Central Reserve Bank Museum, where you can admire Peru’s treasures, including ceramics, gold, and textiles from various pre-Columbian cultures. We will also explore the Monumental San Francisco Church, home to the largest collection of colonial religious art in the Americas, featuring its famous underground crypts, known as the catacombs.
Finally, we will visit the Contemporary Area of Lima, where you will admire the main buildings and residential districts, including Parque El Olivar in San Isidro, Miraflores, Larcomar, and the Parque del Amor.
The tour will conclude around 6:00 p.m., and you will spend the night in Lima, having explored the rich historical and modern heritage of the Peruvian capital.
Day 2: Ballestas Islands - Huacachina
At 4:00 a.m., you will be picked up from your hotel or agreed meeting point to begin our trip to the beautiful Paracas City. We expect to arrive in Paracas around 8:00 a.m.
Once in Paracas, we will head to the dock “El Chaco” to board a skid boat that will take us to the amazing Ballestas Islands. Our first stop will be in front of the enigmatic Chandelier, a colossal trident-shaped geoglyph over 2,500 years old. Together, we will explore the various theories about its origin, which could be related to ancient pirates or even the creators of the famous Nazca Lines.
Continuing our journey, we will approach the Ballestas Islands, three small islands that harbor an impressive marine and ecological wealth. Here, we will observe vast colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and numerous guano birds flying over the area. Although we will not disembark to protect the ecosystem and avoid disturbing the animals, we will get close enough to admire them in their natural habitat during a one-hour boat tour around the three islands.
After returning to the Paracas dock, we will continue to Ica, where we will visit a traditional winery that produces the famous Peruvian brandy, Pisco. A local guide will lead us through the winery, explaining the traditional process of making pisco and wine. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to taste different varieties and purchase them if desired.
Next, we will visit the Huacachina Oasis, located just 5 km from the city center. Here, visitors can enjoy the peaceful surroundings, take photos, or explore local restaurants during free time.
At 4:00 p.m., or the agreed time, an exciting adventure begins with sand buggy rides through the dunes surrounding the Huacachina Lagoon. The towering dunes also allow visitors to practice sandboarding, sliding down the desert sand on a board—one of the most thrilling experiences in the area.
Finally, we will spend the night in Huacachina, completing a day full of adventure, nature, and culture.
Day 3: Nazca
Day in Nazca: Aqueducts, Overflight of the Lines, and Cahuachi
At 7:00 a.m., we will depart for the province of Nazca, where you will enjoy three exciting activities:
1. Tour to the Cantalloc Aqueducts (Duration: 2 hours)
Just 3 km east of Nazca city, you will find the impressive Cantalloc Aqueducts, a marvel of ancient Nazca engineering built around 500 AD. These underground channels were essential to maintain a steady water supply in a region where rivers often run dry. The Nazca people were master hydraulic engineers, using materials that have lasted more than 1,500 years. During this tour, you will learn how they controlled water flow and maintained these canals.
2. Overflight of the Nazca Lines (Duration: 30 minutes)
Next, you will experience the thrill of flying over the famous Nazca Lines, an archaeological mystery that has fascinated humanity for centuries. For approximately 30 minutes, you will admire the enigmatic figures etched into the desert, including stylized animals and plants, as well as a vast network of lines, trapezoids, triangles, and spirals that have endured for nearly 2,000 years.
3. Tour to the Cahuachi Ceremonial Center
Our final stop will be the Cahuachi Ceremonial Center, located 28 km southwest of Nazca. Cahuachi consists of ceremonial plazas, stepped temples, and pyramids used for sacrifices and offerings. Archaeologists believe that the inhabitants of Cahuachi may have created the Nazca Lines due to their proximity. In addition to exploring Cahuachi, you will visit the María Reiche Museum and local workshops to appreciate traditional crafts in ceramics, goldsmithing, and textiles.
After this fascinating day, we will return to Lima, where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Arrival to Cusco / City Tour and surrounding archaeological parks
After arriving in the historic city of Cusco, you will be welcomed at Velasco Astete International Airport and transferred to your hotel. At 1:00 p.m., our exciting City Tour will begin. The tour starts with a visit to the imposing Qoricancha Temple, a sacred site of great importance during the Inca era.
Next, we will travel by vehicle to explore the fascinating archaeological centers of the region. Our first stop is Sacsayhuamán, notable for its strategic location and enormous polished and sculpted stones. From here, you will enjoy an impressive panoramic view of Cusco.
We will continue to the mystical Qenqo Temple, where the Incas conducted religious ceremonies and sacrifices. Afterwards, we will visit the Incas’ control and military center, known as Puka Pukara. Finally, we will explore the enigmatic Tambomachay Temple, famous for its flowing water fountains.
The tour concludes with a return to your hotel around 6:30 p.m., where you will spend the night in Cusco, immersed in the city’s rich history and culture.
Day 5: Super Sacred Valley
Your exciting tour will start early at 6:30 a.m. The first stop is the picturesque town of Chinchero, where you will have the opportunity to visit its beautiful church and explore the fascinating archaeological park. You will also experience a traditional textile production center, where ancestral weaving and wool dyeing techniques are still practiced. Here, you can appreciate the traditional art passed down through generations.
Next, we will head to the remarkable Archaeological Park of Moray, famous for its circular platforms. These concentric terraces showcase the incredible engineering skills of the Incas and have been admired for centuries. Afterward, we will visit the Maras salt mines, featuring around 5,000 small pools still used to extract salt for human consumption—a testament to the Incas’ resourcefulness.
Following these fascinating visits, we will travel to Urubamba, where you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. The next stop is the charming town of Ollantaytambo, known as the “Living Inca City.” Here, you will explore the archaeological park, including the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Ten Niches, the sacred fountains, and the face of the Andean God Tunupa, among other treasures.
We will then proceed to the Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board a train to the charming town of Aguas Calientes. The train ride lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, our staff will welcome you and transfer you to your assigned hotel. That same evening, a local tour guide will visit the hotel to coordinate the details of the exciting tour planned for the following day. You will spend the night in Aguas Calientes, preparing for your adventure in Machu Picchu.
Day 6: Machu Picchu
At the previously arranged time, you will head to the starting point of your Machu Picchu adventure. A scenic 25-minute bus ride will take you to the entrance of the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Here, you will begin your guided visit, which will last approximately 2 hours. Our experienced guide will accompany you, providing detailed explanations about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of this world wonder.
Once the guided tour concludes, you will have the afternoon free to enjoy lunch on your own and explore Machu Picchu at your own pace. To return to Cusco, you must arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes in advance, according to the schedule indicated on your tickets. You will then board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our bus will pick you up and transfer you to Cusco.
You will spend the night in Cusco, carrying with you the unforgettable memories of your visit to Machu Picchu, one of the most impressive wonders of the world.
Day 7: Humantay Lagoon
Our exciting day begins at 4:30 a.m. with hotel pick-up. We will then travel along a paved road to the charming town of Mollepata, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, we continue along a dirt road to the town of Soraypampa.
From Soraypampa, we will start a hike of approximately 1.5 hours to reach the impressive Humantay Lagoon, located at 4,200 meters above sea level. You will have plenty of time to admire the stunning landscape and take memorable photographs. This tour is of medium difficulty and requires a reasonable level of physical fitness.
After visiting Humantay, we will descend back to Soraypampa and board our vehicle to return to Mollepata, where we will enjoy a hearty lunch. Finally, we continue our journey back to Cusco, with an estimated arrival around 5:30 p.m. You will spend the night in Cusco, carrying with you the memories of a day full of natural beauty and adventure.
Day 8: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
Your exciting day will start early, at 4:30 a.m., when we pick you up from your hotel. From there, we will travel along a paved road to the picturesque town of Cusipata. Then, we will continue along a dirt road until we reach Paucarpata, where you will enjoy a hearty breakfast to recharge your energy.
After breakfast, we will continue to Qomer Qocha, where you will have time to prepare and receive important guidance from our tour guide before starting the walk. The hike itself lasts approximately 1 hour, with a moderate level of difficulty, requiring a reasonable level of physical fitness.
The walk culminates at the highest point of Vinicunca, the famous Seven Color Mountain, at an altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level. Once at the summit, you will have time to take memorable photographs and marvel at the breathtaking landscape.
Afterward, we will return to Qomer Qocha, where you will board our vehicle back to the restaurant for a refreshing lunch. Following a short break, we will head back to the city of Cusco, with an estimated arrival around 5:00 p.m. Your adventure will conclude with an overnight stay in Cusco, carrying unforgettable memories of the magnificent Vinicunca mountain.
Day 9: Cusco / Departure
At the previously agreed time, we will provide you with the transfer service from your hotel to the Cusco airport. This is the end of our services. We thank you for choosing us for your travel experience and wish you a safe and pleasant trip back to your home. Feel free to contact us again in the future for any other adventure you want to undertake. See you soon and have a good trip!
Included:
- Transfers Airport – Hotel – Airport (both in Lima and Cusco)
- 02 nights of accommodation in Lima.
- 01 night accommodation in Huacachina.
- 04 nights of accommodation in Cusco.
- 01 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
- 01 Buffet lunch on the Sacred Valley Tour.
- 01 Breakfast, and 01 Lunch on the Color Mountain Tour.
- 01 Breakfast, and 01 Lunch at the Humantay Lagoon Tour.
- Tourist transport on the tours.
- Professional tour guide
- Tourist ticket in Lima.
- BTG (General Tourist Ticket) in Cusco.
- Entrance ticket to Qorikancha.
- Entrance ticket to Machupicchu.
- Aguas Calientes bus ticket – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes.
- Voyager or Expedition tourist train ticket (Ollantaytambo route – Machupicchu and vice versa).
- Tax in Paracas (Islas Ballestas).
- Tax in Huacachina.
- Bus tickets (Ica – Lima).
- Air ticket for overflight in Nazca.
- Buggie and sandboarding (Ica).
- Slider ride (Boat in Paracas).
- First aid kit, oxygen balloon in the Tour of the Mountain of Colors and Laguna Humantay (group use).
- Orientation and permanent monitoring of the passenger.
Not included:
- International air tickets
- Internal air tickets Lima – Cusco – Lima
- Meals not mentioned.
- Tax at the Nazca Aerodrome (30 soles).
- Entrance to the Parque de la Montaña de Colores (25 soles).
- Entrance to the Humantay lagoon (20 soles).
- Entrance to the salt mines Maras (10 soles).
- Consumption or personal expenses of passengers.
Recommendations
- Travel documents and money.
- Suitable clothing and footwear.
- Personal hygiene items and medicines.
- Sun protection and water bottle.
- Camera or phone.
- Plug adapter (if necessary).
- Map, travel guide and book.
- Padlock and resealable bags.
- Umbrella or raincoat (depending on the weather).
- Insect repellent (if necessary).
- Travel insurance and copies of itinerary and important contacts.
