Peru Magic

Full Itinerary

DAY 1: PERU - LIMA

WELCOME TO PERU! ASSISTANCE AT YOUR ARRIVAL AND ENJOY THE TRADITIONAL LIMA CITY TOUR.

Our representative will be waiting for you at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima to welcome you and escort you to your previously selected hotel. Depending on the time of your arrival, you should have a couple of hours to get settled in your hotel before your first tour starts.

Our city tour of sophisticated and traditional Lima starts from between 14:15hrs and 14:30hrs when we pick you up from your hotel.

We begin by visiting Huaca Pucllana which was a ceremonial and administrative pre-Incan building.

Afterwards we will go downtown where we will see the Cathedral of Lima and the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, the catacombs of the Monastery of San Francisco, the National Congress, and the Palace of Torre Tagle.

We will then visit the modern districts of Lima, the neighborhoods of San Isidro and which enjoy nice views of the Pacific Ocean.

When we have finished our half day tour, you will be dropped at Kennedy Park in Miraflores. Here, you can enjoy a nice dinner in one of the many nearby restaurants and experience some of the city’s night life. Alternatively, we can arrange to drop you to your hotel.

Overnight in Lima.
Meals included: none.

DAY 2: LIMA - PARACAS

BUS JOURNEY TO PARACAS AND FLIGHT OVER THE NAZCA LINES.

In the morning, our staff will pick you up and escort you to the bus station from where you will take a bus to Paracas.

Once you arrive in Paracas, Machu Travel Peru staff will pick you up transport you to your plane that will fly over the Nazca Lines.

The Nazca Lines are huge, ancient drawings that can only be seen from the sky and which represent shapes of insects and animals. They include; a monkey, a hummingbird, a condor, and a spider. Their origin is unknown, but many theories propose that they were part of a giant astronomical calendar.

You will have the afternoon free to explore the city on your own or to do different activities like riding a dune buggy over the huge sand dunes or watching an amazing sunset.

Overnight in Paracas.
Meals included: Breakfast.

DAY 3: PARACAS – LIMA

BALLESTAS ISLAND TOUR IN THE MORNING, AND BUS JOURNEY BACK TO LIMA.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up and taken to the port where we will catch a boat to the Ballestas Islands. On our way to the islands, we will be able to appreciate the Candelabro (Candleholder), a giant figure drawn in the sand in the same style as the Nazca Lines.

On the islands, we will observe lots of playful sea lions, pelicans, penguins, and other sea birds that live on the Peruvian coast.

In the afternoon, private transportation will take you to the bus station where you will board a bus to Lima.

Upon your arrival, Machu Travel Peru staff will be waiting in the bus terminal to assist you and to transfer you to your hotel nearby the airport for you to take your domestic flight towards Arequipa the next morning.

Overnight in Lima Airport.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

DAY 4: LIMA - AREQUIPA

FLIGHT TO AREQUIPA AND EXPLORE “THE WHITE CITY”, IN THE AFTERNOON ENJOY A TRADITIONAL CITY TOUR.

Today you will be able to reach the counter on your own, as your hotel will be in the airport or near. (If you need someone to assist you, please let us know).

You will board your flight towards Arequipa. Once you arrive, we will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. Please be aware that “The White City”, has an elevation of around 2,328m or 7,638ft above sea level. In order to be acclimatized to the altitude and enjoy your trip to the fullest, please follow these recommendations:

Get plenty of rest, drink Coca tea, minimize physical activities, eat lightly and drink lots of water to avoid altitude sickness.

You will have a free morning to explore at your leisure. In the afternoon, our city tour of Arequipa will start between 14:00hrs and 14:30hrs.

We will start with a visit to the Main Square, the Cathedral of Arequipa, the Cloisters, La Compañia de Jesus, the colonial district of Yanahuara, the San Lazaro neighborhood, and the residential area of Selva Alegre. We will also visit the Santa Catalina Monastery which has been closed for almost 400 years but where we can still admire its passages, plazas and gardens of great beauty.

Our tour will finish at the main square. At this time, you might like to enjoy a nice dinner in one of the many nearby restaurants. Alternatively, we can arrange to drop you to your hotel. Just tell your guide what you would like to do.

Overnight in Arequipa.
Meals included: Breakfast.

DAY 5: AREQUIPA – COLCA CANYON

STUNNING BUS TRIP TO COLCA CANYON, VISITING SOME NATURAL RESERVES AND ENJOYING BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES.

In the morning, our staff will pick you up to start our journey to the Colca Valley. On the way, we will be able to admire the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes.

Then, we will stop in the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve where we will see vicuñas, huanacos and other wild Andean species of animals. You are going to be able to appreciate these beautiful animals running free in their natural environment. You will also see many quaint little villages around us.

Afterwards, we will have a lunch break before we arrive to the hotel.

Once we arrive to the hotel, you will have the rest of the afternoon for leisure, to rest and to enjoy the hotel. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the local hot springs, La Calera.

Overnight in the Colca Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

DAY 6: COLCA CANYON - PUNO

BUS TRIP TO ONE OF THE DEEPEST CANYONS OF THE WORLD AND YOU WILL SEE THE CONDORS’ FLIGHT.

Today, you will have to wake up at 06:00hrs to have breakfast in the hotel before continuing our excursion to the Condor Cross Viewpoint. Here, we will be able to admire the flight of condors, huge and wonderful Andean birds that are a symbol of the Andes Mountain Range.

From this viewpoint, we will also be able to appreciate the depth of the Colca Canyon. Approximately 4,160m or 13,650ft deep, it is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the USA.

After leaving the viewpoint, we will visit the towns of Maca and Yanque where we will find many examples of typical colonial architecture.

After lunch, you will be taken to the bus station where you will catch a bus to Puno.

This trip takes around 5 hours and, once you arrive in Puno, Machu Travel Peru staff will be waiting to drive you to your previously selected hotel.

Overnight in Puno.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

DAY 7: PUNO - LAKE TITICACA

TRADITIONAL LAKE TITICACA TOUR AND THE PICTURESQUE ISLANDS.

Welcome to Lake Titicaca! To get the most from this day, we recommend you start with a delicious, early breakfast because our staff will pick you up at around 06:40hrs to begin our tour of the lake.

First, we will visit Los Uros which are floating islands inhabited by very friendly local people. These islands are handmade by their inhabitants, using only totora reeds. Long ago, these people established their own settlement upon the enormous lake.
Then, we will visit Taquile Island, a spiritual home of the Incas. Here, we will enjoy a delightful and traditional lunch that will be prepared by a chef while you relax in this beautiful place.

You will also have an opportunity to explore the island and see the best views of the entire lake.

Our staff will bring you back to your hotel in Puno later in the afternoon.

Overnight in Puno.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

DAY 8: PUNO - CUSCO

AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY GOING THROUGH THE PERUVIAN ANDES TO CUSCO

On the eight day, your trip to the city of Cusco will start between 06:45hrs and 07:00hrs. Machu Travel Peru staff will be at the hotel to drive you to the bus station from where we will depart.
Along this spectacular trip, the bus will stop at certain points so we can admire the natural and historic attractions that this route has to offer.

First, we will visit the Pucará Museum and have a chance to purchase a Torito de Pucará, a traditional, ceramic bull.

Afterwards, we will enjoy lunch in a pleasant restaurant while admiring the amazing scenery of La Raya, the highest point on the border between Puno and Cusco.

Then, our bus will stop in Raqchi or the Temple of Wiraqocha (Incan deity), one of the most wonderful Incan structures in Peru.
Finally, we will stop in the town of Andahuaylillas and get to see its beautiful chapel and the incredible display of colonial paintings inside.

From there, we will travel directly to Cusco where Machu Travel Peru staff will be waiting at the bus terminal to assist you and to drive you to your selected hotel in the city of Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

DAY 9: CUSCO

ENJOY THE TRADITIONAL CUSCO CITY TOUR AND EXPLORE THE MOST IMPRESSIVE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES.

You will have the morning to spend at your leisure. You may want to take some time to get acclimatized to the altitude or you can explore some of Cusco’s attractions such as the traditional San Pedro Market, the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas or one of the city’s many museums.

Just after lunch, our city tour of Cusco will begin, between 13:00hrs and 13:20hrs.

First, we will visit the Cathedral of Cusco, located on the Plaza de Armas. Then our tour will continue to Qorikancha (The Temple of the Sun) as well as to several of the city’s impressive archeological ruins such as Sacsaywaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay.
Our tour will finish at the main square.

At this time, you might like to enjoy a tasty dinner in one of the many nearby restaurants. Alternatively, we can arrange to drop you at your hotel. Just tell your guide what you are in the mood to do.

Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast.

DAY 10: SACRED VALLEY- MACHU PICCHU

TRADITIONAL SACRED VALLEY TOUR AND A STROLL THROUGH THE TYPICAL PISAQ MARKET.

You will begin the day by having a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Between 08:00hrs and 08:20hrs our staff will pick you up to start a day tour of the Sacred Valley.

Our first stop will be Pisaq, a town which boasts a great Incan archaeological site, including ornate palaces and temples, and magnificent agricultural terraces on the mountains.

We will also get to visit Pisaq traditional market which is famous for its beautiful handicrafts that delight thousands of visitors every year.

Then, we will make our way to Urubamba. This place is often shrouded in clouds of mist and was one of the major agricultural centers of the Incan Empire and is one of the most beautiful towns of the Sacred Valley.

A tasty buffet lunch will be waiting for us in Urubamba.

We will then continue our journey through the peaceful Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, a town comprised of sturdy Incan walls and a stunning sight in the narrow valley.

Finally, we will take you to the train station where you will board a train to Aguas Calientes (the nearest town to Machu Picchu). Once in Aguas Calientes, our staff will be there to escort you to your hotel.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

DAY 11: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

PRIVATE TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU AND TRAIN BACK TO CUSCO.

Today is the day! In the early hours of the morning, we will start our tour to the sacred Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.

Our private tour of one of the Seven Wonders of the World will last for 2 hours. We will explore the mysteries and magic of the sacred Incan citadel of Machu Picchu by visiting the many different zones of the city and its main attraction like the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of Three Windows and various cemeteries.
Wayna Picchu Mountain, overlooking the city, can also be climbed if you have purchased an entrance ticket in advance (If you want to climb this mountain, let us know in advance as there are just 400 spots per day. Wayna Picchu entrance not included).

We will have lunch at the restaurant located at the entrance to Machu Picchu or in any of the other restaurants in Aguas Calientes where we will return to after our tour of Machu Picchu.

Later, you will go to the train station from where you will start your return to Cusco by train.

Upon arrival to the relevant train station, a member of our staff will escort you to your hotel in the city of Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

DAY 12: CUSCO - LIMA

FAREWELL AND DEPARTURE FLIGHT FROM CUSCO BACK TO LIMA

Today you will finish our Peru Vacation program. Our staff will pick you up from your hotel and lead you to Cusco International Airport where you will catch your flight back to Lima.

Once you arrive to the airport, our program will conclude.

Meals included: Breakfast.

This program will allow you to visit: Lima, Paracas, the Ballestas Islands, the Nazca Lines, Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Additionally, you can add more exciting day tours in Cusco or another destination in Peru. Please see our package list for more options.