Discovering Cusco and Nazca Lines

( 8 Days / 7 Nights )
Duration : 8 Days - 7 Nights
Location :

Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Ballestas Islands, Nazca Lines
Physical difficulty : Low
Number of people: NO MINIMUMS OR MAXIMUMS
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This is our mainstay program with an additional excursion to Paracas and the enigmatic Nazca Lines. You will get a taste of Lima and then continue to the Ballestas Islands, surrounded by some of the richest ocean waters on Earth. Many species find refuge here, such as seals and sea lions, Humboldt penguins, sea otters or “chingungo”, dolphins and porpoises, and over two hundreds species of seabirds, both resident and migratory. After Paracas you will continue to Nazca, located in a fertile valley surrounded by some of the most inhospitable desert on earth where you will have the chance to see the Nazca lines. Etched over some 1,000 square kilometers on the San Jose pampas, or plains, and on some hillsides in the Grande River valley. These lines are some of the greatest archeological enigmas in the world; among them we have the bird, the spider and the monkey. After this wonderful excursion, you will head to Cusco where you will live the Inca experience, exploring the impressive sites of Sacsayhuaman and other surrounding sites around the city of Cusco, Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, before reaching Machu Picchu citadel.

Day 1: Arrival to Lima + Overnight in Lima
Day 2: Lima City Tour + Free afternoon + Overnight in Lima
Day 3: Bus to Paracas + Ballestas Island Tour + Bus to Nazca + Overnight in Nazca
Day 4: Over Flight Nazca Lines + Bus Back to Lima + Overnight in Lima
Day 5: Flight to Cusco + Afternoon City Tour + Overnight in Cusco
Day 6: Sacred Valley Tour + Overnight in Cusco
Day 7: Machu Picchu Tour + Overnight in Cusco
Day 8: Flight Back to Lima + Flight Back Home

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY Discovering Cusco and Nazca Lines

  • Day 1: Arrival to Lima & Overnight in Lima

    Upon your arrival to Lima you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you will spend a well-deserved overnight stay. 

  • Day 2: Lima City Tour, Free afternoon & Overnight in Lima (B, L)

    After breakfast you will be picked-up from your Hotel and you will start a tour of the Peruvian capital. During the City Tour, we will visit Lima’s main square, get a snapshot of the most important sites, and visit a world-class museum to learn about pre-Inca cultures. Sites to be visited are: the Main Square, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the San Francisco Monastery (including catacombs), old streets with colonial houses, and a great driving tour through the beautiful San Isidro and Miraflores districts. You will have a delicious traditional Peruvian lunch at one of the best restaurants in Lima. After lunch, you will visit the Museum of Anthropology, or Museum Larco, where youwill learn about the Peruvian culture from the Pre-Inca societies up to colonial Peru era. *While in Lima we highly recommend adding culinary activities such as cooking classes and tasting dinners in the best restaurants in Latin America, for more information check out our website: taste-of-peru.com and ask our travel specialists for our culinary activities.

  • Day 3: Bus to Paracas, Ballestas Island Tour, Bus to Nazca & Overnight in Nazca (B, S)

    You will need to be up early as you will be picked up at your hotel in Lima for your tour of the Ballestas Islands. The tour begins by taking a special bus from Lima bus station that will take you to Paracas Port. Once you arrive there, you will begin your guided tour of the Ballestas Islands. The motor boat excursion to Ballestas Islands, in Paracas National Reserve, will take you to observe sea lions, boobies, pelicans, penguins and other marine birds, among the many other species which converge there looking for shelter. On the boat trip you can see the famous “Candelabro”, an enigmatic form that many people believe is related to the enigmatic Nazca lines. You will then head to Nazca by bus; the journey will last around 3 hours. Once you arrive you will be met at the bus station by one of our representatives and taken to your hotel, where you can rest and get ready for your next day’s activities. * Extra activities can be added upon request in Paracas, Nazca or Ica. Please let our travel specialists know.

  • Day 4: Over flight Nazca lines Overflight, Bus Back to Lima & Overnight in Lima (B, S)

    After breakfast at your hotel in Nazca you will be picked up and taken to the Nazca airdome where you will then board your aircraft and have a chance to fly over the mystical and enigmatic Nazca Lines. Duration of the flight is of approximately 30 minutes. At the conclusion of your flight, you will once again be taken back to your hotel in Nazca to prepare for your bus back to the city of Lima. The bus ride will last approximately 7 hours. At your arrival in Lima, one of our representative will pick you up and take you to the Hotel to rest. * Extra activities can be added upon request in Paracas, Nazca or Ica. Please let our travel specialists know.

  • Day 5: Flight to Cusco, Afternoon City Tour & Overnight in Cusco (B)

    You will be transferred to the airport for the short domestic flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas located at 11,100 feet above sea level. You will be met upon arrival by one of our representatives. You will have the remainder of the morning to rest and freshen up. It’s best to take it easy this morning to let your body adjust to the altitude. Both lunch and dinner are on your own. After lunch you will set out on grand tour of Cusco, the former capital of the once vast Incan Empire. We visit Cusco’s impressive Plaza de Armas and both the Spanish cathedral and Incan temple of the sun, Qoricancha. After the first part of the tour we visit the archeological site above the city that were considered an essential part of the ancient capital. We start from Sacsayhuaman, where Inti Raymi the Festival of the Sun, is held during the Summer Solstice, Tambomachay, the Temple of the Sacred Waters, which is a marvel of hydraulic engineering and Q´enqo where we will see the remains of a ceremonial site used for fertility rites and for celebrations of the solstice and equinox. * An extra day in Cusco can be added upon request as well as any additional activities and meals. ** Depending on which domestic flight you choose you will have more or less time to rest. 

  • Day 6: Sacred Valley of the Incas & Overnight in Cusco (B, L)

    After breakfast we set out into the Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will start our visit at Pisac Ruins,one of the most beautiful archeological site that combines a beautiful architectural structure with a stunning landscape. Pisac site is located on the highest hill of the city, on a dry and rocky surface. Then we will have some time to have lunch and recover energies to continue with the tour. Finally, we head deeper into the Sacred Valley and visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the Ollanta train station to catch the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. According to Peru rail regulations you can only bring a 5 kilos-backpack on the train, so the rest of your luggage will be taken to your Hotel in Cusco. A hotel staff member will be waiting for you at the train station. *An extra overnight at the Sacred Valley can be added upon request, as well as additional activities and meals.

    NOTE: Some people prefer to go directly to the Sacred Valley upon arrival to Cusco Airport. Please let us know if you prefer that to send you an updated itinerary.

  • Day 7: Machu Picchu, Overnight in Cusco (B, S)

    After breakfast we catch the early train to the town of Aguas Calientes and we will then continue by bus to the Machu Picchu citadel. This day you will enjoy a full tour of the lost city and have lunch on your own after the tour. In the afternoon we say farewell to Machu Picchu as we take the train to set out by Poroy station, where transportation will be waiting for you to bring you to Cusco. You will arrive at night at your Cusco hotel. * An overnight in Machu Picchu can be added upon request, as well as bus and entrance tickets for a second day at the citadel. Please let us know if you would like to add other activities and meals.

  • Day 8: Return to Lima, / Flight Backs Home (B)

    Your journey to Peru comes to an end as you will be transferred to the Cusco airport to catch your flight back to Lima. Flight time will depend on the time of your international flight back home. * Please let us know if you would like to add extra activities or a day-use in a hotel if your flight is late at night.

From US$ 1439.90 per person

based on double occupancy, Group tours with Private Transfers, Vistadome train, 3-Star Superior Hotel and Budget Lodge.
*Private tours, other accommodation and train options available upon request.

IMPORTANT:

As price depends on each passenger choices, please contact us to send you an updated price based on your specific request. Please send us the following information and we will respond within 24 hours with your updated price.

  • Number of people in your party
  • Level of accommodation (3 Superior,4,5*). Please see options
  • Private or Group Tour
  • Train choice. Please see options
  • Adding options: if you like to add day tours, extra days, meals, etc
  • Need domestic or international flights?
  • Have a special request (ie: special diet, wheelchair, children, senior, etc)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

About Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets 

As the popularity of Machu Picchu has increased in the last few years, and in order to preserve the ancient paths of Machu Picchu, the Peruvian Cultural Institute (INC) has restricted the number of people that could enter Machu Picchu to 2,500 people per day. This means that, once the 2,500 tickets are sold out, no further entrance tickets will be available. Also, please note that to avoid a secondary market for these tickets, all tickets are issued with the name of the passenger, his/her passport number, nationality and date of birth. Therefore, tickets are non refundable and non transferable.

About Huayna Picchu Tickets

Entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu are no longer free. They are now US$ 12.00 per person. There are two scheduled visits per day, with a limit of 200 people per visit (total of 400 per day). If you are interested in hiking Huaynapichu, we will need you to let us know at the same time you book your trip since Huaynapichu tickets need to be purchased in conjunction with Machu Picchu tickets.

 


WHAT’S INCLUDED?
  • Round-trip Vistadome train. Other train options available upon request: Expedition or Hiram Bingham upon request
  • Bus to Machu Picchu roundtrip.
  • Bus ticket from Lima/Paracas, Paracas/Nazca, Nazca/Lima.
  • Expert leadership: guides & support personnel for all listed tours
  • Accommodations: 3 nights in Lima, 1 night in Nazca, 3 nights in Cusco
  • Meals as noted (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, S = Snack). We can add any meals upon request
  • Land excursions as noted including entrance fees (Lima Cathedral, San Francisco Catacombs, Ballestas Island boarding fee and tax to SERNANP, BTG, Cusco Cathedral Qoricancha, and Machu Picchu)
  • Private transportation: Lima Airport/Lima Hotel, Lima Hotel/Lima Bus Station, Paracas Bus Station/Paracas Port, Paracas Port/Paracas Bus Station, Nazca Bus Station/Nazca Hotel, Nazca Hotel/Nazca Airdrome, Nazca Airdrome/Nazca Hotel, Nazca Hotel/Nazca Bus Station, Lima Bus Station/Lima Hotel, Lima Hotel/Lima Airport, Cusco Airport/Cusco Hotel, Cusco Hotel/Train Station, Train Station/Cusco Hotel, Cusco Hotel/Cusco Airport.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
  • Airport taxes: Local (US$5.00-6.00) and International (US$31.00) departure tax of payable in local currency by each passenger at Lima International Airport upon departure (if applicable)
  • International and domestic airfares, usually quoted separately
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Medical immunizations
  • Insurance of any kind: mandatory evacuation insurance; suggested cancellation insurance, interruption, baggage loss, damage and delay
  • Tipping & Gratuities (Guides US$4.00 per person per day/Drivers US$1.00 per person per day)
  • Items of a personal nature (clothing, sodas, liquor, snacks, laundry, etc.)
  • Visas. Please be advised that some citizens other than Canadians and US may need visa to travel to Peru. Please advise us of your nationality to help you or check with the Peruvian Consulate

TYPE OF TOURS

All of our tours are offered in both Group and Private services; however, as we like to maintain control of the quality of our tours, even our group tours include PRIVATE transfers.  This is important, as when you get picked up; you will go directly to your hotel without having to drive around the city to drop off other people in their hotels.  Transportation is just for you. 

MIXED GROUP/PRIVATE
Destinations Tours: Private Transfers + Group Cultural Tours 
Special Interest Tours: Private Transfers + Private Special Interest Activities + Group Cultural Tours

All PRIVATE
Destinations Tours: Private Transfers + Private Cultural Tours 
Special Interest Tours: Private Transfers + Private Special interest Activities + Private Cultural Tours  



ACCOMMODATIONS

We offer all level of accommodations.  When creating an itinerary it would be important to know which your preferred level of accommodation is.  Please be sure that at all levels our recommended hotels offer great service and nice comfortable rooms. Our team has personally tried all our recommended hotels. 

MODERATE 
3-star Superior: These are 3-star that should really be considered has 4-star Hotels. Nice location, great rooms and charming decoration. Excellent service, with restaurant, room service, business centre, laundry, etc. Buffet breakfast. Best value. Perect for someone looking for an inexpensive option and still have some superior services. 
4-star Hotels: Good location, very nice rooms, great decoration and excellent service. This hotel includes more services such as room service, business center, laundry, spas, more room features, etc. Some have gourmet restaurants. Buffet breakfast. Perfect for someone looking for some luxury and special services and do not need a 5-star option.

LUXURY 
4-star Suites: Some 4-star hotels have suites that offer the same room features of a 5-star option. Perfect for someone looking to upgrade from a 4-star standard room and get more space and features. 
5-star Hotel: What you usually imagine a 5-star hotel is. Great location, luxury accommodations and excellent service. Gourmet restaurants, spas, room service, business center, etc. Perfect for someone looking for a 5-star service but do not need the 5-star Deluxe option. 
5-star Deluxe: These 5-star deluxe hotels offer ultimate luxury with outstanding service, luxurious rooms with deluxe room features and “you ask-you will get” concierge service. Properties have privileged locations or particular history behind it. Gourmet restaurants and spas. Ideal for the luxurious traveler.



TRAINS

Expedition: The least expensive tourist train, recently renovated offers nice seats and good train service. 
Vistadome: A higher category of train service, with panoramic roof windows. It offers a snack and fashion show. 
Hiram Bingham: Luxury train which offers lunch, tea-time and dinner service. 
Andean Explorer: Train service from Cusco to Puno or Puno to Cusco. Departs only on certain days of the week, depending on the season. 



FLIGHTS

LOCAL AIRLINES

Peruvian Airlines: Peruvian owned airline that offer the least expensive prices but has few frequencies. Both Peruvian and Foreigners pay the same. 
Star Peru: Peruvian owned airline. It flyes to many destinations and offers good value prices, but has few frequencies. Both Peruvian and Foreigners pay the same.

INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES 

Taca Airlines: Central American owned airline that offers great service but few frequencies to Cusco. It is moderately expensive. It offers sale prices for Peruvian Residents ONLY that cannot be purchased by tourists. 
Latam Peru: Chilean owned airline.  It offers great service and many frequencies to Cusco (almost 13 flights per day).  Prices are the highest on the market. It offers sale prices for Peruvian Residents ONLY that cannot be purchased by tourists.

DOMESTIC TICKETS 

Lima/Cusco/Lima: From US$350.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depends on the airline, date and time of booking. 

DOMESTIC TICKETS (FOR GALAPAGOS TOURS)

Lima/Cusco/Lima: From US$350.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depend on the airline, date and time of booking. 
Quito/Galapagos/Quito: From US$421.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depend on the airline, date and time of booking.



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