The Wonders of Peru: Lima, Paracas, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu Tour

On this day, you’ll experience a half-day tour of Lima’s historic center: Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, the Santo Domingo Convent, and the Museum of the Central Reserve Bank, which displays various eras of Peruvian art.

The tour continues over at the Larco Herrera Museum and Hacienda, where you’ll get to admire one of the best collections of pre-Columbian art in the country. You’ll also get to walk around the hacienda itself, which was built over a sacred pre-Incan site that is located in the Pueblo Libre District. Afterward, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at the museum’s café.

At the end of the tour you’ll be transferred to your hotel, at which point you are free to spend the rest of your day at leisure. Overnight in Lima.

In the morning, one of our team members will be waiting for you at the hotel’s front desk to assist you with the next part of your adventure. We’ll take a 4-hour transfer to Paracas, which will take us through the desert landscapes of Peru on the way. Once we arrive, we’ll be transferred to the Paracas Luxury Collection Resort Hotel so that you can get settled in.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Paracas National Reserve, making a stop in Lagunillas, a white sand bay, and the “Sea Lion Viewpoint,” where you’ll get to see tropical birds and sea lions.

Following this visit, we’ll take a transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Paracas.

Early in the morning, we’ll take a transfer to the Paracas docks to hop on a motorboat that will take us to Ballestas Islands. On the way there, we’ll get to check out “Candelabro,” a mysterious pre-incan geoglyph that rests along the sandy dunes of Paracas. Once we arrive at Ballestas, we’ll visit “Mirador de los Lobos” (Sea Lion Viewpoint) where we’ll get to spot sea lions, guanay cormorants, Peruvian pelicans and, if we’re lucky, Humboldt penguins.

At the end of this tour, we’ll take a transfer back to your hotel where you’ll get to prepare for the next part of your adventure.

During the latter half of the day, we’ll board a small airplane to fly over the enigmatic and incredible Nazca Lines. This tour will last approximately an hour and a half as we fly over an area of approximately 525 kilometers (326 miles) that consists of some of the most mysterious and largest man-made geoglyphs in the world! These geoglyphs, whose origin is still unknown, include figures that represent condors, monkeys, and spiders, all of which you’ll be able to check out from the comfort of the airplane window!

After this, we’ll take a transfer back to Hotel Paracas Luxury Collection Hotel Resort. Overnight in Paracas.

In the morning, you’ll be free to spend your time as you wish and enjoy the hotel facilities.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a transfer back to the city of Lima. Once in Lima, we’ll drop you off at the JW Marriot Hotel. Overnight in Lima.

Our representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and it’s off to the airport to catch your flight to Cuzco. Once you arrive in Cuzco, you’ll begin your tour of the Sacred Valley.

Today we visit the Andean textile center Awanacancha, which means, “the palace of weaving.” Here, you’ll learn about the dyeing techniques that have been used for hundreds of years. After that, we’ll explore the Sacred Valley’s Pisac Market, where regional artisans gather to exchange, buy, and sell products. You’ll have plenty of time to explore and barter for all the typical handicrafts from this area.

Afterward, we’ll visit the Inkariy Museum, where you’ll learn about the most important pre-hispanic cultures of Peru.

Box lunch is included on this day.

At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.

This day begins with a tour of Chinchero Village. Here, you’ll get to amaze yourself with the picturesque views that surround this authentic slice of the Andes Mountains. On weekends, the main plaza of the town becomes a hub for artisans to gather and sell their wares.

Afterward, you’ll visit the home of artist and master weaver Nilda Callanaupa, where Peruvian textiles – recently believed to be a generation away from extinction – are making a surprising comeback. Here, you’ll enjoy a highly educational weaving demonstration that will include wool spinning techniques, natural dyes, and traditional patterns.

Following that, we’ll head to the Maras Salt Pans. This impressive site offers visitors breathtaking views that consist of countless terraces where salt (which is extracted from nearby springs) is produced. It takes about a month for the terraces to produce thick, crystalized salt that varies in color.

Lunch will be had at Wayra Ranch, which will include a Peruvian Paso Horse Demonstration. The elegance and discipline of the trained Peruvian Paso Horse is a shining example of a centuries-old tradition that still lives on to this day. Their majestic gait and graceful motions are sure to delight!

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel. Overnight in Sacred Valley.

On this morning, you’ll be transferred to the train station to hop aboard an amazing train ride to Machu Picchu.

Once the train arrives in Aguas Calientes, a 20-minute bus ride to the Lost City of the Incas is followed by a guided tour of the Citadel’s Main Plaza, Circular Tower, Sacred Sun Dial, Royal Quarters, and Temple of the Three Windows.

A buffet lunch will be had at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge’s Tinkuy Restaurant, which is located right at the entrance of Machu Picchu.

In the afternoon, a shuttle bus will take us back to Aguas Calientes where you’ll be transferred to Sumaq Hotel Machu Picchu. Dinner will be had here. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

On this morning, you’ll be free to explore the town of Aguas Calientes on your own.

In the afternoon, you’ll board the return train. Upon arriving at the train station, you’ll be greeted by a member of our team who will assist you with your transfer to the Palacio del Inka Hotel in Cuzco.

Overnight in Cuzco.

Today, enjoy a guided tour of Cuzco, the Imperial City, and admire the finest examples of Inca history and architecture. Walking along the city’s stone streets is perhaps the best way to discover why this place is regarded as the archaeological capital of South America.

Afterward, we’ll head up to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a ceremonial compound and magnificent example of Inca military power, complete with panoramic views of the city.

At the end of the tour you will be transferred back to the Palacio del Inka Hotel, at which point you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Cuzco.

At the designated time, our representative will meet you at the hotel lobby and assist you with checking out before taking you to the Cuzco Airport for you to catch your flight to Lima.

Once in Lima, another member of our team will assist you with catching your flight back home.

Safe travels!