10 DAYS EXPLORING THE INCA EMPIRE
Lima | Paracas | Ica | Huacachina | Cusco

Explore and discover the history of ancient Peru, visit its beautiful Islands, desert, valleys and huge mountains.
Take a journey through the senses tasting the incomparable food of some of the regions with the greatest culinary wealth in Peru.
Hike up Inca trails to Machu Picchu along with a glimpse of 17th-century monuments and traditional Peruvian crafts in this all-encompassing tour that introduces you to the exotic and traditional aspects of Peru in cities like Lima, Ica, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno and Cuzco, shopping in the buzzed and vibrant local markets and stroll through the mesmerizing streets of Peru.

This trip is 100% customizable to fit your travel style and budget! One of our Expert planners will make it perfect for you, at no cost or obligation.

HIGHLIGHTS

Learn about history from ancient pre-Incan times through to the colonial era

Activities and accommodations can be tailored to suit your taste and budget

Cultural Activities and Archaeological Sites

Private guided excursions and transfers to enrich your experience

Breathtaking Natural Scenery

Witness the diversity of wildlife of the islands in Peru

Unique Photo Opportunities

High-End Experiences

Scenic boat, plane and train rides

Folklore and Traditions

Indulge in the delicious taste of the local cuisines

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE Sites

USEFUL DETAILS

Duration: 10 Days |9 Nights
Starting Point: Lima
Final point: Lima
Destination: Lima | Paracas | ica | huacachina | Cusco
Location: City, Urban, Rural Communities, Small Towns, Villages, Mountains
Travel Style: Active Adventure | Connect with Nature | Cultural Immersion and Family Friendly
Difficulty: Easy
Tour Category: Group Tour and Private tour
Group size: Minimum 2 participants
Languages: English | Spanish
Food: typical Peruvian dishes
Veggie, Vegan and Gluten-free options are available
Availability: All year Long | Flexible Departure Date
Physical Activity: Moderate activity | Regular Physical condition
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi: Limited in some areas
Cellphone: Available connection

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 | 10

ARRIVE TO LIMA PERU

Check out at the Lima Peru International Airport and make your way to the selected hotel in Miraflores, Lima.

Transportation: 1 hour from the airport to your hotel
Accommodation: Lima city
Lima height: sea level

Day 2 | 10

LIMA CITY TOUR

This day we present you a lovely city tour, Lima in distinct historical periods. (Ancient Lima - Pre Inca and Inca period - Colonial and Contemporary Lima).
Ancient Lima show us a panoramic view of the "Huaca Pucllana", a magnificent ceremonial and archaeological center built in the IV century AD. Later on considered "Sacred Town" by the Inca civilization.
During the Colony the Viceroyalty of Peru was the most important to the Spanish Empire and Lima was its capital, here we visit the Historic Center of Lima, where you will appreciate several monuments and colonial buildings, highlighting the Paseo de la República, San Martín square, Mayor square, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Cathedral Basilica, the Municipal Palace among others later on we enter to the San Francisco Monumental Complex, a World Heritage Site which constitutes the largest sample of colonial religious art in America.
Our visit to its underground crypts known as "Catacombs" really stands out.
Finally we enter into the Contemporary Lima, where we visit the most traditional residential areas of the capital, such as San Isidro and Miraflores, for sure you will appreciate a lot the Olivar park from the loves park located in Miraflores a very quiet district later at the end of this interesting tour we will get an spectacular panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean At the indicated time we pick you up to head south of Lima, (3½ hour bus ride to Paracas bay) check inn at the hotel and free time to walk in town or just for resting.

Accommodation: Paracas bay
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 3 | 10

PARACAS | BALLESTAS ISLAND | ICA | HUACACHINA

Today we pick you up after breakfast, to have a guided tour to the Ballestas Islands, we go to the harbor to get on the motorboat which fits around 30 people. The tour guide will be with you the whole time explaining everything about all these historic places, this excursion takes around 2-hours.
On the way we see the enigmatic Chandelier or “Candelabro”, a huge geoglyph used as a reference point for sea travelers and sailors.
The Ballestas Islands are small groups or rocky islands in the pacific ocean it is home of abundant marine fauna, everybody gets surprised for the beautiful species such as colonies of sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins living in little caves and many guano birds living free in this beautiful natural habitat.
This trip show us about the importance of these islands for the Peruvian coast and it is definitively the best place to observe beautiful cormorants,  seagulls, dolphins and many other unique species.

Later on, we continue to Huacachina a tiny desert village, with a nice lush oasis surrounded by dunes.
This afternoon we enjoy the beauty of the desert with one of the greatest experiences you will have while traveling through Peru.
Dune Buggy and Sandboard with Sunset lets enjoy an awesome adventure in the Huacachina Oasis.
We meet the group then we take a walk towards the oasis, to reach the dune buggy. Hop onto the dune buggy and get ready to speed across the huge sand dunes. Hold on tight as you race up and down the hills, feeling the wind through your hair and screaming from the top of your lungs.
But wait, the excitement doesn’t stop there! We’ll take a break from the buggy to try something new, many people have tried snowboarding, but have you tried sand boarding? Grab a board and slide down the sandy slopes with your new friends. When the sun begins to set, we will find the perfect spot to watch the sunset, take some time to relax and reflect on this incredible experience.
After an amazing time filled with dune buggy rides, sand boarding, and a stunning sunset, we take our way back to the Oasis to end the tour.

Accommodation: Huacachina
Paracas to Huacachina bus ride: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 4 | 10

TRANSFER TO LIMA AIRPORT | FLY TO CUSCO

After breakfast we transfer you to Lima airport to catch our plane to Cusco, we arrive in the evening, Cusco city is the former capital of the Inca Empire, which reigned from the 13th to 16th centuries. Remember: you will be at a higher altitude than usual so take it easy and remember to rehydrate. Cusco was designed by the Incas as a city for walking, later on go for dinner and start your exploration of the narrow stone alleyways on foot. 

Accommodation: Cusco city
Cusco height: 3400 meters/11,220 feet
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available
(5½ - 6 hour bus ride to Lima airport)

Day 5 | 10

FREE MORNING - CUSCO CITY TOUR

Use this morning for personal activities, resting or walking slowly to acclimate yourselves.
In the afternoon we pick you up to go out and discover the archaeological capital of South America, home to some of the finest examples of Inca history and architecture. We visit not only the top landmarks in Cusco, such as the Main Square, and "Koricancha" (the temple of the Sun) a supreme example of Inca stone work we also take a walk into its lively neighborhoods and local markets where you'll discover the true magic of this city. This is the perfect way to get a more authentic feel of this fantastic place and its people. Head to San Francisco Church, a spot that a few people visit. It has impressive colonial architecture, catacombs, and excellent rooftop with excellent views of the city.

 Accommodation: Cusco city
Cusco height: 3400 meters/11,220 feet
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 6 | 10 

HIKE TO HUMANTAY LAGOON

4:00 am we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and then we start our adventure, the first part consist in a journey that takes 2 hours to get to Mollepata into the impresive valley of Apurimac River where will enjoy a healthy breakfast that will provide us a lot of energy and also we have the chance to buy something if it is necessary before starting the hike to Humantay Lagoon (4200 masl), afther breakfast we will continue by car and on the way to Challacancha we will enjoy all the magestic Humantay Mountain when we get to Soraypampa (2900 masl) we have a short break and time to prepare ourselves then we go to the starting point During the hike we will be able to feel the charm that the nature gives us, this is a wonderful place surrounded by snow-capped mountains, valleys, ravines formed by freshwater rivers and amazing viewpoints that will allow us to take beautiful pictures for the memory.

From Soraypampa to Humantay Lagoon there are 2 km, which can be done in about 2 hours of hiking as always, after a few breaks and a good chance to catch our breath at the top, we soon forget all suffering! finally we will arrive to Humantay Lagoon and at that moment we will be able to admire its great beauty in one side the Nevado Umantay at 4200 m.a.s.l. and in the other side the imposing Nevado Salkantay, We will have enough time to rest, take the best pictures and enjoy this magical place and later at the indicated time we will start to descend to Soraypampa, catch our transport and go down to Mollepata to get a traditional lunch in a local family house definitively It will be a nice experience to eat and talk with the locals, later in the afternoon we return to Cusco city arriving around 7:00pm.

Accommodation: Cusco city
Today Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Vegetarian food: Available
Style: Hike / Adventure
Difficulty: Moderated
Altitude: 4200 meters / 13,779 feet
Temperature: Minimum 2 ° C / 35 ° F
Length: 3 km / 1.8 miles
Walking Time: 3 hours
Rainy Season: November – April

Day 7 | 10  

SACRED VALLEY TOUR

Today we pick-up at 7:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco to go to Chinchero situated on the western side of the Sacred Valley it is a picturesque village with beautiful Inca terraces and the remains of Tupac Inca Yupanqui royal hacienda, this little town also has a colonial temple built on Inca foundations, in this community we will learn and observe the whole process of the wool from the washing and spinning up to become a beautiful textiles.
(We will be witness to a live demonstration of handmade souvenirs and the use of simple instruments and natural dyes).

The next place to visit is called Moray, an Incan agricultural experimental laboratory consisting of several terraces with circular depressions and an interesting irrigation system.
After learning how Quechua people cleverly designed a drainage system at the bottom of the terraces in order to avoid flooding, we drive down to Maras Salt Mines. This amazing site show us the pans fed by saline spring water that was built on steep terraces along one side of a narrow valley. Here we discover the ancient salt extraction technique that is still practice. Salt has been collected from Maras since Pre-Incan times and it is thought that a collective of salt ‘miners’ has maintained the terraces and channels for hundreds of years. Later on we follow the route to Urubamba to reach Ollantaytambo a quaint town of Inca foundation with remarkable water channels, stone streets, colorfully dressed native people and the great Sun temple on the hilltop.

To finish off, this amazing excursion we continue along the Urubamba River, to explore the Pisac archaeological park and learn everything about the powerful Inca Empire. And the end we visit Pisac town´s traditional market for a brief exposure to all local artisans and their colorful merchandise. After our full day Sacred Valley tour service will end at your hotel in Cusco.

Accommodation: Cusco city
Cusco height: 3400 meters/11,220 feet
Today Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 8 | 10

HIKE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

The Rainbow Mountain, also known as VINICUNCA, is a mountain in the Peruvian Andes famous for its impressive natural coloration, it is part of one of the most spectacular hiking routes offered by the Peruvian Andes.
Today we pick you up at 4:30 a.m. from your hotel and then we go to the south of Cusco, we will pass through different towns and also along the road that leads to Puno, immediately we will take the detour that will take us to CUSIPATA camp It will take approximately 3 hours up to the place where we have a delicious breakfast.
After our breakfast we travel again for one more hour, until we reach the starting point of the hike, which takes 1 hour and a half of ascent, during the first  part we  ascend to the slopes of Vinicunca, here there is a check point and access to this mystical place, later the trail will take us through a detour where the panorama will change and we  begin to see the mountains with intense colors and small streams of frozen water that will feed and give life to this valley, on the way we will observe the flora and fauna in its natural habitat, finally we reach 5200 masl. The top of the mysterious Mountain of 7 Colors (Vinicunca).
Our tour guide will give us an explanation about the orography, the ecosystem and the reason for the colors of the mountain and here It will be the point where we  have enough time to take beautiful photos and enjoy the landscape as well as we will enjoy an snack, admiring the view and the magic that encloses the mountains and the snowy peaks, after such an exquisite experience we return towards CUSIPATA town to enjoy the traditional lunch, later on we will be returning to the Cusco city arriving around 5:00 pm 

Accommodation: Cusco city
Today Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 9 | 10

MACHU PICCHU ARCHAEOLOGCAL SITE 

03:50 am We pick you up from your hotel then we go on a journey for about an hour and a half until Ollantaytambo train station, once we get there we board The Expedition Train that normally It departures at 06:10 am arriving at 07:40 am to Aguas Calientes town (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and at the exit of the train station, your tour guide will be waiting for you to go to the bus station and go up to Machu Picchu citadel.

Once we get to Machu Picchu, we will have a guided tour for about 2 hours to know, learn and visit the most outstanding places in this beautiful archaeological site, after you will have the chance to explore more the citadel on your own (until noon). Later on you have to go down by bus to Aguas Calientes where you will have enough time to do some activities, such as visiting the streets and markets of the town, enjoying the thermal baths to relax yourself, or perhaps to visit the Manuel Chávez Ballón Museum, any of these visits you will do it on your own.

Keep in mind to be at the train station at least half an hour before the departure time. Our staff is waiting for you in ollantaytambo station to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.

Accommodation: Cusco city
Cusco height: 3400 meters/11,220 feet
Included Meals: Breakfast
Vegetarian food: Available

Day 10 | 10

FLY FROM CUSCO | LIMA | FLY BACK HOME

Today we transfer you to Cusco Airport to board the morning flight to Lima (according to the flight schedule).
After your arrival at Lima airport, you will be free until you connected to the International flight to Mexico.

INCLUSIONS | EXCLUSIONS | RATES

GROUP SERVICE INCLUDES

9 night’s STANDARD accommodation. Upgrading to SUPERIOR or DELUXE accommodation options are also available upon request.

Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 10 

Excursions to Ballestas Islands - Dune Buggy - Sand board - Half day Cusco city tour - Hike to Humantay Lagoon are organized on a shared basis (private touring available for a supplement)

Entrance fees to all sites are included

Economy class flights from Lima / Cusco / Lima

Breakfast is included every single day
Lunch as it is specified in the tour itinerary (Days 6 - 7 - 8)

Half day Lima city tour, full day Chincheros, Maras Saltpans & Moray Terraces tour and half day Machu Picchu tour on a private basis Services of local English-speaking specialist guides

Train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
Train journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo  

All Bus transportation from and between Lima paracas / Ica / Huacachina / Lima and all relevant transfers.

PRIVATE SERVICE INCLUDES

Lodging
9 nights of SUPERIOR or DELUXE accommodation.

Tour Guides
Bilingual tour guide, English |Spanish
Available only under request, French |German | Italian

Tickets
Entrance fees to all sites are included

Food
Breakfast is included every single day
Lunch as it is specified in the tour itinerary (Days 2 - 6 - 7 - 8)

Activities
Half day Lima city tour, Dune Buggy - Sand board, Half day Cusco city, tour full day Chincheros, Maras Saltpans & Moray Terraces tour, Hike to Humantay Lagoon and half day Machu Picchu tour on a private basis Services of local English-speaking specialist guides

- Excursions to Ballestas Islands - are organized on a shared basis

Transportation
- Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 10 
- All relevant transfers
- Private transportation from and between
  Lima paracas / Ica / Huacachina / Lima
- Vistadome train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Vistadome train journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo  
- Flights from Lima / Cusco / Lima

 WHAT'S EXCLUDED

X International flights
X Additional activities
X Non specified meals
X Travel Insurance
    (including medical evacuation)
X Gratuities
X Laundry, drinks and items of a personal nature