Cusco, the Capital of the Inca Empire can be divided into 3 main types of attractions: Cusco City, with its remains, temples, churches, mansions & archaeological sites; Machu Picchu, "The Lost City" and finally, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. From the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco, you can have many other options to discover the world wonder Machu Picchu as many other remarkable & famous sites,
including Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Trujillo, Huaraz, Ica, Huacachina and Nasca Lines. Peru is a treasure trove full of history & culture. Our vacation packages were designed by our travel experts to highlight the best Peru has to offer. All of our packages, tours and services are customizable, so feel free to mix and match them to make your vacation dream come true.
Trip Overview:
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Duration: 15 days.
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Starting point: Lima.
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Ending point: Machu Picchu/Cusco.
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Physical Demand Rating: Easier.
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Age Restrictions: None.
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Trip Code: MTS - 0024.
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Tour Type: Cultural, Adventure, Nature.
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Service Level: Standard - Deluxe.
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Guarantee: Departure is Guaranteed.
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Style: Personalized.
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Carbon Emissions: 380 CO2-E.
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Group Size: 2 minimum, 10 maximum.
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Transport: Train, walk, Mini-van.
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Price from: ? US $
DAY 1: International arrival in Lima
Assistance at your arrival to Lima International Airport and transfer to your hotel. There you will receive a briefing on your tour; you will receive your vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peruvian trip.
Meals included: None.
DAY 2: Paracas (Ballestas islands/Nasca/Huacachina)
We will set off to Paracas very early before sunrise. After a 3-hour trip traveling 240 kms. south of Lima we will arrive in the Paracas Peninsula, where the most important wildlife sanctuary of the Peruvian coast is located. Boat excursion to the Ballestas islands, where we can observe Sea Lions, Boobies, Pelicans, Penguins and other marine birds. On the way back from the boat, we can also see the "Candelabro" (Candelabrum), a giant figure etched in the sand on the side of a hill in the style of the Nasca Lines. In the afternoon we continue by bus to the City of Ica (staying at the Huacachina Lagoon for the overnight). Free time to enjoy the facilities of your hotel in Ica.
DAY 3: City Tour in Ica/Huacachina Dune Buggies Tour/Nasca
In the morning at 9:00am. we will start our city tour. We will start this tour with a visit to a winery. Ica is very famous for its production of high quality piscos and sweet wines. You will see the traditional production process at the winery El Catador. We will then continue to the Huacachina Lagoon which is an oasis surrounded by dunes and palm trees. After an explanation and some walking around the lagoon you will have a dune buggy tour in the Ica desert. During this tour you can practice some sandboard and enjoy the amazing sunset. In the evening continue by bus to the City of Nasca for overnight (2 hours approx.). Free time to enjoy the Nasca nigthlife.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 4: Nasca (Nasca Lines/Arequipa)
Very early in the morning after breakfast we will be taken to Nasca's airstrip in order to get aboard a light aircraft that will fly over the mysterious Nasca Lines. These huge lineal pictures depicting animals, birds and geometrical shapes are drew on the desert floor, which can only be appreciated from the air. In the afternoon you will be taken to the City of Arequipa (10 hours approx.) going through deserts and coastal valleys. Arrival in the White City of Arequipa. This city receives this name due to its white rock buildings, a white volcanic rock called "Sillar" that flows out of the Misti volcano. Upon your arrival in Arequipa, meet and transfer to the selected hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 5: Arequipa (sightseeing tour & Santa Catalina convent)
Breakfast. The tour includes the Main Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Peru and the Cathedral, a prime example of 19th Century Peruvian architecture, housing beautiful treasures in gold & silver. We also visit the La Compañia Church, an ancient Jesuit temple, maybe the most important in Arequipa due to its history & tradition, with a beautiful façade with carved columns, laurel crowns, flowers, birds, etc. A more careful look at the façade, however, reveals the limits of European influence, as the angels have indian faces; and indeed one face is even crowned with feathers. Then, we will visit the "Santa Catalina" convent; a "small town within town" built in the 17th Century and opened to the public in 1970, after 400 years as a Cloister. Perfectly preserved for four centuries, you go back in time as you enter the cloister and see the numerous, spacious patios and gardens, the kitchen & the slave quarters, and the stone washtubs of this convent. About 20 nuns, of what were once 500, still live in a section of the convent. Return to your selected hotel in Arequipa. Lunch on your own. We recommend to take your lunch in the "Sol de Mayo" restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 6: Arequipa (Colca canyon)
Early in the morning, we depart on a wonderful 4-hour bus trip to the Colca canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world (3,180m). On the trip we drive across Pampa Cañahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, inhabited by herds of vicuñas & alpacas (South American cameloids). The highest point of the road is at 4,350 m. We also see beautiful pre-Columbian terraces, still being cultivated by the native Collaguas. On your arrival at the Colca Valley, transfer to your selected lodge. Time for lunch (not included).
In the afternoon, we recommend you to rest and get used to the altitude. If you are in a good shape, you will have free time to stroll around the Lodge's surroundings or you could take a repairing bath at the hot springs nearby the Lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 7: Colca (Condor Cross/Arequipa)
We leave early in the morning to the "Condor's Cross", where the biggest flying bird in the world usually can be seen soaring amongst the peaks. On the way back, we visit the colonial towns & churches of Yanque, Coporaque, Achoma & Maca. Good opportunity to appreciate the life of these people that has changed very little since Inca times. Time for take lunch at a local restaurant (not included). Late afternoon return to your selected hotel in Arequipa. Evening free.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 8: Arequipa (day off)
Breakfast. Day free for your personal activities.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Optional: Tour in the countryside of Arequipa.
DAY 9: Arequipa (Juliaca/Puno & Sillustani en route)
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport of Arequipa to take your flight to Juliaca. At your arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. On the way to the Hotel, we will visit the famous Chullpas of Sillustani, some stone cylinder burial chambers used by the Aymaras to bury their leaders and scattered all around the place. Lake Umayo, located in front of the Chullpas, adds further beauty to the place. Here you also have the opportunity to observe several local typical birds.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 10: Puno (Titicaca Lake, floating islands of the Uros and Taquile)
Breakfast. Early in the morning, we will have an unforgettable motorboat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique "Floating Islands" of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the Lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own "islands" by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed called "totora" (Scirpus totora), vegetable fiber of the Papyrus family. Their homes & boats are also made from this material. We continue our motorboat trip to the Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives, who have developed efficient and unique social systems, as well as fine hand-weaving techniques, passed down through the generations. Upon arrival at the town of Taquile we will have our lunch. Then, we will walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6 km long island. In the afternoon, return to Puno for the overnight at your hotel.
Evening free. We suggest strolling around the Main Square and enjoy the night atmosphere trying a delicious Pisco Sour in some of the many pubs around the Square.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
DAY 11: Puno (Cusco)
Breakfast. Leave in the morning by bus to the city of Cusco. We traveled along the high plateau of the Collao, stopping in the village of Ayaviri, a town dedicated to the textile industry & animal husbandry, to visit the impressive Temple of Kalasasaya, a complex of the ancient Pucara culture. Along the way, we stop in Raqchi, where we can see a spectacular Inca sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec and dedicated to the great Inca God Wiracocha. It has a large central wall with a base of fine stone Inca architecture. The other walls are made of giant adobe bricks. The structure also has two sidebar circulars. Around the temple are several buildings once used as housing or warehouse. Approximately 70 km. later, we went through the ranch stripe where we can see herds of llamas & vicuñas. During the trip, we went through the lovely Wacarpay lake that offers spectacular views of the mountains reflected in its waters. We continue towards the beautiful people of Andahuaylillas, and visit the church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, better known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, due to its polychrome ceiling. Buffet lunch in a restaurant in a rural & quiet zone, where you can enjoy the delicious cuisine of the region. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred at your hotel. Dinner on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
DAY 12: Cusco (sightseeing tour & visit to the nearby complex)
Breakfast. Free morning to rest and to acclimatize. We recommend having your lunch on your hotel. By the afternoon, we will have a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha.
Then, we drive you out of the City to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco and famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 9m/30ft high and weighing over 350 tons. Return to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Optional: Dinner in a typical restaurant with a folklore show where the musicians play their melodies with Andean instruments of beautiful sounds while typically dressed dancers will show you different ancient Peruvian dances.
DAY 13: Cusco (Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes)
Breakfast. The day starts with an early morning rise to transfer to the Cusco Train Station for a 3½-hour train trip to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas" and now one of the seven wonders of the world. Arrive at the Aguas Calientes Station followed by a 30-minute bus drive, climbing 6km of winding road, to the incredible Machu Picchu site. Upon your arrival, we'll participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the 3 Windows and the various burial grounds. After the tour, you will have time to stroll around the archaeological site at your own leisure. Free time for having your lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes. Overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 14: Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes/Cusco)
Breakfast. Excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy with a beautiful sunrise as well as stroll by the town of Aguas Calientes and visit its hot spring thermal waters. Then, you will have time to do some of the following activities (not included in the overall tour price): 1. Visit the Citadel of Machu Picchu for the second time. 2. For the most adventurous people, we suggest to go up the Huayna Picchu (if it is not raining) from where you can appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being high & distant. Arriving at the top takes about 2 hours & a half and it must be before 13:00 hours. It's necessary for you to register in a office at the beginning of this trail. An exciting adventure for the travellers who want to see, all around from the top, the nature and the carved stone emerging from the ground as a geological miracle. In the afternoon, back to Cusco by train, and transfer to your hotel for the overnight. Free evening and dinner on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 15: Cusco/Lima - International Departure
Breakfast at your hotel in Cusco. Transfer to the Airport for your flight to Lima, where you can make your flight connection to return to your country.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Lodging & Prices: Our team of travel consultants has carefully selected the Hotels based on their excellent value and high standards. (Lower Prices + Top Service = Best Value). We can book any hotel for you at competitive rates, but published prices are based on the Qeros Tours Peru Top Hotel Picks.
Occupancy Hotel Category
Double/triple Tourist 2-star, Superior 3-star, Deluxe 4-5 star
Price From: 000 SS$ 000 SS$ 000 SS$
Prices may vary according to the season, availability and client preferences. Certain transport costs may not be included. Please contact one of our experts Travel Consultant for more information.
TOUR INCLUDES:
In Lima: Transfers, lodging and breakfast.
In Ica: Paracas, Ballestas islands/Huacachina Tours.
In Nasca: The Nasca Lines.
In Arequipa: Transfers, city tour, Santa Catalina convent, Colca canyon.
In Puno: Sillustani in route, Uros and Taquile, Tourist Bus to Cusco.
In Cusco: Sightseeing Tour, lodging and breakfast.
In Machu Picchu: Guided visit of the Citadel.
- 14-Night accommodation.
- All breakfasts and meals as described in the program.
- All entrance tickets for the excursions mentioned above.
- All the transfers indicated in the itinerary.
- Train ticket Cusco - Aguas Calientes - Cusco.
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes.
- All applicable taxes.
- All bilingual guided tours (English/Spanish) as described in the itinerary.
NOT INCLUDED:
- International and domestic flights.
- Airport taxes ($ 30.25 for international flights & $ 6.05 for domestic flights).
- Baggage excess (f.i.: Cusco/Puno bus).
- Alcoholic drinks, soda or bottled mineral water.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips.
- International or National personal telephone calls.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Optional post-tour (cost given separately).
Optional Extensions:
- Amazon Tours: Manu Jungle Expedition.
- Extra nights at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
- Cusco/Lima extra hotel nights at the start or end of your trip.