Machu Picchu from Lima an astonishing trip 15 Days

Arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru. A representative will greet you at Jorge Chavez Airport and take you to your chosen hotel. Spend the night in Lima.

Meals: No meals.

In Lima: Your hotel will arrange a pickup for a guided tour of Lima’s highlights, which include key tourist spots like the historical center, San Martin Republican Square, and the iconic Plaza de Armas, the most treasured site in Lima’s historical area. You will also visit the Convent of San Francisco, known for its Catacombs. The tour will continue to the modern district of Miraflores, featuring the famous Love Park, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. This guided tour lasts around 4 hours.

After the tour, you will be taken to the bus terminal for a double-decker bus ride to Paracas Bay.

In Paracas: Upon your arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your selected hotel. Spend the night in Paracas.

Meals: Breakfast.

In Paracas: Enjoy a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, often referred to as the Peruvian Galápagos. These rocky islands, only reachable by boat, are off-limits to visitors to safeguard their wildlife. They are renowned for the diverse animal species that inhabit them, including various birds (such as goslings, partridges, and cormorants), Humboldt penguins, dolphins, and sea lions that populate their shores. This excursion lasts about 90 minutes and is much more affordable than visiting the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.

Next, explore the sand dunes of Ica and the Huacachina oasis: Begin your guided tour at a traditional winery that produces Pisco, where you will learn about the Pisco-making process from a local worker. After touring the winery, you can sample various types of Pisco and wines produced there. Then, visit the Regional Museum of Ica, a key museum on Peru’s southern coast, showcasing fascinating artifacts from different cultures that once thrived in the Ica region. Finally, head to Huacachina, a beautiful oasis just 5 km from Ica’s center, where you can soak in the tranquility and capture stunning images. The towering sand dunes surrounding the lagoon offer opportunities for thrilling sandboarding.

Consider taking a dune buggy tour to enhance your adventure by surfing the sand—an ideal activity for thrill-seekers!

When it’s time, transfer to the terminal for a 2-hour bus ride to Nazca. Upon arriving in Nazca, you will be picked up at the bus terminal and taken to your selected hotel. Spend the night in Nazca.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

The Nazca Lines are vast geoglyphs etched into the ground across the arid plateau of the Nazca desert, spanning around eighty kilometers between the cities of Nazca and Palpa in southern Peru. More than 300 distinct designs can be found here, featuring stylized representations of local animals such as whales, parrots, a 180-meter-long lizard, hummingbirds, condors, and a gigantic 45-meter-long spider. Overall, the geoglyphs comprise over 10,000 lines, some stretching over 9 kilometers, making them clearly visible from the air or nearby hills. The drawings, including the tree, the wings, the alligator astronaut, and the condor, showcase remarkable precision and proportionality, reflecting the ancient inhabitants’ advanced knowledge of geometry.

Afterward, you will transfer to the bus terminal for a double-decker bus ride to Arequipa. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and taken to your chosen hotel. Spend the night in Arequipa.

Meals: Breakfast.

Exploring Arequipa: This city has been part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 2000. Its charm lies in the blend of Spanish and indigenous cultures, evident in its distinctive architecture. Known as the “white city” for its light-colored houses, Arequipa is home to the famous Santa Catalina Monastery and the impressive Plaza de Armas, featuring a magnificent cathedral. During this guided tour, you will visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, an expansive religious site surrounded by striking walls, making it one of Peru’s most captivating religious buildings. The main square has maintained its historic charm, resembling an outdoor museum showcasing unique sillar architecture.

Trip to Chivay (Colca Canyon): This journey offers an opportunity to witness one of Peru’s breathtaking attractions: the Colca Valley and Colca Canyon. Your first stop will be at the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve to see wildlife, including vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas. Next, visit the Mirador de los Volcanes to admire several volcanoes exceeding 5,000 meters, such as Misti, Chachani, Pichupichu, Hualcahualca, Sabancaya, Chucura, and the Cordillera de Chila. Arrive in Chivay, with the option to relax in thermal baths later in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Chivay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

The Colca Canyon Excursion: Today, you will visit various Andean towns, including Yanque, Maca, and Pinchollo, to take photographs and enjoy brief visits. The highlight of this excursion is the stop at Cruz del Cóndor, where you can witness the majestic Andean Condor in its natural habitat—a truly spectacular sight! Afterward, return to Chivay and have free time to explore the village and its thermal baths. Overnight stay in Chivay.

Meals: Breakfast.

Trip to the Llachon Community by private car: This route offers stunning natural views. Along the paved road, you will pass through quaint towns and a beautiful lagoon called Lagunillas, where you may spot trout farms, Andean flamingos, and various other birds. One of the highlights of this journey is the burial towers of Sillustani, ancient cylindrical structures constructed long before the Incas. The Sillustani towers are some of the most remarkable and well-crafted ancient constructions in Peru, with a level of precision not found elsewhere in South America. An optional tour of Sillustani, if time permits, will give you insight into pre-Inca civilizations and allow you to admire the stunning beauty of Umayo Lagoon at the base of the Sillustani plateau.

Upon reaching Llachon, enjoy fantastic views of the lake and take short hikes to scenic hills and ancestral ceremonial sites. Approximately 1,300 residents, belonging to the Quechua ethnic group, inhabit this peninsula.

To Ticonata Island and its Mummies: A short boat ride will take you to Ticonata Island, where several archaeological remains have been discovered, including funeral baskets, mummies, and ceremonial vessels. Many of these artifacts are now displayed in the Tiahuanaco Museum located on the island. Overnight in the Llachon community homestay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

To Taquile Island: Upon arriving at Taquile Island, we will walk along a narrow path, taking in views of Lake Titicaca and the traditional homes of the Quechua people. You will have some free time to explore the main square on your own. Afterward, lunch will be provided at a local restaurant, which typically serves grilled trout. Once lunch is finished, we will head down to the dock to board our motorboat for the next part of our journey.

To Uros Floating Islands: We will continue our adventure to the Uros Floating Islands, where the Uros ethnic group resides. This group can be found in the Collao plateau across Bolivia and Peru. The floating islands occupy a unique spot on Lake Titicaca, known as the highest navigable lake in the world. This place is truly one of a kind. Finally, we will return to Puno and transfer to your selected hotel, where you will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Trip to Cusco from Puno: Board a regular nonstop bus for a scenic journey to the imperial city of Cusco. This entertaining trip covers 387 kilometers and lasts approximately 7 hours, showcasing breathtaking landscapes, snowy peaks, and charming towns typical of the Peruvian Andes.

You will arrive in Cusco around 5:00 PM. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day Off in Cusco: Today is yours to explore! This is a fantastic opportunity to visit the Inca city and nearby ruins, such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pukara, and Tambomachay. You might also take a short trip south to the archaeological complex of Tipon, visit the Koricancha temple, or stroll along the artisan street of San Blas. It’s a perfect day to recharge for the upcoming adventures. Overnight stay in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast.

Exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas: This valley was crucial for the Incas, offering a mild climate and fertile plains that were exceptionally productive. It also served as a gateway to the jungle, providing access to tropical fruits and plants. The Sacred Valley sits at an elevation of 2,800 meters and boasts stunning landscapes along with significant archaeological sites. We depart at 8:00 AM for Pisaq, located just an hour from Cusco, where we will spend around two hours touring the archaeological site. Next, we will head to Urubamba, passing through various villages like Coya, Lamay, and Calca, alongside the Vilcanota River. We will arrive in Urubamba around noon and have lunch at a buffet restaurant (not included in the tour). Afterward, we will continue to Ollantaytambo for a guided tour of the site.

Trip to Santa Teresa: Our journey continues to Santa Teresa, where we will ascend toward Abra Malaga and the snow-capped Veronica peak, reaching an altitude of 4,316 meters, offering spectacular views of Cusco’s geography. After a brief 15-minute stop at Abra Malaga, we will descend into the jungle along the Inca Trail, experiencing a variety of climates that transition from majestic snowy landscapes to the warm jungle en route to Machu Picchu. Along the way, we will encounter a well-preserved section of the Inca Trail. We will then proceed to Santa Maria, situated at an altitude of 1,575 meters.

Colcamayo Thermal Baths in Santa Teresa: From here, we will take a 30-minute walk to the Santa Teresa Hot Springs, located on the mountainside beside the Urubamba River. This thermal water complex features three pools of varying sizes and depths, with medicinal waters ranging from 40ºC to 44ºC. The Santa Teresa thermal baths stand out for their clear waters, known for their healing properties that aid in treating skin ulcers, bone pain, and rheumatism. Visitors can also cool off under cold streams from the Uripata lagoons, providing a refreshing experience. The pools are surrounded by soft sand, stunning rocks, lush vegetation, and the soothing sounds of the river and mountains. The thermal baths are equipped with facilities such as bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, soccer fields, camping space, a cafeteria, and a viewpoint. A hydromassage system is also available. Overnight stay in Santa Teresa.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Walking from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes: On this day, we will take a car to the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Station, which is a 30-minute drive. For those who prefer to walk, the trek from the Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes, known as the Town of Machu Picchu, takes about three hours. Once in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your assigned hotels, and you will have some free time (optional) for a 20-minute train ride to Aguas Calientes.

Meals: Breakfast.

Guided Visit of Machu Picchu & Hike to Huayna Picchu: Begin your day with a bus ride to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, followed by a 20-minute journey up a winding road to Huayna Picchu, also known as Wayna Picchu (Quechua for “Young Peak”). Access to Huayna Picchu is limited to 200 visitors daily. The Incas constructed a trail leading up the mountain and built temples and terraces at the summit. Huayna Picchu rises to about 2,720 meters (8,920 feet) above sea level, approximately 360 meters (1,180 feet) higher than Machu Picchu itself. According to local guides, this peak was once home to the high priest and local virgins.

Each morning, before sunrise, the high priest and a small group would make their way to Machu Picchu to herald the new day. The Temple of the Moon, one of the three major temples at Machu Picchu, is located on the mountain’s side and sits at a lower elevation than Machu Picchu. Nearby is the Great Cavern, another sacred temple known for its exquisite masonry. Other significant temples in Machu Picchu include the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of Three Windows, the Principal Temple, the “Unfinished Temple,” and the Temple of the Sun, also referred to as the Torreon. Following this, you will take part in a guided tour of the citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, and various burial sites.

The Sun Gates of Machu Picchu offer a stunning viewpoint overlooking Peru’s most renowned ruins. Tourists flock to this spot high in the Andes to enjoy the same breathtaking view seen in almost every postcard featuring the Machu Picchu citadel. Also known as Inti Punku, the Sun Gates consist of two stones positioned at a narrow passage in the mountain’s crevice just above Machu Picchu. Each day, the sun shines brightly through this portal as it rises, lending to its name.

After your visit, return to Cusco by train, departing at either 2:30 PM or 7:00 PM. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your selected hotel for an overnight stay in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast.

Flight to Lima: At the designated time, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight to Lima.

In Lima: Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met and transferred to your selected hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast.

International Flight: At the specified time, you will receive a private transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport for your international flight.

Meals: Breakfast.