Discover the lost land of the Incas and visit Machu Picchu on this 15 day tour of Peru. Starting in Lima we head south to the Ballestas Islands in the Paracas National Reserve. We get to see a huge array of birds and marine mammals on a boat ride through the islands. The next day we head through the Ica Desert on our way to Peru's wine regoin where we visit a winery before travelling to the Oasis of Huacachina where we have a chance to get our hearts pumping on an exhilarating dune buggy ride before settling down for a relaxing evening of camping under the stars. The next morning we are off to see the mysterious Nazca lines before heading to Arequipa for the night. We spend the next 4 days exploring Colca Canyon, we can select from additional activities like white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking. We then travel to Cuzco where we visit some nearby sites before heading back to our hotel to prepare for our next adventure. We head out early the next morning from Cuzco to the Urubamba Valley from where we begin our 4 day trek along the Inca Trail to the unforgettable Machu Picchu. At the end of our trek we head back to Cuzco by train. The next day is free to explore Cuzco at your leisure, the next day you will be transferred to the airport for your departing flight.
Arrival location:
PE Lima Nazca Arequipa Cuzco & Machu Picchu
Departure Location:
PE Lima Nazca Arequipa Cuzco & Machu Picchu
Included in your experience:
- Airport transfer on arrival in Lima
- Ballestas Islands boat tour
- Overnight desert camp & barbeque
- Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu (4 day trek including all meals and guide)
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Return train from Machu Picchu
- Flight Cuzco to Lima
- All accommodation (small & simple hotels & guesthouses & 3 nights camping on Inca Trail)
- Meals as per itinerary (approx 40%)
- Services of tour leader
- All local transport
Not included in your experience:
- Airport transfers from internal flights
- Optional excursions as listed in the pre-departure information
- International flights
- End of trip airport transfers
- Meals not specified
- Travel insurance
- Airport taxes
- Entrance fees
- Drinks
- Visas
- Tips
DAY 1 Arrive into LimaUpon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Lima for the start of your trip.
OVERNIGHTLima Hotel
DAY 2 Lima. Drive to Ballestas IslandsDeparting Lima, our tour begins with a trip south to the Ballestas Islands nestled in the Paracas National Reserve. We enjoy a boat ride here to view the incredible concentration of rare and exotic birds and sea mammals which make this one of the most important marine reserves in the world.
OVERNIGHTBallestas Islands
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 3 Drive through the Ica Desert to the Oasis of HuacachinaThis morning we make the short drive through the Ica Desert to the heart of Peru’s wine region. Visiting the Tacama winery we have the chance to sample the local wine as well as the country’s national drink, Pisco. We then head to the nearby Oasis of Huacachina – a palm fringed lake surrounded by sand dunes where we can relax on the beach and enjoy a swim before we take things up a notch with a thrill inducing dune buggy ride over the massive sand dunes. This evening enjoy the desert sunset as we make camp and sleep under the stars.
OVERNIGHTCamping
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 4 Visit the Nazca Lines & Chauchilla Cemetery. Drive to ArequipaToday we travel to one of South America’s most mysterious sites as we visit the intriguing Nazca Lines. Believed to have been present for over 2,000 years these huge figures carved into the desert floor were only discovered 80 years ago from the air and as such there are many contrasting theories as to what they actually signify – feel free to ask the locals! We then head to the Chauchilla Cemetery famous for its well-preserved mummies before saying goodbye to the Atacama Desert to begin our climb into the Andes towards Arequipa.
OVERNIGHT
Arequipa
DAYS 5-8 Colca CanyonThe next four days are spent in and around Colca Canyon and the surrounding areas. We include an overnight visit to the Colca Canyon, which at 900m is not only one of the deepest in the world but also the home of the majestic Condors. Here you can view the condors circling lazily in the thermals rising from the canyon floor. Some of the other activities available to arrange in this beautiful part of Peru include white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking.
OVERNIGHTColca Canyon
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 9 Arrive in Cuzco. Sacred Valley of the Incas tourAn overnight coach journey carries us through the Andes to Cuzco – the adventure capital of Peru and starting point of the Inca trail. We will be based here for the next 7 days as we seek to explore the dramatic landscape and learn about the unique cultures that have existed here for thousands of years. Arriving early morning we have chance to tour the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, home to temples, terrace fields and bustling local markets before returning to Cuzco for a good night’s sleep in preparation of our trek the next day.
OVERNIGHTCuzco Hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAYS 10-13 Begin Inca Trail. Trek to Machu PicchuWe head out early from Cuzco to the Urubamba Valley from where we begin our 4 day trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. A stunning combination of panoramic views, Inca ruins and magnificent mountains make this one of the most exotic adventures in the world. Reaching over 4200m in places the trail winds up through lush valleys and tiny, hospitable villages where we spend the nights. All guides and porters are included on the trek. Once we have completed the trek we return to Cuzco by train.
OVERNIGHTBasic Accommodation
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14 Cuzco. Free timeTo help recover from our trek we have 2 free days in Cuzco. Feel free to explore more of the city and its museums and churches or look for local crafts from Alpaca woollen jumpers to Andean musical instruments and local jewellery. If you still have the energy you can arrange an adventurous white water rafting trip on either the Urubamba or Apurimac River.
OVERNIGHTCuzco Hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 15 Cuzco. Transfer to airport for flight to LimaToday sees the end of the trip as we board the plane back to Lima. Extra nights are available on request where the trip ends on arrival.
OVERNIGHTNone
MEALSBreakfast