Lima - Cusco 8 Days

From US$1190 per person (2-star hotel, triple room), up to US$3150 per person (5-star hotel, single room). Prices are per person in US dollars and depend on hotel category and room occupancy.

Lima - Cusco 8 Days

Discover the best of southern Peru with our 8-Day Peru Tour, a journey that combines history, culture, nature and adventure across the country's most emblematic destinations. Explore the vibrant city of Lima and sail to the Ballestas Islands before reaching Nazca, with an optional overflight of its lines, then fly to Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire, and marvel at the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

The experience continues with a guided visit to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, followed by an exciting hike to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), one of the most impressive natural landscapes of the Andes. This 8-day Peru tour package includes hotels, transfers, and excursions carefully organized to give you a comfortable, safe, and unforgettable trip.

At a glance

Route map of Lima - Cusco 8 Days
Route map

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lima & City Tour, Modern Lima, Miraflores & Historic Colonial Center

Altitude: 154 m · Meals: None · Overnight: Lima (154 m)

Upon your arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, our team will give you a warm welcome and comfortably transfer you to your hotel. At 14 hrs we will begin the Lima City Tour, discovering the elegant modern area of the Peruvian capital. We will visit the exclusive district of Miraflores, where we will walk through the romantic Parque del Amor (Love Park) and the well-known Larcomar, a modern shopping center built on the cliffs with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. We will continue with a panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana, an important pre-Inca ceremonial center that reveals the fascinating archaeological legacy of the ancient Lima culture.

The tour will continue through the Historic Center of Lima, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where we will admire some of the most emblematic colonial monuments in Peru. 14 hrs We will visit the Convent of San Francisco and its famous Catacombs, one of the most important historical attractions in South America, as well as tour the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the elegant Plaza San Martín, and the historic Casa Aliaga, considered the oldest continuously inhabited colonial residence in the Americas. An ideal experience to discover the history, architecture, and cultural richness of the Peruvian capital before beginning your adventure through the country. Lasts approximately 4 hrs.

Day 2: Ballestas Islands, Pisco Winery & Huacachina Oasis, Nazca

Altitude: 590 m · Meals: Lunch · Overnight: Nazca (590 m)

Very early, between 04:40 and 05:00 a.m., we will begin our trip from Lima to the beautiful bay of Paracas, one of the main nature destinations on the Peruvian coast. After a box-lunch breakfast, we will board a boat to sail toward the impressive Ballestas Islands, an extraordinary wildlife sanctuary where we will observe the enigmatic Paracas Candelabra, as well as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, boobies, and numerous guano birds in their natural habitat. Afterward we will visit a traditional winery, where we will learn about the artisanal process of making Pisco, Peru's national drink, as well as local wines, enjoying a tasting before having free time for lunch (optional).

In the afternoon we will arrive at the famous Huacachina Oasis, surrounded by impressive golden sand dunes. There we will experience a thrilling adventure riding buggies across the desert and practicing sandboarding, with the option to use a professional board for an additional cost for those with experience. Before leaving, we will enjoy a spectacular sunset from the dunes, considered one of the most beautiful in Peru. Finally, we will continue our journey to Nazca, where we will spend the night for the following day's scheduled activities.

Day 3: Nazca Lines Flight & Return to Lima

Altitude: 590 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Lima (154 m)

Optional activity, not included in the price: the overflight takes off from the María Reiche Aerodrome in Nazca with DGAC-certified airlines. After breakfast, between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., we will transfer you to the Nazca Aerodrome to experience one of the most fascinating attractions in Peru: a flight over the Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During approximately 45 minutes, we will admire from the air the impressive geoglyphs created more than two thousand years ago by the Nazca culture, including iconic figures such as the Hummingbird, Monkey, Spider, Condor, and other monumental designs that continue to intrigue archaeologists and travelers from around the world.

At the end of this experience we will transfer to the bus terminal at 14 hrs to board the regular bus service to the city of Lima, arriving at approximately 11 pm, with transfer to your hotel

Day 4: Flight to Cusco & City Tour, Discovering the Capital of the Inca Empire

Altitude: 154 a 3800 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)

In the morning, we will transfer you to the airport to board your flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and one of the most important cultural destinations in the Americas. Upon arrival at more than 3,400 meters (11,150 feet) above sea level, we recommend taking time to rest and acclimatize to the altitude. Staying well hydrated, drinking coca tea, and having a light lunch during the first few hours can help you adjust comfortably to the altitude and reduce the effects of soroche (altitude sickness).

In the afternoon, 13 hrs, we will begin the Cusco City Tour, visiting the impressive Qoricancha, the ancient Temple of the Sun and main religious sanctuary of the Tahuantinsuyo. We will continue to the monumental fortresses of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, extraordinary examples of Inca engineering and worldview. 18:30 hrs We will finish near the Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of the city and the ideal spot to enjoy the atmosphere, architecture, and essence of the Andes.

Day 5: VIP Sacred Valley, Chinchero, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo, Train to Aguas Calientes

Altitude: 2040 a 3762 m · Meals: Buffet Lunch · Overnight: Aguas Calientes (2040 m)

After breakfast between 06:20 and 06:50 hrs, we will begin the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour, one of the most complete and unforgettable experiences in Cusco, Peru. We will discover Chinchero, renowned for its textile traditions and Inca legacy; continue toward the impressive circular terraces of Moray, an ancient agricultural laboratory, and the spectacular Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt pools continue to be worked using ancestral techniques passed down from generation to generation.

After enjoying an exquisite buffet lunch featuring traditional flavors of the Sacred Valley, we will visit the majestic Ollantaytambo Fortress, considered the last living Inca city. Afterwards, we will board the panoramic tourist train to Aguas Calientes, traveling through the spectacular Urubamba River Valley, surrounded by majestic Andean mountains and lush vegetation. This will be the perfect prelude to discovering Machu Picchu the following day, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and Peru’s most iconic destination.

Day 6: Machu Picchu, Guided Tour & Return to Cusco

Altitude: 2430 a 3400 m · Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)

After breakfast, we will board the tourist bus that will take us to the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accompanied by a professional guide, we will spend approximately two and a half hours exploring its main temples, agricultural terraces, ceremonial plazas, and viewpoints, discovering the extraordinary engineering, spirituality, and legacy of the Inca civilization in one of the world’s most iconic destinations.

After the guided tour, we will descend to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch or explore this charming Andean town. In the afternoon, we will board the panoramic tourist train back to Ollantaytambo, traveling through the spectacular Urubamba River Valley before continuing by private transfer to Cusco. An unforgettable day that represents the highlight of any journey through Peru.

Day 7: Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca and the Majestic Ausangate Snow-Capped Mountain

Altitude: 4630 a 5036 m · Meals: Andean Breakfast + Traditional Lunch · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)

Very early, between 04:00 and 04:30 hrs, we will begin our adventure toward the impressive Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), one of the most extraordinary natural landscapes in the Peruvian Andes. After breakfast we will begin a hike surrounded by mountains, alpacas, llamas, and traditional communities, as we ascend toward 5,036 m a.s.l., enjoying privileged views of the imposing Ausangate Snow-Capped Mountain, considered the most important sacred mountain in the Andean worldview.

Upon reaching the summit we will contemplate the extraordinary mosaic of mineral colors that has made Rainbow Mountain Peru one of the most photographed destinations in South America. After having time to rest and capture spectacular photographs, we will begin the descent to enjoy lunch before returning to Cusco, between 16 and 17 hrs, culminating a perfect experience for lovers of nature, hiking, and unique landscapes near the Plaza de Armas

Day 8: DAY 8: Farewell to Cusco, Airport Transfer

Altitude: 3400 a 3762 m · Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)

After breakfast, you will have free time to enjoy your final moments in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and the spiritual heart of the Andes. This will be the perfect opportunity to stroll through its historic streets, visit local artisan markets, or simply take in once more the essence of a city where history, culture, and nature coexist in perfect harmony. At the agreed time, we will transfer you to the airport for your return flight. This marks the end of a meaningful conscious tourism experience in Peru, where every destination offers a valuable lesson and every encounter strengthens our respect for Pachamama (Mother Earth), local communities, and the legacy of ancient Andean civilizations. More than a journey, you will have experienced a transformation that will remain forever in your memory and in the way you discover the world.

What is included

What is not included

Frequently asked questions

What destinations does the 8-day Lima - Cusco tour include?

This package covers southern Peru in 8 days: Lima (Miraflores and the historic center), the Ballestas Islands, a pisco winery and the Huacachina oasis, a night in Nazca with an optional overflight of the lines (not included), Cusco (City Tour, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán), the Sacred Valley (Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo), Machu Picchu with a guided tour and Rainbow Mountain. Domestic flights, Lima to Cusco and the return from Cusco, are not included in the base price.

Are domestic flights included?

No. Domestic flights (Lima to Cusco on day 4 and the return from Cusco on day 8) are not included in the base package price. We can quote them and add them to your booking. International arrival and departure flights from Peru are not included either. The return from Nazca to Lima on day 3 is by regular bus, and airport-hotel and hotel-airport transfers in Lima and Cusco are included in the price.

What category of hotels are used?

The standard package includes 3-star hotels selected for location and comfort: hotel in Lima (2 nights), hotel in Nazca (1 night), hotel in Cusco (3 nights) and hotel in Aguas Calientes (1 night). Superior category options (4-star) are available at additional cost. All hotels include breakfast.

What is the best time to travel?

The best time is May to October (dry season): clear skies over Cusco, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, with pleasant daytime temperatures and cold nights. June to August are the most popular months. November to April may bring rain in the highlands, and snow can cover the colors of Vinicunca, though the landscape is greener. The coast, from Lima to Nazca, has a stable climate year-round.

What tours and excursions are included?

Included: Lima City Tour, the boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, a pisco winery and the Huacachina oasis, Cusco City Tour (Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay), VIP Sacred Valley (Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo) with buffet lunch, train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Tour (entrance, guide and bus) and Rainbow Mountain with breakfast and lunch, plus transfers. The Nazca overflight is optional and not included.

How many people are in the group?

Our shared groups have a maximum of 12 to 15 passengers, ensuring personalized attention. If you are traveling as a family or private group (minimum 2 people), we also offer the tour in private mode with greater schedule flexibility at an additional cost. For large groups (more than 15 people) we can arrange an exclusive program.

What documents do I need for this trip?

A valid passport is needed to enter Peru (most countries do not require a visa for up to 183 days). At Machu Picchu the original passport must be presented to validate the entrance ticket. Always carry your passport throughout the tour. For citizens of Andean Community countries, the national ID is sufficient to enter Peru, but Machu Picchu still requires a passport.

Is travel insurance recommended?

Yes, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers medical expenses (including altitude evacuation), cancellations, lost luggage and flight delays. The trip stays in Cusco at 3,400 m and climbs to 5,036 m at Rainbow Mountain, so make sure the policy covers high-altitude activities. Check with your local insurance agency.

Can I customize or extend the tour?

Yes, this package is fully customizable. You can add extra nights in any city, include excursions like Humantay Lake or the South Valley of Cusco, or extend the trip to Puno and Lake Titicaca or to Bolivia. We also arrange private versions with flexible dates. Contact us for a tailored quote.

What is the cancellation policy and payment methods?

Under section 5 of our Terms and Conditions: more than 15 days in advance, 100% refund minus a 10% administrative fee; 8 to 14 days, 50% refund; 4 to 7 days, 25% refund; less than 4 days or a no-show, no refund. If we have to cancel for force majeure (extreme weather, closure of archaeological sites, strikes, natural disasters), we offer free rescheduling or a full refund.

What does the Lima - Cusco 8-day package add compared to the 7-day one?

The 7-day package covers Lima, the Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, Nazca, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The 8-day adds a full day at Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, 5,036 m), placed after three nights in the Andes so you arrive better acclimatized. If you want one high-altitude hike on the trip, the 8-day is the version to choose.

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