From US$1720 per person (2-star hotel, triple room), up to US$4760 per person (5-star hotel, single room). Prices are per person in US dollars and depend on hotel category and room occupancy.

Peru in 10 Days: Lima, Nazca, Cusco and Machu Picchu

• Ten days from Lima to Cusco with the altitude climbing in order: three days at sea level, then 3,400 m, then the valley at 2,040 m, and only on day seven the 5,100 m of Rainbow Mountain.
• Nazca Lines from a light aircraft, about thirty minutes in the air.
• Ballestas Islands, Huacachina and a pisco distillery on the coastal leg.
• Sacred Valley VIP route through Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salt pans, with the night in Aguas Calientes at 2,040 m.
• Machu Picchu with a licensed guide, plus Rainbow Mountain, the South Valley and Humantay Lake.
• Domestic flights, hotels, transport, entrance fees and guides included at US$1,720 per person.

Ten days that cover the coast and the Andes without doubling back: Lima, the Ballestas Islands, the Nazca Lines from the air, then Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake. The route is built so the **altitude climbs in order**, which is the part that decides whether the second half is enjoyable or miserable.

**The altitude curve, day by day.** Days one to three are at sea level on the coast. Day four flies to Cusco at 3,400 m and stays in the city. Day five moves down into the Sacred Valley, between 2,040 m and 3,762 m, and sleeps in Aguas Calientes at 2,040 m, which is the lowest night of the whole Andean section and a genuinely good place to be on your second day at altitude. Machu Picchu on day six. Only on **day seven** does the route go high, to Rainbow Mountain at 5,100 m, by which point you have had three days to adjust.

That order is not decoration. Landing in Cusco and going straight to a 5,000 m mountain is the single most common way to ruin a Peru trip, and this itinerary is arranged specifically to avoid it.

**What you actually see.** On the coast: the Ballestas Islands by boat with sea lions and Humboldt penguins, a pisco distillery in Ica, the Huacachina oasis, and the **Nazca Lines from a light aircraft**, about thirty minutes in the air. In the Andes: Cusco city and Sacsayhuamán, the VIP Sacred Valley route through Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salt pans, Machu Picchu with a guide, Rainbow Mountain, the South Valley at Tipón and Andahuaylillas, and Humantay Lake.

**Two warnings worth reading.** The Nazca overflight is in a small aircraft that banks hard left then hard right so both sides see each figure, and the combination of heat, small plane and turning makes a fair number of people sick. Eat lightly. And day seven, Rainbow Mountain, is the hardest day of the trip: 90 minutes to 2 hours uphill above 4,600 m. If you would rather not, say so early and it can be swapped.

**Do this itinerary if** you have ten days and want breadth: desert, ocean, Inca sites and high mountains. **Do not do it if** you want depth in one place. Ten days spread over this much ground means moving most mornings.

At US$1,720 per person it includes domestic flights within the itinerary, hotels, transport, entrance fees, the Machu Picchu ticket and licensed guides. The Nazca overflight is the one line worth confirming when you book, since aircraft availability changes with the season.

At a glance

• Days: 10
• Highest point: 5100 m
• Price: From US$1720 per person

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. Here, we will enjoy an exciting adventure through the desert in buggies and practice sandboarding, with the option of using a professional board for an additional fee for those with experience. Before departing, 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 in preparation for the activities scheduled for the following day.

Day 3: Nazca Lines Flight, Return to Lima

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

In the morning, after breakfast, we will transfer you to the Nazca Aerodrome, where we will board a small aircraft for an unforgettable flight over the incredible Nazca Lines, located in the vast Nazca Desert. The flight lasts approximately 45 minutes, offering spectacular views of numerous geoglyphs depicting stylized animals and plants, including the Monkey, Spider, and Hummingbird, as well as an enormous network of straight lines, trapezoids, triangles, and spirals etched into the desert floor and preserved for nearly 2,000 years. Their exact origin and purpose remain a mystery, and although many researchers associate them with astronomical or ritual practices of ancient pre-Inca civilizations, other theories, including extraterrestrial interpretations, continue to fuel the fascination surrounding these monumental figures.

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 some 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 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 Tour, Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo & Panoramic Train to Machu Picchu

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: None · 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 5100 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 5,100 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: Cusco South Valley Tour, Tipón, Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas & the Gastronomic Route

Altitude: 3000 a 3300 m · Meals: Andean Breakfast + Traditional Lunch · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)

After breakfast, we will pick you up between 08:30 and 09:00 a.m. to begin the South Valley of Cusco Tour, an experience that combines archaeology, history, nature, and Andean gastronomy. We will visit Tipón, considered a masterpiece of Inca hydraulic engineering, where its channels and fountains continue to function with surprising precision after more than six centuries. We will continue to Pikillacta, an impressive city of the Wari civilization, one of the best-preserved pre-Inca complexes in Peru and an extraordinary example of urban development prior to the Inca Empire.

The tour will continue through the beautiful Huacarpay Lagoon, an important Andean wetland surrounded by natural landscapes, before visiting the majestic Church of San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas" for its spectacular frescoes, gilded altarpieces, and valuable works of the Cusco School. You will have free time to enjoy the renowned cuisine of the South Valley (lunch not included) and browse local artisan markets. Finally, we will return to Cusco at approximately 16:00 hrs, after discovering one of the most authentic and fascinating cultural and gastronomic routes in the Peruvian Andes.

Day 9: Humantay Lake, Hike to the Turquoise Lake of the Andes

Altitude: 3100 a 3560 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)

Very early, between 04:00 and 04:30 hrs, we will depart toward Mollepata and then Soraypampa, the starting point for the hike to the impressive Humantay Lake, considered one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Cusco, Peru. The trail climbs through the mountains until reaching 4,200 m a.s.l., where a lake with intense turquoise waters fed by the melting glacier of the majestic Humantay Snow-Capped Mountain awaits us.

Our guide will share the spiritual importance this place holds within the Andean worldview, where nature is considered a living being worthy of respect and gratitude. After enjoying the surroundings we will begin the descent to Soraypampa, taking in the spectacular views of the Salkantay Snow-Capped Mountain, before returning to Cusco after lunch, between 17 and 18 hrs, culminating one of the country's most impressive nature excursions near the Plaza de Armas.

Day 10: Farewell to Cusco, Airport Transfer

Altitude: 3400 m · Meals: None · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)

After breakfast, you will have free time to enjoy your final hours in Cusco, an excellent opportunity to stroll once again through its charming streets, visit fascinating museums, explore traditional artisan markets, or do some last-minute shopping for souvenirs and products crafted by talented local artisans. It will be the perfect moment to say farewell to the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and take with you the best memories of this unforgettable experience

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

• Included Tickets Access to the main tourist attractions of the itinerary:
• Accommodation Carefully selected 3 star hotels throughout the journey.
• Train Transportation Outbound: Ollantaytambo Aguas Calientes on the Expedition train, offering standard, comfortable, and safe service. Return: Aguas Calientes Ollantaytambo on the Vistadome train, featuring panoramic windows, onboard entertainment, and a snack.
• Tourist Transportation All transfers and transportation necessary to complete the journey.
• ‍ Guides and Services Pre-departure briefing, official certified, bilingual, and experienced guides, a first-aid kit with available oxygen, and 24/7 customer support.

What is not included

• Optional Tickets Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: cost of USD 75.00 per person each. Advance booking is required.
• Unspecified Meals Meals and beverages not expressly mentioned in the itinerary.
• Personal Expenses, Tips, and Travel Insurance Personal clothing and hiking equipment. Tips for guides, drivers, and service staff, optional but recommended.
• Possible Costs or Delays Beyond Our Control Landslides, adverse weather conditions, itinerary modifications for safety reasons, strikes, or other unforeseen events.

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