DAY 1: WELCOME TO PERU-LIMA

Airport pickup – Hotel – Overnight stay in Lima

DAY 2: LIMA CITY TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the appropriate time, we will pick you up from the hotel to begin our City Tour in Lima, the capital of Peru, also known as “The City of Kings,” founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Lima is a fascinating city that blends pre-Columbian history, colonial architecture, and modernity.

Our tour will begin with a panoramic view of the “Huaca Pucllana,” a ceremonial and administrative center considered by the Incas to be a “Sacred Village.” We will then head to the Historic Center of Lima, where we will see more than fifty monuments and colonial buildings, including the Paseo de la República, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral Basilica, and the Municipal Palace, among others.

We will visit the Convent of San Francisco, which is the greatest example of colonial religious art in America. It is notable for its underground passages, known as “Las Catacumbas.”

Our tour will end with a panoramic view of the most traditional residential areas of Lima, El Olivar de San Isidro, Miraflores, and Larcomar.

Overnight in Lima.

DAY 03: PARACAS – BALLESTAS ISLANDS – ICA – LIMA

Very early in the morning, at approximately 4:00 a.m., transfer by tourist vehicle to Paracas Bay (approximate travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes).

Arrival in Paracas and transfer to the pier to board a motorboat that will take us to the Ballestas Islands, also known as the “Little Galapagos” due to their wide variety of marine fauna.

During the tour, we will see an enigmatic figure called “El Candelabro” (The Candelabra), carved into the side of a hill by the sea, whose origin is still a mystery.

Continuing the tour, we will sail around the islands, where we will observe rock formations and islets that are home to an impressive marine biodiversity, including sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and various guano birds.

We will then continue our journey to the city of Ica by tourist transport (travel time: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes).

Arrival in Ica and visit to an artisanal wine and pisco cellar, where we will learn about the production of these traditional beverages and enjoy a tasting.

Afterwards, we will visit the Huacachina Oasis, a beautiful natural setting surrounded by high dunes, where you can take an adventure tour in buggies (sand cars) and practice sandboarding (boarding on sand).

Lunch included.

At the end of the activity, return to the city of Lima.

DAY 04: WELCOME TO THE CITY OF CUSCO – CITY TOUR

After breakfast at the hotel in Lima, at the appropriate time, transfer to the airport to take the flight to the city of Cusco. Upon arrival at the Cusco International Airport, a representative from our agency will be waiting to take you to the hotel where you can rest and acclimatize to the altitude.

In the afternoon at 1:00 p.m., we will begin the guided tour of the city of Cusco, visiting the following places:

– Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha.

– Cusco Cathedral.

– Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Complex.

– Q’enqo Ceremonial Center.

– Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.

– Tambomachay Ceremonial Fountain.

Return to the hotel and rest.

DAY 5: ATVS IN MORAY AND SALINERAS

After breakfast at the hotel, at 7:00 a.m., we will pick you up to begin an adventure tour on ATVs through the Sacred Valley, one of the most exciting experiences you can have from Cusco. We will leave the city and head to kilometer 39 of the Cusco-Urubamba road, where the base camp and starting point of the tour are located.Before starting, the guide—who has extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the area—will give a brief driving lesson.

Throughout the tour, he will ensure that all passengers have a unique, safe, and enjoyable experience, making this adventure unforgettable.

During the trip, we will visit:

– The archaeological center of Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory.

– The picturesque colonial town of Maras.

– The Waypo lagoon, surrounded by beautiful Andean landscapes.

– The impressive Maras Salt Mines, an ancestral legacy that is still in use today.

At each of these sites, the guide will enter the archaeological areas to provide explanations and answer questions.

Along the way, you will be provided with water, energy bars, and restroom facilities.

After visiting all these sites, we will return by ATV to the base camp and then to the city of Cusco.

Estimated time of arrival: 2:00 p.m.

DAY 6: TRADITIONAL SACRED VALLEY

After a delicious breakfast, the group will be picked up at the hotel at 8:30 a.m. to head to the imposing Inca citadel of Pisaq, one of the largest in Peru. There, we will explore the traditional neighborhoods and the ancient cemetery that houses more than 3,500 tombs. Next, we will descend to the village to visit a silversmith workshop, where you will appreciate the minerals and Andean symbolism captured in silver. Continuing the tour, you will travel for approximately one hour along the banks of the Vilcanota River until you reach Urubamba, where you will enjoy an exquisite buffet lunch. After lunch, you will proceed to Ollantaytambo, one of the last Inca towns that preserves its original urban layout, to discover its impressive archaeological complex. The day ends with a visit to Chinchero, the former palace of Inca Tupac Yupanqui, and an experience at a textile center where the use of natural dyes will be demonstrated, before finally returning to Cusco for the night.

DAY 7: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU CITADEL

The day begins very early, around 4:00 a.m., with departure for the Ollantaytambo station by tourist bus. From there, you will take the train to the majestic site of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, there will be a brief visit of approximately 25 minutes, followed by a 2-hour guided tour of the citadel, exploring iconic sites such as the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, the Intihuatana, the Main Plaza, and the quarries. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore other corners, such as the Inca Bridge and the Sun Gate. After the experience, you will return to the town of Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco, completing the trip with a bus transfer from the Ollantaytambo station.

DAY 8: HUMANTAY LAGOON

Humantay Lake, considered one of the most beautiful and sacred lakes in Cusco, dazzles with its turquoise waters framed by the snow-capped Salkantay (6,271 meters above sea level) and Humantay (5,473 meters above sea level) mountains. The day begins between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. with a transfer to the village of Mollepata, where you will enjoy breakfast. From there, you will travel for an hour until you reach the starting point of the hike in Soraypampa, at 3,900 meters above sea level. During the approximately 2-hour ascent, you will walk along trails that offer spectacular views of the lake, allowing you to take pictures and receive detailed explanations from the guide. After enjoying the scenery, you will return to Mollepata to enjoy a buffet lunch, ending the day with the return trip to Cusco, which takes approximately 2 hours.

DAY 9: TRANSFER FROM THE HOTEL TO THE AIRPORT

At the indicated time, transfer and end of services.

At the end of this tour, we hope that this Amazing Peru 9 Days/ 8 Nights tour has provided you with unforgettable memories and a deep connection with the cultural and natural wealth of the region.

This itinerary has been designed to offer a comprehensive experience, combining the cultural, historical, and natural wealth of Cusco and its surroundings, and presenting the information in a clear and fluid manner.