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Essential Lima And Cusco

5 reviews

8 days

From

2.563.342 ARS

This 8-day journey through Lima and Cusco invites you to explore two captivating cities rich in tourist attractions.

Discover Lima's cityscape with its historic monuments, colonial houses, majestic churches, and stunning ocean vistas.

Uncover the charm of Cusco's historic center, marvel at the magnificent Cathedral, soak in the vibrant landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu.

Tour Description

Day 01. ARRIVAL IN LIMA

Arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport and transfer to your chosen hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 02. LIMA

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. At 9:00 a.m., begin your tour at the Larco Museum in the Pueblo Libre district, showcasing over 5000 ceramic pieces, gold and silver artifacts, and pre-Columbian erotic art.

Afterward, head to the historic center to explore Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion filled with art and history. Continue to the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, and other significant colonial structures. Visit the sixteenth-century Cathedral.

Return to the hotel by 2:00 p.m. Enjoy a free afternoon to familiarize yourself with the country. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03. LIMA / CUSCO

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, transfer to your Cusco accommodation. Use the free time to acclimate to the altitude. Overnight stay.

Day 04. CUSCO / SACRED VALLEY: Pisac Market + Ollantaytambo Fortress / MACHU PICCHU (Aguas Calientes)

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a 30 km journey to Pisac, featuring an incredible market and stone-built archaeological temples with stunning valley views.

Continue to Urubamba for a delicious buffet lunch, then proceed to Ollantaytambo, a former Inca military, religious, and agricultural hub, offering breathtaking views and an advanced irrigation system.

Finally, head to Ollantaytambo station to board the Train Expedition to Aguas Calientes at 7:00 p.m. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and meet with your guide at 9:00 p.m. for a Machu Picchu briefing. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Note: If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu, request reservation and admission when confirming your booking, subject to an additional fee.

Day 05. Visit to MACHU PICCHU with the first rays of the sun / CUSCO

Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning, board the bus to ascend the winding road to Machu Picchu, with the first bus departing at 5:30 a.m. Marvel at the Lost City of the Incas, with its terraces, ceremonial sites, steps, and urban areas.

After the guided tour, return by bus to Aguas Calientes, depart from the train station to return to Ollantaytambo, and then take the tourist bus to Cusco, where you will be dropped off at your hotel in the historical center. Overnight stay.

Day 06. CUSCO / SACRED VALLEY: Chinchero-Maras-Moray / CUSCO

Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning pickup for an exciting tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First, visit Chinchero, 17 miles from Cusco, and explore a local workshop showcasing traditional textile techniques.

Next, visit the Maras salt mines in Urubamba’s valley, where an ancient Inca process produces salt through evaporation.

Continue to the Moray ruins, featuring three coliseums thought to have served as an Inca agricultural laboratory, with terraced circular depressions reminiscent of an ancient Greek theater.

Day 07. CUZCO: City Tour and nearby ruins

Breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon, begin your tour at the Temple of the Sun, known as Koricancha, illustrating the fusion of Incan and Spanish cultures, with the base forming part of Santo Domingo’s Church.

Visit the Cathedral in the Main Square to admire Cusco School religious paintings. The tour continues to Sacsayhuaman, an impressive archaeological complex with massive carved stones.

Explore Qenqo, a religious temple dedicated to the Sun, Moon, and Earth, featuring underground galleries and a semicircular amphitheater.

Continue to the military complex of Puca Pucara, known as the “Red Fortress,” and the water worship site of Tambomachay, with aqueducts and waterfalls. Return to Cusco, ending at El Regocijo Square, near Plaza de Armas.

Day 08. Cuzco / Lima:

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima and connect to your international flight.

**END OF SERVICES**

What’s included?

What’s included:

* Private arrival and departure transfers in Lima and Cusco, with only driver. * Accommodation in hotel category 3 * or similar, with breakfast included. * Entrance tickets to the places mentioned in the itinerary. * Train to Machu Picchu * Bus to get on and off the citadel of Machu Picchu * Shared excursions with guide in Spanish / English * Lunch in the visit to the Sacred Valley: Pisac and Ollantaytambo.

What’s NOT included:

* Tips * Food and drinks not mentioned in the program * Additional excursions * Local flights Lima-Cusco-Lima * International flights * Assistance at the airport for international connection on the last day. * Entrance to Huayna Picchu

Frequently Asked Questions

The "Essential Lima and Cusco" tour package typically includes accommodations in select hotels, airport transfers, city tours in Lima and Cusco with a Spanish-speaking guide, an excursion to the Sacred Valley and a guided visit to Machu Picchu, entrance tickets, train to Aguas Calientes and bus to the citadel, as well as assistance during your trip. Breakfast is usually included. International and domestic flights, unspecified meals, tips, personal expenses, and travel insurance are generally not included. Upgrades such as hotel categories, train classes, or optional tours can be booked at an additional cost. Please review the tour details and terms and conditions before booking.

This essential tour of Peru is typically planned for 5 to 7 days, depending on the hotel category and travel pace. The typical itinerary includes: arrival and overnight stay in Lima with a historical city tour; transfer or domestic flight Lima–Cusco (depending on booking), acclimatization and city tour; excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas; train to Aguas Calientes; guided tour of Machu Picchu with time for photos; and return to Cusco or connection to Lima. Train schedules and Machu Picchu entrance fees are subject to availability. It is possible to customize your trip by adding extra nights, culinary experiences, folkloric shows, or optional tours.

The best time to travel to Peru and visit Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu is during the dry season (approximately May to September), with clearer skies and excellent conditions for cultural tourism and photography. During the rainy season (approximately November to March), there is rainfall, but the landscapes are lush and green, and there are fewer crowds. July and August, as well as holidays like Easter, are peak times, so it's advisable to book train tickets and entrance fees in advance. Lima has a temperate and humid climate; Cusco and Machu Picchu have sunny days and cool nights. Pack layers of clothing, a light raincoat, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes for walking and climbing uneven stairs.

Cusco is at a high altitude (over 3,300 m), so acclimatization is key: stay hydrated, avoid alcohol on your first day, eat light meals, and get plenty of rest. Many agencies organize gentle activities upon arrival. Sightseeing in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu involves moderate exertion and climbing stairs; wear trekking shoes with good traction. Consult your doctor about medication for altitude sickness and travel with travel insurance. Regarding luggage, restrictions are usually in place on the train to Machu Picchu: generally, only one small piece is allowed, and the rest must be left at your hotel in Cusco/Sacred Valley. Pack a daypack, a poncho, and a reusable water bottle.

The price of the Lima and Cusco tour varies depending on the season, hotel category, train type, and additional services. A deposit is usually required to confirm your booking, with the balance due before travel. Payments are accepted by credit card or bank transfer. Change and cancellation policies depend on the provider: Machu Picchu entrance fees and train tickets are often non-refundable or subject to penalties. We recommend purchasing travel insurance with cancellation and medical assistance coverage. Ask about discounts for early bookings or groups, and request a detailed quote with itinerary, terms and conditions, taxes, and policies before making payment.

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