Classic Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines, and Lake Titicaca
13 Days/12 Nights
From $2,959 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Overview
Discover the Nazca, Inca, and Aymara cultures of Peru. Beginning in Lima, you will travel to the Ica Region for an overflight of the Nazca Lines, and to observe the bird and sea lion colonies of the Ballestas Islands. From the Inca capital of Cusco, you will visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. And, in Puno, home to the Aymara culture in Peru’s Altiplano, you will explore Taquile Island and the Floating Islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca, and the chullpas of Sillustani.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 12 nights (5 nights in Lima, 1 night in Paracas, 3 nights in Cusco, 1 night in Machu Picchu, and 2 nights in Puno), and 17 meals (12 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 1 dinner).
Best Time to Go: April-October.
Destinations: South America, Peru, & Machu Picchu.
Interests: Adventure, Culture & History, and Wildlife Viewing.
Places Visited: Lima, Ica & Nazca Lines, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Puno & Lake Titicaca.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Lima.
Day 2: Lima-City Tour.
Day 3: Lima-Pisco-Nazca Lines-Paracas.
Day 4: Paracas-Candelabra-Ballestas Islands-Lima.
Day 5: Lima-Cusco-City Tour.
Day 6: Cusco-Sacred Valley-Awanakancha-Pisac Market-Ollantaytambo.
Note: The Indian market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from October to March, and daily from April to September. On the days of the week that the market is not open, you will be taken to the Inca ruins above the village.
Day 7: Cusco-Machu Picchu.
Day 8: Machu Picchu-Cusco.
Note: Hiking Huayna Picchu requires a permit. To ensure availability, we recommend purchasing the permit at the time of booking.
Day 9: Cusco-Puno.
Note: The Andean Explorer operates every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday year-round. During high season from April to October, it also operates on Fridays.
Day 10: Puno-Lake Titicaca-Taquile Island-Floating Islands of Uros.
Day 11: Puno-Chullpas of Sillustani-Lima.
Day 12: Lima-Larco Museum-Folkloric Dinner Show.
Day 13: Lima.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
A Note About Your Free Day in Machu Picchu
On your free day, you will be on your own. If you choose to revisit Machu Picchu, you will need to purchase a second entrance ticket, which currently costs $74 per person. If you are staying in Aguas Calientes, you will also need to purchase a round-trip bus ticket ($28 per person) for transportation to the site. The first bus departs at 5:30 AM. As an alternative to visiting Machu Picchu again, you can hike Huayna Picchu (a +/- 60 minute hike), or partake in another activity. The cost for hiking Huayna Picchu is $13 (in addition to the second entrance ticket). At the end of the day (mid-late afternoon), you will walk to the train station for the return ride to Poroy train station, where our local representative will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in Cusco.
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
- Round-trip transportation from Lima to Paracas.
- Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
- Excursion to Machu Picchu including overnight stay and transportation via Vistadome train.
- Transportation to Puno via Andean Explorer train.
- Other excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
- Local, English-speaking tour guides.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare.
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities to tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
- Gifts and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
Lima
Paracas

3 Star – San Agustin Paracas

4 Star – La Hacienda Bahia Paracas Hotel

5 Star – Doubletree Resort Hotel Paracas

Deluxe – Hotel Paracas
Cusco

3 Star – Casa Andina Classic Cusco Plaza

4 Star – Hotel Novotel Cusco

5 Star – Libertador Palacio del Inka

Deluxe – Hotel Monasterio
Machu Picchu

3 Star – El Mapi Hotel

5 Star – Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Deluxe – Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge
Puno

3 Star – Casa Andina Classic Puno Tikarani

5 Star – Libertador Lake Titicaca
Additional Details
Group Private: All transfers (except on the Nazca Lines excursion) are private, and the city tours of Lima and Cusco, Sacred Valley of the Incas excursion, and Machu Picchu guided tour are group tours for single passengers and 3 Star accommodations, and private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations. The Nazca Lines overflight and Ballestas Islands boat tour are group tours. In Puno, the Taquile Island and Floating Islands of Uros excursion is a group tour, and the chullpas of Sillustani excursion is private. The Larco Museum visit is private.
Elevations: Cusco is 10,912 feet (above sea level), the Sacred Valley of the Incas is 8,944 feet, Machu Picchu is 7,900 feet, and Puno is 12,566 feet.
Acclimatization: In order to acclimatize to the higher altitude of Cusco, we suggest that you travel first to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. If you are interested in this option, which would add one day to your tour, please ask your travel counselor to provide you with an itinerary.
Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Peruvian embassy in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Travel Insurance’s Classic and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person plus the cost of airfare (if we make the arrangements for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.
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