Classic Machu Picchu and Nazca Lines

Nazca Lines, Peru

10 Days/9 Nights

From $2,269 per person

(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)

Daily Departures Throughout the Year

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Overview

Experience the Inca and Nazca cultures in this amazing tour 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. Continuing on to Cusco, you will explore the four ruins that surround the city, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Machu Picchu, including an overnight stay. Enjoy a folkloric dinner show on your last night in Lima.

Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 9 nights (4 nights in Lima, 1 night in Paracas, 3 nights in Cusco, and 1 night in Machu Picchu), and 12 meals (9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner).

Best Time to Go: April-October.

Destinations: South America and Peru.

Interests: Adventure, Culture & History, and Wildlife Viewing.

Places Visited: Lima, Ica & Nazca Lines, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Lima

Depart to Lima. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: Lima-City Tour.

In the afternoon, you will have a city tour of Lima. The tour begins in Miraflores with a stop at the Parque del Amor, a seaside park with a huge statue of a kissing couple and continues with a drive by of the Huaca Huallamarca, a restored adobe pyramid dating from the pre-Inca period located in San Isidro. The next stop is the Plaza de Armas in downtown Lima, where you will visit City Hall (Palacio Municipal), the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), and the Cathedral of Lima. The last stop is the Convent of Santo Domingo. Following the tour, you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight in Lima. (B)

Day 3: Lima-Pisco-Nazca Lines-Paracas.

Shuttle bus transfer to the airport in Pisco for the overflight of Nazca Lines, a series of geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert in Southern Peru. The Nazca Lines were created by the Nazca culture between 400 and 650 AD, and consist of hundreds of lines ranging from simple lines to animal figures, including monkeys, hummingbirds, spiders, and lizards. They were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. After the flight, you will be taken to your hotel in Paracas. Overnight in Paracas. (B)

Day 4: Paracas-Candelabra-Ballestas Islands-Lima.

In the morning, you will be transferred to the Paracas Harbor for a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands. During this tour, you will see the Paracas Candelabra, a giant geoglyph etched on the coastal hills. The Ballestas Islands are teeming with wildlife, including large colonies of sea lions, guanay cormerants, the Peruvian booby, and the Peruvian pelican, as well as zarcillos, Humboldt penguins, and Chilean flamingos. At the end of the tour, you will return to Paracas Harbor and then be transferred by shuttle bus to Lima. Overnight in Lima. (B)

Day 5: Lima-Cusco-City Tour.

Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Because of the high altitude (10,912 feet above sea level), we recommend that you rest for a short period. In the afternoon, you will have a city tour that includes a walk-through of the Cathedral, the Koricancha (‘site of gold’), typical streets, and the four ruins that surround the city: the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Kenko, Puca Pucara, and Tampumachay. Overnight in Cusco. (B)

Day 6: Cusco-Sacred Valley-Awanakancha-Pisac Market-Ollantaytambo.

Today you will have a full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The tour begins at Awanakancha, a living museum of the Peruvian Andes, where you can observe traditional textile dyeing and weaving techniques and the four types of camelids that are native to the region. You will also visit the Indian artisan market in Pisac and have lunch at a local restaurant (included). The last stop is the impressive Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo that served as both a fortress and ceremonial center, and is the site of a short-lived victory by the Incas over the Spanish. Overnight in Cusco. (B,L)

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.

Early morning transfer to the train station for the ride to Machu Picchu, ‘the Lost City of the Incas’ (7,900 feet). This mountaintop citadel, which served as both a center of worship and an astronomic observatory, is located in the middle of the cloud forest overlooking the Urubamba River. There are both agricultural and urban areas constructed with the precision stonework that the Incas are known for. The agricultural area consists of terraces and food storehouses, and the urban area contains temples, squares, and royal tombs. Guided tour followed by lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. (B,L)

Day 8: Machu Picchu-Cusco.

This is a free day to explore Machu Picchu on your own. You may want to hike Huayna Picchu or enjoy another activity. Mid-afternoon, you will depart from Machu Picchu by train to Poroy Station in the Sacred Valley, and then be taken to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight in Cusco. (B)

Note: Hiking Huayna Picchu requires a permit. To ensure availability, we recommend purchasing the permit at the time of booking.

Day 9: Cusco-Lima-Larco Museum-Folkloric Dinner Show.

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will visit the Larco Museum. In the evening, you will enjoy a Folkloric Dinner Show at Dpaso Restaurant. Overnight in Lima. (B,D)

Day 10: Lima.

Check out at noon. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)

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.
  • 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

Cusco

Machu Picchu

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. 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, and Machu Picchu is 7,900 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.

Have Questions? Call 1-888-268-9753 to Speak to An Expert.