DISCOUVER MACHU PICCHU AND THE NAZCA LINES ICA (10D/9N)
The Land of the Incas team invites you to have an extraordinary vacation exploring the Peruvian capital city of Lima and the city of Cusco, learning about our rich culture full of tradition and mystery. Visit the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which offers majestic views and archeological marvels. Join us on this 7 day adventure through the history and culture of Peru!
ITINERARY
DAY 1 LIMA
You’ll arrive at the international airport in Lima (the majority of flights arrive at night between 8pm and 2am). Our team will be waiting with a private vehicle to take you to the hotel of your choice. Depending on your itinerary, you’ll visit some of the most important museums in the city. (Optional)
DAY 2 LIMA-ICA
Early in the morning, we depart for Ica, an approximately 4 hour trip. You’ll have the rest of the day to relax and explore this enchanting paradise located between sand dunes and the water of the Pacific Ocean.
DAY 3 ICA – NAZCA – PARACAS
The Nazca Lines can only be truly appreciated from the air. We will observe these awe-inspiring zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures drawn in the dark, red earth from a private airplane. Afterwards, we’ll have lunch in one of the best restaurants in the area, where you can sample the best traditional Peruvian food. Later, we’ll take you to your hotel in Paracas where you’ll spend the night.
DAY 4 PARACAS – LIMA
Today we’ll visit the Paracas National Reserve, a slice of land and ocean protected by the Peruvian state and home to many plants and animals. We’ll travel by boat to the Ballestas Islands, home to many animals such as the Humboldt Penguin, sea lions, and many amazing birds and species of fish. After your visit, we’ll return you to Lima to take your flight back home.
DAY 5 LIMA – CUSCO
Early in the morning, you’ll return to the Lima airport to take your flight to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Upon your arrival, the Land of the Inkas team will be waiting to greet you. During the trip to the center in a private vehicle, the guide will give a brief introductory talk about the city. You’ll have the rest of the day free to acclimatize, relax and enjoy the exceptional atmosphere in Cusco, home to the some of the most amazing history and culture in South America.
DAY 6 CUSCO AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
On the third day, we’ll visit the most important tourist sites in the city and its surroundings. This is an opportunity to try new things and to learn about the history of Cusco and the daily life of its people. Our destinations today include churches, museums and archeological sites. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the fortress of Saqsaywaman and the complexes of Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay. All of these were highly important sites in the Inca religion and are located close to Cusco. After our explorations, we’ll return you to your hotel to spend the night.
DAY 7 CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
We’ll continue our excursion by heading out to the Sacred Valley, which awaits us with its warmer climate. The town of Pisac is our first stop. All along the road out to the ruins there, you can see remains of Inca agricultural activity. You’ll take in the sweeping panoramic views of the Andean mountains and visit the towns of Calca and Urubamba. After lunch, our journey continues towards Ollantaytambo, whose layout still shows signs of Inca planning, with its cobbled streets and Inca fort. We will spend the night in a hotel here.
DAY 8 OLLANTAYTAMBO – MACHU PICCHU
We’ll depart for Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo by train, a journey which follows the course of the Urubamba river for around 1.5 hours. Our destination is the thickly vegetated land with high peaks that shelters the town of Aguas Calientes. After lunch, a bus will carry us to the ruins of Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your guide will go into depth about the history and archeology of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. We’ll also have time to appreciate the cloud forest which surrounds the site before returning by bus to Aguas Calientes and your hotel.
DAY 9 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Early on the following day, we’ll return to Machu Picchu in bus to enjoy the early morning light and thinner crowds. We’ll then climb the steep path up to Huayna Picchu. This is a fascinating archeological site in its own right, but it also offers a commanding view of Machu Picchu in its entirety. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes to take the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our bus will be waiting for us. On the way back, we’ll be able to visit to town of Chinchero before returning to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 10 CUSCO – LIMA
On the final day, we’ll take you to the Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima and your connecting flight home.
*In case you want to visit any additional sites, you can add extensions on to your original package. If you choose an extension, we’ll organize the connection to your next destination. Someone from the Land of the Inkas team will accompany you to ensure that you make your connection and that everything goes smoothly.
- A bilingual guide for all the tours described in the itinerary.
- All flights within Peru.
- All ground transportation during the trip.
- The entrance costs for all the tours/sites mentioned.
- All hotels (Double beds, with continental breakfast)
- All the meals mentioned (The guide will have a first aid kit).
- An additional room can be obtained at the client’s request.
- Transportation (e.g. international flights) to and from Peru.
- Lunch and dinner in cities (aside from those specifically mentioned)
- Hiking boots and personal equipment.
- Personal costs (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, travel/medical insurance, medical costs, laundromat charges, airport taxes, etc.)
CONTACT EMAILS
LOCATE US
- Av. La Cultura N° 1318 Wanchaq, Cusco.
- +51 84 233451 (Cusco)
- +51 1 2241816 (Lima)
- info@landoftheinkas.com
- landoftheinkas.com
CUSTOMER HOURS
Our hours are in Peruvian time (GTM -5)