Day 1: LIMA – Arrival
Your private chauffeur will greet you at the Lima airport! You’ll arrive at your hotel after a 50-minute transfer. Settle in to your accommodations and get ready to explore this beautiful city!
Meals at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Lima at your four-star hotel.
Day 2: LIMA – PALOMINO – LIMA
This morning your private driver will meet you after breakfast to take you to the port of Callao, where you’ll embark on a boat to visit the Palomino Islands, home to colonies of sea lions! Your driver will then take you back to your hotel.
Meals at your leisure and night in Lima at your four-star hotel.
Day 3: LIMA – private guided tour of the Peruvian capital
This morning you’ll head into the city with your private English-speaking guide to discover the central and colonial neighborhoods. You’ll visit the cathedral, San Francisco and its catacombs, as well as the Place Mayor. Then you’ll head on to the modern part of town with its residential neighborhoods lining the Pacific coast.
After lunch you’ll explore the Larco Herrera Museum with your guide. This museum is one of the largest and most important in Peru, where you’ll discover some of the numerous civilizations that marked the nation’s history.
The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city as you wish… The Gold Museum is another worthwhile stop where you can feast your eyes on beautiful gold metalwork. To stretch your legs a bit, go for a stroll in the bohemian quarter of Barranco, or along the Miraflores esplanade.
Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Lima at your four-star hotel.
Day 4: LIMA – PARACAS
This morning you’ll head into Lima with your private English-speaking guide to discover the capital by bike! First stop, the fish market, where you’ll see the daily hustle-and-bustle. Then you’ll hop on a 20-minute boat ride before tasting some delicious, traditional Peruvian dishes, like ceviche, causa peruana, artisanal ice cream or the traditional Picarones.
You’ll see the architectural gems and the Barranco neighborhood’s most beautiful frescos from a new angle! To finish the tour, you’ll stop by one of Barranco’s best microbreweries for a sampling of artisanal beer – what better way to begin the afternoon?
In the afternoon, your private driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to the town of Paracas, 150 miles south of Lima. You’ll follow the famous Pan-American Highway for three and a half hours, arriving in Paracas in the late afternoon. The evening is free for you to explore this charming fishing village.
Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast at your four-star hotel in Paracas.
Day 5: PARACAS – BALLESTAS – PISCO – NAZCA – PARACAS
This morning you’ll head to the port of Paracas to board a boat for an excursion into the Pacific Ocean! You’ll navigate to the beautiful Ballestas Islands, the “Peruvian Galapagos.” On the way you’ll discover the mysterious Candelabra, a giant, 500-foot engraving on the side of the mountain. When you return to land, it won’t be for long… Your next stop is overhead!
You’ll arrive at the Pisco airport after a twenty-minute transfer through the Peruvian desert, where you’ll board a biplane for an hour and a half long flight. You’ll discover the valleys of Occucaje from above – the area is known for its production of Pisco, the national alcohol – Santa Cruz, Palpa and Viscas. You’ll then fly over the unexpected – and unexplained – Nazca Lines, a collection of geoglyphs etched in the desert, representing a hummingbird and a monkey, among other figures. The meaning of the Nazca Lines remains a mystery to this day!
Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast at your four-star hotel in Paracas.
Day 6: PARACAS – PISCO – LIMA – CUSCO (10,825 ft)
This morning your private driver and English-speaking guide will meet you for an excursion to the Paracas National Reserve, a conservation area since 1975. This marine reserve – the largest in Peru – is home to over 200 marine bird species and a large variety of aquatic animals. Visit the Reserve’s museum if you’d like, before your driver takes to you the red sand beach. The beach’s color comes from the residue of volcanic rocks.
After lunch, your private driver will take you to Lima airport. Next stop : the mythic Cusco! Your private driver will meet you at the Cusco airport and take you to your four-star hotel in the heart of historic Cusco. The rest of the evening is free for you to discover the Imperial City.
Lunch included, diner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your four-star hotel.
Day 7: CUSCO
Weave your way through the Imperial City of the Incas with your private English-speaking guide to discover the city’s striking monuments. First stop, the cathedral of Cusco and Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun. Up next: the four important archeological sites above the city, Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Q’enko and Pukapucara.
Sacsayhuaman is the immense military and religious fortress that dominates the city of Cusco… you’re sure to be impressed by the enormity of the structure and its perfectly assembled stone blocks. The ceremonial center, Tambomachay, is home to aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks. The water that flows through the site comes from a sacred source for the Incas. Head to the outlook to appreciate the site’s splendor in its entirety. The major monuments of Q’enko are monolithic, including a sacrificial altar and labyrinth carved directly into the rock. The last visit of the morning is at Pukapucara, the « red fortress » perched on a hilltop.
When you return to the city center, the rest of the day is free for you to meander through the typical charming alleyways, discover the wealth of artisanal products and visit the sights and museums that beckon you.
Lunch included, diner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your four-star hotel.
Day 8: CUSCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast you’ll make your way into the Sacred Valley of the Incas with your private driver and English-speaking guide. The region is 1,970 feet below the city of Cusco, and benefits from a pleasant climate and fertile soil that the Incas worked masterfully.
Your first stop is at Pisac where you’ll visit the artisanal market and the archeological site considered the most important, second only to Machu Picchu. The next stop is at Ollantaytambo where you’ll visit the ancient fortress where the Incans claimed victory against the Conquistadores. Late in the afternoon you’ll hop aboard the IncaRail train and wind your way through the mountains to Aguas Calientes, the little village at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night in Aguas Calientes at your premium hotel, in a beautiful blend of modern and traditional styles.
Day 9: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO
This morning you’ll board the shuttle to Machu Picchu for a 3-hour guided tour of the most famous of the Incan ruins. You’ll discover the wonders of its agricultural and urban sectors, and its incredible constructions that mark the mountaintop.
After your visit, tighten your shoelaces for a once-in-a-lifetime climb! Choose between the Cerro Machu Picchu or the Wayna Picchu climb for a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu from above.
Cerro Machu Picchu: Departure at 7,975 feet above sea level, highest point at 10,000 feet. Walking distance just under 1 mile, 3 ½ to 4 hours round trip. The path is not steep, but it is demanding (about 2200 steps).
Wayna Picchu: Departure at 7,975 feet above sea level, highest point at 8,640 feet. Walking distance just under 1/3 mile, 2 to 3 hours round trip. The path is very steep, and not advised for those with a fear of heights. (about 1600 steps).
You’ll take the shuttle back to Aguas Calientes to board the train to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll spend the night.
Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Ollantaytambo at your premium hotel with a striking view of the mountains.
Day 10: OLLANTAYTAMBO – MARAS Salt Mines – MORAY – CHINCHERO – CUSCO
Continue your discovery of the Sacred Valley in the company of your private English-speaking guide! Your first stop is at a curious natural wonder, the Maras Salt Mines. You’ll then explore the archeological site at Moray, with its circular terraces which are thought to have served as an agricultural experimentation center.
To end the day, you’ll visit the typical village of Chinchero and its baroque church. You’ll return to Cusco at the end of the afternoon.
Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your charming four-star hotel.
Day 11: CUSCO
Enjoy a free day to explore Cusco to your heart’s desire! We recommend meandering through the local San Pedro market for an explosion of colors and flavors, a visit to the chocolate museum, or a stop at the Pisco museum to try the national alcohol! A leisurely stroll through the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas will take you past the work of local artists.
Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your charming four-star hotel.
Day 12: CUSCO – LIMA
Today your private driver will take you to the Cusco airport for your flight to Lima, followed by your return flight to the United States.
ACCOMODATIONS
Lima: Dazzler Hotel
Paracas: Hacienda Bahia Paracas Hotel
Cusco: Costa del Sol Ramada Hotel
Aguas Calientes: El Mapi by Inkaterra Hotel
Ollantaytambo: Pakaritampu Hotel
Hotels based on availability.
Hotels can be modified on request – let us know what you’d like and we’ll make it happen!
MEALS
Breakfast is included at each hotel. In addition:
Lunch from days 3 to 11 (lunch on day 3 is a series of tastings throughout your bike and food tour). Drinks not included.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION:
Transfers to and from airports and mentioned activities with a private car and driver.
Exceptions:
– shared shuttle to and from Macchu Picchu
– IncaRail train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS: (not included)
Lima – Cusco
Cusco – Lima
GUIDES
You will have a private English-speaking guide during all activities
Exceptions: shared guide for the Palomino and Ballestas Islands activities.
Inca Explorer
From 3,680$/person
Based on double occupancy
Included
Hotels with breakfast
Meals as indicated
Transport as indicated
Activities as indicated
Entry tickets for sights and activities as indicated
Not included
International and domestic airfare
Pisco airport tax (approximately $6)
Meals, unless indicated
Beverages, unless indicated
Gratuities
Personal insurance
Personal expenses
