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Essential Lima And Cusco

5 reviews

8 days

From

2.563.342 ARS

This 8-day tour package of Lima and Cusco invites you to explore two remarkable cities filled with incredible tourist attractions.

Discover Lima, a city rich in historic monuments, colonial architecture, and churches, all set against stunning ocean views.

Delve into the historic center of Cusco, admire the grand Cathedral, enjoy 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. The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. at the impressive Larco Museum in the Pueblo Libre district, showcasing over 5000 ceramic pieces, as well as gold, silver, and pre-Columbian erotic art.

Following the museum visit, proceed to the historic center to explore Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion filled with art and history. Next, visit the Plaza de Armas, home to the Government Palace, Archbishop’s Palace, Municipal Palace, and other significant colonial-era buildings, including the 16th-century Cathedral.

After the tour, return to the hotel by 2:00 p.m. Enjoy a free afternoon to begin acquainting yourself with the country. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03. LIMA / CUSCO

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, transfer to your Cusco accommodation. Take advantage of free time to acclimate to the altitude. Overnight stay.

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

After breakfast, depart from your Cusco hotel for a 30 km journey to Pisac. Explore its vibrant market and stone-built archaeological temples with breathtaking views of the valley and Inca terraces.

Continue to Urubamba for a delightful buffet lunch, then proceed to Ollantaytambo. This site served as a military, religious, and agricultural hub for the Incas, boasting impressive views and over a hundred terraces with an advanced irrigation system.

Head to Ollantaytambo station to catch the Train Expedition to Aguas Calientes at 7:00 p.m. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and attend a 9:00 p.m. briefing with the guide to plan your Machu Picchu visit. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Note: If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu, request a reservation and admission when confirming your booking, with the corresponding supplement.

Day 05. Visit to MACHU PICCHU at Sunrise / CUSCO

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, board the bus for a winding road trip 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 shrines, steps, and urban areas.

Feel the energy that surrounds you. After your guided tour, return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then take the train to Ollantaytambo and a tourist bus to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel in the historical center. Overnight stay at the hotel.

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

Begin with breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, depart for an enchanting tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First, visit Chinchero, located 17 miles from Cusco, to see traditional workshops showcasing ancient textile techniques.

Proceed to the salt mines of Maras on an open hill in the Urubamba Valley. Witness the impressive Incan process where a subterranean stream evaporates salty water, which is then channeled into intricate systems leading to hundreds of terraced ponds. The sun-exposed water leaves behind salt deposits.

Next, explore the Moray ruins, featuring three large coliseums thought to be Incan agricultural labs. These impressive terraces, arranged in concentric circles, are reminiscent of an ancient Greek theater.

Day 07. CUZCO: City Tour and Nearby Ruins

After breakfast, embark on an afternoon tour starting at the Temple of the Sun, known as Koricancha. This symbolic site exemplifies the fusion of Incan and Spanish cultures, with Santo Domingo’s Church and convent built upon its base.

Visit the Cathedral at the Main Square to admire the exquisite religious paintings of the Cusco School. The tour continues to Sacsayhuaman, an astonishing archaeological site with massive stones expertly fitted together, reportedly built by over 20,000 men over 70 years.

Next, explore the Qenqo religious temple, where the Incas worshiped deities like the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Venture through its underground galleries and admire the semicircular amphitheater.

Conclude the tour at the military complex of Puca Pucara, meaning “Red Fortress” due to its reddish hue, and the water worship center of Tambomachay, featuring aqueducts and waterfalls fed by nearby springs. Finally, return to Cusco, ending at El Regocijo Square, just a block from Plaza de Armas.

Day 08. Cuzco / Lima:

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima. Connect with 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" package typically includes: accommodation in selected hotels with breakfast, airport transfers, city tours in Lima and Cusco, a visit to the Sacred Valley, an excursion to Machu Picchu with entrance ticket, round-trip train and bus transportation to the Citadel, an official Spanish-speaking guide, and entrance fees to attractions as per the itinerary. International flights are not usually included; domestic flights between Lima and Cusco may be included or quoted separately. Lunches/dinners not mentioned, tips, and travel insurance are also typically not included. Please review the tour details to confirm the final list of services, operating hours, and any available upgrades.

The typical Lima and Cusco Essentials itinerary lasts between 6 and 8 days, although it can be adapted depending on dates and flights. It usually includes: arrival in Lima and city tour (Historic Center, Miraflores, and Barranco), flight to Cusco and acclimatization time, archaeological city tour (Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Tambomachay), full day in the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo) and train to Aguas Calientes, guided tour of Machu Picchu with free time to explore and return to Cusco, plus a free day for optional activities (Rainbow Mountain or Maras and Moray). The order may vary depending on train and entrance ticket availability.

The best time to travel to Lima and Cusco is usually during the Andean dry season (May to September), with sunny days ideal for excursions to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley; nights are cool, especially in Cusco. The rainy season (November to March) brings showers but offers lush green landscapes and fewer tourists. Lima has a temperate and humid climate; between June and September, drizzle and overcast skies are common. High season runs from June to August and during Holy Week. To ensure availability of trains, tickets, and hotels, it's advisable to book in advance and travel with layers of clothing and a raincoat.

The tour combines different altitudes: Lima (at sea level), Cusco (~3,400 m), the Sacred Valley (~2,800 m), and Machu Picchu (~2,430 m). Altitude sickness (soroche) may affect some travelers: I recommend staying hydrated, resting on the first day in Cusco, eating light meals, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and considering coca tea or preventative medication (consult your doctor about acetazolamide). The excursion is of moderate physical exertion, with walking, steps, and uneven surfaces; trekking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a poncho are recommended. Bring cash in soles, a credit card, a power bank, and a type A/B plug adapter. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

The price of the Lima and Cusco Essentials package varies depending on the season, hotel category (tourist, superior, or luxury), type of train to Machu Picchu, and number of passengers. A deposit is usually required to book, with the balance due before departure. Change and cancellation policies depend on each provider (hotels, trains, entrance fees) and may involve increasing penalties the closer to the date. Please review the exact policy before paying. A valid passport (or national ID for Peruvian citizens) and accurate information are required to issue train tickets and Machu Picchu entrance tickets. We recommend purchasing travel insurance with medical and baggage coverage.

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