Peru in a few days
7 days / 6 nights
Pachacamac,
to the south of Peru's capital Lima, was the most important coastal
settlement for the Incas and Lima itself has much to offer from pre-Inca
times to the present day. Discover the impressive buildings and
archaeological treasures of the Inca Empire in and around Cusco and the
Urubamba (Vilcanota) Valley.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
• Pick up from Lima airport and transfer to the hotel.
• Overnight in Lima.
Day 2: Lima
• Pachacamac, an important settlement before the Incas and an important coastal base for the Incas (half day).
• City tour in Lima with impressive testimonies from the time before the Incas, the colonial period and the newest buildings.
• Overnight in Lima.
Day 3: from Lima to Cusco
• Lima: transfer from the hotel to the airport.
• Flight from Lima to Cusco.
• Transfer from the airport in Cusco to the hotel.
• City tour in Cusco (city and surrounding areas, half day).
• Overnight in Cusco
.
Day 4: the Sacred Valley of the Incas
• Full day excursion through the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba or Vilcanota Valley), visiting the handicraft market in Pisac and the cities of Urubamba and Ollantaytambo (lunch included).
• Overnight in Cusco.
Day 5: Machu Picchu
• Full day trip by train to Machu Picchu (journey from Cusco to Aguas Calientes about 3 hours).
• Guided visit of the Inca city of Machu Picchu (including bus ride up to the ruins and lunch).
• Return to Cusco by train.
• Overnight in Cusco.
Day 6: from Cusco to Lima
• Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Cusco.
• Flight from Cusco to Lima.
• Transfer from the airport in Lima to the hotel.
• Overnight in Lima.
Day 7: Farewell to Peru
• An optional city tour in Lima depending on your flight schedule.
• Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
Travel dates
Daily, the program parts in Cusco may have to be adapted to the corresponding weekdays.
Personalize your journey
This program can largely be adapted to individual wishes. Some opportunities for additions or changes to your itinerary:
Lima
• Pachacamac.
• Caral – oldest civilization in America.
• Boat trip to the Palomino Islands (half day).
• Gold Museum.
• Anthropology Museum.
• National Museum.
• Larco Herrera Museum.
• Art Museum.
• Museum of Natural History.
• Additional day without program.
• Further suggestions in «Lima».
Cusco
• Additional day without program to get to know Cusco on your own.
• Excursion to Maras and Moray (1 day), by car or as a bicycle tour.
• Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu to visit Machu Picchu again or visit the thermal baths (1 day).
• Hike on the traditional Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (4 days).
• Hike past the Salkantay to Machu Picchu (4 days).
• Trek to Choquequirao (4 or 5 days).
• Hike to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu (8 days).
• Further suggestions in «Cusco».
Best season for this trip
Anytime possible. In the dry season from May to November, it rarely rains in the mountains (Arequipa, Puno and Cusco) and clear visibility is likely in the travel destinations. In the rainy season from December to April one finds a more lush and fresher flora with less tourist traffic. This is also when most orchids bloom.
