Essences of Peru: From the Coast of the Kings to the Imperial Andes

If you want to discover some of the most iconic places in Peru in just one week, this itinerary is made for you. Our Lima Cusco Machu Picchu 7 Days Tour combines history, culture, landscapes, and unforgettable experiences in a single journey designed to help you enjoy more without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
From the coast of Lima to the magic of Cusco and Machu Picchu, this itinerary is ideal for travelers who want a complete Peru experience with local coordination, clear logistics, and the confidence of traveling with a Cusco-based team.

Day 1: Arrival and Viceregal Lima

Recepción en el aeropuerto y traslado al hotel. Por la tarde, recorrido por la Lima moderna con vistas al mar, visita panorámica a la Huaca Pucllana y caminata por el Centro Histórico, finalizando con las impresionantes catacumbas del Convento de San Francisco

Day 2: Paracas, Pisco and Huacachina

Early morning departure for Paracas to sail to the Ballestas Islands (sea lions and birds) and see the "Candelabro" geoglyph. After lunch with a pisco tasting, enjoy an afternoon of buggy adventures and sandboarding in the Huacachina Oasis. Return to Lima.

Day 3: Flight to Cusco and the Inca Capital.

Transfer and flight to the "Imperial City". Afternoon dedicated to exploring the Coricancha (Temple of the Sun), the Cathedral and the majestic archaeological complexes of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Tambomachay.

Day 4: Treasures of the Sacred Valley

Visit to the archaeological center and market of Pisaq. Buffet lunch in Urubamba and exploration of the Ollantaytambo fortress. In the evening, travel by train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).

Day 5: The Encounter with Machu Picchu

Take a bus up to the citadel for a guided tour of the main temples and viewpoints of this wonder of the world. Time for photos and return by train to the city of Cusco.

Day 6: Colors over the Clouds

Adventure hike to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) at 5,090 meters above sea level. High Andean landscapes, views of the Ausangate mountain, and direct contact with nature. Includes breakfast and lunch in the town of Cusipata.

Day 7: Farewell to the Imperial City

Free morning for the last purchases and transfer to Cusco airport according to the flight schedule.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 - Assistance at Lima airport and Lima city tour

Welcome to Peru! Today we will assist you at Jorge Chávez International Airport and transfer you to your selected hotel. The rest of the morning is free to relax, and in the afternoon we will begin our City Tour. Around 2 PM, we will pick you up from your hotel to start the tour. Our first stop will be the modern part of Lima, with its breathtaking views of the Peruvian sea. Next, we will continue to Huaca Pucllana to view it from the outside and learn a bit about the civilization that developed in the city of Lima. We will then proceed to the historic center of Lima. With a short walk, we will see the Cathedral of Lima, the Municipal Palace, and the Government Palace. We will provide a brief explanation to help you understand a bit about the history of the ancient City of Kings. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful views and take photos before continuing with a visit to the Convent of San Francisco. There, we will explore its cloisters and catacombs, which will impress you with their history and the state of preservation they maintain to this day. With this visit we conclude and return to our meeting points after an afternoon full of history and memories.

Day 2: Visit Paracas and experience the adventure in Huacachina:

We begin hotel pick-ups between 4:30 and 5:00 am. We'll take the Pan-American Highway South, and while watching the sunrise, we'll enjoy the transformation of the city landscape into a beautiful desert. We arrive in Paracas and head to the pier to begin our Ballestas Islands excursion, a place known for its biodiversity and unique landscapes. This tour is done by boat. During our visit, we'll be able to observe several colonies of sea lions perched on rocks that seem sculpted by the sea and wind. We'll also see various birds such as seagulls, pelicans, and others. Also on our tour, we'll be able to see the famous Candelabra geoglyph of Caracas, an enigmatic figure molded into the sand, which remains a mystery to this day. This tour connects us with nature and beautiful landscapes. At the end of this visit, we'll head towards the Huacachina Oasis. Along the way, we'll stop at a winery where you'll enjoy a delicious lunch and have the opportunity to learn about and taste the pisco-making process, Peru's national drink. We'll continue our adventure to the Huacachina Oasis, a dreamlike natural place surrounded by enormous dunes where you'll experience a real adrenaline rush. We'll explore this beautiful desert landscape in buggies at top speed with expert drivers. Afterward, we'll try sandboarding, sliding down the sand on boards and feeling the excitement and adventure of this part of Peru. We'll watch the beautiful sunset over the dunes before returning to Lima, arriving at approximately 10:00 PM.

Day 3: Trip to Cusco and afternoon City Tour:

We will transfer you according to your flight schedule to Jorge Chávez Airport to catch your flight to Cusco. The flight is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Upon arrival in Cusco, we will assist you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have time to drink coca tea and rest. In the afternoon, around 12:50 PM, we will pick you up to begin your tour of Cusco. This tour begins at Coricancha, a beautiful and imposing site known for its finely crafted stones. It currently belongs to the Dominican Order. Here, we will observe the perfect stonework of the Incas. We will explore its finely carved temples, visit the art gallery with beautiful paintings from the Cusco School, and finally the Church of Santo Domingo. Then we continue our tour to Sacsayhuaman, located 20 minutes from the city. We will visit the plaza where the famous Inti Raymi, the Inca festival, takes place. We will observe the enormous stones worked by the Incas, which will leave us with a sense of wonder at how humankind could work these rocks to such a scale. We continue our tour to visit Qenqo, a sacred and mystical place, and then conclude at the water temple, or Tamboma Chai. We will return to the city of Cusco at approximately 6:00 PM.

Day 4: Sacred Valley Tour and Journey to Machu Picchu:

We will pick you up from your hotel around 7:30 AM. We will head towards the town of Pisac. On our journey, we will make stops at artisan markets and viewpoints from where we will have a beautiful view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first place to visit will be Pisac, an Inca archaeological site located in the mountains with beautiful terraces and constructions. After the guided tour, we will go down to the colonial town where we will have time to observe the goldwork and handicrafts. We continue our journey crossing several typical towns along the Wilkamayo River, arriving in Urubamba where we will have a buffet lunch. After recharging our energy, we continue for about 20 minutes to Tambo, an impressive archaeological site surrounded by terraces and magnificent constructions. It is also a very beautiful town with streets that still maintain the Inca design. After the guided tour, we will head to the train station to take the train to the town of Machu Picchu, called Aguas Calientes. The train journey lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Upon arrival at the station, we will assist you and transfer you to your hotel. You will then coordinate with the guide the visit to Machu Picchu, which will take place the following day.

Day 5 Visit the wonder of the world Machu Picchu

After coordinating with the guide the day before, we begin the day. After breakfast, we head to the bus station where we will take the bus up to the citadel. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes approximately 30 minutes. Once we arrive at the entrance to Machu Picchu, we will check in with our tickets and begin our guided tour, visiting the viewpoints and main temples of the citadel. Our guide will help us take beautiful photographs and, with excellent explanations, we will understand the magnificence of this place. The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours. After this time, we return to Aguas Calientes. You will have time for lunch and then we will go to the train station to take the train back to the city of Cusco.

Day 6: The Rainbow Mountain

Located at the foot of the Ausangate mountain at 5090 meters above sea level, this multicolored mountain is ideal for lovers of hiking and adventures filled with nature and unique landscapes. We pick you up from your hotel or Airbnb between 4:00 and 4:30 am and 5:00 am. We head towards the town of Cuzipata. Upon arrival, we'll have breakfast to start the hike with plenty of energy. After approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, we reach our starting point. Once ready, we begin the adventure. The hike takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes through a landscape full of mountains. We have the option to rent horses if needed. Upon arriving at the Vinicunca viewpoint, we'll have a brief explanation, time to explore, and take unforgettable photos. Afterward, we return along the same path to our vehicle, which will take us back to Cusco. But first, we'll stop at our restaurant for a delicious lunch before returning to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 pm.

Day 7: Transfer to the Airport

Last day in Cusco, according to your flight schedule we will transfer you to the airport.

If you want to experience Peru in a complete, exciting, and well-organized way, our local team is ready to help you make it happen. Travel from Lima to Cusco and Machu Picchu with confidence, support, and real local knowledge.

PRICE:
990 USD PER PERSON

 

Includes:

• Airport-hotel-airport transfers.
• 2 nights hotel in Lima with breakfast.
• 3 nights hotel in Cusco with breakfast.
• 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes with breakfast
• Domestic flights Lima-Cusco-Lima.
• Lima city tour + entrance fees.
• Ballestas Islands and Huacachina tours.
• Cusco city tou.
• Tourist Ticket in Cusco (entrance fees to sites visited)
• Sacred Valley tour + buffet lunch
• Machu Picchu tour (includes round-trip trains, transfers to the train station, Machu Picchu entrance fees, bus tickets, and a professional guide).
• Rainbow Mountain tour (includes breakfast, lunch, and entrance fees).

Not included:

• International flights.
• Lunches and dinners not specified.
• Tips optional.
• Additional income.