Peru: Coast & Andes — 8 Days

We depart Lima at 04:40 a. m. along the Pan-American Highway South in tourist transport, with a tour briefing during the ride. Around 06:00 a. m. we stop briefly for breakfast (at the traveler’s expense); a box breakfast is usually provided and you can also buy local bread and drinks. In Paracas, at 09:30 a. m. we begin the boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, first viewing the famous Candelabra geoglyph and then the abundant marine wildlife: seabirds, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. Back in the bay, at 10:00 a. m. we enjoy a tasting of traditional sweets such as tejas and chocotejas. At 13:00 p. m. you’ll have free time for lunch (on your own). At 14:00 p. m. we visit an artisan winery to learn about wine and pisco production with a tasting included; at 15:00 p. m. we visit the Huacachina Oasis and at 15:30 p. m. you may choose optional dune buggies and sandboarding. At 17:30 p. m. we return to Lima after a full day of sea, desert, and local tradition.

In the morning, we transfer you from the hotel to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, our team welcomes you and escorts you to the hotel to rest and acclimatize (Cusco sits at about 3,399 m). In the afternoon, enjoy a four-hour city tour visiting Qoricancha, the Sacsayhuamán fortress, and the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucará, and Tambomachay. After a rich mix of Inca history, colonial legacy, and scenic viewpoints, we return to the hotel to rest.

We pick you up at 07:30 a.m. to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a region of agricultural landscapes and mountains with a milder climate than Cusco. We begin at the Taray Viewpoint, continue to the colorful Pisac Market, and then visit the Pisac ruins with guided interpretation. After a buffet lunch in Urubamba, we explore Ollantaytambo, famous for its Inca urban layout and impressive terraces. Later, we head to the station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, where our staff assists with the hotel transfer and recommendations for your Machu Picchu visit.

After breakfast, according to your entry time, we take you to the bus station for the ~25-minute ascent to Machu Picchu. At the entrance, you must present your original passport and physical ticket. Inside Machu Picchu (about 2,430 m), your guide explains the site’s history, architecture, and meaning during a ~2-hour guided circuit, covering the most emblematic sectors. Afterwards, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes (25 minutes) and you’ll have free time for lunch on your own. Then we take the train back to Ollantaytambo and transfer to your hotel in Cusco, closing a truly unforgettable day.

We begin early at 04:30 a.m. with hotel pickup in Cusco and travel south for about three hours through Andean towns such as Oropesa, Andahuaylillas, and Urcos until we reach Cusipata for an energizing breakfast. We continue to Phulawasipata (4,600 m) to start a ~1.5-hour hike surrounded by highland scenery, alpacas and llamas, and views of the Ausangate range. At the viewpoint of Vinicunca (5,300 m), enjoy time for photos and the stunning multicolored landscape. We hike back down, enjoy an Andean buffet lunch in Cusipata, and return to Cusco around 5:00 p.m..

We depart at 04:30 a.m. with hotel pickup and drive northeast through Andean valleys to Mollepata for breakfast. Then we continue to Soraypampa (3,900 m) to begin the hike. The ascent takes about 2 hours to reach Humantay Lake (4,200 m), famous for its turquoise waters and dramatic mountain setting, with time for photos and quiet enjoyment. We hike back down to Soraypampa, return to Mollepata for a buffet lunch, and arrive back in Cusco around 6:00 p.m..

At the scheduled time, our team transfers you to the airport for your departure flight. You’ll finish this journey with the satisfaction of having experienced Peru from the coast to the Andes, combining culture, adventure, and unique landscapes.