Make the most of your South America vacation with this 8-day best of Peru tour! While Peru boasts many archeological sites and fascinating cities, this tour covers the essentials: Lima, Cusco, Paracas, the Nazca Lines and, of course, Machu Picchu. With both guided tours and leisure time throughout your trip, this 8-day itinerary fits the budget while satisfying your need to explore!
Highlights
- 8-day tour of Lima, Cusco, Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu
- Spend a day in Lima exploring its natural parks and archeological sites
- Hop on an air tour for a bird's-eye view of the Nazca Lines
- Explore Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- All accommodation, breakfast and tours included
Book this 8-day tour of Lima, Nazca, Paracas and Cusco, and leave the stress of daily schedules, road transportation and hotel options behind! This great-value tour covers all the details and allows you to make the most of your vacation in Peru. Designed for both first-time visitors and savvy travelers alike, the tour includes your hotel accommodation (with breakfast), transfers to and from the airports in Lima and Cusco, guided tours and much more!
You'll first spend some time exploring Lima – the City of Kings and capital of Peru. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of both the ancient and modern sides of the city, its nature parks and archeological wonders. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the San Francisco convent, home to Lima's mysterious catacombs.
Then it's on to the city of Nazca for an air tour over the mysterious Nazca Lines. You'll enjoy the views aboard a small Cesna airplane, which has a window seat for every passenger. These spectacular views of these famous geoglyphs are available only from the air!
On your way back to Lima from Nazca, you'll make an overnight stop in Paracas and spend the morning cruising around the Ballesta Islands on a boat tour. Get up close and personal with wildlife and gain panoramic coastal views of Peru's shoreline and the mysterious Chandelier.
After an overnight stay in Lima, you'll board your flight to Cusco (flight not included in tour price). You'll have two full days to explore Cusco (with both guided tours and leisure time) and one full day at Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Please see the itinerary section below for more detailed information.
IMPORTANT: Please provide passport details for all travelers at the time of booking. Failure to do so may result in your tour not being confirmed.
Schedule Details
Nazca Lines in the Peruvian Desert
Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.
Coincides with your flight's arrival in Lima
Duration:8 days (approx.)
Tour and Pricing Options
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Additional Information
- Lima:
- Round-trip arrival and departure transfers (Day 1 and Day 8)
- Lima city tour
- Two nights accommodation in Lima (Day 1 and Day 4). Hotel varies by option selected
- Daily breakfast
- Transfer to bus station for trip to Nazca
- Bus ticket from Lima to Nazca (Day 2)
- Transfer to airport to head to Cusco (Day 5)
- Transfer from bus station to hotel (Day 2)
- One night accommodation in Nazca (Day 2). Hotel varies by option selected
- Daily breakfast
- Air tour over the Nazca Lines
- Transfer from Nazca to Paracas (Day 3)
- One night accommodation in Paracas (Day 3). Hotel varies by option selected
- Sightseeing cruise of the Ballesta Islands
- Transfer from Paracas to Lima (Day 4)
- Round-trip arrival and departure transfers (Day 5 and Day 8)
- City tour
- Archeological tour of Sacsayhuaman, Qengo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay
- Transportation to and from train station in Cusco for trip to Machu Picchu
- Roundtrip train tickets (Backpacker class)
- Bus to and from the citadel of Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Three nights accommodation in Cusco (Day 5, 6 and 7). Hotel varies by option selected
- Daily breakfast
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities (optional)
- International airfare (to and from Peru)
- Domestic airfare (round-trip to Cusco from Lima)
- Airport taxes (USD$6.50 for domestic flights and USD$32.00 for international)
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants. Otherwise, your tour may not be confirmed.
- When booking your domestic flight from Lima to Cusco, it must be in the morning. Arrival by noon is too late.
- Upon time of booking, please provide flight itinerary for international flights and domestic flights
- Please note: the number of adults selected corresponds to the number of rooms requested
Economy Class - Lima:
- Mariel
- Leon de Oro
- Girasoles
- Agusto's
- Emperador Plaza
- Mabey
- Majoro
- El Condor
- San Agustin Exclusive
- Melia Lima
- Atton
- Novotel Lima
- Sonesta El Olivar
- Jose Antonio
- Sol de Oro
- Casa Andina Private Collection
- Picoaga
- Sonesta Hotel Cusco
- Novotel Cusco
- Jose Antonio
- Eco Inn Cusco
- San Agustin Dorado
- Hotel Cantayo
- Double Tree Guest Suites
Upon arrival in Lima, you'll be met at the airport and taken directly to your hotel. In the afternoon, after you've rested a little, enjoy a Lima city tour to get you better acquainted with Peru’s capital. Stroll through Lima’s beautiful streets and plazas and soak in the sights of this historic city. You'll start at the Love Park in Miraflores district, with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Then, make your way to San Isidro, the financial center of the city, to visit Huaca Huallamarca, a famous pre-Incan shrine. After this, go on to the main square where the Government Palace and Town Hall are located. Visit Lima Cathedral and explore the San Francisco convent, which was built in the seventeenth century and is home to Lima's mysterious catacombs.
Day 2:
In the morning, you'll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the bus station to depart to Nazca. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcoming reception and be transferred to your hotel. You'll have this evening free to explore the town or simply rest at the hotel.
DAY 3:
In the morning, head to the local airfield to fly over the famous Nazca Lines in a private Cesna airplane! These huge geoglyphs, which represent several insects and animals, are best seen from the sky. The origins are unknown; many think it is a big astronomic calendar. In the afternoon, get on the bus and head to Paracas bay. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel for an evening of leisure.
DAY 4:
Early in the morning, embark on a scenic boat tour around the Ballesta Islands. One of the famous landmarks of this area of Peru is the famous Chandelier, a geoglyph which lies in the sand in the style of the Nazca Lines and is best seen from the water. On the islands, keep your eyes open for sea lions, pelicans, Humboldt penguins and other sea birds. In the afternoon, get back on the bus to transfer back to Lima.
DAY 5:
In the morning, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco (flight is not included). It is highly recommended that you purchase tickets for a morning flight.
Upon arrival in Cusco, you'll be transferred to the hotel to freshen up before you begin exploring the mysterious city of Cusco. In the afternoon, your city tour begins with a visit to the San Cristobal Plaza, where you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Then, visit the San Pedro Market to soak in its local flavors and to learn about more of the regional products that supply the whole city.
Next, head over to the Korikancha temple and marvel at its magnificence. This temple, whose name in Quechua means “Gold Enclosure,” will dazzle you with its gold-covered walls. Then, head over to Santo Domingo Church in the San Blas artisans’ neighborhood before heading to the Hatun Rumiyoc street, making a stop at the Inca Roca Palace. Continue your walk to the main square to visit the Cathedral of Santo Domingo and admire its beautiful colonial masterpieces.
DAY 6:
In the morning, you'll visit Sacsayhuaman, a huge fortress of colossal constructions and a true archeological wonder. The adventure continues at the Inca shrine Qenqo, where you'll see a sacrificial altar embedded inside a rock cave. Finally, you'll arrive at the Puca Pucara viewpoint, home of the famous Tambomachay monument. You'll then the afternoon free to explore the city on your own.
DAY 7:
In the morning, board the train for a day at Machu Picchu! After your scenic journey on the train, you'll arrive at the Aguas Calientes station and board the bus to go up the winding road to Machu Picchu. Your visit is fully guided and your professional guide will answer any questions you have. After your visit, you'll have some free time to explore the fortress and have lunch at one of the restaurants in the area. Then, take the train back to Cusco for your last night of the tour.
DAY 8:
In the morning, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Lima. Voucher Info: You must present a paper voucher for this tour. We will email a link to access and print your voucher at the Lead Travelers email address. What's this? Local Operator Information:
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
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