Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima
Welcome to beautiful Perú! At the airport, look for your Juve Travel Peru host holding a sign with your name on it. They will escort you to your hotel.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Miraflores Centro
Day 2: Paracas – Flight over the Nazca Lines
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will travel 4 hours by private transportation to the airport in Pisco. Please note that in certain weather conditions, a short wait is expected before boarding the plane. Enjoy a comfortable flight of 1 hour and 30 minutes over the desert to observe the mysterious Nasca Lines originally thought to be the remains of irrigation lines beyond the verdant Nazca Valley. It wasn’t until they were seen from the air that the lines were recognizable as figures of giant animals and geometric figures. The lines are thought to have been etched by three different groups from 900 BC to 630 AD. When we land, will be go to the hotel in Paracas to enjoy lunch, relax and spend the night.
Overnight and breakfast: Hotel San Agustin Paracas (L)
Day 3: Ballestas Islands – Lima
This morning we will take you to the Chaco station in Paracas for a group boat trip to the Ballestas Islands. This extraordinary archipelago is teeming with wildlife including thousands of resident and migratory sea birds—pelicans, boobies, cormorants, terns, and penguins among them, along with sea lions and fur seals. The famous candlestick design, a Nazca civilization figure etched on the desert face, can also be seen during the boat ride. After returning to the mainland, we will enjoy lunch and drive back to Lima.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Miraflores Centro (L)
Day 4: Fly to Cusco – Sacred Valley Acclimatization
After breakfast, we will take you to the airport for a spectacular one-hour flight over the Andes Mountains to Cusco. From the airport in Cusco, we will drive in our private transportation to the Sacred Valley for some unique Peruvian experiences. This day will help your acclimatization to the higher altitude. The journey from Cusco follows a beautiful mountain with views of the stunning valley below, formed by the Urubamba River. After we descend into the Valley, our first stop will be at the Pisac market where we will see colorful Peruvian handicrafts. Then we will go to the Pisac archeological site for a walking tour of the Inca site. From there we will continue through the Sacred Valley for lunch and on to the hotel to relax and spend the night.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Valley Sagrado (L)
Day 5: Sacred Valley
This morning we go to Chinchero, a place sacred to the Incas because it is the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Inhabitants live amongst almost untouched Inca constructions in the same way that our ancestors lived. In this weaving village, local people have preserved a living heritage expressed in the handcrafted textiles. Artisans from Chinchero are happy to show you their ancient technique of how the wool of alpaca and sheep is prepared, washed, spun, dyed and woven into their works of art. Then we will go to Moray, an important Inca site whose multi-terraced architecture made it an advanced bio-agricultural laboratory in its time. Enjoy the natural beauty while you marvel at the mysterious circular terraces which some historians believe created mini-microclimates used to grow different crops. After exploring Moray, we will go to the incredible salt ponds of Maras. Originally mined by the Incas, these ancient and colorful pools are now individually owned and tended by local people. Enjoy lunch in Urubamba before continuing to Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining Inca cities in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Inca urban planning. We will climb up the terraces toward the Temple of the Sun where we can enjoy views of the valley and see the quarries which provided the stones for Ollantaytambo. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and relax on your own.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Valle Sagrado (L)
Day 6: One day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
After breakfast we will travel by private transportation to the train station at Ollantaymbo to board the scenic train and travel to Km 104, the starting point of the trek. We ascend gradually to Wiñay Wayna, the best-preserved Inca site around Machu Picchu, visiting Chachabamba on the way. Lunch will be at a place chosen by the tour guide. We continue on the stone-paved Inca Trail through the cloud forest to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) where we will have a panoramic view of Machu Picchu and some time to enjoy the magical Inca city at sunset. Then we will go by bus to Aguas Calientes, where our hotel and dinner will be waiting for us.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Machu Picchu (L, D)
Day 7 Machu Picchu to Cusco
After an early breakfast at the hotel we will take the bus back to Machu Picchu for the complete guided tour of the magical city. Our guide will explain the significance of the stone structures, temples and the most important places. Later, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then take the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transportation will take us back to the hotel in Cusco.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Cusco Plaza
Day 8: Cusco and nearby Inca sites
Today we go by private transport to explore the nearby Inca site of Sacsayhuaman where you will view the impressive architecture of the Incas and the massive stones used in the fortress overlooking Cusco. We will visit Qenqo, a labyrinth with carved stone walls. Then continue to Puka Pukara, which is believed to be a defense fortress and is made up of large walls, terraces, and staircases. End your visit at the Incan bath and water temple of Tambo Machay. Spend the remainder of the day shopping, dining and exploring the diversity and rich culture of Cusco!
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Cusco Plaza
Day 9: Cusco to Lima
Enjoy a last morning to explore Cusco at your own pace. Our tour leader will be happy to offer suggestions for places to go and sights to see. We will take you to the airport in our private transportation for your flight back across the Andes to Lima to connect with your flight home.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND BRINGING:
- Current passport is required. If your passport expired between booking and starting your tour, bring both the old and new passports!
- Short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, fleece, thermals, wool socks, lightweight pants, warm hat
- Small pack to carry things that you will need during the day
- Rain gear or poncho
- Hiking boots with ankle support
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, film and batteries (batteries die faster in cold conditions)
- Hydrating face and body lotion
- Sun block and insect repellent
- Water bottles (Nalgene or metal ones are required, plastic bottles are not allowed)
- Toilet paper and tissues
