Machu Picchu Vacation Package – Peru Vacation Package (8 Days)

Embark on your Machu Picchu Vacation Package with an immersive first day in Lima. On arrival, we will pick you up from the airport at a time aligned with your flight. A swift transfer will take you to your hotel in the vibrant district of Miraflores.

Once you’ve checked in and free morning, then prepare for a city tour of ancient and modern Lima. Our first stop will be the picturesque Love Park in Miraflores. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the sea and the Costa Verde, Lima’s verdant coastline, as part of your Peru Tour Package. Don’t miss the chance to spend some time in Larcomar, a unique shopping center perched on a cliff with an incredible ocean view.

Our journey will continue through the heart of Lima, included in your Peru Trip Package. We’ll tour the grand Plaza San Martin, the bustling Jirón de la Unión, and the historic Plaza de Armas. On the way, we will pass by the Inca Market, a vibrant hub of arts, crafts, and textiles.

The final destination for the day will be the Crypts of Lima at San Francisco and its Catacombs. This renowned cemetery consists of a sprawling network of tunnels and underground crypts serving as ossuaries. Located in the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco de Lima, this site brims with history.

We will then return you to your hotel for a restful evening. We will be gearing up for the exciting days ahead on your Machu Picchu Vacation Package.

Here are some key statistics from the first day of your tour:

• Distance covered: Approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) around Lima city.
• Highest altitude: Lima sits at around 505 feet (154 meters) above sea level.
• Lowest altitude: Sea level at Miraflores’ coastline.
• Level of difficulty: Easy, as the tour mainly involves city sightseeing.

Prepare for an exhilarating second day on your Machu Picchu Vacation Package. We will pick you up from your hotel in Miraflores or San Isidro at 5:00 am. From Lima, we will journey towards Paracas, a three and a half hour drive through picturesque landscapes.

By approximately 9:30 am, we’ll arrive in the vibrant town of Paracas. You’ll be welcomed by our team and transferred to the dock. We’ll equip you with life jackets and guide you onto motor boats. As we traverse the waves, you’ll marvel at the sight of sea lions, booby birds, pelicans, Humboldt penguins, and other seabirds. 

On our return, look out for the “Candelabra”, a massive Nazca-like figure etched into the sand. Following some free time at the pier, we’ll journey to Ica, a one-hour drive away.

Before reaching Ica, we’ll pause at an artisanal vineyard and winery. You’ll learn about the traditional process of wine and pisco making and witness the use of a press to crush the grapes. Lunch will be available for purchase at the wineries, with dishes ranging from 25 to 60 soles. 

Our journey then continues to Laguna de Huacachina, known as the oasis of America. Surrounded by palm trees, huarangos, and immense dunes, it’s a beautiful sight to behold.

Your adventure escalates with a thrilling ride on buggies, the desert carts of Huacachina. For approximately one hour, you’ll experience the adrenaline rush of sandboarding. Following the day’s activities, we will drive back to Lima, a four-hour journey. Your day will conclude with a drop-off in Miraflores, closing a day filled with awe-inspiring experiences.

Here are some key statistics from your second day:

• Distance covered: Approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers) round trip from Lima to Huacachina.
• Highest altitude: Ica and Huacachina are located around 1,300 feet (400 meters) above sea level.
• Lowest altitude: Sea level at Paracas’ coastline.
• Level of difficulty: Moderate, due to the early start, long distances covered, and adventure activities like buggy riding and sandboarding.

On the third day of your Machu Picchu Vacation Package, prepare for a change in scenery as we transition from coastal Lima to the mountainous heights of Cusco. We will pick you up from your hotel and accompany you to the airport for your flight to Cusco, timed according to your specific flight schedule.

Upon your arrival in Cusco, we’ll be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. This high-altitude city was once the capital of the Inca Empire, and is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture.

We’ll warmly welcome you with a briefing and recommendations on how to acclimatize to the high altitude. You’re encouraged to take a leisurely stroll through the main square and visit the most significant points of interest in the city. Cusco is rich in history, and a gentle exploration of its streets and plazas is the perfect way to ease into this new environment.

Here are some key statistics for your third day:

• Distance covered: The flight from Lima to Cusco covers approximately 355 miles (570 kilometers).
• Highest altitude: Cusco is located around 11,150 feet (3,400 meters) above sea level.
• Lowest altitude: Lima’s altitude at the airport is about 112 feet (34 meters) above sea level.
• Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate, considering the altitude change and the need for your body to acclimatize to Cusco’s high altitude.

Day four of your Machu Picchu Vacation Package will take you on an immersive journey through the Sacred Valley. We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 6:30 and 6:45 am, marking the beginning of our northern adventure through the heartland of the Incas.

Our first stop will be at Chinchero, home to a local association where you’ll learn about traditional textile dyeing and weaving techniques using alpaca wool. We’ll also explore the archaeological site of Chinchero, revealing more layers of Inca history. We will continue our journey to the Archaeological Site of Moray, once considered an agricultural laboratory by the Incas. Next, we’ll visit the town of Maras and its spectacular Salt Mines, where you can observe more than three thousand salt wells.

By noon, we’ll journey onwards to our restaurant in Urubamba. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to savor a nutritious New Andean buffet lunch, offering a taste of Cusco’s exquisite gastronomy. Our journey then continues to the Archaeological Site of Ollantaytambo. This site was an Inca tambo or resting place, and it also serves as the starting point to reach the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

On our return to Cusco, we’ll make a final stop at the archaeological site of Pisaq, which boasts the Incas’ largest cemetery. We will return to Cusco around 6:30 pm, capping off a day of exploration and discovery.

Here are your fourth-day statistics:

• Distance covered: Approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) round trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
• Highest altitude: Chinchero sits around 12,343 feet (3,763 meters) above sea level.
• Lowest altitude: Urubamba, at approximately 9,420 feet (2,870 meters) above sea level.
• Level of difficulty: Moderate, due to the early start and the extensive traveling throughout the day.

Day five of your Machu Picchu Vacation Package offers an awe-inspiring exploration of Machu Picchu. We’ll begin with an early morning pick-up from your hotel at 5:20 am. Our transport will then carry you to the Ollantaytambo station, a journey that takes approximately two hours.

Here, we’ll board the tourist train at 7:45 am. The Vistadome train will take us on a 1 hour and 35-minute journey to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival around 9:15 am, our guide will be waiting at the Aguas Calientes train station. They’ll provide helpful recommendations before we ascend to Machu Picchu.

Next, we’ll board the Consettur bus for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. At the entrance gate, we’ll present our tickets before embarking on a roughly three-hour guided tour. You’ll then have time for photos and to soak in the breathtaking views.

After the tour, our guide will instruct you on how to return to Aguas Calientes. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore the town, have lunch at your leisure, and visit the local craft market. Later, we’ll take the 16:22 pm Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo, a journey of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Finally, our driver will be waiting for you in Ollantaytambo to take you back to Cusco. We’ll drop you off at your hotel or the main square, rounding off a memorable day of discovery.

Here are your fifth-day statistics:

• Distance covered: Approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) round trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
• Highest altitude: Machu Picchu sits around 7,972 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level.
• Lowest altitude: Aguas Calientes, at approximately 6,690 feet (2,040 meters) above sea level.
• Level of difficulty: Moderate to high, considering the early morning start and the extensive journey.

On day six, your Machu Picchu Vacation Package will lead you on a captivating full-day trek to Lake Humantay. We’ll start the day early, with a pickup from your hotel or Airbnb between 4:00 am and 4:45 am. From there, we’ll embark on a two-hour journey to the Mollepata district. After passing the ticket control, we’ll stop for a buffet breakfast in Mollepata’s best restaurant, where we recommend sipping some coca tea to help with altitude acclimation.

Post breakfast, which will last about 45 minutes, we’ll continue to the Soraypampa hiking point, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away. At an altitude of 3900 meters (12,795 feet), our guide will give a brief explanation before we start our hike. The hike to Lake Humantay, which sits at an impressive 4200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level, will take around two hours. If you prefer, you can opt to ride a horse up the trail at a cost of about 80 soles, payable directly to the local muleteer.

Upon reaching Lake Humantay, you will have about an hour to take photos and absorb the stunning landscape. Our guide will also share interesting details about the area and the history of the lagoon. Afterward, we’ll return down the same path to Soraypampa station, where our driver will be waiting to take us back to Mollepata for a delicious lunch.

After an hour of lunch, we will head back to Cusco, a journey of roughly two hours. We expect to arrive back in Cusco at approximately 6:00 pm, and we will drop you off close to the main square or historic center.

Here are your sixth-day statistics:

• Distance covered: The round-trip trek from Soraypampa to Lake Humantay is about 5 miles (8 kilometers).
• Highest altitude: Lake Humantay, at 4200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level.
• Lowest altitude: Starting point at Soraypampa, 3900 meters (12,795 feet) above sea level.
• Level of difficulty: Moderate to difficult due to high altitude and uphill hiking.

On the seventh day of your Machu Picchu Vacation Package, you will embark on a full-day trek to the mesmerizing Rainbow Mountain. Your day will begin with a pick-up from your hotel or Airbnb between 4:00 am and 4:45 am. From there, we’ll journey south for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to a restaurant in the Cusipata district.

After the drive, you’ll enjoy a 45-minute buffet breakfast at a renowned tourist restaurant, which is included in your package. We suggest bringing along water, hats, and gloves for the trek. If you need to buy these essentials, you can do so at the restaurant.

Post-breakfast, we’ll continue for another hour to the Fullawasipata hiking point, located at an altitude of 4600 meters (15,091 feet) above sea level. Here, our guide will provide a brief orientation and you can use the restrooms before we begin the hike.

The uphill hike to Rainbow Mountain will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Should you wish, you can hire a horse to make the climb; the cost ranges from 60 to 90 soles.

Once we reach the peak, you’ll have about 45 minutes for a guided visit and picture-taking. Due to the high altitude and cold, we recommend not lingering for too long.

The return hike to the bus station will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes. From there, we’ll head back to the restaurant for a sumptuous lunch lasting about an hour. After lunch, we’ll make our way back to Cusco, arriving at around 4:00 pm. Your day concludes near the main square or the historic center.

Here are the key statistics for day seven:

• Distance covered: The round-trip trek from Fullawasipata to Rainbow Mountain is about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers).
• Highest altitude: Rainbow Mountain, at 5200 meters (17,060 feet) above sea level.
• Lowest altitude: Starting point at Fullawasipata, 4600 meters (15,091 feet) above sea level.
• Level of difficulty: Moderate to difficult due to high altitude and uphill hiking.

On the eighth and final day of your Machu Picchu Vacation Package, we will be transferring you back to the Cusco Airport. The timing of the transfer will depend on your flight schedule.

In case your flight is scheduled for the afternoon, the morning is yours to explore Cusco City further. You will have ample time to stroll through the vibrant city streets, delve deeper into its rich history, and perhaps buy some local souvenirs to remember your journey by.

When it’s time to leave, we will pick you up from your hotel or Airbnb and take you to the airport. This transfer will be scheduled to ensure you have enough time for check-in procedures and to board your flight without any hassle.

Here are the key statistics for day eight:

• Distance covered: The transfer distance from the city center to the Cusco Airport is around 3.2 miles (5.2 kilometers).
• Highest altitude: Cusco City at 3399 meters (11,152 feet) above sea level.
• Lowest altitude: Cusco Airport at 3311 meters (10,866 feet) above sea level.
• Level of difficulty: Easy. This is a transfer day and does not involve any physically strenuous activities.

This journey is drawing to its conclusion. We hope that you have gathered unforgettable memories and experiences from this eight-day Machu Picchu Vacation Package.