Magical Peru 9D/8N
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Tour Details
This comprehensive itinerary connects the Pacific Coast, the Southern Desert, the Imperial Andes, and the Peruvian altiplano in a seamless, optimized journey. Designed for international travelers, the program provides multilingual assistance for private transfers, logistics with tourist train tickets, suggested domestic flights, and premium accommodations.
The journey begins in the cosmopolitan capital of Lima with a tour of its UNESCO World Heritage Historic Center and Miraflores. It continues to the southern coast with a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands to observe local marine wildlife, followed by sandboarding on the dunes of Huacachina. Next, the group travels to the high altitudes of Cusco to explore the Sacred Valley and the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The final segment connects the Andes to the Altiplano via the Route of the Sun toward Puno, concluding with a boat tour on Lake Titicaca to visit the ancient communities of Uros and Taquile.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lima and Colonial & Modern City Tour
Morning: Arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM). Private reception and transfer to your hotel in the Miraflores district. Afternoon: Start of the Lima City Tour. Stroll through the Love Park (Parque del Amor) in Miraflores, view the panoramic Huaca Pucllana site, and take a guided walking tour of the Historic Center: Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, Lima Cathedral, and the San Francisco Convent with its underground catacombs. Night: Overnight stay in Lima.
Day 2: South Coast Excursion: Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis
04:30 AM: Private transfer from Lima to Paracas. 08:00 AM: Speedboat tour to the Ballestas Islands. Observe the "Chandelier" (El Candelabro) geoglyph, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and guano birds. 11:00 AM: Transfer to the city of Ica. Visit a traditional artisan winery with a guided tasting of Peruvian pisco and wines. 02:30 PM: Visit the Huacachina Oasis. Take a dune buggy ride across the desert dunes and try sandboarding. 07:00 PM: Return to Lima. Night: Overnight stay in Lima.
Day 3: Flight from Lima to Cusco – Imperial City Tour and Archaeological Sites
Morning: Transfer to the Lima airport to catch your flight to the imperial city of Cusco (11,150 ft / 3,400 m.a.s.l.). Reception at Velasco Astete Airport and hotel transfer with welcome coca tea to assist with acclimation. Afternoon: Cusco City Tour. Visit the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha), the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), and the Cathedral. Continue to the nearby archaeological park: Sacsayhuamán fortress, Q'enqo ceremonial center, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. Night: Overnight stay in Cusco.
Day 4: Sacred Valley of the Incas – Train to Aguas Calientes
Morning: Departure for the Sacred Valley. Visit the Pisac archaeological site and artisan market.
Midday: Buffet lunch featuring Andean cuisine in Urubamba.
Afternoon: Guided tour of the Inca military fortress of Ollantaytambo. Board the tourist train at Ollantaytambo station bound for Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town).
Night: Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
Morning: Shuttle bus ride up to the Machu Picchu Inca Citadel. Private guided tour through the primary sectors of this Wonder of the World (Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana, Main Square, and Temple of the Condor).
Afternoon: Shuttle bus ride down to Aguas Calientes. Return train to Ollantaytambo and private transfer back to the city of Cusco.
Night: Overnight stay in Cusco.
Day 6: Route of the Sun: Cusco to Puno by Tourist Bus
06:30 AM: Depart by tourist bus with an onboard guide heading to Puno, crossing the Collao plateau.
Stops along the route:
Church of San Pedro Apóstol in Andahuaylillas ("The Sistine Chapel of the Americas").
Raqchi archaeological site (Temple of the God Wiracocha).
Buffet lunch in Sicuani.
La Raya Pass (geographical border between Cusco and Puno, 14,222 ft / 4,335 m.a.s.l.).
Pukara Culture Lithic Museum.
05:00 PM: Arrival in the city of Puno (12,506 ft / 3,812 m.a.s.l.) and hotel transfer.
Night: Overnight stay in Puno.
Day 7: Lake Titicaca: Floating Islands of Uros and Taquile Island
Morning: Transfer to the lake port in Puno. Set sail on a motorized tourist boat across Lake Titicaca.
Visits:
Floating Islands of Uros: Demonstration on how the islands are built using totora reeds and an introduction to the ancient community's customs.
Taquile Island: Hike to the summit of the island, famous for its textile art, recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Midday: Traditional lunch featuring fresh lake trout.
Afternoon: Boat ride back to the port of Puno and hotel transfer.
Night: Overnight stay in Puno.
Day 8: Puno – Sillustani Necropolis – Transfer to Juliaca Airport
Morning: Departure for the Sillustani Chullpas, pre-Inca and Inca funerary towers located on the shores of Lake Umayo.
Afternoon: Transfer to Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Juliaca (JUL) to catch your flight to Lima. Reception in Lima and hotel transfer.
Night: Overnight stay in Lima.
Day 9: International Departure from Lima
Coordinated Time: Private transfer from the hotel to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima to board your return flight home. End of services.
Services
Included
Tickets and Admission Passes (Guaranteed on a general basis): Entrance ticket to the Lima Cathedral and San Francisco Catacombs. Entrance ticket to the Paracas National Reserve and Ballestas Islands. Port fee and entry permits for dune buggies and sandboarding in Huacachina. Full General Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) for archaeological monuments. Entrance ticket to the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha) and the Cusco Cathedral. Official Entrance Ticket to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Admission tickets for the Route of the Sun: Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, and Pukara Museum. Admission tickets to Lake Titicaca (Uros and Taquile) and the Sillustani Archaeological Site.
Transfers and Transportation: All private Airport – Hotel – Airport transfers in Lima, Cusco, and Juliaca. Private/shared tourist transportation for all land excursions. Round-trip tourist train ticket for the Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo segment. Round-trip shuttle bus tickets (Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes). Direct tourist bus from Cusco to Puno with onboard service and sightseeing stops. Motorized tourist boat for the Ballestas Islands and Lake Titicaca.
Accommodations: 03 nights of hotel stay in Lima. 03 nights of hotel stay in Cusco. 01 night of hotel stay in Aguas Calientes. 02 nights of hotel stay in Puno.
Meals: Daily breakfast at all hotels. 03 buffet lunches (Sacred Valley, Route of the Sun to Puno, and Taquile Island).
Guides and Assistance: Accredited official tour guides (English or Spanish) on all tours. 24/7 in-person and remote logistical assistance throughout the trip.
Not Included
International Flights: Airfare from your home country to Lima and return flights back home.
Mandatory Domestic Flights: Airfare for internal routes (Lima – Cusco and Juliaca – Lima).
International Travel Insurance: Insurance policy covering medical expenses, accidents, and international traveler assistance.
Maritime Port Fee: Port tax required for departure to the Ballestas Islands in Paracas.
Optional Mountain Hike Tickets: Optional admission passes for additional hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain.
Unspecified Meals: Lunches and dinners that are not explicitly listed in the detailed itinerary.
Tips: Voluntary gratuities for tour guides, drivers, transfer staff, and baggage handlers.
Payment Processing Fees: Administrative surcharges applicable to transactions made with foreign credit cards or international transfers.
Personal Expenses: Additional services such as laundry, handicraft purchases, phone calls, alcoholic beverages, or bottled drinks.
Recommendations
Original valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining before its expiration date. Physical printed copies of immigration cards, flight tickets, and train passes. International credit card and cash in small USD or PEN (Peruvian Soles) bills. Small daypack (20 liters max) for daily excursions and your overnight stay in Machu Picchu. Technical hiking shoes with non-slip soles, well broken-in for walking on stone trails. Layered clothing system: thermal undershirts, fleece jackets, and a windproof/waterproof layer. Down jacket or heavy thermal coat for cold nights in Cusco and Puno. Wide-brimmed hat or cap with a visor for sun protection. Sunglasses with UV400 protection. SPF 50+ sunscreen and moisturizing lip balm with sun protection. Insect repellent formulated with DEET for the high-jungle region of Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Prescribed personal medication and altitude sickness (soroche) pills. Lightweight rain poncho for unpredictable Andean showers. Swimsuit and quick-dry towel for visiting the Huacachina dunes. Universal plug adapter for type A and B electrical outlets (220V / 60Hz). Portable external battery pack (power bank) to charge mobile phones and cameras.
What to bring
ESSENTIAL
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
RECOMMENDED
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa or special passport to enter Peru?
Citizens of most countries in North America, Western Europe, and Latin America do not require a visa for tourist stays of under 90 days; you only need an original valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from your date of entry into the country.
How is high-altitude acclimation managed during the itinerary?
The itinerary is designed gradually: it starts at sea level in Lima, Paracas, and Huacachina, before flying to Cusco (11,150 ft / 3,400 m.a.s.l.). We recommend resting for the first few hours in Cusco, drinking plenty of water or coca tea, and avoiding heavy meals on your first day.
How far in advance should I book this 9-day package?
We recommend booking at least 3 to 4 months in advance. Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and tourist train passes have daily capacity limits set by government conservation regulations.
What currency is used in Peru, and are credit cards easy to use?
The official currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN), although US Dollars (USD) are widely accepted in tourist areas. International credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at most establishments, though carrying cash in small denominations is recommended for artisan purchases or tipping.
Is admission to the Ballestas Islands guaranteed in case of bad weather?
Boat tours to the Ballestas Islands depend on sea conditions and clearances issued by the Peruvian Navy. If the port is closed due to high waves or strong winds, the activity is rescheduled or replaced with an alternative overland tour inside the Paracas National Reserve.
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