7 Day Lima and Cusco Tour with Overnight at Machu Picchu

Experience the top highlights of Lima, Cusco and world-famous Machu Picchu during this 7-day, 6-night excursion. Spend your first two days in cosmopolitan Lima, discovering its landmarks, shopping and top-notch cuisine. Then head to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco to explore its fascinating mix of indigenous and colonial architecture, and then on to the iconic mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. This week-long, budget-friendly Peru trip, including plenty of free time for independent exploration, also includes all transport, admission fees (including at Machu Picchu), six nights of accommodation and daily breakfast.

Highlights

7-day tour of Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu See the famous landmarks of Lima and Inca ruins of Cusco Enjoy free time in both cities to explore on your own Spend the night at Machu Picchu All accommodation, breakfast and tours included

What You Can Expect

Immerse yourself in the modern and ancient culture of Peru as you visit Lima, Cusco and the iconic Inca village of Machu Picchu during this 7-day, 6-night excursion. This wallet-friendly trip package, covering some of Peru’s top sights, combines plenty of free time with a variety of fascinating planned excursions.

Begin your tour with arrival at Lima’s International Airport, after which you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy two days in this unique coastal city, also known as the “City of Kings,” spending the first day on a guided sightseeing trip to Lima’s top landmarks and then enjoying day two at your leisure. You might choose to explore one of Lima’s top museums, do some shopping or check out the Temple of Pachacamac.

For day three, head to the airport in Lima for your flight to Cusco. Once you arrive in this ancient Inca center, head to the city's vibrant San Blas neighborhood, Koricancha and the Palace of Inca Roca. Spend day four at the various Incan ruins in the greater region around Cusco. Admire the stunning stone fortifications and great city views from Sacsayhuaman, before stopping at the archaeological sites of Tambomachay and Qenqo. You’ll have the afternoon free.

Continue your trip on day five by boarding a train for the trip to Aguas Calientes, the city that’s considered the gateway to Machu Picchu. Scale the winding roads leading to this famous Inca fortress and village, enjoying several hours at the site to participate in a guided sightseeing tour, and then explore at your leisure. Spend the night on day five in Aguas Calientes allowing you to make the most of the sunset vistas at Machu Picchu and the next day’s sunrise.

Spend day six enjoy glorious rays of morning light as they hit Machu Picchu, then choose to explore other areas of the site such as the mountains of Huayna Picchu or Intipunku, returning in the evening to Cusco. On day seven you’ll return by plane to Lima.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Upon arrival at the International Airport in Lima, you'll enjoy a warm reception and transfer to your hotel. For those staying in a first class hotel, you'll be welcomed with Peru’s national drink, the Pisco Sour. This world famous Peruvian drink is as well known in the area as tequila is in Mexico. A hard liquor made from the quebranta grape, Pisco comes from the city “Pisco” located 155 miles (250km) south of Lima.

In the afternoon, you'll head out for a fully guided sightseeing tour of Lima´s historical center, your first stop will be made at Love Park (also known as the “Parque del Amor”). From here, you'll be able to relax and enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. You'll also see “Huaca Pucllana” which is also located in Miraflores. As your guided sightseeing tour continues, you'll visit the modern part of Lima which boasts an old pre-Inca shrine called "Huaca Huallamarca", located in the residential area of San Isidro. Next, visit Lima's main square, where you'll view the Presidential and Municipal palaces and the main Cathedral. You'll have the opportunity to enter the Cathedral, which holds the tomb of the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro.

Day 2:

Enjoy a delicious breakfast (included in the price) before spending a day of leisure.

Day 3:

After breakfast, you'll bet transferred to the airport for your departure to Cusco (domestic airfare between Lima and Cusco is not included in price) . Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed with coca infusion tea (“mate de coca”) that will help you to get used to the altitude. Enjoy the rest of the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, you'll visit the imperial city of Cusco. Beginning in the neighborhood of San Blas, with its artisans, you'll visit the church of San Blas to see its impressively carved woodwork.

Traveling by foot, you'll go down the narrow stairs of Hatun Rumiyoc street where the Palace of Inca Roca is located (known as Palacio Arzobispal). On its walls, you'll discover the figures of a puma and a snake. Also, be sure to observe the famous stone with 12 angles, the perfect image of the Incan architectural perfection.

Continue on to the Plaza de Armas of Cusco or Awqaypata (warrior’s place). You'll enter the Cathedral of Cusco and see the beautiful woodwork and colonial paintings containing extensive Incan iconography. Visit the Korikancha (Temple of Inti God - El Sol) on which the Santo Domingo Convent was built. Legend says this temple was completely gold coated, which impressed the conquerors upon their arrival. The tour ends with a detailed visit of the city of Cusco.

Day 4:

After breakfast, ascend to the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman and visit the Cuidadela. This is the royal house where they admired the Sun God but also worshiped younger gods. Admire this large structure and enjoy the magnificent landscape which brings peace and tranquility. Next, visit Qenqo, the old temple of the Puma. Inside you can see a sacrificial altar made of a huge stone. At Tambomachay, you'll see the sacred fountains of life and health. Puca Pucara, “atalaya” (watchtower) safeguarded the city gates and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Afterwards, you'll return to Cusco where you can enjoy an afternoon of leisure to stroll around the city of Cusco and shop.

Day 5:

You'll be transferred to the train station after breakfast and travel to the town of Aguas Calientes. Here is the citadel of Machu Picchu, the Sacred City of the Incas. Ascending to the citadel by bus, you'll enjoy a spectacular view of the canyon formed by the Urubamba river. Once you’ve entered the citadel, you can walk along the terrace, steps, ceremonial centers and housing. According to locals, this area is a concentration of energy due to the composition of quartz found in the stones. Enjoy a buffet lunch and if you wish, you can re-enter the citadel on your own. Lodging will be at a hotel in Aguas Calientes (depending on which hotel was selected).

Day 6:

On your last full day in the Cusco area, you can enjoy a day of leisure after breakfast. There will be plenty of time to visit the citadel of Machu Picchu for meditation and absorption of the energies flowing from this sacred place or simply to take additional photos. It is recommended that you get up early on this day to capture breathtaking views of the sun rising over Machu Picchu. You can also enjoy your free time by climbing the Intipunku mountain, entrance to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail or Huayna Picchu mountain, where the temple of the Moon is located. Also recommended is visiting the new local museum in Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, you'll return to Cusco by train.

Day 7:

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport where you will head back to Lima.