A seven-day circuit combining Peru's coast and Andes with outdoor activities.
From Lima, a full-day excursion to Paracas and Ica takes in the Ballestas Islands by boat, with sea lions and Humboldt penguins, and the Huacachina dunes, with a buggy and sandboarding, plus a wine and pisco tasting. In Cusco, the programme includes kayaking on Laguna Piuray, the guided visit to Machu Picchu by train via Aguas Calientes and the excursion to the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, at over 5,000 m. Accommodation is offered across categories from economy to deluxe.
Highlights
Ballestas Islands by boat, with sea lions and Humboldt penguins, and the Candelabro
Buggy and sandboarding on the Huacachina dunes, with a wine and pisco tasting in Ica
Kayaking on Laguna Piuray
Machu Picchu by train via Aguas Calientes
Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, at over 5,000 m
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
Arrival in Lima. Meeting and assistance, and transfer to the hotel.
Day2
Day 2: Paracas, Ica and Huacachina: Ballestas Islands and sandboarding
Pickup at the hotel and transfer to Paracas (a brief stop for breakfast, at the passenger's own arrangement). At Paracas, a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, passing San Martin Bay and the Candelabro, a figure traced in the sand and visible from the sea, to see sea lions, guano birds and Humboldt penguins. Afterwards, transfer to Ica: lunch at a tourist restaurant with a wine and pisco tasting, and a visit to the Huacachina lagoon, with a buggy ride through the desert and sandboarding on the dunes. Return to Lima.
Day3
Day 3: Lima - Cusco
Transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free to acclimatise to the altitude.
Day4
Day 4: Kayaking on Laguna Piuray
Transfer to the Piuray Outdoor Center, welcomed with hot drinks, water and snacks. Gear handout and a safety and paddling-technique talk, a stretching session and a kayak activity of between one hour and an hour and a half on Laguna Piuray. Optionally, a breathing session and a cold-water immersion. Lunch and return to Cusco.
Day5
Day 5: Cusco - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Transfer to the station for the train to Aguas Calientes, through Andean landscapes. From there, an ascent by bus to the Machu Picchu citadel, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Time to explore its precincts and lanes. Descent to Aguas Calientes for lunch and, at the appointed time, return by train to Cusco.
Day6
Day 6: Cusco - Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain - Cusco
Very early departure (pickup between 4 and 5 a.m.). About a two-hour transfer to Cusipata, with a basic buffet breakfast, and on to the Wasipata checkpoint. From there, a walk of about an hour and a half to the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, at over 5,000 m, with time for an explanation of the site and photographs. Return by the same path, a basic buffet lunch in Cusipata and return to Cusco in the mid-afternoon.
Day7
Day 7: Departure from Cusco
At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima.
Suggested hotels
Arawi Miraflores Express
Standard
Lima
Economy category in Lima (2 nights).
Britania Miraflores
Standard
Lima
Economy category in Lima (2 nights).
Mabey Cusco
Standard
Cusco
Economy category in Cusco (4 nights).
Prisma Hotel
Standard
Cusco
Economy category in Cusco (4 nights).
Dazzler Miraflores
Superior
Lima
First class category in Lima (2 nights).
Jose Antonio Lima Miraflores
Superior
Lima
First class category in Lima (2 nights).
La Hacienda Cusco
Superior
Cusco
First class category in Cusco (4 nights).
Jose Antonio Cusco
Superior
Cusco
First class category in Cusco (4 nights).
El Pardo DoubleTree By Hilton
Luxury
Lima
Deluxe category in Lima (2 nights).
Pullman Miraflores
Luxury
Lima
Deluxe category in Lima (2 nights).
Aranwa Cusco
Luxury
Cusco
Deluxe category in Cusco (4 nights).
Casa Andina Premium Cusco (Suite)
Luxury
Cusco
Deluxe category in Cusco (4 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation for 6 nights in the listed hotels or similar (2 nights in Lima, 4 nights in Cusco), with daily breakfast
Included: Private airport, inter-city and departure transfers as per the programme
Included: Full-day Paracas and Ica excursion, with lunch: Ballestas Islands boat trip and buggy and sandboarding at Huacachina
Included: Kayaking on Laguna Piuray, with lunch
Included: Full-day guided visit to Machu Picchu by Expedition or Voyager train, with lunch, including hotel - station - hotel transfers
Included: Full-day Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) excursion, with lunch
What's not included
Not included: International and domestic airfare
Not included: National and international airport taxes
Not included: Early check-in and late check-out
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks not included with the lunches
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Personal expenses and anything not expressly mentioned as included