8-Day Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu: The Ultimate Peruvian Contrast

• Day 01: Touchdown in Lima. VIP airport reception and private transfer to your boutique hotel in the upscale districts of Miraflores or Barranco.
• Day 02: The City of Kings. A deep dive into Lima’s colonial heart, exploring subterranean catacombs and ancient coastal pyramids, leaving the evening free for world-class gastronomy.
• Day 03: Ascent to the Andes. A short morning flight from the coast to Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,400 m). A dedicated afternoon of rest and acclimatization in the Inca capital.
• Day 04: Megalithic Cusco (Half-Day). A guided morning exploration of the golden Qoricancha temple and the colossal stone walls of the Sacsayhuaman fortress.
• Day 05: The Sacred Valley Expedition. A full-day visual feast exploring the terraced mountains of Pisac and the living fortress of Ollantaytambo, followed by a panoramic evening train to Aguas Calientes.
• Day 06: The Machu Picchu Summit. Early morning guided exploration of the citadel. We secure the highly coveted Circuit 2 permits for the classic, unobstructed postcard view. Afternoon train return to Cusco.
• Day 07: The Andean Signature Experience. Choose your grand finale: A high-altitude trek to Rainbow Mountain, a hike to the glacial Humantay Lake, or a highly photogenic tour of the Maras Salt Mines and Moray.
• Day 08: Departure. Private transfer to the Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima and onward home.

Day 01: Welcome to the Culinary Capital of the Americas

Your elite Peruvian journey begins the moment you clear customs at the Jorge Chávez International Airport (Lima). Our professional logistics team will be waiting with a personalized sign to escort you through the bustling city to your premium hotel in Miraflores or Barranco, Lima’s safest, most vibrant, and ocean-facing districts. Since Lima sits at sea level, you don’t need to worry about altitude yet. Spend your evening taking a relaxing stroll along the cliffside Malecón overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and prepare your palate for the days ahead.

Day 02: Unveiling the City of Kings

After a delicious coastal breakfast, we embark on a comprehensive Lima City Tour. We leave the modern districts behind and enter the UNESCO-protected Historic Center. You will stand in the majestic Plaza Mayor, surrounded by ornate yellow colonial balconies and the Presidential Palace. We will explore the San Francisco Monastery, descending into its eerie, subterranean catacombs. On our way back to the modern sector, we will pass by the Huaca Pucllana, a towering pre-Inca adobe pyramid standing right in the middle of the city. The evening is entirely yours to secure a reservation at one of Lima’s globally awarded restaurants, such as Central or Maido.

Day 03: Journey into the Thin Air (Lima to Cusco)

Today, the landscape changes drastically. At the coordinated time, we transfer you back to the Lima airport for a quick, scenic 1.5-hour flight over the snow-capped Andes to the Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (Cusco). Our local Andean team will be waiting on the tarmac. You will be transferred directly to your boutique hotel in the historic center. Because your body is experiencing a sudden jump to 11,152 ft (3,400 m), this afternoon is strictly for resting. Sip traditional Coca tea, hydrate, and let your body adapt.

Day 04: The Golden Temple and the Giant Stones

Now perfectly acclimatized, we begin our half-day Cusco City Tour. We start at the Qoricancha, the spiritual epicenter of the Inca Empire where walls were once covered in solid gold, now serving as the foundation for a Spanish convent. We then drive up the hills to Sacsayhuaman. Standing beside these 100-ton limestone boulders, fitted together with laser precision without mortar, is an architectural revelation. We will also explore the ceremonial labyrinth of Qenqo and the ancient water temple of Tambomachay. Enjoy a free afternoon to discover Cusco’s artisanal coffee shops and artisan boutiques.

Day 05: The Sacred Valley & Train to the Cloud Forest

We leave Cusco at 8:00 AM, descending into the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is Pisac, where massive agricultural terraces sweep down the mountainside, followed by a visit to the vibrant local artisan market. After a premium buffet lunch showcasing local ingredients in Urubamba (included), we explore the monumental fortress of Ollantaytambo. From this historic town, we board our panoramic train, watching the dry Andean peaks transform into a lush, green, orchid-filled cloud forest as we arrive in Aguas Calientes for your overnight stay.

Day 06: The Machu Picchu Revelation

We wake up early to take one of the first Consettur buses up the zigzagging Hiram Bingham road. Thanks to our relentless advance booking strategy, you will enter the citadel with a Circuit 2 ticket (subject to booking time), granting you access to the classic, panoramic viewpoint from the upper Guardhouse terraces. Your private guide will lead a fascinating 2.5 to 3-hour exploration, uncovering the mysteries of the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana. After the tour, we bus back to town for lunch before catching the train back to the Sacred Valley. Your private driver will be waiting to transfer you comfortably directly to your Cusco hotel.

Day 07: Choose Your Grand Finale

With your body fully adapted to the Andes, Day 7 is yours to command. When booking, select one of the following signature experiences:

• Option A: Rainbow Mountain Trek (Vinicunca). A challenging, high-altitude hike reaching an astounding 16,522 ft (5,036 m). The effort is rewarded by a surreal landscape of mineral-striped mountains painting the earth in vibrant reds, golds, and turquoises. (Full day. Includes premium breakfast, lunch, and emergency oxygen).
• Option B: Humantay Lake Trek. A spectacular journey to the base of the Salkantay glacier. You will hike up to 13,779 ft (4,200 m) to discover a mesmerizingly turquoise glacial lake surrounded by jagged, snow-capped peaks. (Full day. Includes premium breakfast, lunch, and emergency oxygen).
• Option C: Maras & Moray (Half-Day). A culturally immersive, photogenic option. Explore the circular, amphitheater-like terraces of Moray (an ancient agricultural laboratory) and the stunning Maras Salt Mines, a canyon of 3,000 salt pools hand-harvested since pre-Inca times. (Half-day. Leaves the afternoon free in Cusco).

Day 08: Departure from the Andes

Enjoy your final Peruvian breakfast. Depending on your flight time, take a last walk through the cobblestone streets to pick up any final souvenirs. At the coordinated time, our private transport will pick you up from your hotel lobby and ensure a seamless transfer to the Cusco airport for your domestic flight back to Lima, connecting effortlessly with your international journey home.

Included:

• Private Transfers: Flawless airport pick-ups and drop-offs in both Lima and Cusco, plus all local hotel and train station connections.
• Accommodation: 2 nights in Lima, 4 nights in Cusco, and 1 night in Aguas Calientes (premium partner hotels with daily breakfast).
• All Entrance Fees: Lima City Tour entries, guaranteed Machu Picchu entry, the Full Boleto Turístico (Cusco/Sacred Valley), and the entry tickets for your chosen Day 7 activity.
• Train & Bus Logistics: Round-trip scenic train tickets (Expedition or Voyager class) and round-trip Consettur bus tickets to the Machu Picchu gates.
• Expert Guides: Fully licensed, highly rated English-speaking experts dedicated to your group.
• Select Dining: 1 Premium Buffet Lunch in the Sacred Valley, plus meals on Day 7 (if Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake is selected).
• 24/7 Logistics Support: Continuous monitoring by our local Via Inca Travel team.

Not Included:

• Flights: Domestic flights (Lima-Cusco-Lima) or international airfare. (Note: Our team will coordinate your transfers based on the domestic flights you book).
• Additional Meals: Lunches (except Days 5 and 7) and dinners.
• Hike Upgrades: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permits.
• Gratuities: Optional tipping for exceptional service.

Tour Prices and Accommodation Categories

At Via Inca Travel, we handle all the logistics so you can simply relax and enjoy Peru. Our multi-day packages include carefully selected accommodations, safe transfers, and unforgettable daily tours:

• Pricing Details: Our rates are calculated in US Dollars (USD) per person, based on a minimum of 2 people sharing a Double or Matrimonial room. The final price depends on your chosen hotel category (Standard, Superior, or Luxury).
• Important Note: The prices displayed on this page apply to our Group Packages (Shared Excursions). If you wish to upgrade to the exclusivity of a Private Package, please contact us directly for a personalized quote.
• Traveling Solo? We’ve got you covered! Contact us to adjust your itinerary with a single room supplement or to design a custom trip just for you.
• Flexible Payments: For your convenience, you can pay in USD or your local currency (Soles, Pesos, Reales, etc.) according to the daily exchange rate.

Available Upgrades:

Vistadome Panoramic Train: +$75 per person (Larger windows, glass ceilings, and onboard cultural entertainment).

Huayna Picchu Hike: +$75 per person (Subject to strict government availability).

Permit Scarcity & Booking Strategy: To ensure we can secure the panoramic Circuit 2 for your group at Machu Picchu, this comprehensive package must be booked 3 to 4 months in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the dry high season (May to September).