7-Day Lima and Cusco Tour with Overnight at Machu Picchu

Discover the very best of both Lima and Cusco on a 7-day tour of Peru. Visit the famous landmarks and government buildings of Lima before heading south to Cusco and exploring ancient Inca ruins and the famous citadel of Machu Picchu. With enough free time to explore both cities on your own, this week-long itinerary in Peru fits the budget while satisfying your need to explore.

Book a 7-day tour of both Lima and Cusco and don't worry about the daily schedule of a vacation in Peru. This extended tour, designed for both first-time visitors and savvy travelers alike, includes your hotel accommodation (with breakfast), transfers to and from the airports in Lima and Cusco, guided tours and much more!

You'll spend the first two full days in Lima, the City of Kings, and capital of Peru. On the first day, you'll have a guided sightseeing tour of the city and explore the famous landmarks and areas of interest. On the second day, you'll enjoy a day of leisure. It is recommended that you visit the famous Temple of Pachacamac or spend the day at some of the renowned museums or simply go shopping.

On the third day, you'll be taken to the airport to head to Cusco, the capital of the Incan empire. On your first day in Cusco, you'll visit the city, the famous San Blas neighborhood, the Palace of Inca Roca and Korikancha.

On the fourth day, you'll have the opportunity to visit the archeological ruins which surround the city of Cusco. Head over to Sacsayhuaman to admire the large stone structures and enjoy panoramic views of Cusco and its rooftops. You'll also visit the archeological sites of Qenqo and Tambomachay before returning to Cusco for an afternoon of leisure.

On day 5, you'll head to the train station and board the train to Aguas Calientes, the small village at the bottom of the mountain to Machu Picchu. Ascend to the citadel by bus and spend a few hours at the sacred site, both on a guided sightseeing tour and at your own pace.

You'll stay the night in Aguas Calientes so that you can capture breathtaking views of Machu Picchu both at sunset and at sunrise. There will not be a better chance for postcard perfect pictures! Enjoy some free time at Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes before returning to Cusco in the evening.

Please see the itinerary field below for more detailed information.

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Schedule details

Departure Dates:

Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.

Departure Point:

Tour departs from the International Airport in Lima and coincides with your flight's arrival

Departure Time:

Coincides with your arrival in Lima

Pricing information

Click the link below to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.

Tour options:

Additional information

Inclusions:

Lima:

• Round-trip arrival and departure airport transfers
• Lima city tour
• Two nights accommodation in Lima. Hotel varies by option selected
• Daily breakfast

Cusco:

• Round-trip arrival and departure airport transfers
• Cusco city tour
• Archeological park of Sacsayhuaman tour
• Transportation to and from train station in Cusco for trip to Machu Picchu
• Round-trip train tickets (Backpacker class)
• Bus to and from the citadel of Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Three nights accommodation in Cusco. Hotel varies by option selected
• One night accommodation at Machu Picchu - either at the Sanctuary Lodge or in Aguas Calientes
• Daily breakfast

Exclusions:

• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Gratuities (optional)
• Airfare: Lima - Cusco - Lima
• Airport taxes ($6.50 for domestic flights and $32.00 for international)

Additional Information:

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants. Otherwise, your tour may not be confirmed.
• When booking your flight from Lima to Cusco, it must be in the morning. Arrival by noon is too late.
• Upon time of booking, please provide flight itinerary for international flights and domestic flights
• Please note: the number of adults selected corresponds to the number of rooms requested

Hotels by category:

Economic Class - Lima:

• Mariel
• Leon de Oro
• Girasoles

Economic Class - Cusco:

• Augustos
• Emperador Plaza
• Girasoles

Economic Class - Aguas Calientes:

• Inti Inn
• Inti Punku

First Class - Lima:

• San Agustin Exclusive
• Jose Antonio

First Class - Cusco:

• Jose Antonio
• San Agustin Dorado
• Eco Inn

First Class - Aguas Calientes:

• Hatuchay Tower

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, starting at the Plaza Mayor. Here, you can view the Presidential and Municipal palaces, the main Cathedral and the Arizobispal Palace. You'll have the opportunity to enter the Cathedral, which holds the tomb of the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Next, enjoy a short walk in the Historical Center on your way to visit the San Francisco and Santo Domingo churches.

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. You'll also see “Huaca Pucllana” which is located in Miraflores. A short 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. The tour ends with a visit of the bohemian Barranco suburb where you'll find the romantic bridge of sighs (“Puente de los Suspiros”).

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 the Sanctuary Lodge, located on top of the mountain right at the citadel of Machu Picchu or in 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.

Voucher Info:

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Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.