Machu Picchu with Nazca Lines & Ballestas Islands

36 Passengers

May 26 to June 7, 2023  

Price: $3,950

 

Fulfill your bucket list with this amazing trip that combines the wonders of Machu Picchu with the beauty of the Ballestas Islands and the wonder of the Nazca Lines. Be one of the 36 lucky Gators to visit  majestic cities of the lost Incas, temples in the ancient capital of Cuzco, Peru and then experience the amazing Nazca Lines and breathtaking seascapes and wildlife of the Ballestra Islands. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history and lively culture of the Incas in their ancient capital of Cuzco that features incredible Inca and Spanish colonial monuments. Experience the cultural diversity of the Quechua and Spanish colonial heritage at an altitude of 11,000 feet in Cuzco. Up in the in the valleys and high plateaus of the Andes mountain range, cities display a mixture of Spanish colonial monuments, ancient Incan architecture and cobblestone streets. Experience the indigenous people with their traditional dress, music and customs.  

Then cross the Sacred Valley to visit majestic Machu Picchu in the High Andes. View the ruins of this lost Inca city where llamas, alpacas and vicunas roam along the terraces. Iconic and highly sought out, the natural wonder of Machu Picchu’s towering green mountains and dry-stone wall structures is just one of Peru’s most enticing attractions. Along with getting to visit this ancient Inca settlement in the High Andes, you’ll have the chance to admire even more of Peru’s breathtaking landscapes with stops at the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca. Continue to Paracas where you’ll see the incredible Nazca Lines from the air and the lovely Ballestas Islands from the sea! From discovering renowned archaeological sites and sampling authentic cuisine to browsing colorful craft markets and cozying up to llamas and alpaca, this trip is a Peruvian dream.

Machu Picchu 101 | National Geographic - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnMa-Sm9H4k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY3_7pRHfs0 

    

Cusco & Machu Picchu Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia from Expedia on Vimeo.

Click here to take a virtual tour of Machu Picchu.

To preserve these heritage sites, host countries are limiting access numbers and times.  Please take advantage of this opportunity while we can still visit these wonders.  

 

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Click here to download detailed  Trip Itinerary

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Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA

Your exciting expedition to Peru begins late this evening with an overnight flight.

Day 2: Arrive in Peru

Early morning arrival in Lima.  Here, connect for a short flight to Cuzco, the fabled capital of the Inca Empire, perched at about 11,000 feet above sea level.  On arrival, journey to the nearby Sacred Valley of the Incas.  The valley has amazing landscapes of fertile land, mystical ruins, and indigenous villages. On your way to the Sacred Valley, enjoy lunch at Princesita private restaurant, and in the restaurant’s gardens experience a Shaman ceremony, one of the ancient rituals of Peru.  Next, visit Awanakancha, a weaving center that keeps ancient weaving techniques and traditions alive.  Arrive at your hotel located in the quaint village of Yucay and surrounded by lush gardens.  This evening your tour director hosts a welcome dinner and orientation. 

Meals: Lunch & Dinner (L, D)

Day 3: Pisac & Sacred Valley Excursion

On today’s excursion visit the world-renowned and colorful Indian market in Pisac where many beautiful crafts are traded.  Later, travel through the lush valley to Ollantaytambo and explore the splendid ruins of this massive ancient fortress.  The village below is a fine example of the Incas incredible urban planning skills.  Return to your hotel in Yucay later this afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (B, L)

Day 4: Machu Picchu Rail Excursion/Cusco

Embark today on an expedition to Machu Picchu.  You’ll ride aboard the Vistadome train through the lush Urubamba Valley passing along stunning scenery.  Arrive at “The Lost City Of the Incas” rediscovered in 1911.  The beauty of its location and the genius construction make Machu Picchu travel the jewel of all Inca settlements and a top stop in your Peru vacation packages.  To this day nobody can explain how the Incas managed to transport the huge blocks of limestone for the city’s construction onto the mountaintop.  An expert guide leads you through the ruins and shares with you the amazing story of Machu Picchu.  You’ll have some free time to further discover the mystical ruins and absorb the beauty of this enchanting site.  Later, re-board the train and journey to magical Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 5: Cusco

Cusco is a vibrant town, dotted with archaeological sites. On a guided walking tour, visit the main Inca and Colonial monuments.  See the Plaza de Armas, the center of the Inca Empire, and the impressive 16th-century cathedral built on the ruins of the Inca Palace.  In the old town view magnificently restored colonial buildings.  Your hotel is superbly located in the heart of the old town near the lively Plaza de Armas.  This evening is at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 6: Cusco

A day at leisure to explore vibrant Cusco at your own pace.  Walk the narrow streets of the old colonial town, browse the galleries and shops selling local crafts, and relax in one of the many outdoor cafes.  You may also venture to the outskirts of Cusco to visit the amazing ruins of Sacsayhuaman, an Inca architectural masterpiece with fabulous views of the city below.  The optional morning tour Ruins of Cusco has been included in our package.  We will visit the Inca ceremonial fortress Sacsayhuaman, the temple Qenqo, the Puca Pucara Fort, and the Inca Baths known as Tambomachay. 

Meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 7: Cusco/Puno/Lake Titicaca

Embark on a thrilling journey to Puno.  As you traverse the rugged snow-capped Andes you’ll enjoy the breathtaking scenery and see quaint local villages as well as herds of llama and alpaca.  Visit the charming village of Andahuaylillas, with its renowned 17th-century church.  Arrive at your hotel overlooking majestic Lake Titicaca.

Meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 8: Lake Titicaca Boat Excursion

Situated on the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is South America’s largest and highest navigable lake.  Today, embark on an unforgettable boat journey to explore the magnificent scenery and fascinating life on and around the tranquil lake.  First, visit the floating islands of the Uros Indians that still practice the old traditions of fishing, trapping birds, and living on the lake plants.  The totora reeds, which grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake, are used for their boats, houses and to build the very islands on which they live.  This way of life began over 500 years ago when the Uros built the islands in an effort to isolate themselves from the Kollas and the Incas.  Later, proceed by boat to Taquile Island, where the indigenous inhabitants are dedicated to agriculture and crafting of high-quality textiles.  You’ll witness their customs, traditions, and unique costumes before returning to your

lakeside hotel.

Meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 9: Lake Titicaca/Lima

Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima.  On the way to the airport, stop to visit with a local family.  We’ll hear about the family-run business, engage in a special exchange and sample a local delicacy.  The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 10: Lima

This morning is at leisure. Later, enjoy a guided tour of both colonial and modern Lima, founded in 1535 and later dominated by the Inca nation.  See the historical center and the San Francisco Church as well as Plaza de Armas and the Government Palace.  Next, see the fashionable districts of San Isidro and Miraflores with their beautiful parks and elegant residences.  Afterward, enjoy an afternoon tour at the Larco Museum with a farewell dinner at the Larco Museum Cafe.  After dinner, transfer to the airport for your late-night flight.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (B, D)

Day 11: Lima/Paracas

Early this morning we’ll travel south by bus to Paracas, a coastal village renowned for its climate, beautiful beaches, and rich marine wildlife and ecosystems. We’ll travel to the Pisco airport where we’ll board an aircraft and fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines. Located in the arid Peruvian coastal plain, these pre-Columbian geoglyphs were scratched onto the surface of the ground between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D. and are among archaeology’s greatest enigmas thanks to their size, nature, quantity, and continuity. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a series of complex designs with some designs up to 300 meters long.

Meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 12: Paracas/Lima

This morning, we’ll board a speedboat to Ballestas Islands. On our way out to the Pacific Ocean, we’ll pass by the National Reserve of Paracas and during a short photo stop, we’ll be able to take photos of the “El Candelabro” figure etched into the side of a hill.  Once we reach the islands, we’ll have a chance to see animals in their natural environment from our boat.  There are thousands of different birds like cormorants, pelicans, and penguins plus other animals like sea lions.  This afternoon, we’ll travel back to Lima.  Note: The Ballestas Islands are protected and not to be walked on.  We will not leave the boat during this excursion but will get close enough to take photos of the animals.

Meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 13: Lima/USA

After breakfast today, we’ll travel to the airport for our return flight to the U.S. filled with memories of our Peruvian adventure!

Meals: Breakfast (B)

Accommodations

Yucay: Sonesta Posadas Del Inca Yucay Hotel

Once an 18th-century monastery, this beautiful hotel is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley and is surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Hotel rooms feature a digital safe, hairdryer, and WiFi.

Cusco: Sonesta Hotel Cusco

Just blocks from the main square, the Sonesta Hotel Cusco boasts a restaurant and bar with excellent food, laundry service, and rooms with a hairdryer, minibar, safe-deposit box, and WiFi.

Lake Titicaca: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca

Located on Esteves Island, this 5-star hotel offers panoramic views of Lake Titicaca from the Andes to Bolivia. It features a spa with a hot tub and sauna and free Wi-Fi connection. The rooms are spacious and all have lake views. They include a private bathroom, a TV and a minibar.

Lima: Hotel Jose Antonio Deluxe

Located in Lima’s cosmopolitan Miraflores district, enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool, gym, restaurant, and WiFi! Rooms here have a hairdryer, coffee kit, safe, and WiFi.

La Hacienda Bahia Hotel Paracas

On the edge of the lovely Paracas Bay and surrounded by the sublime setting of the Paracas National Reserve sits La Hacienda Bahia Paracas, a hotel that is more than just a place to sleep; rather, it is a refuge, just three hours south of Lima, for anyone seeking peace and tranquility far from the hustle and bustle of the city.  When you stay here, be prepared to experience sunsets beyond compare, perfect beaches as if created by Hollywood, nature bursting all around you, and utter, complete relaxation.  There are times when you want to experience something unique, so we offer you our spectacular swimming pool that affords you a marvelous view of the bay.

Optional Tours:

Maras & Moray:

We’ll start our morning tour at Moray with its unique circular agricultural terraces.  The pre-Inca platforms have underground irrigation channels, different soils, and changing temperatures, which made it ideal for a plant nursery and research center.  Walk down 30m (98ft) and appreciate its ingenuity and splendor.   About seven miles away, go to Maras and admire over 3,000 salt ponds with a stunning view of the Andes Mountains in the background.  To this day, a network of water canals fills the ponds, the water evaporates, and the salt is harvested by hand.

From approx. $90 USD per person

Chocolate Museum & Workshop:

On this afternoon tour, visit the chocolate museum and learn about cacao’s history, the cacao tree, and the different processes to make chocolate.  Then, roll up your sleeves and get to work. First, help roast the cacao beans and remove the husk.  Then, grind the nibs to form a paste.  To this paste, add your favorite ingredients: almonds, nuts, coffee beans, etc.  While you wait for your chocolate to harden, sip on a cup of chocolate tea brewed from the husks or taste fresh hot chocolate.  Once your chocolate bar is ready, bring it home to savor.

From approx. $37 USD per person

Ruins of Cusco (Included in our Tour):

On this morning tour, we’ll journey into the past as we explore the different Inca ruins around Cusco. We’ll start at Sacsayhuamán, the Inca ceremonial fortress dedicated to the sun.  Here we’ll admire the gigantic rocks used to build the site and the way they were perfectly fitted together with some are as high as 8.5m (28ft.) and up to 200 tons. Next, we’ll head to nearby Qenqo, a temple carved in a gigantic monolith.  Enjoy stories about the tunnels and chambers that were hand-carved by people thousands of years ago.  We’ll continue to the Puca Pucara Fort with its strategic location, large walls, terraces, and stairs which were a military checkpoint for the Inca Empire.  End your tour at the Inca Baths known as Tambomachay and learn about the aqueducts and channels that allow the water to flow naturally.

From approx. $55 USD per person

 

Prices and itinerary subject to change.  Peru has started to restrict access to these sites so join this bucket list now.