THE JOURNEY
An eight-day arc across desert, ocean and Andes: colonial Lima, a flight over the enigmatic Nazca Lines, the dunes of Huacachina, the wildlife of the Ballestas Islands, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
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THE ROUTE
Welcome to Peru | Arrival in Lima
On arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport, the Machupicchu Glory team welcomes you and transfers you privately to your hotel.
Afternoon | The City of Kings
A tour of the historic capital, founded in 1535, begins along the colonial Jirón de la Unión to the majestic Plaza de Armas, framed by the Government Palace and the Cathedral with its carved wooden balconies. The highlight is the Monastery of San Francisco, a baroque masterpiece where we descend into its haunting underground catacombs. Overnight in Lima.
Morning | Flight over the Nazca Lines
After an early breakfast, we travel south along the Pan-American Highway toward Nazca. The morning's centerpiece is an unforgettable light-aircraft flight over the enigmatic Nazca Lines — the enormous geoglyphs etched into the pampa between 500 BC and 500 AD. As the plane banks, the pilot points out the celebrated figures: the hummingbird, the monkey, the condor, the spider and the famous "astronaut."
Afternoon | The Huacachina oasis
We continue to Ica and its jewel, the Huacachina Oasis, a palm-fringed lagoon cradled by towering golden dunes. We board a dune buggy for an exhilarating ride over the sand sea, then try sandboarding down the slopes as the desert glows. Overnight in the Nazca/Ica area.
Morning | The Galápagos of Peru
We head to the port of Paracas for a speedboat excursion to the Ballestas Islands. Crossing the bay, we pass the mysterious Candelabra, an immense trident-shaped geoglyph carved into a sandy cliff. Among the rocky arches and caves, colonies of sea lions bask while thousands of guano birds — boobies, cormorants and pelicans — fill the air; with luck, Humboldt penguins and dolphins appear.
Afternoon | Return to Lima
After about two hours at sea, we drive north along the Pan-American Highway back to Lima. Overnight in Lima.
Morning | Over the Andes to Cusco
We fly from Lima over the Andes to Cusco and transfer directly down into the gentler Sacred Valley to ease the altitude, stopping at a traditional Textile House where weavers demonstrate natural-dye techniques among grazing llamas and alpacas.
Afternoon | Pisac market and citadel
After a hearty lunch, we continue to Pisac, famous for its vibrant artisan market, and explore the hilltop archaeological site with its ceremonial temples, ritual baths and cascading terraces. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
Morning | Ollantaytambo fortress
We begin at Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town and monumental fortress. Climbing its ceremonial terraces, we reach the Temple of the Sun, built from colossal pink granite blocks fitted with astonishing precision.
Midday | Maras and Moray
We journey to the salt pans of Maras, where thousands of shimmering white terraced pools cling to the hillside, fed by a natural saline spring and harvested by hand since pre-Inca times. Nearby lies Moray, an otherworldly complex of concentric circular terraces — an Inca agricultural laboratory whose rings create distinct microclimates. After lunch we return to our hotel. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
Morning | The crown jewel of Peru
We board the panoramic train that follows the Urubamba River through dramatic canyons and cloud forest to Aguas Calientes. A short bus ride climbs to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, dramatically set on a saddle between towering peaks.
Midday | Guided tour of the citadel
Our guide leads a two-hour exploration of this UNESCO wonder — its finely cut temples, royal residences, agricultural terraces, ceremonial plazas and the astronomical Intihuatana stone — hidden from the outside world until 1911.
Afternoon | Return to Cusco
After free time and an included lunch, we take the return train and continue by road to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.
Morning | The imperial city
We discover Cusco and the imposing Inca ruins that ring its heights. We begin at Sacsayhuamán, a monumental ceremonial fortress of titanic interlocking stones, then Qenqo, a carved limestone shrine; Puca Pucara, the "red fort"; and Tambomachay, the elegant "bath of the Inca."
Midday | Cathedral and Qoricancha
Returning to the center, we enter the magnificent Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, with its Andean "Last Supper" featuring roasted guinea pig, and finish at Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, over whose masterful walls the Spanish raised the Santo Domingo convent. Overnight in Cusco.
Morning | Farewell to Peru
After a final breakfast and, if time allows, a last stroll through Cusco's cobbled streets and artisan markets, the Machupicchu Glory team transfers you to Cusco's airport for your flight back to Lima and your onward international departure. You leave Peru carrying memories of a remarkable arc: colonial Lima, the geoglyphs of Nazca, the dunes of Huacachina, the Ballestas Islands, the Sacred Valley and the timeless majesty of Machu Picchu. End of our services.
THE DETAILS
Before You Go
MOMENTS ALONG THE WAY
TRAVELER STORIES
“Every detail felt considered before we even asked — the private train car, the guide who knew we loved photography and timed our arrival for the light. This is how Machu Picchu should be seen.”
“No crowds, no rush — just the two of us and nine hundred years of stone in the morning mist. Worth every mile.”
