Inca Road 10 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

Arrival in the evening at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima. Completion of customs formalities and meeting with our organization (with the identifying sign MANU WONDERLAND TOURS). Private transfer to the hotel and check-in to the reserved rooms. Overnight stay. (The flight is not included in the participation fees).

Day 2: Lima – Paracas – Ica

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by private off-road vehicle at dawn, traveling south along the Pan-American Highway to reach the Paracas Peninsula (242 km – approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes). Excursion by motorboat to the Ballestas Islands, also known as the “guano islands,” considered the Galapagos of Peru. On the cliffs and along the beaches, you can observe numerous colonies of sea lions, penguins, pelicans, cormorants, and other bird species. Upon returning after about 2 hours, an excursion to the Paracas National Reserve, where the desert cliffs meet the ocean, creating geological wonders shaped by wind and waves. Continuing south, crossing the Tablazo de Ica, along the tracks that traverse the coastal desert overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Arrival in the afternoon in Ica, the green oasis famous for its large asparagus and fruit production, and identified as the best wine region in Peru. Accommodation in a hotel located within a vineyard. Time dedicated to discovering the winemaking traditions of this renowned winery and strolling through its vineyards while tasting Pisco, the famous Peruvian distillate. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 3: Ica – Nazca

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the archaeological city of Nasca (145 km – approximately 2.5 hours). Visit to the Antonini Museum, directed by Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Orefici, where the archaeological heritage found through the research activities of the “Nasca Project” archaeologists is preserved and analyzed. Since 1982, the project has been involved in excavations at the ceremonial center of Cahuachi, the Estaqueria site, and other important sites in the Nasca River Valley. Also significant are the lines traced on the Pampa de Jumana, studied throughout her life by archaeologist Maria Reiche, which still represent the greatest enigma in the archaeological history of Peru. Accommodation in a hotel. Overnight stay. Important: It is possible to choose to take a flight over the Nasca Lines. We suggest those who are particularly interested to book the flight during the reservation process from Italy.

Day 4: Nazca – Camaná – Arequipa 

Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of the journey through the southern desert with cliffs that shape the Pacific coast to reach Camaná (390 km – approximately 6 hours). After leaving the Pan-American Highway, we ascend to the altitude of 2363 meters in Arequipa (170 km – approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes). Accommodation in a hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 5: Arequipa

Breakfast at the hotel. The morning will be dedicated to visiting the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa, known as “the white city,” surrounded by the imposing Misti volcano (5822 m) and Chachani volcano (6075 m) that overlook the wide valley in a picturesque setting. Visit the beautiful Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral (which can be visited individually and not with a guide), the interesting baroque churches, the Jesuit Monastery, and the Santa Catalina Monastery, important examples of colonial architecture and among the best-preserved in Peru. Take an excursion to the “Mirador de Yanahuara” for panoramic views of the city and the surrounding volcanoes. On the way back, visit the pre-Inca terraces of Chilina. Afternoon free for individual visits and shopping. We suggest visiting the Museum where a pre-Inca mummy, Juanita, is preserved. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6: Arequipa – Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue the journey with the final leg to the city of Cusco (508 km), crossing the arid high plateau and gently ascending to the La Raya Pass (4300 m above sea level), at the foot of the “Santa Rosa” glacier, where herds of Andean camelids can be observed. Along the route, after Ayaviri, visit the Tinajani Canyon valley to see the Puja, an endemic plant that the Milanese botanist Antonio Raimondi discovered in the late 19th century in the Chavín de Huantar area, in northern Peru. Descending into the fertile valleys of Sicuani and Cusco, visit the ruins of the temple dedicated to Viracocha, the supreme Inca deity from which, according to Andean cosmology, the entire universe descends. In the church of Andahuaylillas (17th century), also known as the “Sistine Chapel” of South America, admire the wonderful frescoes by anonymous artists and the golden altars. Arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon and check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 7: Cusco – Chincheros – Moray – Maras – Machu Picchu Pueblo 

Breakfast at the hotel. Traveling through the scenic highlands of Cusco, overlooked by the Salkantay Mountain (6271 m), visit the Andean village of Chincheros, where in the colonial church (not always open to the public), you can observe interesting paintings and frescoes from the 17th century, belonging to the famous Cusqueña colonial painting school. Visit the Moray terraces, which recent excavations have shown to be a center for the production and processing of freeze-dried potatoes for transportation throughout the Tawantinsuyo. Afterwards, visit the spectacular Inca salt pans of Maras, located on the slope of a mountain and still used today by the villagers for salt extraction. Continue to the Ollantaytambo train station and depart in the late afternoon by train to Machu Picchu Pueblo (1 hour and 45 minutes). The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Arrive in the small and bustling village located at an altitude of 2040 meters, built around the railway tracks, with shops and bazaars for tourists, pubs, and restaurants of all kinds. Proceed on foot to reach the hotel. Overnight stay.

Important: – Only one carry-on luggage (backpack or small bag) with a maximum weight of 8 kg is allowed on the trains to/from Machu Picchu. Please prepare a carry-on bag with the necessary items for the Machu Picchu excursion. Kindly read the guidelines for visiting Machu Picchu carefully, provided in the useful information section. – Admission to Huayna Picchu is not included. If interested, please request it at the time of booking.

Day 8: Machu Picchu – Sacred Valley – Cusco 

Breakfast at the hotel. “Suddenly, we found ourselves in the midst of a series of buildings covered by the jungle. The walls were made of beautiful white granite, wonderfully cut and worked in such a way that they joined perfectly without the need for cement. The site was one surprise after another: we soon realized that we were in the midst of the most marvelous ruins ever discovered in Peru.” (July 24, 1911, Hiram Bingham discovers Machu Picchu) Early in the morning, take a minibus up the hill to Machu Picchu (12 km) at an altitude of 2350 meters. At sunrise, you can witness the magical play of the first rays of sun illuminating the stones of the Inca citadel before starting the guided tour of the most important archaeological site in South America, discovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham. In recent years, research on the Inca citadel has shown that Machu Picchu was a “center for agricultural, architectural, and astronomical development” commissioned by Pachacutec, the most important Inca ruler. Return by minibus to Machu Picchu Pueblo and take a train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, meet the driver/tour leader and continue by road to Cusco (65 km). Check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 9: Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel. Located at an altitude of 3350 meters, Cusco, which translates to “the navel of the world” in Quechua, is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. The archaeological sites, treasures from the colonial era, markets, churches, and squares make Cusco the most fascinating city in South America. Visit the colonial center of Cusco, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its churches and palaces built on the foundations of Inca temples. Afterwards, excursion to the outskirts of Cusco to visit the archaeological sites of Tambomachay and Quenqo, as well as the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay.

Day 10: Departure from Cusco 

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure for further individual visits to beautiful Cusco or for shopping at the markets and antique shops in the San Blas neighborhood. According to the agreed-upon schedule, transfer to Cusco airport. Departure for the return to Italy (not included) or continuation for optional extensions.