Peru · 8 days · Moderate
8-Day Magic Peru: Lima, Nazca, Cusco & Machu Picchu
The trip for people who want more of Peru than the Cusco circuit. It runs south down the desert coast first — Ballestas, the Nazca Lines from the air, the dunes at Huacachina — and only then turns inland for the Andes.
Highlights
- A flight over the Nazca Lines from Pisco: the only way they make any sense
- The Ballestas Islands — sea lions, Humboldt penguins, guano birds in enormous numbers
- Dune buggies and sandboarding at Huacachina, an oasis in the middle of the desert
- Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu to finish
How this trip moves
7 nights, 3 places to unpack
The thing most itineraries hide is how much of your holiday is spent getting somewhere. Here it is up front.
Where you sleep
- Lima 2 nights
- Ica 2 nights
- Cusco 3 nights
The shape of it
- Flight
- Boat
- Road
- Train
Day by day
- Day 1
Welcome to Peru
Met in Lima and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight: Lima
- Day 2
Lima city tour
Huaca Pucllana, the historic centre, the colonial convent and its tower, and Santo Domingo.
Overnight: Lima
- Day 3
South to Ica and Huacachina
Down the Panamericana into the desert. Afternoon in dune buggies over the sand around the Huacachina oasis, with sandboarding for anyone who wants it.
Overnight: Ica
- Day 4
Ballestas Islands and the Nazca Lines
A morning boat to the Ballestas — sea lions hauled out in the hundreds, penguins, and cliffs white with guano birds. In the afternoon, a light aircraft from Pisco over the Nazca geoglyphs.
Overnight: Ica
- Day 5
To Cusco — city tour
Back to Lima and on to Cusco. Afternoon at the Cathedral, Qoricancha, Qenqo and Sacsayhuamán.
Overnight: Cusco
- Day 6
The Sacred Valley
Pisac, lunch in the valley, and Ollantaytambo.
Overnight: Cusco
- Day 7
Machu Picchu
Train, bus, guided circuit, and time on your own before the return.
Overnight: Cusco
- Day 8
Cusco airport
Transfer for your onward flight.
What is included
- Seven nights in the selected hotel category with breakfast
- Meals as listed: 7 breakfasts, 2 set lunches
- Private service throughout
- Dune buggy and sandboarding at Huacachina
- Boat tour to the Ballestas Islands
- Flight over the Nazca Lines from Pisco
- Voyager or Expedition train ticket and the Machu Picchu entrance fee
- Certified English/Spanish-speaking guide and airport transfers
What is not included
- International flights and the Lima–Cusco flight
- Meals not listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips
Per person in double occupancy. Final price depends on your dates, party size and hotel category — high season and single occupancy carry supplements. Full breakdown →
When to do this trip
April to October. The Nazca flight is weather-dependent and can be delayed or cancelled — build a buffer day if it matters to you.
Questions about this itinerary
How long is the 8-Day Magic Peru: Lima, Nazca, Cusco & Machu Picchu?
8 days and 7 nights, starting in Lima and ending in Cusco.
How difficult is it?
Moderate. Group size: Private service.
When is the best time to do this trip?
April to October. The Nazca flight is weather-dependent and can be delayed or cancelled — build a buffer day if it matters to you.
What extra costs should I budget for?
Per person in double occupancy. Final price depends on your dates, party size and hotel category — high season and single occupancy carry supplements.