Honeymoon Adventure to Peru: Lima, Ica, Cusco, & Machu Picchu - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Lima - Bienvenidos

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima, Peru's largest city and central metropolitan hub, and home to one-third of the country's population.

Upon your arrival at Lima Airport, you will be welcomed by a tour representative, who will take you to your hotel in Miraflores/San Isidro. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax and get acquainted with the city at your own pace.

Lima's breezy location on the Pacific Ocean and mild desert climate make it the perfect city for exploring on foot. Head downtown to mingle with locals, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat in one of the many award-winning restaurants. 

Depending on your arrival time, follow one of the following suggestions to make the most of your day in Lima.

Suggested activities: 

• Explore the historic center of Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating Spanish architecture. Start with a scenic tour of the colonial downtown, which emanates from the main square. Stroll over to the 16th-century Cathedral, which took 80 years to construct and was built in the grandiose style of the Spanish Empire. 
  
  
• Visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains, in 1535. This is the only house from that era that still belongs to the same family. 
  
  
• Stroll around the Pueblo Libre district to the privately owned Larco Museum of pre-Columbian art, housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built over a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts a vast pre-Colonial collection of gold and silver artifacts. 
  
  
• In the evening, head to the eclectic "Love Park" in the upscale coastal district of Miraflores, where you can admire a huge kissing statue and beautiful mosaic walls.  The park is built on the cliffs of Chorrillos and is a perfect place to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Pacific. 
  
  
• Enjoy a nightcap at an open-air cafe or restaurant in the diverse Miraflores neighborhood.

Day 2: Glamping in the Desert of Ica

In the morning, transfer to the bus station for the approximately  5-hour ride to Ica. The beauty of the coastline and the remarkable wildlife make Paracas one of the main stopping points in Perú.

At your arrival, head to the check-in office to drop off your luggage and head to the sand dunes to go sandboarding down the massive dunes—much like snowboarding, it's a one-of-a-kind experience. 

After, make your way to the luxurious tent accommodation before making your way to the dinner tent, which is adorned with tables, cushions, carpets, candles, and more to make for the perfect evening atmosphere. 

After dinner, enjoy unobstructed views of the starry night sky. 

Day 3: Glamping in the Desert of Ica

In the morning, catch the bus back to Lima. Your afternoon is free. 

Catch up on some souvenir shopping at Dedalo in the Barrancos neighborhood, a chic store that specializes in high-quality Peruvian handicrafts.

In the evening, head to the eclectic "Love Park" in the upscale coastal district of Miraflores to catch the Pacific sunset and admire huge kissing statues and beautiful mosaic walls.  Built on the cliffs of Chorrillos, this park boasts sweeping vistas and is a perfect place to wind down after your day.

Afterward, enjoy a nightcap at an open-air cafe or restaurant in the diverse Miraflores neighborhood.

Day 4: Gastronomic Tour in Lima

These days, Peruvian cuisine is receiving worldwide recognition, and Rosa Nautica has a special place in the local gastronomic field.

Start your culinary adventure with a trip to the local market, where you'll pick the freshest ingredients to make your gourmet lunch. Enjoy oceanfront views as you learn to prepare pisco sour and enjoy fresh ceviche as well as other seafood delicacies.

Day 5: Arrive in Cusco & The Sacred Valley: Cochahuasi, Awanakancha & Pisac

This morning you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, transfer to the Sacred Valley. 

The elevation in the Sacred Valley is, on average, 9,416 ft. (2870 m), and it's full of scenic Andean landscapes and great archaeological sites from the times of the Incas. The valley was important for the Incan Empire as an agricultural, spiritual, and political center.

Your first stop is the Cochahuasi Rescue Center, a family-run private organization dedicated to rescuing and looking after animals from mistreatment from previous owners, illegal hunters, and poachers. Here you'll have the opportunity to see Andean animals like vicunas, llama, alpaca, and the Andean Condor, while you learn the importance of the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity.

From here, continue to Awanakancha Llama Sanctuary, where you will see llamas, alpacas, and a weaving demonstration. Then, continue to Pisac, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region. Here you'll explore the ancient Inca burial grounds, irrigation systems, and astronomy centers. Next, go down to the town of Pisac located at the bottom of the valley. This town is famous for its bustling textile market. Select from a wide assortment of colors, styles, and designs for gifts and souvenirs to take home with you.

Finally, transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Day 6: Ziplining Via Ferrata in The Sacred Valley

Can you imagine enjoying one of the world´s best culinary experiences in a transparent capsule located 400 meters above the Sacred Valley in Peru?

Located just one hour outside the city of Cuzco, the exclusive Skylodge Adventure Suites opens its doors to all those who love adventure and good food, offering a real Peruvian gastronomic experience combined with the thrill of arriving at the dining capsule.

Start the day with a 9:00 AM pickup from your hotel, then head to Pachar in the Sacred Valley to go over safety demonstrations. From here, you'll climb high above the valley floor on the Via Ferrata — a series of metal steps built into the wall, in order to reach the restaurant. Enjoy lunch around noon, then descend back to the valley on a series of 6 zip lines to arrive safely on the valley floor. 

Day 7: Visit Machu Picchu: Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes - Sacred Valley

Early in the morning, enjoy a scenic train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. This train journey is a spectacle in itself. You will be able to appreciate Peru’s immense biodiversity as you witness the landscape transition from Andean green fields to lush rainforest, descending alongside the Urubamba River.

On arrival, take an easy 25-minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu ruins. 

This 15th-century Inca citadel is located at 7,970 ft (2,430 m) and is a masterpiece of engineering that served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Incan Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court. Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. 

Built as a seasonal residence for the Inca family, Machu Picchu was rarely home to more than 800 people, and during the royals' absence, a mere 100 servants would remain at the site to maintain the grounds. Machu Picchu was abandoned 100 years after construction and remained largely hidden to the outside world until the early 20th century. 

Your guide will lead you around the site and explain the different buildings and curious corners of the building complex. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed into its original structure, giving visitors a sense of the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel. 

After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and grab lunch (not included) in the picturesque town center.  Connect to your train to Ollantaytambo and your connecting transfer back to your hotel in The Sacred Valley.

Day 8: Explore The Sacred Valley: Ollantaytambo, Moray & Maras - Cusco

Spend the morning exploring the small historic town of Ollantaytambo, high in the Sacred Valley. Explore the surrounding stone fortresses, archeological ruins, and cobblestone streets of the town, which remain remarkably intact similar to their original appearances after construction by the Inca.

After, continue to Moray. Along the way, you'll enjoy views of the Andes' snow-capped peaks, lush yellow fields of wheat, and small villages. Upon arrival in Moray, you'll see the three famous amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. These terraces are carved deep into the earth in the shape of a bowl. It is believed that the Incas once used these terraces as agricultural laboratories to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops.

When you are done exploring Moray, you will head about two miles away, to the salt mines of Maras. This village is known as a former salt-producing center and is thought to date back to pre-Incan times. There are over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside, that are filled daily by a stream of water. This spectacular area is perfect for you if you wish to see something different than the ruins.

After, continue to Cusco.

Day 9: Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Trek

The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is only about 12.4 miles (20 km) from her famous sister "Vinicunca". While Vinicunca attracts thousands of visitors, her smaller sister Palcoyo is a quieter option for visitors who want to see the mountain without the crows. This mini trek is perfect for travelers who want to view the Colorful Rainbow Mountains in a relatively shorter and more gentle trek and a great option for those traveling with kids.

Your morning starts with a 5:00 AM pickup (don't worry, you'll stop for breakfast along the way). Your drive will take you along the Red River, with plenty of stops to take advantage of all the views. 

After a 3.5-hour drive, you'll arrive at the starting point of the hike. From here, the hike is approximately an hour via a  short, relatively flat path. You'll see llamas, sheep, vicuñas, and alpacas. Once you reach the summit, you'll have time to enjoy the panorama and take pictures.

At this point, it is time to hike downhill.  Finally, embark on the 3.5-hour drive back to Cusco (on the way, you'llll make a stop for lunch).

Upon arrival to Cusco, make your way back to the hotel before heading out for dinner.

Day 10: Adiós: Fly from Cusco to Lima, Depart Peru

Today is your last day in Peru! You will be met at your hotel for a transfer to the Cusco Airport, where you will catch your flight back to Lima and then transfer to your international departure.

¡Buen viaje!

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