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Coast to Cusco


Lima to Cusco
15 Days
From
US$ 1,875
+ Local Payment of US$280.00From Lima to Cusco combine some of the highlights of Peru. This tour takes you to the Huacachina Desert Oasis as well as the jaw-dropping Colca Canyon. You will visit the floating Uros Island at Lake Titicaca and of course no trip to Peru would be complete without seeing breath-taking Machu Picchu.
About this tour
- Type of Travel: Public Transport
- Group Size: Normally 4-19. Average 10.
- Recommended Age: 18-65
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Physical Rating:
- Country: Peru
Itinerary


Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Lima
Welcome to Peru! Your adventure starts here in Lima and you are free to arrive today at your leisure.
Lima was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535 after he eradicated the Incas and made the city his capital. The city has many beautiful colonial buildings and some of the best museums in South America including the Gold Museum, Museum of the Inquisition and the Catacombs below the San Francisco Church.
Peru's capital has much to offer and many of the sights, including the city's two main squares the Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, boast some fantastic sightseeing opportunities. The Plaza de Armas houses the Cathedral, Municipal Palace and Presidential Palace where the changing of the guard can be seen every day at 12 noon.
Another highlight of Lima is the Huaca Pucllana, ruins of a pre-Incan pyramid. The clay structure, built in seven staggered levels is one of the few that remain from the historic pre-Colombian period in Peru. It is thought to have been built around 500 AD and would have been used for spiritual ceremonies. Located in the Miraflores district, it's surprisingly very easy to get it!
Of course you should also spend time sampling some delicious local Peruvian food. For a breakdown of the best food in Peru and where to eat in Lima, click here
Optional Excursions
Museum Inquisition – free • Monastery and Catacombs – US$3 guided tour • Plaza San Martin, one of the largest and most impressive squares
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Arawi Miraflores Express Hotel or similar
Day 2 to 2 - Paracas
Today we travel to the small and coastal town of Paracas. Using a comfortable tourist bus, the journey takes around 3 and a half hours giving you a free afternoon to enjoy the sites and fresh ocean air.
Soak up the atmosphere tonight and dine at one of the many shorefront restaurants which serve various local dishes and great seafood.
Approximate Travel Time: 3.5 hrs by tourist bus.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Gran Palma or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 3 to 3 - Nazca
A visit to Paracas would not be complete without visiting the Ballestas Islands on a two hour boat trip. The islands, sometimes known as the ‘poor man's Galapagos', are teeming with over 150 species of bird life (including penguins, cormorants, boobies and pelicans). They are also home to thousands of sea lions and boast some amazing rock formations. Although it is not possible to set foot on the islands, you will experience the magnificent sight and sounds of the vast array of wildlife and maybe even spot seals and dolphins playing around the boat. Our boat trip also takes us past the mysterious Candelabra figure etched on the side of a mountain. Best viewed from the sea, many believe the Candelabra is linked to the Nazca Lines
Leave Paracas behind and journey towards Nazca in a private vehicle. On the way, the group will stop at the Huacachina Oasis, deep in the Huacachina Desert. Here you have the chance to get your adrenaline-pumping with the optional excursions available. Try sand-boarding down the vast dunes or cruise over them in a dune-buggy. After you have explored the desert, continue driving to Nazca.
Approximate Travel Time: 2 hrs to Huacachina Desert and a further 2.5hrs to Nasca.
Included Excursions
Visit Huacachina Oasis,A boat tour of the Ballestas Islands
Optional Excursions
Scenic flight over Nazca Lines – US$100 + S/30 tax • Planetarium show & lecture – US$8 • Chauchilla Cemetery – US$13 (entry & guide) • Cantalloc underground aqueducts - US$8 • Cahuachi pyramids – US$15 (entry only)
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Alegria or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 4 to 4 - Overnight Bus to Arequipa
Today you have the option to visit the Nazca Lines. These strange parallel lines and geometrical figures are etched into the desert floor. Although there is a viewing tower, these strange designs can only be fully appreciated from the air. You can take a fascinating flight over the lines and shapes, which include a monkey, hummingbird, condor, spider and even a spaceman. The designs are thought to have been made by three different groups of people: the Paracas (900 -200 BC), the Nazca (200BC -600AD) and then new migrants from Ayacucho around 630AD. You can also take optional tours to visit the underground aqueducts, gold mines and ceramic shops.
Pack up on snacks as we will take taxis to the bus station and embark on an overnight bus journey to Arequipa.
Approximate Travel Time: 9hrs by overnight tourist bus.
Accommodation
1 night(s) on overnight sleeper buses
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 5 to 5 - Arequipa
A beautiful colonial city, Arequipa has a lovely central plaza dominated by a large cathedral. There are some fantastic restaurants in Arequipa and it is possible to enjoy many Peruvian delicacies here. Besides the stimulating architecture, one of the the main attractions is the Santa Catalina Convent, which is almost a city in itself with its maze of cobbled streets, cloisters and decorative buildings. Don't miss the nuns' café for excellent freshly baked treats! Another popular attraction is the acclaimed Museo Santuarios Andinos which houses many well preserved mummies. The most famous of the mummies is Juanita, a young Inca maiden who was sacrificed around the year AD 1450 atop the Nevado Ampato volcano to appease the gods and ask for a good harvest. Juanita was sacrificed then frozen by snowfall at the top of the mountain, hence her nickname ‘ice princess’. She was rediscovered in the 1990s when ash from the volcano melted the snow around her.
Optional Excursions
City tour – US$12 • Monastery of Santa Catalina – US$12 • Museo Santuarios Andinas, where you can see the frozen Inca ice mummy princess ‘Juanita’ – US$11 • Plaza de Armas and churches – free
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Casona Plaza Hotel Colonial or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 6 to 6 - Colca Canyon
Today you will visit the nearby Colca Canyon, said to be one of the deepest in the world. Take a private vehicle into the high, barren Andean landscape, reaching a maximum height of 4,910 metres above sea level. Along the way you will learn about the local fauna and flora of the region and spot the many vicuñas and alpacas. After checking in to our hotel in the town of Coporaque there is an option to visit the nearby hot springs.
Approximate Travel Time: 6hrs by private vehicle.
Included Excursions
Entrance to & guided tour Colca Canyon
Optional Excursions
Hot springs – S/15
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at La Casa de Mama Yacchi or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Local Lunch(es), 1 Buffet Dinner(s)
Day 7 to 7 - Puno
This morning we start early to visit the Cruz del Condor (Condor's Cross) lookout point in search of the giant condors soaring out of the canyon on thermal currents while taking a walk along the canyon's edge and admiring the spectacular views. The beautiful scenery continues as you take a combination of buses all the way to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, which at 3,855 metres above sea level, is the highest navigable lake in the world.
Approximate Travel Time: 7hrs on a Tourist Bus.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Munay Tambo or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 8 to 8 - Lake Titicaca Day Excursion
Today we take a day trip to the traditional and enthralling Lake Titicaca. Not only is it the largest lake in South America, it sits at 3,800 meters above sea level making it the highest navigable body of water on earth. Crystal blue waters compliment the bright yellow grass reeds used to construct the homes and boats floating upon it, while the traditional clothing simply adds to the beauty and colour of the place. While the lake tends to be overshadowed by its biodiverse and world famous neighbour the Amazon jungle, there exists over 500 aquatic species here and many various birds.
First we visit the floating reed islands in the Bay of Puno to see the Uros islanders way of life and we will have the option to ride in a traditional reed boat.
Next stop is Taquile Island, an island on Lake Titicaca still holding up many of the traditions values and customs it was built on. Learn about the way of life, from the reasons for why they do their hair the way they do and how they dress. Famous for their textiles and clothing, you will be able to pick up a homemade gift or two from the main square.
We will return to Puno for the evening.
Included Excursions
Day trip to Lake Titicaca
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Munay Tambo or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Local Lunch(es)
Day 9 to 9 - Cusco
Today you will journey towards Cusco on a tourist bus. Pass breathtaking Andean mountain scenery on this full day journey. Cusco, which means ‘navel of the earth' in the Inca language of Quechua, has a mostly indigenous population of around 300,000 and is centred around the Plaza de Armas, which is dominated by the Cathedral and La Compañia de Jesus Church. Its cloistered arcades house many fine restaurants, bars and shops which you have time to enjoy this evening.
Approximate Travel Time: 7H by Tourist Bus.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Anden Inca or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 10 to 10 - Sacred Valley of the Incas & Ollantaytambo
A full day is spent visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas. At an altitude of 3800m we take slow walks that take up to an hour, around each of the ruins in order to manage any effects the high altitude may have. Firstly we visit the Pisac ruins, perched on a hilltop with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. We then go down to the famous traditional market of the same name, which is full of colour and atmosphere. A great place for souvenirs! After lunch, we continue along the valley to the temple/fortress of Ollantaytambo with its enormous Inca terracing constructed on the side of a steep mountain.
Tonight you will stay in the town of Ollantaytambo.
Included Excursions
Guided tour of Sacred Valley of the Incas
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Tika Wasi or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 11 to 11 - The Inca Trail or similar
Having stayed overnight in Ollantaytambo, it means we have a short bus ride to the starting point of the trek. The first day is a relatively easy 4½ hour and 13 kilometre walk. With mostly flat and light climbs, you start to witness the lush scenery of Peru. Walking slowly, you will have plenty of short breaks to ensure the group are acclimatising to the altitude.
The Inca Trail Trek can be demanding but can be completed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life - you certainly don’t need to be an athlete. Everyone is able to walk at their own pace and there is no rush to finish. The trekking group is led by an expert local guide and supported by a team of porters and cooks, leaving you with only a small day pack to carry. If you are in any doubt or if you have any condition that may affect your ability to trek, we advise that you consult your doctor.
Please Note: Due to a limited number of people being allowed on the trail a day, permits are limited and can sell out far in advance. If you wish to book the Inca Trail, please provide your Reservations Agent with your passport details by email as soon as possible so that we can secure your permit. Without your passport details, we are unable to arrange your Inca Trail Trek. Alternatively you can opt to participate in the challenging but rewarding 1 day Inca trek. Please speak to one of our travel consultants for more information or you can read more about it here. If you are not participating in either trek then you will visit Machu Picchu by train and then have plenty of free time to enjoy the activities available in and around Cusco. Meals are included for those doing the Inca Trail Trek. If you are choosing not to do the Inca Trail Trek, you will have 2-3 days to spend exploring Cusco.
Included Excursions
Inca Trail Trek
Accommodation
1 night(s) in campsites on the Inca Trek
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 12 to 12 - The Inca Trail
Today is the biggest challenge on the trek as you reach the highest pass at Warmiwañusca, also known as Dead Woman’s Pass! Sitting at 4,200 metres, it is nearly 1,800 metres higher than Machu Picchu itself. The terrain here is slightly more rockier and due to open area, trekkers are more exposed to the elements, whether it’s the rain lashing down or the sun blazing down! However it can be said that traversing this part of the trail is the second most rewarding part, just after seeing Machu Picchu itself.
You will cover approximately nine kilometres in about 5-7 hours and after the high pass it's all downhill as the trail winds its way along old Inca stairs to our campsite.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in campsites on the Inca Trek
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 13 to 13 - The Inca Trail
Today you will cover the most distance, at 15 kilometres you will walk for around 7 hours. While being the longest day, it is also the most interesting as you pass more ruins and unique sites. After roughly one hour of trekking you will come to the ruins of Runkurakay, a small circular shaped archaeological site. It has been said this site was most likely used as resting point for the Inca messengers, who maintained communication across the Inca Empire.
From this point, it is mostly downhill, and we have four more ruin sites to be discovered, with the next being Sayacmarca. Also known to historians as the “inaccessible town” due to it being barricaded on three sides with steep mountain drop offs, archaeologists remain baffled as to what the site was used for. Some say it was a viewing and control point for those headed to Machu Picchu.
We continue onto Phuyupatamarca where you can enjoy some amazing views from the top. The Quechua translation being “town in the clouds” it offers some great photo opportunities and is often used as a lunch spot for groups.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in campsites on the Inca Trek
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 14 to 14 - Machu Picchu & Cusco
On the last morning of the Inca Trail Trek, after an overnight stop at Wiñay-Wayna, you will rise early for the final walk to Machu Picchu and greet daybreak over the famous “Sun Gate”. There will then be time to explore on your own or simply take in the magnificence of the place after your guided tour.
The Lost City of Machu Picchu was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs. Located high above the fast flowing Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation that will simply take your breath away.
The ruins were only discovered by the outside world in 1911, when American explorer Hiram Bingham found them while looking for another “lost city” called Vilcabamba. Due to their isolation many of the buildings are still quite intact and you can't help but admire Huayna Picchu (“Young Mountain”), which towers above the ruins.
After spending most of the day at Machu Picchu you have the chance to meander through the markets of Aguas Calientes before enjoying a scenic train ride back to the Sacred Valley where our transfer to Cusco will be waiting.
Included Excursions
Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Anden Inca or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 15 to 15 - Depart Cusco
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
What you need to know
- We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On very rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.
- This tour includes your Inca Trail permit.
- The Inca Trail Trek is very popular and permits for peak season (May to September) can sell out several months in advance. To guarantee your permit, we recommend booking as early as possible.
- This tour reaches high altitude and some people can be affected by this. Read our handy guide to Altitude Sickness before you travel.
- The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. You will meet your Tucan Travel rep at 18.00 for the pre-departure meeting. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre-tour accommodation.
- This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour. For more information on our Local Payments please click here.
- Many countries have strict rules on the age and quality of foreign cash. We therefore recommend you bring only new, unmarked and undamaged bank notes. This includes your Local Payment on tours where required.
What's Included
Excursions & Activities
- Visit Huacachina Oasis
- A boat tour of the Ballestas Islands
- Entrance to & guided tour Colca Canyon
- Day trip to Lake Titicaca
- Guided tour of Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Inca Trail Trek
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Accommodation
10 night(s) in hotels, 1 night(s) on overnight sleeper buses, 3 night(s) in campsites on the Inca Trek
Transportation
Overnight Bus, Public Bus
Meals
14 Breakfast(s), 2 Local Lunch(es), 1 Buffet Dinner(s), 2 Lunch(es), 2 Dinner(s)
What's Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Tips on excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.
- Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.
- Airport transfers and pre and post tour accommodation
Select Dates & Book
2019
Inca trail permits sold out, day trek or train to Machu Picchu available.
Inca trail permits sold out, day trek or train to Machu Picchu available.
2020
Inca Trail closed, train to Machu Picchu.
Limited Inca trail permits available.
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