Experience the 10-Day Lima Ica Cusco Tour Like a Local Traveler!. Walk through Lima’s colonial plazas and descend into the San Francisco Catacombs. In Huacachina, launch yourself on dune buggies across golden dunes and try sandboarding. Cruise Paracas, where penguins and sea lions greet you at the Ballestas Islands.
In Cusco, discover the Sacred Valley with Pisac and Ollantaytambo, the South Valley with Tipón and Andahuaylillas, the colorful Vinicunca, the serene Humantay Lagoon, and Machu Picchu. Includes Vistadome train and Quechua-speaking guides.
Summary
Day 1: Arrival in Lima – City Tour
- Reception at Lima Airport
- Transfer to the hotel
- Lima City Tour through the Main Square, Cathedral, and San Francisco Convent
- Walk through Miraflores and San Isidro
- Hotel night in Lima
Day 2: Huacachina Ica Adventure
- Early departure to Ica
- Arrival at Huacachina Ica, the oasis in the middle of the desert
- Buggy ride over the tall dunes
- Stand up paddleboarding on the lake
- Free time for photos and to enjoy the landscape
- Hotel night in Huacachina
Day 3: Paracas Tour – Ballestas Islands
- Transfer from Huacachina to Paracas
- Boat ride to the Ballestas Islands in Paracas
- Sightseeing of sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and flamingos
- View of The Candelabro, a geoglyph on the dune
- Hotel night in Paracas
Day 4: Flight to Cusco – Cusco City Tour
- Transfer to Pisco or Lima airport
- Flight to Cusco
- Reception at Cusco airport
- Transfer to the hotel
- Cusco City Tour: Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, and Qoricancha
- Hotel night in Cusco
Day 5: Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour
- Early departure to the Sacred Valley
- Chinchero: artisan textiles and panoramic views
- Moray: circular agricultural terraces
- Maras Salt Mines: natural salt pools
- Ollantaytambo: Inca town with original streets
- Train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
- Hotel night in Aguas Calientes
Day 6: Exploring Machu Picchu
- Bus ride up to Machu Picchu
- 2.5-hour guided tour of the temples, terraces, and plazas
- Free time for photos and reflection
- Return by train to Ollantaytambo
- Bus transfer to Cusco
- Hotel night in Cusco
Day 7: South Valley Cusco Tour
- Early departure to the South Valley
- Visit to Tipón: impressive terraces and Inca irrigation system
- Pikillacta: ancient Wari city pre-dating the Inca empire
- Andahuaylillas: known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” for its colonial paintings
- Return to Cusco in the afternoon
- Hotel night in Cusco
Day 8: Humantay Lagoon Adventure
- Very early departure to Soraypampa
- Start of the hike to Humantay Lagoon (1 hour 30 minutes)
- Impressive view of the turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains
- Explanation of the site’s spiritual significance
- Lunch included
- Return to Cusco
- Hotel night in Cusco
Day 9: Rainbow Mountain from Cusco
- Early departure to Cusipata
- Light breakfast
- Hike to the Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca (5,200 meters / 17,060 ft)
- Panoramic view of colorful stripes: red, green, purple, yellow
- Free time for photos and connection with nature
- Descent and lunch in Cusipata
- Return to Cusco
- Hotel night in Cusco
Day 10: Departure – Airport Transfer
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Check-out
- Transfer to Cusco airport
- End of the 10-Day / 9-Night Lima Ica Cusco Tour
Itinerary
Itinerary
DAY 01: Arrival in Lima
Welcome to Lima
Our TOP INKA TRAVEL team will welcome you at Jorge Chávez International Airport, holding a sign with your name for easy identification. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel in Lima. Enjoy a comfortable night at our hotel with all necessary amenities for a pleasant stay.
Overnight in Lima
DAY 02: Lima City Tour
Tour time: 8:40 AM – 2:00 PM
We’ll begin with a panoramic view of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, a ceremonial center of the Lima culture. Then, we’ll explore the Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Central Reserve Bank Museum, which showcases treasures from various ancient cultures.
Next, we’ll visit the San Francisco Convent, known for its religious art and mysterious catacombs. The tour continues through modern Lima to the Costa Verde, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Finally, return to the hotel.
Overnight in Lima
DAY 03: Paracas & Huacachina Full Day
Tour time: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Early pick-up from your hotel for a 4-hour trip to Paracas. We’ll head to El Chaco Pier and board a speedboat to the Ballestas Islands. Along the way, you’ll see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, cormorants, flamingos, and the mysterious Candelabro geoglyph, while your guide explains its possible origins.
Then we’ll travel to Ica, arriving around 12:30 PM to visit Bodega Nietto, where you’ll taste wines and piscos and enjoy lunch at their restaurant.
Next, we’ll visit the Huacachina Oasis, where you’ll experience an adrenaline-filled dune buggy ride and try sandboarding. After free time for exploring and photos, we’ll return to Lima around 10:00 PM.
Overnight in Lima
DAY 04: Transfer to Lima Airport – Cusco City Tour
Tour time: 12:40 PM – 6:30 PM
At the scheduled time, we’ll transfer you from your hotel to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco.
Upon arrival, our TOP INKA TRAVEL team will welcome you and take you to your hotel. Around 12:40 PM, we’ll begin the City Tour, visiting five major archaeological and cultural sites: Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Puka Pukara, Q’enqo, and Tambomachay. Discover the fascinating history and architecture of the Inca capital.
Overnight in Cusco
DAY 05: Sacred Valley VIP + Connection to Machu Picchu Town
Tour time: 6:40 AM – 7:00 PM
We’ll start by visiting Chinchero, exploring Inca ruins, agricultural terraces, and a colonial church, and learning about Andean weaving at a local textile center. Next, we head to Moray, famous for its circular terraces, and then to the Maras Salt Mines, with over 3,000 salt pools.
Enjoy a buffet lunch in Urubamba, then continue to Ollantaytambo, the last living Inca town. After exploring, we’ll board the train to Machu Picchu Town, where our staff will be waiting to take you to the hotel.
Overnight in Machu Picchu Town
DAY 06: Machu Picchu
Tour time: 4:30 AM – 22:00 PM
Early morning, meet your guide and board the Consettur bus to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Enjoy a 2.5-hour guided tour exploring its impressive structures while learning about its history, architecture, and mysteries.
After the tour, return to town by bus. You’ll have free time for lunch or exploring. Later, we’ll take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our driver will be waiting to return you to Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco
DAY 07: Rainbow Mountain
Tour time: 4:30 AM – 5:00 PM
We’ll pick you up early and head to Cusipata for breakfast, then drive 1 more hour to the starting point. Begin the 1.5-hour hike to Vinicunca Viewpoint (5,200 m.a.s.l.), where you’ll admire the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain and learn about its geography, ecosystem, and cultural significance from your guide. You’ll also have free time for photos.
Afterward, we descend and return to Cusipata for lunch, then head back to Cusco, arriving around 5:00 PM.
Overnight in Cusco
DAY 08: South Valley Tour
Tour time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Start the day with a visit to Tipón, an Inca site known as the “Temple of Water” for its stone-carved canals and terraces. Then, we visit Pikillacta, a pre-Inca city of the Wari culture featuring multi-story buildings, temples, and the Huacarpay Lagoon.
Our final stop is Andahuaylillas, home to the stunning San Pedro Apostle Church, often called the “Sistine Chapel of America” for its exquisite colonial murals and gold altars.
Overnight in Cusco
DAY 09: Humantay Lake
Tour time: 4:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Early pick-up for a 2-hour trip to Mollepata, where you’ll enjoy breakfast. Then we’ll drive 1 more hour to Soraypampa, the starting point of a 2-hour hike to the breathtaking Humantay Lake (4,200 m.a.s.l.). Upon arrival, your guide will explain its significance, and you’ll have free time to relax and take photos.
We’ll descend the same way and return to Mollepata for a well-deserved lunch, then drive back to Cusco, arriving around 6:30 PM.
Overnight in Cusco
DAY 10: Hotel – Airport Transfer
To end your Lima – Ica – Cusco 10 Days experience, we’ll ensure everything runs smoothly. After breakfast, our transfer service will take you to the airport at the scheduled time. Hotel check-out is at 10:00 AM, but you can leave your luggage at reception until it’s time for your flight.
Includes
Inclusions
Lima Tour – Peru
- Pick-up from Lima Airport
- 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Lima
- 2 breakfasts at the hotel
- 1 box breakfast
- Bilingual professional guide (Spanish & English) for each tourist attraction
- Entrance fees to all visited locations
- Tourist transportation for each tour
- Tourist bus Lima – Paracas – Lima
- Boat ride to Ballestas Islands
- Sandboarding boards
- Dune buggy ride
- Transfer to Lima Airport
Cusco Tour – Peru
- Pick-up from Cusco Airport
- 6 nights at a 3-star hotel in Cusco
- 1 night at a 3-star hotel in Machu Picchu Town
- 3 breakfasts at the hotel
- 1 box breakfast
- 1 buffet lunch on the Sacred Valley VIP tour
- 1 breakfast and 1 buffet lunch on the Rainbow Mountain tour
- 1 breakfast and 1 buffet lunch on the Humantay Lake tour
- Bilingual professional guide (Spanish & English) for each tourist attraction
- Private bilingual professional guide (Spanish & English) for Machu Picchu
- Entrance fees to all visited locations
- Entrance to Machu Picchu Sanctuary Circuit 2 (subject to availability)
- Executive Tourist Train (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo)
- Consettur bus for the ascent and descent of Machu Picchu
- Tourist transportation for each tour
- Transfer to the airport
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights
- Laundry services
- Snacks and/or refreshing drinks
- Meals not mentioned
- Extra nights due to bad weather
- Personal care items
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Important Information
- Before making a reservation, please contact us at reservas@topinkatravel.com or via WhatsApp at +51 961731825 to confirm if there are tickets available for Machu Picchu on your travel date.
- One day before your arrival in Lima, we will request your boarding pass to coordinate your pick-up from the airport to your hotel.
- All of our tours in Lima include pick-up and transfer to your hotel.
- All of our tours in Cusco include pick-up from your hotel and end at Plaza Regocijo, located one block from Plaza de Armas. The only exception is the Machu Picchu tour, which ends at your hotel.
- The evening before each tour, we will contact you before 8:00 PM to provide the exact pick-up time and important recommendations for your experience.
- Hotel Check-in in Lima is at 3:00 PM, and Check-out is at 12:00 PM.
- Hotel Check-in in Cusco is at 12:00 PM, and Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
- Our hotels are strategically located. Once the reservation is made, we will provide you with the best hotel options.
- We will be in constant communication with you to ensure an exceptional experience.
Recommendations
Recommendations
For your 10-Day Lima Ica Cusco Tour, bring your original ID or passport, mandatory for the Vistadome train and Machu Picchu. Wear trekking shoes for hikes at Vinicunca (1.5 hours, 5,200 masl) and Humantay (1 hour, 4,200 masl). Pack light clothing for Lima and Paracas (77-86°F), a warm jacket for Cusco (41-50°F at night), sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Bring a rain poncho (December-March), water bottle, snacks, a charger, and personal medications. In Huacachina, wear clothes that can get dirty for the buggies and sandboarding.
Useful Travel Information
Lima is at sea level, but Cusco (3,400 masl) can cause altitude sickness. Rest on the first day, drink water, and try coca tea. Vinicunca and Humantay are moderate hikes; go at your own pace with the support of bilingual guides, some Quechua-speaking, who share Inca stories. The 2025 Lima Ica Cusco package includes transfers from Jorge Chávez Airport, Vistadome train, tourist buses, 3-star hotels (breakfast, wifi), and entrance fees to San Francisco, Ballestas Islands, Sacred Valley, South Valley, and Machu Picchu. The best time is May-September (dry, sunny). Book 1-2 months in advance on WhatsApp +51 948 287 034.Peru. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family, the 10-Day Lima – Ica – Cusco Tour is designed to give you an unforgettable adventure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack for the 10-Day Lima Ica Cusco Tour?
Bring your original ID or passport, trekking shoes for Vinicunca (5,200 masl) and Humantay (4,200 masl), light clothing for Lima/Paracas (77-86°F), a warm jacket for Cusco (41-50°F at night), sunscreen, sunglasses, a rain poncho (December-March), and a water bottle.
How to avoid altitude sickness in Cusco?
Rest on your first day in Cusco (3,400 masl), drink plenty of water, and try coca tea. The hikes to Vinicunca and Humantay are moderate; go at your own pace with your guide’s support.
What does the Lima Ica Cusco package include?
It includes transfers from Jorge Chávez Airport, the Vistadome train, tourist buses, 3-star hotels (breakfast, wifi), and entrance fees to San Francisco, the Ballestas Islands, Sacred Valley, South Valley, and Machu Picchu. It does not include domestic flights or some lunches/dinners.
What makes the guides special?
Our guides are bilingual, many speak Quechua, and they share Inca stories, like the meaning of “Pachamama” at Machu Picchu, for an authentic experience.
When should I book?
Book 1-2 months in advance (May-September is high season) on WhatsApp +51 948 287 034 to secure your spot.
Additional
Additional Information
The 10-Day Lima Ica Cusco Tour is ideal for travelers of all ages, from families to solo adventurers. We recommend children be at least 6 years old due to the hikes to Vinicunca (5,200 masl) and Humantay (4,200 masl). Book 1-2 months in advance for the May-September high season via WhatsApp at +51 948 287 034, as Machu Picchu tickets and hotels sell out quickly.
With small groups (maximum 10 people), we guarantee close attention. Our bilingual guides (English/Spanish), many of whom are Quechua speakers, share Inca stories, like the spirit of Pachamama at Machu Picchu. The tour includes transfers from Jorge Chávez Airport, private buses, the Vistadome train, and 3-star hotels with breakfast in Lima, Ica, Paracas, and Cusco.
More Reasons to Book With Us
With 15 years of experience, Top Inka Travel offers an authentic journey through the coast, desert, and Andes. Enjoy the Lima City Tour of the Main Square and San Francisco Catacombs, the thrill of buggies in Huacachina, and marine life at the Ballestas Islands. The Vistadome train takes you through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, with breathtaking landscapes.
Families receive special attention: breaks, simple explanations, and adapted meals. Our guides, many born in Cusco, explain the magic of Qoricancha or the serenity of Humantay. If you’re looking for an organized and secure 2025 Lima Ica Cusco package, book with us for an adventure that combines history, nature, and Peruvian culture.
