See three very different sides of Peru in one week on this 7-day Peru tour. Walk through historic Lima, cruise around the Ballestas Islands, ride a dune buggy over the sands of Huacachina, and fly above the Nazca Lines in a small aircraft.
Then fly to Cusco for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, where Inca history, mountain scenery, and living Andean culture come together. Every flight, train, hotel, ticket, and guide is arranged for you by a 100% Peruvian team, so you can give your full attention to the journey.
Duration Group / PrivateDuration 7 Days / 6 Nights
Activities Culture, History, Nature, Adventure
Average Group Size 12 people
Accommodation Hotel 3-star
Tour Language English, Spanish
Destinations Lima, Ballestas Islands, Huacachina Oasis, Nazca Lines, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu PicchuPeru Tour 7 Days: Lima, Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu - Overview
This Peru Tour 7 Days takes you through the coast, the desert, and the Andes in one week. Old Lima, sea lions at the Ballestas Islands, dune buggies at Huacachina, a flight over the Nazca Lines, then Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
Three days on the coast, a one-way flight to Cusco, three days in the Andes. We book every hotel, flight, train, and ticket, and a local guide meets you at each stop. You travel with TreXperience, a 100% Peruvian tour operator based in Cusco.
Tour Highlights:
- Lima in one afternoon: Parque del Amor, the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, Plaza Mayor, the San Francisco catacombs, and a pisco tasting.
- Coast and desert in one day: Sea lions and Humboldt penguins at the Ballestas Islands, a family winery, then dune buggies and sandboarding at Huacachina.
- Nazca Lines from the air: A small-plane flight over up to 13 figures. The pilot banks to each side so everyone gets a view.
- Cusco and the Sacred Valley: Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo, with lunch and dinner on the valley day.
- Machu Picchu with a local guide: One of the first buses up and a 2- to 3-hour guided visit. We request Circuit 2 first.
- Hotels you can look up by name: Casa Andina Standard, Hotel El Huarango, San Agustín Internacional, and Ferré Machu Picchu, or similar 3-star hotels.
- One team, start to finish: Airport pickups in Lima and Cusco, the Lima-Cusco flight, the Expedition train, and support every day.
Peru Tour at a Glance
Day 1: Arrival in Lima - Afternoon City Tour
Airport pickup and your hotel in Miraflores. In the afternoon: Parque del Amor, Huaca Pucllana, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, the San Francisco catacombs, and a pisco tasting.
Day 2: Lima - Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Huacachina
Pre-dawn drive to Paracas for the Ballestas Islands boat. Then Ica: a winery tasting, the Huacachina oasis, dune buggy, and sandboarding.
Day 3: Nazca Lines Flight - Return to Lima
Fly over the Nazca Lines. Free time at Huacachina, then the drive back to Lima.
Day 4: Flight to Cusco - Afternoon City Tour
Flight to Cusco. Afternoon tour: the Twelve-Angled Stone, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
Day 5: Sacred Valley - Maras, Moray and Train to Aguas Calientes
Camelid center, Pisac and its market, lunch, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo. Dinner, then the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes.
Day 6: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Return to Cusco
Early bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided visit. Train to Ollantaytambo and private transfer to your Cusco hotel.
Day 7: Departure from Cusco
Breakfast, free time, and transfer to Cusco airport, where the TreXperience service ends.
Included
- Pre-trip assistance and local coordination throughout
- Airport pickups in Lima (Day 1) and Cusco (Day 4); airport transfers in Lima (Day 4) and Cusco (Day 7)
- 6 nights in 3-star hotels: Casa Andina Standard Miraflores, Lima (Days 1 and 3); Hotel El Huarango, Ica (Day 2); San Agustín Internacional, Cusco (Days 4 and 6); Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes (Day 5), or similar
- Hotel breakfasts Days 3 to 7 (Day 2 leaves before breakfast)
- Lunch and dinner on Day 5
- English- and Spanish-speaking local guides on every tour
- Tourist transportation for all tours and transfers, including Lima - Paracas - Ica - Nazca - Lima
- Lima City Tour: Parque del Amor, Huaca Pucllana, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, entrance to the San Francisco Convent and Catacombs, and a pisco tasting
- Ballestas Islands boat tour with entrance fees and port taxes
- Ica winery visit with wine, pisco, and liqueur tasting
- Huacachina oasis, dune buggy, and sandboarding with a local driver
- Nazca Lines flight, including airfield taxes
- One-way economy flight from Lima to Cusco
- Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley Tour (Pisac, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo) with guide and entrance tickets
- Round-trip Expedition train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, subject to schedule
- Private transfer from Ollantaytambo station to your Cusco hotel (Day 6)
- Machu Picchu ticket, best official circuit available at booking (Circuit 2 requested first)
- Round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Guided Machu Picchu visit, 2 to 3 hours
Not Included
- International flights and your flight out of Cusco
- Breakfast on Day 2 and other meals not listed
- Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
- Hotel and train upgrades
- Personal expenses, optional activities, and tips
- Travel insurance, strongly recommended
Machu Picchu Circuit Included
We request Circuit 2 first: a broad route through the citadel with the classic viewpoints. If it sells out, we book the best option on Circuit 1 or Circuit 3. Tickets and entry times are limited, so book early. See our Machu Picchu Circuits guide or the official circuits and routes.
Extra Hikes at Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 2 hours round trip.
- Machu Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 3 hours round trip.
One mountain only. Separate ticket, booked in advance, and the entry time must fit your circuit and return train.
The Peru Tour 7 Days, The TreXperience Way
Peru gives you the coast, the desert, and the Andes. We take care of everything around them:
- Prepared for the journey: We confirm every flight, train, hotel, and ticket before you travel, and tell you what each day needs, down to the 4 a.m. pickup on Day 2. No surprises in the logistics.
- Guided by local experts: Licensed local guides in Lima, Ica, Cusco, and Machu Picchu, in English and Spanish, at a pace you can keep.
- Comfort and safety: Named hotels, tourist-class transport, and honest information about early starts, altitude, and who should skip the dune buggy.
- Andean hospitality: Someone waiting with your name at the airport, a pisco tasting in Lima, a family winery in Ica, and a proper sit-down lunch in the Sacred Valley.
Optional Upgrades
Private service: Your own guide and vehicle for selected parts of the trip, at your own pace; we confirm which services are private when you book. Prices by group size are on the Price tab. Flights, the Ballestas boat, the Nazca plane, trains, and Machu Picchu buses stay shared.
Also on request: 4-star or 5-star hotels, the Vistadome or Vistadome Observatory train, extra nights, and extensions to Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Lake Titicaca, the Inca Trail, or the Amazon.
Full Itinerary of the Peru Tour 7 Days
Seven days, three regions, one plan. Here is what each day looks like, with start times, meals, and hotels. Private service, extra nights, and hotel upgrades are available on request.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima - Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to Peru. We meet you at Lima airport and drive you to your hotel in Miraflores, Casa Andina Standard or similar. Rest, have lunch on your own, and get ready for the afternoon.
Around 2:00 p.m., your guide picks you up. First, the ocean side: Parque del Amor on the Miraflores cliffs, with its mosaic walls and the sculpture “El Beso”, and a view of Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca adobe pyramid in the middle of the city.
Then the old center: Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor with the Government Palace and the Cathedral, and the Convent of San Francisco, with its library, cloisters, and underground catacombs. There is a pisco tasting along the way. Back in Miraflores around 6:00 p.m. Rest early: tomorrow starts before dawn.
- Meals: Not included
- Tour: Half day, about 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard or similar 3-star hotel
Tips: Arrive in Lima in the morning so you can join the tour. Bring walking shoes, a light jacket, sunscreen, and some cash. More ideas in our Lima travel guide.
Day 2: Lima - Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Huacachina
The earliest start of the trip, and a full day for it. Pickup is between about 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. (we confirm the exact time the evening before). You leave Lima in the dark and watch the sky brighten over the Pacific. Around 6:00 a.m., a short stop at a roadside bakery to buy breakfast.
Around 9:30 a.m., you board a boat in Paracas. You pass the Candelabra geoglyph and circle the Ballestas Islands: cliffs packed with cormorants, boobies, and Inca terns, sea lions on the rocks, Humboldt penguins near the water. These are wild animals, so sightings can’t be promised, but the boat gets close.
Back on land, a quick taste of tejas, Ica’s sweets filled with manjar blanco. Lunch is on your own. Then a family winery for a tasting of sweet Borgoña wine, fruit liqueurs, and pisco.
And then the moment most people remember: Huacachina, a palm-fringed lagoon surrounded by dunes. Around 3:00 p.m., you climb into a dune buggy with a local driver and stop at dunes of different heights to try sandboarding. No experience needed. Check in at Hotel El Huarango in Ica (3 stars, outdoor pool) around 4:30 p.m. Evening free.
- Meals: Not included (the tour leaves before the hotel breakfast; there is a stop to buy breakfast)
- Pickup: About 4:00 to 5:00 a.m., confirmed the evening before
- Hotel: Hotel El Huarango, Ica, or similar 3-star hotel
- Activities: Ballestas Islands boat, winery tasting, Huacachina, dune buggy, sandboarding
Tips: Pack your daypack the night before: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, a windbreaker for the boat, water, closed shoes, and a bandana for the dunes. Keep your phone in a sealed bag on the buggy. The buggy and sandboarding are not suitable if you are pregnant or have back or spine problems. See our Ballestas Islands guide and Huacachina guide.
Day 3: Nazca Lines Flight - Return to Lima
After an early continental breakfast, you leave Ica around 6:30 a.m. for the Nazca airfield. Check-in includes a passport check, a safety briefing, and a weight check so the pilot can balance the plane.
Your flight is planned for mid-morning. From a small aircraft, you look down on figures that only make sense from the air: the hummingbird, the monkey, the spider, the condor, the whale, the astronaut, up to 13 on the planned route. The pilot banks to each side so both rows get a clear view and calls out each figure before you reach it.
Route, timing, and aircraft can change with weather or air traffic; safety comes first. After the flight, lunch on your own on the way back, then free time at Huacachina by the lagoon. Around 4:30 p.m., you start the drive to Lima, about four to five hours, and are dropped off at your hotel in Miraflores in the evening.
- Meals: Continental breakfast at the hotel
- Overflight: Nazca Lines flight (shared flight)
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Lima, or similar 3-star hotel
Tips: Eat lightly before the flight if you get motion sick, and bring your original passport. Read our Nazca Lines guide first; knowing what to look for makes the flight much better.
Day 4: Flight to Cusco - Afternoon City Tour
After breakfast, we take you to Lima airport for the flight to Cusco, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Our Cusco team meets you and drives you to San Agustín Internacional or a similar 3-star hotel near the historic center.
Cusco sits at about 3,400 m / 11,155 ft. Use the late morning to rest, drink water, and eat light. Walking slowly today makes a real difference.
Around 1:00 p.m., your guide picks you up. On foot: the Plaza de Armas, the old Inca streets, the Twelve-Angled Stone, and Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, where Inca walls stand inside a colonial convent. Then by vehicle to the sites above the city: Sacsayhuaman and its huge zigzag walls, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, with its still-running fountains. When time allows, a stop at Cristo Blanco for the view.
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
- Tour: Half day
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Highest altitude: About 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
- Difficulty: Easy, some walking and stairs at altitude
Tips: Walk slowly, drink water, skip alcohol today, and tell your guide if you feel unwell. Bring a warm layer, rain protection, and sunscreen. The next two days are lower than Cusco, and most people find them easier.
Day 5: Sacred Valley - Maras, Moray and Train to Aguas Calientes
Pickup around 7:00 a.m. for the most scenic day of the trip. First, a camelid center to see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos up close, then a viewpoint over the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River.
Next, Pisac: terraces and temples above the valley, then time at the market, known for textiles, ceramics, and silver. Lunch at a local restaurant in Urubamba.
In the afternoon, the circular terraces of Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, thousands of pools still worked by local families. Last stop, Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with water channels running down its streets.
Dinner is included tonight, in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes depending on your train time. Then the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes and check-in at Ferré Machu Picchu or similar. Rest well: tomorrow you are on one of the first buses up.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Transport: Tourist vehicle and Expedition train
- Hotel: Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate, walking and stairs at the sites
Tips: Bring a small overnight bag (about 5 kg / 11 lb); train luggage is limited. Leave your main suitcase at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage. More in our Sacred Valley guide.
Day 6: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Return to Cusco
The day the whole week builds toward. After an early breakfast, you take one of the first buses up the switchbacks to Machu Picchu. Show your original passport and ticket at the gate.
You enter on the route your ticket allows; we request Circuit 2 whenever we can. For 2 to 3 hours, your guide walks you through the terraces, temples, houses, and water channels and explains how and why a city was built up here. There is time for photos. If you booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, the hike comes after the tour, according to your ticket time and train.
Bus back down, lunch on your own in Aguas Calientes, then the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo, where our private vehicle takes you to your Cusco hotel. Arrival is usually around 7:30 p.m., depending on the train.
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
- Guided visit: About 2 to 3 hours
- Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Return: Bus, Expedition train, private transfer to Cusco
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate, stairs and uneven stone paths
Tips: Original passport, small daypack, rain protection, sunscreen, hat, water, some cash. Large bags, drones, tripods, and food are not allowed inside. See our Machu Picchu rules guide.
Day 7: Departure from Cusco
Breakfast at your hotel and, depending on your flight, some free time: a last walk around the Plaza de Armas or souvenirs at San Pedro market. Then we drive you to Cusco airport, where the TreXperience service ends. Your flight out of Cusco is not included.
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer: Airport or bus station transfer included.
Want to keep going? Add Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Lake Titicaca, the Inca Trail, or the Amazon. Ask our team for the best order for your dates.
Peru Tour 7 Days Price and Booking
Prices are per person in US dollars. They include the 3-star hotels (Casa Andina Standard, Hotel El Huarango, San Agustín Internacional, Ferré Machu Picchu, or similar), all listed tours and tickets, local guides, ground transport, the Lima-Cusco flight, the Nazca Lines flight, the Expedition train, and the Machu Picchu buses. International flights and your flight out of Cusco are not included. All services are subject to availability.
Small-Group Tour Price
| Traveler Type | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| Adults | US$1,280 |
| Students under 25 with a valid university ID | US$1,250 |
| Children under 17 | US$1,250 |
Private Tour Price
Your own guide and vehicle, your own pace, your own timing. Good for families, couples, and groups. Prices depend on group size and availability.
| Number of Travelers | Adults (Per Person) | Students and Children (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler | US$3,150 | US$3,120 |
| 2 travelers | US$1,930 | US$1,900 |
| 3 travelers | US$1,700 | US$1,670 |
| 4 travelers | US$1,650 | US$1,620 |
| 5 travelers | US$1,640 | US$1,610 |
| 6 travelers | US$1,610 | US$1,580 |
| 7 travelers | US$1,490 | US$1,460 |
| 8 to 16 travelers | US$1,460 | US$1,430 |
Note: Private service covers selected parts of the itinerary; we confirm which when you book. Ballestas boat, the Nazca plane, trains, and Machu Picchu buses are shared services.
Booking and Payment
- Deposit: US$600 per person. It secures your Machu Picchu ticket, train seats, flight, and hotels. Pay the balance online or at our Cusco office by card, PayPal, or wire transfer.
- We need each traveler’s full name as on the passport, passport number, date of birth, passport expiry, and nationality. Machu Picchu tickets and flights are issued in your name and can’t be transferred.
- Tell us about dietary needs, pregnancy, or any back, neck, or mobility concern, so we can plan the dune buggy afternoon safely.
- Tell us why you’re traveling too: a birthday, a long-postponed dream, a first big trip with the kids. It helps us prepare.
- Cancellation and change rules: see our Terms and Conditions.
Student and Child Discount
- US$30 off per person
For travelers under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID showing name, photo, university, and expiry date. ISIC cards are not accepted. Child discounts apply automatically; students send a copy of their ID when booking. If the ID is not accepted, the adult rate applies.
Customization and Upgrades
- Private service for selected parts of the itinerary.
- Hotel upgrade to selected 4-star or 5-star hotels.
- Train upgrade to Vistadome or Vistadome Observatory, subject to availability.
- Extra nights in Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, or Aguas Calientes.
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain when tickets and the schedule allow.
- Extensions to Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Lake Titicaca, the Inca Trail, or the Amazon.
Changes depend on availability and may change the price. Contact us for a quote.
Packing List for the Peru Tour 7 Days
One week, four climates: Lima’s mild coast, the hot desert around Ica, cool Cusco mornings, and the cloud forest at Machu Picchu, where sun, mist, and rain can all happen in one visit. Pack light layers, keep your passport and valuables in your daypack, and bring a small overnight bag (about 5 kg / 11 lb) for Aguas Calientes. More tips in our Peru Packing List.
Essentials
Original passport (needed for the Nazca flight, the train, and Machu Picchu), medication, travel documents, money, and insurance details.
What to Wear?
Comfortable layers and walking shoes. Sun protection for the coast and desert, closed shoes and a bandana for the dunes, a warm layer for Cusco, and a light waterproof jacket for Machu Picchu.
What to Put in the Daypack?
Water, sunscreen, rain protection, camera, a sealed bag for your phone on the dunes, and personal items. Pack it the night before Day 2, which starts before dawn.
What to Pack for Aguas Calientes?
A change of clothes, toiletries, medication, a charger, and your Machu Picchu essentials. Train luggage is limited, so leave your main suitcase at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage. See our Machu Picchu packing list.
What We Provide
The 3-star hotels (Casa Andina Standard, Hotel El Huarango, San Agustín Internacional, Ferré Machu Picchu, or similar), all listed transport, tickets, guides, the Lima-Cusco flight, the Nazca flight, the Expedition train, and the Machu Picchu buses.
Optional Gear and Extra Items
Power bank, reusable bottle, waterproof phone case, motion-sickness remedies for the boat and the flight, and a small padlock for your overnight bag.
Travel Information for the Peru Tour 7 Days
What to know before you book: the pace, the early starts, the coast activities, the Nazca flight, altitude, hotels, trains, Machu Picchu tickets, weather, and luggage.
How is the 7-day itinerary paced?
It is an active week with early mornings. Day 2 pickup is about 4:00 to 5:00 a.m. Day 3 leaves Ica at 6:30 a.m. and gets back to Lima in the evening. Day 4 is a morning flight, Day 5 starts at 7:00 a.m., and on Day 6 you take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu.
In return, every connection is handled for you. Want it slower? Add a night in Lima before the tour or in Cusco after it. The tour starts with pickup at Lima airport (arrive in the morning on Day 1) and ends with a transfer to Cusco airport. The Lima-Cusco flight is included; your flight out of Cusco is not.
What will I visit in Lima?
Two sides of the city in one afternoon. In Miraflores: Parque del Amor on the cliffs and a view of Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca pyramid. In the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor with the Government Palace and the Cathedral, and the Convent of San Francisco with its catacombs. Plus a pisco tasting.
More on the UNESCO Historic Centre of Lima page, and ideas for your free evening in our Lima travel guide.
What should I know about Paracas, the Ballestas Islands and Huacachina?
The boat depends on sea conditions and the port authority, and the animals are wild, so no sighting is guaranteed. If the bay is closed for safety, we tell you as early as we can and look for the best alternative. The boat operator sets a minimum age of 18 months.
The dune buggy is a rough ride over steep sand. It is not suitable for pregnant travelers or anyone with back or spine conditions or surgery; tell us before booking and we suggest an alternative. Seat belt on, follow the driver, and keep your phone in a sealed bag.
Official information: Paracas National Reserve and Ballestas Islands. Our guides: Ballestas Islands and Huacachina.
How does the Nazca Lines flight work?
The flight depends on weather, visibility, air traffic, aircraft availability, and passenger weight distribution. Delays happen for safety reasons, and the figures you see depend on the route and conditions.
Bring a valid passport and expect a weight check at the airfield; seats are assigned for balance. The plane banks to both sides, so eat lightly if you get motion sick.
The Lines are a UNESCO World Heritage Site: see the official UNESCO page and our Nazca Lines guide.
How should I prepare for the altitude in Cusco?
Cusco is at about 3,400 m / 11,155 ft, and altitude can affect anyone in the first hours. That is why Day 4 is light: a morning flight, time to rest, and a half-day tour. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are lower and usually feel easier.
Walk slowly, drink water, eat light, and skip alcohol on your first day. Tell your guide right away if you have a strong headache, dizziness, nausea, unusual weakness, or trouble breathing.
More in our Things to Do in Cusco guide. If you have a medical concern, talk to your doctor and read the CDC high-altitude guidance.
Which Sacred Valley sites and tickets are included?
Day 5 covers a camelid center, Pisac and its market, lunch in Urubamba, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo. The order can change with traffic, train times, or entry slots.
All listed entrance tickets are included. Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Moray, and Ollantaytambo use the Cusco Tourist Ticket; Qoricancha and the Maras Salt Mines have separate tickets.
See our Sacred Valley Guide, our Cusco Tourist Ticket Guide, or COSITUC, the official Cusco Tourist Ticket site.
How do Machu Picchu tickets, circuits and visitor rules work?
Machu Picchu runs on official circuits, time slots, and daily limits. We request Circuit 2 first; the final route depends on what is available when your booking is confirmed, so book early, especially for May to September.
Bring the original passport used for your booking; it must match the ticket. No large bags, drones, tripods, or food inside. Follow your assigned route and the staff’s instructions.
See our Machu Picchu Circuits Guide, our Machu Picchu Rules Guide, or the official circuits and routes.
Which hotels, trains, flights and luggage services are included?
Hotels: Casa Andina Standard in Miraflores, Lima (two nights), Hotel El Huarango in Ica (one night), San Agustín Internacional in Cusco (two nights), and Ferré Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes (one night), or similar 3-star hotels. The exact hotel appears in your booking confirmation. Upgrades to 4-star or 5-star hotels cost extra.
The Lima-Cusco flight is economy class; baggage rules depend on the airline. The Expedition train is included both ways; Vistadome and Vistadome Observatory upgrades are available. Compare them in our guide to the Machu Picchu trains.
Train luggage is limited: take a small overnight bag (about 5 kg / 11 lb) to Aguas Calientes and leave your main suitcase at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage. Flights, the Ballestas boat, the Nazca plane, trains, and Machu Picchu buses are shared services, even on private tours.
What is the weather like, and when is the best time to travel?
The coast is dry, but Lima mornings can be grey and the boat can feel cool and windy. The desert is hot by day and cooler at night. Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu are drier from April to October and wetter from November to March, and the weather changes fast in any month.
No season guarantees clear skies, calm seas, or good visibility over the Nazca Lines, so bring layers and keep an open mind. See our Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu guide or the official Machu Picchu forecast from SENAMHI, Peru’s weather service.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Peru Tour 7 Days
Quick answers about the itinerary, early starts, flights, hotels, the Nazca flight, altitude, Machu Picchu tickets, meals, safety, and customization.
What is included in the Peru Tour 7 Days?
3-star hotels (Casa Andina Standard, Hotel El Huarango, San Agustín Internacional, Ferré Machu Picchu, or similar), breakfasts Days 3 to 7, lunch and dinner on Day 5, all listed tours and tickets, local guides, ground transport, the Lima-Cusco flight, the Nazca Lines flight, the Expedition train, the Machu Picchu buses, and airport transfers in Lima and Cusco.
Not included: international flights, your flight out of Cusco, breakfast on Day 2, other meals, mountain tickets, personal expenses, tips, and travel insurance.
Is 7 days enough for this Peru itinerary?
Yes, if you like an active trip. You see Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, the Nazca Lines, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, with every flight, train, and ticket handled for you.
The trade-off is early mornings and two long road days on the coast. For a slower pace, add a night in Lima before or in Cusco after, or see our 10 Day Peru Itinerary.
Why does Day 2 start so early?
Pickup is about 4:00 to 5:00 a.m. because Paracas is three hours away and the Ballestas boats go out in the morning, when the sea is calmer. It also gives you the whole afternoon for the winery, the oasis, and the dunes.
We confirm your exact time the evening before. The hotel breakfast is not open yet, so there is a stop at a roadside bakery around 6:00 a.m. Pack your daypack the night before and keep your passport with you.
Which flights are included?
The one-way economy flight from Lima to Cusco on Day 4 and the Nazca Lines flight on Day 3. International flights and your flight out of Cusco are not included.
Wait for our team to confirm the recommended arrival and departure times before you buy other flights. Arrive in Lima in the morning on Day 1 to join the city tour.
Which hotels are included?
Two nights at Casa Andina Standard Miraflores in Lima, one at Hotel El Huarango in Ica, two at San Agustín Internacional in Cusco, and one at Ferré Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes, or similar 3-star hotels. The exact hotel appears in your booking confirmation. Upgrades to 4-star or 5-star hotels cost extra.
What should I expect during the Nazca Lines flight?
A small plane and a pilot who banks to each side so both rows see the figures: up to 13 of them, including the hummingbird, monkey, spider, condor, and whale. Eat lightly if you get motion sick.
You show your passport and step on a scale for aircraft balance. Timing, seats, and figures depend on the weather, and flights can be delayed for safety. The Lines are a UNESCO World Heritage Site; read our Nazca Lines guide before you fly.
Are the Ballestas Islands and Huacachina activities safe?
Both run under local safety procedures, with life jackets on the boat and seat belts in the buggies. The boat depends on sea and port conditions and has a minimum age of 18 months. The buggy is a rough ride over uneven sand.
The buggy and sandboarding are not suitable for pregnant travelers or anyone with back or spine conditions or surgery. Tell us before booking and we suggest an alternative for that afternoon. Follow instructions, use the safety gear, and keep your phone in a sealed bag.
Is altitude sickness a concern in Cusco?
Yes. Cusco is about 3,400 m / 11,155 ft, and altitude can affect anyone. That is why Day 4 is light: a morning flight, time to rest, and a half-day tour. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are lower and usually feel easier.
Walk slowly, drink water, eat light, skip alcohol on day one, and tell your guide if you feel strong symptoms. There is no trekking, but the tours include walking and stairs. See the CDC high-altitude guidance.
Which Machu Picchu circuit is included, and can I add a mountain hike?
We request Circuit 2 first, one of the most complete routes. If it sells out, we book the best option on Circuit 1 or 3. Booking early gives you better options.
You can add Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain for US$75 per person, one of them only. Mountain tickets sell out fast and must fit your entry time and train, so tell us when you book. PeruRail’s Machu Picchu ticket guide explains the official system in English.
What meals are included, and can you help with special diets?
Hotel breakfasts Days 3 to 7, lunch at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley, and dinner on Day 5. Day 2 breakfast is not included because the tour leaves before the hotel opens; there is a stop to buy breakfast. The pisco tasting in Lima and the winery tasting in Ica are included.
Other meals are on your own, so you can pick your own restaurants in Lima, Ica, Cusco, and Aguas Calientes (ideas in our guide to Peruvian food). Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and allergy requests can usually be arranged for the included meals if you tell us in advance.
Can solo travelers join, and can the tour be customized?
Yes. Solo travelers can join a small-group departure or book the single-traveler private rate, subject to availability. Ask us about room options when you book.
You can add extra nights, upgrade hotels or the train, add a Machu Picchu mountain, request private service for selected parts of the trip, or extend to Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Lake Titicaca, the Inca Trail, or the Amazon.