Peru » Lima

Peru: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu Multi-Day Tour with Free Days

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/19

Duration8d

GroupUp to 9

LanguagesEN · PT +1

PickupAt your hotel

Walk ancient streets, taste market fruits and stand above Machu Picchu

You’ll step into Lima’s historic heart with a local guide, breathe mountain air in Cusco’s markets, trace your fingers over ancient stones at Sacsayhuaman and finally ride the train up to Machu Picchu itself. With free days for your own adventures and all logistics sorted—including hotels, breakfast and bilingual guides—you’ll feel both cared for and free to explore.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Lima Historical Tour

Arrive in Lima and transfer to hotel
Tour Historical Center of Lima
Visit Convent of Santo Domingo
Explore University of San Marcos
Walk Plaza Mayor and Government Palace
Visit Lima Cathedral
Visit Larco Museum

Day 2 — Free Day for Optional Activities

Choose and reserve optional activities

Day 3 — Cusco City Tour

Visit San Cristóbal Square
Explore San Pedro Market
Visit Qorikancha Temple
Walk from San Blas to Plaza de Armas
Visit Cathedral of Cusco

Day 4 — Sacsayhuaman and Surroundings

Visit Sacsayhuaman citadel
Explore Q’enqo altar
Visit Puca Pucará lookout
Visit Tambomachay monument
Enjoy free afternoon in Cusco

Day 5 — Sacred Valley Highlights

Visit Chinchero village and textile center
Explore Moray agricultural terraces
Visit Ollantaytambo village and temples

Day 6 — Machu Picchu Excursion

Train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu
Bus to Machu Picchu site
Tour Machu Picchu ruins
Lunch at Machu Picchu
Return by train to Cusco
Transfer to Cusco hotel

Day 7 — Free Day in Cusco

Enjoy free day in Cusco
Optional activities: Vinicunca or Kayak

Day 8 — Departure

Transfer to airport
Fly to Lima for return flight

The Experience

We rolled our bags out of the taxi and straight into Lima’s noise—horns, laughter, that thick coastal air. Our guide, Ana, met us with a grin and a sign I almost missed because I was busy staring at the colors in the Plaza Mayor. Later at the Larco Museum, she pointed out a gold mask so old it made my skin prickle. The air inside smelled faintly of dust and flowers from the courtyard. Someone’s phone rang—felt weirdly modern against all those centuries.

The next day was ours to play with. We debated over pisco tastings or seeing the Ballestas Islands (I wanted penguins, lost that vote). Instead we wandered Miraflores, grabbed sweet bread from a street vendor—sticky fingers for hours after. By day three we were off to Cusco. The altitude hit me harder than expected; I just sat in San Pedro Market breathing in fruit smells and incense while our local guide explained how they use coca leaves for everything. He laughed when I tried to say “Qorikancha” right (I definitely didn’t).

Sacsayhuaman was quieter than I thought it’d be—just wind and stone and a few stray dogs napping in the sun. There’s something about touching those cold rocks and thinking about who else did before you. In Chinchero, weaving women showed us how alpaca wool turns into wild-colored scarves; my hands still smelled like lanolin after petting one of their animals (so soft!). Moray’s terraces looked like green fingerprints pressed into the earth—hard to believe they’re ancient experiments.

The morning we took the train to Machu Picchu felt unreal. Mist everywhere, tracks curving along the Urubamba river—I kept trying to catch glimpses between trees but mostly just saw flashes of water below. When we finally stepped onto those stones at Machu Picchu itself… well, I don’t have words that fit right. It’s not just big or old—it’s alive somehow. Lunch after tasted better because of it (or maybe I was just hungry). Back in Cusco that night, everything felt slower and softer.

I keep thinking about little things: sunlight on Ollantaytambo’s steps, a woman selling purple corn juice by the road, Ana humming quietly while waiting for our group to catch up. If you want an itinerary but also space to wander or nap or get lost in a market—this tour gives you both.

What’s included

Your trip includes hotel accommodations each night in Lima, Cusco and Sacred Valley.
daily breakfast.
shared transfers including airport pickup.
round-trip train tickets to Machu Picchu.
guided visits with bilingual Spanish-English guides.
plus plenty of time for your own adventures or rest between scheduled highlights.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by VIPAC Travel