What’s included in the trip

• Private airport transfers
• Southern Crossings bilingual guides
• All other internal transport – (excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)
• Domestic flights – Lima-Cusco, Cusco-Lima
• Five nights of 3 star hotel accommodation
• Breakfast – included with all hotel stays
• Private Machu Picchu excursion – including bilingual guide (one day), round trip Vistadome or Executive train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and one-day entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary including Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
• Private Sacred Valley excursions including entrance fees, private vehicle, driver and professional guide
• Private Cusco city tour including entrance fees, private vehicle, driver and professional guide
• Private Lima city tour including entrance fees, private vehicle, driver and professional guide
• Cusco Visitor’s Ticket – which gives entrance to the major ruins, churches and museums in and around Cusco
• 24 hour customer support line while on tour

What’s not included

International flight to/from Lima, pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings, cancellation insurance is advisable.

Detailed trip itinerary

February 12

Arrive in Lima tonight at 8:45pm and overnight close to the international airport.

February 13

A short flight brings us to the famous Inca city of Cusco. Today you will set out to explore the incredible capital of the Inca Empire on a private tour. First we head to the picturesque Plaza de Armas to the cathedral to see the colonial influence in the city, and we can admire the stunning architecture of the church and also the native influences subtly woven in into the artwork. Onwards to Qoricancha church, where the colonial and Incan architectures are on display side-by-side directly contrasted with each other. Then you’ll get a taste of Cusco by visiting the San Pedro central market. Afterwards we make our way above the city to the imposing fortress of Sacsaywaman where we can marvel at the incredible stonework and architecture of the Inca civilization. Later this afternoon we’re off to the Sacred Valley, a short and scenic ride from Cusco. Fifteen hundred feet lower than Cusco, the warm and fertile Sacred Valley was of immense strategic and agricultural importance to the Incas. Overnight in Yucay.

February 14

We’ll visit two sites today:  Pisac  and Ollantaytambo today. Pisac is a beautiful Andean town with a great handicrafts market. After visiting the town center and bargaining for Andean goods (optional), we’ll head up to the imposing Inca fortress/temple above the town. Ollantaytambo, the only Inca village still inhabited today. Peer through ancient, trapezoidal doorways into courtyards where life has changed little in 500 years, then explore the huge ruins which loom above the town. A beautiful afternoon train ride to Aguas Calientes below Machu Picchu and overnight.

February 15

Sunrise at majestic Machu Picchu. Known as one of the greatest architectural achievements in the world, this historic sanctuary is considered one of the seven manmade wonders of the world. After a private guided tour, take time for independent exploration of this magnificent site. You may hike Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain today if you wish. Return by train and car to Cusco in the afternoon. Overnight Cusco.

February 16

Private transfer to the Cusco airport. After a morning flight to Lima. Private transfer to your hotel in the neighborhood of Miraflores within walking distance to the beach and parks overlooking the beach.

In the afternoon the city tour lets you explore the wonders of the colonial capital, you´ll visit the famous Plaza de Armas, as well as the impressive Cathedral in the Plaza and the beautiful San Francisco church. You also get a chance to take in some beautiful views of the coast at Parque de Amor.

Lima City Tour – Option 2: Larco Museum & Huaca Pucllana (upon request). Let us know if you would prefer this tour over the Cathedral Tour (or both for an extra fee). We could also plan a tour of the Huaca Pucllana at night if you have time in Lima. The site is lit up until midnight and looks amazing!

The Larco Museum is housed in an 18th century viceroyalty-era mansion. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the Larco Museum is a stimulating and inspiring space in which visitors can enjoy and learn more about the fascinating history of ancient Peru. The cultures gallery provides a clear and captivating narrative account of more than 5000 years of pre-Columbian Peruvian history. Visiting the Larco Museum with their more than 45,000 meticulously catalogued archaeological objects, is a unique experience.

The Archaeological Complex “Huaca Pucllana” was an Administrative and Ceremonial Center of the Lima Culture, a society that developed at the Peruvian Central Coast between 200 AD and 700 AD. Located in today’s district of Miraflores the “Huaca Pucllana” was built around 500 AD. “Pucllana” is one of the most important ancient monuments in Lima. Based on the “Huaca Pucllanas” architecture and found objects, it is believed that the complex was the heart of development of the “Lima Culture” and served as a ceremonial and administrative center.

Lima is the culinary capitol of South America. We would be happy to make a dinner reservation for you tonight. Overnight in Lima.

February 17

Departure Day. Private transfer to the international airport this morning to catch your 9:58am departure flight.

Extra activities

Add extra activities such as river rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, surfing and free days to your custom itinerary. Ask about these options and we’d be happy to add them to your quote. If you have any special requests or interests like birding, cooking or crafting that you would like to explore please let us know.

Accommodation Upgrades

This tour includes 3 star hotels. We would be happy to give you an upgrade to four or five star. If you would like to select a specific hotel let us know your preference we can then work it into your custom trip itinerary.

Is this trip for me?

Clark Inca Blitz is a six-day tour which includes walking in various ruins and on city tours. As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and occasional delays of developing-world travel.

Joining the tour

On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel. No bargaining or being swindled by airport taxis.

Pre-trip planner

Required documents

All travelers to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.

Required immunizations

No immunizations are required of travelers to these areas of Peru. Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations. No areas visited on this trip are malarial or yellow fever zones. Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.

Climate

Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows: Cusco and the Sacred Valley: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are cold in Cusco. Machu Picchu: similar to Cusco but a bit warmer and with more chance of rain.
Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain.

Money guide

The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Automatic cash points are available in Lima and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler’s checks are difficult to cash (American Express is best but you may be charged 5-8% to cash) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options. Do not bring Money Grams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in Lima and Cuzco. For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged. Please note that cash must be untorn. It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country. Expect to spend about US$5-12 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru. Artisan market prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30. Currency Converter