Things to do in North Coast

Join a full-day tour from Lima to the ancient ruins of Caral, considered to be the oldest civilization in the Americas. Take a guided tour of the Unesco-listed ruins, soak in spectacular views over the Supe Valley and have lunch at a restaurant in Barranca. Hop on your pickup bus from Lima and start a 3-hour road trip to Caral, with a stop for breakfast. Then, continue your journey to the arid Supe Valley on a dirt road. Upon arrival at the ancient city, follow your tour guide and an official Caral guide. Enter the Caral Archaeological Site to learn how the Norte Chico civilization emerged. Explore the site's pyramids and temples and get an insight into the lives of the ancient society's inhabitants. After the guided tour, take a walk by yourself, click photos, or stop by souvenir shops. Next, head towards Barranca beach, a place that was once inhabited by the people of Caral. Visit a local restaurant that is famous for its delicious seafood. However, if you're craving something else for lunch (at your own expense), there are plenty of other options around. After lunch, make a stop at the "Cristo Redentor de Barranca," a large Peruvian statue of Christ the Redeemer, from where you can admire the beautiful beach. Finally, head back to Lima to return to your hotel.

DAY 1: Cusco - Abra Málaga - Huamanmarca - Santa María or Santa Teresa (overnight depending on option chosen) Pickup from your accommodation in Cusco between 6:00 - 6:30 AM. Transfer to the highest point, Abra Malaga, at an altitude of 4316 m, from where you will descend by bike for 3 hours, passing streams and vegetation until you reach Huamanmarca. Then, you will be transferred to the town of Santa María, to have a typical lunch and free time to explore coca and coffee plants with your guide. You can choose to add on a rafting adventure available at an additional cost (Level II, III and IV). If you choose the 3-day option, you will continue the route until you reach the thermal baths of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa, which are medicinal and therapeutic waters. After relaxing, continue in a 40-minute walk to the town of Santa Teresa where you will overnight in a family lodging. If you choose the 4-day option, you will have free time until dinner time in Santa María, and will overnight. DAY 2 for 4-day option: Santa María - Quellomayo - Termas de Cocalmayo - Santa Teresa Start the hike with a gradual climb for 3 hours. This area is tropical and you will appreciate organic products of different varieties such as coffee, cocoa, avocado and medicinal plants. Along the way you will also appreciate natural attractions such as the "El Velo de Nusta" waterfall, before reaching the highest pass of the day called "Pastogrande" at 1900 meters. Stop for lunch at Islayunca. Continue to the unexplored waterfall "Gonzales", then walk 2.5 hours so you can enjoy the hot springs of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa, which have medicinal and therapeutic waters. After relaxing, continue on a 40-minute walk to the town of Santa Teresa where you will overnight in a family lodging. DAY 2 for 3-day option / DAY 3 for 4-day option: Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes After a typical breakfast, you can choose to add on a zipline adventure after your breakfast. In this case, after the activity, you will be taken by transport to the beginning of the trail to Aguas Calientes at Hydroelectric. If you skip the zipline, you will be taken straight to Hydroelectric. Start a walk on the train tracks through a native jungle to Aguas Calientes, about a 3 hours trek. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, enjoy lunch. At Aguas Calientes, your guide will show you to your accommodation. Have dinner in a restaurant and plan with the guide for the next day's visit to Machu Picchu. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. DAY 3 for 3-day option / DAY 4 for 4-day option: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Hydroelectric - Cusco Get up early in the morning at 4:30 AM to start the walk towards Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. The steep walk up will last approximately 1.5 hours, and the objective is to appreciate the sunrise from the Inca citadel and be the first to arrive. The walk up to Machu Picchu requires a good physical condition — you can also choose to add on a bus to Machu Picchu, if you don't want to do the walk. Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu and the surrounding sites. Enjoy free time to take photos and look around the citadel. If you chose one of the extra hikes to one of the mountains, you will split ways with the group to go by yourself to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. You can choose to add on these hikes at the checkout. Leave Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes (walking or by bus, depending on if you choose add-on at checkout). Once in Aguas Calientes, start the walk back to Hydroelectric where your guide will be waiting to gather the group to return to the city of Cusco — again, you can choose to add on a train to Hydroelectric at the checkout, if you don't want to do the walk. Be back in Cusco around 9:30 - 10:00 PM. The drop-off will be in San Francisco square in the historic center, near Plaza de Armas. Please have in mind this is a budget-friendly tour and does not include the train back to Cusco. Distance traveled by car/van from Hydroelectric to Cusco is approximately 5 to 6 hours.

DAY 1: Cusco - Abra Málaga - Huamanmarca - Santa María or Santa Teresa (overnight depending on option chosen) Pickup from your accommodation in Cusco between 6:00 - 6:30 AM. Transfer to the highest point, Abra Malaga at 4316 meters, from where you will descend by bike for 3 hours, passing streams and vegetation until you reach Huamanmarca. Then, you will be transferred to the town of Santa María, to have a typical lunch and free time to explore plants like Coca and coffee with your guide. You can choose to add on a rafting activity available at an additional cost (Level II, III and IV). If you choose the 3-day option, you will continue the route until you reach the thermal baths of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa, which have medicinal and therapeutic waters. After relaxing, continue in a 40-minute walk to the town of Santa Teresa where you will overnight in a family lodging. If you choose the 4-day option, you will have free time until dinner time in Santa María, and will overnight. DAY 2 for 4-day option: Santa María - Quellomayo - Termas de Cocalmayo - Santa Teresa Start the hike with a gradual climb for 3 hours. This area is tropical and you will appreciate organic products of different varieties such as coffee, cocoa, avocado and medicinal plants. Along the way you will also appreciate natural attractions such as the "El Velo de Nusta" waterfall, and the highest pass of the day, "Pastogrande", at an altitude of 1900 meters. Stop for lunch at Islayunca. Continue to an unexplored waterfall, then walk 2.5 hours so you can enjoy the hot springs of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa. After relaxing, continue on a 40-minute walk to the town of Santa Teresa where you will overnight in a family lodging. DAY 2 for 3-day option / DAY 3 for 4-day option: Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes After a typical breakfast, you can choose add on a zip line adventure after. In this case, after the activity, you will be taken by transport to the beginning of the trail to Aguas Calientes at Hydroelectric. If you don't add the zip-lining activity, you will be taken by bus straight to Hydroelectric. Then, start a 3-hour trek along the train tracks through the jungle to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, enjoy lunch. After lunch, your guide will show you to your accommodation. Have dinner in a restaurant and plan with the guide for the next day for Machu Picchu visit. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. DAY 3 for 3-day option / DAY 4 for 4-day option: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco Get up early in the morning and 4:30 AM to start the walk towards Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. The steep walk up will last approximately 1.5 hours, and the objective is to witness the sunrise from the Inca citadel and be the first to arrive. The walk up to Machu Picchu requires a fair physical condition - you can also choose add on a bus to Machu Picchu at the checkout, if you don't want to do the walk. Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu and the surrounding sites. Enjoy free time to take photos and look around the citadel. If you chose one of the extra hikes to one of the mountains you will split ways with the group to go by yourself to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain — you can choose to add on these hikes at the checkout. Leave Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes at around 11:30 AM (walking or by bus, depending on what you choose). Once in Aguas Calientes, board your train to Ollantaytambo, and take a minivan from there to Cusco. Be back in Cusco around 9:30 - 10:00 PM. The drop-off will be in San Francisco square in the historic center, near the Plaza de Armas.

Explore the ancient sites of Caral, a sacred city, and Bandurria, an ancient fishing village, and learn about each site's history while seeing their ancient buildings with an experienced guide. Begin the day with pickup from the main hotels in the city at 6:00 am, and head north until reaching the archaeological site where the ruins of the sacred city of Caral remain. Marvel at pyramids, temples, and astronomical centers more than five thousand years old, part of one of the first cities of the Americas. Learn about Caral, located in the Supe Valley, which is the cradle of the Andean civilization and is considered the third oldest place with human settlement in the world, behind Mesopotamia and Egypt. Take an hour of free time to enjoy lunch after learning about the civilization of Caral, and then head toward the area of the Wetlands of Paradise. Visit the archaeological complex of Bandurria, an old fishing village. See its pyramids, mounds, and circular areas similar to those of Caral before approaching a natural viewpoint from which there is a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the Albufera Paraíso. End the visit to Bandurria, begin the journey back to Lima, and be dropped off at the same location as pickup at approximately 8:00 pm.

Travel from your hotel in Lima, Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro, to the charming Historical Center of Lima to see all the highlights with this group tour. Visit a local restaurant for an optional lunch. Marvel at Plaza San Martin, a plaza that was made to commemorate 100 years of Peruvian independence. View the statue that represents Peru’s liberator and soak up the history of the stunning neoclassical buildings. Head to the Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor) to see the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima. Listen as your expert guide will explain the rich history of Peru’s capital. Travel to downtown Lima to explore the catacombs. Head to the Pachacamac archeological site and museum to experience one of the largest religious centers in pre-Inca times on the Peruvian coast with buildings from different kingdoms predating the Inca (200 AD). Admire pyramids dedicated to the sun and the moon.

Journey back in time and explore the dramatic Andes mountains of Peru on a multi-activity trip along the Inca Trail. Soar over the jungle canopy by zipline, freewheel down the mountains by bike and more. Encounter the indigenous flora and fauna and explore the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. Day 1: Cusco to Santa Maria - Downhill Biking Drive from Cusco to Abra Malaga, 4, 316 meters above sea level, and get a 20-minute briefing before freewheeling down quiet but challenging roads by bike. Head towards Huamanmarca and learn the historical background about the archaeological site before lunch. Descend to an altitude of 1,500 meters to arrive at the jungle town of Santa Maria, where you can rest your legs before a dinner of traditional food from Peru.  Day 2: Santa Maria to Santa Teresa - Inca Trail and Zipline Enjoy an early morning cup of indigenous coffee before hiking to Santa Rosa to relax in hammocks and admire the coca plantations on arrival. Navigate the steep slopes of the Inca Trail just as the Incas did thousands of years ago, and arrive in Qellomayo to catch a bus to an eco lodge where you will spend the night. Soar over the jungle canopy on a zipline of 2,500 meters of cables suspended above the tree tops, and go for a dip in the hot springs of Cocalmayo before dinner. Day 3: Santa Teresa to Aguas Calientes - Inca Trail to Llactapata Transfer to the town of Lucmabamba for the start of a 3.5-hour hike to the top of Llactapata, far from the crowds. Marvel at the peak of Salkantay during a picnic lunch before the 2-hour hike to the hydroelectric train station, where you will catch the train to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant before for your overnight stay.  Day 4: Machu Picchu to Cusco Catch the first bus to Machu Picchu to watch the sunrise over the "Lost City of the Incas" and get detailed explanations about the ceremonial site from your guide. Enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace and avail of the chance to climb to Wayna Picchu, high above the ruins of the "Lost City." Return to Aguas Calientes by bus to catch the train to Ollantaytambo, and then continue by bus to Cusco. 

Experience the wonders of the Inca jungle on an active 7-day trip from Cusco including accommodation, transportation, guided tours, and most meals. Bike, raft, hike, and zipline while visiting highlights like Macchu Pichu, Chinchero, and Santa Teresa. Day 1: Arrival in Cusco Upon your arrival at the airport in Cusco, get picked up and transferred to your hotel in the charming historic district of Cusco. Stay at Ayni Cusco Hotel or similar. In the evening, meet your expedition group. Day 2: Chinchero, Maras Salt Mines, and Moray Your second day will begin with pickup from your hotel. Head towards the colorful town of Chinchero. In Chinchero, explore the Inca walls as well as a small colonial church that's rich in history. Continuing your visit, go to the famous circular cultivation terraces of Moray before descending towards the Maras Salt Mines, which make for the perfect photograph. Finally, travel back towards Cusco to rest. Day 3: Cusco and Santa Maria (Biking and Rafting) After traveling for approximately 3 hours by van, arrive at the high mountain pass of Malaga to start your descent by mountain bike. Pass through small villages, orchards, rivers, and streams, before reaching the town of Huamanmarca. Continue by bus for approximately 30 minutes until you reach the town of Santa Maria. Following a short break and lunch, begin a rafting trip for 2 hours, encountering class III and IV rapids while always accompanied by a kayaking guide. Day 4: Santa Maria, Santa Teresa (Trekking) Start the morning with a typical breakfast while surrounded by nature before departing for a trek. You'll walk along the banks of the river before climbing for 30 minutes, eventually meeting up with the original Inca Trail. On your way, see small coffee plantations, fruit trees, and an abundance of flora and fauna from birds to orchids. Descend for about 2.5 hours before arriving at the village of Qellomayo for lunch. After a rest, continue hiking for 3 hours, traversing farms, waterfalls, and rivers until arriving at the Cocalmayo (Santa Teresa) Hot Springs. Following a relaxing bath, walk for 40 minutes to the town of Santa Teresa for dinner and lodging. Day 5: Santa Teresa, Aguas Calientes (Hiking and Zip-line) Continue exploring the Urubamba River Valley with zip lines in Santa Teresa. Afterward, a van will take you to the area known as the hydroelectric. Once there, break for lunch before catching the short train through the final stretch to the town of Aguas Calientes below the mountain of Machu Picchu. That evening, stay in one of the hotels in town. Day 6: Machu Picchu and Cusco After breakfast, take one of the first buses up the mountain to Machu Picchu (entry included). Machu Picchu is at its finest at dawn, and there will be a guided tour around the citadel to explain some of its history and to visit its most important features. Day 7: Departure On your final day, enjoy a free morning to relax before being transferred to the airport in the afternoon.