Lima to Machu Picchu Road Trip with Inca Trail Trek | Season 2025/2026

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Lima to Machu Picchu Road Trip with Inca Trail Trek | Season 2025/2026



Tour Description:

Hiking to Machu Picchu? Of course, you’ll do that. But get ready for so much more. Over 11 days, you’ll ride a buggy on red sand dunes, meet the locals at Lake Titicaca & tour a Pisco vineyard. Plus, you’ll see 500 sq km of desert artwork, from a plane(!) and even taste delicious Peruvian food along the way.

Map for Lima to Machu Picchu Road Trip with Inca Trail Trek | Season 2025/2026
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Dates & Pricing

Saturday 22 Mar 25 — Tuesday 01 Apr 25Starting at $2,017Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 19 Apr 25 — Tuesday 29 Apr 25Starting at $2,017Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 12 Jul 25 — Tuesday 22 Jul 25Starting at $2,017Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 09 Aug 25 — Tuesday 19 Aug 25Starting at $2,345Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 01 Nov 25 — Tuesday 11 Nov 25Starting at $2,017Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 29 Nov 25 — Tuesday 09 Dec 25Starting at $2,345Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 27 Dec 25 — Tuesday 06 Jan 26Starting at $2,017Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 24 Jan 26 — Tuesday 03 Feb 26Starting at $2,017Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Dining Summary
2 Dinner (D)
9 Breakfast (B)

Included Experience
Paracas: Mother nature has her favourites, and the Paracas National Reserve is one of them. We'll take a tour of this protected natural area guilded with deserts, islands and the beautiful blue ocean.
Huacachina: Wanna see the magic behind Peru's national drink? This is your chance! We'll spend the afternoon touring a vineyard that produces the juiciest & freshest grapes, learning about its history, and sampling the drink too!
Nazca: Climbing up 43 ft in the sky, you'll see the fascinating group of geoglyphs called the Nazca Lines from a (really) tall tower. Think: desert artwork of spiders, spirals and a mysterious astronaut-like human.
Lima: Tonight, you'll travel in an overnight coach with 1st class tickets. Soft & comfy beds. Good times with your crew. Coach rides don't get more amazing than this.
Arequipa: Get to know the ‘white city’ better. Explore the highlights like Plaza de Armas and take some pics of the incredible backdrop of volcanoes.
Arequipa: Cameras at the ready! We'll make a quick stop at Lagunillas Lake to enjoy the Andean scenery of lakes, hills and beautiful blue skies.
Puno: Take to the streets as we check out Puno's most popular landmarks with a local guide. We'll hit up the coolest cathedrals, the busiest markets, and even snap shots at every historical hotspot!
Puno: If you’ve secretly always wanted to hop on one of these, here’s your chance.
Puno: Jump on a boat to hop around the reed islands in the world’s highest navigable lake (3657m). And stop off to meet the locals.
Puno: A humbling opportunity to get to know the local people on these reed islands in Lake Titicaca.
Inca Trail: Embark on the journey of a lifetime. Together we'll spend over 3 hours taking in the enchanting sites of this bucket list trek.
Machu Picchu: It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals

ITINERARY

Lima
Hola, welcome to Lima! Hope you’re ready for the 11 epic days that lie ahead of us. You’ll meet your crew this evening in this beautiful city that’s teeming with rich cultural heritage. And following pursuit, we’ll get to know each other over a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, honouring traditional recipes & cooking techniques.

Lima > Paracas National Reserve > Huacachina
It’s been short ‘n’ sweet, Lima. But we’ve got no time to waste! After breakfast, we’ll drive along the coast towards the rugged cliffs of the Paracas National Reserve.Are. You. Ready? Coastal scenery doesn’t get more stunning than this. We’ll take a tour of Peru's toasty coast, lined with rocky cliffs and bright blue waves. Oh, and if witnessing sea lions, penguins (and possibly even dolphins!) in their natural habitat sounds interesting to you - don’t miss out on a boat tour of the breathtaking Ballestas islands before we head to the final stop of the day. Legend says you can’t leave Peru without trying Pisco Sour. Luckily, a locally-guided Pisco vineyard tour is on the agenda today. Afterwards, we’ll check into our hostel (located right in the middle of a quaint little desert oasis!). Trust us, the sleep’s gonna hit different tonight.

Huacachina > Nazca Lines > Overnight Coach to Arequipa
It’s not everyday you get to wake up & ride a buggy (or sandboard down the slopes, if that’s your vibe) over the largest sand dunes in all of South America. You’ll be absolutely awestruck. And that’s absolutely normal.  Thought it couldn’t get any better? Well, the Nazca Lines beg to differ. These mysterious yet impressive 2000-year-old sand imprints have blown away the most brilliant minds. And today, you have the chance to view them from either a tower or a plane (we know which one we’d choose…)Get comfy in your coach. And get ready for even more amazing views!

Overnight Coach to Arequipa > Arequipa
Morning, travellers. Our home for tonight is the beautiful 'White City'Welcome to Arequipa! Three majestic volcanoes, the vibrant Santa Catalina Monastery and a guided tour of all the city’s highlights await us. Later this evening, we’ll take to the streets once again for a walkabout dinner and grab a well-deserved feast.

Arequipa > Puno
Time to say goodbye to Arequipa. But not before a quick stop at the Lagunillas Viewpoint. We don’t wanna spoil it for you - but just be prepared for jaw-dropping panoramas (that are 100% going on your Insta feed!). Yet more natural beauty will be dished up this afternoon as we pull into Puno. Spend the evening settling into our cosy hotel. Or head into town for some dance floor action. (Go easy on the piscos though - sitting at an altitude of 3657 metres, the dance floor moves could leave you feeling more breathless than normal). Tomorrow promises to be one to remember as we take to the lake for a taste of ancient Peruvian life…

Puno > Lake Titicaca > Puno
Ready to explore this area in all its Multi-coloured glory? We thought so. Jumping in a Triciclo (a three-wheeled bike taxi) we’ll bump our way down to the port and get our first taste of life on the Lake (fun fact – Lake Titicaca is South America’s largest freshwater lake). After a short boat ride, we’ll arrive at Taquile Island. You’ll meet the local weaving groups and stop for lunch. Then, we’ll make our way to the Uros Islands (AKA the floating islands). The island’s made entirely from reeds. So if you feel like you’re walking on water - you kinda are. Here, we’ll hang with locals, visit a fish farm and even explore the local museum. The island community survives by selling textiles and totora reed boats to tourists. So stock up on the one-off souvenirs before we make our way back to Puno.Back to our hotel, we’ll spend tonight looking back on this wonderful day. Good thing more culture and history awaits us tomorrow!

Puno > Cusco
When you think of iconic, you probably don’t think of bulls. But a visit to Pukara’s museum & its archaeological gems will defo change your mind. Then, hitting the road again we’ll journey through the snow-capped surrounds of La Raya, stopping for lunch in the town of Sicuani. Eagle eyes, this is llama country! So. Keep. Those. Cameras. Ready.  Aaand our final leg of the day lands us in Cusco, the hub of ancient Incan culture. This place is a feast for the senses. Get ready for an evening of exploration. And maybe even some after dark antics - Cusco style. IYKYK.

Cusco > Ollantaytambo > Aguas Calientes
Morning, Inca trailers! Today’s the day we begin our hike to Machu Picchu. But first, we’ll catch a train with the crew to our starting point - KM104.Aaand now it begins! Get ready for breathtaking views as we hike our way through the hills and cliffs of the Andes. You made it! Enjoy a night with your crew in this beautiful town. And get some well-deserved rest. Cuz tomorrow's the big day...

Aguas Calientes > Machu Picchu > Cusco
Excitement levels at an all-time high, the day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here – it’s Machu Picchu time! This is one big old tick off the life goals list, so enjoy every single second of it.Built around 1450 at the height of the Incan Empire, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the new world. We’ll be treated to a guided tour of the site taking in such wonders as the Temple of the Three Windows and Huayna Picchu (the peak you’ll of seen in every Machu Picchu image ever), and of course you’ll have some alone time to explore the area as only you can do. Take a moment. Take it in. Back on the train to Cusco, we’ll debrief on our once-in-a-lifetime experience before checking back into our hotel for the night.

Cusco
Massage or mountains? How about both? You’ve got a free day to spend away - so soothe those travel-tired limbs with a traditional massage. Or hike the breathtakingly colourful Rainbow Mountain. If not, just take a stroll around town to pick up an alpaca sweater or ten (they are super snuggly). It’s the last full day, so better make the most of it!

Cusco
Oh, Peru. What a treat it has been! Grab your final included meal of this trip, and say your bittersweet goodbyes. Who knows? Another epic adventure (maybe in Asia?) might be right around the corner…

Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.