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Railbookers · Private guided rail vacation

Classic Peru and the Nazca Lines

Private guided Peru tour: Lima to Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines

Illustration of Classic Peru and the Nazca Lines

Railbookers runs Classic Peru and the Nazca Lines as an 18-day, 17-night private guided vacation across Peru, with a private guide throughout. The trip opens with two days in Lima before flying to Cusco and driving into the Sacred Valley to see the Maras Saltpans and Moray terraces. A short train ride carries travelers to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the Inca site, with an optional sunrise viewing the next morning before the return to Cusco by scenic train. From Cusco, the Pullman-style Titicaca Train runs to Puno, where a motorboat trip visits the floating islands of the Uros and Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca. The route continues overland to the Colca Canyon to watch Andean condors, then to Arequipa, before a final push south to Paracas for a flight over the Nazca Lines and a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands. It suits travelers who want a private guide managing an itinerary that mixes trains, flights, and coach transfers across the country.

What to know before you look closer

  • Although sold by Railbookers as a rail vacation, most of the 18 days move by flight, private coach, or boat; the only two named rail journeys are the train to Machu Picchu and the Titicaca Train from Cusco to Puno.
  • The evidence lists more than one hotel option for some stops, including four in Lima and multiple in Cusco and Arequipa, so the specific property likely depends on the tier booked.
  • No specific hotel is named for the two nights in Paracas in the evidence available.
  • The evidence available does not list current departure dates for this trip; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lima

    Your Journey Begins in Lima

    Welcome to Peru! You will be met on your arrival at the airport, then transported to your city center hotel for a two-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lima

    Lima

    A day exploring the riches of the city with your private guide, including Plaza San Martin, the Government Palace, Casa de Aliaga, and the Larco Herrera Museum.

  3. Day 3overnight: Sacred Valley

    Lima to The Sacred Valley

    Fly to Cusco (1hr 25min), then a 1hr 30min drive to The Sacred Valley, visiting the Sulca Museum and lunching at Hacienda Huayoccari.

  4. Day 4overnight: Sacred Valley

    Sacred Valley

    A guided journey through the Inca's Sacred Valley, exploring the Maras Saltpans and the Moray terraces, with a traditional lunch at the Community of Misminay.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Machu Picchu

    The Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu

    Visit the historic site of Ollantaytambo, transfer to the train station, then a short bus ride to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the Lost City of the Incas.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Cusco

    Machu Picchu to Cusco

    Optional sunrise over Machu Picchu, a free day to explore, then return to Cusco by scenic train.

  7. Day 7overnight: Cusco

    Cusco

    Explore Cusco including Santa Domingo church, Cristobal viewpoint, Sacsayhuaman Fortress, the Inca baths of Tambomachay, and the Main Plaza and Cathedral.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Puno

    Cusco to Puno On The Titicaca Train

    Board the Titicaca Train from Wanchaq Train Station, a scenic Pullman-style journey through the Peruvian Andes with a three-course lunch with wine and afternoon tea onboard.

  9. Day 9overnight: Puno

    Lake Titicaca

    A motorboat journey to the Floating Islands of the Uros, then Taquile Island, with a local lunch and a scenic walk.

  10. Day 10overnight: Colca Canyon

    Lake Titicaca to The Colca Canyon

    A 6-hour journey to the Colca Canyon, passing the Lagunillas lagoons and Pampa Cañahuas, with lunch in Chivay.

  11. Day 11overnight: Colca Canyon

    Colca Canyon

    An early drive to the Cruz del Condor observation point to view the Colca Canyon and Andean condors, plus villages of Maca and Yanque.

  12. Day 12overnight: Arequipa

    The Colca Canyon to Arequipa

    Transfer to Chivay for lunch, then a three-hour drive to Arequipa.

  13. Day 13overnight: Arequipa

    Arequipa

    A private half-day tour of Arequipa's main square, Cathedral, La Compañia Church, and Santa Catalina Convent.

  14. Day 14overnight: Lima

    Arequipa to Lima

    Flight to Lima, check in for an overnight stay.

  15. Day 15overnight: Paracas

    Lima to Paracas

    Drive south to Ica and the Paracas National Reserve.

  16. Day 16overnight: Paracas

    The Nazca Lines and Huacachina Oasis

    A 90-minute flight over the Nazca Lines from Paracas airport, then a winery visit and pisco tasting, followed by a dune buggy ride at Huacachina Oasis.

  17. Day 17overnight: Lima

    The Ballestas Islands, and Lima

    A two-hour motorboat tour of the Ballestas Islands, then a four-hour drive back to Lima.

  18. Day 18

    Your Journey Ends in Lima

    Following breakfast at your hotel you will be escorted to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5A guided tour of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, reached by train from the Sacred Valley.
  • Day 8The Pullman-style Titicaca Train runs from Cusco to Puno with a three-course lunch, wine, and afternoon tea onboard.
  • Day 9A motorboat journey to the floating islands of the Uros and Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca.
  • Day 11An early drive to the Cruz del Condor observation point to view the Colca Canyon and Andean condors.
  • Day 16A 90-minute flight over the Nazca Lines from Paracas airport, followed by a dune buggy ride at the Huacachina Oasis.

Included

  • Roundtrip rail to Machu Picchu
  • Cusco to Puno onboard the Titicaca Train
  • 4 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lima
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in The Sacred Valley
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Machu Picchu
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cusco
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Puno
  • 2 nights at the Colca Lodge including breakfast
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation including breakfast in Arequipa
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation including breakfast in Paracas
  • Full-day private city tour of Lima
  • Full-day private tour of Maras Saltpans, and Moray Terraces including lunch
  • Afternoon, and morning tours of Machu Picchu, including entrance fees
  • Half-day private tour of Cusco, and the surrounding archaeological sites
  • A full-day private immersive tour of Lake Titicaca and islands
  • Private transfer from Puno to Colca
  • Half-day private tour of Colca Canyon
  • Private scenic transfer from Colca to Arequipa, including lunch
  • Half-day private tour of Arequipa and Santa Catalina Monastery
  • Morning flight over the Nazca Lines from Paracas
  • Winery visit and pisco tasting
  • Huacachina Oasis visit, and a dune buggy tour
  • Morning shared cruise and tour of the Ballestas Islands
  • Roundtrip private guided car transfer between Lima and Paracas
  • Airfare from Lima and Cusco, and Arequipa to Lima
  • All airport/hotel/station private transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?
Two named rail journeys are included, a PeruRail service to Machu Picchu and the Pullman-style Titicaca Train from Cusco to Puno; most other travel is by flight, coach, or boat.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is a private guided vacation. The evidence states a private guide accompanies travelers throughout, with private tours at nearly every stop.
Which trains does the trip use?
PeruRail's service from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, and the Titicaca Train, a Pullman-style train from Cusco to Puno.
What hotels are used?
Hotels named in the evidence include the Hilton Garden Inn and JW Marriott in Lima, Belmond's Sanctuary Lodge near Machu Picchu, Belmond's Monasterio in Cusco, and Casa Andina properties in Puno and Arequipa.
How much walking does the trip involve?
The trip includes a guided walking tour of Machu Picchu, an optional sunrise viewing, and private city tours in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, plus frequent transfers between hotels.

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