Throughout this 7-day exploration of Peru’s history and culture, uncover some of the country's most treasured historical gems. Discover the ancient wonders of the stunning region of Lima, and fall in love with the friendly people, charming shops, delicious restaurants, and spectacular views. Amble through Lima's downtown, immerse yourself in the ancient civilizations of Caral, and fly over the enigmatic Nazca Lines.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Lima – Dinner on the Shoreline
As you touch down along the coastline of Peru's vivacious national capital, you will be greeted by your private transportation, who will transfer you to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. Once you arrive at your opulent accommodation, you can settle in and catch a glimpse of the breathtaking ocean views from your private balcony. In the afternoon, you can venture into the city center for some self-guided exploration. You will have a chance to stroll through the pristine parks of Miraflores as the sun begins to set.
What's Included:
Day 2
Lima – Ceviche Cooking Class
Day 3
Lima – Visit Ancient Ruins
Day 4
Caral – The Oldest Town in the New World
Day 5
Nazca Lines – Private Helicopter Ride
Day 6
Paracas – Luxury Cruise to Islas Ballestas
Day 7
Lima – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Savor the diverse flavors of Lima's fresh seafood as you dine along the city's sparkling shoreline
- Venture inside the gold-leafed interior of Lima's opulent cathedral and roll up your sleeves for a traditional ceviche cooking class
- Stroll through romantic Parque del Amor and discover the metropolis' hidden Inca and pre-Inca ruins
- Seek out the "Oldest Town in the World" in Caral and visit pre-Columbian ruins, which are known as the Norte Chico civilization
- Fly over the Nazca Lines in a helicopter and explore the history of these ancient geoglyphs
- Embark on a scenic cruise from Paracas to Islas Ballestas, which is teeming with fascinating marine life
- Luxuriate in Lima's prestigious neighborhood of Miraflores and visit the neighborhood's charming lighthouse
Detailed Description
Lima is a hub of all things modern, international, and fast-paced. People from around Peru and the world travel to this nation's capital for exquisite fashion, mouth-watering cuisine, and shopping of all varieties. Still, the opulent skyscrapers of Miraflores mesh well with a calming serenity that can be found along Lima's Pacific coastline. Here, families gather to relax and unwind as they admire some of the best views that the city has to offer. Despite the city's push toward vibrant modernity, cobbled streets and charming plazas still adorn the town and are saturated with a rich history that spans hundreds of years. Ancient civilizations and Spanish colonists have left their mark around every corner.
You will begin your luxurious, 7-day immersion into Peru’s history and culture with a tour of the downtown area. During your tour, you will step inside famed edifices, including the Cathedral of Lima. You will even be provided with the exclusive opportunity to tour the ancient catacombs that are tucked beneath the city's basilica. After enjoying a tantalizing, oceanfront dinner the night before, you will roll up your sleeves with an expert chef and learn how to make Peru's internationally acclaimed ceviche. The following day, you will stroll through Lima's most meticulously coiffed public parks, including Parque del Amor, where you may be hypnotized by the calming ambiance of the water's edge. Finally, you will travel to a nearby archaeological site, where you will witness some of the region's most fascinating relics that were constructed by ancient civilizations.
During the second half of your journey, you will visit the oldest town in the world in Caral, where you will follow your expert guide to learn about the town’s fascinating construction process. Then, you will fly over the enigmatic Nazca Lines, which still baffle historians to this day. From overhead, you will come to understand the magnitude of these massive geoglyphs as you learn more about how they may have been formed and why. On your final day in Peru, you can relax along the sparkling shore of Paracas before embarking on a luxurious cruise to Islas Ballestas, where you will witness some of the region's most magnificent wildlife, including sea lions and, possibly, Humpback whales. Throughout your entire adventure, you will stay in luxurious accommodations and have private transportation arranged for all of your travel needs. This tour is customizable, so you can adjust nearly anything and everything to better suit your moods and interests once you are in Peru.
Starting Price
$2,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.87 stars based on 891 reviews.
Fantastic!!!! I can't say enough good things about this trip. Zicasso's travel partner did an excellent job at everything! Communication was excellent, our tours were perfect, and our guides and drivers were so helpful.
The guides were beyond our expectations with their knowledge, flexibility, and always going above and beyond. I ended up in the hospital and our guide came to the hospital and helped with all the details, getting me a refund on parts of my bill and getting us to our flight home in less than three hours from being released from the hospital!!
Reviewed By marla H.
From the first communication, Zicasso's travel partner listened to our hopes for the trip (multiple locations, epic adventures, keeping teenagers engaged) and crafted a perfect itinerary. Every aspect of the trip was seamless, with the best tours and the best guides, and perfectly appointed hotels.
Our trip coordinator was super-accessible and helpful before and during the trip for any questions that came up. She had great recommendations and insights that we appreciated as first-timers to Peru. She even came by mid-week to say hello, which was an incredible surprise and so wonderful to get to meet her in person!
When one of our return flights home was cancelled, she quickly pivoted and took care of everything to ensure we could still enjoy our last day without stress. The whole family is still talking about the trip and I am so grateful to our trip coordinator for helping us to create a lifetime of incredible memories!
Reviewed By Amanda T.
Overall, the trip was outstanding. It was on our bucket list for a long time and it lived up to all expectations. Zicasso's tour company and travel agent were very knowledgeable and helped plan all the details. As with all travel, there were a few small things that came up, but they resolved the issues quickly and effectively. I would highly recommend this travel agency.
Reviewed By Jesse D.
Zicasso’s travel agent managed to ensure we were able to see and do all the things on our list, plus more! It was an amazing family adventure. We only had one issue with an airline delay, but she went above and beyond to help us. The guides and drivers were also spectacular.
Reviewed By Pamela N.
Zicasso's travel consultant planned the perfect itinerary for our family trip to Peru. She really listened to the types of experiences we wanted to have and absolutely delivered on everything she planned. All of our travel logistics went smoothly, with no issues, hiccups, or delays. She was also very responsive prior to our trip and the few times we reached out during our travels. And the app she used was extremely intuitive and helpful. I would highly recommend Zicasso's tour operator!
Reviewed By Jenifer Z.
Our trip from start to finish was absolutely fantastic. The Amazon jungle was a blast. I paid for an extra full-day excursion to fish for piranhas, which was definitely a great decision and one of the highlights of our trip (we had the piranhas for lunch, and they were delicious).
The Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu were fabulous. And then, the Galápagos were extraordinary, from the unexpected serenity of the place to the crew of the boat, and, of course, the proximity to wildlife, including snorkeling with sea lions. It was especially meaningful to be in these places with our entire family (10 of us). Everyone understood how special it was and we will all cherish the experience all of our lives.
The Zicasso travel company was fantastic from start to finish. Our travel specialist went far beyond the call of duty to help us, especially when one family members could not make the trip. He helped us with replacing that person with another. He was remarkably prompt, clear, and informative in all communications, both in planning the trip and during it. He has a very kind heart and is a great human being. I cannot say enough positive things about him.
Reviewed By bradley P.
