Machu Picchu and Huacachina Tour

Our Machu Picchu and Huacachina Tour connects Peru’s Pacific coast, desert and Andes in one organized 8-day journey. Explore Lima, cruise to the Ballestas Islands, experience Huacachina by dune buggy and sandboard, then continue to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with hotels, guided tours and transportation arranged throughout the itinerary.

From US$1,350 per person
8 Days / 7 Nights
Starts and ends in Lima

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Quick Details

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Route: Lima → Paracas → Ballestas Islands → Huacachina → Lima → Cusco → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu → Lima
Huacachina: Dune buggy and sandboarding experience
Paracas: Ballestas Islands boat tour
Sacred Valley: Pisac, Chinchero, Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo
Machu Picchu: Train, bus, entrance and guided visit included
Accommodation: 7 hotel nights
Guides: Professional guides
Meals: Daily breakfast + one lunch
Transfers: Included according to the itinerary
Domestic flights: Not included
Minimum: 2 travelers

What Is the Machu Picchu and Huacachina Tour?

The Machu Picchu and Huacachina Tour is an 8-day Peru itinerary combining three very different regions: the Pacific coast, the desert and the Andes, the journey begins in Lima before traveling south to Paracas for the Ballestas Islands and continuing to the desert oasis of Huacachina. After returning to Lima, you fly to Cusco and explore the Sacred Valley before traveling by train to Machu Picchu.

The complete route connects:

Lima → Paracas → Ballestas Islands → Huacachina → Cusco → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu

Instead of organizing Peru’s coast and Andes as separate trips, this itinerary brings them together in one journey.

Why Combine Huacachina and Machu Picchu?

Huacachina and Machu Picchu show two completely different landscapes within Peru so in Huacachina, the experience centers on a desert oasis surrounded by large sand dunes, with dune buggy riding and sandboarding included in the itinerary, after the coastal portion, the journey continues into the Andes, where the focus changes to Inca history, archaeological sites and mountain landscapes through Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Paracas adds another environment to the journey with a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, this means that within eight days, the itinerary connects coast, desert and Andes rather than concentrating only on Cusco and Machu Picchu.

8-Day Machu Picchu, Huacachina & Paracas Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Lima & Transfer to Miraflores

Arrive at Lima Airport, where your transfer will take you to your hotel in Miraflores, after check-in, the remainder of the day is free to rest after your flight or explore the surrounding area independently.

Overnight: Lima

Day 2 – Lima to Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina

Depart Lima early and travel south along Peru’s Pacific coast toward Paracas, from Paracas, take a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands. The islands are visited from the water during the boat tour, after returning to Paracas, continue toward Huacachina, the desert oasis near Ica, here, experience the surrounding dunes by dune buggy and try sandboarding before returning to Paracas. This is one of the most varied days of the itinerary, moving from the Pacific coast to Peru’s desert landscape within the same day.

Experiences: Ballestas Islands – Huacachina – Dune Buggy – Sandboarding
Overnight: Paracas

Day 3 – Paracas to Lima & Lima City Tour

After breakfast, travel back to Lima. Later, join a guided city tour and explore the historic side of Peru’s capital, after the tour, return to your hotel for your final night in Lima before traveling into the Andes.

Experience: Guided Lima city tour
Overnight: Lima

Day 4 – Flight to Cusco, City Tour & Pisac

Take your domestic flight from Lima to Cusco and upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before beginning the guided activities scheduled for the day then explore Cusco and visit Sacsayhuamán before continuing toward Pisac, one of the important archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. The landscape and elevation change considerably on this part of the journey as you leave Peru’s coast and enter the Andes.

Visits: Cusco – Sacsayhuamán – Pisac
Overnight: Cusco

Day 5 – Sacred Valley: Chinchero, Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo

Travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit Chinchero before continuing toward Moray, known for its circular agricultural terraces, the itinerary also includes Maras before continuing toward Ollantaytambo, an important Inca settlement and the overnight stop before the journey to Machu Picchu, this route places you closer to the rail connection used the following day.

Visits: Chinchero – Maras – Moray – Ollantaytambo
Overnight: Sacred Valley

Day 6 – Machu Picchu by Train

Travel by train toward Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. From town, continue by bus toward the entrance to Machu Picchu and explore the archaeological site with a professional guide who provides historical and cultural context during your visit, after visiting Machu Picchu, return to Aguas Calientes before beginning the train and ground transportation journey back toward Cusco.

Included: Train, bus, Machu Picchu entrance and guided visit
Overnight: Cusco

Day 7 – Free Time in Cusco & Flight to Lima

Enjoy free time in Cusco before your scheduled transfer to the airport. You can use the available time to explore independently before taking your domestic flight back to Lima, upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight: Lima

Day 8 – Lima Airport Transfer & Departure

Your journey concludes with a transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport according to your international flight schedule, this completes your 8-day route through Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

What Is Included?

Your Machu Picchu and Huacachina Tour includes:

7 nights of accommodation
Daily breakfast
One included lunch
Airport and hotel transfers according to the itinerary
Professional guides
Lima guided tour
Transportation between Lima and Paracas
Ballestas Islands boat tour
Huacachina desert experience
Dune buggy experience
Sandboarding
Cusco guided tour
Sacsayhuamán visit
Pisac visit
Sacred Valley tour
Chinchero, Maras and Moray visits
Ollantaytambo visit
Machu Picchu train tickets
Bus transportation to and from Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu entrance ticket
Guided Machu Picchu visit
Entrance fees for the activities specified in the itinerary
Tourist transportation according to the itinerary
Travel assistance during the trip

What Is Not Included?

International flights
Domestic flights
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Travel insurance
Tips
Personal expenses

What Makes This Peru Itinerary Different?

Many short Peru itineraries concentrate entirely on Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, this itinerary adds two very different destinations before the Andes: Paracas and Huacachina. At the Ballestas Islands, the experience takes place by boat along Peru’s Pacific coast. In Huacachina, the landscape changes to desert dunes and an oasis, with dune buggy riding and sandboarding, the second part of the journey then focuses on the Andes and Inca heritage through Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, this creates three distinct stages:

Pacific Coast → Desert → Andes

What Is the Huacachina Experience Like?

Huacachina is visited during Day 2 after the Ballestas Islands excursion, the experience goes beyond simply stopping at the oasis. The itinerary includes a dune buggy ride and sandboarding in the surrounding desert, after the Huacachina experience, the itinerary returns to Paracas for the night. This makes Huacachina one of the main active experiences of the coastal portion of the tour.

How Do You Travel from Lima to Machu Picchu?

This itinerary connects Lima and Machu Picchu in several stages rather than traveling directly between them. First, the tour explores Lima, Paracas and Huacachina. You then return to Lima and take a domestic flight to Cusco, from Cusco, the journey continues through the Sacred Valley with an overnight stay before traveling by train toward Machu Picchu.

The route is:

Lima → Flight to Cusco → Sacred Valley → Train to Machu Picchu

Domestic flights are required by the itinerary but are not included in the package price.

Who Is This Tour For?

This itinerary is designed for travelers who want more variety than a traditional Cusco and Machu Picchu package. It is particularly suitable for travelers interested in combining:

Peru’s Pacific coast
Wildlife viewing from the Ballestas Islands boat excursion
Huacachina’s desert landscape
Dune buggy riding and sandboarding
Inca archaeological sites
The Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu

The trip does not require a multi day trek to reach Machu Picchu. However, travelers should expect walking during archaeological visits and active participation during the Huacachina portion.

What Should You Bring?

Because the itinerary crosses Peru’s coast, desert and Andes, packing should account for different environments.

We recommend:

Valid passport
Comfortable walking shoes
Lightweight clothing for the coast
Warm layers for Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Rain protection
Small daypack
Reusable water bottle
Personal medication

Temperatures and weather conditions can differ significantly between Lima, the desert and the Andes, so layers are useful throughout the journey.

Machu Picchu and Huacachina Tour Prices

Prices are per person based on a minimum of two travelers.

3-Star Hotel + Expedition Train

US$1,350 per person

Includes 3-star hotel accommodation and Expedition train service for the Machu Picchu journey.

4-Star Hotel + Vistadome Train

US$1,670 per person

Includes 4-star hotel accommodation and Vistadome train service for the Machu Picchu journey.

5-Star Hotel + Hiram Bingham Train

US$3,390 per person

Includes 5-star hotel accommodation and Hiram Bingham train service for the Machu Picchu journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit Huacachina and Machu Picchu on the same trip?

Yes. This 8-day itinerary visits Huacachina during the coastal portion of the journey before continuing by air to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Does the tour include Paracas and the Ballestas Islands?

Yes. The itinerary includes Paracas and a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands before continuing to Huacachina.

Are dune buggy and sandboarding included in Huacachina?

Yes. The Huacachina portion includes a dune buggy experience and sandboarding in the surrounding desert.

Does the tour include the Sacred Valley?

Yes. The itinerary visits Pisac and continues through the Sacred Valley with Chinchero, Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo.

Is the Machu Picchu train included?

Yes. Train transportation for the Machu Picchu portion is included according to the selected package category.

Is the Machu Picchu entrance included?

Yes. The package includes the Machu Picchu entrance ticket and a professional guided visit.

Do I need to hike the Inca Trail?

No. This itinerary reaches Machu Picchu by train and bus. A multi-day Inca Trail trek is not required.

Are flights included in the package price?

No. International and domestic flights are not included. The itinerary requires domestic flights between Lima and Cusco.

How many hotel nights are included?

The package includes seven nights of accommodation throughout the 8-day itinerary.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The journey starts in Lima with airport pickup and finishes in Lima with a transfer to the airport for your departure.

Can I choose a different hotel or Machu Picchu train?

The package is offered with different hotel and train categories, including Expedition, Vistadome and Hiram Bingham options.

Book Your Machu Picchu and Huacachina Tour

Experience Peru’s coast, desert and Andes in one organized journey. Visit Lima and the Ballestas Islands, ride across the dunes of Huacachina, explore Cusco and the Sacred Valley, and complete your trip at Machu Picchu.

8 Days / 7 Nights
From US$1,350 per person
Minimum 2 travelers