Overview
Legacy of the Incas
Calendar? Astronomy? Alien artwork? None of the above. But the discovery of Peru’s Nazca Lines gave a whole new meaning to drawing a line in the sand. Flightseeing is the best way to see these massive geoglyphs etched into the desert— where the ancient Nazca people likely performed spiritual ceremonies. From the Lost City of the Incas surrounded by the peaks of the Andes to the floating Uros Islands on the highest lake in the world, this vacation to Peru leads you to great heights while also going to greater depths to illuminate its archaeological, historical, and cultural wonders. In addition to two days of exploration at the mysterious and magical ruins of Machu Picchu, you’ll also visit the Sillustani pre-Incan burial ground, cruise to the wildlife paradise of the Ballestas Islands, and frolic through the wonders of colonial and culinary Lima as well as the Inca capital, Cusco.
Highlights of Legacy of the Incas
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Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on all South America tour dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Travelers Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect tour—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides with complimentary headsets to hear every word, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach. Enhance your free time with your GlobusGO mobile app!
Related Option Title
Legacy of the Incas
UNESCO Sites
City of Cusco|Historic Center of Lima|Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu|Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca and Pampas de Jumana
Product Group
Legacy of the Incas
Inclusions
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect vacation—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites!
Notes
Maximum enjoyment of this vacation requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge. Maximum elevation on this tour is approx. 12,200 ft. For Nazca Lines flights, any guest who weighs more than 220 pounds will need to buy an additional ticket (est. $260 USD) at the time of the flight.
Meals
Breakfast daily, 3 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN LIMA, PERU Welcome to Lima! Meet your Tour Director.LIMA-MARKET.jpg
Day 2
LIMA Legendary LimaToday, your Local Guide focuses on the city’s colonial heritage during a walking tour. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and the cathedral. From here, stroll to the venerable San Francisco Monastery with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. For a special treat, [LF] stop at a local food market to get a real taste of life for the local people. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow traveling companions at one of Lima’s finest historic homes, Casa Garcia Alvarado. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Stop for a real taste of Peru at a local market. Sample some of the local fruits and vegetable that aren’t found in other parts of the world. You can also find spices, meats, seafood, and even a souvenir or two. And, you’ll definitely want to take some photos of the beautiful, brightly hued displays. LIMA-CATHEDRAL.jpg
Day 3
LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY Empire of the AndesFly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas where you will enjoy a special lunch prepared exclusively for Globus guests at a private location. Here, experience an [LF] El Pago a la Tierra, or Mother Earth Ceremony, performed by a local shaman. Continue to Pisac, an old mountain village, where you will have free time to shop for local wares, such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or Hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases at its famous market. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)LOCAL FAVORITECULTURE & TRADITION Feel the earth, smell the coca leaves, and taste the chicha today as you make payment to Mother Earth. Participate in an El Pago a la Tierra, an ancient ceremony led by a shaman thanking Mother Earth and asking for good health, wealth, and safe travels. These mystical ceremonies have been practiced in Peru since before the arrival of the Incas.SACRED-VALLEY-MOTHER-EARTH-CEREMONY.jpg
Day 4
SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU Mystery on the MountainThis morning, visit the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo, followed by [LF] a visit to a local home, meet some of the area’s families, and experience their way of life in the Sacred Valley. Then, board the Vistadome train for a scenic journey through the lush Urubamba Valley. Upon arrival, ascend the mountainside to legendary Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas.” Your Local Guide will introduce this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct, and will bring you closer to the mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures. Tonight, learn how to make the perfect Pisco Sour at a Peruvian cooking demonstration before your included dinner. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE TIMELESS TRADITIONS Today, you are invited into a local family’s home in the Sacred Valley. Learn about their traditions like weaving that has been passed down for centuries from ancestors. See how they cook, live, sleep, work, and maybe ask about the cuy (guinea pigs), they keep in their house. SACRED-VALLEY-WEAVING.jpg
Day 5
MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO Here Comes the Sun A morning at leisure in Machu Picchu allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins. After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by train and continue to Cusco. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Staying overnight in Machu Picchu allows you to get up early and experience the ruins at their most pristine before the crowds arrive. Watch as the mist slowly burns off and the sun rays illuminate the ruins. While you are there, you may even want to try and get a selfie with one of the local llamas or alpacas! MACHU-PICCHU-SUNSET.jpg
Day 6
CUSCO Sun Worship & Spanish ConquestsOn your guided sightseeing tour of Cusco today, learn more about the Inca and Spanish influence. Begin at the heart of Cusco in the Plaza de Armas (main square), with a visit to the imposing Cathedral, where construction began in 1550 and was finally completed 100 years later. During your city tour, you will be greeted by an Inca king, so have your cameras ready! Continue to Koricancha and the Santo Domingo Monastery, and see how the two sites have become one. The Temple of the Sun at Koricancha was once the most important Inca site, dedicated to the worship of the Sun. The walls, altars, and decorations were all said to be covered in gold—until the Spaniards looted the temple and then built the contrasting Baroque Santo Domingo Monastery on top of the temple’s foundations. Also visit the semi-circular Kenko Temple with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages, and see the ancient site of Puca Pucara before the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. The remainder of your day is free to explore at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDARY LIVES Built in the 15th century by the Incas, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman complex is considered to be one of the Inca’s greatest architectural creation. It is believed the site was originally constructed as a ceremonial site and later a fortress when the Spanish invaded. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons—was built. During your guided tour, learn some of the theories on how the massive stones used were carved, carried, and placed. CUSCO-SACSAYHUAMAN.jpg
Day 7
CUSCO–SILLUSTANI–JULIACA–PUNO (LAKE TITICACA) Ruins & Real Life in Peru Board a flight to Juliaca, where you will continue to the ruins of Sillustani en route. At this pre-Incan burial ground, see where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests in chullpas—above-ground, cylinder-shaped tombs dating back to the 1400s. While here, [LF] spend some time with the Locals at home and gain a better understanding of their lives. Continue to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,500 feet and is located in both Peru and Bolivia. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITECULTURE & TRADITION Get an authentic look at the lives of locals in Juliaca. Visit a family home where they share traditions in cooking, working, and living in the tradition of Peruvian generations. TOUR HIGHLIGHTTIMELESS TRADITIONS Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,500 feet and is located in both Peru and Bolivia. The indigenous people who live here still practice ancient ways of life. SILLUSTANI-TOMB.jpg
Day 8
PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA Life on the Lake Today, take a motorboat trip to some of the more unique islands of Lake Titicaca. Start with Taquile Island, which was once part of the Inca Empire and was one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island, which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating Uros Islands, home to the Uros Indians, who were forced to live on the lake as the Inca Indians pushed farther into their territory. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS The manmade Uros Islands are found floating in the middle of the lake are completely made by totora reeds and are continually added to as they disintegrate to the bottom of the lake. During your visit here, see the locals' boats and homes which are also made from reed. Over 1000 Uros still live on the 100 plus islands that remain to this day. LAKE-TITICACA-UROS-ISLANDS.jpg
Day 9
PUNO–JULIACA–LIMA Hasta Luego, Lake Titicaca Depart for Juliaca this morning for a return flight to Lima. (B) PUNO-FAREWELL.jpg
Day 10
LIMA–PARACAS. BALLESTAS ISLANDS CRUISE & NAZCA LINES Islands & EnigmasEnjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to the Bay of Paracas. Embark on a cruise out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, a candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Continue to the town of Pisco, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for flightseeing over the Nazca plains, which can only be appreciated by air. Dating back to 500 BC, these geoglyphs etched into the ground consist of over 10,000 lines depicting plants and animals. Enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE Take a flight above the plains for a bird’s-eye-view of the Nazca Lines. Your pilot will point out these mysterious markings, a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil—some up to 1,000 feet long! Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the “astronomical calendar” of the ancient Peruvians.PARACAS-NAZCA-LINES-HUMMINGBIRD.jpg
Day 11
PARACAS–LIMA Fond FarewellsAfter some free time in Paracas, return to Lima today. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a memorable farewell dinner with your travel companions at a local restaurant. (B,D)BALLESTAS-ISLANDS-SEA-LIONS.jpg
Day 12
LIMA Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)LIMA-PERUVIAN-TEXTILES.jpg
Departures
| # | Air Start Date | Land Start Date | Land End Date | Land Only Price | Discount | Final | Departure Code | Status |
| 1 | 2024-11-04 | 2024-11-05 | 2024-11-16 | $4789 | $0 | $5494 | SP41105 | Not Available |
| 2 | 2025-01-27 | 2025-01-28 | 2025-02-08 | $5009 | $0 | $5717 | SP50128K | Not Available |
| 3 | 2025-01-27 | 2025-01-28 | 2025-02-08 | $5009 | $0 | $5748 | SP50128 | Not Available |
| 4 | 2025-02-24 | 2025-02-25 | 2025-03-08 | $5009 | $0 | $5717 | SP50225K | Available |
| 5 | 2025-02-24 | 2025-02-25 | 2025-03-08 | $5009 | $0 | $5748 | SP50225 | Not Available |
| 6 | 2025-03-10 | 2025-03-11 | 2025-03-22 | $5009 | $0 | $5717 | SP50311K | Not Available |
| 7 | 2025-03-10 | 2025-03-11 | 2025-03-22 | $5009 | $0 | $5748 | SP50311 | Not Available |
| 8 | 2025-04-07 | 2025-04-08 | 2025-04-19 | $5009 | $0 | $5717 | SP50408K | Available |
| 9 | 2025-04-07 | 2025-04-08 | 2025-04-19 | $5009 | $0 | $5748 | SP50408 | Not Available |
| 10 | 2025-04-21 | 2025-04-22 | 2025-05-03 | $5009 | $0 | $5717 | SP50422K | Available |
| 11 | 2025-04-21 | 2025-04-22 | 2025-05-03 | $5009 | $0 | $5748 | SP50422 | Not Available |
| 12 | 2025-06-02 | 2025-06-03 | 2025-06-14 | $5009 | $0 | $5717 | SP50603K | Available |
| 13 | 2025-06-02 | 2025-06-03 | 2025-06-14 | $5009 | $0 | $5748 | SP50603 | Not Available |
| 14 | 2025-07-28 | 2025-07-29 | 2025-08-09 | $4839 | $0 | $5547 | SP50729 | Available |
| 15 | 2025-08-25 | 2025-08-26 | 2025-09-06 | $4839 | $0 | $5547 | SP50826 | Available |
| 16 | 2025-09-22 | 2025-09-23 | 2025-10-04 | $5009 | $0 | $5717 | SP50923K | Available |
| 17 | 2025-09-22 | 2025-09-23 | 2025-10-04 | $5009 | $0 | $5748 | SP50923 | Not Available |
| 18 | 2025-10-06 | 2025-10-07 | 2025-10-18 | $4839 | $0 | $5547 | SP51007 | Available |
| 19 | 2025-11-03 | 2025-11-04 | 2025-11-15 | $4839 | $0 | $5547 | SP51104 | Available |
| 20 | 2026-01-26 | 2026-01-27 | 2026-02-07 | $5309 | $0 | $6058 | SP60127K | Available |
| 21 | 2026-02-23 | 2026-02-24 | 2026-03-07 | $5219 | $0 | $5968 | SP60224 | Available |
| 22 | 2026-03-09 | 2026-03-10 | 2026-03-21 | $5219 | $0 | $5968 | SP60310 | Available |
| 23 | 2026-04-06 | 2026-04-07 | 2026-04-18 | $5219 | $0 | $5968 | SP60407 | Available |
| 24 | 2026-04-20 | 2026-04-21 | 2026-05-02 | $5219 | $0 | $5968 | SP60421 | Available |
| 25 | 2026-06-01 | 2026-06-02 | 2026-06-13 | $5309 | $0 | $6058 | SP60602K | Available |
| 26 | 2026-07-27 | 2026-07-28 | 2026-08-08 | $5219 | $0 | $5968 | SP60728 | Available |
| 27 | 2026-08-24 | 2026-08-25 | 2026-09-05 | $5219 | $0 | $5968 | SP60825 | Available |
| 28 | 2026-09-21 | 2026-09-22 | 2026-10-03 | $5219 | $0 | $5968 | SP60922 | Available |
| 29 | 2026-10-05 | 2026-10-06 | 2026-10-17 | $5219 | $0 | $5968 | SP61006 | Available |
| 30 | 2026-11-02 | 2026-11-03 | 2026-11-14 | $5309 | $0 | $6058 | SP61103K | Available |
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Casa Andina Premium Miraflores | With its stylish contemporary design, cutting-edge technology and ideal location, the flagship Casa Andina Premium Collection Miraflores hotel is the top of its class in every aspect. Amenities include a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, beauty salon, spa, pool, gym, business center, gift shops, and laundry service. | Lima | Ave la Paz 463 | Moderate Deluxe |
| 2 | Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas | The Casa Andina Premium Collection hotel in the Sacred Valley is a luxurious and satisfying retreat. Combining fine food, comfortable rooms, and personalized attention, it is the Valley's most complete hotel. In addition to a spa, a fitness center, and romantic dining, this hotel is best known for providing panoramic views of the Andes in every room. This charming mountain chalet-style hotel adds style and comfort to the already stunning atmosphere of Peru's Sacred Valley. | Urubamba Valley | 5to Paradero Yanahuara | Superior First-Class |
| 3 | Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel | The Sumaq Hotel is located at the foot of the Machu Picchu ruins and boasts an Andean health spa, bar, restaurant, gift shop, and business center. | Machu Picchu | Av Hermanos Ayar Mz 1 Lote 3 | Moderate Deluxe |
| 4 | Casa Andina Premium Cusco | A beautifully renovated 18th-century manor house is located 3 blocks from Cusco's Plaza de Armas. The hotel is distinguished by its 3 interior patios with wooden balconies. The principal patio, featuring a gurgling stone fountain, is one of Cusco's emblematic colonial courtyards. Amenities include a gourmet restaurant, bar, reading room, room service, gift shop, and laundry service. | Cusco | Plazoleta Limacpampa Chico 473 | First-Class |
| 5 | GHL Lago Titicaca | The GHL Lago Titicaca hotell is located on Esteves Island on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Featuring unforgettable views of the lake, the hotel is located in the bay of Puno on a rocky hill surrounded by the extensive reed forest. | Puno | Isla Esteves | Moderate First-Class |
| 6 | The Legend Paracas Resort | The Legend Paracas Resort is ideally located along beautiful Paracas beach and offers guests a modern facility with a wide range of on-site amenities. This includes two restaurants, snack bar, private beach, fitness center, spa, pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and business center. The resort also offers a wide array of leisure activities such as aerobics, dance lessons, volleyball, tennis, kayaking, or simply lounging and relaxing to the sound of waves on the beach. | Paracas | Lote 30-34 Urb. Santo Domingo | First-Class |
