Machu Picchu (Part 3): Sample Itinerary #2

Here is an itinerary we actually followed in May 2011.  This trip took us to Machu Picchu, Arequipa, and the Nasca Lines in 7 days/6 nights.  The additional costs, including the US$80.00 for the Nasca plane tour, was roughly US$130.00.  Total costs for this itinerary was US$430.00.


Day 1.

15:00   Bus departs from Lima to Cusco (22 hours)
Overnight on bus

Day 2.

13:00  Bus arrives at Cusco.  Eat lunch.
14:30  Take a colectivo to Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours)
16:00  Colectivo arrives in Ollantaytambo
19:00  Train (Peru Rail) departs for Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes) (2 hours)
21:00  Train arrives in Machu Picchu Pueblo.  Check in to lodging.  Eat dinner.
Overnight in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Day 3

7:00 Eat breakfast
8:00  Take bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu.
Spend day sightseeing.  Pack a picnic lunch.
15:00  Take the bus back down to Machu Picchu Pueblo.  Relax the rest of the evening.  Eat dinner.
Overnight in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Day 4

7:30   Eat breakfast.
9:00   Train departs for Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours)
10:30 Train arrives in Ollantaytambo. Take colectivo back to Cusco. (1.5 hours)
12:00 Colectivo arrives in Cusco. Eat lunch.
20:30 Bus departs for Arequipa (10 hours)
Overnight on bus.

Day 5

6:30  Bus arrives in Arequipa.  Check in to hotel.
Sightsee all day in Arequipa.
Overnight in Arequipa.

Day 6

Sightsee all morning and afternoon in Arequipa.
16:00 Bus departs for Nasca (13 hours).
Overnight on bus.

Day 7
5:00  Bus arrives in Nazca.  Check in to hotel for half day.
9:00  Sightsee Nasca lines in a plane.  Eat lunch in Nasca.

13:00  Take bus to Ica (2.5 hours).
15:30  Arrive in Ica.  Take bus to Lima from Ica (5 hours)
20:30  Arrive in Lima.

The additional costs:  US$127.00

Total additional transportation costs:  S/. 70.00 (US$26.00)

1.  Bus ticket from Cusco to Arequipa:  S/. 60.00
2.  Bus ticket from Arequipa to Nasca:  S/. 90.00
3.  Bus tickets from Nasca to Lima:  S/. 30.00
4.  Minus bus ticket from Cusco to Lima:  - S/. 110.00

Total additional lodging costs:  S/. 55.00 (US$21.00)

1.  Hotel in Arequipa:  S/. 30.00
2.  Hotel in Nasca:  S/. 25.00

Total additional miscellaneous costs:  S/. 120.00 (US$45.00) + US$80

1.  Meals:  S/. 30.00 a day x 3 additional days = S/ 90.00.  Round up to S/. 100.00
2.  Taxis:  S/. 20.00
3.  Nasca plane tour: US$80.00