Cruise Extension Tour – See Machu Picchu in 4 Days

Read about our most popular cruise extension tour that lets you see Machu Picchu in 4 days.

South America has many options when it comes to pre-cruise trips or post-cruise trips.   Machu Picchu is one of the most requested pre or post cruise extension tour. Depending on how many days you have to tour the area, we can help you experience the magic of Machu Picchu! Here is a sample Cruise Extension Tour to see Machu Picchu in 4 days.  We can arrange for you to be picked up and dropped off right at the cruise ship pier in Lima.

Day 1: Lima City Tour

To see Machu Picchu in 4 days, you will want to start in Lima. Your guide will be waiting for you as you exit your cruise ship to take you on a fascinating private tour through Lima and the Larco Museum. This private Lima city tour starts at the Plaza de Armas. The Cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace, and Government Palace are situated. Next visit the Monastery of San Francisco, which houses colonial art, impressive architecture, catacombs and one of the oldest libraries in Latin America. Here you will also see the San Isidro olive groves, the pre-Inca worship center of Pucllana, Miraflores Parque Central, and the romantic Parque del Amor. After, visit the Larco Museum, which holds the finest precious metals collection in Peru. Housed in a royal mansion of the 18th-century, the museum is famous for its gold, silver, erotic archaeology, and pre-Colombian art collection. Hotel: There are over 45,000 objects, all classified by culture and theme in chronological order. Travel Tip: Lima is the culinary capital of South America. There are so many great restaurants to choose from. Ask your travel consultant or local guide for a recommendation.

Day 2: The Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo

Today you continue on with your journey to see Machu Picchu in 4 days.   Take a short 50-minute flight from Lima to Cuzco. A guide will meet you at the Cuzco airport and take you on a tour of the Sacred Valley where you will visit the Pisac market and Ollantaytambo ruins. Pisac is most famous for its market, where local farmers and craftspeople bring their goods to sell and trade. Stroll through the market and you will find alpaca wool sweaters and carved handicrafts. Above Pisac are ancient ruins with Inca terraces and panoramic views of the valley. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and then continue on to Ollantaytambo.  This town is known for its imposing Cliffside ruins built by the Incas. The town is the only one that has been in continuous operation since the time of the Incas. Tour the ruins and enjoy incredible views of the valley, Hotel: Stay at a hotel in the tranquil Sacred Valley, halfway between Cuzco and Machu Picchu. We recommend the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness for a relaxing and restful evening. Travel Tip: The stairs at the Ollantaytambo ruins are very steep, so take it slow. The view from the top offers a look at the old grainery, ingeniously built by the Incas in a manner to preserve the crops.

Day 3: Machu Picchu

Eat an early breakfast in your hotel and prepare for the tour of a lifetime to Machu Picchu, the breathtaking Inca city in the sky. Your guide will take you to the Machu Picchu train station.  Travel through the Sacred Valley into the cloud forest. The first class Vistadome train has glass ceilings, which alow you ample room to enjoy unbeatable scenery on the 1 1/2-hour journey towards Machu Picchu. Arrive to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Walk to the shuttle bus station, where you will be whisked up the mountain to the entrance to Machu Picchu. There your guide will greet you and take you on a tour of this fascinating city of the Incas. As you gaze in wonder at the expansive stone ruins, steep terraces, and looming cliffs, you will realize why Machu Picchu has been called one of the new wonders of the world. The stonework at Machu Picchu is so well engineered that many of the walls have been intact since the days of the Incas in the 15th and 16th centuries.  Wander through the ruins on your own and return to Aguas Calientes in the evening. Hotel: Spend the night in Aguas Calientes.  The Hotel Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo is a perfect choice for the night and to explore the town of Aguas Calientes. Travel Tip: Sit on the left side of the bus on the way up for great views of the valley.

Day 4: Machu Picchu

Take the shuttle bus back up to the entrance of Machu Picchu and enjoy another walk around this amazing location. I recommend hiking Huayna Picchu to view the ruins from above. In the afternoon, take the train back to Cuzco and check into your hotel. Hotel: There are so many great choices for hotels in Cuzco but the Novotel Cuzco is a nice option and very close to the main plaza. Travel Tip: Make sure you allocate enough time to leave Machu Picchu and get back down by bus, collect your luggage, and arrive at the train station about 30 minutes prior to your departure.

Day 5: Cuzco

To complete your visit to Machu Picchu, spend the day discovering the fascinating historical and cultural legacy of the Incas on a private Cuzco tour through what was the capital of the Inca Empire. Visit Korikancha, known as the Temple of the Sun during Inca Empire, and now the site of the Santo Domingo Convent. Walk through the Cathedral, which faces the Plaza de Armas in the heart of downtown Cuzco. Tour the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, located above the city and enjoy spectacular views of Cuzco below. Follow the road to several other Inca stone ruins, including Q’enqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. At the end of the tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel or airport for your flight. If you are boarding a cruise ship in Lima, our guides will be there at the airport to transfer you to the cruise ship pier to board your South America cruise. Traveling Tip: Your Cuzco City entrance ticket includes entry into many other locations that you will not visit on the city tour. Take a look and ask your tour guide what they would recommend seeing. The hours of operation are located on the back of the ticket.

There is always more to see in this area so depending on your travel dates, we can recommend additional sights to visit. If you would like more information on adding Machu Picchu to your cruise vacation, please fill out the form below or contact us directly at 1+800-747-4540.