Machu Picchu tours from Lima cruise ships offer a quick visit to Peru's most important tourist attraction. Machu Picchu is known for its history and the mystery hidden in its construction. It was also hidden for a long time until an American called Hiram Bingham rediscovered the Inca citadel. From there, the history of the citadel began to be documented, and visits were arranged for travelers, curious individuals, historians, and archaeologists to discover the site. Many people from far away in the country came to explore and admire Machu Picchu. Today, it is known as one of the seven wonders of the world and is protected by UNESCO as a humanity heritage site.
Cruise ships have become a very popular means of travel in the world, Latin America, and the experience allows travelers to uniquely discover new countries, cities, and cultures. Traveling by sea allows passengers to meet other travelers who share the same goal: discovering new countries, cultures, and history. This makes for a unique way to travel by sea to visit Machu Picchu.
All Machu Picchu tours begin from Lima, but the initial mandatory point to reach Machu Picchu is to arrive in Cusco, the capital of the Incas. From there, it is important to reach Aguas Calientes, the second point before visiting Machu Picchu. Once there, you can visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco, then to Lima. Here is the best itinerary for Machu Picchu tours from Lima with cruise ships:
The Best Machu Picchu Tour Itineraries from the Lima Cruise Ship.
3-Day Overland Itinerary: Machu Picchu from Lima Cruise Ships
Day 1: Port to Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Disembark at Callao Port (Lima) or San Martín Port (Pisco), then transfer to Lima International Airport for a one-hour flight to Cusco (elevation: 3,400 m). Upon arrival, you will be met by your professional guide and travel by private vehicle into the Sacred Valley to acclimatise at a lower altitude. Visit local Inca ruins and traditional villages, enjoying lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Spend the night in the Sacred Valley (in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo), or take an evening train to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy dinner and a restful night.
Day 2: Exploring Machu Picchu
Depart from your hotel early and take the 25-minute shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a two- to three-hour guided tour of the citadel, visiting key archaeological sites including the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (Hitching Post of the Sun), the Temple of the Three Windows, the Royal Residences and the Agricultural Terraces. You will then have free time for personal exploration and photography before returning to Aguas Calientes by shuttle bus. Board the Vistadome train back to Cusco, enjoying dinner on board or upon arrival. Spend the night at hotel in Cusco.
Day 3: Return to ship
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to Cusco International Airport for your return flight to Lima (one hour). Upon arrival in Lima, you will be transferred directly from the airport to the cruise terminal (Callao or Pisco). Re-board your cruise ship before its scheduled departure time to enjoy the on-board amenities as you sail away.
3-Day Quick Itinerary: Machu Picchu to Sacred Valley from Lima
Day 1: Callao Port, Lima to Machu Picchu
Transfer to Lima airport and take a flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, a representative from Machu Picchut Travel will be waiting with a sign. Once you meet, transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Board the train to Aguas Calientes, where your guide will be waiting. Check into your hotel and leave your luggage, then walk to the bus station to take a shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu. Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu and take panoramic photographs (subject to ticket availability at the time of booking). After the tour, take the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes for an overnight stay. You can visit the hot springs of Aguas Calientes before resting for the night.
Day 2: Aguas Calientes - Sacred Valley - Lima
Take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where your guide and driver will be waiting for your Sacred Valley tour. Visit the Ollantaytambo Inca site, then continue to Urubamba for lunch. After lunch, visit Moray, Maras, and Salineras with a guided tour of these important sites. Return to Cusco with a stop at the Chinchero Inca site for a guided tour. Once finished, your driver will drop you at Cusco airport. Take a flight from Cusco to Lima and transfer to the Costa del Sol hotel. Spend the night near the airport.
Day 3: Lima to Callao Port
Your driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to Callao Port, where you can board your cruise ship. This concludes the itinerary.
2-Day Overland Itinerary: Machu Picchu tour From Lima
Day 1: Flight to Cusco and Aguas Calientes Town
Disembark and transfer to Lima's international airport. Take a one-hour and forty-five-minute flight from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival, transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station in the Sacred Valley, a one-hour and 30-minute drive away. Board the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, which takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. Then, transfer to your hotel in Aguas Calientes and spend the night.
Day 2: Machu Picchu and Return to Lima
This is a special day as you will visit Machu Picchu. After breakfast, take a shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu and enjoy a private guided tour. Explore the important Inca citadel and capture the best photographs. After the guided tour, take the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes and board the train returning to Ollantaytambo. Your Peru Xcapes driver will be waiting to transfer you to the airport. Take a flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, your transfer will be waiting to take you to the port to board your cruise ship.
Alternative: You can stay one night at the Costa del Sol hotel located near the airport and transfer to the port the following day to board your cruise ship.
