Dormitories are used for lodging for this tour. Dormitories are from up to 4 - 6 beds with shared bath per room. Travelers should be aware that if they are not sharing a room with their immediate group then it is normal for them to be lodged with other travelers from around the world. For that reason you should be aware of your belongings at all times.

Before booking your trip please contact us regarding your desired tour or package. Not only do we double check availability but we also look for the lowest fares and seasonal deals to get you a great price. All of our tours are fully customizable, feel free to ask us about changes to hotels, tours, flights and train schedules.

Once we have confirmed availability and prices we will contact you via e-mail. You can also confirm your trip or put in a custom tour order by phone by calling us at 1.888.802.INCA. If you are booking a custom tour we will send you a link to your personalized custom tour page where you can review your itinerary and trip details.

Only after you are 100% satisfied with your itinerary and services will we send you an invoice for your purchase via Google Checkout. These invoices are sent via e-mail where you can then purchase your services through Google's secure online payment system. We do not ask you for any private billing information, this includes credit card or bank account numbers.

Following Checkout we will send you a separate PDF invoice detailing all your paid services. You will also receive important information regarding your specific tour and a copy of our Karikuy Peru Travel Guide (PDF). We thank you in advance for doing business with Karikuy, only with your participation do you help us achieve our goals as an organization.

As a customer you have our one of a kind customer support at your disposal should you have any further questions about our services you can contact us at any time and always expect a quick response.

You arrive in Lima in the Morning. You have the time to get some lunch and change currency while Karikuy checks in all the students as they arrive. Julio C. Tello will be on hand to answer any questions before departing for the bus terminal. You then take an afternoon luxury bus provided by Cruz del Sur to Ica.

The four hour drive winds down the Peruvian desert coast where you will get to see the beautiful pacific ocean crashing against the steep coastal cliffs. Upon arriving in Ica you will be transferred to the beautiful Huacachina oasis, a 10 minute drive away. Here you will settle into your hostel Desert nights and get to check out the small oasis town before setting off on a Dune Buggy tour of the Desert and Sand boarding down the massive desert dunes. The evening is yours, giving you a chance to taste some of Peru's drinks and to get to know Huacachinas nightlife.

Today we'll have a light breakfast and take another Cruz del Sur bus to Nazca, here we'll meet your pilot at the Nazca airport. The flight over the famous Nazca lines only takes about half an hour, but it is unforgettable. Make sure you take any motion medication before boarding as the small plane maneuvers can make you a bit queasy. After the flight you have the option of visiting the Chauchilla Cemetery(not included, $15). The Cemetery is a vast desert plain littered with human bones. Here your guide will explain to you how the ancient Nazca people buried their dead and visit several pits containing mummies and ancient artifacts.

In the late afternoon you continue exploring the main square in Nazca. In the late evening (11:15pm) you continue your adventure taking an overnight bus to Cusco. The bus provided by Cruz del Sur and includes bus bed seating for a good nights sleep on your journey.

This morning you wake up to incredible views, if you wake up early enough you can treat yourself to a sunrise over the Andes. You continue on your way to Cusco, arriving in the early morning. You have the morning yo acclimatize and rest up at your hostel. You then leave on a Tour of Cusco in the early afternoon.

You will be visiting sites like Sacsayhuaman, Qenq'o, Tambomachay and Pucapucara. Included in the Student Vacation is the Cusco tourist ticket and entrance fees to the Cathedral of Cusco and Koricancha, three items that most general tours do not include. In the evening you have the night free to check out the vibrant nightlife in Cusco. Cusco by far has the most diverse nightlife, in one night you could meet fellow travelers from all corners of the world. You overnight in Cusco.

Today begins the Machu Picchu by car tours begins. We will depart at 07:30 am. The first stop of the tour will be in the Sacred Valley of the Incas at the Ccorao lookout, where we will enjoy some spectacular views of the beautiful Andean landscape. We’ll take a 10 minute break there to ‘soak it up’ and rest a bit before moving on. The next stop will be at the ruins of Pisac, where we will receive a guided tour of the archeological complex for about one hour. Afterwards, we’ll continue the journey through the valley of Urubamba to Ollantaytambo (about 40 minutes), where our guide will teach us about the history of the vast ruins and the village for another hour. In this beautiful, little town we will have our lunch (buffet) before moving on. At about 2:00 p.m., we will continue up a winding road in the direction of “Habra de Malaga”, which stands at an altitude of 4,316 metres. From that vantage point, we will see some of the most amazing landscapes that Peru has to offer. After a brief stop, we will begin our descent into the sub tropical region of the jungle, passing through the different micro-climates that combine the paradisiacal landscapes of the majestic snow-capped peaks with the hot, tropical entrance to the jungle. We will see lots of gorgeous landscapes all the way to Alfamayó, where there is a nice, paved road in perfect condition that we can use. We will need to take an unpaved road though, in order to continue on in the direction of Santa Maria, which is located at an altitude of 1575 meters above sea level. We will take a moment to rest in Santa Maria before continuing on to the small pueblo, Santa Teresa, where we should be arriving to at about 4:30 p.m.. Where to arrive at 6:00 p.m. approx. where we will spend the night in our designated hotels. For those who choose to, there is also the option to enjoy a relaxing dip in the medicinal hot baths of Cocalmayo. Then, all that is left is to finish the day with a delicious dinner at a nice, tourist restaurant before getting some much needed rest.

You will have the option to go up to Machu Picchu by bus or by foot. Breakfast will be served from 5:00 am. The guided tour of the site will begin at 6:00 am and will last for at least 2 hours. Afterwards, you will be able to enjoy some free time until approximately 11:30 am, which is the recommended time to begin returning down the mountain to the train station. The train back to the hydroelectric plant will be leaving Aguas Calientes at 12:35 p.m.. Upon our arrival to the hydroelectric plant, we will transfer over from the train to a private van, which will take us to Santa Teresa. There, we will have a one hour break for one last chance to get some food or use the rest room before we undertake the final leg of the ride. We will then proceed back to Cusco, returning down the same road that brought us here. We will arrive to Cusco around 9:30 p.m. (approx). You have the rest of the night to go out and enjoy your last night in Cusco. You overnight in Cusco.

You have the morning free today to do some shopping and explore the city. Although most of you will probably want to sleep in. Your bus to Lima leaves Cusco at 2pm. Your transportation for the long bus ride is none other then the best Peru has to offer Cruz del Sur Suite Class Bed Bus. The ride is a comfortable one, giving you great views on your trip back to the Capital City. You overnight on the bus beds.

You arrive in Lima in the morning where you are transferred to the airport. Depending on the time of your departure flight you have the option of taking a Full (not included, $50) or half day (not included, $40) private City Tour with Karikuy. That concludes The Student Vacation, we're sure you'll have fun!