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Mountains high, valleys low and cultures ancient: welcome to majestic Peru
Experience the best of Peru on this 18-day journey through the Incan heartland. Travel south from Lima to the Galapagos of Peru, the Paracas National Reserve, a rich marine ecosystem that is home to sea birds, dolphins and sea lions. Visit the confounding Nazca Lines – an assortment of perfectly straight etched lines of birds and beasts on an enormous scale – and one of the deepest canyons in the world, Colca Canyon. Journey along the well-worn path of the Inca Trail, or take the road less travelled on the Quarry Trail, and marvel at the magnificence of Machu Picchu.
- Start
- Lima, Peru
- Finish
- Lima, Peru
- Destination
- Peru
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PSLRC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 21 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Peru is a world-class culinary destination. Visit an area unknown to tourists and try a variety of street food and authentic Peruvian desserts
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Lookout for pelicans, flamingos, sea lions and penguins on a tour through Paracas National Reserve, often referred to as the 'Galapagos of Peru'
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The giant desert inscriptions of the Nazca Lines are one of Peru's great unsolved mysteries. Scrutinise them up close on foot or from a bird's-eye-view on an optional flight
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Explore Spanish colonial Arequipa, one of Peru's most beautiful cities. Set at the base of a volcano, much of the historic 'White City' is constructed with pale volcanic rock
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The floating reed islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca are a marvel of concept, construction and history. Take a boat tour on the world's highest navigable lake
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Enjoy a 2-night 'feature stay' at the private island of Suasi on the Lake Titicaca. Watch the sun go down at the highest point of the island while enjoying a truly memorable picnic and drinks
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Marvel at ancient Incan architecture throughout the fertile Sacred Valley, before discovering the mother of all Incan cities, magical Machu Picchu
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Join a specialist historian guide on one of you included visits to an archaeological site around Cusco who will provide interesting insight and knowledge about Peru's history and culture
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Enjoy two included visits to Machu Picchu! One guided tour of the ruins and the second visit with free time to explore on your own
Is this trip right for you?
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Due to the high altitude of many of places we visit some people can suffer altitude sickness, regardless of age, gender or fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary! Some people aren’t affected at all, but if you are, be sure to drink plenty of water and don’t push yourself too hard. Please see the ‘Health’ section of the trip notes for more important information about altitude sickness.
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At high altitude, the sun is unusually strong and it’s easy to get burnt, especially when out on the water in Lake Titicaca. It’s important to wear sunscreen and other sun protection, and always drink plenty of water.
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There are a couple of long journeys on this trip, in particular from Nazca to Arequipa, which is a 10-hour drive in a private van. Although this may be tiring, it's a great chance to sit back and enjoy the passing scenery and chat to your fellow travellers. Plus, the beautiful city of Arequipa will make it all worthwhile.
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Itinerary
After the meeting your leader will take you on a brief orientation tour of the Miraflores area. Your in-depth city tour will be tomorrow morning. Lima has some of the best cuisine in South America and is especially renowned for its seafood. Perhaps sample Peru's national dish of Ceviche, which is raw fish marinated in lime juice and often served with hot peppers.
Accommodation
- Hotel Antigua Miraflores or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Complimentary airport arrival transfer
- Lima - Leader led orientation walk of Miraflores
Optional Activities
- Lima - Gold Museum - PEN35
- Lima - Museo de la Nacion - PEN10
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
If you wish to take part in any of the optional activities mentioned below, you will need to book additional accommodation prior to the tour start date as there won't be any spare time on day one once the tour has commenced.HEALTH:
As this trip takes you to locations at high altitude, it's possible that some travellers may experience adverse health effects due to altitude sickness. Please see the 'Is this trip right for you?' and 'Health' sections of the trip notes for important information about this.
Accommodation
- Hotel San Agustin Paracas or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Lima - Guided tour, including San Francisco Monastery, the Catacombs and Central Market
- Lima - Alameda de Chabuca Granda - Street food tasting
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Later in the afternoon on arrival to Nazca, visit the viewing platform of the famous Nazca Lines. Etched into the landscape some 22 kilometres north of Nazca, are an assortment of perfectly straight lines, trapezoidal zones, strange symbols, and images of birds and beasts on a giant scale. To get some perspective on the Nazca Lines, you can choose to go on a flight tour of the area this afternoon. The flight is 30 minutes long and covers the 26 figures scattered throughout the desert. The flight can be bumpy and is only recommended for those with a strong stomach. There have been safety issues with these flights in the past, so we have done our best to research the best operators in the area to recommend to you. Our tour leaders are prohibited from recommending or booking through any other operators.
Tonight enjoy an included pachamanca dinner, which is a traditional way of baking (usually meats) using hot stones.
Accommodation
- Hotel Majoro or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Ballestas Island - Excursion
- Nazca Lines - Viewing tower
Optional Activities
- Nazca - Flight Over the Nazca Lines - USD100
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
NAZCA FLIGHT:On occasion Nazca lines flights may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Should this happen on the day you have booked this activity, it will be rescheduled to the following morning (Day 4 of this trip).
Accommodation
- Hotel Casa Andina or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Nazca Lines flight:As mentioned on day 3, on occasion we may need to schedule Nazca Lines flights for this morning. Should this happen, we will have an early lunch in Nazca before boarding the bus for Arequipa. In this case there will be toilet stops, however the next meal break will be in the evening for dinner.
Accommodation
- Hotel Casa Andina or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Arequipa - Walking tour
- Arequipa - San Ignacio Chapel Visit
- Arequipa - Santa Catalina Monastery
- Arequipa - Cathedral Visit
Optional Activities
- Arequipa - Juanita Museum - PEN20
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Casa Andina or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Eco inn or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Colca Canyon - Guided visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Hacienda Puno or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sillustani archaeological site (time permitting)
- Colca Canyon - Condor view point
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Suasi Island Eco lodge or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
- Lake Titicaca - Floating Uros islands & Taquile island visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Luggage for the next 2 days:Due to a luggage restrictions on the boat you will be required to pack all necessary items for the next 2 days into a smaller bag. The remainder of your luggage will be stored securely in the Puno hotel.
Accommodation
- Suasi Island Eco lodge or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
- Suasi Island - Cultural Museum Visit
- Suasi Island - Spectacular Sunset over Lake Titicaca, Picnic & Drinks
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel Hacienda Puno or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
THE INTREPID FOUNDATION:Puno is the hometown of Kusimayo, a terrific local organisation that works towards improving the living condition of children and adults affected by poverty and malnutrition in this part of the world you have now come to know so well. Take a look at this short video for more information on this wonderful project: https://vimeo.com/154422813.
Kusimayo is supported by the Intrepid Foundation which means you can donate to this project and your donation will be match dollar for dollar by the Intrepid Group. Please donate through our website: theintrepidfoundation.org/projects/kusimayo.
After settling in at the hotel, embark on a casual walking tour around the hotel and Plaza de Armas with your tour leader. This tour will also include a visit to the Cusco Cathedral with specialist guide, Professor Alfredo Hinojoza Galvez. Alfredo was born and raised in the city of Cusco. He studied at the National College of Sciences of Cusco and later studied Administration and Tourism at National University San Antonio Abad del Cusco (NUSAAC), where he graduated in 1983. He then pursued a Masters in Colonial Art at NUSAAC. Alfredo has served as Dean of the College of Tourism and he has published eight books, including a guidebook for the Touristic Tour of the East Valley. Alfredo is considered an icon among colonial art and tourism students for his impressive career spanning 30 years. Alfredo will be uniquely placed to offer special insight into Cusco Cathedral, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Accommodation
- Hotel San Agustin Plaza or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cusco - Orientation Walk
- Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
If you are hiking the Inca or Quarry Trail a pre-trek briefing will be held this evening. Your tour leader will provide details of the exact time and place.Accommodation
- Hotel San Agustin Plaza or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cusco - Coricancha Temple entrance fee
- Cusco - Walking Tour: Main Square, San Blas Square, Coricancha Temple, San Pedro Market & 12 Angle Stone.
Optional Activities
- Cusco - Inca Museum - PEN10
- Cusco - Pre-Colombian Museum - PEN20
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Luggage for the next 2 days:Due to a luggage restrictions on the train to Machu Picchu you will be required to pack all necessary items for the next 2 days into a smaller bag. The remainder of your luggage will be stored securely in the Cusco hotel.
Trek:
On this trip you can opt to hike the Classic Inca Trail on days 13-16 (or the Quarry Trail on days 13-15, if Classic Inca Trail permits are sold out)
These treks are within the abilities of most reasonably fit people, but you must be prepared, as you will hike up to 45 kilometres often on steep terrain. The maximum altitude reached on the Inca Trail is of 4,200 metres above sea level and each day's journey generally consists of seven hours of walking (uphill and downhill), with stops for snacks and lunch.
Please see the below link for more information:
http://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-au/peru/classic-inca-trail
Just outside of Cusco you will visit the fortress ruins of Sacsayhuaman. The massive stone blocks forming the settlement's walls give you an idea of the ingenuity and military strength of the Incas. After this included visit you will continue on to the Sacred Valley. Treasured for its climate, fertile land and the Urubamba (Sacred) River, the valley has long been the main source of food in the high Andes. You'll visit a nearby community and enjoy a local lunch and perhaps visit some local workshops. If it happens to be market day, wander the stalls in search of hand painted beads and ponchos. Enjoy lunch with the community. Afterwards, continue on to the town of Ollantaytambo. Built over an ancient Incan settlement, this is one of the few places where the Incas defeated the Spanish. The ruins of the upper terraces offer great photo opportunities over the town below.
Accommodation
- Tanupa Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sacred Valley - Local community visit and lunch
- Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass, which gives you access to 16 archaeological sites in/around Cusco (Transport & guides are not included)
- Cuzco - Guided visit of Sacsayhuaman
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
LUGGAGE:Due to a luggage restriction of 7kg per person on the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes you will be required to pack all necessary items for the next 3 days into a smaller bag. The remainder of your luggage will be stored securely in the Cusco hotel.
Accommodation
- Hotel Hatun Inti or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Guided visit of Machu Picchu
Optional Activities
- 1 Day Inca Trail - Add-on (Must pre-book) - USD380
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
TREK:The 1-day Inca Trail is a great option for those wanting to experience trekking in Peru, but don’t want to do the full 4 days. This trek starts in from the train station known as “Km 104” and after a steep ascent, it follows the last portion of the Classic Inca Trail.
Trekkers enter Machu Picchu at the sun gate in the afternoon where there will be some time to take a few photos before taking a short bus ride down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night and re-join the rest of the group. This trek is subject to permit availability, must be pre booked and will incur a surcharge. The price listed below is in USD, however will be paid in your local currency.
Please see the below link for more information: peregrineadventures.com/en-au/peru/one-day-inca-trail
SAFETY:
Notes: Due to Peregrine's internal safety policy, our leaders are specifically prohibited from recommending or assisting with booking trips to the mountaintop ruins of Wayna Picchu.
Accommodation
- Hotel San Agustin Plaza or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Second visit of Machu Picchu (unguided)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
MACHU PICCHU:According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.
The first bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu departs at 5.30am. The estimated arrival time is between 6-6.30 am The sun rises at Machu Picchu at approximately 5.30 am, therefore it's not possible to be there in time for sunrise.
Accommodation
- San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Antigua Mira Flores or Similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
18 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinnersTransport
Plane, Private vehicle, TrainAccommodation
Hotel (16 nights), Eco Lodge Feature Stay (2 nights)Included Activities
- Complimentary airport arrival transfer
- Lima - Leader led orientation walk of Miraflores
- Lima - Guided tour, including San Francisco Monastery, the Catacombs and Central Market
- Lima - Alameda de Chabuca Granda - Street food tasting
- Ballestas Island - Excursion
- Nazca Lines - Viewing tower
- Arequipa - Walking tour
- Arequipa - San Ignacio Chapel Visit
- Arequipa - Santa Catalina Monastery
- Arequipa - Cathedral Visit
- Colca Canyon - Guided visit
- Sillustani archaeological site (time permitting)
- Colca Canyon - Condor view point
- Lake Titicaca - Floating Uros islands & Taquile island visit
- Suasi Island - Cultural Museum Visit
- Suasi Island - Spectacular Sunset over Lake Titicaca, Picnic & Drinks
- Cusco - Orientation Walk
- Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee
- Cusco - Coricancha Temple entrance fee
- Cusco - Walking Tour: Main Square, San Blas Square, Coricancha Temple, San Pedro Market & 12 Angle Stone.
- Sacred Valley - Local community visit and lunch
- Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass, which gives you access to 16 archaeological sites in/around Cusco (Transport & guides are not included)
- Cuzco - Guided visit of Sacsayhuaman
- Guided visit of Machu Picchu
- Second visit of Machu Picchu (unguided)
Dates & availability
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Important notes
HIKE ADD-ON:
Your tour itinerary includes taking the train to Machu Picchu however on this trip you can opt to choose between either of the below hiking options if you advise at the time of booking:
- The 4 day /3 night Classic Inca trail (Days 13 to 16 of this itinerary) - Included in the tour price if advised at the time of booking.
- The 1-day Inca Trail (day 15 of this itinerary) - Additional surcharge required.
Important: Both options are subject to permit availability. Please contact your booking agent if you would like to book either option (the default itinerary does not include hiking, so you must specifically request this)
More information on the treks can be found in the itinerary section your trip notes.
PASSPORT DETAILS REQUIRED
Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
On June 30th Peruvian authorities released a new list of regulations for visiting Machu Picchu, which came into effect from July 1st. The main points impacting our visits are:
1. There is now a time limit to visit the citadel. Morning visitors must exit the site by 12pm and afternoon visitors by 4.30pm
2. Visitors must complete a designated circuit, in one direction only. Exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted and, upon completion, visitor must exit the site. There is no allowance for personal exploration of the site any longer.
Overall we support these changes as they help preserve this invaluable archaeological site. While this somehow restricts the amount of time we are now allowed to spend in Machu Picchu, we’ll do all possible to maximise your time there and make sure you have the best possible experience.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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