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Tap into the essence of South America on this comprehensive adventure through three enthralling countries
A continent of astounding natural beauty, vibrant culture and momentous history, South America never fails to enchant. Commencing the journey in atmospheric Quito, take in the breadth of Ecuador's landscapes–lake-topped volcanoes, Andean highlands and hamlets hemmed in by forest–before crossing into Peru. Become acquainted with the cultural riches of Lima, then enter the wilds of the Amazon with a two-night stay in Puerto Maldonado. Be awed by the grandeur of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, meet the Uros people of Lake Titicaca and tour the Witches Market regular tourists miss with your expert local leader.
- Code
- PSQPC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 4 reviews
- Ages
- Min 16
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 16
Why you'll love this trip
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Enjoy a night in a converted 16th century residence in Quito's historical centre.
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Explore Cuenca from a different perspective while taking a tour with a true Ceuncano, you will discover parts of Cuenca not many other travellers have the opportunity to see.
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Experience the untouched world of the Amazon rainforest. Stroll along jungle trails on the lookout for monkeys, parrots, otters and caymans, and sleep in a nature lodge lit by candles and kerosene lamps.
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Enjoy a 2 night feature stay in a restored Hacienda nearby Cotopaxi volcano. Hike through Cotopaxi National Park towards the volcano's perfectly cone-shaped peak, looking out for wildlife along the way.
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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.
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The floating reed islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca are a marvel of concept, construction and history.
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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.
Is this trip right for you?
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Due to the high altitude of some of the places we visit on this trip, some travellers might experience altitude sickness. Please see the ‘Fitness’ section of the Trip Notes for more information about this condition.
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Accommodation in the Amazon is likely to be more basic than what you might be accustomed to. Rooms are unpowered and the showers are cold water only. On the plus side, you'll have private en suites, romantic kerosene lamps and mosquito nets. Please remember that this is an extremely remote part of the world (which is what makes it so special).
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The Amazon rainforest can be hot, humid and sticky. Please pack light cotton clothing and insect repellent.
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Itinerary
Notes: Due to the high altitude of many of places we visit including Quito, Lima and Cusco, some people can suffer altitude sickness regardless of age, gender or fitness. Please see the 'Fitness' sectionin the trip notes for detailed information.
Accommodation
- Patio Andaluz or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Accommodation
- Hato Verde Hacienda or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
- Quito - Historian led 'Old Town' city tour
- Quito - Compañia de Jesus visit
- Quito: Equator line museum visit
- Equator Line - Museum visit
- Equator Line - Pan Ice Cream 'Demonstration and Tasting
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hato Verde Hacienda or similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Your next destination is Banos. From Cotopaxi National Park the drive will take approximately 1.5 hours, including a stop. This town is a traveller's secret delight. It sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by green mountains, filled with waterfalls and hot springs. Arriving at approximately 4 pm you'll have some free time, perhaps head to the hot springs for a soak.
Accommodation
- Sangay Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cotopaxi - National Park visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Sangay Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Banos - Devil's Cauldron visit
Optional Activities
- Banos - Steam baths - USD15
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
SAFETY:Due to Peregrine's safety policy our leaders are only allowed to recommend or assist with activities that have been through our safety assessment.
Accommodation
- Carvallo Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Carvallo Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cuenca - Leader Led Orientation walk
- Cuenca - Historian led tour of old Cuenca
- Cuenca - Turi view point
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Antigua Miraflores or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tips for services you receive as part of your trip including drivers, specialist local guides & porters (excluding your tour leader)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Antigua Miraflores or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery including The Catacombs
- Complimentary airport arrival transfer
- Lima - Guided tour Down town, Cathedral of Lima and The Catacombs
- Lima - Alameda de Chabuca Granda - Street food tasting
Optional Activities
- Lima Home Cooked - Urban Adventures - USD74
- Lima - Night Bites & Sights - Urban Adventures - USD45
- Lima Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventures - USD45
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
•Please advise us of your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to departure for the complimentary airport transfer. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).•Some departures of this trip are part of a combination trip. As such, some of your fellow travellers may have started their trip 8 days ago in Quito, Ecuador on South America in Depth (PSSIC).
•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. Urban Adventures: If you are interested in any of the Urban Adventures listed you will need to contact Urban Adventures directly here: www.limaurbanadventures.com or + (51) 994 688552.
Accommodation
- Posada Amazonas lodge or similar (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
LUGGAGE:Due to boat transfer to the jungle lodge the maximum weight limit for the Amazon is 12kg.
ACCOMMODATION:
Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas lodges are both owned by the indigenous Ese-Eja community of Infierno, the lodges both offer a 30-metre canopy tower that provides spectacular views of the vast expanses of forest, Tambopata River and endless opportunities to witness Amazonian wildlife. Rooms at the lodges are simple but comfortable. They are built using local materials such as bamboo, adobe mud and palm trees. Rooms, don't have regular doors for the entrance and bathroom, instead traditional curtains are used. Each room opens out to the rainforest, providing a true jungle experience. Rooms are equipped with flushing toilets, showers (on occasions water may be cold due to remoteness of lodge), mosquito nets and kerosene lamps. Electricity and internet are only available in the common areas at designated times. Please note that drinks and tips are not included.
Accommodation
- Posada Amazonas lodge or similar (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cusco - Orientation Walk
- Cusco - Coricancha Temple entrance fee
- Cusco - Cathedral tour with Specialist Historian Guide
- Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee
Optional Activities
- Cusco - Pre-Colombian Museum - PEN20
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cusco - Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
- Cusco - Inca Museum - PEN10
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
LUGGAGE: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.
Accommodation
- Hotel Tika Wasi Valley or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass, which gives you access to 16 archaeological sites in/around Cusco (Transport & guides are not included)
- Sacred Valley - Local community visit and lunch
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hotel Hatun Inti or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- 1 Day Inca Trail - Add-on (Must pre-book) - USD380
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
TREK:On this trip you can opt to hike the 1-day Inca Trail. It’s 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 sungate 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.
Please see the below link for more information: peregrineadventures.com/en-au/peru/one-day-inca-trail
SAFETY:
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
- San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Machu Picchu - Entrance and Guided Tour
Optional Activities
- Machu Picchu Site Museum - PEN25
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 5.30 am. 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)
Optional Activities
- Cusco - Pisco Making - Urban Adventures - USD36
- Cusco - Stand Up Paddle Boarding - USD75
- Cusco - Visit a local Musician's house - USD40
- Cusco - Art Trail workshop - USD59
- Sacred Valley - Via Ferrata & Zipline - PEN265
- Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking - USD120
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Hacienda Puno or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
TRANSPORT:Bus from Cusco to Puno: This journey is on a direct bus service there are no toilet stops, however there is a toilet on board the bus. The bus company does provide you with a snack upon boarding, however we do recommend packing a few extra snacks and a drink bottle in your day pack for the ride.
Accommodation
- Suasi Island Eco lodge or similar (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
LUGGAGE: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 - Spectacular Sunset over Lake Titicaca, Picnic & Drinks
- Suasi Island - Cultural Museum Visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
LUGGAGE: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
- Hotel Hacienda Puno or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
LUNCH:The lodge will provide you with a packed lunch today. It will be available from about 12 pm, you may choose to enjoy this prior to departing the island or during the boat journey.
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: 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
Accommodation
- Hotel Rosario or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- La Paz - Tiawanaku archaeological site and museum tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
This morning at about 9 am you'll embark on a city tour. Begin with a dramatic ride on the world’s highest 'urban' cable car, up at 13,000 feet connecting La Paz with its twin city El Alto, a challenging urban environment that is a mix of shacks, half-finished buildings and church spires. Here you will visit some craft markets, selling goods made of alpaca wool, leather and other traditional materials, before visiting the Mercado de Hechiceria or Witches' Market. Browse the weird and wonderful stalls that sell everything from potions to incantations made from herbs. This witches market is rarely seen by tourists and is much more authentic than the smaller witches market in La Paz. Just outside the market is a street with dozens of types of doctors or shamans that, for a price, can tell of your future health, love, or career. Reboard the cable car to the south of the city and take a walking tour of the extraordinary landscape of Moon Valley. This isn’t a valley, but a maze of canyons and colossal clay spires. These rugged oddities, caused by erosion, make for staggering views. Stop at Mirador Killi Killi for one of La Paz’s most impressive viewing points. Next head to the main square and Plaza Murillo. After lunch, the rest of the day is free. When the sun sets and the temperature drops, join the locals in seeking warmth in a bar or restaurant.
Accommodation
- Rosario Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please be aware that the order of your tour may change slightly according to weather, however you will still visit everything mentioned in the itinerary.Optional Activities
- La Paz - To 3,600 Metres, and Beyond - Urban Adventures - USD41
- La Paz - Food with Altitude - Urban Adventure - USD57
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
22 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinnersTransport
Bus, Plane, Private vehicle, Train, Motorised CanoeAccommodation
Hotel Feature Stay (1 night) Hotel (16 nights), Hacienda Feature Stay (2 nights), Jungle Lodge Feature Stay (2 nights), Eco Lodge Feature Stay (2 nights)Included Activities
- Quito - Historian led 'Old Town' city tour
- Quito - Compañia de Jesus visit
- Quito: Equator line museum visit
- Equator Line - Museum visit
- Equator Line - Pan Ice Cream 'Demonstration and Tasting
- Cotopaxi - National Park visit
- Banos - Devil's Cauldron visit
- Cuenca - Leader Led Orientation walk
- Cuenca - Historian led tour of old Cuenca
- Cuenca - Turi view point
- Tips for services you receive as part of your trip including drivers, specialist local guides & porters (excluding your tour leader)
- Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery including The Catacombs
- Complimentary airport arrival transfer
- Lima - Guided tour Down town, Cathedral of Lima and The Catacombs
- Lima - Alameda de Chabuca Granda - Street food tasting
- Cusco - Orientation Walk
- Cusco - Coricancha Temple entrance fee
- Cusco - Cathedral tour with Specialist Historian Guide
- Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee
- Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass, which gives you access to 16 archaeological sites in/around Cusco (Transport & guides are not included)
- Sacred Valley - Local community visit and lunch
- Machu Picchu - Entrance and Guided Tour
- Suasi Island - Spectacular Sunset over Lake Titicaca, Picnic & Drinks
- Suasi Island - Cultural Museum Visit
- La Paz - Tiawanaku archaeological site and museum tour

Important notes
HIKE ADD-ON:
Your tour itinerary includes taking the train to Machu Picchu however on this trip you can opt to hike:
- The 1-day Inca Trail (day 16 of this itinerary) - Additional surcharge required.
Important: This option is subject to permit availability. Please contact your booking agent if you would like to book this option (the default itinerary does not include hiking, so you must specifically request this)
More information on this trek can be found in the itinerary section your trip notes.
BOLIVIAN VISA FOR U.S CITIZENS
Nationals from the United States need a visa to enter Bolivia and you we highly recommend you obtain this visa in advance from your nearest Bolivian consulate or Embassy. Not obtaining the visa in advance is likely to cause long delays at the border.
Please see the visa information on these trip notes for more information.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
A Single Supplement to have your own room is available on this trip however excludes nights 10 & 11 (Amazon Jungle) where you will be in shared accommodation.
COMBINATION TRIP:
This trip is a combination of two of our most popular departures. As such the make-up of your group and your tour leader may change on day 9.
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. Tickets are now only valid only for one entry, that means that passengers cannot leave the site and re-enter as we have in the past.
2. Once the passengers begin on a chosen circuit (there are 3 different ones) they cannot walk backwards and once they finish the circuit they must leave the site. They cannot explore afterwards.
3. The two allotted times to visit are 6am-12pm/ 12-4.30pm
4. It will be mandatory to have a guide (Machu Picchu guide, not our Leaders) to visit the site. However, this rule can’t be applied as there are not enough official guides to cover the large amount of people visiting so authorities are being flexible.
These new regulations are affecting how much time our passengers can spend in Machu Picchu, in the past, after a 1-2.5 hour tour passengers could stay longer to explore the site unguided, this is not possible anymore.
Our only alternative is to make passengers explore the upper part of Machu Picchu (Sun gate and Inka Bridge) before their guided tour starts (so about 2 hours before meeting the guide). Your Tour Leader will provide more information on what the group options are at the Welcome meeting.

Essential trip information
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