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Climb the legendary Inca Trail to the cloud forest citadel of Machu Picchu, dine the traditional way at a ceremonial Pachamanca feast, or take an optional flight over the Nazca Lines—the adventure is yours to choose! With the services of a CEO and your accommodation and transport taken care of, this trip offers great value as it introduces the region’s main sights, providing plenty of flexibility so you can experience an adventure you'll never forget. Take a trip that's packed with just the essentials—15 days of maximum Peru at minimum cost. This is everything you imagined Peru would be—and more!
- Duration: 14 Days
- Guaranteed Departure: Yes
- For lovers of:
- Physical rating: Demanding
- Accommodation standard: Not Rated%
- Your Guide: English speaking
- Supplier Tour ID: SPPS.F/201947
- Starts: Lima, Peru
- Finishes: Cusco, Peru
- Age requirement: 18 - 39
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Arrive at any time.
Arrive in Lima at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. (Check-in time is approx 3pm.)
After the welcome meeting, head out for an optional dinner at a nearby local restaurant. If you arrive late, no worries, the CEO will leave you a message at the front desk.
Day 2: Lima/Nazca
Head south to Nazca, home to one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries: the Nazca Lines.
Day 3: Nazca/Arequipa
Enjoy free time to explore Nazca and opt for a flight over the famous Nazca Lines. Assist in preparing a traditional "Pachamanca" dinner, before the overnight bus to Arequipa.
Day 4: Arequipa
Wander the streets of the 'white city' and opt to visit the Catalina Convent.
Those with an interest in history and architecture may opt to visit the Convent of Santa Catalina, which offers a brief respite from the outside world and a unique view into a bygone way of life. Other optional excursions include rafting and mountaineering.
For spicy food lovers, checking out one of the “Picanterías” is a must. Arequipa has a variety of regional food: alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces.
Day 5: Arequipa/Chivay
Take a full-day tour of the spectacular Colca Canyon, and soak in hot springs. Admire the pre-Inca terraces and the wildlife, including alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas.
Enjoy an overnight excursion to the impressive Colca Canyon - one of the deepest canyons in the world. Stop in fascinating villages and at “miradors” (scenic lookouts), where, with a little luck, visitors can see Andean condors soaring over the majestic Andes. Other unusual animals that can be spotted in the Andean landscape include three different species of camelids: alpaca, llama, and vicuña.
Day 6: Chivay/Cusco
Set out looking for the majestic soaring condors. Return to Arequipa, and catch an overnight bus to Cusco.
Get an early start to go on the lookout for flying condors. Travel from Chivay town to a condor viewpoint to admire these magnificent birds in the air. On the way back, stop by some local villages and viewpoints to see old terraces and sections of Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world. Take a lunch break and return to Arequipa in the afternoon. Get ready for the overnight bus to Cusco.
Day 7: Cusco
Free day in Cusco to explore. Choose to pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class. Opt to go mountain biking, whitewater rafting, or just relax in a café.
Day 8: Cusco/Ccaccaccollo
Visit the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op in the Ccaccaccollo community. Learn a few Quechua words while staying overnight with one of the families and taking part in daily activities.
Meet the women at the weaving co-op and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them. Get to know your Quechua family and take part in a variety of community activities before a soccer match with the locals.
Day 9: Ccaccaccollo/Ollantaytambo
Embark on an optional Sacred Valley tour that includes markets and Incan historical sites and ruins.
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas. Opt to take a Sacred Valley tour and visit the impressive Pisac ruins, the colourful artisan market (market days only), and the large ruin site of Ollantaytambo that lies adjacent to the town of the same name. Catch our breath at Ollantaytambo and prepare for the hike the next morning.
Day 10: Ollantaytambo/Cusco
Return to the Sacred Valley with the CEO to explore the sites of the Maras Salt Mines and the ancient Incan agricultural terraces of Moray. Continue on a scenic drive through small villages and stunning views of the Andean countryside. Stop for a picnic lunch at Piuray Lagoon and opt to explore by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Return to Cusco for the evening.
Leave the hikers to start their trek and head out to explore Moray and Maras ancient Incan ruins. Enjoy a scenic drive through Andean farmland on the way to Piuray Lagoon.
Day 11: Cusco
Enjoy a free day to explore the city or take advantage of the many optional activities available.
Day 12: Cusco/Aguas Calientes
Travel by van to Ollantaytambo to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes.
Day 13: Aguas Calientes/Cusco
Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Opt to visit the Inca Bridge before returning to Cusco in the evening.
Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with the guide. Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins followed by free time to explore. When ready, head back down by bus to Aguas Calientes to meet up with the rest of the group and take a train back to Cusco.
Day 14: Cusco
Depart at any time.
- Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your Hands-On Moment: Pachamanca, Nazca Your Discover Moment: Cusco Your Local Living Moment: Ccacaccollo Community Homestay, Ccaccaccollo Your Big Night Out Moment: Cusco
- Pachamanca ceremony (Nazca)
- Overnight Colca Canyon excursion
- Cusco Stay
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Homestay experience and visit to a G Adventures-supported women's weaving project (Ccacaccollo)
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Simple hotels (10 nts), overnight bus (2 nts), homestay (1 nt)
- 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- Hiking, local bus, train
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides
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- Conquer the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Meet the locals at an Andean homestay
- Spot soaring condors at Colca Canyon
- Sip pisco sours and eat ceviche.
This is my second trip with G Adventures Advenures and overall it was a great journey. There was a lot of freedom to do activities with the group or break away on your own and I had a wonderful experience.
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Very well organised whilst maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. Allowed me to do a lot more in 2 weeks than I would have been able to do for myself.
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Excellent as usual! Both tour leaders (we had a trainee as well as a tour leader) were exceptionally knowledgeable, social, outgoing, informative, friendly, and accommodating! Our supplemental tour staff was just as friendly and informative (porters, Inca trail, etc.). They made this an unforgettable trip and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone!
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I had the time of my life with great fellow travelers and tour guides. Everyone was so helpful, caring, and fun loving. The accommodations, transportation, and itinerary worked for all of us.
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Our tour leader Roberto Manco was amazing. His commitment to the group was unparalleled and his passion for Peru shone through everything he did. We were all pleasantly surprised to find out that our accommodation was nowhere near "shoestring" standards, comfortable beds, friendly staff and clean and inviting rooms. I had a fantastic time and wouldn't hesitate booking through G Adventures again.
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This was a fantastic trip for us. The Peru on a Shoestring tour allowed a fair amount of flexibility to do what we wanted along the way, while still providing enough structure to ensure that we never had to waste our own time making hotel or bus reservations. We are recommending this experience to all our adventurous friends with a heart for sustainable travel.
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I had an absolutely incredible trip, seeing more of the country than I thought possible across 2 weeks. Our tour leader was outstanding - With great leadership from our tour guide we were able to relax and spend our time enjoying the country, meeting people and forming a good friendship with our fellow passengers. Additionally G Adventures local tour guides for day trips were friendly and highly knowledgeable.
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Our trip to Peru was even better than I imagined. Everything was so well thought out and the whole tour ran really smoothly. The rest of our group were fantastic and we had an awesome time.
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