Adventurous Peru

a journey back in time through ruins and tradition

Adventurous Peru
Peru desert dunes
Peru mountain landscape
Peru desert oasis
Peru mountains
Peru ruins
Peru desert
Peru mountains view
Peru ruins landscape

Peru hits different. One day you’re sleeping under the stars in the middle of the Peruvian desert, the next you’re climbing through ancient stone cities in the clouds. It’s raw, beautiful, exhausting, and completely worth it! This isn’t just a trip to Machu Picchu. It’s a deep dive into this beautiful culture.

£1960
Duration: 15 Days
Trip type: Cultural/Adventure
Physical Rating:
Group size: 4-12 people
Excellent, our travellers feedback on Trustpilot

Some Highlights

Placeholder - meet the women of a local Quechua community
Placeholder - sleep under the stars in the Peruvian desert
Placeholder - sand-board right next to an Oasis
Placeholder - visit the ancient city of Machu Picchu
Placeholder - enjoy relaxing hot springs in lush nature
Placeholder - scenic train ride through the Andean mountains
Placeholder - navigate the highest lake in the world
Placeholder - experience an ancient Inka barbecue
Placeholder - visit a new Rainbow mountain

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Lima

Today you arrive in Lima. You'll receive more information on the airport transfer in our WhatsApp group the week before the trip starts. Today is entirely up to you, so if your flight gets you in early enough, it's a great chance to explore on your own before the trip kicks off properly. Miraflores and Barranco are both worth a wander for their coastal views, street art and cafés, and the historic centre is great if you're after some colonial architecture. And since you're in one of the best food cities in South America, it would be a shame not to try some ceviche while you're here. In the evening we'll head out for welcome dinner together, so if you can, try to land before 5pm to make it on time. If your flight arrives later, don't worry, we'll still be there to pick you up, you'll just join the rest of the group afterwards.

Included meals: Dinner
Included transport: Airport transfer

Day 1

Day 2 – Huacachina

Today we make our way to the desert of Ica, south of Lima. The bus journey is around 4-5 hours. After we'll head to the glamping company's office, where you can drop your bigger bags and then will be transferred to our campsite in the middle of the desert. Don't worry, you will sleep on actual mattresses tonight! First, we ride on sand buggies through the dunes and then we will enjoy some sandboarding with a view of the city of Ica. Before going back to the camp, you will see one of the best sunsets in the middle of the dunes. Back at the campsite, a delicious barbecue awaits us. We will enjoy our meal and some drinks before dancing the night away by the bonfire.

Included meals: Breakfast & dinner
Included transport: Bus to Huacachina
Included activities: Dune buggy ride, sandboarding, sunset in the dunes, glamping in Huacachina

Day 2

Day 3 – Huacachina/Cusco

After a good night's sleep in the desert, enjoy a relaxed morning before we make our way back to Lima and to the airport. Flights to Cusco run frequently throughout the day, so you'll book this one yourselves, it gives you more flexibility and usually works out cheaper than a fixed group booking. We'll help you pick a flight that lines up with the rest of the group, so we can share the transfer from Huacachina to the airport and everyone lands in Cusco around the same time. Once you touch down, we'll be there to take you straight to the hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Bus to Lima, transfer to Lima airport, transfer from Cusco airport to hotel (Flights to Cusco booked individually, we advise on timing/routing)

Day 3

Day 4 – Cusco

Once the centre of the Inkan Empire, Cusco is the base for everyone who wants to visit Machu Picchu and in general a city worthwhile exploring. Today you will have the whole day to acclimatise to the altitude and wander through the ancient streets of Cusco. There are many things to see: the scenic Plaza de Armas, bustling San Pedro Market, and the hip district of San Blas with incredible views of the city.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4

Day 5 – Cusco/Capuliyoc

This is a big day, so we start early. In the morning we head to a small Quechua community outside of Cusco, where some of the women will show us how to prepare Pachamanca, an 8000-year-old cooking technique. Hot rocks are heated up over hours and then potatoes, meat and vegetables are cooked covered with the hot stones. While the stones are doing their magic, we will get to know our hosts and learn about their traditional dresses, how they make the garments and what a day in the life of a Quechua woman looks like. After our meal, we transfer to Capuliyoc, the starting point of the Choquequirao trek, where we get our first look down into the canyon before settling in for the night.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Included transport: Transport to the Quechua community, transfer to Capuliyoc
Included activities: Pachamanca Inkan Barbecue & weaving demonstration

Day 5

Day 6 – Capuliyoc → Marampata

Today the trek really begins. We descend steeply down into the Apurímac canyon, cross the river, then climb back up the other side to Marampata. Pack light and bring what you can carry yourself, our mules take care of the tents and camp equipment so your load stays light. It's a tough first day, but the views down into the canyon make every step worth it.

Today's stats: ~17 km | ↑ 1,430 m | ↓ 1,380 m, ~9-11 h

Included meals: Breakfast & dinner
Included activity: Choquequirao to Machu Picchu hike

Day 6

Day 7 – Marampata → Choquequirao

This is a shorter, relaxing day compared to yesterday. We hike about 2 hours to the ruins of Choquequirao in the morning, and have time to spend the rest of the day exploring the site together. Unlike Machu Picchu, we’ll probably have this place almost completely to ourselves. Tonight is a proper expedition night: we camp right next to the ruins, cook together and watch the sun go down behind the mountains.

Today's stats: ~7-8 km | ↑ ~350-400 m | ↓ ~200-300 m, ~2h hiking + 3-5h exploring

Included meals: Breakfast
Included activity: Choquequirao to Machu Picchu hike

Day 7

Day 8 – Choquequirao → Maizal

This is a big day. We’ll leave the ruins of Choquequirao behind and descend all the way down toward Río Blanco before climbing steadily back up to Maizal. It is a long day, but the cloud forest and scenery changes make it also a stunning one.

Today's stats: ~17 km | ↑ ~1,400 m | ↓ ~1,300 m, ~8-9 h

Included meals: Breakfast & dinner
Included activity: Choquequirao to Machu Picchu hike

Day 8

Day 9 – Maizal → Yanama

Today we cross our highest point of the trek, Abra San Juan, at around 4,150 m. The landscape opens up here, and after the pass it's a long descent into the village of Yanama, where we spend the night.

Today's stats: ~11 km | ↑ 1,185 m | ↓ 610 m, ~7-8 h

Included meals: Breakfast & dinner
Included activity: Choquequirao to Machu Picchu hike

Day 9

Day 10 – Yanama → Llactapata

We’ll transfer from Yanama by vehicle to Lucmabamba, which will take around 3hrs. As we drop in altitude, coffee plantations start to appear and the landscapes starts changing into more lush green nature. From Lucmabamba we will hike up to Llactapata, where on a clear day you can catch a glimpse of Machu Picchu.

Today's stats: ~7-10 km hiking | ↑ ~750-850 m | ↓ ~100-200 m, ~4-5 h + ~3 h transfer

Included meals: Breakfast & dinner
Included transport: Transfer from Yanama to Lucmabamba
Included activity: Choquequirao to Machu Picchu hike

Day 10

Day 11 – Llactapata → Aguas Calientes

Our last trekking day. We descend from Llactapata down to Hidroeléctrica, then follow the train tracks along the river into Aguas Calientes. Time for a well-earned shower, some proper food, and an early night, since tomorrow we finally reach Machu Picchu.

Today's stats: ~17 km | ↑ ~350-400 m | ↓ ~1,000 m, ~6-7 h

Included meals: Breakfast
Included activity: Choquequirao to Machu Picchu hike

Day 11

Day 12 – Machu Picchu

Today is the day! We will get up quite early at around 4 am and start our hike up to Machu Picchu. We will arrive at the entrance about at 6 am and enjoy the morning by exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site first by ourselves and during the later morning also with our guide. Shortly before lunchtime, we will make our way back to Aguas Calientes, where you have time for lunch and exploring the town before we take the most scenic train back to Cusco. Be prepared for the views!

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Train & bus back to Cusco
Included activities: Machu Picchu with guide, scenic train ride

Day 12

Day 13 – Cusco

Take in the experiences from the last days and relax during a free day in Cusco. You can either go and get a massage or, if you still want to see more ruins, explore Sacsayhuamán - a complex with lots of temples. One of the temples is dedicated to the sun god Inti and was used as a location for Inkan ceremonies.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 13

Day 14 – Cusco

A final free day to explore Cusco at your own pace, whether that's wandering San Blas, hunting down the best pisco sours, or just resting your legs after a week on the trail. In the evening we head out to a goodbye dinner at our favourite restaurant in the city.

Optional today: Palcoyo rainbow mountain, from 40€ depending on how many people are going

Included meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 14

Day 15 – Cusco

This is goodbye! Today you depart at any time. If you don't leave too early, we can still have breakfast together. We hope you had an incredible two weeks filled with adventures and insights into the Peruvian culture and people.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Airport transfer

Day 15
Map of Peru showing a travel route connecting Lima, Ica, Huacachina, Cusco, Arequipa, and Puno, with Lake Titicaca near Puno
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Accommodation

11 Nights in a hostel
1 Night in tent
2 Sleeper buses (180° and 160° incline seat)

Food

14 breakfasts
4 lunches
4 dinners

Activities

Welcome Lunch & Goodbye Dinner
Ceviche Food Experience
Sandboarding & Dune Buggies
Camping with BBQ in the desert
Boat & Island Tour at Lake Titicaca
Machu Picchu with Guide
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains
Pachamanca Inkan BBQ
Relaxing at Hotsprings
Train back from Machu Picchu

Transport

Airport transfers
All transport between cities and to and from activities.

International Flights
Visa fees (If you require a visa for Peru)
Any meals not mentioned in the included section
Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses
Travel Insurance

Can I sign up as a solo traveller?

Of course! You can sign up for our trips whether you are solo or with a group of friends. Our groups are a mix of open-minded people, who usually become friends within a second.

Does the tour include flights?

As people will join our tour from different parts of the world, we decided it is easier to not include the flights in the tour. We are happy to help you find the best flight deal for your trip. Just let us know in the notes section, when booking the tour and we will get in touch with you to help you find your flights. In general, we usually use Skyscanner to find the best deals.

If my flight has a layover in the USA or Canada, do I need a visa?

US: Even when transiting through the US, you still need ESTA. Make sure to apply in advance as it may take up to 72 hours for the application to be processed. Check the official ESTA website for more information: https://esta-center.com/en/transit/index.html

Canada: For Canada you don’t need to apply for the normal visa, but will need a certain kind of transit visa depending on your country of origin. Check for more information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit.html

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before the trip?

Yes, it is obligatory for everyone who joins us to have travel insurance before departing. We can help you find the right travel insurance for you. Just contact us via Email or WhatsApp.

Airport transfers: how does it work?

When you book your flight, let us know your flight number and the time you arrive as soon as possible. That way we can stay on track for any delays of your flight. When you arrive at the destination airport, one of us will be there to welcome you and bring you to the car that will take you to the hostel. At the hostel, there will also be one of us to help you with the check-in.

What type of luggage should I bring?

To make the trip easier for you, a backpack or duffle bag is a must. We are heading to some quite remote locations, where access with rolling suitcases is quite hard. Think of minivans with little space, 4x4s, motos or even boats. Ideally, this bag should not be bigger than 40l, which is also hand luggage size and will save you some money on your flight to the destinations.

Is it a tiring trip?

We guess you know you are not signing up for a two-week spa holiday with us. Peru is an incredibly beautiful country but it is also incredibly big, so you will have a couple of longer bus journeys, for example between Ica and Arequipa or between Copacabana and Cusco. But we promise: every long bus is totally worth the journey!

How is the accommodation throughout the trip?

We are going to stay at hostels because of the more social atmosphere. Unless you book private accommodation, you will be in a 6-bed dorm with mainly private bathrooms and only with people from our group. (The room capacity may differ depending of the place we're staying at). If you want to know more about the accommodation, just contact us via Email or WhatsApp.

Can you provide me with a list of the hostels we will be staying at?

Sure, just get in touch via Email or WhatsApp and we can send you a list of the hostels. In very rare cases it might happen though that we will stay in another hostel. If you wish, we can also inform you about any changes, if they come up.

Is Peru a safe country?

Peru is a safe country to travel. As everywhere in the world it is important that you take the usual safety precautions. Especially in bigger cities, as there is always the risk of pickpocketing.

Can I drink the tap water?

In Peru it is advised not to drink any tab water at all throughout the country. Bottled water is easily available in supermarkets, corner shops, hostels and even from street vendors.

What should I pack?

To make it easier for you to know what to bring, we have put together a packing list for this trip here.

In case you have further questions don’t hesitate to contact us via Email or WhatsApp.

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