Basix
Explorer
Peru Essentials
21 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
48 reviews
21 days
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
La Paz, Bolivia
Trip Code
GGBL
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
20 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
Train, Public Bus, Private Vehicle
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (15 nights), Overnight bus (1 night)
From £1,962(21 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
The giant desert inscriptions of the Nazca Lines are one of Peru's great unsolved mysteries. See them up close on foot or treat yourself to a bird's eye view on an unforgettable scenic flight.
Wake early and observe Andean condors taking to the sky during their morning routine as the sun rises in the spectacular Colca Canyon.
A trip through Peru wouldn't be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. With three different options to choose from, how you experience this lost Inca citadel is up to you.
Experience a memorable night with a local family on Lake Titicaca, taking you right to the heart of island traditions.
Consider extending your stay in Bolivia to peer through the shop windows of the Witches’ Market in La Paz, witnessing a world of unique, curative traditions.
At Tuuur we’ve always been about balancing profit and purpose and as the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all – join us and help make the world a better place.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip involves a lot of travel on local buses, including some long trips and an overnight bus. Bus travel can be tiring, but is also a great opportunity to relax, rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy the scenery.
There will be a lot of hiking and walking on this trip – especially if you choose the Inca Trail option – so travellers require at least a moderate level of fitness. There are a few different trail options to suit your interests and physical capabilities. Please bring durable footwear suitable to hiking. See the ‘What to Take’ section of the Essential Trip information for more details.
You’ll be staying in some very basic group accommodation with shared facilities, especially along the Inca Trail and on Lake Titicaca (where there are drop toilets and no showers). This is all part of the adventure of being among nature.
This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Health’ section of the Essential Trip information for more details.
According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations all visitors to Machu Picchu must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. We will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same route, but be aware that it is possible that members of the same group might be visiting Machu Picchu on a different circuit and not be together during this visit. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.
Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.
Inca trail permits are limited and it's important to book well in advance, read more about it here: https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/inca-trail-permit/ https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/inca-trail-permit/ (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/inca-trail-permit/)
Itinerary
Deep dive into a Peruvian way of life
Get Peru-sing through this South American hotspot on a 21-day in-depth adventure. Setting off from its cultural capital in Lima, pass by Paracas, Nazca and Arequipa on your way to Cusco. Watch condors ruling the skies of Colca Canyon, follow the ancient trade route of the Inca on the legendary Inca Trail – finishing up at the breathtaking Machu Picchu – and get a feel for local life on a visit to Lake Titicaca's floating islands. You’ll have a knowledgeable local leader alongside to point you in the right direction, plus plenty of freedom to tailor your own adventure, so what’s stopping you from getting a feel for Peru?
Inclusions
Meals
20 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
Train, Public Bus, Private Vehicle
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (15 nights), Overnight bus (1 night)
Included activities
Lima - Leader-led walking tour
Colca Canyon - Guided tour
Colca Canyon Condor Visit
Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
Machu Picchu - Entrance & Guided visit
Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
Optional activities
Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
Lima - Museo de la Nacion (entrance fee) - PEN10
Lima - Banco Central de Reserva Museum (entrance fee) - PEN5
Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
Lima - Gold Museum Entrance Fee - PEN35
Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery, including The Catacombs Admission Fee - PEN20
Paracas - National Reserve guided tour - PEN97
Ballestas Islands - Guided tour - PEN97
Nazca - Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (excluding 77 PEN Taxes at Nazca Airport) - USD100
Arequipa - Juanita Museum Admission Fee - PEN20
Arequipa - Santa Catalina Monastery Admission Fee - PEN45
Colca Canyon - La Calera hot springs - PEN15
Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
Cusco - City tour and 4 Ruins (min 4 people) - USD40
Cusco - Pre-Colombian Museum - PEN20
Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) - PEN10
Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
La Paz - Visit to the 'Witches Market' - Free
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Important notes
1. 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. 
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 18 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for bus, train or flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
4. Inca Trail permits are sold on request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Tuuur will endeavor to secure a permit for you.
If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Inca Quarry Trail instead:
The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February you will be automatically booked to hike the Inca Quarry Trail.
5. While hiking the 4 Day Inca Trail or the 3 Day Inca Quarry trail portion of this trip you may be joined by other Tuuur and/or non-Tuuur travelers.
6.Please be aware that while hiking the Inca trek or the Quarry trek that you may be joined by passengers from other Tuuur groups.
7. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), there is a small chance you may be the only traveller on your selected option.
8. At the time of booking, please advise whether you would like to hike the classic Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the train. When available, the Inca Trail will be booked as the default option. Fees may apply to changes made after the time of booking, and availability on other options cannot be guaranteed.
9. This trip includes a domestic flight within Argentina. The luggage allowance is 15kg for check in luggage. Should you wish to bring heavier luggage it is possible to increase your allowance by paying a fee at check in.
10.According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations all visitors must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. For travellers who opted for the Quarry Trail and Train options we will endeavour to get everyone traveling in a group on the same circuit. Regardless of the circuit you will enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the site. Travellers completing the Inca Trail will enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate with a guided tour taking place on circuit 5.
Reviews (46)
5 stars
40
4 stars
5
3 stars
1
Molly
May 16, 2025
Hassan
May 01, 2025
Alessandra made our Peru Essentials trip unforgettable. Her passion, deep knowledge, and warm personality brought every site to life. She went above and beyond to ensure everyone felt included and informed. A true professional and a fantastic ambassador for Intrepid—she turned a great trip into an extraordinary one.
James
Jan 22, 2025
A great trip across Peru, our tour leader Carmen Solis was awesome, always made us settle in, give tips and help us sort out and answer all our random questions.
Steven
Jan 18, 2025
Kurt
Dec 26, 2024
Great guides they truly seem to care about the quality of their work
Waqar
Dec 26, 2024
Our visit to Peru was exceptional due to our superwoman tour guide, Tina. There was nothing this lady could not do from helping retrieve lost passports, to helping get visas to locating forgotten items behind in hotels!! She was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Peru as would be expected but then also answered our questions with further depth.
Warren
Dec 01, 2024
A great experience and the Intrepid guide(s) were knowledgeable, compassionate and extremely personable. I would highly recommend travelling through Peru and Bolivia with Intrepid.
Rose
Nov 15, 2024
Enjoyed every minutes of it. And it wouldn't be possible with our amazing leader
Roxanne
Oct 30, 2024
Essential Peru is a must do for anyone wanting to explore South America further. From the food to the areas we explored, we were just blown away by everything. The Inca trail was part of the trip and although it was challenging it is definitely worth it. The campsites were really lovely and the staff spoiled us so much. Our leader was Carmen and she was amazing, definitely made our time in Peru easier and stress free. Would 100% recommend.
Isabella
Oct 20, 2024
Wonderful and busy trip. Physically very demanding (as stated). Long commutes on comfortable buses (as stated). We saw so much in a short time. Our tour leader was excellent. The itinerary is accurate.
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