PERU01
Discover the hidden empire of the ancient Incas
from $2,995
TRIP STYLE: SIGNATURE
Ready to set sail to the land of llamas and Machu Picchu? Peru has got it all – from breathtaking views that will leave you speechless to trendy neighborhoods that will have you grooving like a local.
We’ll follow in the footsteps of the Incas, bike along some epic trails, and explore the coolest parts of town. And when it’s time to refuel, get ready for a taste explosion. The local cuisine is a mouthwatering blend of Inca, Japanese, and Spanish flavors that will have you saying “holy guacamole” with every bite.
But wait, there’s more! Peru’s diverse landscape features everything from deserts, rainforests, snow-capped mountains, and colorful cities that will leave you in awe. You’ll come face-to-face with all sorts of friendly creatures, like llamas, howler monkeys, and exotic birds. And did we mention seals? Because yeah, Peru’s got those too.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s pack our bags and say vamonos – let’s go! We’ll guide you every step of the way to make sure your adventure in Peru is unforgettable.
Start/end point
Quito, Ecuador
activity level
Level 2 & 3: Moderate
group size
Small group 6 - 16
Avenue of the Volcanoes
Visit the last refuge on Cotopaxi, Ecuador's most famous and active volcano
Cloudforest of Mindo and Bellavista
Let hummingbirds drink from your hand and spot dozens of different birds and animals on easy hiking trails
Jungle Adventures in the Amazon
Rappel down canyons, jump into waterfalls, go whitewater rafting and canoe into a local community
Life of the Hacienda
Live the cowboy life with horses and wild bulls on the slopes on volcanoes, while experiencing a real working ranch
Biking Through the Mountains
Bike down through forgotten mountain routes into the cloud forest
Historic Center of Quito
Stand on the equator, and discover a UNESCO World Heritage city like no other, nestled amongst mountains and valleys, with views that never end
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
An insider's guided tour of the historic city centre
Experience the life of a cowboy during your stay at our working ranch
Tackle the whitewaters of the world's most famous jungle
Learn the customs of the local indigenous tribes
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS TRIP
Best of Ecuador
Experience cities, mountains, rainforest and jungle all in one trip
Delicious Halal Ecuadorian cuisine
Experience cities, mountains, rainforest and jungle all in one trip
Wildlife
Observe wildlife up close in the rainforest and jungle
Adventure
Experience white water rafting, canyoing, horeseback riding and mountain biking
Choose Your Own Adventure
Choose Discovery options if you prefer them on adventure activity days
Amazing Locals
Spend time with our awesome bilingual guides, and meet local communities
ITINERARY
Arrive into Lima at anytime. Our guides will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for some much-needed rest.
(D)
Enjoy exploring Lima at your leisure today. You will be staying in Miraflores, one of the trendiest districts of Lima and close to all the hotspots. Choose either a Lima city tour, or a visit to the Lima Mosque this afternoon. Spend the evening relaxing, walking by the beach or checking out the artsy district of Barranco and get a lot of rest in anticipation of the next leg of your journey.
(D)
Get picked up from your hotel and hop on a flight to Cusco. Select a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best views, as the approach to Cusco is magnificent! Our friendly staff will greet you at Cusco Airport with some fresh cocoa tea and take you to your hotel. There’s plenty to see and do in Cusco, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in.
After you settle into your hotel, we go on a city tour of Cusco, including a visit to the Sun Temple and a lookout point just outside the city from where you can get a magnificent view of all of Cusco. Take it easy today and let your body get used to the altitude.
Pack a little day bag for your adventure today. You will be picked up in the morning for a full day tour of the Sacred Valley – you can opt for either the bus tour or the bike tour. We will take you to the little village of Chinchero, the center of weaving in Peru. Local women put on a weaving demonstration and show how they produce different colors for the wool they spin and weave. It is possible to see how the wool is washed, dyed and spun. You can watch them spin and create alpaca jumpers right in front of you. The ladies dress in traditional costume, and are happy to display how the weaving works. They are super friendly and will afterwards sit and drink mate de coca with you.
After this colorful start to the day, it is time to choose – bus or mountain bike – and head off down the Sacred Valley to the spectacular salt mines of Maras and the intriguing Incan site of Moray. We will end the day in the town of Ollantaytambo at the Hotel El Albergue, a boutique hotel with its own organic farm and coffee processing plant. Explore the town with its cobblestone streets and the nearby ruins, or simply relax and enjoy the farm and its animals.
Choose to dine at the El Albergue’s in house restaurant with meals prepared with fresh ingredients from the farm, or have a meal at any of the cosy restaurants in town.
Today you choose your own adventure: enjoy the morning at our organic countryside farm in Ollantaytambo in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Explore the on-site coffee roasting plant, or explore the nearby Incan ruins. Or participate in a Peruvian cooking class. Or choose the one day hike to Machu Picchu.
Enjoy the day at your leisure and get ready for the early morning train ride to Machu Picchu.
Have a hearty breakfast and then take an early train to the town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu. From there we take a 20 minute bus ride up a winding mountain road to the gate of Machu Picchu, and a few steps later you will finally come face to face with this famous wonder of the world!
Your private guide will give you a detailed interpretive tour of this ancient site. You’ll also have the option of taking the short but spectacular hike to the old Inca bridge, before heading back to town for lunch and then a train ride back towards Cusco. Spend the evening dining and relaxing in Cusco.
A bittersweet day where we leave the colorful lively Cusco nestled in the mountains, to board a plane and fly to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Amazon.
A brief van ride will take us from the airport to the river, where we will cruise down to our luxury lodge in the middle of the jungle.
Enjoy a welcome drink and soak in the sounds of the wild, and then follow a guide for a short trek to see the wildlife up close, followed by dinner and a night cruise to spot caymans in the dark.
Hike through rainforest and glide across Lake Sandoval. Scale the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway for panoramic views and observe wildlife activity under darkness exploring the Rainforest by Night
Set off by boat from your lodge until you arrive at the airport in Puerto Maldonado to take your departure flight. Our guide will meet you in Lima and escort you to your hotel, leaving you free to explore the bustling Lima for the rest of the day.
Enjoy the day strolling through the city at your leisure, with a walk to the nearby Barranco district and maybe catch the sunset along the coast. You can simply explore and absorb the vibe of the city to your heart’s content. Or check out the ancient ruins right in the heart of the city. Enjoy a delectable lunch, along with some of the best ceviche in South America. You can also choose to enjoy a local cooking experience with a Peruvian family. In the afternoon you can opt for a Lima Bike Tour or shop for last minute mementos.
Today we get transported from the thriving metropolis of Lima… to the wildlife sanctuary of the Palomino Islands. We get picked up from our hotel and taken by private transport to the Port of Callao, where we board a private yacht and sail off into the Pacific, sunbathing on the deck while enjoying panoramic views of Lima, and witnessing the diversity of birds flying by. Soon we reach the Palomino Islands, home to a colony of 7,000 sea lions, barking eagerly as our boat comes into view. Here it is that you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to don a wetsuit and jump into to ocean and swim right up to the rocks, where the sea lions will greet you and perform tricks, as curious about their visitor as you are of them. Guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience!
Later in the day, get transported to Lima International Airport for your flight home. Most flights to North America depart late night and land in the morning.
WHAT’S INCLUDED/EXCLUDED
Private guides
Private transport
Airport transfers
Accommodation
Meals
Permits
Activities
International flights
Visas
Travel & Medical Insurance
ESSENTIAL INFO
Trip Style
Active Adventure. Several physical activities, doable by a person of average fitness with no prior training. Alternate discovery options available.
Group Size
Small group 6 - 16 people. Shared occupancy with same gender if traveling solo.
Age limits
Open to all ages
Weather
5° - 25° Celsius in Quito and Cotopaxi / 20° - 32° in the Amazon / Mix of sun and rain.
Entry and Visa requirements
Visa-free entry for most travelers.
Currency
US Dollars. Visa and Mastercard widely accepted.
Health
No health warnings. Ducorol recommended prior to travel.
Time Zone
GMT -6
Electricity
110V, US/Canada plugs
from CAD $2,995