Peru Explorer
Peru Explorer
Peru Explorer
20 Days Starting and ending in Lima
Visiting: Peru
Tour operator:
Tour code:
APX
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This trip is the perfect introduction to the highlights of one of the most diverse countries in South America. Our journey contrasts the incomparable scenery of the Andes with the lush vegetation of the Amazon Rainforest and the barren coastal desert, as we discover ancient cities, buildings and fortresses of colossal size in settings of amazing beauty. For walking enthusiasts, there is the option to trek the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (at no extra cost), and for wildlife lovers, the Ballestas Islands and the rainforest are sure to impress.
Highlights
Itinerary
The trip starts in Lima today. Those on the group flights from London will
arrive this evening.
*Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar) *
Day 2
This morning has been left free, and in the afternoon we have a tour of
colonial and modern Lima. We visit the modern residential district of Lima
(Miraflores) and then explore the historic downtown area. We will discover
the Plaza de Armas, Basilica Cathedral and Government Palace (also known as
‘House of Pizarro’) as we take a short walk around the colonial centre.
We also visit the incredible Church of San Francisco, which houses one of the
oldest libraries in the Americas and sits on top of a labyrinthine network of
catacombs complete with the bones of Lima's wealthy eighteenth and
nineteenth-century residents. This evening perhaps take a visit to the
bohemian district of Barranco for some local food and a taste of the famous
Pisco Sour, Peru’s national cocktail.
*Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)*
Day 3
We drive south from Lima today, visiting Pachacamac Fortress, the Incas'
largest coastal city at the time of the conquest. We stop for a late lunch of
fresh seafood at the attractive fishing village of Pucusana. A stroll around
the village where the day's catch is displayed at the market and a boat ride
around the bay (subject to weather conditions) offer great insight into a
contemporary Peruvian coastal town. We continue southwards to the town of
Paracas where we spend the night.
*Hotel Gran Palma (or similar) *
Day 4
A short drive from our hotel takes us to the port where we board our launch
to visit the world famous Ballestas Islands, a national park which contains
the highest concentration of marine birds in the world. There are sea lions
and numerous species of birds on the islands themselves and we will also see
the Paracas Candelabra, a curious pre-Inca design on the cliff-face, only
recognisable from the sea. We drive on to Nazca in the afternoon and visit
the viewing platforms close to the famous Nazca Lines. These are one of the
world's great archaeological mysteries, consisting of enormous figures and
patterns etched in the desert sand, best seen from the elevated position of
the viewing platforms. There should also be time for optional visits to the
nearby Antonini archaeological museum, a pre-Inca cemetery, or the Nazca
Aqueduct, which gives an insight into the Nazca civilisation's ingenious
subterranean irrigation system.
*Hotel Alegria (or similar)*
Day 5
Today we have a long drive (approx. 10 hrs) south through the coastal
desert, with great views of the dunes and the Pacific Ocean, before heading
inland into the mountains on the road to Arequipa.
**Su Majestad* Hotel (or similar) *
Day 6
Arequipa is a beautiful colonial city set in a fertile oasis, with many
historic buildings characterised by their use of white volcanic stone from
the nearby Misti, whose dramatic cone dominates the town. In the morning we
visit the Cathedral, the Jesuit church of La Compañia and the huge serene
convent of Santa Catalina, which retains typical features from the 16th and
17th centuries and is a peaceful refuge for the nuns who still live here
today.
*Su Majestad Hotel (or similar) *
Day 7
A spectacular drive takes us to the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest
canyons. On the way we pass volcanoes and will almost certainly see vicuñas
in the highlands before we cross the Patapampa Pass (4910m) which marks the
descent into the canyon itself. As we take the winding road to the town of
Chivay, the sight of the green and fertile terraces of the canyon is a real
contrast to the barren yet beautiful landscapes we have travelled through for
most of the day. This is the first day where we may feel the effects of
altitude – although we do not linger at the top of the pass, we spend the
night at around 3600m and so it is a good idea to take it easy on arrival.
*Hotel Pozo del Cielo, Chivay (or similar) *
Day 8
Today we have a full day exploring the Colca Canyon, starting with a visit to
the Cruz del Condor, the best place to see the mighty Andean condors as they
glide on the morning thermals. We also see ancient tombs which line the
cliffs on one side of the canyon, and make stops in the villages along the
way which house several interesting colonial churches. Depending on time, we
may take a short walk along farm tracks to learn more about the agriculture
on which the whole region is dependent. After a long day of exploration, an
optional visit to the hot springs near Chivay this evening is a wonderful way
to relax.
*Hotel Pozo del Cielo, Chivay (or similar) *
Day 9
Today, we drive through the mountains to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
En route we have opportunities to see vicuñas before making a short visit to
the unique burial towers (chullpas) of Sillustani. The altitude here (3800m)
makes physical effort very tiring and the evenings are very cold, so taking
time to rest is highly recommended.
*Casona Plaza Hotel (or similar)*
Day 10
We have a full day on and around Lake Titicaca today. In the morning we will
visit a local market in Acora district where the local people still use a
barter system to trade with those living in other areas of the high plateau.
Later in the morning we will take a short walk designed to highlight the
culture of the indigenous groups who inhabit the small villages alongside
the lake. In the afternoon we will visit the descendants of the Uros People
who live on islands of floating reeds; fishing and weaving remain key
elements of their daily life and save for a few modest concessions to the
modern world, they still live as their ancestors would have done centuries
ago. These days, however, tourism has had a significant economic impact on
their lives.
*Casona Plaza Hotel (or similar)*
Day 11
Today we take a bus ride across the altiplano, the high plains separating the
Andes from the jungles. Although it is quite a long drive (approx. 10hrs), it
is often spectacular. There are scheduled stops to visit some of the most
interesting sites to help break up the day and appreciate the immensity of
the Andean landscapes. These include La Raya Pass (4313m), the watershed and
geographical dividing line between the altiplano and the Vilcanota Valley
where Raqchi Inca temple is located. We arrive in Cuzco (3400m) in the
evening.
*Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)*
Day 12
This morning we will travel to nearby Piuray Lagoon where will spend the
morning paddle-boarding surrounded by stunning scenery of mountains and
terraced fields.
In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a cooking class, learning all about different
plants and herbs used in Peruvian cooking and how to prepare traditional food
and drink. After our lesson we’ll have time to enjoy a well-deserved dinner
we’ve prepared ourselves!
*Meals Included -*/ breakfast/
*Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)*
Day 13
Today has been left free for exploring Cuzco, one of South America's most
beautiful cities. The Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people-watching,
and Qorikancha – the Sun Temple, located in the Santo Domingo Church and
monastery, are worth a visit. The Mercado San Pedro is the place to try some
local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs
such as alpaca jumpers and scarves.
Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman
where the Inca armies made their last stand against the Conquistadores. Cuzco
is also the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and should you wish to
visit the sites, your leader can help organise an excursion, including Pisac
Market (optional).
If you fancy something more active then there are an array of other optional
activities available from Cuzco including mountain biking or a combination of
via ferrata and zip-lining in the Sacred Valley.
*Meals Included* /- breakfast/
*Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)*
Day 14
This morning, we head out of Cuzco to the colourful handicraft market at
Pisac, at the entrance to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After some free
time to browse the stalls, we take a walking tour of the huge Inca ruins
above the village. We enjoy a traditional 'pachamanca' lunch today, whereby
the food is wrapped up and buried in the earth along with hot stones which
cook it slowly. After lunch, we drive down the valley to Ollantaytambo where
we visit the immense Inca fortress and explore the unique village whose
streets still follow the pre-conquest grid plan.
*Meals Included* - /breakfast, lunch/
*Tunupa Lodge (or similar)*
Day 15
We have a free morning to explore Ollantaytambo and then make the scenic
train journey through the Urubamba River Valley to Aguas Calientes (approx.
1 hour 30 minutes), arriving in the afternoon. The rest of the day has been
left free to explore at your own leisure. Aguas Calientes is a bustling town
with a large handicraft market (although prices here are at a premium in
comparison to Pisac or Cuzco markets).
There are some nearby hot springs, however they are often overcrowded and the
water quality suffers as a result, therefore we don't recommend visiting
them.
*Meals Included* - /breakfast/
*Hotel Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar)*
Day 16
In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as
early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu;
only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding
road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be
hours long.
Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the
ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain
backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas
left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city
lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the
American historian Hiram Bingham.
New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the
three possible visiting slots, Exodus will purchase the morning slot from
06:00 until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of
four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will
also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the
most comprehensive route. Please note that exploring the ruins involves a
reasonable amount of walking, including up and down steep and uneven stone
steps.
We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue
by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins).
*Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)*
Day 17
We have a full-day tour combining the highlights in and around the city.
Outside the town are Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where
the Inca armies made their last stand against the Conquistadores. In the
centre, we visit the Plaza de Armas, and many examples of the famous Inca
stonework like those of the Qoricancha Sun Temple located in the Santo
Domingo church and Monastery.
*Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)*
Day 18
We leave Cuzco early today as we take a short flight to Puerto Maldonado
(please note that due to poor flight availability, on some departures this
flight will connect through Lima and be considerably longer), a small town in
the rainforest. On arrival, we transfer to the dock for a boat trip to our
lodge in the Tambopata Reserve – this journey takes between 1½ and 3
hours depending on which lodge we stay in. On the way, we may see caimans,
river turtles and waterfowl. After some time to settle in, we will take a
short walk along the forest trails near the lodge to look for nocturnal
animals.
*Cayman Lodge Amazonia (or similar) *
Day 19
Activities today will vary according to the lodge used, but will generally
include a mixture of walks along the forest trails, time spent in canoes to
explore rainforest lakes, and the opportunity to go high into the canopy for
a completely different view of the forest. The resident guides are normally
around in the evening to answer questions, and from some lodges (not all)
there is the option to take a canoe out onto the river in search of caiman by
torchlight.
*Cayman Lodge Amazonia (or similar)*
Day 20
We return to Puerto Maldonado after breakfast today and board our flight back
to Lima, where the trip ends. Depending on our arrival time, there may be
time for last-minute shopping or optional excursions this afternoon before
the group flights depart in the evening.
**
Day 21
The group flights arrive in London this afternoon.
**
What's Included
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Inca Trail permit (if Inca Trail option selected at time of booking)
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Arrival & departure transfers
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All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 3 dinners included. Additional meals on Inca Trail option.
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All accommodation
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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All transport and listed activities
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Food
All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 3 dinners are included in the price of the
tour. For those doing the Inca Trail (or Moonstone) trek option, all meals,
some snacks, and drinks/water are included during the trek.
Drinking water is included throughout the holiday as the tap water in Peru is
not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on the trek
and elsewhere your leader will buy large water containers for you to refill
your bottle from.
Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffet-style affairs, usually including
bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a cooked dishes, sometimes
fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. Regrettably, we can not guarantee that
wheat/gluten-free products will be available for breakfast in all locations -
if you have an intolerance you may wish to bring your own breakfast food.
Dinner in Nazca is a traditional 'pachamanca' dinner, cooked on hot coals in
the ground. Where lunch and dinner is not included we'll visit a variety of
cafes and restaurants. For some of the days with long drives, we may take
some packed lunches to eat at a scenic spot along the way.
Peruvian cuisine has developed a reputation for its flavours and originality
and it’s well worth trying out a few of the local delicacies. Amongst these
are ceviche (a spicy dish of seafood or fish marinated in lime juice), lomo
saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry) and various hearty soups such as
the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy (guinea pig),
Alpaca steak, and to drink, the national beverage: Pisco Sour.
Accommodation
This itinerary has a diverse blend of three-star hotels, each reflecting the three different regions this trip takes in. Those who select the Inca Trail option will be treated to our fully supported camp services with cooks, guides and porters. The normal accommodations used on this trip can be found on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are some of the notable places we stay.
Arequipa: Su Majestad Hotel (nights 5-6)
This boutique hotel is in a beautiful mansion from 1801, its construction based on the white ashlar and volcanic stone with which the old colonial buildings were built. Pots of geraniums and other plants adorn the passages and patios highlighting the architectural beauty and unique charm of the hotel.
Optional Inca Trail: Full-service camping (nights 12-14)
Those who choose to take our classic four-day Inca Trail trek sleep among Andean peaks and wake to mountain views. It’ll be the adventure of a lifetime for some, but not one without comforts. We sleep and dine in good-quality four-season tents. We also have a toilet tent set up both in camp and during lunch stops. We stay in official campsites where additional bathroom facilities are available.
Amazon: Cayman Lodge Amazonia (nights 18-19)
Cayman Lodge Amazonia, near the Tambopata National Reserve, offers simple all-inclusive comfort in an Amazon jungle setting. The wooden lodges are built with the type of thatched roofs typically seen in the surrounding jungle communities. The rooms are simple, and all have private bathrooms with running water at room temperature. Electricity is available in the main lodge during mealtimes, while in the bedrooms, lighting is provided by lanterns or candles. There is also a restaurant serving delicious local cuisine, a bar for refreshing drinks, and guided excursions to explore the rich biodiversity of the surrounding rainforest.
Worth knowing
Single rooms can be booked for an optional single supplement, subject to availability at the time of booking (excludes two nights in the Amazon lodge). If you are taking the Inca Trail option, this supplement covers the cost of a single tent for the duration of the trek.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 25, 2024Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.