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Premium Peru

Sale!

Premium Peru

Was From $ 6,415 AUD
Now From $ 5,774 AUD
Sale!

Description

Welcome to Peru, where colourful cities rub shoulders with wild rainforests and ancient monuments. Join a local leader to discover the Incan, indigenous and modern sides of Peru on an immersive nine-day Premium journey. From the colonial charm of Lima to the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest, the historically rich city of Cusco and the spectacular Incan ruins of Machu Picchu – this adventure takes you straight to the heart of it all. Take time to soak up quiet moments of local life and get beneath the surface of a remarkable country that’s anything but ordinary.

Trip Name
Premium Peru
Last Updated
2024-04-22
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Sleep surrounded by nature in the Amazon rainforest in a private thatched cabana at your magnificent feature stay lodge. Located in the heart of a 380 hectare-private ecological reserve, this unique resort has an on-site team of expert local guides.
  • Take your taste buds on a trip, from the market stalls of Lima and one of the city’s best restaurants, to a traditional Andean lunch in the Sacred Valley.
  • Get to know local culture during interactions with Willoq community, let a local leader show you the country’s best, and explore with expert guides in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
  • Take in unbeatable views of the Andes as you travel towards Machu Picchu on a 360 train, offering high domed windows and an open-air observation carriage to immerse yourself in the incredible landscape.
  • Experience the country’s best sights during two guided visits to remarkable Machu Picchu and an unforgettable day of wildlife activities in the Amazon Jungle.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Awamaki. Donations help them empower indigenous women artisans in Peru with skills training and job opportunities that provide financial independence.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. DEMONSTRATIONS & STRIKES: Demonstrations and protests, often in response to local labour or social issues, occur regularly in Peru. National strikes can be called at short notice and can cause disruption to road networks leading to inevitable itinerary changes. We will do everything possible for these changes to be at little or no extra cost; however in such circumstances we find that travellers may need to use their contingency funds to cover the costs of itinerary changes.

Day 1 - Lima
Welcome to Peru! Your adventure begins in Lima, where you will be collected from the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your small group of fellow travellers and your local leader for a 2pm welcome meeting. Afterwards, head out to get to know the city on a walking tour of downtown Lima with your leader. Admire the colonial buildings of Plaza Mayor and visit the eerie catacombs of the Saint Francis Monastery, then head away from the tourist trail to Alameda de Chabuca Granda – an area popular with the locals. Stop off at the colourful street food stalls to sample some of Lima’s favourite sweet treats, like Peruvian donuts and mazamorra morada; porridge made from purple corn. But be sure to leave some room as tonight’s dinner is really something special. Lima has one of the world’s most revered culinary scenes, and this evening you’ll head to one of the city’s best restaurants with stunning views surrounded by ancient ruins. The creative chef offers up traditional Peruvian dishes with modern twists in a one-of-a-kind environment.
Day 2 - Amazon Jungle
Today you will catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado. On arrival in the afternoon, take a bus to the port where you will board motorised canoes and head into the Amazon rainforest. Keep an eye out for macaws, herons, alligators and capybaras along the way. Here you’ll find Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion, your Feature Stay for the next two nights. Built in the heart of a 380 hectare-private ecological reserve, this unique resort is focussed on the conservation of local habitats and features 25 private cabanas plus an on-site team of expert local guides. Enjoy lunch at the lodge then explore the Concepcion Trails with an expert guide. As darkness begins to fall, join a guided Twilight River boat ride and see how many caimans you can spot lurking on the riverbanks. Dinner is a la carte and draws on local Amazon ingredients to create a meal to remember.
Day 3 - Amazon Jungle
After breakfast, board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly glide across Lake Sandoval, keeping an eye out for red howler monkeys, giant river otters, and colourful macaws along the way. After lunch you may like to walk along the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, a 344 metre network of suspension bridges that take you high above the forest floor to some of the best places to spot toucans, woodpeckers, monkeys, and three-toed sloths. Join a night walk to discover the nocturnal activity in the surrounding areas or book into the lodge’s spa (own expense), before you meet your group for dinner.
Day 4 - Cusco
This morning you will travel back to Puerto Maldonado, then take a flight to Cusco, the former centre of the Incan Empire. Arrive in the early afternoon and settle in to your hotel, then head out with your leader for an orientation walk to familiarise yourself with one of South America’s oldest city and get used to the high altitude. Stop by the stunning Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city, flanked with colonial buildings and ornate churches. Visit the World Heritage-listed Cusco Cathedral, built on top of an Incan palace and one of the city's greatest repositories of art. Here you will meet with a local historian guide who will provide expert insight on the colonial art, architecture and history of this magnificent building and the city surrounding it. The evening is free for your own discoveries – Cusco offers no shortage of excellent restaurants, and as night falls the city is swept up in a flurry of live music and late-night street food stalls.
Day 5 - Cusco
Today you will discover more of Cusco’s charms on a walking tour with your leader. Visit the Coricancha Temple, once the most important temple in the Incan Empire. Formerly plated in thick gold, the Spanish built a Dominican church atop its walls. Meet with a local guide to uncover the secrets of the temple and the ancient civilization that first built it. Afterwards, head to the San Pedro market, where you can practice your bargaining skills and take some colourful pictures, then swing by the Plaza de Armas for another look at the marvellous cathedral. The afternoon is free for further explorations – speak to your leader about the option to arrange a cooking class at a local restaurant using fair trade products, or the half-day Inkilltambo trek, exploring an archaeologic site on the city’s outskirts.
Day 6 - Ollantaytambo
This morning, travel through the Sacred Valley towards Ollantaytambo, passing maize crops and fertile terraces carved high into the valley walls. Stop by the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where the massive stone blocks that form the walls of this site provide an impressive picture of how greatly developed Inca engineering was. Visit the Willoq community to gain a greater insight into the local lifestyle with a visit to a local workshop where you’ll learn about traditional textile techniques that are used by the community – and you’ll even have the chance to make your own bracelet with the local women! Sit down for a festive pachamanca lunch. Aftwerwards, visit AMA, a local restaurant specializing in organic produce, and learn how they support single mothers in the Sacred Valley while enjoying a snack and drink. Continue on to Ollantaytambo, a magnificent example of Incan urban planning and the perfect warm up for Machu Picchu. Explore Ollantaytambo's archaeological site with an expert local guide who will discuss the evidence of the Incas' engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals, dams on the Urubamba River, imposing sets of terraces and centres of worship dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth). Late afternoon head to the hotel in Ollantaytambo and settle in for night.
Day 7 - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Today, travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes in style, boarding the 360 Machu Picchu Train. High, domed windows offer up unbelievable views of the Andes, allowing you to sit back in comfort and take it all in. The train also features an open air observation carriage so you can completely immerse yourself in the remarkable landscape – have your camera ready as this scenic journey will be one worth remembering. Disembark the train in Aguas Calientes, quickly drop your belongings at your hotel, then take a short bus ride up the winding road to Machu Picchu, where you will be joined by a guide who will take you through the ruins and tell you stories of its history and the ancestral people of the region. The true purpose behind Machu Picchu may always be a mystery, since no historical records of the complex exist. Most archaeologists, however, believe it to be the 15th-century headquarters of Emperor Pachacuti. Your leader can advise how to get the most out of your visit. Later, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night before heading back up to Machu Picchu first thing in the morning for your second visit.
Day 8 - Cusco
Rise before the sun and take the winding road back up to incredible Machu Picchu. On your second visit, explore more of the extraordinary architecture of the many temples, palaces and living quarters. Looking at Machu Picchu as it sits against a backdrop of forested mountains is a truly breathtaking experience. Its mortar-free design is particularly earthquake resistant and the stones are so precisely cut that, to this day, not even a knife fits between them. You'll have time along the way to take any photos you may have missed yesterday. Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, then catch a standard train back to Ollantaytambo. From here, you will make the drive back to Cusco for the evening.
Day 9 - Cusco
Your Amazon and Inca adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Cusco, additional accommodation can be arranged in advance (subject to availability.)

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
05-05-202413-05-2024AUD $ 6,116-
11-05-202419-05-2024AUD $ 6,057-
18-05-202426-05-2024AUD $ 6,860-
31-05-202408-06-2024AUD $ 6,605-
01-06-202409-06-2024AUD $ 5,774-
08-06-202416-06-2024AUD $ 6,605-
29-06-202407-07-2024AUD $ 6,985-
06-07-202414-07-2024AUD $ 6,470-
13-07-202421-07-2024AUD $ 6,225-
28-07-202405-08-2024AUD $ 6,165-
10-08-202418-08-2024AUD $ 6,165-
17-08-202425-08-2024AUD $ 6,855-
31-08-202408-09-2024AUD $ 7,110-
07-09-202415-09-2024AUD $ 7,125-
14-09-202422-09-2024AUD $ 6,665-
22-09-202430-09-2024AUD $ 6,925-
28-09-202406-10-2024AUD $ 7,385-
04-10-202412-10-2024AUD $ 6,595-
12-10-202420-10-2024AUD $ 6,665-
18-10-202426-10-2024AUD $ 6,415-
25-10-202402-11-2024AUD $ 6,350-
01-11-202409-11-2024AUD $ 6,225-
24-11-202402-12-2024AUD $ 6,165-
01-12-202409-12-2024AUD $ 6,410-
13-12-202421-12-2024AUD $ 6,105-
29-12-202406-01-2025AUD $ 6,105-
04-01-202512-01-2025AUD $ 6,405-
18-01-202526-01-2025AUD $ 6,405-
25-01-202502-02-2025AUD $ 6,070-
22-02-202502-03-2025AUD $ 6,405-
01-03-202509-03-2025AUD $ 6,405-
15-03-202523-03-2025AUD $ 6,405-
22-03-202530-03-2025AUD $ 6,405-
29-03-202506-04-2025AUD $ 6,525-
06-04-202514-04-2025AUD $ 6,655-
20-04-202528-04-2025AUD $ 6,655-
26-04-202504-05-2025AUD $ 6,655-
27-04-202505-05-2025AUD $ 6,070-
03-05-202511-05-2025AUD $ 6,915-
10-05-202518-05-2025AUD $ 6,915-
17-05-202525-05-2025AUD $ 6,915-
24-05-202501-06-2025AUD $ 6,915-
31-05-202508-06-2025AUD $ 6,655-
07-06-202515-06-2025AUD $ 6,655-
13-06-202521-06-2025AUD $ 6,655-
04-07-202512-07-2025AUD $ 6,655-
06-07-202514-07-2025AUD $ 6,655-
13-07-202521-07-2025AUD $ 6,655-
02-08-202510-08-2025AUD $ 6,655-
09-08-202517-08-2025AUD $ 6,655-
16-08-202524-08-2025AUD $ 6,655-
23-08-202531-08-2025AUD $ 6,655-
30-08-202507-09-2025AUD $ 6,070-
06-09-202514-09-2025AUD $ 6,915-
13-09-202521-09-2025AUD $ 6,915-
20-09-202528-09-2025AUD $ 6,915-
27-09-202505-10-2025AUD $ 6,915-
04-10-202512-10-2025AUD $ 6,915-
11-10-202519-10-2025AUD $ 6,915-
18-10-202526-10-2025AUD $ 6,915-
25-10-202502-11-2025AUD $ 6,915-
08-11-202516-11-2025AUD $ 6,405-
22-11-202530-11-2025AUD $ 6,405-
29-11-202507-12-2025AUD $ 6,405-
06-12-202514-12-2025AUD $ 6,405-
13-12-202521-12-2025AUD $ 6,405-
20-12-202528-12-2025AUD $ 6,405-

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (6 nights),Feature Stay (2 nights)

Transport

Plane,Train,Private vehicle,Boat

Map