CLASSIC PERU
21 days from
- Trek Code:
- CLA
- Destination:
- Peru
- Departs:
- Mar-Dec
- Accommodation:
- Camping/Hotels
- Age Range:
- 18+
- > Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- > Visit the mystical Nazca Lines
- > Visit South America's largest lake, Lake Titicaca
Tour Overview
This comprehensive journey through Peru, is a collision of ancient historical tradition and unrivaled natural beauty. This epic trek explores the best this country has to offer, from the coastal Ballestas to the centre of Peruvian beliefs at Lake Titicaca. Experience some of the world's most breathtaking mountain scenery, along with some of the Inca's finest archaeological sites. The mysterious Nazca Lines, Colca Canyon's condors, the Inca Trail to the lost city of Machu Picchu; see the top spots of Peru's many impressive highlights.
This tour is operated by our sister company, Grand American Adventures, who offer a wide range of open aged adventures in North & South America. For more information please see the Grand American Adventures website.
- > Pachacamac coastal ruins
- > Ballestas Islands scenic cruise
- > See the ancient Nazca Lines
- > Watch soaring Condors at Colca Canyon
- > Reed island home stay on Lake Titicaca
- > Explore the Inca city and ruins of Cusco
- > 4 day Inca Trail trek including equipment, permit & meals
- > Visit the lost city of Machu Picchu
- > Two days in Arequipa
- > Scenic train journey from Machu Picchu to Cusco
- > Discover the beautiful Sacred Valley
- > Services of a professional bilingual tour leader
- > Transportation by private vehicle plus scenic train
- > 16 hotel nights, 1 night village home stay and 3 nights camping on the Inca Trail.
- > Mountain biking US$25-$35
- > Urubamba River Rafting US$45-$85
- > Andean Sanctuaries Museum US$5
- > Puno to Cusco train journey US$90-$100 (must be booked and paid pre-departure)
Due to the restrictions concerning the issue of trekking permits for the inca trail, we recommend you book at least 6 months in advance of your departure date. You must provide us with your passport details at the time of booking so that we can secure a trekking permit for you. Alternative Inca Trail Itinerary can be offered if the Inca Trail permits are sold out.
Grand American Adventures travellers will join our sister company for this special journey.
Want even more adventure? Book our 4 day Amazon extension to this tour, exploring the jungle in depth on foot and by canoe, from US$989. Contact us for more information or click here to view more >
Why not arrange your own TrekAmerica departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our classic "Trek" style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.
Flexible Itinerary
Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local conditions and passenger requests vary, no two trips will ever be the same. With the guidance of your Trek Leader you may modify certain night stops and highlights to give a truly unique experience!
Local Payments - None
Important:
You will need adequate travel insurance to join this trip. Download our
insurance tips pdf
for more information.
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Day 1: Lima
Arrive into Lima and transfer (not included) to our gateway hotel and explore the city at your leisure. You meet your tour leader at approximately 18:00hrs tonight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotels included | Meals paid locally
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Day 2: Paracas
Embark on your journey south along Peru's Pacific desert coast. Visit the coastal ruins of Pachacamacto, and continue on to the fishing village of Paracas.
Accommodation: Hotels included | Meals paid locally
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Day 3: Huacachina
Enjoy a scenic boat cruise to the Ballestas Island to view thousands of sea birds circling overhead along with sea lions basking in the sun.
Accommodation: Hotels included | Meals paid locally
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Day 4: Nazca
Next, try sand boarding or visit the baffling effigies known as the Nazca Lines and contemplate their arcane meaning as archaeologists have been doing for centuries.
Accommodation: Hotels included | Meals paid locally
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Day 5-6: Arequipa
Continuing down the increasingly rugged coast, we climb to panoramas over the ocean and arrive to the colonial city of Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city. Choose to visit the Santa Catalina Convent or view the ice mummies at the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries.
Accommodation: Hotels included | Meals paid locally
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Day 7-8: Colca Canyon
Drive over a spectacular 5,000 metre pass to Colca Canyon, where we will walk to the rim of the upper canyon watching for condors, before soaking in local thermal springs.
Accommodation: Hotels included | Meals paid locally
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Day 9-11: Puno, Lake Titicaca
Fully in the Andes now, we make our way to Puno and Lake Titicaca. Here we navigate the lake via the floating reed-islands of the Uros Indians and stay the night on tranquil Amantani Island in a rustic village home.
Accommodation: Hotels & basic homestay included | Meals paid locally.
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Day 12-13: Cusco
Next, we embark for Cusco and the Sacred Valley. We follow the pass over La Raya past the Inca ruins of Racchi and Pucara. Alternatively you can choose to take the train from Puno to Cusco in the Orient Express carriages off the Andean Explorer travelling through the Andean plains and mountains, a rail journey voted one of the world's most beautiful. The train needs to be booked before your trip so please request at the time of booking.
Cusco is alive itself, with a bustling nightlife, thriving indigenous population and aesthetic ruins and architecture, it is easily one of the most memorable and exciting cities in the Andes and the gateway to the Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail. Enjoy a half day walking tour with the guide.
Accommodation: Hotels included | Meals paid locally
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Day 14-15: Sacred Valley
Take time to relax and acclimatise for the challenge that lies ahead. Yucay offers an abundance of optional activities, including white-water rafting and mountain biking.
Accommodation: Hotels included | Meals paid locally
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Day 16: Inca Trail - Llactapata
We wake early and make our way by bus to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. This traditional Inca village is overlooked by the magnificent fortress of Ollantay, the only Inca stronghold ever to have resisted persistent Spanish attacks. After visiting the impressive ruins we set off to the trailhead at Chilca, where the gorge narrows, and meet our guide and crew for the start the trek. Stretching our legs we follow the Urubamba riverbank below the snow-capped peak of Mt Veronica. After lunch we head away from the river and a gentle climb soon brings us to our pleasant campsite at Llactapata (2850m).
Approximately 4/5 hours easy walking today.
Accommodation: Camping included | Meals: All included
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Day 17: Inca Trail - Llulluchupampa
We are woken with a hot drink of coca leaves delivered to our tents, to help ease the effects of the high altitude, before beginning the day's trek. Getting into a good walking rhythm, we follow the course of the Cusichaca River, ascending a broad valley to the village of Wayllabamba ('Grassy Plain' - 3000m), the last human habitation on the trail. Here we can have a glass of fortifying Chicha or maize beer to help us up the hill.
Our porters will go ahead and prepare lunch while we pause to rest before climbing steadily and steeply to Llulluchupampa (3680m) - a beautiful flat area of pasture.
Approximately 5/6 hours moderate uphill walking.
Accommodation: Camping included | Meals: All included
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Day 18: Inca Trail - Phuyopatamarka
The tough day! An initial steep climb takes us across the highest point on the trail at Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass - 4200m); the views back along the valley certainly make the climb worthwhile. We descend to the Pacamayo River and a second ascent leads to Runkuracay Pass (3998m); from here on the trail is largely downhill and we encounter the first long stretches of original Inca paving which makes for easier going. After a final easy ascent, with spectacular views over the Urubamba Valley far below, we emerge above the Phuyupatamarca ruins.
Approximately 7/8 hours moderate and demanding walking.
Accommodation: Camping included | Meals: All included
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Day 19: Inca Trail - Machu Picchu
We awake to a spectacular vista and set off this morning on one of the most beautiful parts of the trail. A steep downhill section of some 2000 Inca steps brings us to our lunch stop at the picturesque ruins of Winay Wayna; meaning 'forever young'. Excitement mounts as we conquer a steep flight of steps and arrive at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. The toil of the day is forgotten instantly as we are treated to a spectacular view of Machu Picchu below. After lingering to admire the panorama, we walk through the site and catch a bus down the narrow access road to rejoin the Urubamba River in the village of Aguas Calientes where we can enjoy a well-earned long shower.
Approximately 4/5 hours walking today, mostly downhill.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: All included
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Day 20: Machu Picchu & Cusco
Rising early this morning we have Machu Picchu ruins largely to ourselves before the train brings in the first day visitors from Cusco. The magnificent lost city, discovered by American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911, stands on a high saddle dominated by the jungle-clad peak of Wayna Picchu. We have time to make the vertiginous climb to its summit for dramatic views of the city spread out below or simply just wander the myriad of steps and stairways of the site, revealing as they do a vast complex of immense structural, historical and archaeological worth.
Later in the day we take the dreamy train ride back to Cusco for one more day to explore the city, shop in the eclectic markets and meet people from all over the Andes at your leisure.
Accommodation: Hotels included | Meals paid locally
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Day 21: Cusco
Enjoy a final day in Cusco to end the tour.
This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 14:00 hrs. We can book your post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required.
If you require a flight from Cusco to Lima please advise us at the time of booking so we can arrange this for you.
Book Your Trip Online
You can easily book your trek online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe and protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.
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How to Book Online
1. Pick your chosen available departure date.
2. Select the number of passengers to book.
3. Click on the book button to be taken to our secure online booking engine.
4. Complete all personal details and payment information.
5. Your tour will be confirmed immediately by e-mail.
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