Everyday Price From
$3,095
$3,599
11 days
Hiking to Machu Picchu? Of course, you’ll do that. But get ready for so much more. Over 11 days, you’ll ride a buggy on red sand dunes, meet the locals at Lake Titicaca & tour a Pisco vineyard. Plus, you’ll see 500 sq km of desert artwork, from a plane(!) and even taste delicious Peruvian food along the way.
Locations Visited
Lima, Paracas National Reserve, Huacachina, Nazca Lines, Overnight Coach to Arequipa, Arequipa, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu
Countries Visited
Peru
Travel Style
Accommodations
10 nights included
Age Requirements
Travel for 18-35 year olds
Day 1
Hola, welcome to Lima! Hope you’re ready for the 11 epic days that lie ahead of us. You’ll meet your crew this evening in this beautiful city that’s teeming with rich cultural heritage. And following pursuit, we’ll get to know each other over a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, honouring traditional recipes & cooking techniques.
Accommodation
NAIA Miraflores Hotel (or similar)
Meals
Dinner
Day 2
It’s been short ‘n’ sweet, Lima. But we’ve got no time to waste! After breakfast, we’ll drive along the coast towards the rugged cliffs of the Paracas National Reserve.
Are. You. Ready? Coastal scenery doesn’t get more stunning than this. We’ll take a tour of Peru's toasty coast, lined with rocky cliffs and bright blue waves. Oh, and if witnessing sea lions, penguins (and possibly even dolphins!) in their natural habitat sounds interesting to you - don’t miss out on a boat tour of the breathtaking Ballestas islands before we head to the final stop of the day.
It’s not everyday you get to ride a buggy (or sandboard down the slopes, if that’s your vibe) over the largest sand dunes in all of South America. You’ll be absolutely awestruck. And that’s absolutely normal. Afterwards, we’ll check into our hostel (located right in the middle of a quaint little desert oasis!). Trust us, the sleep’s gonna hit different tonight.
Accommodation
Hotel Curasi (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Mother nature has her favourites, and the Paracas National Reserve is one of them. We'll take a tour of this protected natural area guilded with deserts, islands and the beautiful blue ocean.
Day 3
Legend says you can’t leave Peru without trying Pisco Sour. Luckily, a locally-guided Pisco vineyard tour is on the agenda this morning.
Thought it couldn’t get any better? Well, the Nazca Lines beg to differ. These mysterious yet impressive 2000-year-old sand imprints have blown away the most brilliant minds. And today, you have the chance to view them from either a tower or a plane (we know which one we’d choose…)
Get comfy in your coach. And get ready for even more amazing views!
Accommodation
Overnight Coach
Meals
Breakfast
Wanna see the magic behind Peru's national drink? This is your chance! We'll spend the afternoon touring a vineyard that produces the juiciest & freshest grapes, learning about its history, and sampling the drink too!
Climbing up 43 ft in the sky, you'll see the fascinating group of geoglyphs called the Nazca Lines from a (really) tall tower. Think: desert artwork of spiders, spirals and a mysterious astronaut-like human.
Tonight, you'll travel in an overnight coach with 1st class tickets. Soft & comfy beds. Good times with your crew. Coach rides don't get more amazing than this.
Day 4
Morning, travellers. Our home for tonight is the beautiful 'White City'
Welcome to Arequipa! Three majestic volcanoes, the vibrant Santa Catalina Monastery and a guided tour of all the city’s highlights await us. Later this evening, we’ll take to the streets once again for a walkabout dinner and grab a well-deserved feast.
Accommodation
Selina Arequipa (or similar)
Get to know the ‘white city’ better. Explore the highlights like Plaza de Armas and take some pics of the incredible backdrop of volcanoes.
Day 5
Time to say goodbye to Arequipa. But not before a quick stop at the Lagunillas Viewpoint. We don’t wanna spoil it for you - but just be prepared for jaw-dropping panoramas (that are 100% going on your Insta feed!).
Yet more natural beauty will be dished up this afternoon as we pull into Puno. With no time to waste, we'll hope on a triciclo (just like the locals) and make our way to the port. That's right people, it's Lake Titicaca time!
After a short boat ride, we'll find ourselves on the beautiful Uros Islands (AKA the floating islands)! You have the option to take an island reed boat trip before we head out again to meet the Llachon community for a totally wholesome experience. They'll welcome us into their homes for a delicious local dinner and a good night's sleep.
Accommodation
Lake Titicaca Homestay (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Cameras at the ready! We'll make a quick stop at Lagunillas Lake to enjoy the Andean scenery of lakes, hills and beautiful blue skies.
Take to the streets as we check out Puno's most popular landmarks with a local guide. We'll hit up the coolest cathedrals, the busiest markets, and even snap shots at every historical hotspot!
If you’ve secretly always wanted to hop on one of these, here’s your chance.
Jump on a boat to hop around the reed islands in the world’s highest navigable lake (3657m). And stop off to meet the locals.
A humbling opportunity to get to know the local people on these reed islands in Lake Titicaca.
Day 6
Morning travellers! Today we're visiting Taquile Island. We'll hit the lake on a motorboat, meet the locals of this wonderful island, get to know them over lunch and then head back to Puno.
Back to our hotel, we’ll spend tonight looking back on the 2 lovely days we spent getting to know the local community. Good thing more culture and history awaits us tomorrow!
Accommodation
Hotel Casona Plaza (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Get to know the locals of this wonderful island over lunch.
Day 7
When you think of iconic, you probably don’t think of bulls. But a visit to Pukara’s museum & its archaeological gems will defo change your mind. Then, hitting the road again we’ll journey through the snow-capped surrounds of La Raya, stopping for lunch in the town of Sicuani. Eagle eyes, this is llama country! So. Keep. Those. Cameras. Ready.
Aaand our final leg of the day lands us in Cusco, the hub of ancient Incan culture. This place is a feast for the senses. Get ready for an evening of exploration. And maybe even some after dark antics - Cusco style. IYKYK.
Accommodation
Selina Saphi (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 8
Morning, Inca trailers! Today’s the day we begin our hike to Machu Picchu. But first, we’ll catch a train with the crew to our starting point - KM104.
Aaand now it begins! Get ready for breathtaking views as we hike our way through the hills and cliffs of the Andes.
You made it! Enjoy a night with your crew in this beautiful town. And get some well-deserved rest. Cuz tomorrow's the big day...
Accommodation
Andino Macchu Picchu (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Embark on the journey of a lifetime. Together we'll spend over 3 hours taking in the enchanting sites of this bucket list trek.
Day 9
Excitement levels at an all-time high, the day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here – it’s Machu Picchu time! This is one big old tick off the life goals list, so enjoy every single second of it.
Built around 1450 at the height of the Incan Empire, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the new world. We’ll be treated to a guided tour of the site taking in such wonders as the Temple of the Three Windows and Huayna Picchu (the peak you’ll of seen in every Machu Picchu image ever), and of course you’ll have some alone time to explore the area as only you can do.
Take a moment. Take it in. Back on the train to Cusco, we’ll debrief on our once-in-a-lifetime experience before checking back into our hotel for the night.
Accommodation
Selina Saphi (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals
Day 10
Massage or mountains? How about both? You’ve got a free day to spend away - so soothe those travel-tired limbs with a traditional massage. Or hike the breathtakingly colourful Rainbow Mountain. If not, just take a stroll around town to pick up an alpaca sweater or ten (they are super snuggly). It’s the last full day, so better make the most of it!
Accommodation
Selina Saphi (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 11
Oh, Peru. What a treat it has been! Grab your final included meal of this trip, and say your bittersweet goodbyes. Who knows? Another epic adventure (maybe in Asia?) might be right around the corner…
Meals
Breakfast
Title
Flexibility is key when you’re travelling in Peru. The itinerary will give you a good idea of what your trip is gonna look like. But routes, schedules, hotels & modes of transportation may be subject to change without prior notice because of local circumstances or events beyond Contiki’s control.
Parts of this trip go above 2800 metres (9200 feet) where it's common for some travellers to experience shortness of breath, nausea or light-headedness. While it's usually not severe in most cases, it’s always best to be prepared. That’s why we recommend that you carry your own medication and read a trusted health advisory for tips on how to combat altitude sickness. Plus, your Trip Managers will give you loads of helpful advice and before and during the trip.
You’ll need to bring USD cash with you, as it’s the only way to pay for the Free Time Add-Ons on this trip. You’ll receive the cost of each option in your Welcome Email. Plus, we recommend you bring Visa and/or Master Card (American Express or Discover cards aren’t widely accepted).
It depends on where you’re travelling to. Cities in Peru have lots of ATMs (just be careful of those sneaky fees). But you’re better off carrying cash when visiting rural places.
You’ll usually receive a 10% service charge on your restaurant bill. But tipping isn’t a requirement. Either way, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip will always be appreciated! We recommend tipping 12% of the total bill.
You can bring 1 hand luggage + 1 suitcase or backpack per person.
The maximum suitcase size is 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”) & weight of 20kg (44lbs). Remember to keep it light as you'll have to carry and lift your own luggage at times and even walk short distances with it.
You’ll be able to buy a lot of things at an affordable price once you arrive. But we’d suggest you bring:
• Summer clothes: shorts and lightweight tops essential for keeping cool.
• Warm overcoat: there’ll be colder parts of your trip, even in summertime.
• Good walking socks & shoes: keep comfy on any terrain.
• Sturdy backpack: one you don’t mind getting dusty too!
Weather in Peru is unpredictable, so please make sure you bring these items too:
- Teva-style sandals (thongs or flip-flop sandals are not suitable for hikes)
- Swimming (bathing) suit & towel
- Light to medium fleece jacket
- Warm clothes for the highlands.
- Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket
- Shorts, T-shirts, Long pants, Long-sleeve shirt, Hat or cap
- Sunglasses (preferably polarised)
- First aid & medication - aloe vera gel, sunblock or sunscreen of the highest SPF possible, insect repellent, hand sanitiser or gel, moisturising cream, pain relief (e.g. aspirin etc for headaches or muscle pain) motion sickness medication
- Water bottle - ideal for hikes in the hot sun and around the jungle.
- Plastic Ziplock bags (to protect valuables from drizzle, rain, sand)
Drinking tap water isn’t recommend. So, please stick to bottled water (even when brushing your teeth). There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase bottled water during the trip.
Peru’s climate varies by region - subtropical desert on the coast (AKA la Costa), rainy and tropical in the Amazon forest (AKA la Selva), and temperate in the Andes (AKA la Sierra), with cold peaks. Summers are wet in the mountains and dry on the coast. Annual temperatures range from 83°F (28°C) in the rainforest to 45°F (7°C) in the highlands. So pack accordingly!
Please check the latest travel info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if you're travelling to Peru. We also recommend that you consult your local health clinic or doctor for more details.
Contiki sometimes uses ground handlers or third parties to assist with the full or partial operation of our products. The ground handler for this trip is Encounter Latin America.
Your Trip Manager brings the group together with all the info, fun facts and food recommendations you'll ever need. Plus, they’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and address any issues. They’ll be there with you throughout the trip and will be your go-to person if you need anything. They’ll also fill you in on the cultural and historical context of the places you visit with some informal talks when relevant.
If you’ve selected to do the Inca trail one-day hike, you’ll be walking 13 km or 8 miles on foot for about 6-7 hours. This is a moderate hike with the highest elevation being 2,720m / 8,924 ft - so there’s no need to do any prior training as long as you’re relatively fit and active.
There’s no road access during the hike, so you’ll have to complete the trek in its entirety once you start. Not sure what to bring? Check out your guest document for all the info.
Most places use similar plugs to the US and Europe, but it’s a good idea to bring a circular two-prong adapter just in case. No voltage converter is needed for devices like phones and laptops, but you may need one for high-powered devices (e.g., hairdryers).
Trip Notes:
Terms & Conditions:
