Peru Encompassed

20 days4.9184 reviews
From
AUD $4,808

Take an all-encompassing journey through Peru

Travel from Lima to Cusco on a 20-day adventure that blends nature, culture, modern cities and ancient worlds. Trek the iconic Inca Trail or the lesser-known Quarry Trail to the ruins of Machu Picchu, wake up to the sounds of nature in the Amazon and experience life on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca at a homestay with the Uros people. Watch Andean condors soar over Colca Canyon at sunrise, see the mind-boggling Nazca Lines and sip Pisco sours as you acclimatise in Cusco. On this trip, you'll taste a little bit of everything Peru has to offer.

Map of Peru Encompassed including Peru
Trip code: GGSA
Start
Lima, Peru
End
Lima, Peru
Destinations
Peru
Meals
19 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport
Plane, Taxi, Public bus, Private Vehicle, Canoe, Boat, Train
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (12 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights), Overnight Bus ( 1 night)
Days
20
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
Explorer
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
This trip generates 40 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip

  • Trek the famous Inca Trail, the quieter Quarry Trail or take a scenic train – no matter how you get to Machu Picchu, that first glimpse will stay with you forever. We’re the largest B Corp operator on the Inca Trail and are committed to running treks that benefit the local communities.
  • Witness the giant desert inscriptions of the Nazca Lines – one of Peru's greatest mysteries – from the viewing tower or on an optional scenic flight.
  • Explore Cusco, South America's oldest continuously inhabited city, with its ancient foundations and blend of Inca and colonial influences.
  • Cruise deep into the Amazon Jungle on a motorised canoe. Go on a guided hike, learn about medicinal plants and look out for monkeys, capybaras and rainbow macaws.
  • Stay with a local family on the floating reed islands on Lake Titicaca – the world’s highest navigable lake – and experience the unique way of life of the Uros people.

Itinerary

Map of Peru Encompassed including Peru

Inclusions and activities

Meals

19 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Plane, Taxi, Public bus, Private Vehicle, Canoe, Boat, Train

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (12 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights), Overnight Bus ( 1 night)

Included activities
  • Chauchilla Cemetery Tour
  • Colca Canyon -Guided tour
  • Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cusco - Chocolate Museum Visit & Hot Chocolate
  • 3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Amazon jungle lodge stay

Optional activities
  • Lima - Gold Museum Entrance Fee - PEN35
  • Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
  • Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
  • Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
  • Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
  • Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
  • Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
  • Ballestas Islands - Guided tour - PEN97
  • Nazca - Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (excluding 77 PEN Taxes at Nazca Airport) - USD100
  • Arequipa - Santa Catalina Monastery Admission Fee - PEN45
  • Arequipa - Juanita Museum Admission Fee - PEN20
  • Colca Canyon - La Calera hot springs - PEN15
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN20
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
  • Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
  • Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
  • Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
  • Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
  • Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
  • Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
  • Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
  • Machu Picchu Site Museum - PEN25
  • Cusco - 4 Ruins + Qorikancha (Price based on 4 participants) - USD40
  • Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
  • Lima - Private Lima: Home Cooked Tour Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD85

When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip visits places at high altitudes, and some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the medical and health information section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
  • This trip involves a lot of walking, and if you hike the Inca Trail or Quarry Trail, the trails are strenuous. This trip is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Please bring comfortable footwear suitable for hiking. See the packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
  • Prepare to stay in very basic accommodation. This includes two homestays in rural Peru, the Amazon eco-lodge and camping along the Inca Trail or Quarry Trail (if you choose these activities). There'll be no power in these places, and some won't have showers or hot water.
  • Temperatures in the Amazon can fluctuate from hot and humid in the day to chilly at night. Insects, especially mosquitoes, are common. We recommend tropical-strength insect repellent and light cotton clothing that covers your arms and legs, with warmer layers for the evening.
  • According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site to relieve crowding. Circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We’ll do our best to get everyone travelling in a group on the same route, but it’s possible that members of the same group might be on a different circuit and not be together during this visit. Once the guided visit ends, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.
  • Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or scenic train) will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means you may not be able to have photos overlooking Machu Picchu together. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.
  • Can't decide which trek is for you? Read up on them here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/inca-trail-vs-quarry-trail/ Inca trail permits are limited and it's important to book well in advance, read more about it here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/inca-trail-permit/
  • This trip visits places at high altitudes, and some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the medical and health information section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
  • This trip involves a lot of walking, and if you hike the Inca Trail or Quarry Trail, the trails are strenuous. This trip is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Please bring comfortable footwear suitable for hiking. See the packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
  • Prepare to stay in very basic accommodation. This includes two homestays in rural Peru, the Amazon eco-lodge and camping along the Inca Trail or Quarry Trail (if you choose these activities). There'll be no power in these places, and some won't have showers or hot water.
  • Temperatures in the Amazon can fluctuate from hot and humid in the day to chilly at night. Insects, especially mosquitoes, are common. We recommend tropical-strength insect repellent and light cotton clothing that covers your arms and legs, with warmer layers for the evening.
  • According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site to relieve crowding. Circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We’ll do our best to get everyone travelling in a group on the same route, but it’s possible that members of the same group might be on a different circuit and not be together during this visit. Once the guided visit ends, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.
  • Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or scenic train) will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means you may not be able to have photos overlooking Machu Picchu together. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.
  • Can't decide which trek is for you? Read up on them here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/inca-trail-vs-quarry-trail/ Inca trail permits are limited and it's important to book well in advance, read more about it here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/inca-trail-permit/

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This will be used to apply for your Inca permit and if any info doesn’t match your passport, the Inca authorities will refuse your entry. Delays in providing this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Overnight Bus), Day 8 (Homestay) and Days 17 & 18 (Jungle Lodge) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. At the time of booking, please advise whether you would like to hike the classic Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the train. When available, the Inca Trail will be booked as the default option. Fees may apply to changes made after the time of booking, and availability on other options cannot be guaranteed.
4. Inca Trail permits are sold on a request basis only. Once a deposit is paid and passport details are provided, Intrepid will endeavour to secure a permit for you. If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Quarry Trail instead https://www.intrepidtravel.com/peru/machu-picchu/quarry-trail or travel to Machu Picchu by train.
5. The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February, you will be automatically booked to hike the Quarry Trail.
6. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), you may be joined by other Intrepid and/or non-Intrepid travellers. There is also a small chance you may be the only traveller from your group on your selected option.
7.According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations all visitors to Machu Picchu must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. For travellers who opted for the Quarry Trail and Train options we will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same circuit. Regardless of the circuit you will enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the site. Travellers completing the 4 day, 3 night Inca Trail will enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate with a guided tour of Machu Picchu taking place on circuit 5.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 .   184 reviews
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Craig · Traveled June 2025
Review submitted 15 Jul 2025
Diane · Traveled June 2025
Review submitted 14 Jul 2025
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Review submitted 13 Jul 2025
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Peru Encompassed
From
AUD $4,808