15 Days | See Machu Picchu from all angles on a high-flying Peruvian adventure





The wonders of Peru and Bolivia await as you walk beneath the Amazon Jungle's lush canopy, trek the llama-filled plains of the Sacred Valley and stroll the cobblestone streets of Cusco on this 15-day journey from Lima to La Paz. Search for monkeys and medicinal plants in the Amazon, tackle the ancient road to Machu Picchu, experience a homestay in a traditional community on the shore of serene Lake Titicaca and finish in La Paz, where indigenous communities continue to form much of the city’s cultural fabric. With the option to see Machu Picchu by trek or by train, plus the expert knowledge of local leaders at all stages of your adventure, the Sacred Land of the Incas will no doubt leave you breathless – in more ways than one.
Trip overview

- Start
- Lima, Peru
- Finish
- La Paz, Bolivia
- Theme
- Explorer, Walking & Trekking
- Destinations
- Bolivia, Peru
- 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
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- GGSQ
- Choose you own adventure on your way to the mother of all Inca cities – magical Machu Picchu. Test yourself on the challenging Classic Inca or Inca Quarry trails, or take the train for a more leisurely experience.
- Marvel at the evergreen splendour of the untouched Amazon. Explore rainforest trails with a local guide, looking out for wildlife and medicinal plants, and stay in a tranquil jungle lodge overnight.
- Head on a guided stroll through charming Cusco with your local leader, where Inca temples and Spanish cathedrals line the cobblestone streets – Peru’s true cultural and historic centre.
- Sleep in a mud-brick hut on the shore of vast, ancient Lake Titicaca during a homestay in a traditional Andean community, and visit the floating reed islands of Uros with your small group.
- Finish up in the eclectic and hectic La Paz, where indigenous Aymara or Quechua traditions are flourishing in contemporary Bolivia – a living example of the resilient traditional communities of South America.
- At Intrepid we’ve always been about balancing profit and purpose and as the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all – join us and help make the world a better place.
- This trip visits places that are at high altitude, which can cause altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Health’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details on travelling at altitude and ensure you are familiar with signs of AMS.
- Please note that this trip can be partnered with other adventures into a ‘combo’, which means that some of your fellow travellers may have begun their journey before today, and some may carry on to further destinations at the end of this tour. If you’d like to spend more time in South America, have a look at the combos that include this trip’s itinerary: Galapagos & Peru Adventure (GGSYC), Explore Peru & Bolivia (GGSUC).
- If you tackle the Inca Trail the hiking can be strenuous, and this trip is therefore recommended for those with a moderate level of fitness. However, you have the option of staying in Cusco for a few days and meeting trekkers at Machu Picchu if you do not wish to hike the Inca Trail. Please note that even aside from the trek to Machu Picchu, this tour is fairly active.
- Be sure to wear sturdy footwear that's suitable for hiking. See the ‘What to Take’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more information.
- Those who walk the Inca Trail will be camping with basic facilities. It's not exactly luxury, but the rewards of the trek make it worth it!
- The Amazon Jungle can be very hot and humid, so it's important to drink plenty of water and wear light cotton clothing. Be sure to bring tropical-strength insect repellent.
- According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the itinerary for details.
- Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
Boat, Bus, Canoe, Plane, Private minibus, Private vehicle
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (8 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights)
- Lima - Leader-led walking tour
- Amazon Jungle - Jungle activities
- Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
- Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
- 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
- Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
- La Paz - Orientation Walk
- Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
- Lima - Archaeological Museum - PEN15
- Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
- Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery including The Catacombs - PEN20
- Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
- Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
- Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
- Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
- Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
- Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
- Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
- Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
- Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
- Cusco - City tour and 4 Ruins - USD15
- Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
- Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
- Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
- Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
- Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
- Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
- Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
- Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
- Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
- Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
- Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
- Puno - Sillustani archaeological site - USD10
- La Paz - Tiwanaku Archeological site (Shared service) - USD30
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Inca Trail permits are sold on request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Intrepid will endeavor to secure a permit for you.
If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Inca Quarry Trail instead (see https://www.intrepidtravel.com/inca-quarry-trail)
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 Inca Quarry Trail. Should you choose not to hike at all, please let us know in writing at the time of booking so alternative arrangements can be made. Without this prior warning, local fees may apply.
2. Overall we support these changes as they help preserve this invaluable archaeological site. While this somehow restricts the amount of time we are now allowed to spend in Machu Picchu, we’ll do all possible to maximize your time there and make sure you have the best possible experience.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2,3 (Amazon Jungle) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Parts of your trip go above 2800 m/ 9200 ft where it is common for travelers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness.
5. Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to severely worsen at high altitude and be difficult to adequately treat on the ground, leading to more serious consequences. It is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing medical condition/s with your doctor.
6. We understand certain medications are reported to aid acclimatizing to high altitude. Please discuss these options with your doctor.
7. This trip starts in Lima on Day 1 at 2pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Lima.
This trip finishes at 11 am upon arrival in La Paz on Day 15.
8. Most hotels in highlands should have oxygen cylinders available, however, you may be asked to pay surcharge for use of oxygen longer than 5 - 10 min at the time.
9. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), there is a small chance you may be the only traveller on your selected option.
10. Fees may apply if you choose to change from the Inca Trail to the Train or Quarry Trail after your booking has been made.
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.
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