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Map of Majestic Peru including Peru

Ancient sites and dazzling heights on a journey through Peru

Explore Peru in style on this 15-day adventure, journeying from coastal plains to high ancient cities. As you travel through Lima, Puno, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, uncover colonial architecture, stunning Andean landscapes, Inca ruins, colourful markets and fascinating local culture. With the guidance of a local leader, you’ll get beneath the surface of this captivating country and leave with a deeper understanding of Peru’s history, wildlife, cuisine and culture.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Lima, Peru
Destination
Peru
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
GGKP
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Opt to trek the 1-Day Inca Trail, an excellent option for those wanting to experience trekking in Peru, but don’t want to do the full four days

  • The giant desert inscriptions of the Nazca Lines are one of Peru's great unsolved mysteries. Scrutinise them up close on a viewing platform or from a bird's-eye-view on an optional flight

  • Get to know the residents of a village in the Sacred Valley when you join them for a lunch of local specialties and learn about life in this storied part of the Andean highlands.

  • A trip through Peru wouldn't be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. Let a scenic train do the climbing for you, then enjoy a guided tour around the world-famous ruins.

  • Spend a full day exploring the floating islands of Lake Titicaca and Taquile Island, with the chance to meet the local Uru people

Is this trip right for you?

  • Parts of your trip go above 28000m/9200ft where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.

  • Visitors are not permitted to explore Machu Picchu without a Machu Picchu guide (not our trip leaders) and must follow set routes within the site. This trip includes one guided visit of Machu Picchu (approximately 1.5 - 2 hours). Your leader will provide more information to ensure you get the most out of your visit to this incredible site.

Two local men in traditional Peruvian dress and ponchos, Peru
Group of travellers in Plaza Mayor, Lima, Peru
Local and traveller in traditional dance ceremony, Puno, Peru
Traveller couple standing with view of Machu Picchu, Peru
Aerial view of hummingbird Nazca Lines in the desert, Peru
Group of travellers and locals on floating island, Lake Titicaca homestay, Peru
Local woman in traditional dress with alpaca on cobbled street, Cusco, Peru
Arequipa

Itinerary
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Kick off your adventure in Peru's coastal capital. Your tour begins with a welcome meeting at 2pm where you'll meet your leader and fellow travellers. Please check the noticeboard near the hotel reception for confirmation of the location of the meeting. After this important meeting, head out on a walking tour of the vibrant Miraflores area with your tour leader. Enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace, then perhaps meet back up with the group for an optional dinner. Whether you dine with the group or sample the city's renowned food scene on your own, don't miss the chance to try Peru's national dish, ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice, often served with hot peppers). If you're not a fan of seafood, there are plenty of other excellent options on offer – ask your tour leader for tips on the best local eats.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Lima - Leader-led Miraflores walking tour
Optional Activities
  • Lima - Coast Biking Tour Urban Adventure - USD52
  • Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures - USD39
  • Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure - USD85
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

Begin the day with a guided walking tour of Lima's historic centre. Stroll atmospheric streets flanked with ornate mansions, palaces and Spanish colonial churches, taking in Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, the San Francisco Monastery and the central market. Your leader will guide you through the market where you'll find vendors selling a variety of fresh produce and regional specialties like cuy (better known as guinea pig) – a Peruvian delicacy! Head away from the tourist trail and visit Alameda de Chabuca Granda. This pedestrian strip is where Limenos (locals from Lima) go for street food and entertainment. Later on, travel by minivan to beautiful Paracas.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lima - Guided tour, including San Francisco Monastery, the Catacombs and Central Market
Optional Activities
  • Lima - Cathedral of Lima (entrance fee) - PEN12
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 4 hours.

Wake early and make your way to Paracas' port, where you'll board a boat bound for Islas Ballestas. The islands are home to an abundance of wildlife including pelicans, red-footed boobies, flamingos, sea lions and even penguins. Have your camera handy as there's a good chance you'll get up close to the wildlife on this 1.5 to 2 hour boat tour. The port is sometimes closed due to weather conditions between June and September, in which case an alternative land-based tour of the Paracas National Reserve will be arranged instead. After some awesome wildlife-viewing, hop in a private van and drive to one of the world's most mysterious archaeological sites, the Nazca Lines, stopping off at the oasis town of Huacachina to grab some lunch along the way. Nazca’s origins date back to the 2nd century BC, and thanks to the dry desert conditions found here, mummies, textiles, ceramics and other relics have been remarkably well-preserved, providing archaeologists with clear snapshots of the highly developed, pre-Inca civilisation that once resided here. Climb to the viewing platform, or perhaps take an optional flight over the lines for even better views. The flight is 30 minutes long and covers the 26 figures scattered throughout the desert.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Islas Ballestas - Guided tour
  • Nazca Lines - Viewing tower
Optional Activities
  • Nazca - Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines - USD100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 4 hours.

Flights over the Nazca Lines are subject to availability – let your leader know on Day 1 if you’d like to participate in this optional activity. Flights may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Should this happen on the day you have booked this activity, it will be rescheduled to the following morning (Day 4 of this trip). The flight can be bumpy and it is only recommended for those with a strong stomach. Our leaders will only recommend and assist you to book with operators who meet our safety requirements.

Leave Nazca behind and travel to Arequipa by private vehicle. Standing at the foot of El Misti Volcano and boasting beautiful baroque buildings, Arequipa vies with Cusco for the title of Peru's most attractive city. Built out of a pale volcanic rock called sillar, the old buildings dazzle in the sun, giving the city its nickname - the 'White City'. The main plaza, with its cafes and nearby cathedral, is a lovely place to wander and stretch your legs after a long driving day.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 11 hours.

Get to know this beautiful city with the help of a local guide. Visit the main plaza, Santa Catalina Monastery, San Ignacio Chapel. Afterwards, you're free to explore Arequipa at your own pace. Perhaps return to the main square to take a closer look at its lovely cathedral, cafes and eateries or explore the suburb of Yanahuara. You may also like to visit the Juanita Museum, which houses Peru’s famous ‘Ice Maiden’, the Inca mummy of a girl who died in the 1440s. Ask your tour leader for other tips on how to make the most of your free afternoon.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Arequipa - Walking tour
  • Arequipa - San Ignacio Chapel
  • Arequipa - Santa Catalina Monastery
  • Arequipa - Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
Optional Activities
  • Arequipa - Juanita Museum - PEN20
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel by minivan to Puno, a town located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. It's a long drive, but the dramatic views of Peru’s highlands, the Altiplano, make it an exceptionally scenic one too. As you approach Puno, stop to pay a visit to the ruins of Sillustani. Tucked between small villages on a beautiful peninsula near Lake Umaya, the pre-Inca ruins are comprised of circular towers called chullpas that served as burial sites for noble men. Continue to Puno, a melting pot of Aymara and Quechuan indigenous culture. Traditional Andean customs are still strongly represented here, earning the town the title of Folklore Capital of Peru.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Puno - Sillustani archaeological site
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 7 hours.

The Sillustani visit will take approximately 1 hour and includes walking to a hilltop to view the chullpas.

Start the day with a tour of Lake Titicaca. Sitting 3820 metres above sea level, it holds the title of highest navigable lake in the world. Hop in a motorboat and learn about the spiritual significance the lake holds for the Quechua while cruising across its waters. Stop off at Uros Titinos, floating islands made entirely from layers of totora reeds. As you'll find out, the islands are constantly under construction – as the reeds closest to the water begin to rot, more layers are added on top. Reeds are used for making everything on the island, including the boats used to travel to the mainland, which can last up to 12 months. Continue to Taquile Island, where the locals make their livelihood out of textiles. Here, knitting is strictly a male domain, while women do the spinning. To reach the main part of the island, there is a one-hour uphill walk on a paved path with great views of the lake. Sit down to an optional set lunch consisting of a local staple, quinoa soup, washed down with a cup of muna tea (Andean mint tea). After a brief stay, a descent of about 500 steps brings you back to the boat, which will take you back to Puno.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Puno - Lake Titicaca day tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 5 hours.

Take a scenic bus ride across the Altiplano towards Cusco. You’ll be travelling by public tourist bus, and while there’s a rest stop along the way, it’s best to stock up on snacks before your journey. Cusco is the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city and colonial buildings are built upon foundations remaining from Inca times. Set out to discover some of Cusco's lesser-known sights on a guided walking tour. Visit the facade of Qoricancha temple, San Pedro market, the main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square. End the walking tour at Cusco's chocolate museum, where you'll get to sample a decadent cup of hot chocolate made from local cacao beans. There’s a small store where you can browse handicrafts and artisanal chocolate products.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cusco - Chocolate Museum Visit & Hot Chocolate
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 7 hours.

Enjoy a free day in Cusco, the heart and soul of Peru. You may like to visit the city’s many museums and archaeological sites with your included boleto turistico (tourism ticket). This includes the Contemporary Art Museum, Regional History Museum, Qosqo Native Art Museum and the Inca ruins of Q'enqo, Pica Pakara, Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The most easily accessible among these sites is Qoricancha, which was once the Incan empire's richest temple until the Spanish built a Dominican church on top of it.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Tonight you will need to prepare a smaller bag to take with you for the next two nights in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. This includes your visit to Machu Picchu, so be sure to pack any photographic equipment or chargers you might need. You will leave your main piece of luggage in Cusco.

Set out by private bus through the Sacred Valley. Known as Wilcamayo to the Incas, the valley has been a source of livelihood to the locals for hundreds of years. You’ll see maize crops covering the terraced valley walls and the sacred river beneath. Just outside Cusco, stop off for a guided tour of the Inca fortress, Sacsayhuaman. Overlooking the city from its hilltop position, the fortress is built out of massive stone blocks and is the ultimate example of the Inca's military strength and engineering ingenuity. For lunch, visit a community that live in the valley and learn about the local lifestyle and language. Meet women from the community and share a meal of local specialties, including guinea pig. You’ll see each family wears different clothing to indicate where they are from, and you’ll learn about the traditional wool dyeing and weaving techniques. Continue your journey to the town of Ollantaytambo where you’ll spend the night. On arrival, take a guided tour of the town’s archaeological site, which includes remnants of an Inca city and soaring views over the present-day settlement.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 4 hours.

This morning, catch a train through the winding Urubamba Valley, climbing to Aguas Calientes – this seriously scenic journey is sure to give your camera batteries a good workout. If you’d like to give your legs a workout too, your leader can recommend some beautiful walks around Aguas Calientes on arrival. The city is nestled in the cloud forest at the foot of Machu Picchu, so it’s the perfect place to kick back and take in your peaceful surroundings. With a free afternoon, you may like to while away the hours in the natural hot springs.

One-Day Inca Trail:
If you're the active type, you can choose to trek the One-Day Inca Trail today (11km/7mi). Keep in mind, you must pre-book this option at least 30 days prior to departure. If you choose this option, the day begins bright and early with a 6:30 am train ride to the starting point. With a local guide leading the way, the trail will lead uphill and downhill, passing a few archaeological sites along the way. See Chachabamba and Winay Wayna (2680 metres), also known as 'Forever Young'. This impressive complex is considered by many to be the most impressive site on the whole Inca Trail, and is made up of a terraced agricultural centre, religious sector and urban sector. From here, it's about a 1.5 hour trek to Intipunku (the Sun Gate), where (weather permitting), you'll enjoy unforgettable views over the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ as you enter Machu Picchu. Depending on how long the trek takes, you'll have time to snap some pics and look around before taking a short bus ride down to Aguas Calientes where you'll re-join the group and spend the night at a hotel.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • 1 Day Inca Trail - Add-on (Must pre-book) - USD380
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 2 hours.

Take an early bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu at 5.30 am. The city was built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for Incan nobility, but there’s evidence that the land had been a sacred Incan site for much longer. Another school of thought is that this was an astronomical observatory. Take a guided tour around the awe-inspiring ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters. 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. After your tour, catch the bus back to Aguas Calientes, followed by a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo, and finally a drive to Cusco where you will spend the night.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 4.5 hours.

The first bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu departs at 5.30am. The estimated arrival time is between 6-6.30am The sun rises at Machu Picchu at approximately 5.30am, therefore it's not possible to be there in time for sunrise.

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.

Enjoy free time to delve deeper into all Cusco has to offer. You may like to use your boleto turistico to check out any sites you missed last time you were here, or simply grab a coffee from a cafe at Plaza de Armas and do some people-watching. For those still seeking an active adventure, the hills that surround Cusco are well-suited for some mountain biking. Ask your tour leader for advice on optional activities and how to make the most of your free day.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (minimum 2 people) - USD57
  • Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding - USD80
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking - USD170
  • Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take a short flight from Cusco to Lima. You will be unescorted on your flight today. Upon arrival in Lima, you will be transferred to your hotel and met by a local leader who can assist with any optional activities or final arrangements. Once you arrive in Lima, the day is free to spend how you wish. Visit some of the sites you missed at the beginning of the trip or perhaps do some last-minute souvenir shopping. Why not gather the group for one final night out on the town. Your tour leader will be happy to offer tips on how to make the most of your last day.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.

With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in Lima, just get in touch ahead of time and we’d be happy to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

14 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Plane, Train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Lima - Leader-led Miraflores walking tour
  • Lima - Guided tour, including San Francisco Monastery, the Catacombs and Central Market
  • Islas Ballestas - Guided tour
  • Nazca Lines - Viewing tower
  • Arequipa - Walking tour
  • Arequipa - San Ignacio Chapel
  • Arequipa - Santa Catalina Monastery
  • Arequipa - Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
  • Puno - Sillustani archaeological site
  • Puno - Lake Titicaca day tour
  • Cusco - Chocolate Museum Visit & Hot Chocolate
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included)
  • Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Majestic Peru trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. This trip starts in Lima on Day 1 at 2pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Lima’s historical centre.
4. This trip includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 23kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
5. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. These details are used to obtain entrance and transport tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
6. This trip includes taking the train to Machu Picchu. You can choose to hike the 1-Day Inca Trail for an additional cost. Please see Day 11 of the Itinerary and contact your booking agent if you’re interested in this activity.

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.

View Essential Trip Information

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