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Map of Premium Peru with Ica Valley including Peru

Incas, Amazon and the Ica Valley in beautiful Peru

Coloured by colonial buildings, vibrant wildlife and lush rainforests, Peru is a sight to behold. Join a local leader to discover the Incan, indigenous and modern sides of Peru on an immersive 12-day Premium journey. From the colonial charm of Lima to the wonders of the Ica Valley, the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest, the historically rich city of Cusco and the spectacular Incan ruins of Machu Picchu – this adventure takes you straight to the heart of it all. Get a real look at local life and leave with memories to last a lifetime.

Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Cusco, Peru
Destination
Peru
Style
Premium
Theme
Explorer
Code
GGPIC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

premium accommodation

Our best accommodation and highest level of service.

premium experiences

Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.

premium knowledge

Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

  • Uncover the country’s best sights during Exclusive Experiences, including a sunset tour of a wine and pisco vineyard and two guided visits to remarkable Machu Picchu, reached by 360 train offering unbeatable views of the Andes.

  • Get to know local culture during interactions with the Ese Eja and Chichubamba communities, let a local leader show you the country’s best, and explore with expert guides in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.

  • See Peru’s wild side when you set out in search of pelicans, flamingos, sea lions and penguins on an exciting boat tour around the Ballestas Islands, and enjoy an unforgettable day of wildlife activities in the Amazon Jungle.

  • Take your taste buds on a trip during Exclusive Experiences, from one of Lima’s best restaurants, to a coffee break at the social enterprise Manos Unidas in Cusco and a traditional Andean lunch in the Sacred Valley.

  • Sleep surrounded by nature in the Amazon rainforest at your magnificent Feature Stay lodge. Owned by the indigenous Ese Eja community, profits from the lodge are put back into local education and training.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Due to the high altitude of the places we visit some people can suffer altitude sickness, regardless of age, gender or fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary! Please see the 'Medical and health information' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

  • This trip visits Peru's coast, mountains and the Amazon Jungle, which means you'll need a flexible wardrobe no matter what time of year you travel. Please review the 'Climate and seasonal information' and 'Packing' sections of the Essential Trip Information.

  • 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 two guided visits of Machu Picchu and each visit is approximately 1.5 - 2 hours long. Your leader will provide more information to ensure you get the most out of your visits to this incredible site.

  • 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.

  • The 1-day Inca Trail hike is a great option for those wanting to experience trekking in Peru, without committing to the full four days. This trek starts from the train station known as 'KM 104' and after a steep ascent it follows the last portion of the Classic Inca Trail. Trekkers enter Machu Picchu at the Sun Gate in the afternoon, where there will be some time to take a few photos before taking a short bus ride down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night and rejoin the rest of the group. The following day, trekkers will return to Machu Picchu for a guided tour, while the rest of the group has an unguided visit. This trek is subject to permit availability and must be pre-booked (at a surcharge). Please contact your booking agent if you would like to book this activity.

Sun shining over Ollantaytambo, peru
GGPI - Group tour of Ollantaytambo with local guide
GGPI - View of Amazon Jungle from lookout in Puerto Maldonado, Peru
GGPI - Family of capybaras bathing in mud in the Amazon Jungle, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Peru Ollantaytambo
GGPI - Traditional cuisine of Peru, Machu Picchu
GGPi - Female traveller looking over Cusco from rooftop
GGPI - Empty Plaza De Arma in the early morning, Cusco, Peru
GGPI - Group of travellers standing viewing Machu Picchu from a distance

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2022 to 31 Dec 2022.
 View the 2023 itinerary

Welcome to Peru! Your adventure begins in Lima. Peru’s colourful capital is equal parts cosmopolitan and chaotic. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel where you will meet your fellow travellers and local leader for an important 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive before this time, perhaps head out for a walk in the historical centre to appreciate its fine colonial architecture. After your meeting, get your first taste of Lima’s world-renowned food scene during a welcome dinner with your small group and leader. Head out to a fantastic restaurant that’s popular with the locals and get acquainted with some of Peru’s best dishes. From enticingly fresh ceviche to pisco sours – you’ll soon find out why Lima is hailed as the culinary capital of South America.
Accommodation
  • Casa Republica or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lima - Welcome Dinner
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
  • Dinner

Depart Lima and travel to the fabulous Vinas Queirolo, the only hotel in Peru located within a vineyard and your accommodation for the next two evenings. Sitting in the Ica valley at the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by more than 500 hectares of vineyards, the setting couldn’t be more spectacular, and the comfort and service of this hotel are every bit as impressive. Enjoy traditional bodega charm, spacious and stylish rooms, three swimming pools, tennis courts and a marvellous restaurant. On arrival, you may like to take a dip in one of the pools, play a game of tennis or simply relax poolside and soak in the stunning scenery. The vineyards that surround your hotel produce Peru’s most famous wine along with the national drink, pisco. This afternoon you will have the option to take an aerial tour of the mysterious Nazca Lines. Etched into the landscape some 22 kilometres north of Nazca, these mysterious wonders are an assortment of perfectly straight lines, trapezoidal zones, and strange symbols of birds and beasts on a giant scale. Speak to your leader about arranging this unforgettable activity.
Accommodation
  • Vinas Queirolo or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Nazca - Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica - USD280
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.

The Nazca Lines plane ride from Ica lasts for around 1 hour 30 minutes and covers the 26 figures scattered throughout the desert. On occasion scenic flights over the Nazca Lines 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 day. The flight can be bumpy and is only recommended for those with a strong stomach. Your leader will suggest certain operators that have been risk assessed and comply with company policy. Intrepid leaders are prohibited from recommending or booking through any other operators.

Travel to the coast this morning to the Paracas Peninsula for an excursion to the Ballestas Islands. These islands are home to an abundance of wildlife, including pelicans, red-footed boobies, flamingos, sea lions and even penguins. You'll have the chance to get up close and personal with wildlife on an exciting boat tour of the islands. Return to your accommodation in the afternoon where you’ll have the special opportunity to explore the vineyards during a private tour with an expert sommelier. Hear the history of the vineyard and hotel, from the settlement of the Queirolo family from Italy in 1877 to the renovations and modernisations enacted by the third generation of the family in the 21st century. Learn how the brilliant wine and pisco is produced, then cap off the day with drinks at a lookout point, watching the sun set over the gorgeous landscape.
Accommodation
  • Vinas Queirolo or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ica - Vineyard tour with a sommelier
  • Ica - Sunset drinks
  • Paracas - Ballestas Islands boat trip
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 3 hours.

Between June and September, the Paracas port may be closed due to adverse weather conditions. If this is the case, an alternative land tour of the Paracas National Reserve will be arranged.

After breakfast, depart the Ica valley and return to Lima, arriving in the early afternoon. There will be a meeting at 2pm to welcome any new travellers joining you on the next stage of your adventure. Afterwards, head out to get to know the city on a walking tour of downtown Lima with your leader. Admire the colonial buildings of Plaza Mayor and visit the eerie catacombs of the Saint Francis Monastery, then head away from the tourist trail to Alameda de Chabuca Granda – an area popular with the locals. Stop off at the colourful street food stalls to sample some of Lima’s favourite sweet treats, like Peruvian donuts and mazamorra morada; porridge made from purple corn. But be sure to leave some room as tonight’s dinner is really something special. This evening you’ll head to one of the city’s best restaurants, set in a historic house in the artistic Barranco neighbourhood. Inspired by the home-cooked food of his mother, the creative chef offers up traditional Peruvian dishes with the atmosphere of a welcoming family home.
Accommodation
  • Casa Republica Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lima - Downtown walking tour
  • Lima - Alameda Chabuca Granda tour and tastings
  • Lima - San Francisco Monastery and the Catacombs
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
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.

For your arrival transfer, please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel.

Today you will catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado. On arrival in the afternoon, take a bus to the community port of Infierno where you will board motorised canoes and head upstream into the Amazon rainforest. Keep an eye out for macaws, herons, alligators and capybaras along the way. Nestled on the banks of the Tambopata river you’ll find the Posada Amazonas, a rustic jungle lodge owned by the indigenous Ese Eja community, and your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights. A paradise for nature lovers, the lodge is in perfect unity with its wild surroundings and is enveloped by a swath of lush rainforest. Gorgeous rooms are built from traditional woods, adobe bricks and clay, and feature private bathrooms and an open wall, allowing you to make the most of the spectacular location and be totally immersed in nature. Profits from the lodge go back into the local indigenous community in the form of education and training. As dusk falls, set out for a night walk to discover the fascinating nocturnal activity in the surrounding areas, then retire to the lodge for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Posada Amazonas (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Amazon Jungle - Night jungle walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s flight is approximately 1.5 hours.

Due to today’s boat transfer to the jungle lodge, the maximum luggage weight limit for the Amazon is 12kg. Your main luggage will be left in the lodge office in Puerto Maldonado and you will be provided with a small duffel bag to pack for two nights. Walking boots are provided by the lodge, but we recommend you bring a raincoat, long sleeve shirts and trousers in neutral colours, insect repellent and a torch. Bio toiletries (soap, shampoo and conditioner) are provided by the lodge for minimal impact to the surrounding environment.

Posada Amazonas is owned by the indigenous Ese Eja community of Infierno. The lodge offers a 30-metre canopy tower that provides spectacular views of the vast expanses of forest, Tambopata River and endless opportunities to witness Amazonian wildlife. Rooms are built using local materials such as bamboo, adobe mud and palm trees and are connected by a raised boardwalk. This raising above the floor means the rainforest is left as unto

Embrace a very early start this morning and set off into the jungle after breakfast. Take a short walk and a short boat ride to the other side of the river, then begin a walk to the Oxbow Lake – this walk should take around an hour and a half over flat, shady terrain with plenty of stops along the way. Board an open topped catamaran to explore the lake in search of birds, monkeys and maybe some otters if you’re lucky. Return to the lodge via the same route, take some time to freshen up, then take a short walk to the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. As the name suggests, this clay wall attracts parrots in their hundreds who come to snack on the mineral rich clay each morning, offering visitors a close up look at these vibrant creatures. Return to the lodge for lunch and take some time to enjoy the views from your room or catch up on sleep, then in the afternoon, travel by boat to a medicinal garden where a community organization produces medicines from native plants. Walk a forest trail to learn about the different medicinal properties of the surrounding plants. This evening, enjoy a boat trip in search of caimans – with the engine turned off, you’ll be treated to the wild sounds of the jungle at night.
Accommodation
  • Posada Amazonas (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Amazon Jungle - Medicinal garden tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Macaw clay lick
  • Amazon Jungle - Night boat tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Oxbow Lake
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning you will travel back to Puerto Maldonado, then take a short flight to Cusco, the former centre of the Incan Empire. Arrive in the early afternoon and settle in to your hotel, then head out with your leader for an orientation walk to familiarise yourself with one of South America’s oldest city and get used to the high altitude. Stop by the stunning Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city, flanked with colonial buildings and ornate churches. Visit the World Heritage-listed Cusco Cathedral, built on top of an Incan palace and one of the city's greatest repositories of art. Here you will meet with a local historian guide who will provide expert insight on the colonial art, architecture and history of this magnificent building and the city surrounding it. The evening is free for your own discoveries – Cusco offers no shortage of excellent restaurants, and as night falls the city is swept up in a flurry of live music and late-night street food stalls.
Accommodation
  • San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cusco - Cathedral tour with Specialist Historian Guide
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Due to COVID-19, there are currently no non-stop flights from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco, so you will transit through Lima. If you arrive to Cusco late in the afternoon, your activities for this day will be moved to the following morning.

Today you will discover more of Cusco’s charms on a walking tour with your leader. Visit the Coricancha Temple, once the most important temple in the Incan Empire. Formerly plated in thick gold, the Spanish built a Dominican church atop its walls. Meet with a local guide to uncover the secrets of the temple and the ancient civilization that first built it.Stop of at the Xapiri Ground art gallery and cafe – no ordinary eatery, this project empowers indigenous communities to maintain their cultural traditions through collaborative art installations and fair trade practices. Afterwards, head to the San Pedro market, where you can practice your bargaining skills and take some colourful pictures, then swing by the Plaza de Armas for another look at the marvellous cathedral. The afternoon is free for further explorations – speak to your leader about the option to arrange a cooking class at a local restaurant using fair trade products, or the half-day Inkilltambo trek, exploring an archaeologic site on the city’s outskirts.
Accommodation
  • San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee)
  • Cusco - Walking tour
Optional Activities
  • Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) - PEN10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning, travel through the Sacred Valley towards Ollantaytambo, passing maize crops and fertile terraces carved high into the valley walls. Stop by the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where the massive stone blocks that form the walls of this site provide an impressive picture of how greatly developed Inca engineering was. Visit the Chichubamba community to gain a greater insight into the local lifestyle with a traditional Andean lunch and a visit to a local workshop - either making pottery or chocolate and corn beer. Continue on to Ollantaytambo, a magnificent example of Incan urban planning and the perfect warm up for Machu Picchu. Explore Ollantaytambo's archaeological site with an expert local guide who will discuss the evidence of the Incas' engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals, dams on the Urubamba River, imposing sets of terraces and centres of worship dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth). Late afternoon head to the hotel in Ollantaytambo and settle in for night.
Accommodation
  • Pakaritampu Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site
  • Sacred Valley - Community workshops visit
  • Sacred Valley - Sacsayhuaman
  • Sacred Valley - Home-cooked lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 2 hours.

Due to luggage restrictions on the train to Machu Picchu you will be required to pack all necessary items for the next two days into a smaller bag. The remainder of your luggage will be stored securely in your Cusco hotel.

Today, travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes in style, boarding the 360 Machu Picchu Train. High, domed windows offer up unbelievable views of the Andes, allowing you to sit back in comfort and take it all in. The train also features an open air observation carriage so you can completely immerse yourself in the remarkable landscape – have your camera ready as this scenic journey will be one worth remembering. Disembark the train in Aguas Calientes then take a short bus ride up the winding road to Machu Picchu, where you will be joined by a guide who will take you through the ruins and tell you stories of its history and the ancestral people of the region. The true purpose behind Machu Picchu may always be a mystery, since no historical records of the complex exist. Most archaeologists, however, believe it to be the 15th-century headquarters of Emperor Pachacuti. Your leader can advise how to get the most out of your visit. Later, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night before heading back up to Machu Picchu first thing in the morning for your second visit.
Accommodation
  • Tierra Viva Machu Picchu Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance & Guided visit
  • Ollantaytambo - 360 degree train to Aguas Calientes
Optional Activities
  • 1 Day Inca Trail - Add-on (Must pre-book) - USD380
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s train journey will take approximately 1.5 hours, plus a 30-minute bus transfer each way.

The 1-day Inca Trail hike is a great option for those wanting to experience trekking in Peru, without committing to the full four days. This trek starts from the train station known as 'KM 104' and after a steep ascent it follows the last portion of the Classic Inca Trail. Trekkers enter Machu Picchu at the Sun Gate in the afternoon, where there will be some time to take a few photos before taking a short bus ride down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night and rejoin the rest of the group. The following day, trekkers will return to Machu Picchu for a guided tour, while the rest of the group has an unguided visit. This trek is subject to permit availability and must be pre-booked (at a surcharge). Please contact your booking agent if you would like to book this activity.

Rise before the sun and take the winding road back up to incredible Machu Picchu. On your second visit, explore more of the extraordinary architecture of the many temples, palaces and living quarters. Looking at Machu Picchu as it sits against a backdrop of forested mountains is a truly breathtaking experience. Its mortar-free design is particularly earthquake resistant and the stones are so precisely cut that, to this day, not even a knife fits between them. You'll have time along the way to take any photos you may have missed yesterday. Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, then catch a standard train back to Ollantaytambo. From here, you will make the drive back to Cusco for the evening.
Accommodation
  • San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Machu Picchu - Second visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time including bus transfers is approximately 3 hours, plus a 1.5-hour train journey.

Your Amazon and Inca adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Cusco, additional accommodation can be arranged in advance (subject to availability.)
Optional Activities
  • Cusco - Pisco Making - Urban Adventure - USD57
  • Cusco - Totem painting workshop - USD59
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Plane, Train, Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (9 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Lima - Welcome Dinner
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Ica - Vineyard tour with a sommelier
  • Ica - Sunset drinks
  • Paracas - Ballestas Islands boat trip
  • Lima - Downtown walking tour
  • Lima - Alameda Chabuca Granda tour and tastings
  • Lima - San Francisco Monastery and the Catacombs
  • Amazon Jungle - Night jungle walk
  • Amazon Jungle - Medicinal garden tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Macaw clay lick
  • Amazon Jungle - Night boat tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Oxbow Lake
  • Cusco - Cathedral tour with Specialist Historian Guide
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee)
  • Cusco - Walking tour
  • Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site
  • Sacred Valley - Community workshops visit
  • Sacred Valley - Sacsayhuaman
  • Sacred Valley - Home-cooked lunch
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance & Guided visit
  • Ollantaytambo - 360 degree train to Aguas Calientes
  • Machu Picchu - Second visit

Premium Inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

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

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips that start on or before 31 December 2022 are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy.

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 includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 23kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
4. This trip starts at 2pm on Day 1 in Lima. This allows time after the joining meeting to explore the city with your leader.
5. Full name exactly as per passport is required at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on the passport), for activity and transport bookings. Ticketing 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 a new ticket.
6. This trip includes two visits to Machu Picchu, however you may choose to book the 1-day Inca Trail hike on Day 10 (additional surcharge required). This optional activity is subject to permit availability. Please contact your booking agent if you would like to book this activity. Please refer to Day 10 of the itinerary for details of the hike. It is possible for passengers who have taken the train to join passengers who have done the Inca Trail on the 2nd visit of Machu Picchu, by repeating the guided tour. If you are interested in this option, tell your sales agent when you book.
7. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.

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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