Real Peru

15 Days | This Peruvian escapade takes you from the capital Lima, through the Amazon and on the Inca Trail

4.9 out of 5 based on 16 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
NZD $4,190
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 35 year olds

Not only does this two-week adventure visit one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World (Machu Picchu), but it also dips into the natural wonder of the Amazon Jungle as well as Puno, capital city Lima and bustling Cusco. Whether you opt to sweat it up on the ancient Inca Trail or take the scenic train route, you can choose your own adventure – then celebrate it all with a few pisco sours! Stay in a proper eco-lodge in the jungle, where you’ll explore by day and float on the Amazon River by night (look out for anacondas, jaguars and caimans) then stay with a local family on the shores Lake Titicaca, where you can soak away your worries. Hit the nightlife in Cusco, then end it all with a couple of relaxing days in foodie paradise Lima.

Trip overview

Map of Real Peru including Peru
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Lima, Peru
Theme
18 to 35s
Destinations
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
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
GGYA
This trip generates 48 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
  • Whether you trek the Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, you'll be travelling responsibly with a company that cares about balancing profit and purpose. Intrepid is the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail and we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all.
  • Roam the Amazon Jungle by boat at night (with an expert local) and float down the river, keeping an eye out for the glaring eyes of jaguars, anacondas and caimans. 
  • Head to a local community and rub shoulders with the inhabitants of the Sacred Valley – if you’re lucky, your travel day might even fall on market day where you can pick up some hand-painted beads or a warm poncho. 
  • The floating islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca look like they could be straight out of a Pixar or Studio Ghibli movie! Spend the night under the stars in a traditional island village.   
  • Explore Lima in your own time, at your own pace. This trip gives you heaps of free time to explore all the best bits of Peru’s capital. This is also Peru’s best spot for foodies – so make sure you eat your way through the coastal streets – yum!   
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Awamaki. Donations help them empower indigenous women artisans in Peru with skills training and job opportunities that provide financial independence.   

Is this trip right for you?
  • On this trip, you’ll be camping along the Inca Trail and spending the night in a homestay on Lake Titicaca. Both have very basic, shared facilities (such as drop toilets and no showers). This is all part of the adventure of being among nature! 
  • While hiking the four-day Inca Trail or three-day Inca Quarry trail, you may be joined by some non-Intrepid travellers who might be over 35 years old.
  • The Amazon Jungle can be very hot and humid. Light cotton clothing is the best way to tackle this. Also, don't forget tropical-strength insect repellent! It’s also important to wear sunscreen and always drink plenty of water. 
  • This trip involves a lot of hiking and walking, so it does require a moderate level of fitness. There are a few different trail options to suit your interests and physical capabilities. Please bring durable footwear. See the ‘What to Take’ section of the Essential Trip information (ETI) for more information. 
  • Due to the high altitude of many places, some people can suffer altitude sickness. Some people aren’t affected at all, but if you are, be sure to drink plenty of water and don’t push yourself too hard. If possible, arrive a few days early to allow yourself time to acclimatise. Please see the ‘Health’ section of the Essential Trip information (ETI) for more important information about altitude sickness. 
  • 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

Map of Real Peru including Peru

Inclusions

Meals

14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Plane, Motorised Canoe, Boat, Private Vehicle, Public Bus

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (6 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights)

Activities
  • Lima - Leader Led orientation walk of Miraflores
  • Amazon Jungle - Jungle Lodge Stay and Activities
  • Cusco - 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 - Guided tour
  • Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
Add on activities
  • Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery including The Catacombs Admission Fee - PEN20
  • Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
  • Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
  • Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
  • Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
  • Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
  • Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
  • Lima - Museum of the Inquisition (entrance fee) - Free
  • Lima - Gold Museum (entrance fee) - PEN35
  • Lima - Museo de la Nacion (entrance fee) - PEN10
  • Lima - Banco Central de Reserva Museum (entrance fee) - PEN5
  • Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
  • Cusco - Stand Up Paddle Boarding (minimum 4 people) - USD85
  • Sacred Valley - Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
  • Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
  • Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
  • Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
  • Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
  • Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1.Very Important – In order to obtain the necessary permit to trek the Inca Trail, we must be provided with accurate details of the passport to be used whilst travelling in Peru. If the name, passport number, nationality or date of birth shown on the permit are different from the passport, park authorities will refuse entry. If passport details have not been supplied, the permit cannot be issued. When we are unable to secure the "Classic Trail", our groups take the "Quarry Trek". This also applies during February each year, when the Classic Trail is closed for restoration.

2.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 and Day 3 (Amazon Jungle) and Day 12 (Lake Titicaca, Homestay)where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3.Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary!
Please see the health section of your trip notes for more information.

4.Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.

5.While hiking the 4 Day Inca Trail or the 3 Day Inca Quarry trail portion of this trip you may be joined by other Intrepid and/or non-Intrepid travellers.

6. The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion starts in February, you will be automatically booked to hike the Inca Quarry Trail.

7. 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.

8. Fees may apply if you choose to change from the Inca Trail to the Train or Quarry Trail after your booking has been made.

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 out of 5 based on 16 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Jane · Traveled November 2023
Review submitted 14 Dec 2023

Florence · Traveled November 2023
This is an incredible way to see Peru!
Review submitted 19 Dec 2023

Julia · Traveled September 2023
This was the perfect trip to discover the beautiful country of Peru in just 2 weeks, including the unique experience of hiking the inca trail. Everything was well organized, we had amazing guides and learned a lot about the history and culture of Peru.
Review submitted 16 Oct 2023

Oliver · Traveled September 2023
An amazing experience all round with the highlight definitely being the Inca Trail. Organisation was exceptional and got to visit some amazing places off the usual tourist trail. Massively recommend.
Review submitted 04 Oct 2023

David · Traveled September 2023
The trip cover the highlights of Peru but there is a lots to see around . This trip was amazing sense the first day and this was also thanks to our magnificent leader Manny who was always there to help and organizing anything we need . His English was perfect especially when we had different nationalities in our group and his skills to made everyone comfortable on the trip was what it made the different
Review submitted 25 Sep 2023
Real Peru
From
NZD $4,190