- Discover the best of Peru, from world-famous landmarks to Andean peaks, cloud forest and the islands of Lake Titicaca
- See the Nazca Lines, one of the great archaeological mysteries
- Explore the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, a New Wonder of the World
- Stay with a local family on the traditional island of Amantani in Lake Titicaca
- See condors soaring on the morning drafts at the Colca Canyon
- Wander through the colonial city of Arequipa and the Santa Catalina Convent
Essential Peru
Offer
:
3 115 €
3 115 €
Save 20% on all 2026 Trips. Book by October 27 and quote LEADTHEWAY26EUR at time of booking online or over the phone. Learn more.
15 Days
Excluding Flights From
16 Days
from
Culture
Activity Level
Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
Comfort Level
Classic
Discover the highlights of southern Peru, from Nazca to Arequipa
Journey through the vastly contrasting visual and cultural landscapes of Peru, including coastal desert, snow-capped Andean peaks, the altiplano and cloud forest. Along the way, visit world-renowned highlights, including: the mysterious Nazca Lines; Machu Picchu; Lake Titicaca, where we spend the night in an island homestay; and the 9,843ft (3,000m) deep Colca Canyon. We also encounter traditional culture, condors, llamas, and a warm welcome from the Peruvian people.
Highlights
Key Information
- Accommodation: 1 Superior night (hotel), 12 Classic nights (hotels), 1 Simple night (homestay)
- Travel by internal flight, train, boat and private bus
- Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
- Countries visited: Peru
What's Included
- All breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner
- All accommodation
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Arrival and departure transfers
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Saturday Saturday
04 Apr 2026 04 Apr 2026
Saturday Monday
18 Apr 2026 20 Apr 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 235 € 3 235 € Book with 808 € deposit Book with 808 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
25 Apr 2026 25 Apr 2026
Saturday Monday
09 May 2026 11 May 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 295 € 3 295 € Book with 823 € deposit Book with 823 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
02 May 2026 02 May 2026
Saturday Monday
16 May 2026 18 May 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 115 € Book with 778 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
16 May 2026 16 May 2026
Saturday Monday
30 May 2026 01 Jun 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 295 € 3 295 € Book with 823 € deposit Book with 823 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
30 May 2026 30 May 2026
Saturday Monday
13 Jun 2026 15 Jun 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 115 € 3 115 € Book with 778 € deposit Book with 778 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesThursday Thursday
18 Jun 2026 18 Jun 2026
Friday Sunday
03 Jul 2026 05 Jul 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 4 200 € Book with 1 050 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement
+636 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
25 Jul 2026 25 Jul 2026
Saturday Monday
08 Aug 2026 10 Aug 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 115 € Book with 778 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
08 Aug 2026 08 Aug 2026
Saturday Monday
22 Aug 2026 24 Aug 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 235 € 3 235 € Book with 808 € deposit Book with 808 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
22 Aug 2026 22 Aug 2026
Saturday Monday
05 Sep 2026 07 Sep 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 115 € Book with 778 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
05 Sep 2026 05 Sep 2026
Saturday Monday
19 Sep 2026 21 Sep 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 115 € 3 115 € Book with 778 € deposit Book with 778 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
19 Sep 2026 19 Sep 2026
Saturday Monday
03 Oct 2026 05 Oct 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 235 € 3 235 € Book with 808 € deposit Book with 808 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
03 Oct 2026 03 Oct 2026
Saturday Monday
17 Oct 2026 19 Oct 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Limited) Only 1 space left!
Land Only Trip Price 3 115 € 3 115 € Book with 778 € deposit Book with 778 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement
+552 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead but there are only 1 space left. Do not delay your booking!
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
24 Oct 2026 24 Oct 2026
Saturday Monday
07 Nov 2026 09 Nov 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 115 € Book with 778 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +552 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
03 Apr 2027 03 Apr 2027
Saturday Monday
17 Apr 2027 19 Apr 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
24 Apr 2027 24 Apr 2027
Saturday Monday
08 May 2027 10 May 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
01 May 2027 01 May 2027
Saturday Monday
15 May 2027 17 May 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
15 May 2027 15 May 2027
Saturday Monday
29 May 2027 31 May 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
29 May 2027 29 May 2027
Saturday Monday
12 Jun 2027 14 Jun 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesFriday Friday
18 Jun 2027 18 Jun 2027
Saturday Monday
03 Jul 2027 05 Jul 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 4 380 € Book with 1 095 € deposit Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +672 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
24 Jul 2027 24 Jul 2027
Saturday Monday
07 Aug 2027 09 Aug 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
07 Aug 2027 07 Aug 2027
Saturday Monday
21 Aug 2027 23 Aug 2027
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
21 Aug 2027 21 Aug 2027
Saturday Monday
04 Sep 2027 06 Sep 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
04 Sep 2027 04 Sep 2027
Saturday Monday
18 Sep 2027 20 Sep 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
11 Sep 2027 11 Sep 2027
Saturday Monday
25 Sep 2027 27 Sep 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
18 Sep 2027 18 Sep 2027
Saturday Monday
02 Oct 2027 04 Oct 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
02 Oct 2027 02 Oct 2027
Saturday Monday
16 Oct 2027 18 Oct 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
16 Oct 2027 16 Oct 2027
Saturday Monday
30 Oct 2027 01 Nov 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
23 Oct 2027 23 Oct 2027
Saturday Monday
06 Nov 2027 08 Nov 2027
Availability Available
Land Only Trip Price 3 330 € 3 330 € Book with 832 € deposit Book with 832 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +582 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip Notes
Itinerary
Lima Lima
Adventure starts in Lima
Welcome to Lima, the busy capital of Peru. There’s plenty of adventure on your trip, but today’s all about settling into the hotel. You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the Miraflores district of Lima. There will be a notice board in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group welcome briefing will be held.
Accommodation: Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)
Drive south to Paracas and tour the Ballestas Islands • To Ica
We set off early this morning (around 5.30am) and drive south from Lima until we reach the port of Paracas (a four to five-hour drive). The Ballestas Islands lie a short distance off the coast here and are home to one of the highest concentrations of seabirds in the world – we visit them by boat.
On the outward journey, we pass the curious pre-Inca Candelabra geoglyph, a huge (more than 490ft/150m high) three-pronged trident shape etched into the sandy hillside, the origin and purpose of which remains unknown (although there are many theories). Upon reaching the islands we explore the caves and rock archways by boat and observe the sea lion and fur seal colonies as well as humboldt penguins and an array of birds such as cormorants, pelicans, tendrils, and Peruvian blue-footed boobies.
We take open-top motorised boats, which are shared with members of the public (occasionally the sea is too rough and the boats can’t operate). Take heed of seabirds above – it is advisable to wear a hat. The boat trip lasts around two hours. Back on dry land, we drive for an hour or so to Ica, the heart of the Peruvian wine-growing region, where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Jazmin (or similar)
Upgrade to a deluxe king room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
See the Nazca Lines • Optional scenic flight
We drive towards Nazca, stopping to visit the viewing platforms overlooking the Nazca Lines. These are one of the great archaeological mysteries, consisting of enormous drawings and patterns etched in the desert sand.
In the afternoon, there is usually time to take a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (additional cost), weather permitting. Due to the small planes used, this is not suitable for those with a fear of flying or who suffer from travel sickness. As an alternative, your leader can help arrange optional visits to the nearby burial grounds, Antonini Museum or the planetarium.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Hotel/Alegria (or similar)
Turn inland from coastal desert, climbing high into the Andes
We turn inland from the coastal desert today, climbing high into the Andes on a long (around 12 to 13 hours) but spectacular drive. We’ll pass through the largest vicuña reserve in the country, so look out for these smaller wild relatives of the llama. This region has only recently become easily accessible to tourists due to an upgrade of the Abancay/Chalhuanca road. The altitude here can make physical exertion difficult; the highest point we reach today is Negro Mayu, a pass at 15,092ft (4,600m) above sea level. We recommended that you rest in the evening. Tonight, we stay in Abancay on the road to Cuzco.
Accommodation: Hotel de Turistas Abancay (or similar)
To Cuzco, visiting Inca sites on the way
We set off towards Cuzco this morning, stopping to visit the Inca Saywite stone and Tarawasi ruins. The glaciated summits of the Vilcabamba mountain range and the descent into the Apurimac River valley demonstrate the dramatic contrasts of the Andes; expect stunning scenery throughout today’s roughly seven to eight-hour drive.
It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (11,155ft/3,400m).
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Standard Catedral (or similar)
Free day to explore Cuzco
To help you acclimatise, we embark on a relaxed walking tour this morning, which takes in the historic buildings and winding streets of Cuzco. The rest of the day has been left free for exploring on your own. The Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people watching, and the Koricancha Sun Temple in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery is worth a visit. The Mercado San Pedro is the place to try local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs, such as alpaca jumpers and scarves.
Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where the Inca armies made their last stand against the conquistadors. A combined entrance fee (tourist ticket) for these sites and many others is recommended – please see the Optional Excursions section below for prices. Sightseeing excursions to places outside Cuzco, including the Sacred Valley of the Incas, are also available. Please ask your tour leader.
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Standard Catedral (or similar)
Train to Aguas Calientes • Tour Machu Picchu
For most people, the highlight of the trip is the visit by train to one of the greatest ruins in the world, the lost city of Machu Picchu. This is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world, in a mountain setting of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas left no records of it, so Machu Picchu remains a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham.
We transfer (approximately two hours) to Ollantaytambo railway station to catch a train to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu). The railway line follows a beautiful route through the Urubamba River valley. In the afternoon, we take a short bus ride up the winding road to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the ruins. Visiting in the afternoon tends to be quieter than the mornings and the mist that shrouds the ruins at dawn has usually dispersed.
Please note that exploring the ruins involves a reasonable amount of walking, including up and down steep and uneven stone steps.
Accommodation: Terraza de Luna (or similar)
Free morning or optional second visit to Machu Picchu • Return to Cuzco by train and by road
This morning has been left free for you to relax and enjoy the buzz of Aguas Calientes. Alternatively, if you have already purchased a second entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, this morning is free for you to explore the once-lost city on your own. Please read the Is This Trip for You section for information on booking your tickets.
In the afternoon, we board the train back to Ollantaytambo and then continue by minibus to Cuzco, arriving in the late evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Standard Catedral (or similar)
Free day for optional excursions
We have a final chance to enjoy the sights and shopping of this beautiful city. If you would like something more active, there is an array of optional activities available from Cuzco that your leader can organise. These include paddleboarding on a lake, mountain biking, or a combination of via ferrata and zip-lining in the Sacred Valley.
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Standard Catedral (or similar)
To Lake Titicaca • Boat to Amantani Island for homestay
Today we travel for around 10 hours along the Vilcanota River and onto the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle. Although it is quite a long drive, the views are often spectacular. There are scheduled stops at interesting sites to help break up the day and we will get to appreciate the immensity of the Andean landscapes. This afternoon, we arrive at the shores of Lake Titicaca (12,467ft/3,800m above sea level) and board a boat for our trip to Amantani Island. A hike around the island offers great views across the lake, while the night spent with a local family is a fantastic cultural insight into lives very different to our own. A packed lunch is included today.
Accommodation: Amantani Island homestay (basic)
Explore the island • Afternoon boat to Puno visiting the floating reed islands
We explore the island in the morning before boarding our boat for the three-hour journey to Puno on the lakeshore. On the way, we visit Uros Island. The Uros have been living on reed rafts for centuries, and although many have now moved to the mainland there are still a couple of thousand who remain on the islands. A reasonable amount of their income is now provided by strictly regulated tourism, but they also still fish the lake and barter with mainland communities for daily essentials.
Accommodation: Casona Plaza Hotel (or similar)
Drive across the altiplano to Colca Canyon
Today we head across the altiplano again. This time we cross to the southwest, heading back towards the coast to the high Colca Canyon (a five to six-hour drive). En route, we see vicuñas and possibly flamingos, crossing the Patapampa Pass (15,781ft/4,810m) before descending into what is considered the second-deepest canyon in the Americas (the deepest, the Cotahuasi Canyon, is also in Peru). There is time in the evening for an optional visit to the hot springs near the main town of Chivay (11,926ft/3,635m) – a warming pleasure after the chill of Lake Titicaca.
Accommodation: Hotel Pozo del Cielo (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Morning condor viewing • Afternoon drive past huge volcanoes to the White City of Arequipa
Rise early to view condors soaring on the morning drafts rising out of the canyon. We then ascend out of the canyon and cross Patapampa Pass on our way to Arequipa, which is known as the White City due to the pale volcanic stone used to construct many of its colonial buildings. The picturesque city has a year-round pleasant climate and is surrounded by towering volcanoes, including the near-perfect cone of El Misti.
Accommodation: Su Majestad Hotel (or similar)
Morning visit Santa Catalina Convent • Afternoon fly to Lima
In the morning we visit the huge, serene convent of Santa Catalina. Built in 1580 and only opened to the outside world in the 1970s, it offers a rare insight into the lives led by the nuns and has changed little through the centuries. There are still around 20 nuns living in the northern corner of the complex. In the afternoon or evening we fly to Lima where we will transfer to our hotel in Miraflores.
Accommodation: Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)
Adventure ends in Lima
You’ve explored a New World Wonder, seen the Nazca Lines and stayed on a Lake Titicaca island; but today, we start our return journeys home, although there may be time for optional tours of Lima, including visits to the Gold Museum and tours of the historic downtown.
Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to join our add-on tour to the Amazon rainforest – an into-the-wild adventure to explore lakes, rivers and jungle trails in search of incredible wildlife.
Post-trip Extensions
Amazon Rainforest Add-on (post-tour, from Lima)
Easily accessible via a short flight to Puerto Maldonado from Lima, the Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world and home to an astonishing array of wildlife and plant species. Spending three nights at a lodge in the incredibly rich Tambopata Reserve, we use motorised canoes to explore lakes and rivers, and follow jungle trails to explore dense forests.
The detailed itinerary can be found here, or speak to your sales representative for more details.
Hotels and Titicaca homestay
The properties selected for this Peru exploration are a blend of three-star quality and comfort, often within easy walking distance of the local attractions. Our Lima hotel is a welcome escape from the city bustle, while our Cuzco hotel is centrally located in the historic centre. A highlight of this tour is our ‘live like a local’ Amantani island homestay, which allows us to experience Andean warmth and hospitality.
Upgrade your room on Day 2 and Day 12 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.
Below are some of the standout places we stay:
Lima: El Tambo 1 (night 1)
El Tambo 1 (uno) is our three-star Lima hotel in the lively tourist district of Miraflores. It has a restaurant and lovely small bar near the courtyard garden, plus easy access to local sites, such as Kennedy Park, the Larcomar Shopping Center and the Miraflores clifftop promenade where you can enjoy great views of the Pacific Ocean.
Ica: Hotel Villa Jazmin (night 2)
Surrounded by dunes and pisco distilleries, Hotel Villa Jazmin is an oasis of comfort in Ica. After a day of touring in the desert sun, Villa Jazmin invites you to relax by the pool and enjoy a cold drink from the bar (we recommend a pisco sour made with locally produced pisco).
Amantani island: Homestay (night 10)
Our trip includes an unforgettable homestay with a local family on Amantani island. This wonderful community project has guests staying with multiple families; the hosts share in the proceeds, which benefits both the Amantani community and the visitors who enjoy and learn from this unique cultural experience.
Colca Canyon: Hotel Pozo del Cielo (night 12)
Experience the charm of Hotel Pozo del Cielo as we visit Colca Canyon and the surrounding communities. With an inviting ambiance, panoramic views and warm hospitality, it has cosy rooms, a relaxing bar and a restaurant serving Peruvian delicacies.
Worth knowing
- On our way from Nazca to Cuzco, we overnight in Abancay. Our Hotel de Turistas Abancay hotel is basic, yet functional for a restful overnight stay.
- Amantani homestay: The rooms are basic but clean and the beds have sheets and plenty of blankets to keep you warm. There are shared drop toilets but no showers.
- Single rooms can be booked for single supplement, subject to availability at the time of booking. This supplement covers single rooms throughout the trip, except for the homestay on Amantani island.
Trip Experts
Reviews
Add your own reviewExtraordinary
Overall i had an amazing trip! the food, culture, history and landscapes where just magical.
Most Inspirational Moment
Machu Picchu was absolutely breath taking!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very knowledgeable and pleasant to be around for the full 2 weeks
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take Mosquito repellent, be sure to bring layers as the temp can drop from hot to cold and make sure you remain hydrated through out when reaching high altitude! the local coca tea really helps!
Fabulous Country
Essential Peru was just excellent, every day there there was something different and exciting, each experience matching the visit to Machu Picchu, which we thought was going to be the highlight, but just became another amazing example of the wonders of Peru.
Most Inspirational Moment
Very difficult to define a moment, but journal across the Serria Alto with the Andies in the distance was quite breath taking. Each event on the tour, such as the visit to the Island where we saw penguins, the Nascar Lines, the Island Homestay, plus others were fantastic.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was Leo, and although a perfectly pleasant chap, he was not very organized which did frustrate the members of the group. From minute one where he arbitrarily changed the time of the welcome meeting, without telling anyone, to constantly being unsure of which members of the group had paid for the additional items. The main issue which arose was when he went missing with a group members ticket to Machu Picchu, which meant that he was unable to get the early night required before a very early start the following morning. I am not sure that Leo is suited to this profession. The other local guides were enthusiastic and entertaining, particularly William and Vanessa.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Definitely go, and do not be put off by the long bus journey's, that was an integral part of the experience. The rain forest add-on is very dependent on the weather, and there are other trips in other countries such as Borneo and Costa Rica, where there is a much higher likelihood of seeing a variety of wildlife. We appeared to be very unlucky and did not see very much wildlife.
Reply from Exodus
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on your Essential Peru adventure. We’re so pleased to hear that you found the trip itself excellent, with each day offering something new and exciting, and that the wonders of Peru, alongside local guides like William and Vanessa, left such a strong impression.
We’re equally sorry to learn of the frustrations you experienced with your group leader, Leo. We fully understand how important it is to have a great and attentive leader who supports the group throughout the journey, and it’s clear that on this occasion the organisation and level of care did not meet the standards we set. Please be assured that all customer feedback is taken very seriously, and following a thorough review and discussions with our local operator, we’ve made the decision that Leo will not be leading any Exodus trips going forward. He will, however, continue to lead other trips in the region outside of Exodus.
While we recognise that this does not change your own experience, we hope it demonstrates our commitment to listening to our travellers and taking action where needed to improve. Feedback like yours helps us ensure future trips are led with the attentiveness, professionalism, and care that our customers deserve. We’re grateful you shared your experience with us and truly hope the memories of Peru will stay with you for years to come.
Emma Cambers,
Product Manager
Essentials of Peru
We loved our trip to all of the exciting places in Peru. This trip hit all the places you’ve always wanted to visit all in one package.
Machu Picchu was outstanding. The Nasca Lines were fantastic. We really enjoyed all the restaurants and food. It was above and beyond delicious.
Most Inspirational Moment
My first sight of Machu Picchu gave me goosebumps. The trip there was fun and exciting.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was Leo. He was an outstanding leader. He kept everything moving along very smoothly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for some long travel days. We were a group of 9 travellers. We had lots of extra room on our bus to spread out. Take the leaders advice on getting acclimatized slowly, eat lightly when suggested and be prepared for some fantastic sights.
Fabulous introduction to Peru
First time travelling with Exodus.
One of the best trips we’ve taken. Very well organised, great tour leader and lovely company of our fellow travellers.
Every day provided wonderful experiences. Awe inspiring scenery, changing landscapes, culture and history, the people we met and sites visited were just wonderful. We travelled many kilometres and had some early starts, but the comfortable transport and laughs on the way made it worth it. We had a full on experience of this beautiful Country. Thanks to Renato, our tour leader, everything went smoothly. His pride in his country was infectious.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were so many - Machu Picchu was epic. Seeing the Condors soaring in the thermals in Colca Canyon. The Homestay on Amantani with a local family and enjoying the simple but delicious food they gave us. The optional Sacred Valley tour was outstanding. Thanks again to Reno’s for arranging an add on to Sacsayhuaman, incredible! The food! Oh my amazing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Renzo was an outstanding leader. Fun, friendly, well organised and justly proud of his Country. He supplied us with lots of information, taught us some Spanish. Was a font of Knowledge about the history and culture of the Incas and other Indigenous people. He recommended restaurants and things to do in our free time, but was not pushy in his recommendations. He managed the chaos of the delayed train from Agua Callenties and somehow managed to get us on an earlier one! He managed the tipping kitty well and provided us with a summary. He monitored everyone’s oxygen levels on a daily basis at altitude and was careful in advising anyone with symptoms (Only were mild in our group). All in all, I doubt we could have had a better leader! He made the trip!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just do it. It’s a wonderful introduction to Peru. Fast paced and long days, but so worth it. The trip is well organised, the transport very comfortable, stops on long days are frequent. Accommodation is good. I wasn’t sure what to expect about the Homestay. But it was wonderful. Lots of safe drinking water provided by the tour leader, so bring a refillable bottle. Electrolytes and drinking plenty of water will help with the altitude.Bring sunscreen, a hat, clothing layers and shoes for uneven ground.
A Magical Journey Through Southern Peru
Hands down one of our favorite trips! Extremely well organized tour with an amazing leader. Every day was chock full of fantastic sights and awesome scenery. The Peruvian landscape, history and culture were captivating and I still can’t believe how much we experienced. There were some long days and early starts, but we loved every minute and will cherish each memory. Our fellow travelers were a great group and we shared a lot of laughs. Kudos to our leader Renzo for making this a seamless journey through his amazing country.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many inspiring moments - first glimpse of Machu Picchu spread out below us, staying with a lovely Amantani family and learning about their traditions, spotting colorful birds and butterflies in the cloud forest, flying over the mysterious Nazca lines, watching the Andean condor soar over one of the deepest canyons...shall I go on?
Thoughts on Group Leader
Renzo was a fantastic leader! As he would say - Super Dupes! Fun & friendly, he was also incredibly organized, which made moving around much easier. He made a point of suggesting activities geared to our individual interests. The tipping kitty was a great idea so that our numerous local guides and drivers would be tipped appropriately without us having to think about it. Every restaurant he recommended was excellent and somehow he performed a miracle by getting us on a timely train in the midst of a chaotic delay. In addition, he was serious about monitoring everyone each day we were at altitude. We can't recommend him highly enough.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you're up for a fast-paced tour through a beautiful country, don't hesitate to book. Initially anxious about the homestay, it ended up being a highlight for us. Food was excellent and plenty of safe drinking water was provided. Hydration and electrolytes (we brought Zaca tablets) were key for the altitude. Layers are necessary as the sun is quite warm at altitude, but once it sets the temp drops quickly. Some folks listened to podcasts or music during the longer drives, but even without those there is incredible scenery to keep you occupied. Bring shoes that are stiff enough for uneven and cobbled paths. Come ready to learn about Peruvian history and culture and you won't be disappointed.
Don’t understand the question.
We had a wonderful time, despite some altitude sickness and lots of driving.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved meeting the local people at our Lake Titicaca homestay.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Leo was a very good guide and took care of us well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be sure you understand how much driving there is.
What a great trip!
During the two very busy weeks we basically saw most of Peru – starting from Lima – making our way through the mountains via Cuzco and ending up with Lake Titicaca and Arequipa. Wonderful scenery across, tons of archaeological ruins visited along the way and we get to know Peruvian culture very well due to our excellent guide Edwind (winner of Exodus Guide of the Year 2023 for a good reason! ). Highlights for me was definitely Machu Picchu and two days we spend there, but also a wonderful Amantani Island homestay on Lake Titicaca. Staying with a local family was a very humbling and magical experience. Great trip if you want to see most of Peru in just two weeks – really comprehensive!
Essential Peru
I have enjoyed every Exodus trip I have done and this was no exception. It was a busy trip with several long travelling days in a very comfortable coach, but the journey was always broken up with numerous stops and the scenery was amazing.
Most Inspirational Moment
Machu Picchu was iconic but the highlight was watching the condors in the Colca Canyon. Awe inspiring!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Renzo was an excellent group leader, personable, professional and knowledgeable. He was always available, took us to some excellent restaurants and had a lovely sense of humour. Very much like every Exodus leader I have travelled with and there have been numerous.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t be put off by the long days, this is a brilliant way to see the amazing sights in Peru.
Life changing!
This was a trip of a lifetime, from start to finish I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very get up and go, so if this isn’t your sort of trip then I don’t think it would be for you.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was really incredible, no one can explain to you how it feels when you're standing there, you have to see it with your own eyes. I also really loved the sand dunes which our leader took us to!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Leo was incredible, he was thoroughly organised, kind, patient, sensible, careful - everything you want in a tour leader. I noticed how he waited in reception all times of the day in case anyone needed him, so he could be found easily. He really made the trip for a lot of us.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If it is approaching summer/spring in Peru - ensure to pack shorts, t-shirts etc as the weather is very unpredictable and it was VERY hot for us! Also very strong sun cream, as well as a travel pillow for long journeys, ear plugs and face mask which helped me.
Peru
In summary, the trip, the organisation, and the itinerary was extremely good.
Leo, our guide, was excellent.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing Machu Pichu and also stopping at an Oasis. The scenery was also stunning.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Leo was excellent. He was knowledgable, caring, answered all questions, and was extremely well organised. He made local stops, such as to an Oasis and also to a Road side stop on one of the long journey days, that had excellent coffee and shopping, and really should be included in the itinerary.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The altitude caused ALL of us problems, from mild headaches to full sickness and needs to be more strongly emphasised. The weather was MUCH warmer than suggested in the Trip Notes and ALL of us had brought too many warm clothes and not enough light clothing. The bus stays are much longer than suggested, with few stops and often unanticipated holds ups meaning extremely long travelling days with little time to do anything on arrival except eat and sleep. The Hot Springs at Chivay shoukd be avoided- 1 overcrowded pool with blaring music and lots of loud teenagers.
You may also like
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus’ experts.
Essential Peru
15 Days
Excluding Flights From
16 Days
from