Premium Peru
9 days / 8 nights
Step into the vibrant tapestry of Peru, a country where vibrant cities, untamed rainforests, and ancient wonders converge. Embark on a nine-day Premium journey, led by a knowledgeable local guide, to uncover the Incan, indigenous, and modern facets of this captivating land.
Priced From:
$5913 pp *
Sales Ends: 30/04/2024
Travel Date: Various dates through to 15 Dec 2024
Step into the vibrant tapestry of Peru, a country where vibrant cities, untamed rainforests, and ancient wonders converge. Embark on a nine-day Premium journey, led by a knowledgeable local guide, to uncover the Incan, indigenous, and modern facets of this captivating land.
Begin your adventure in Lima, a city adorned with colonial charm. Explore its lively streets, discovering the fusion of history and contemporary life. Immerse yourself in the kaleidoscope of the Amazon Rainforest, where incredible biodiversity awaits. Witness the wonders of nature in a setting that echoes with the symphony of life.
Journey to Cusco, a city steeped in historical richness, and delve into its cultural treasures. Feel the pulse of local life as you navigate through its streets, absorbing the unique blend of tradition and modernity.
The pinnacle of your expedition leads you to Machu Picchu, the awe-inspiring Incan ruins. Stand in the shadow of ancient marvels, where history whispers through time. This journey invites you to savor quiet moments, forging connections with the local way of life and delving beneath the surface of a country that defies the ordinary. Peru, a realm of extraordinary experiences, awaits your discovery.
Sleep surrounded by nature in the Amazon rainforest in a private thatched cabana at your magnificent feature stay lodge. Located in the heart of a 380 hectare-private ecological reserve, this unique resort has an on-site team of expert local guides.
Take your taste buds on a trip, from the market stalls of Lima and one of the city’s best restaurants, to a traditional Andean lunch in the Sacred Valley.
Get to know local culture during interactions with Willoq community, let a local leader show you the country’s best, and explore with expert guides in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
Take in unbeatable views of the Andes as you travel towards Machu Picchu on a 360 train, offering high domed windows and an open-air observation carriage to immerse yourself in the incredible landscape.
Experience the country’s best sights during two guided visits to remarkable Machu Picchu and an unforgettable day of wildlife activities in the Amazon Jungle.
Day 1: Lima
Welcome to Peru! Your adventure begins in Lima, where you will be collected from the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your small group of fellow travellers and your local leader for a 2pm welcome meeting. 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. Lima has one of the world’s most revered culinary scenes, and this evening you’ll head to one of the city’s best restaurants with stunning views surrounded by ancient ruins. The creative chef offers up traditional Peruvian dishes with modern twists in a one-of-a-kind environment. (D)
Day 2: Amazon Jungle
Today you will catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado. On arrival in the afternoon, take a bus to the port where you will board motorised canoes and head into the Amazon rainforest. Keep an eye out for macaws, herons, alligators and capybaras along the way. Here you’ll find Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion, your Feature Stay for the next two nights. Built in the heart of a 380 hectare-private ecological reserve, this unique resort is focussed on the conservation of local habitats and features 25 private cabanas plus an on-site team of expert local guides. Enjoy lunch at the lodge then explore the Concepcion Trails with an expert guide. As darkness begins to fall, join a guided Twilight River boat ride and see how many caimans you can spot lurking on the riverbanks. Dinner is a la carte and draws on local Amazon ingredients to create a meal to remember. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Amazon Jungle
After breakfast, board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly glide across Lake Sandoval, keeping an eye out for red howler monkeys, giant river otters, and colourful macaws along the way. After lunch you may like to walk along the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, a 344 metre network of suspension bridges that take you high above the forest floor to some of the best places to spot toucans, woodpeckers, monkeys, and three-toed sloths. Join a night walk to discover the nocturnal activity in the surrounding areas or book into the lodge’s spa (own expense), before you meet your group for dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Cusco
This morning you will travel back to Puerto Maldonado, then take a 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. (B)
Day 5: Cusco
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. 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. (B)
Day 6: Ollantaytambo
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 Willoq community to gain a greater insight into the local lifestyle with a visit to a local workshop where you’ll learn about traditional textile techniques that are used by the community – and you’ll even have the chance to make your own bracelet with the local women! Sit down for a festive pachamanca lunch. Aftwerwards, visit AMA, a local restaurant specializing in organic produce, and learn how they support single mothers in the Sacred Valley while enjoying a snack and drink. 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. (B,L)
Day 7: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
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, quickly drop your belongings at your hotel, 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. (B)
Day 8: Cusco
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. (B)
Day 9: Cusco
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.) (B)
10% discount applies to new bookings made and deposited with World Travellers New Zealand between 12:00am NZDT 18 March 2024 and 11.59pm NZST 30 April 2024. This offer can only be applied toward the following Intrepid Travel trips;
Premium Morocco in Depth (trip code: XMPE);
Premium Egypt (trip code: XEPN);
Premium Turkey (trip code: ERPI); and
Premium Peru (trip code: GGPI)
All other trips are excluded.
This offer can only be applied to trips departing between 19 March - 15 December 2024. All offers apply to the trip price only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Credit Holders can use any valid discounts or promotions, except where we are honoring their original price. For more information about how to redeem your credit visit our Credit Redemption page. Offer applies to land element of trip only and cannot be redeemed against flights, additional accommodation, transfers, travel insurance or local payments/kittys. This sale is applicable to residents of New Zealand only and must be booked in NZD. Our trips are subject to availability and confirmation by Intrepid Travel at time of booking. If you wish to cancel and rebook your trip or change dates outside the promotional period, you will be required to pay the full cost towards the new trip. Except as set out expressly above, Intrepid Travel’s Booking Conditions apply. Travel documents & vaccination requirements are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Promo code 692064 must be quoted at time of booking. Professional service fees may apply.