G-Adventures logo

Peru: Ancient Cities & the Andes

14 days, Lima to Cusco

We have multiple itineraries for this trip.Please select one for correct pricing and itinerary.
!

The itinerary on this trip has been improved! View the new itinerary.

This specific trip is no longer running.

Trip Code: SPPS

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings

Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Rating: 4 - Demanding

Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 18, avg 14.

Age requirement: 18-39

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

Alternative Trips

This specific trip is no longer running.

Trip Code: SPPS

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 14

Ripple Score

Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 100

Map of the route for Peru: Ancient Cities & the Andes

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Lima

Arrive at any time. Get to know your group tonight as you head out to one of the many bars and restaurants in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco. Enjoy a local craft beer with your fellow travellers as you get excited for the adventure to come.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group| Your First Night Out Moment Connect With New Friends

Day 2Lima/Nazca

Catch a local bus and drive down the coast through the desert to Nazca.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Nazca/Arequipa

Free time to explore Nazca; Opt for a flight over the famous Nazca Lines or take a tour of the Nazca Desert Cemetery and Potter's Studio. Enjoy a traditional "Pachamanca" lunch, then later catch the overnight bus to Arequipa.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Pachamanca

Meals included:

Lunch

Day 4Arequipa

Welcome to Arequipa! Take the day to explore what is known as the 'white city.' If you're into history and architecture, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, where you'll get a unique glimpse into a bygone way of life. For spicy food lovers, visiting one of the 'picanterías' is a must. Satisfy your craving with a variety of local regional foods: alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces.

Day 5Arequipa/Colca Canyon

Enjoy a full-day tour of the spectacular Colca Valley and venture to the impressive Colca Canyon — one of the deepest canyons in the world — on an overnight excursion. With a little luck, you'll spot Andean condors soaring over the majestic Andes. Keep a lookout for other unusual animals! Give your body some much needed relaxation by taking a dip in the the hot springs.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Colca Canyon

Get an early start–be on the look out for condors. Travel from Chivay town to a condor viewpoint to get a glimpse of these magnificent birds in the air. On the way back, stop in local villages, and see old terraces. Catch an overnight bus to Cusco.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Cusco

Free day in Cusco to explore. Choose to pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class. Opt to go mountain biking or just relax in a café.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 8Cusco/Ccaccaccollo

Head into the Sacred Valley today to visit the G-Adventures supported women's weaving co-op in the Ccaccaccollo community. Learn about weaving, and meet the adorable resident llamas. If you see a knitted item you like, buy it — a perfect keepsake from your journey. Get further immersed in the local life of the Ccaccaccollo community during an overnight homestay.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit| Your Local Living Moment Ccaccaccollo Community Homestay

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 9Ccaccaccollo/Ollantaytambo

Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas. You can choose to take a Sacred Valley tour and visit the impressive Pisac ruins, the colourful artisan market (market days only), and the large ruin site of Ollantaytambo that lies adjacent to the town of the same name. Catch your breath at Ollantaytambo and prepare for the hike the next morning.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 10Ollantaytambo/Cusco

Enjoy a breakfast at your hotel before visiting the Ollantaytambo ruins where you'll walk up the 200 stone steps to reach the top. Afterwards, return to the Sacred Valley with the CEO to explore the sites of the Maras Salt Mines and the ancient Incan agricultural terraces of Moray. Stop in Piuray and opt to grab lunch before visiting the Chincheros ruins. Known to the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow, this site offers stunning views of the Andean countryside. Return to Cusco for the evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 11Cusco

Fill up on breakfast at your hotel in Cusco before walking to the Cusco Cathedral where your guide will meet the group for your walking tour of Cusco's colonial side. The group will see the colonial architecture and influence visible in Cusco and visit the beautiful Sapantiana waterfalls before having lunch at Nuna Raymi in the city. Afterwards, the group will walk back to the hotel and can enjoy free time for the rest of the evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 12Cusco/Aguas Calientes

After breakfast at the hotel in Cusco, the group will travel by van to Ollantaytambo to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. After enjoying a quick orientation walk around the town of Aguas Calientes the group will have free time for optional activities. Opt to visit the Machu Picchu Museum, the Mandor Waterfalls, and the butterfly garden. Or consider taking a dip in some thermal baths to relax those muscles.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Aguas Calientes/Cusco

Wake up ready to discover the magic of Machu Picchu today with a guided tour. Later, head back down to Aguas Calientes to meet with your group and board a train back to Cusco. Tonight, dance the night away at a popular night club.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Big Night Out Moment

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 14Cusco

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
  • Your Foodie Moment: Pachamanca, Nazca
  • Your Discover Moment: Cusco
  • Your Local Living Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community Homestay, Ccaccaccollo
  • Your Big Night Out Moment: Cusco
  • Pachamanca ceremony (Nazca)
  • Overnight Colca Canyon excursion
  • Visit the Maras salt pans and ruins of Moray
  • Guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • Homestay experience and visit to a G Adventures-supported women's weaving project (Ccacaccollo)
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Simple hotels (10 nts), overnight bus (2 nts), homestay (1 nt).

Meals

10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
Allow USD295-385 for meals not included.

Transportation

Hiking, local bus, train.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Extend your stay with these add-on tours

G Lodge Amazon - 4 Day Independent Adventure - From $639

Looking for more? Add on an Amazon jungle lodge stay for a few nights. (Not 18-to-Thirtysomethings, but still amazing.)

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Peru: Ancient Cities & the Andes

| 14 days - Lima to Cusco - from $1874 USD