Journeys: Inca Explorer
15 days, Lima to Lima
Itinerary
Day 1Lima
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Arrive in Lima at any time. On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel.
Please note: if you booked the Culinary Bundle it does not include extra time in Lima and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 13:00.
Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Private Vehicle
On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2Lima/Paracas
Travel to Paracas National Park. Relax in this sleepy seaside town and sample Peru's national drink, the Pisco Sour.
Enjoy a drive down the coastal desert to Paracas, a sleepy fishing village that serves as the starting point for all tours to the Ballestas Islands.
There is little to do in town, but for those that love seafood and are looking to try Peru's national drink, the Pisco Sour, it's heaven.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Paracas/Nazca
Visit the Ballestas Islands by boat to view sea lion colonies, penguins, and other bird life. Visit the Tacama Winery, one of South America’s oldest. Join an on-site expert and learn about the production of wine and spirits in Peru, then enjoy a tasting. Continue south in the afternoon to Nazca with a stop at the Huacachina sand dunes and oasis.
The Ballestas Islands are often referred to as "the poor man's Galapagos." Home to hundreds of sea lions and many species of marine birds, including the Humboldt penguin, incredible wildlife spotting is pretty much guaranteed.
Continue south by land to Nazca with a stops to visit a winery and see the Huacachina sand dunes along the way.
Ballestas Islands Trip
Get ready to do some amazing wildlife watching on this trip to Ballestas Islands (aka Lima's Little Galapagos) on the Peruvian Coast. Spot playful sea lions, Humboldt penguins, boobies, pelicans, and more than 200 species of sea birds. Be sure to bring a camera to capture some amazing pics.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Foodie Moment: Pisco winery visit and tasting
Located in the Ica Valley, visit one of South America's oldest and most picturesque wineries. Take a guided tour of its vast grounds and learn about the production of wine and spirits in Peru. Round off your visit with a taste of pisco, the local spirit made from grapes.
Huacachina Sand Dunes
Choose to explore the magical sand dunes in the pleasant town of Huacachina. Opt to climb to the top of the huge dunes and be rewarded with amazing views; the dunes surround a beautiful turquoise lagoon lined with palm trees, and rolling sand dunes decorate the horizon. Try to reach the summit for sundown when the landscape is washed with amazing colour. You can also take advantage of trying a new sport while you’re there and choose to wax up a sandboard to take the fast way down. It’s something like snowboarding (but on sand, of course).
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Nazca
Tour a pre-Inca cemetery in Nazca to view 1,500-year-old mummies, bones, and pottery on the desert floor. Also visit a nearby pottery studio for a demonstration by a local artist. In the evening, enjoy a traditional pachamanca-style dinner. Option to take a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines.
Nazca is home to one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines. The entire desert area was also once the home for the ancient Paracas and the Nazca cultures, which preceded the Incas by more than half a millennium.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Nazca Desert Cemetery and Potter's Studio Guided Tour
See remains of the Nazca culture during an included tour of the ancient Pre-Inca desert cemetery site of Chauchilla. Spot 1500-year-old mummies, bones, and pottery on the desert floor. The entire desert area was also once home to the ancient Paracas and the Nazca cultures, which preceded the Incas by more than half a millennium. Stop for a visit at an artisan’s workshop, where modern masters create Nazca style pottery.
Your Foodie Moment: Pachamanca
Enjoy a traditional meal. Assist in the preparation of a thousand-year-old tradition: "Pachamanca," an ancient ceremony akin to the Polynesian meal of burying a variety of delicious treats wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooking them with pre-heated rocks buried in the ground.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Flight over Nazca Lines
Take to the skies for the best view of the enigmatic Nazca Lines, a series of patterns and pictures etched in the ground, crisscrossing a wide area of flat desert. Marvel at the lines measuring up to 10km (6 mi) in length, yet, remaining perfectly straight. See depictions of birds, insects, and animals only recognizable from the air. Decide for yourself the origin of the lines – who drew the lines, and why, remains a mystery. Current beliefs suggest that they may be part of complex agricultural calendar.
Please note that this activity does not include a tourist ticket fee of S/.47 PEN per person, payable directly by each traveller at the airport in Nazca.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 5Nazca/Arequipa
Full day of driving down the coast to the colonial city of Arequipa.
Embark on a very long drive, which will include rest stops and lunch at Oasis Camana.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 6Arequipa
Enjoy a city tour, including a visit to the historic convent of Santa Catalina. Dig into Arequipa’s renowned regional cuisine with a cooking class led by a chef at a traditional “picantería” restaurant. Try local favourites like “cuy” (guinea pig), Rocoto Relleno (stuffed spicy peppers) and sample a glass of “chicha”.
Peru’s second most important city after Lima, Arequipa maintains a traditional colonial style and more laid back pace in comparison with the capital. Spectacular mountains surround Arequipa, the most famous of which is El Misti Volcano. Standing at 5822m (19096 ft), it has a beautiful snow-capped peak.
Arequipa City Tour
Get out and explore "the white city" on this walking tour, stop at picturesque viewpoints to capture the surrounding volcanoes, marvel at the white volcanic sillar rock architecture, and visit one of the most stunning colonial buildings in the country, Santa Catalina Monastery.
Santa Catalina Convent Visit
Tour the Convent of Santa Catalina during the city tour, offering a brief respite from the outside world and a unique view into a by-gone way of life. Those with an interest in history, culture, and architecture will definitely enjoy the visit.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Arequipa Cooking Class
Ready to dig in to Arequipa’s renowned regional cuisine? Head to a popular local restaurant for a gastronomic adventure. Located amongst charming cloisters in the city centre, the restaurant is a traditional “picantería” serving up local delicacies like “cuy” (guinea pig) and fried cheese with native potatoes. Learn from the best with a cooking class led by one of the chefs before sitting down to a delicious three-course meal. Be sure to try the rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy peppers) and sample a glass of “chicha.”
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Arequipa/Cusco
Fly to Cusco and explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Every year Cusco attracts thousands of travellers who come to delve into its noble but tragic past. It is the perfect base for optional explorations around the city and area as well as a range of outdoor activities. Relax and explore this fascinating city, and take time to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Cusco/Urubamba
Full-day excursion of the Sacred Valley with an expert local guide including the Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins and a visit to a G Adventures-supported women's weaving project in a local community. Also, enjoy lunch at the G Adventures-supported Sacred Valley Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo, an indigenous village.
Private Vehicle
Times includes all stops and visits enroute through the Sacred Valley.
Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit
Visit the Ccaccaccollo community centre which G Adventures travellers' donations helped create in 2005, thereby enabling local women to sell traditional textiles to travellers. See local weaving and dyeing techniques used to create garments and souvenirs, and learn how the Planeterra weaving co-operative has impacted the community and those who visit it. This includes the purchase of alpacas to provide a steady supply of wool, looms, and sewing machines as well as several training courses on production, sales and small business management.
Pisac Ruins Guided Tour
Tour the fascinating hilltop citadel of Pisac, an Incan ruin with plunging gorges, a ceremonial centre, and winding agriculture terracing that's still in use today. Be captivated by this truly amazing site sitting amid sweeping green valleys and mountain peaks. Explore the back of the site to see a pocketed cliff across Kitamayo Gorge, which once contained hundreds of Inca tombs.
Ollantaytambo Ruins Guided Tour
Tour the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo with a local guide. Take a step back in time at this Inca archaeological site; it still shows signs of its former glory, including agricultural terraces, a Temple Hill, and storehouses. Learn how the area, overlooking the Urubamba River Valley, was an important stronghold during warfare between the Spanish and Incas.
Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley
Contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how the resident-run restaurant was kickstarted by G Adventures and the Multilateral Investment Fund, to become a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 9Urubamba/Aguas Calientes
Travel by train and enjoy stunning scenery following the Urubamba River Valley to Aguas Calientes. Option to visit the local hot springs and market. Those who have purchased and pre-booked the '1-day Inca Trail' hike will disembark the train at 104km and trek to the Sun Gate for their first glimpse of Machu Picchu before rejoining the group at Aguas Calientes for the night.
Board a morning train that winds through the spectacular Sacred Valley to the end of the line: the village of Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled in the hills beneath Machu Picchu. This is the closest town to Machu Picchu, making Aguas Calientes an ideal night stop.
To best enjoy this area, take advantage of the opportunity to visit the butterfly house, botanical gardens, or hot springs. Opt for a day hike to Mandor Gardens to see orchids and a waterfall, enjoying the lush, green scenery en route.
Please bear in mind that the town has several amenities, but is also geographically remote meaning services are sometimes more basic than one would assume. As the only option for travellers visiting Machu Picchu, the development of infrastructure has happened quite quickly, much without proper planning, and the focus on providing quality service may not be up to the standards experienced in other parts of the country.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time for optional activities or just relax.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Hot Springs Visit
6USD per personSoak your sore muscles in the local hot springs for which the town, Aguas Calientes, was originally named.
Butterfly House Visit
Learn about the four stages of a butterfly’s life at this learning centre and breeding project. Observe varied species of butterflies, some unique to the area.
Mandor Gardens Visit
This botanical garden boasts a beautiful waterfall, varied wildlife and lush scenery. Walk along one of the trails and admire the many orchids.
Machu Picchu Visit
75-120USD per personA multi-day journey along the Inca Trail takes you to the heavenly 15th-century city of Machu Picchu, situated 2,430m (7,970 ft) above sea level.
It's considered to be South America’s most important archaeological site and why it was built is still uncertain. Some archaeologists believe it was a royal estate, while others say it was a sacred religious site, a business centre, a prison, or agricultural testing station. A new theory has it being built by aliens. It doesn't matter because it’s breathtaking. Must-sees include the Inti Mach’ay cave, Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. Machu Picchu is a World Heritage site and is slowly being restored.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Aguas Calientes/Cusco
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu with an expert guide. Free time to explore the site on your own and option to visit the Inca Bridge before returning to Cusco by train.
Rise early to take advantage of viewing Machu Picchu in the early morning light. This is the best time to view the "lost city of the Incas." Join our local guide for a detailed interpretation of the site and Inca history without the pressure of other tour groups that arrive at midday.
Later in the afternoon, return by train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and then transfer by van to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Machu Picchu Guided Tour
Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Inca Bridge Visit
FreeUse any leftover energy from your Machu Picchu hike to visit the Inca Bridge site nearby (thought by some to be a secret back entrance to Machu Picchu). Trek up to the bridge that's cleaving to a 579m (1,900 ft) cliff, and soak in amazing views of cloud forest along the way.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Cusco
Explore historic Cusco with options to visit museums and ruins or go whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or mountain biking. This evening, look to the night sky for a different view at the Cusco Planetarium. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Inca relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use the telescopes to admire the stars.
Take in the Plaza de Armas (main square) and explore a city steeped in tradition. There are numerous optional activities including horseback riding, mountain or motor biking, rafting, hiking or visits to Inca ruins or museums around town.
Please note if you pre-book the Culinary Bundle, on day 11 you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 16:00
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cusco Planetarium
Look to the night sky for a different view of the city. Explore the Cusco Planetarium surrounded by the serene nature of the Llaullipata Ecological Reserve. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Incas’ relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use the telescopes to admire the stars (weather-permitting).
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Cusco, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting Museo Inka, Museo de Historia Regional, and whitewater rafting. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Cusco Archaeological Tour
Explore some of the most important Inca ruins outside the city. Admire Saqsaywaman's monumental stonework. See Tambomachay's fountains, thought to be an ancient spa or a military outpost. Discover the natural cave in Qenqo – home to the ancient temple of Puma.
Paragliding
Admire the Sacred Valley and surrounding mountains from a unique perspective. Take off from the Wayllabamba viewpoint for a breathtaking flight lasting from 15 to 45 minutes depending on weather conditions.
Whitewater Rafting Urubamba
69USD per personRise for an early morning pick up and drive to Chuquicahuana for a safety briefing. Enjoy a full day of rafting on the Upper Vilcanota River (about 2.5 hrs on the water). Be thrilled by fast rapids that are a constant Class III and IV for around 11km (9 mi), and don’t forget to take in the gorgeous scenery. Rehash all the excitement afterward over a riverside picnic lunch.
Cusco Cathedral Visit
40PEN per personEnjoy a visit to this beautiful cathedral; its construction began in 1559 and continued for another hundred years. Be sure to check out its excellent collection of colonial art, and the vault containing the remains of the famous Inca historian, Garcilaso de la Vega.
Cusco City Tour
45PEN per personEnjoy a half-day tour of Cusco's main sights. Walk around the Plaza de Armas (main square) and explore this city steeped in one of the world's most alluring and ancient cultures. Visit Qenqo, Koricancha, the Cathedral, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and the archaeological site of Sacsaywaman.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Cusco/Puno
Take in scenic views while travelling through the high Altiplano region to Puno.
The trip to Puno takes the better part of the day, and includes stark, beautiful scenery en route as you travel through the high Altiplano region.
Located at 3830m (12,566 ft) above sea level, Puno is the highest night stop on the tour. As a result the weather can be extreme with very cold nights and a strong sun during the day. You also should take some time to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Puno
Enjoy a guided boat tour of Lake Titicaca and visit the floating Islands of Uros and Taquile. Explore a bit further afield on the Lake, reaching the Luquina community and tuck into a traditional lunch in local homes. Option to visit the Sillustani burial site.
In the morning, board a comfortable 35-foot fully equipped speed boat to explore the lake. Stop at various islands to enjoy the lake's scenic splendor and to meet the friendly people of these communities.
Day Trip to Lake Titicaca
Head out for a day on beautiful Lake Titicaca. Travel to Taquile Island to visit the community and check out the spectacular views. Do some shopping at the local weaving cooperatives and learn about the Taquileños, known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing.
Continue on to the floating islands of Uros. Learn about the totora reeds that grow in the shallows of Lake Titicaca used to make everything from the islands themselves to the boats the islanders use for transportation (if constructed well, they last up to six months). Find out from locals how the islands are constructed; as the layers closest to the water start to rot, they are replaced with fresh reeds on top.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Lake Titicaca Community Home Lunch
Visit the Luquina Chico community on the shores of beautiful Lake Titicaca and take in sweeping views of the lake and its islands. During lunch in the home of a local family, get a personal view of everyday life in rural Peru.
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Sillustani Burial Towers Entrance
59PEN per personTake a guided tour of the Sillustani burial towers known as "chullpas." Be awed by these fantastic ruins located outside Puno – their remarkable towers stretch up to 12m (39 ft) in height.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 14Puno/Lima
Fly to Lima for the final night. Option to visit museums or enjoy free time to explore.
Time for some last-minute shopping in Puno before the flight back to Lima and the final stop on the journey. Enjoy one last night out on the town.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Lima
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.