Planning to hike to Machu Picchu? Absolutely—but that's just the beginning. Over 11 unforgettable days, you'll cruise across red sand dunes in a buggy, connect with locals at Lake Titicaca, and explore a Pisco vineyard. You'll also soar above 500 square kilometers of intricate desert artwork in a plane and indulge in Peru’s delicious cuisine throughout your journey. Get ready for an adventure that’s so much more than just a hike!
Includes
11 Days Contiki Guided Holiday
10 Nights Accommodation: 7 nights in Hotels, 1 night in Overnight Coach, 1 night in Hostel, 1 night in Special Stay
9 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
Transport by coach
Expert Trip Manager, Driver and Local Guides
Optional free time add on experiences (additional costs apply)
Included experiences
Tour a Pisco Vineyard
Tour Arequipa
Capture Lake Lagunillas and much more!
Excludes
Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature
Extras
You have to be between the age of 18 and 35 years old to travel with Contiki
Additional costs apply for optional free time add on experience
Secure your spot today with a deposit from as low as R1000* and pay the rest 60 days before departure
Highlights
10 Nights accommodation
11 Meals
Included experiences and sightseeing
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Lima
Hola, welcome to Lima! Hope you’re ready for the 11 epic days that lie ahead of us. You’ll meet your crew this evening in this beautiful city that’s teeming with rich cultural heritage. And following pursuit, we’ll get to know each other over a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, honouring traditional recipes & cooking techniques.
Accommodation: Selina Miraflores (or similar)
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Lima > Paracas National Reserve > Huacachina
Lima
It’s been short ‘n’ sweet, Lima. But we’ve got no time to waste! After breakfast, we’ll drive along the coast towards the rugged cliffs of the Paracas National Reserve.
Paracas National Reserve
Are. You. Ready? Coastal scenery doesn’t get more stunning than this. We’ll take a tour of Peru's toasty coast, lined with rocky cliffs and bright blue waves. Oh, and if witnessing sea lions, penguins (and possibly even dolphins!) in their natural habitat sounds interesting to you - don’t miss out on a boat tour of the breathtaking Ballestas islands before we head to the final stop of the day.
Huacachina
Legend says you can’t leave Peru without trying Pisco Sour. Luckily, a locally-guided Pisco vineyard tour is on the agenda today. Afterwards, we’ll check into our hostel (located right in the middle of a quaint little desert oasis!). Trust us, the sleep’s gonna hit different tonight.
Accommodation:
Hotel Curasi (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Huacachina > Nazca Lines > Overnight Coach to Arequipa
Huacachina
It’s not everyday you get to wake up & ride a buggy (or sandboard down the slopes, if that’s your vibe) over the largest sand dunes in all of South America. You’ll be absolutely awestruck. And that’s absolutely normal.
Nazca Lines
Thought it couldn’t get any better? Well, the Nazca Lines beg to differ. These mysterious yet impressive 2000-year-old sand imprints have blown away the most brilliant minds. And today, you have the chance to view them from either a tower or a plane (we know which one we’d choose…)
Overnight Coach to Arequipa
Get comfy in your coach. And get ready for even more amazing views!
Stay: Overnight Coach
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Overnight Coach to Arequipa
Overnight Coach to Arequipa
Morning, travellers. Our home for tonight is the beautiful 'White City'.
Arequipa
Welcome to Arequipa! Three majestic volcanoes, the vibrant Santa Catalina Monastery and a guided tour of all the city’s highlights await us. Later this evening, we’ll take to the streets once again for a walkabout dinner and grab a well-deserved feast.
Stay: Selina Arequipa (or similar)
Included Meals: -
Day 5: Arequipa
Arequipa
Time to say goodbye to Arequipa. But not before a quick stop at the Lagunillas Viewpoint. We don’t wanna spoil it for you - but just be prepared for jaw-dropping panoramas (that are 100% going on your Insta feed!).
Puno
Yet more natural beauty will be dished up this afternoon as we pull into Puno. Spend the evening settling into our cosy hotel. Or head into town for some dance floor action. (Go easy on the piscos though - sitting at an altitude of 3657 metres, the dance floor moves could leave you feeling more breathless than normal). Tomorrow promises to be one to remember as we take to the lake for a taste of ancient Peruvian life…
Stay: Lake Titicaca Homestay (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Puno > Lake Titicaca > Puno
Puno
Ready to explore this area in all its multi-coloured glory? We thought so. Jumping in a Triciclo (a three-wheeled bike taxi) we’ll bump our way down to the port and get our first taste of life on the Lake (fun fact – Lake Titicaca is South America’s largest freshwater lake).
Lake Titicaca
After a short boat ride, we’ll arrive at Taquile Island. You’ll meet the local weaving groups and stop for lunch. Then, we’ll make our way to the Uros Islands (AKA the floating islands). The island’s made entirely from reeds. So if you feel like you’re walking on water - you kinda are. Here, we’ll hang with locals, visit a fish farm and even explore the local museum. The island community survives by selling textiles and totora reed boats to tourists. So stock up on the one-off souvenirs before we make our way back to Puno.
Puno
Back to our hotel, we’ll spend tonight looking back on this wonderful day. Good thing more culture and history awaits us tomorrow!
Stay: Hotel Casona Plaza (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Puno > Cusco
Puno
Ready to explore this area in all its multi-coloured glory? We thought so. Jumping in a Triciclo (a three-wheeled bike taxi) we’ll bump our way down to the port and get our first taste of life on the Lake (fun fact – Lake Titicaca is South America’s largest freshwater lake).
Lake Titicaca
After a short boat ride, we’ll arrive at Taquile Island. You’ll meet the local weaving groups and stop for lunch. Then, we’ll make our way to the Uros Islands (AKA the floating islands). The island’s made entirely from reeds. So if you feel like you’re walking on water - you kinda are. Here, we’ll hang with locals, visit a fish farm and even explore the local museum. The island community survives by selling textiles and totora reed boats to tourists. So stock up on the one-off souvenirs before we make our way back to Puno.
Puno
Back to our hotel, we’ll spend tonight looking back on this wonderful day. Good thing more culture and history awaits us tomorrow!
Stay: Selina Saphi (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Cusco > Ollantaytambo > Aguas Calientes
Cusco
Morning, Inca trailers! Today’s the day we begin our hike to Machu Picchu. But first, we’ll catch a train with the crew to our starting point - KM104.
Ollantaytambo
Aaand now it begins! Get ready for breathtaking views as we hike our way through the hills and cliffs of the Andes.
Aguas Calientes
You made it! Enjoy a night with your crew in this beautiful town. And get some well-deserved rest. Cuz tomorrow's the big day...
Stay: Andino Macchu Picchu (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Aguas Calientes > Machu Picchu > Cusco
Aguas Calientes
Excitement levels at an all-time high, the day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here – it’s Machu Picchu time! This is one big old tick off the life goals list, so enjoy every single second of it.
Machu Picchu
Built around 1450 at the height of the Incan Empire, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the new world. We’ll be treated to a guided tour of the site taking in such wonders as the Temple of the Three Windows and Huayna Picchu (the peak you’ll of seen in every Machu Picchu image ever), and of course you’ll have some alone time to explore the area as only you can do.
Cusco
Take a moment. Take it in. Back on the train to Cusco, we’ll debrief on our once-in-a-lifetime experience before checking back into our hotel for the night.
Stay: Selina Saphi (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Cusco
Cusco
Massage or mountains? How about both? You’ve got a free day to spend away - so soothe those travel-tired limbs with a traditional massage. Or hike the breathtakingly colourful Rainbow Mountain. If not, just take a stroll around town to pick up an alpaca sweater or ten (they are super snuggly). It’s the last full day, so better make the most of it!
Stay: Selina Saphi (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Cusco
Cusco
Oh, Peru. What a treat it has been! Grab your final included meal of this trip, and say your bittersweet goodbyes. Who knows? Another epic adventure (maybe in Asia?) might be right around the corner…
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share/multi share as per itinerary, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website. Offer can be removed at any time. Pricing varies pending departure date. Trips valid for travellers aged 18-35 years. Excludes flights. Only R1000 deposit per person is required to confirm your trip booking. Deposit is due within 3 days of booking; airlines may impose different penalties and cancellation fees. Payment due in full 60 days before departure. All savings / discounts mentioned has already been included in advertised price. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.
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