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Overview

Adventure travel in Peru

Part of a network of trails whose total total length exceeds 23,000 km, the Inca trail is Peru’s most popular trekking route and certainly one of the continent’s most spectacular. Every year, we bring many solo travelers on Peru’s “Inca Trek”, taking them all the way to the natural citadel that is Machu Picchu (with their own private local guide, or as part of an international group).

This customized solo adventure in Peru begins in Arequipa. In the heart of this region’s superb countryside, we visit the town of Chivay, gateway to Colca valley and its magnificent volcanic landscape. In Chivay we travel across the valley to reach Cruz del Condor where we take a close look at the flight of the condors and enjoy extraordinary views of the world’s deepest canyon!

Nestled in the Andes, at the heart of the Inca Empire, the town of Cusco offers visitors a seemingly endless list of historical and archeological sites of interest. It also happens to be the starting point for our trek on the Inca Trail. We will climb to impressive heights, hiking across a wide variety of climates and ecosystems ranging from cold mountain plateaus to cloud forests, and make our way through two high-altitude mountain passes before reaching the “Sun gate”, doorway to Machu Picchu. This trek takes place in a breathtaking natural setting populated by hundreds of species of orchids and colorful birds. Of course, hikers are also rewarded with surreal scenery throughout the journey, making this an essential experience for any adventurer traveling in Peru.

Of course, there’s more to adventure travel in Peru than the Andes. After all, practically half of the country is covered in tropical forest! This solo adventure in Peru ends with a stay in a very comfortable lodge in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, accompanied with a local guide. You’ll spend four unforgettable days in an ecolodge, giving you plenty of time to go on photo safaris, explore the rainforest (on foot or aboard a pirogue), and, of course, to enjoy siestas in a hammock – with parrots chanting in the background! This customized solo trip to Peru is, quite simply, beyond comparison.

Feel free to contact our travel specialists for more information on this magnificent customized trip to Peru!

Itinerary

Day 1| International flight
(It is possible to take a night flight in order to arrive very early the next day)

Day 2| Arrival in Lima
A representative will meet you at Jorge Chavez airport and take you to your hotel in Miraflores district. Lima was founded in 1535 by the conquistador Fernando Pizarro and became the Spanish empire’s South American capital in 1542. This city’s political, strategic, and economic influence was behind a number of important Spanish architectural projects in the 17th and 18th centuries. Early in the afternoon, an English-speaking guide takes us on a city tour of Peru’s capital. We discover the city center’s colonial neighborhoods and visit Plaza San Martin, Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, and San Francisco convent. Meals at own expense.

Day 3| Flight from Lima to Arequipa (B)
Early morning transfer to the airport for Arequipa, the white city (1h flight). Transfer to your hotel and settle into your room. The city of Arequipa is surrounded by three large volcanoes whose peaks are covered in snow: Misti (5821m), Chachani (6075m) and Picchu Picchu (5425m). Arequipa certainly deserves the title of white city, since most of the buildings here are made from Sillar, an intensely white volcanic rock found in large quantities in the area, used to embellish the exterior of the city’s houses and temples. In the afternoon, a guided tour (approx. 3h) takes you to the colonial center and Santa Catalina convent (with a convent-approved guide). Return to your hotel. Meals at own expense.
Note 1: this is an unaccompanied flight
Note 2: schedules to be determined at the time of booking

Day 4| Arequipa - Colca Canyon - Yanque (B)
Colca Canyon is an impressive geological formation: at 3680 meters deep, it is one of the world’s deepest canyons. Hop on a minibus and follow a magnificent road all the way to Colca Canyon. On your way, make sure your eyes peeled: you just might spot some vicunas. Make your way through the Patapampa pass (alt: 4800m). Settle into your hotel and take a dip in Yanque’s thermal pools. Meals at own expense.

Day 5| Cruz del Condor - Arequipa (B)
Back on the road early in the morning to observe the condors in Cruz del Condor. Visit a few of the canyon’s villages and return to Arequipa. Transfer to your hotel. Meals at own expense.

Day 6| Arequipa - Cusco (B)
A transfer will take you to Arequipa airport for your flight to Cusco. Someone will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Lunch at own expense. Late in the afternoon you visit Cusco’s historical town center. The tour begins with a visit to the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), main religious building of the Incas, dedicated to sun worship. Our city tour continues with a visit to the cathedral, whose construction began in 1560 and ended in 1669. This church houses many paintings from the Cusco School, beautiful works of silver and gold, and precious stones. Return to your hotel. Meals at own expense.

Day 7| Cusco - Pisac - Ollantaytambo (B, L)
Early in the morning a private transport will take us to the heights of Cusco to visit four Inca ruins: Tambomachay, Q'enko, Pukapucara, and Sacsayhuaman. After this we get back on the road and drive to the Sacred Valley. After about one hour of driving, we arrive at the Pisac ruins, remnants of what was once one of the Inca’s most important fortresses, built mainly to stockpile the empire’s food reserves. We visit this Inca site and then hike back down to the small colonial village of Pisac and take a stroll in the market (Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays). For lunch, we go to a restaurant and sample some of the buffet’s local dishes. Our excursion continues in the afternoon with Ollantaytambo. This Inca village’s fortress once served as a religious and agricultural center as well as a strategic military post. At the end of the day we take a stroll in the village’s small alleys. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner at own expense.

Day 8| Group Trek: Inca Trail - Ollantaytambo - Chilca - Wayllabamba (B, L, D)
After breakfast, take a bus to kilometer 88 on the Cuzco – Machu Picchu railway line, where you prepare your bags for the trek. Enjoy lunch take this opportunity to introduce yourselves to the rest of the group. Your hike on the Inca trail starts early in the afternoon. After about three hours of walking, set up your first camp in Wayllabamba.
3 hours of hiking.

Day 9| Group Trek: Inca Trail - Wayllabamba - Warmiwanusca - Pacaymayo (B, L, D)
Early in the morning, you rise to a copious breakfast. Get back on the trail, walking towards Warmiwañusca pass (alt: 4200m). After lunch, continue forward towards Pacaymayo camp where you stop for the night.
5-6 hours of hiking.

Day 10| Group Trek: Inca Trail - Pacaymayo - Puyapatamarca - Winaywayna (B, L, D)
Early breakfast. Make your way to the trek’s second highest mountain pass (3850m). Stop for a visit to Runkurakay archeological site. You then walk down to Sayacmarca, an Inca citadel, before walking by the Inca ruins at Puyupatamarca’s. Lunch. The trek continues and the day ends with a visit to Wiñaywayna citadel. Dinner and bivouac on location.
5-6 hours of hiking.

Day 11| Group Trek: Inca Trail - Winaywayna - Machu Picchu (B)
After an early morning breakfast, you start your last day of trekking and reach your destination: Machu Picchu, world-renowned Inca citadel. From the “Sun Gate” (Inti Punko), you’ll get breathtaking views of this unique site. Go on a guided tour (approx. 3 hours) before enjoying some free time to roam around this prestigious citadel. You then head back down towards the city of Aguas Calientes, at the bottom of Machu Picchu canyon. Lunch at own expense on location. Hop on a train to Ollantaytambo, and then a bus to Cuzco. Transfer to your hotel.
3 hours of hiking.

Day 12| Cusco – Free day (B)
Today you are free to walk around the charming alleyways in the lovely San Blas area.

AMAZON RAINFOREST
The excursions we offer are designed to allow you to get a better understanding of this exceptional environment, always keeping in mind that this ecosystem is extremely fragile. The city of Puerto Maldonado is located at the entrance to the Amazon rainforest, and is therefore the starting point for many excursions into this forest, generally on foot or aboard a motorized pirogue.
There are plenty of activities to choose from in the area: photo safaris, walking in the Amazon, fishing for piranhas, etc. In the Amazon, the world’s purest region, jaguars, eagles, caimans, and anacondas roam the land. There are also over 20,000 species of plants in this forest. We invite you to discover the Selva, a nature reserve whose mission is to preserve biodiversity for all of humanity.

Day 13| Cusco - Puerto Maldonado (Flight) (B, L, D)
Transfer to Cusco airport for your flight to the Amazon. Someone will be waiting for you at the airport and take you to the lodge (40 min on a boat), where you enjoy some welcome cocktails and settle into your bungalow. Lunch, a little siesta, and, at 3:30 pm, go on your first excursion into the forest (2-3 hours), where you discover a wide variety of medicinal plants, tropical trees, insects, and butterflies. We stop at a mirador for a short rest and observe passing toucans and other birds. Return to the lodge at around 7pm and head out on a nocturnal excursion on which you take part in an entertaining “caiman safari”. Dinner at 8pm and pleasant conversation on the restaurant terrace before a good night’s sleep in your bungalow.
Full board.

Day 14| Puerto Maldonado (B, L, D)
Wake up at 5:30 am and start for collpa des loros. After a short 20-minute walk in the forest, you will marvel at the sight of dozens of small parrots pecking at a unique soil that is essential for their metabolism. Breakfast at 8 am, after which a boat will take you to Monkey Island. This is an unforgettable experience: don’t forget your camera! Another half hour on the boat will take you to Sandoval Lake for a magical 5km promenade in the tropical forest, after which you enjoy a delicious picnic on the lake’s shores. This lake is a unique spot where many animals congregate. Among these are the giant otter, many species of primates (cotomonos, wasisas, capuchinos, etc.), countless species of birds, including shanchos, kingfishers, and animgas. Of course, the famous piranhas also swim around these waters. You’ll discover this motley fauna from the comfort of a canoe until the sun starts setting. Return to the river at nightfall to observe some of the forest’s nocturnal inhabitants.
Full board.

Day 15| Puerto Maldonado (B, L, D)
(from November to June) Breakfast at 8am and enjoy some free time until 10am. You then take part in an excursion to the mythical Fitzcarrald, a mythical ship that was the subject of Werner Herzog’s film of the same name. After this you’ll visit an old hospital in the middle of the jungle. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the forest and its hidden secrets. This will also give you a chance to spot a number of birds, including the woodpecker, oropendulas, trogon, and many others. Return to the lodge for lunch and, around 3 o’clock, go on a canoe excursion on a small river that snakes across the jungle’s depths (quebrada). After dinner you can gaze at the tropical night sky from the comfort of one of the sundeck’s hammocks before going to bed. The night sky is filled with thousands of stars, offering stargazers an enchanting experience.
Full board.

Day 16| Puerto Maldonado - Lima - International flight(B)
After breakfast you return to the city for a visit to Puerto Maldonado’s fruit market before heading to the airport for your return flight to the Peruvian capital. Someone will greet you and take you to your hotel. Meals at own expense. Transfer to the airport for your international return flight.
* This is an unaccompanied flight
Schedules to be determined at the time of booking

Symbols: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinner (D)

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

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Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Close to Cuzco valley, the Urubamba River sculpted a deep valley on the other side of a small mountain range that leads into the jungle. Many villages line the shores of this river, including Pisaq, Calca, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. This is the Sacred Valley. At an average altitude of 3000 meters, this valley was once served as a granary for the Incas, which explains why it was considered sacred. To protect themselves from attacks by neighboring jungle tribes, the Incas built many fortresses here, many of which are still visible to this day. On top its magnificent ruins, this valley also presents visitors with rural landscapes of an exceptional beauty, where farmers go about their daily routines as they did at the time of the Incas, unperturbed by the progress of the last centuries. This rural universe offers you a breath of fresh Andean air and a religious perspective on the Cuzco region. Past the fortified village of Ollantaytambo, the valley becomes very narrow and sinuous, diving deeper and deeper into the jungle. There are no roads. Only a train allows visitors to follow the course of the river to the village of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the mountain on which rests mythical Machu Picchu. Even though this mysterious citadel is the most popular tourist destination in all of South America, you will not be able to resist its charms. Still today, researchers are unable to reach a general consensus regarding why and how this incredible site saw the light of day. Regardless, this visit will certainly allow you to appreciate the genius of this civilization, whose contact with the greedy West would prove fatal. The area around Cuzco is filled with unlimited possibilities: mountain biking (slow descent, minimal effort) for a few hours, or a few days; 1- to 3-day rafting trips; horseback rides lasting anywhere between one hour and five days; trekking on Inca trails for two to ten days; and half-days or full days spent hiking and discovering the beauty of the region’s Andean culture in the perfect harmony with nature (no need to sleep in a tent).

Titicaca Lake
Halfway between Arequipa and Cuzco, an immense body of water lies at an altitude of 3900 meters: lake Titicaca. Were it not for the reflections of the Royal Range’s snowy peaks, its turquoise waters could almost be mistaken for those of the Mediterranean. According to Inca legends, the first Inca came from the waters of this lake. For them – and for today’s Andeans – the lake is sacred and is the source of all life on earth. In the area surrounding the lake, the descendents of the Aymera still thrive and speak Aymara language, whereas the descendents of the Incas speak Quechua. The Aymeras have their own culture, beliefs, language, dances, and music, all influenced by the lake’s marine environment. Puno, the largest city on the shores of Titicaca, is often considered the capital of the lake and of Aymaran culture. This is where visitors hop on a boat and discover the stunning universe of Lake Titicaca, including the surprising Uros community, who to this day still live on islands made from reeds. There is also Taquile Island, where the men spend part of the day knitting, and Amantani Island, known for its hospitality. Each community has its own rules and customs. For example, in Taquile, your life is written on your clothes: a red band on her hat means that a woman is married, three green dots on this band means that she has three daughters, and one yellow dot means she has one son, etc. It is possible to spend the night on one of these islands, under a sky bursting with stars. All around Puno, visitors can explore some important pre-Inca ruins, such as the tower-like tombs of Sillustani.

Arequipa, the White City
The country’s second-largest city, Arequipa has its own universe and its own culture. Earning its nickname of white city from the color of the walls of its colonial town, it is also home to the largest population Spanish descendents in the country, as very few Andeans live here. Arequipa is considered the gateway to the Andes: the country’s main roads pass through this city before climbing up to the Andes, joining up with Titicaca Lake, Cuzco, and Bolivia. This city has one foot in the mountains and the other in the desert. With an altitude of 2000 meters, it is a perfect place to start the acclimatization process before entering the Andes. On top of its beautiful colonial town and its unique way of life, the region surrounding Arequipa is rich with a wide variety of landscapes and cultures. With a peak rising to an altitude of 5800 meters, the country’s largest and most beautiful fire mountain, Misti volcano adds even more magic to the city. Not too far away, Colca canyon, one of the world’s deepest, is home to small Colca villages, thermal pools, the largest Condor colony in the Andes. Countless hiking trails allow visitors to truly appreciate the region’s superb scenery. Spending the night in the canyon is an unforgettable experience.

Overview

When we think of Peru, our thoughts immediately go to Machu Picchu, an incredible fortified town that was just recently declared one of the new wonders of the world. But when we take a closer look, this 10000-year-old country’s impressive heritage reveals itself: more than the land of the mighty Inca Empire, it is also the birthplace of ancient civilizations. These civilizations left important cultural landmarks, including the city of Caral, the royal tombs of Sipan, the enigmatic Nasca lines, the prodigious fortress of Kuélap – and let’s not forget the capital, Lima, whose historical city center is filled with beautiful architectural wonders.

Peru is one of the most varied countries on earth. In a matter of moments, the mineral deserts of the coast give way to luxuriant tropical forests and the sharp peaks of the Andes. Thanks to this incredible diversity, Peru is truly paradise on earth for hiking enthusiasts!

This country’s sophisticated culture will cast a spell over you. Its refined cuisine is among the world’s best. Visitors cannot resist this rainbow of exotic sounds, colors, and flavors, manifested in more than 50 indigenous languages, thousands of dances, and countless musical instruments that come out during the many religious processions.

Dizzying landscapes, friendly people, explosions of flavors, ancient traditions, and mythical destinations…Peru is a world on its own. Adventure in its purest state!

Tourism

First and foremost, Peru is a country blessed with extraordinary natural attributes that attract tourists from across the world! Whether the adventure is on foot or on wheels, in the mountains or in the rapids, Peru offers a world of exciting possibilities. It’s tough to beat the Peruvian Andes when it comes to trekking, offering a vast network of pre-Columbian trails, more than 12000 lakes, the world’s deepest canyons, pristine glaciers and snowy peaks, beautiful forests and cascades, picturesque villages, and, most of all, the friendliest people you can imagine!

Located in Eastern Peru, the Huayhuash range is often referred to as the world’s best trekking destination. For the less adventurous, the white range offers splendid views on superb Andeans landscapes, including the area’s lakes, snowy peaks, and more than 200 km of glaciers. As for the Peruvian altiplano, its magnificent panoramas filled with snowy peaks and vast plains are also home to world-famous Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, at an altitude of 3812 meters. Going for a cruise on this lake is a great way to discover its famous floating villages. The capital of the Altiplano, Puno, will charm you with its rich folklore and traditions, which are among the country’s most colorful!

For history buffs, the Inca trail is a must. This is the most popular hike in the country. It passes through many different ecosystems, colossal archeological sites, and areas blessed with a rich and varied fauna and flora, culminating with the incredible fortress of Machu Picchu. A virtual window on the great Inca civilization!

In the South of the country, the Arequipa region dazzles visitors with its superb volcanic landscape. Highlights include Misti volcano and the Colca Valley, scarred with an elaborate network of mule trails that zigzag across deep canyons and connects small villages with fertile terraced fields and mountains, all under the watchful eyes of majestic condors.

Elsewhere, the mythical Amazon rainforest offers a whole other Peruvian experience. Hop on a pirogue and let this timeless forest cast its spell on you with dense, luxuriant vegetation and exotic animals.

Geography

South America’s third-largest country after Brazil and Argentina, Peru is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil and Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The Peruvian population is estimated at 27 million inhabitants. The capital is Lima and the official language is Spanish. The country’s total surface area covers 1 285 216 km2, with a very varied geography. It is usually divided into three main regions: the coast, which mainly consists of an immense desert flanked by mountains; the Sierra, an area covered by the Andes mountain range; and the Selva, land of the Amazon River and home to the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.

Stretching for more than 2000 km, the coast takes the shape of an immense desert trapped between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, with a few pockets of fertile valleys fed by rivers flowing from the Andes that are usually covered in clouds. Though the coast only makes up for 10% of the country’s total surface area, more than half of the population lives here.

Known as the Sierra, the mountainous region covered by the Andes range takes up close to a third of the country’s total area. With an altitude of 6768 meters, the Huascarán is the country’s highest peak and the third highest in South America.

The Selva is a region covered with the luxuriant tropical vegetation of the Amazon River basin, home to the country’s largest natural reserves. It is the country’s largest area (60% of the total area) but is paradoxically the least populated, mainly due to the soils’ poor quality.

Culture

On top being the land of the great Incas, Peru was also home to many other civilizations that people tend to forget. In fact, this country is more than 10000 years old!

Pre-Incan civilizations developed on the coast for more than 1400 years and dominated vast regions of the Peruvian territory. One of these was the Nasca civilization, whose heritage includes aqueducts and the famous enigmatic drawings left on the ground. Before their decline, these civilizations developed small regional centers and demonstrated a surprising ability to adapt to their environment and make excellent use of the area’s natural resources. The Incas then built upon this knowledge to build their empire.

Born in the fertile Cuzco valley, the Inca civilization (1200-1500 AD) was the largest in South America. The Inca, sovereign of the empire, was considered a sacred man, and the son of the sun. Inca legends tell the story of the sun sending his sons down to earth to lay the foundations for the sacred city, Cuzco, whose name translates as “the belly of the world” in Quechua language. At the height of its power, the Inca Empire stretched from Colombia to Argentina and Chile and included modern day Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. This incredible expansion is due to their ability to assimilate previous civilizations, among others by imposing a unique language (Quechua) and integrating the knowledge gained from these assimilated cultures.

Today there are traces of this civilization everywhere you look, even in the smallest aspects the inhabitants’ daily life. More than 10 million indigenous people still speak Quechua. Though relics from the Inca Empire are now scattered throughout their territory, all their glorious beauty is on display in Cuzco: the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), the fortresses of Ollantaytambo and Sacsayhuamán, and, of course, the famous citadel of Machu Picchu.

The Incas first clashed with Spanish culture during the Spanish conquests of the 16th century. In 1532, Spanish troops captured the Inca site of Atahualpa, but it took another 40 years to crush the last remnants of the resistance: the last Inca was captured and executed in 1572. Little by little, Inca cities were given catholic names and were rebuilt based on the Spanish model. There are fabulous examples of colonial architecture throughout the country, particularly in Arequipa and Lima, both of which are classified as UNESCO world heritage sites.

Today, Peru is a colorful mosaic of identities and cultures that take their strength from the country’s rich history and diverse influences. The country’s countless museums and ruins are but a small part of this heritage. Every village and every city is an opportunity to discover a new side of Peru and its ancient traditions. There’s colonial Peru and its reminders of the Spanish conquest, but there’s also the Peru seen as a place where two different world visions meet, two conceptions of time, of the sacred and the profane; the Peru that fights for its independence…

One of the best ways to discover Peru is to walk around one of the many markets or to go to one of the 3000 popular celebrations that take place every year, most of which celebrate a patron saint. To these religious festivities are added other celebrations of a much more pagan nature, such as those related to the ancestral myths of the indigenous communities of the Selva (Amazon Rainforest). A great opportunity to discover authentic Peru – and to sample some delicious local dishes!

Climate

On the coast:
The northern part of the Peruvian coast does not suffer from the cold effects of the Humboldt current, which means the area benefits from warm temperatures throughout the year (up to 35°C in the summertime) and almost 300 days of sunshine per year. The rainy season takes place between November and March. The central and southern regions have two very distinct seasons: winter, from April to October, and summer, from November to March. Since these are very humid areas, winters often feel cold here, even though the temperature rarely drops below 12°C. In the summertime, the sunshine is intense, with temperatures often reaching 30°C.

In the Sierra:
There are two well-defined seasons in the mountains. Summer (from April to October) is characterized by very sunny days, very cold nights, and lack of rain. This is the best time to come visit. The rainy season (from November to March) brings abundant precipitation: generally, more than 1000mm of rain falls during this period. This region is characterized by strong temperature variations within the same day. It often happens that temperatures rise to 24°C at noon and then drop to 3°C when night falls.
In the Selva:
The Selva is divided into two distinct zones: the High Selva (altitude: more than 700 meters), and the Low Selva (altitude: under 700 meters). The High Selva has a subtropical temperate climate, receives abundant rain between November and March, and many sunny days between April and October. In the Low Selva, summer is characterized by sunny weather and high temperatures than can rise to more than 35°C, making it the ideal time for tourism. Between November and March, daily rainfall can make it difficult to travel between destinations.
Humidity levels are very high in the Selva throughout the year.