A journey awaits you. From the hustle and bustle of Peru’s capital city to extended time to tour Machu Picchu, this itinerary will take you to all the highlights of Peru. Explore this impressive country with new friends, your expert guide, and an open mind. After just 15 days you might just leave with a whole new perspective on travel and life. Are you a Mighty Alpaca? Book now.
Begin checking off stops on your Peru Bucket List with time in Lima. The capital of the country, this city is a hub of culture. Visit the unique neighborhoods and enjoy the gastronomy that has dubbed it the culinary capital of Latin America. You will then head to the birthplace of the Incas, Lake Titicaca. Stay overnight on the lake beneath crystal clear, star-speckled skies with a local family. Continue immersion into the Andean culture which dates back thousands of years, as you head to the imperial city of Cuzco and the Sacred Valley.
The gateway to Machu Picchu, Cuzco is full of history and nightlife, while the nearby Sacred Valley offers a look into Andean life. We will take the time to participate in a social project before you begin what is sure to be the highlight of your trip: the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Get ready for an adventure as you tie on your hiking boots for 4 days of glaciers, mountains, rivers, and jungle before you ultimately are able to tour Machu Picchu.
After plenty of Instagram worthy moments and spending time connecting to the spirits of Peru at the sacred site, you will venture to the mighty Amazon Jungle. The most biodiverse region on earth, here you have a chance to see plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Whether you choose to spend your days listening to the sounds of the forest or staying active and exploring every nearby trail, we hope that you will join us.
Say yes to new adventures – book your trip to tour Machu Picchu (and more) now!
Who is a Mighty Alpaca? A nature enthusiast and explorer!
Moderate
Min. 18 – whatever year olds
All travelers under the required minimum age must travel with their parents or guardians.
Min. 1 – Max. 10
Lima, Peru
16:00pm
Lima, Peru
19:00pm
Lima, Lake Titicaca, Cuzco, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, Machu Picchu, and Puerto Maldonado.
Note: Tips are always optional; Our guides, porters and cooks receive a salary according to Peruvian laws, but if you wish to value their efforts and good work, feel free to do so; an economic incentive from you is always welcome. To find out how much you could award as part of a personal thank you, please click the link in Terms & Conditions. # 22, here you will find a standard referring to tips.
You can rent sleeping bags and walking sticks from us at the time of booking. This will be an extra cost of 15 USD (sleeping bags) and 10 USD poles (pair) for the entire period of the Inca Trail.
Meals Included: 14 Breakfast, 7 lunch, 6 dinners. Including vegetarian and vegan options – just let us know in advance.
Accommodations: Single travelers joining group tours will be paired in twins or groups in a shared dorm room at the hotel, tents, or lodge with someone of the same sex for the duration of the tour.
Room Upgrade: If you want privacy for the duration of the tour you can UPGRADE your own room at the time of booking. The price per night has a cost of 30 USD per night. (suggested 9 days for 270 USD), this option does not work in the Amazon Experience, Inca Trail; and Lake Titicaca`s tours.
Service level: Standard. Comfortable private twin rooms mixed with based shared hostels with character. Private transportations mix with public buses, domestic flights, trains, motorboats, private transport and, in some cases, tuk tuks – because this is the way of travelling in Peru.
Welcome to Lima, Peru
Your adventure begins in the afternoon around 4.00 pm, where there will be a briefing prior to departure. We will collect certain information, some insurance details, and next to kin details. So be sure to bring these details with you! Let us know if you are going to be late, send us an email or inform the accommodation as soon as possible.
After the meeting, we will be visiting the Magic Water Circuit which is the largest fountain complex in the world. We will also enjoy the colorful laser light show displayed on one of the fountains, a great way to start your Peruvian immersion as several typical dances and music will be played.
Private transfer:
Hostel – Magic Water Circuit (30 minutes)
Accommodation
Dragonfly Hostel’s or similar
Meals included
There are no meals included on this day
Are you ready for another destination in this beautiful country? We will travel through the alto altiplano region to travel to Puno towards the famous Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world with just over 3800 m.a.s.l. Where the legend says that the first Inca Manco Capac and his wife Mama Ocllo were sent by the Sun God to look for fertile lands and found the Empire. Puno is also known for being the capital of folkloric music in Peru.
We dare you to jump and swim through the waters of Titicaca! It’s cold…
Private transfer – 45 min approx.
A private shuttle will pick us from lima accommodation to the airport of Lima. Once arrived at the Juliaca airport a private shuttle will take us towards our accommodation in Puno. Relax and enjoy the views!
Plane: Lima- Juliaca 1h30m
Take a seat, relax and enjoy!
Free time
Enjoy the lovely city.
Activities Included
There are no activities included on this day.
Accommodation
Hostal Santa Helena ** (2) or similar
Meals included
Breakfast
Optional activity
Orientation walk.
We will leave in the morning guided by a local bilingual guide in a boat towards the Titicaca lake floating islands the Uros. After spending some time in the Uros community and families we will continue our boat tour towards the spectacular island of Taquile, famous for its artisanal handmade fabrics, traditional customs, and delicious trout for lunch! For lunch, we will be joining a family with spectacular views of the lake. On top of the island, you will have the feeling of being in the middle of the ocean.
We will then go back to the boat and ride back to Puno and head towards a small community for our overnight stay. It is important for you to know that the location of the overnight stay may vary according to the availability of the community. Staying with locals in the lake will give you a first-hand experience with the community and learn more about the place, how the community lives, traditions, and learn a few Quechua, Aymara, and Spanish phrases! You will end your day sleeping at above 3800 m.a.s.l. in a lake! with a typical dinner accompanied by typical dances!
Accommodation
Amantani Island homestay (local family)
Meals included
Breakfast & dinner (Basic local food)
Activities included
Titicaca Homestay Experience (this tour included hotel pick up / drop off experience guide)
In the morning you will have breakfast with the family, you will help prepare the homemade bread for the very delicious places. We will help with the daily tasks of the family and to finish our day before leaving for Puno we will enjoy for the last time a lunch prepared by them with a lot of love for us and it will be time to say goodbye to our host families. We will go to our boat on our way to Puno, joyful after having lived a beautiful experience.
Accommodation
Hostal Santa Helena **(2)
Meals included
Breakfast & Lunch (Basic local food)
Optional activity Your Peru ambassador will take to a local restaurant where you will enjoy a local dance show. Puno the capital of folklore in Peru.
Let’s get ready to leave for the Imperial city of the Incas. We will travel to Cuzco with a local and safe bus through the jaw-dropping altiplano full of life with incredible landscapes. Cuzco’s former capital of the Inca empire is full of surprise and historical monuments. Witness the majestic Inca stonework with colonial-style architecture. Cuzco a magical city, it’s time to relax and explore.
Local bus: Puno- Cuzco 7hr30min
Take a seat, relax and enjoy the ride
Accommodation
Kokopeli Hostel or similar
Meals included
Breakfast
Optional activities A good day to relax and know mora about Peruvians traditions.
It’s time to explore one of the hidden gems in Cusco. Take this day to hike and explore with your travel group the fantastic “Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain” which offers a relaxed hike with and amazing views surrounded by stone forest, this is an alternative excursion to the popular “Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca” in Cusco. This beautiful hidden gem is located at 4900 m.a.s.l juts 3 hrs. far from the city of Cusco.
Activities included
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain hike. From 8 am – 4 pm
Accommodation
Kokopelli Hostel or similar
Meals included
Breakfast
Optional activities Salsa lessons. It’s time to learn salsa dancing or maybe improve your dance.
A few days before starting our trek to one of the ‘seven’ world wonders – Machu Picchu- we will visit the charming town of Ollantaytambo, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Ollantaytambo is a place of historical importance, it was one of the last Inca resistance towns against the Spanish invasion. Over the city rest ruins of a thousand-year-old temple built of gigantic stones, perfectly carved that amazes every traveler visiting Ollantaytambo. Get ready for the evening activities as together with your leader you will be preparing Peruvian dishes for everyone (this is an optional activity).
Private transfer: Cuzco – Ollantaytambo 1hr30min
Enjoy the beautiful landscape traveling by minibus, private transportation from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo-Sacred Valley.
Accommodation
Hostal Las Orquídeas ** (2) or similar
Meals included
Breakfast
Optional activity
You waited this day for so long and finally, it’s here! This trek will be like no other. It’s more than just a trek full of stunning scenery, it’s where the Incas themselves would walk these trails and messengers would run through up and down to inform the Incas with news of the empire. You are the Indiana Jones or Lara Croft of your expedition…action! We will get ready early to start our adventure. We will meet with our guide for the trek and leave together. The Inca Trail waits for you with its majestic and impressive landscapes, streams, Inca ruins, and more!
Between 7.00 am – 8.00 am our private transport and the staff will pick you up from our hotel. We will drive to Piskacuchu (2700m/8856ft), which is the starting point of the Inca Trail. We begin our hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and walking along its left shore as it flows northwest along the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay (2800m/9184ft), to then climb and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook the impressive Inca city of Llactapata (2650m/8692ft).
We continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach the community of Wayllabamba (3000m/9840ft), where we set our first camp. All along the way, we enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota point on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5832 m.a.s.l.
Once arrived, it’s time to start our trek along the same paths where the Incas used to walk! This day is not challenging at all. It will help you to get used to the terrain and use this day as a small warm-up for the next few days. Enjoy pure nature with its mountains, rivers, and fields!
Private transfer: Ollantaytambo – Inca 45 min
Enjoy the beautiful landscape traveling by minibus.
Meals included
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
We wake up at around 6:00 am and after breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of a steep climb that stretches for 9 km. Along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra (highland) to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass – 4200m/13776ft), we may see domesticated llamas and alpacas feeding on Ichu, one of the few plants that grow at this altitude.
We will also cross an area of the called cloud forest, which is the habitat for many kinds of birds like hummingbirds, sparrows, and the Andean bear! We advise that on this day, your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates, and coca leaves/candy that will keep your sugar level high and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo Valley (3600m/11808ft), where we camp after approximately 7h of hiking.
Meals included
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
This day is the longest but also the most impressive full of historical archaeological sites and the cloud forest area that we cross, so rich in Andean flora and fauna. From Pacaymayo we climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3970m/13022ft). Halfway up, we stop to visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800m/12464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624m/11887ft). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semi-circular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, fountains, patios, and irrigational canals.
Continuing up an easy climb, we arrive at the third pass, the Abra Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft). Phuyupatamarca means ‘town above the clouds’, the clouds formed in the valleys of the cloud forest are already dissolved at this height. Along this climb, we will appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient work! (Terraces, semidetached paths, and small water canals) We will pass through an Inca tunnel to arrive at the Abra Phuyupatamarca. This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu and is located on the highest point of a mountain. From above, one can observe the sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations and impressive views of the Urubamba River valley.
We continue our trek down the long descending stone steps that lead us to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft), an impressive Inca complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious temple, and an urban sector, close to which our camp is located. After visiting the impressive archaeological site, we enjoy getting ready for our farewell dinner at our camp.
Meals included
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
On this fourth and last day we get up at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna and climb to the Intipunku, or ‘the Sun Gate’. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we may see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku we descend into Machu Picchu and 40 minutes later we enter the citadel from the highest point through the ¨House of the Guardians¨ We then descend to the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks.
We immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours and AFTER you will have till 12.30 pm time to explore Machupicchu on your own in the afternoon. We meet in the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch at 1 pm and then we go to the train station to take the train back to the city of Cuzco, where we arrive in the evening.
Local bus: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu (20min)
Take a seat, relax and enjoy the ride
Local bus: Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (20min)
Take a seat, relax and enjoy the ride
Train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo 2hr (118km)
Jump aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the view
Private transfer Ollantaytambo – Cuzco 2hrs approx.
Enjoy the beautiful landscape traveling by minibus
Accommodation
Kokopelli Hostel or similar
Meals included
Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to explore more Cuzco or relax with a massage.
Do you still have enough energy? You can opt to take a full day to the rainbow mountain, quad bike in the valley, or take a relaxing massage. At night, get ready for the big party night!
Free Time
Relax and explore Cuzco or more.
Activities included
There are no activities included on this day. Optional activities recommended
• Rainbow Mountain
• Cooking Class
• Quad bikes
• Mountain bikes
• Rafting
• Humantay Lake
Accommodation
Kokopelli Hostel or similar
Meals included
Breakfast
Optional activities Salsa lessons. It’s time to learn salsa dancing or maybe improve your dance.
Activity included: BIG NIGHT OUT! Let us celebrate together with an incredible trek and Machupicchu together. Open bar 1hrs and let’s explore one more time together what Cuzco has to offer by night…bars, clubs with special drinks with your new travel companions. We will show you how the locals party! The night is ours.
Get ready for another adventure heading to the Amazon jungle home to diverse wildlife. We are headed to Puerto Maldonado with a domestic flight to the southeast of Peru 55 kilometers (34 miles) west of the border with Bolivia, in the famous Tambopata River and Madre de Dios. Upon our arrival after about an hour and we will go to the office of our operator where we will make a brief stop to store large luggage and pack what is necessary for our stay in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Then, we will go to Puerto Capitanía, aboard a motorized boat, and sail down the Madre de Dios River. During the trip, we will immerse ourselves in a fascinating natural environment; if we are lucky, we will witness Capybara (the largest living rodent), alligators, turtles, herons, cormorants, and other species of animals in their natural environment.
Upon arrival at Eco Amazonia Lodge, we will be received with an exquisite welcome drink. We will settle in our bungalows and have lunch together. Stomach full, our specialized guide will guide you through a trail to Cayman Cocha, a small lake with an abundant presence of Black Cayman specimens and Caiman.
Private transfers: 20min Private shuttle from Cuzco accommodation to the airport. From Puerto Maldonado airport we will be transferred to the tour operator office with private transport, where you will leave your luggage safely stored and continue towards our boat!
Plane: Cuzco – Puerto Maldonado 1hr
Jump aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the view
Accommodation
Eco Amazonia Lodge
Motorized Boat: Puerto Maldonado – Caimán Cocha 3hr
Get on board and enjoy the wonderful views of the Amazonian river!
Meals included
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
The morning begins at the sound of birds chipping at you. A warm breakfast will provide you plenty of energy for a morning full of new adventures. After breakfast, we´ll start to hike towards the depths of the forest, on trails especially prepared, with bridges to cross gorges and rivers. During the journey, we will observe the flooded forest and a variety of flora and fauna.
We will continue our trek to finally arrive at the majestic Lake Apu Victor with its crystal-clear waters, surrounded by swamps and giant trees. Afterward, we´ll go up to the Observation Deck, from which we´ll enjoy a panoramic view of the lake, observing Parrots, Macaws, Toucans, Camungos, Shanshos, Herons, and other animals, such as Caimans, Turtles, and more! If we are lucky, we´ll have a chance to observe the Giant Otter, one of the rainforest’s most spectacular animals. After several hours, we will head back to the Lodge to enjoy lunch together. In the afternoon, accompanied by our specialized guide, we will visit Monkey Island, a unique place in the heart of Madre de Dios River, five minutes away from the Lodge.
During the hike, we will observe extraordinary landscapes, with stunning Amazonian flora. This impressive nature shelters a variety of monkey species (Maquisapas, Capuchins, Small Lion Monkeys, Frailes, and Cotos) other animal species like the Coati and Sloths, and a great variety of birds call this place home.
Finally, we´ll complete our visit to the island enjoying an Amazonian sunset! Back to the lodge, we conclude the day with a lovely dinner.
Accommodation
Eco Amazonian Lodge
Meals included
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
After a restful night’s sleep, the morning begins with a warm breakfast accompanied by the Amazons natural sounds from animals who inhabit this area. After a peaceful experience, we will head back to the airport with a motorized canoe and private van. Before heading to the airport, you will pick up your luggage stored at the tour operator’s office.
Private transfers: 20min
Private shuttle from the tour operator’s office to the airport.
Motorized canoe: Tambopata – Puerto Maldonado 2hrs
Get on board and enjoy the wonderful views of the Amazonian river!
Plane: Puerto Maldonado – Lima 1h30m – 2hrs
Jump aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the view
Meals included
Breakfast
Private transfers: 40mins approx. Transfer from Lima airport to your accommodation in Lima. Drop off. It may take longer, but we ask you to be patient. traffic in Lima is chaotic.
TIME TO SAY “HASTA LUEGO!” Muchas gracias por tu visita a Peru and for being a part of the Mighty Alpacas!!
Private transfer: Lima Hostel – Lima Airport (1hr approx.)
Taxi service is included at the end of the tour. If you wish to extend your stay in the city of Lima and postpone or modify this service for later, please do so 2 days in advance before the end of the trip with us.
