Trees for Days
Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.
Trees planted for this trip: 16
Travel back to the time of the ancient Inca Empire as you explore the temples and terraces of Machu Picchu, as well as the former capital city of Cusco in Peru. You’ll also visit Bolivia’s historic cities Sucre and La Paz, where you’ll discover the fascinating heritage of the region’s indigenous population. Throughout your trip, experience the wonder and the beauty of lush mountain landscapes, and natural geographic features such as the Uyuni Salt Flats. Plus, you’ll also explore the shores of Lake Titicaca, where you’ll marvel at the sweeping vistas of its lakes and islands.
Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Small group experience; Max 16.
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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 toolIn a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.
Trees planted for this trip: 16
Want to 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: 84
There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Board an early flight to Cusco, once the capital of the Inca empire, then drive to Urubamba through the scenic Sacred Valley. Explore the terraced salt pans of Maras, which have been used for salt extraction since pre-Inca times, and tour the Inca site of Moray—believed to have been an agricultural laboratory where priests would test soils and crops. Later, we’ll enjoy a meal of local specialities, prepared in a pachamanca, or underground stone oven.
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley with a visit to the G Adventures–supported Parque de la Papa, or Potato Park, a rural Andean community working to preserve hundreds of varieties of native potato. During this exclusive experience, you'll walk through the park with a local guide to learn about potato cultivation, traditional weaving, and the importance of both these practices to Andean culture. We’ll also tour the fascinating Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac and enjoy a meal at the G Adventures–supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo.
Catch an early transfer to the Ollantaytambo station and board a train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Ride through lush Andean scenery, enjoying breathtaking views of ancient ruins and everyday life. Settle into your hotel in Aguas Calientes, and choose from a variety of optional activities: take a relaxing soak in the local hot springs, visit a beautiful botanical garden, or wander the handicraft stalls in town as you prepare for an early start the following day to go up to Machu Picchu.
This morning, embark on a guided tour of Machu Picchu—the 15th-century Inca citadel famously introduced to the world by archaeologist Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine. After being taken through the temples and terraces of this awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage site, return to Cusco by train.
Spend the day exploring charming Cusco. Opt to visit Plaza de Armas, the historic main square; the 15th-century Sacsayhuaman fortress; or some of the city’s museums and ornate churches. This evening, we’ll head to the Cusco Planetarium to learn about the importance of astronomy to the ancient Inca and, weather permitting, look out at the glittering, starry sky through telescopes.
Fly back to Lima. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure or choose to take a half-day guided tour of the Peruvian capital. Visit the San Francisco Monastery, part of Lima’s World Heritage-listed historic center, and descend into its famed catacombs. Wander across Plaza Mayor, the city’s oldest public square, and enjoy Peruvian tapas and a tasting of pisco sours before returning to your hotel.
Fly to Juliaca this morning and travel across the Bolivian border to Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. En route the group will stop at the Luquina Chico Community, taking in the sweeping views of the lake and its islands. Join a local family for a delicious lunch in their home, where you’ll experience a personal perspective of everyday life in rural Peru. You’ll also learn about Inca culture, Quechua language and meet other local families. Continue on to Copacabana for a Chief Experience Officer-led walk through town before enjoying dinner and the rest of the evening on your own.
The day begins with a boat tour of Isla del Sol—known as the birthplace of the sun and the Inca bloodline. On the island, you’ll explore Inca ruins, learn traditional weaving techniques and take in some of Lake Titicaca’s most stunning vistas. Afterwards, take a boat ride back to Copacabana and continue to La Paz.
Catch a flight to charming Sucre, then enjoy an orientation walk around the main square. This afternoon, relax at a local café, explore on your own, or opt to take an immersive tour of Sucre with a local expert that focuses on the city’s stunning colonial architecture and historic sites, best viewed from the ubiquitous rooftop terraces.
Enjoy free time this morning before travelling into the southern highlands to our historic hacienda. Surrounded by lush agricultural fields and rolling hills, this working farm offers unique opportunities for cultural exchanges with the resident family. Get a glimpse into daily life here while lending a hand at the dairy and in the fields, and step back in time during visits to the property’s private rooms, chapel, and museum. Cap off your experience with an authentic farm-to-table dinner featuring an array of local specialities.
Make the short drive to the centre of Potosí and enjoy a guided tour of the Casa Nacional de la Moneda, the old silver mint and now a museum dedicated to Bolivian art and history. Take a scenic drive to Uyuni, gateway to the world's largest salt flat. Learn about the industrialization of salt and the geographical history of the region while driving across this mirror-like landscape.
Journey deeper into the salt pans to explore their varied geographical features. Along the way, stop for a visit to the small community of Coquesa, located at the base of the Tunupa Volcano on the edge of the Salar. After this, have lunch on the salt flat before continuing our exploration of the desert and its pans. Cap off the day with a sunset picnic on the salt flats before returning to the hotel.
Catch a flight to La Paz and enjoy free time to explore before joining the group for an optional dinner.
Awake in lofty La Paz, the highest capital city in the world. Spend the morning at leisure, or opt to take an excursion to see the stunning maze of canyons and spires in the Valley of the Moon. This afternoon, set out by foot, van, and cable car to discover this sky-high city with your guide. Explore vibrant squares, historical landmarks, and lively markets, learning about the balance of old and new along the way. In the evening, enjoy an interactive culinary experience at a popular local restaurant, including demonstrations on how traditional foods such as quinoa are integrated into modern fusion dishes. With a local chef as our guide, we’ll sample a variety of dishes and discuss the growing popularity of La Paz as a culinary destination.
Depart at any time.
Hotels (14 nts), Hacienda/farm (1 nt).
14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Allow USD405-530 for meals not included.
Private van, train, plane, walking, 4x4 vehicle, boat.
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Traverse cloud forests while enjoying spectacular views on this '1-day Inca Trail' trek. Start by disembarking the train at km 104. Follow the local guide as the trail rises steeply up into the mountains and winds past the archaeological sites of Wiñay Wayna and Inti Pata. Gain insight into the fascinating culture of the Incas en route to the trek's culmination at the Sun Gate. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way, and reach the Sun Gate in the late afternoon. Enjoy free time to explore a bit of Machu Picchu before the guided tour the following day. After, take one of the blue buses from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in a hotel in town. Opt to visit nearby hot springs to soak sore muscles, if time permits. **Please note this must be pre-booked as it requires an Inca Trail permit, which is on request and subject to availability. Please speak to your GCO or travel agent for more information.
Channel your inner chef and get a taste of Peruvian cuisine. Learn all about the essential ingredients, and try your hand at preparing unique Peruvian dishes with a local expert
Get a taste of Peruvian cuisine, visit local markets, sample exotic fruit, select fresh ingredients, and try your hand at preparing unique Peruvian dishes influenced by China, Italy, West Africa, and Japan.
If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.