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: 11
No traveller should ever have to choose between exploring Peru’s coastal desert or adventuring to Machu Picchu, so we created this 11-day, hostel-based tour to help the world out. Kicking off from Lima, you’ll feast on fresh seafood and cruise around on dune buggies at a desert oasis before heading up to the mountains where ruins, hikes, and outrageous scenery await. In Cusco, you’ll get an insider’s tour of the city and then head out to visit some lesser-known highlights of the Sacred Valley, all leading up to the big moment of seeing Machu Picchu for the very first time.
Immersive, social, wallet-friendly adventures where epic hostels are your home-base.
Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Small group experience; Max 24, avg 16
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: 11
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: 68
Arrive at any time, and choose to kick back at the hostel, or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Hungry? You've got solid options with all of the great bars and restaurants near the hostel in the funky neighborhood of Barranco.
Buckle up, it's going to be a big one today. Head south from Lima along the coast to a small fishing town for a delicious seafood lunch and learn how Peruvian ceviche is prepared ... doesn't get much fresher than that! Next, head inland and board dune buggies to rip around the sand dunes and even try your hand at sandboarding before taking a swim in a desert oasis at sunset. Carry on to another desert oasis at Huacachina, where we'll check into our hostel and take a load off. Having fun yet? It’s only day 2!
Today is all about you with a free day in Huacachina. If exploring the surroundings is your thing, you could check out the Nazca Lines from the air, take a kiteboarding class in Paracas, visit some nearby pisco distilleries, or maybe even take another ride in the dune buggies! Otherwise staying near the hostel at the oasis by the pool with a cold drink is always a great option too.
Start early today and hop on a bus to the nearby town of Paracas for a boat excursion out to the Ballestas Islands. Seabirds, penguins and sea lions galore! Take some time to eat some more great seafood for lunch if that's your jam before returning to Lima in the afternoon for a final night out on the town with your mates. Pisco sour anyone?
Rise and shine and get ready to head high up into the Andes today on a short 1 hour flight to Cusco. You'll check into our comfy hostel in the historical centre and then take taxis up to the "Cristo Blanco" statue with the CEO for awesome views of the city and of the sprawling Sacsaywaman archaeological site right next to it. We'll wander back down to the main plaza through the backstreets of the city and then have the rest of the afternoon to explore and acclimatize to the altitude, grab a drink at a cafe on the main plaza or just relax back at the hostel.
Bust out the walking shoes as today we’re going to hit the pavement! Set out on foot with your CEO to the San Pedro market before heading up into the narrow cobblestone backstreets to check out the Sapantiana aqueduct and stairway waterfall, a hidden gem of the city. Continue to San Blas for killer views and scarf down a delicious local lunch at one of the restaurants near the small plaza. Take the rest of the day to continue exploring or grab a drink near the main plaza and watch the world go by.
You may have seen the typical day tours to the Sacred Valley, well today is definitely not one of them! Head out in a private ride and make the first stop at the lesser-visited (but awesome) Inca ruins of Killarumiyoq, a sanctuary dedicated to the moon. After a visit with our expert guide we'll carry on to another site at Iglesia Ñaupa before setting off on foot along a trail through the mountains to the beautiful waterfall of Perolniyoc. Soak in the scenery while eating a tasty boxed lunch before hiking back out to the bus and continuing to the nearby town of Ollantaytambo. Still want more? Check out the Ollantaytambo ruins at sunset, have a drink at a cafe or just hang out with friends at the hostel.
All aboard! Jump on the morning train and sit back for stunning views of the valley along the Urubamba River. For the hikers amongst us who have pre-booked the 1-day Inca Trail option, you'll get off the train early at km 104 to hike to the Sun Gate with a local guide and see Machu Picchu in the afternoon before meeting up with everyone again in the evening. For the rest of us, we'll arrive in town before lunch and will have the rest of the day to explore, shop, see a nearby waterfall or soak in the local hot springs. Don't stay up too late tonight though, tomorrow's the big day!
Rise and Shine! The early start today might be a bit painful but it's more than worth it, we swear. Before dawn, take a bus from town up the mountain to Machu Picchu for a guided tour with our local expert. Grab some lunch in Aguas Calientes at one of the many restaurants and then head back to Ollantaytambo by train to catch the bus back to Cusco. If you haven't noticed by now, the nightlife is pretty great in Cusco, and if not.. well, now's your chance to see for yourself.
Free day in Cusco, yes please! For those that have not gotten enough hiking and feed-worthy moments, you could take on the full-day trek to Rainbow Mountain. Otherwise there are plenty of other things to keep you busy like mountain biking, or exploring the city's museums, markets and shops - or you may just want to relax at the hostel with friends. It's pretty win-win no matter what.
Depart at any time, or maybe extend your stay in the hostel for a few more days to keep the good times rolling.
Hostels (8 nts), Hotel (2 nts)
10 breakfasts, 3 lunches
Allow USD220-290 for meals not included.
Public bus, train, private van, plane.
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.
Lookout over these colourful Andean mountains striped with maroon, turquoise, lavender, and gold. The sediment, elevation, and proximity to the ocean create a landscape that has to be seen to be believed. Get started early to drive around 2 hours to the starting point of this challenging, yet rewarding full-day hike. Reaching 5,029m (16,500 ft) this 14km hike is no walk in the park, but these unique mountains do not disappoint.
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.