Peru Uncovered Tour
18 - 35 Year Old Singles, Young Professionals and College Students

Overview

We’ll show you the best of Peru on this adventure into the country’s ultimate hotspots. Try fishing for piranha, see the terraces of the Colca Canyon & experience epic Machu Picchu. See the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the cultural-hub of Cusco, spot soaring Andean Condors in the Colca Canyon. From ancient Inca culture, the Andes & Amazon to awesome locals to Pisco Sours, Peru has got it all. Note: You can choose to either trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or take it easy & go by train.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Lima
Hola! Welcome to Lima and the start of an awesome South American adventure. On arrival into the city, check-in to the hotel, then spend the day exploring the city.

Day 2 Lima to Puerto Maldonado
We’ll catch a flight the city of Puerto Maldonado in Peru’s southern jungle. Our lodge is a special experience in itself! Located in then luscious rainforest and made from wood and clay, its open walls leave you sleeping virtually amongst the rainforest! After you settle in, we’ll get a different take on the jungle as we take a hike to the canopy tower. After dinner you can experience something really different, heading out to look for caiman, a member of the alligator family native to the Amazon. Eco Lodge (L) (B,D)

Day 3 Puerto Maldonado
We’ll wake early for best view of some the wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled as we travel further downstream to Tres Chimadas, an oxbow lake. We’ll board a simple catamaran with a jungle guide to learn about the flora and fauna of the area while looking out for the prehistoric hoatzin bird, the giant river otter, or try your luck fishing for piranha. After lunch, time is yours to do what you wish. For those keen on footy (soccer), spend the afternoon playing soccer, volleyball or take a dip. There are other options for your free time too. You can take an optional kayaking trip, try a 30 metre Canopy Climb with a rope, harness and jumar (a mechanical device used for ascending on a rope). Hotel (L) (B,D)

Day 4 Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
We leave the jungle behind & fly our way to the hub of ancient Incan culture, Cusco. Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire, is now the modern-day starting point for visits to Peru’s most famous site, Machu Picchu. With huge numbers of travellers flocking to the site every year, it’s led to the development of loads of awesome attractions, so there’s plenty of cool ways to spend your time. Tonight the evening is free to check out the sights, smells and sounds of Cusco. Hotel (B)

Day 5 Cusco to Sacred Valley
Say farewell to Cusco this morning as we make our way to the Sacred Valley of the ancient Incas. The Sacred Valley was the heart of the Inca’s agricultural setting and an important ceremonial region, with the sacred sites of Cuzco at one end and Machu Picchu at the other and countless ceremonial sites in between. After a stop for lunch in Urubamba we’ll make our way to one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns of South America – Ollantaytambo. We’ll wander around the site or visit the still inhabited Inca buildings before checking into the hotel. Hotel (B)

Day 6 Train to Machu Picchu or trek the Inca Trail
For those that have chosen the Inca Trail trek, well wake up this morning and take the train to KM104 to start your trek. Under the guidance of our professional Inca Trail Guide you’ll climb a gentle slope and experience the wildlife and cloudforest found here. After lunch begin the journey to our highlight, Machu Picchu. We’ll walk along the original Inca stonework path, past an altar to the Sun Gate where you’ll catch your first look at this awesome site. If you haven’t chosen our Inca Trail Trek today, then the morning is free to explore Sacred Valley. If you’re up for it, biking, hiking, rafting and horseriding await you today. This afternoon, we’ll catch a train through the lush and verdant mountains to Machu Picchu Pueblo the town at the base of the ruins. After check in at the hotel we’ll head out for dinner. Hotel (B,D)

Day 7 Machu Picchu Pueblo to Cusco
It’s an early start this morning to be among the first to enter Machu Picchu. For those who want to get the blood pumping, there may be an opportunity to climb Wayna Picchu, the mountain peak behind the ruins. You’ll learn all about the site as we take a tour through the most important parts of the site such as the Temple of Three Windows, the ceremonial baths and the altar. After the tour, there’s time to explore more of the site in your own time. Hotel (B)

Day 8 Cusco
First up we’ll help you get your bearings on a walking tour of the city including a visit to the neighborhood of San Blas, and a stop on Calle Hatunrumiyoc, not far from Plaza de Armas. From here we’ll head to the Koricancha or Santa Domingo Church. Originally an Inca temple devoted to the worship of the sun god, in its glory days it was covered in gold leaf with a field filled with gold statues surrounding it. Our next stop is Cusco Cathedral. Built over a period of more than 100 years, the cathedral is a true testament to the place of the church in both the heart of the Spanish conquistadors and their desire to convert the religious beliefs of the locals to coincide with their own. Being full of knowledge about Cusco past and present, now might be time to try one of the delicacies of the Peruvian highlands, ‘cuy’ or crispy fried guinea pig. It’s a must-try in Peru. Hotel (B)

Day 9 Cusco
Today it’s your chance to totally chill. Laze around town enjoying a cappuccino while overlooking the Plaza de Armas, or you can pick it up a notch and try one of the adrenaline filled options here. Spend a half-day horseback riding through the X-zone just north of the city, white water raft down the sacred Urubamba River or do some mountain biking. Hotel (B, D)

Day 10 Cusco to Puno
First up is La Raya, the highest point of our journey, marking the border between the regions of Puno and Cusco. Our last stop outside of Puno is the village of Pukara, named after a pre-Inca civilization. We‘ll visit a small museum where you’ll see the Pukara archeological site (500bc-200ad). Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Puno is the gateway to the surrounding islands and unique cultures. On arrival, we’ll check-in to our hotel where you can freshen up or chill out before heading out to find a local spot for dinner. Hotel (B)

Day 11 Puno
This morning, it’s time to check out the area from a different angle! First up, we’ll make our way to the town’s port by a classic means of transport, the triciclo or three-wheeled bike taxi. We’ll then jump on board our boat for a two and a half hour trip across Lake Titicaca to Taquile Island. The boat trip is the perfect way to chill as you learn about the history, culture and ecology of the lake and its communities while taking in the views of the distant Cordillera Blanca (the White Mountain range) located on the Bolivian side of the lake. Uros Islands are fascinating to visit and you’ll love experiencing the entrepreneurial spirit of the locals here. Hotel (B,D)

Day 12 Puno to Culca Canyon
This morning, we travel to one of the world’s deepest canyons – Colca Canyon. We’ll drive through through Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve where the elusive Vicuña, the smallest of the South American camelid family roams wild. We’ll stop for a break at “the crossroads” where the routes to Colca Canyon and Puno separate. We’ll enjoy a steaming cup of coca tea at a local shop and awesome views of the windswept landscapes of the sandstone cliffs found here. Once everyone’s chilled out, we’ll head to our Special Stay, a cute rustic lodge where we’ll be treated to a delicious traditional dinner. Lodge (L) (B,D)

Day 13 Colca Canyon to Arequipa
We’ll set out early this morning and head to Cruz del Condor, a platform 3800m above sea level for a chance to spot the King of the Andes, the Andean Condor. With a wingspan of up to 3 metres/10 feet, this regal bird uses the warm air currents to float effortlessly through the canyon searching for food. It’s a change of scene as we arrive in Peru’s second largest city, the “White City” of Arequipa, or La Ciudad Blanca. We’ll delve into the city’s history for an-in depth look into its past with a walking tour. We walk through a UNESCO World Heritage site on the tour and one of the country’s most beautiful plazas – the Plaza de Armas. Tonight, we’ll head for dinner at one of the city’s great restaurants. Hotel (B,D)

Day 14 Arequipa to Lima
Our local guide will accompany us to the airport for our flight back into Lima. Don’t forget to swap addresses with your mates and Tour Manager, as our South American adventure ends this morning on arrival in Lima. (B)

Included:
13 Breakfasts, 3 Lunchs, and 7 Dinners

Dates & Prices