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

Overview

Experience the best of Peru on this adventure into the country’s ultimate hotspots. From ancient Inca culture, the Andes & Amazon jungle to awesome locals, Peru has it all. See the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the cultural-hub of Cusco, the Colca Canyon & our highlight, Machu Picchu. When you’re done, sit back & re-live the memories over a perfect Pisco Sour. 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 Arequipa
This morning it’s an early start as we fly to Peru’s second largest city, the “White City” of Arequipa, or La Ciudad Blanca. Upon arrival, get your bearings on an orientation tour of the city. After we arrive at the hotel, there’s time to freshen up before free time for lunch. With many great restaurants and cafés, there are loads of places to indulge in some great local food. Hotel (B,D)

Day 3 Arequipa to Colca 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. Lodge (L) (B,D)

Day 4 Colca Canyon to Puno
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. We’ll also stop for a visit the beautiful colonial church of Yanque which helps to illustrate the history of the area. 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 5 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.  On arrival at the island, there’s the opportunity to visit some weaving groups and to savor a tasty local meal before jumping back on the boat for our cruise to our next stop – the famous floating Uros Islands. You’ll get a glimpse at the local lifestyle as you visit small fish farms, a natural history museum, a local’s home and check out the variety of wares for sale by the women of the community, including local textiles and mini totora reed boats. Later, we'll return to PUno for dinner and a couple of drinks or turning in for an early night. Hotel (B,D)


Day 6 Puno to Cusco
Our first 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). Next up is La Raya, the highest point of our journey, marking the border between the regions of Puno and Cusco. We will continue on to town of Sicuani for a lunch stop before reaching Raqchi. Raqchi was an important ceremonial site for the Inca’s and is famous for being the home to the only remaining two-storey Inca walls. Tonight the evening is free to check out the sights, smells and sounds of Cusco. Hotel (B)

Day 7 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. 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. It is a narrow pedestrian street, famous for its Inca walls where huge stones are precisely carved to fit together without mud or concrete. Tonight we’ll check out the nightlife that is sure to keep you hopping into the wee hours of the night. Hotel (B,D)

Day 8 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 9 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 10 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. Tonight is a great night to become a bona fide member of our "Illari Club" - by heading to one of the clubs and dancing until the sun rises. Hotel (B)

Day 11 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)

Day 12 Cusco to Puerto Maldonado
We’ll catch a flight over the Andes to 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 13 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 14 Puerto Maldonado 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