Intrepid Travel
Peru Essentials
Peru Essentials
Get Peru-sing through this South American hotspot on a 21-day in-depth adventure. Setting off from its cultural capital in Lima, pass by Paracas, Nazca and Arequipa on your way to Cusco. Watch condors ruling the skies of Colca Canyon, follow the ancient trade route of the Inca on the legendary Inca Trail – finishing up at the breathtaking Machu Picchu – and get a feel for local life on a visit to Lake Titicaca’s floating islands. You’ll have a knowledgeable local leader alongside to point you in the right direction, plus plenty of freedom to tailor your own adventure, so what’s stopping you from getting a feel for Peru?
Activities
- Lima – Leader-led walking tour
- Colca Canyon – Guided tour
- Colca Canyon Condor Visit
- Cusco – Leader-led orientation walk
- 3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters’ support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
- Machu Picchu – Entrance & Guided visit
- Sacred Valley – Community visit & lunch
- Lake Titicaca – Boat tour & Homestay
Highlights
- The giant desert inscriptions of the Nazca Lines are one of Peru’s great unsolved mysteries. See them up close on foot or treat yourself to a bird’s eye view on an unforgettable scenic flight.
- Wake early and observe Andean condors taking to the sky during their morning routine as the sun rises in the spectacular Colca Canyon.
- A trip through Peru wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. With three different options to choose from, how you experience this lost Inca citadel is up to you.
- Experience a memorable night with a local family on Lake Titicaca, taking you right to the heart of island traditions.
- Consider extending your stay in Bolivia to peer through the shop windows of the Witches’ Market in La Paz, witnessing a world of unique, curative traditions.
- At Intrepid we’ve always been about balancing profit and purpose and as the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all – join us and help make the world a better place.
Booking Dates
04/15/2025 through 12/21/2027
Travel Dates
04/15/2025 through 12/25/2027
| Day 1 |
Lima's sprawling size and unique embrace of both past and present make it an unforgettably unique destination. Colonial architecture, gastronomical delights, and art are all part of the fabric of this city. Visitors flock to Plaza De Armas De Lima, the spectacular birthplace of Lima, and Huaca Pucllana, a vast adobe and clay pyramid in central Lima. Additionally, UNESCO World Heritage Site Basilica y Convento de San Francisco (St. Francis Monastery) is a can't-miss part of the historic city center. This busy metropolis faces the Pacific Ocean and its popular seaport is Callao, about eight miles from the city center. |
| Day 2 |
Lima's sprawling size and unique embrace of both past and present make it an unforgettably unique destination. Colonial architecture, gastronomical delights, and art are all part of the fabric of this city. Visitors flock to Plaza De Armas De Lima, the spectacular birthplace of Lima, and Huaca Pucllana, a vast adobe and clay pyramid in central Lima. Additionally, UNESCO World Heritage Site Basilica y Convento de San Francisco (St. Francis Monastery) is a can't-miss part of the historic city center. This busy metropolis faces the Pacific Ocean and its popular seaport is Callao, about eight miles from the city center. |
| Day 3 |
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| Day 4 |
Nazca, Peru, is renowned for its mysterious and captivating Nazca Lines, an enigmatic collection of geoglyphs etched into the desert floor. These massive designs, which include animals, plants, and geometric shapes, are best appreciated from the air. A flight over the lines offers a breathtaking view of these ancient artworks, which were created between 500 BCE and 500 CE. The purpose of these massive figures remains a subject of intrigue, with theories ranging from astronomical calendars to ceremonial pathways. Fun fact: The Nazca Lines are so large that some of the figures are only fully visible from the air. They cover an area of approximately 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles), making them one of the largest and most complex sets of geoglyphs in the world. |
| Day 5 |
The second largest city in Peru, Arequipa is called the "white city" because of the white volcano stone with which much of the city was built. Here you'll see charming colonial buildings, a 400 year old convent and gilded churches.
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| Day 6 |
The second largest city in Peru, Arequipa is called the "white city" because of the white volcano stone with which much of the city was built. Here you'll see charming colonial buildings, a 400 year old convent and gilded churches.
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| Day 7 |
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| Day 8 |
The second largest city in Peru, Arequipa is called the "white city" because of the white volcano stone with which much of the city was built. Here you'll see charming colonial buildings, a 400 year old convent and gilded churches.
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| Day 9 |
Cusco is the South America's oldest continuously inhabited city, the gateway to Machu Picchu and once was the capital of the Inca Empire. Make sure you get to Plaza de Armas, the main square and center of the city. Walk through the nearby San Pedro Market to find a special gift for loved ones (or yourself!) or view the Sun Temple Coricancha. |
| Day 10 |
Cusco is the South America's oldest continuously inhabited city, the gateway to Machu Picchu and once was the capital of the Inca Empire. Make sure you get to Plaza de Armas, the main square and center of the city. Walk through the nearby San Pedro Market to find a special gift for loved ones (or yourself!) or view the Sun Temple Coricancha. |
| Day 11 |
Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. At more than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, this symbol of the Incan Empire was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. |
| Day 12 |
Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. At more than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, this symbol of the Incan Empire was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. |
| Day 13 |
Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. At more than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, this symbol of the Incan Empire was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. |
| Day 14 |
Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. At more than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, this symbol of the Incan Empire was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. |
| Day 15 |
Cusco is the South America's oldest continuously inhabited city, the gateway to Machu Picchu and once was the capital of the Inca Empire. Make sure you get to Plaza de Armas, the main square and center of the city. Walk through the nearby San Pedro Market to find a special gift for loved ones (or yourself!) or view the Sun Temple Coricancha. |
| Day 16 |
Cusco is the South America's oldest continuously inhabited city, the gateway to Machu Picchu and once was the capital of the Inca Empire. Make sure you get to Plaza de Armas, the main square and center of the city. Walk through the nearby San Pedro Market to find a special gift for loved ones (or yourself!) or view the Sun Temple Coricancha. |
| Day 17 |
Situated on the shore of Lake Titicaca, Puno is referred to as the folkloric capital of Peru due to its artistic and cultural expressions, particularly dance. Notable landmarks include the Andean baroque-style Puno Cathedral and the Yavari, a 19th-century steamship. Products created from alpaca, llama, or sheep wool are a signature of the area, as well as musical instruments like the siku. |
| Day 18 |
Situated on the shore of Lake Titicaca, Puno is referred to as the folkloric capital of Peru due to its artistic and cultural expressions, particularly dance. Notable landmarks include the Andean baroque-style Puno Cathedral and the Yavari, a 19th-century steamship. Products created from alpaca, llama, or sheep wool are a signature of the area, as well as musical instruments like the siku. |
| Day 19 |
Situated on the shore of Lake Titicaca, Puno is referred to as the folkloric capital of Peru due to its artistic and cultural expressions, particularly dance. Notable landmarks include the Andean baroque-style Puno Cathedral and the Yavari, a 19th-century steamship. Products created from alpaca, llama, or sheep wool are a signature of the area, as well as musical instruments like the siku. |
| Day 20 |
It is confusing, but Bolivia has two capitals: La Paz is the administrative capital and Sucre, where the document of independence from Spain was signed in 1825, is the constitutional capital. the airport, appropriately named "El Alto" (meaning "high") is 12,700 feet above sea level. La Paz is a little lower, at 11,880 feet. La Paz has its modern side, with good hotels, office complexes and good restaurants, but go to the market area and you're transported back in time a few hundred years. |
| Day 21 |
It is confusing, but Bolivia has two capitals: La Paz is the administrative capital and Sucre, where the document of independence from Spain was signed in 1825, is the constitutional capital. the airport, appropriately named "El Alto" (meaning "high") is 12,700 feet above sea level. La Paz is a little lower, at 11,880 feet. La Paz has its modern side, with good hotels, office complexes and good restaurants, but go to the market area and you're transported back in time a few hundred years. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
07/12/25 - 08/01/25 |
Starting At $3,165 |
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|
07/26/25 - 08/15/25 |
Starting At $3,115 |
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|
08/02/25 - 08/22/25 |
Starting At $3,220 |
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|
08/30/25 - 09/19/25 |
Starting At $3,165 |
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|
09/06/25 - 09/26/25 |
Starting At $3,235 |
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|
09/20/25 - 10/10/25 |
Starting At $3,745 |
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|
10/04/25 - 10/24/25 |
Starting At $3,375 |
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|
10/18/25 - 11/07/25 |
Starting At $3,235 |
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|
11/01/25 - 11/21/25 |
Starting At $3,125 |
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|
11/15/25 - 12/05/25 |
Starting At $2,995 |
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|
12/06/25 - 12/26/25 |
Starting At $3,060 |
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|
12/27/25 - 01/16/26 |
Starting At $2,995 |
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|
01/03/26 - 01/23/26 |
Starting At $3,145 |
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|
03/14/26 - 04/03/26 |
Starting At $3,295 |
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|
03/28/26 - 04/17/26 |
Starting At $3,425 |
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|
04/11/26 - 06/27/26 |
Starting At $3,560 |
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|
07/11/26 - 08/29/26 |
Starting At $3,425 |
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|
09/19/26 - 09/26/26 |
Starting At $3,560 |
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|
10/17/26 - 11/06/26 |
Starting At $3,425 |
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|
10/31/26 - 12/26/26 |
Starting At $3,295 |
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|
01/02/27 - 12/25/27 |
Starting At $3,145 |
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