Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and meet your group at 2 pm at the hotel. Then head out on a walking tour through the historical centre to check out colonial mansions, palaces and churches. If you've gotten in early, there's an optional food and culture tour of the bohemian Barranco district to explore. Later, your group can join an optional welcome dinner together.
Included Activities
- Leader-led walking tour of Lima's historical centre
Optional Activities
- Lima Bites and Sights Tour with Urban Adventures - sample local street food and Pisco cocktails in Barranco district
- Welcome dinner with group
Landmarks Plaza de Armas Barranco District - Day 2
Lima to Puerto Maldonado to Madre de Dios
Start early and transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. After landing, pack essentials into a small duffle bag and board a motorised canoe for about two hours into the jungle. You'll stop for lunch along the way, then settle into your eco-lodge in the Madre de Dios region. Before evening, take a short orientation walk around the lodge to get your bearings.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Motorised canoe journey to eco-lodge in Madre de Dios region
- Orientation walk around lodge surroundings
Landmarks Madre de Dios Region 
- Day 3
Madre de Dios Jungle Exploration
Join a half-day guided jungle trek with local experts who'll teach you about medicinal plants and their traditional uses. Watch for rainbow macaws, butterflies, peccaries and monkeys, and keep an eye out for capybaras, giant otters and jabirus. Return to the lodge for lunch and rest time. Later, venture out on a night walk searching for nocturnal wildlife like caimans and anacondas.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Half-day guided jungle trek with local experts
- Night walk to search for jungle's nocturnal inhabitants
Landmarks Peruvian Amazon - Day 4
Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
You'll collect your luggage in Puerto Maldonado and catch a short flight to Cusco. After arriving and letting your body adjust to the altitude, your group leader takes you on an orientation walk through the city. During this walk you'll see the Plaza de Armas, check out San Pedro Market, and find the famous 12 Angled Stone along with several other historic squares. Then you'll head to Qoricancha, which was the most important temple in the ancient Inca empire. By evening there's a trek briefing at Casa Intrepid, and after that you're free to either explore on your own or grab dinner with the group.
Included Activities
- Short flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
- Leader-led orientation walk through Cusco
- Visit to Plaza de Armas (Main Square)
- Visit to San Pedro Market
- Visit to 12 Angled Stone
- Visit to Regocijo Square
- Visit to San Blas Square
- Visit to Qoricancha (Inca temple)
- Trek briefing at Casa Intrepid
Optional Activities
- Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites) - PEN135
- Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites) - PEN75
- Coricancha Temple entrance fee - PEN15
- Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
- Rainbow Mountain Hike - USD105
- Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
- Pisco Making Urban Adventure - USD57
- Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding - USD85
- Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike - USD100
- Humantay Lake Hike - USD130
- Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
- 4 Ruins + Qorikancha - USD40
Landmarks Plaza de Armas San Pedro Market 12 Angled Stone Regocijo Square San Blas Square Qoricancha 
- Day 5
Cusco to Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo
Travel by private bus through the lush terraces of the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. Stop at a village for lunch and time to chat with locals practising many Inca traditions. Next, visit AMA Restaurant in Urubamba, a social enterprise supporting single mothers, where you'll have a snack and learn about their community work. Later, reach Ollantaytambo and explore at your own pace, then find a local restaurant for dinner with quinoa and alpaca stew options.
- Meals
- Lunch (Community lunch in Sacred Valley village), Snack (Snack and drink at AMA Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Community visit and lunch in Sacred Valley village
- Snack and visit to AMA Restaurant social enterprise in Urubamba
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurant featuring quinoa and alpaca stew
Landmarks Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo - Day 6
Route Selection Day (Inca Trail/Quarry Trail/Train Route)
Depending on your route choice, you'll either start the Inca Trail, the Quarry Trail, or prepare for the train to Aguas Calientes. All three routes lead to Machu Picchu over the next four days. If hiking, you'll get a small duffle bag (5 kg max) for clothes while porters carry your other gear. If taking the train, you'll travel with just a small bag and leave most luggage at your Cusco hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Nourishing meal prepared by cook at campsite (Route 1 and 2))
Optional Activities
- Route 1 - Inca Trail guided hike with porters (3 nights/4 days starting today)
- Route 2 - Quarry Trail guided hike with porters (2 nights/3 days starting today)
- Route 3 - Visit Pisac Market and return to Cusco in afternoon to prepare for train journey
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Huillca Raccay Llactapata Veronica Peak Choquequilla Qory Song'o (Golden Heart) hill Perolniyoc Cascade Q'orimarca Pisac Market - Day 7
Route Selection (Inca Trail/Quarry Trail/Cusco Hike)
Your day depends on which route you chose. Route 1 has the toughest day, a steep 5-hour ascent to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 m with valley views, then down to Pacaymayo Valley campsite at 3,650 m. Route 2 includes a challenging 3-hour walk to Puccaqasa pass at 4,370 m, lunch, then 2-hour hike to Kuychicassa at 4,450 m before descending to Intipunku and camp at 3,600 m. Route 3 is a 2-3 hour walk from Tambomachay with stops at Puka Pukara, Quenqo and Saksaywaman.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Meal at campsite (Route 1 and 2) or dinner with group (Route 3 optional))
Included Activities
- Route 1 - Inca Trail hike with guide and porters
- Route 2 - Quarry Trail hike with guide and porters, including sacred tombs exploration
- Route 3 - Guided walk from Tambomachay to Cusco with archaeological site stops
Optional Activities
- Route 3 - Visit Merida, Mendivil and Olave art galleries and workshops
- Route 3 - Dinner with group
Landmarks Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwanusca) Pacaymayo Valley Puccaqasa Pass Kuychicassa Intipunku (Sun Gate) Nevado Veronica Tambomachay Puka Pukara Quenqo Saksaywaman - Day 8
Route Selection (Inca Trail/Quarry Trail/Train to Aguas Calientes)
Route 1 climbs through Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass at 3,980 m with snow-capped views, descends 2-3 hours to Sayacmarca ruins, crosses a third pass to Phuyupatamarca at 3,850 m, then descends Inca steps to Winay Wayna. Route 2 is mostly downhill, reaching Kachiqata quarry then exploring Ollantaytambo before a short train to Aguas Calientes for the night. Route 3 involves a 1.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo to meet the Quarry Trail group, then 1.5 hours by scenic train through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Meal at campsite (Route 1) or at hotel (Route 2 and 3))
Included Activities
- Route 1 - Inca Trail hike with guide and porters
- Route 2 - Quarry Trail completion with guide, train journey to Aguas Calientes
- Route 3 - Train journey through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes
Landmarks Pacaymayo Valley Runkuracay Pass Cordillera Vilcabamba Sayacmarca Phuyupatamarca Winay Wayna Kachiqata Quarry Ollantaytambo Urubamba Valley Aguas Calientes 
- Day 9
Machu Picchu
Route 1 starts before dawn with 4 am breakfast, then a 2.5-hour hike to Intipunku, entering Machu Picchu at 5 am with weather-permitting views over the Lost City. Routes 2 and 3 take an early bus up at 6 am for a guided tour of temples, palaces and living quarters. Built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for Incan nobility, this Wonder of the World offers endless photos. All routes then bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch, take a scenic train to Ollantaytambo, and drive back to Cusco, arriving by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (4 am breakfast (Route 1 only)), Lunch (Lunch in Aguas Calientes)
Included Activities
- Route 1 - Final hike to Intipunku and entry to Machu Picchu
- Route 2 and 3 - Guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins
Landmarks Intipunku (Sun Gate) Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes Ollantaytambo 
- Day 10
Cusco
You'll have a free day to rest, shop and explore Cusco at your own pace. Relax at a café on Plaza de Armas or visit San Pedro Market for vegetables, meats, local cheeses, chocolates, herbal medicines and handicrafts, great for souvenirs or picnic supplies. Locals also come here to try mystery soups with frogs or offal if you're adventurous. If you're feeling energetic, mountain biking in the surrounding hills is an option.
Optional Activities
- Rest at cafe on Plaza de Armas
- Visit San Pedro Market for shopping and local food
- Mountain biking in hills surrounding Cusco
- Try 'mystery soups' at San Pedro Market
Landmarks Plaza de Armas San Pedro Market - Day 11
Cusco to Puno
After breakfast, travel through dramatic high altiplano scenery to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. At 3,800 m altitude, Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake, and the long drive offers rewarding first views of this immense lake stretching to the horizon. Puno blends Indigenous Aymara and Quechuan culture with strong Andean traditions. Ask your leader about cultural festivals if your trip timing aligns. Try grilled trout, a local specialty, for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Dinner with group featuring local grilled trout specialty
Landmarks Lake Titicaca 
- Day 12
Lake Titicaca Uros Islands and Homestay
Take a motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca, stopping at the floating Uros Islands that look like they're from an animated film. Built by the Uros people centuries ago to escape Inca forces, these islands are constructed from layers of totora reeds. You'll experience contemporary lake life through a homestay in a local community, helping your host family with daily activities and learning some Quechua words. Maybe join a local soccer game before sharing stories over a traditional feast.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Peruvian dinner with host family)
Included Activities
- Lake Titicaca boat tour
- Floating Uros Islands visit
- Homestay in local community
- Traditional Peruvian dinner with host family
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Uros Islands - Day 13
Lake Titicaca Taquile Island
After breakfast, board a motorboat and cruise to Taquile Island, known for intricate hand-knitted textiles where knitting is a male domain and women handle the spinning. Shop for high-quality locally made goods while supporting the community. Trek uphill for about an hour to the main island area for more handicraft shopping, then descend about 500 steps back to the boat. Return to Puno and join your group for a drink, trying a chilcano or pisco sour at a local bar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Motorboat cruise to Taquile Island
- Uphill trek to main area of Taquile Island
Optional Activities
- Shopping for hand-knitted textiles at Taquile Island
- Group drink in Puno - chilcano or pisco sour
Landmarks Taquile Island - Day 14
Puno to La Paz
Head to La Paz, Bolivia at the border. Say goodbye to your Peruvian leader and welcome your new Bolivian leader. After Peruvian migration formalities and document checks, discover La Paz's colonial architecture on a walking tour. Browse vibrant markets on a guided walk, observing how Indigenous cultures now live openly after recent political and social shifts. Check out the famous Witches' Market searching for folkloric remedies, potions and totems, great for last-minute souvenirs.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of La Paz
- Walking tour of La Paz markets
Optional Activities
- Visit Witches' Market for folkloric items and souvenirs
Landmarks Witches' Market - Day 15
La Paz
Enjoy a free day exploring La Paz at your own pace. The city sits in the middle of a vast volcanic crater with buildings clinging to canyon sides. Breathe in the thin high-altitude air and wander lively streets like Calle Jaen. At 6 pm tonight, attend a welcome meeting to meet new group members joining the tour.
Optional Activities
- Explore La Paz independently
- Walk Calle Jaen
Landmarks Calle Jaen - Day 16
La Paz to Uyuni
Leave La Paz and travel by private vehicle to Uyuni, the gateway to Bolivia's salt flats. It's a long drive arriving late afternoon, so bring a podcast and snacks. Uyuni sits on the edge of the high altiplano with wilderness extending hundreds of kilometres toward Argentina and Chile. Check into your hotel and relax for the evening. Rooms are basic but clean and comfortable, possibly your last hot shower before the desert.
Landmarks Uyuni - Day 17
Train Cemetery to Isla Inca Wasi
Begin your 4WD adventure in the Andean Desert. Stop at the Train Cemetery where abandoned locomotives rust in the sun. Visit Colchani, a town producing salt the old-fashioned way, then head into endless white plains of the salt flats where sky meets horizon. Explore a quirky salt hotel, then drive to Isla Inca Wasi, a fossil-strewn cacti island rising like a jagged reef and former volcano top. An optional hike is available here. Continue south to your homestay accommodation with included dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Included dinner at homestay)
Included Activities
- Visit Train Cemetery
- Stop in Colchani salt production town
- Drive through Salar de Uyuni salt flats
- Visit salt hotel
- Visit Isla Inca Wasi (Fish Island)
- Dinner at homestay accommodation
Optional Activities
- Hike on Isla Inca Wasi
Landmarks Train Cemetery Colchani Salar de Uyuni Isla Inca Wasi (Fish Island) 
- Day 18
Andean Desert and Wildlife Reserve
After breakfast, drive through incredible Andean Desert wilderness. Pass Chiguana Salt Lake, the active Ollague Volcano and coloured lakes with pink flamingo streaks. Enter the Siloli Desert with its famous seven-coloured mountain and Arbol de Piedra rock formation. Visit Eduardo Avaroa Wildlife Reserve and hike around Laguna Colorada, watching for llamas, vicunas and foxes. End the big day at your accommodation in a local community like Huayllajara or Polques with included dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Included dinner at community accommodation)
Included Activities
- Drive through Chiguana Salt Lake area
- Visit Ollague Volcano
- Explore Siloli Desert
- Visit Arbol de Piedra (Stone Tree)
- Visit Reserva de Eduardo Avaroa
- Hike around Laguna Colorada (Red Lake)
- Dinner at accommodation
Landmarks Chiguana Salt Lake Ollague Volcano Siloli Desert Arbol de Piedra (Stone Tree) Reserva de Eduardo Avaroa Laguna Colorada (Red Lake) - Day 19
Geysers, Laguna Verde and Return to Uyuni
Rise early to catch sunrise over surrounding geysers, especially active in the morning. There's an optional opportunity for a morning dip in a hot spring. Drive through barren landscapes resembling Salvador Dali paintings to the striking green Laguna Verde. Explore Valle de Rocas and visit the San Cristobal mining town. Return to Uyuni around 5 pm. Relax at your leisure, and after a few desert days, you might head out with your group for optional dinner and drinks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing over geysers
- Drive to Laguna Verde
- Visit Valle de Rocas (Rock Valley)
- Visit San Cristobal mining town
Optional Activities
- Hot spring morning dip
- Group dinner and drinks at local restaurant
Landmarks Geysers Laguna Verde Valle de Rocas (Rock Valley) San Cristobal - Day 20
Uyuni to Potosi
Say goodbye to Uyuni and board a local bus for a scenic ride to the highland city of Potosi. This city has a turbulent past centred on mining, once the world's leading silver supplier to colonial Spain and briefly one of the wealthiest cities globally. Explore architectural remnants on an orientation walk with your leader, then enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Consider visiting the National Mint Museum or Santa Teresa Convent Museum for art and treasures.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Potosi
Optional Activities
- Visit National Mint Museum
- Visit Santa Teresa Convent Museum
Landmarks Potosi National Mint Museum Santa Teresa Convent Museum - Day 21
Potosi to Sucre
After a free morning in Potosi, take a local bus to Sucre, Bolivia's official capital in a temperate valley. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991, Sucre has retained much colonial heritage in churches, museums and mansions, with whitewashed buildings earning it the nickname 'White City'. Arrive and spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring at your own pace. Tonight, consider gathering your group for dinner, trying mondongo (pork ribs) or saltenas (Bolivian empanadas).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Group dinner featuring mondongo (pork ribs) and saltenas (Bolivian empanadas)
Landmarks Sucre - Day 22
Sucre
Explore Sucre with an orientation walk with your leader, then compare shoe sizes with a dinosaur at Cal Orcko, home to 68-million-year-old footprints and the world's largest collection of over 12,000 dinosaur footprints. Visit Museo de la Recoleta, a 400-year-old convent with fascinating sculptures and paintings plus great city views. Or explore Plaza 25 de Mayo to mingle with affluent residents and wander the ornate interior of Senora de la Merced.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Sucre
- Visit to Cal Orcko dinosaur footprints site
Optional Activities
- Visit Museo de la Recoleta
- Visit Plaza 25 de Mayo
- Visit Senora de la Merced
Landmarks Cal Orcko Museo de la Recoleta Plaza 25 de Mayo Senora de la Merced - Day 23
Chataquila Trek
Set off for a hike along the ancient Pre-Incan Chataquila trek, a mostly downhill route that's relatively easy with great Andes views. After completing the hike, you'll have free time for the rest of the afternoon. Plenty of optional activities are available in and around town, so choose a Bolivian dance show, textile museum visit, or whatever appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Chataquila Pre-Incan trek hike
Optional Activities
- Bolivian dance show
- Visit textile museum
- Other town activities
Landmarks Chataquila Trek - Day 24
Sucre to La Paz
Depending on flight time and availability, you'll fly back to La Paz in the morning or afternoon. Upon arrival, consider visiting the Coca Museum to learn about the history and significance of the coca plant in South American cultures. Alternatively, simply relax at your hotel and rest before your final day.
Optional Activities
- Visit Coca Museum
Landmarks Coca Museum - Day 25
La Paz
Your Bolivian adventure ends after breakfast with no activities planned, so you're free to leave anytime. With so much to see and do, you might want to spend an extra day or two in the city. Contact your booking agent ahead of time if you'd like to arrange this extension.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in La Paz (contact booking agent ahead of time)
