Ultimate Peru Explorer Trip Notes

Trip Overview

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Uncover all corners of South Peru from the Amazon Jungle and Machu Picchu to the floating villages of Puno and quaint towns of the Sacred Valley. Embark on one of the world’s most memorable hikes — the Inca Trail — to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu ruins. Immerse yourself in the Amazon Jungle during a stay at a jungle lodge; hike through lush forests, cruise the Madre de Dios River and look out for Amazon wildlife. Discover the man-made islands of reed on Lake Titicaca, marvel at the magic water fountains of Lima, and perfect the art of Pisco Sours with an optional cocktail-making class. This 15-day trek isn’t for light-hearted travelers, but we guarantee it’ll be an adventure like no other!

Duration : 15 Days

Destination : Peru

Start/Ends in : Lima / Lima

Group Size : 13-35 People

Age Req. : 18+

Trip Theme : Discovery, Overland

Hotels : 4 Star

Departs : All Year Round

Why you will love this tour

• * From trekking the Inca Trail to exploring Machu Picchu, delving into the Amazon Jungle, and cruising Lake Titicaca – this ultimate 15-day adventure leaves no stone unturned in Peru!

• * Stay in carefully selected 4-star hotels and lodges with all breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 5 dinners included. Plus, 3 included flights to cut down on transit time.

• * Embark on a 4-day Inca Trail hike from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. Experience authentic, once-in-a-lifetime moments while camping in small villages along the Inca Trail and getting to know the Peruvian locals.

• * Discover the unique way of life on Lake Titicaca. From the 40 man-made islands of Uro to the unique textile patterns of Taquile Island, this place is bursting with pre-Inca charm and traditions found only in this specific region of Peru.

• * Take in all the sites of the vibrant capital – Lima – with optional cooking classes, biking tours, and water fountain tours.

Arrival Details

The group welcome meeting with your guide and other travelers is held around 18:30 at the hotel lobby on Day 1 of your tour unless otherwise notified.

Meeting and Finishing Point:

The meeting and finishing point for the tour is :

Aloft Lima Marriott Hotel – 4 Star

Address : Av 28 de Julio N 894, Lima 15047, Peru

Phone : +51 1 5264850

Emergency Number: +44 203 14 99 200

Making Your Own Way to the Starting Point

We recommend using airport taxis. Lima International Airport (SJO) is just 21 kilometers from the hotel. It costs between 25-30 USD from the airport to the hotel and takes approximately 20 minutes.

Highlights

Cusco: Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire, and is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture.

Huayllabamba: A town in Southern Peru, capital of the district Huayllabamba in the province Urubamba in the region Cusco. It is located in the Sacred valley.

Lima: Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac, and Lurín rivers, in the central coastal part of the country.

Machu Picchu: Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned.

Pacaymayo: A valley crossed during the famous Trek. It is located not far from the Runkurakay ruins. Definitely, is an impressive attraction on your trip to Machu Picchu.

Puerta Maldonado: Puerto Maldonado is the capital city of the Madre de Dios region in southeast Peru. It’s also known as a gateway to the southern Amazon jungle

Sacred Valley: The Sacred Valley is in Peru’s Andean highlands. Along with the nearby town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, it formed the heart of the Inca Empire

Winay Wayna: An Inca ruin along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is built into a steep hillside overlooking the Urubamba. The site consists of upper and lower house complexes.

Itinerary

Please note that the itinerary may be subject to small changes depending on the conditions during the tour. Alternative accommodation of similar standards may be used depending on the group size and hotel availability.

Inclusions & Exclusions

The tour price covers the following services:

Accomodation : 4 Star Hotels, Amazon Lodge, Inca Trail Camping

Airport Transfer: Airport transfers for the included domestic flights on the tour

Meals : 14 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 5 Dinners

Transportation : Air – conditioned vehicle, train, domestic economy class flights

Guide : Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism

Sightseeing : The Amazon Jungle, Madre de Dios River, Caimán Cocha, Lake Apu Victor, Monkey Island Hatum Rumiyuq Street, Cathedral of Cusco, Archaeological Museum, San Blas, Awanacancha, Pisac & Ccorccor, Sacred Valley, Pisac, Machu Picchu, Ollanta, Larco Museum, Gold Museum, Andahuaylilla, Racchi & Pucará, Uros & Taquile Islands

What is NOT included in the tour price?

• Any flights not mentioned above

• Travel insurance

• Meals not stated above

• Items of a personal nature

• Tips & gestures

• Entrance fees to the sights and museums

• Optional activities

• Other services not stated in the itinerary

Hotels & Accommodation

Solo travellers will be roomed with another solo traveller of the same gender in a twin or triple room, or can upgrade to a solo room by paying the single supplement. You may choose the solo room option when booking online or contact us to arrange a private room. Your tour leader will allocate rooms upon arrival at the starting hotel in accordance with the rooming lists, last minute changes may not be guaranteed.

ALOFT LIMA MARRIOT – LIMA – 4 Star

Aloft Lima Marriott Hotel features an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Dining options at the hotel include a restaurant, bar lounge, and coffee shop.

ECOAMAZONIA LODGE – PUERTA MALDONADO – Superior Lodge

The EcoAmazonia Lodge is located in the middle of these 10,000 hectares of ecological reserves known as The Tambopata; only 30km from Puerto Maldonado Jungle.

SAN AGUSTIN DORADO – CUSCO – 4 Star

San Agustin El Dorado is the ideal hotel in Cuzco, it is located in a privileged area of the historical Cuzco, between the Main Square and the Koricancha.

TIERRA VIVA VALLE SAGRADO – SACRED VALLEY – 4 Star

Located in Sacred Valley, 50 minutes from the center of Cusco, this hotel is the perfect base for exploring Machu Picchu.

HOTEL JOSE ANTONIO – PUNO – 4 Star

Situated amongst the stunning beauty of the largest lake in South America. The hotel offers a garden terrace to enjoy the magic of the Puno sunsets.

Distances

Please find below the approximate driving times between the destinations visited in Costa Rica. We will always strive to take a short break every few hours to enable passengers to stretch their legs, purchase snacks and use wash facilities during long drives.

Flights

• Lima to Puerto Maldonado: 1 hr 40 min

• Puerto Maldonado to Cusco: 55 min

• Cusco to Lima: 1 hr 10 min

• Puno to Lima: 1 hr 40 min

Driving

• Cusco to Sacred Valley: 25km, 1 hr 15 min

Budgeting

Please note that entrance fees to sights and optional activities are not included in the tour price. Optional activities are not operated by Travel Talk and may require a certain number of attendees to run. Your guide will be happy to inform you further about the available optional activities at the start of your tour. Optional activities are also listed under each day in your tour itinerary.

Optional Activities

Tasting & Pisco Sour Classes — USD 22

Cusco Walking City Tour USD 107

Sillustani Tour USD 20

Cooking classes with local market visit USD 97

Biking tour in Miraflores USD 62

Water Fountain Tour USD 34

Entrance Fees

Full ticket in Cusco USD 45

Partial ticket in Cusco USD 24

Cathedral of Cusco USD 9

Archaeological Museum USD 6

Larco Museum USD 10

Gold Museum USD 10

Shopping

Peru has some of the most unique souvenirs in the world from textiles to dried sweet corn, bracelets, ponchos, woven rugs, and of course, alpaca clothing. Leaving Peru with an alpaca souvenir is almost a rite of passage, on par with trekking to Machu Picchu. You’ll find many local and authentic markets selling varieties of alpaca products in the rural villages of Peru. Simply as your local guide where they recommend!

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated for good service in Peru. Generally, a 10% tip is a welcome gesture for good service in any restaurant, café or formal bar with service in Peru. If taxi drivers provide a good service, we recommend adding a few Sol to the fare or rounding to the most suitable denomination. You may also consider tipping your leader and driver for outstanding service at the end of your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference.

Essential Information: Peru

Passport & Visas

Australia, New Zealand, British, Canadian and America (USA) passport holders do not require a tourist visa to visit Peru and may be eligible to stay for up to 6 months, depending upon nationality. Some other nationalities may be required to apply for tourist visas through an embassy or consulate of Peru. Please ensure that you check with the Peruvian Embassy or Consulate of your country for an up-to-date visa.

Passport validity entry requirements: Travellers entering Peru must also carry a passport or travel document with a minimum of 6 months validity remaining.

This information is provided only as a guidance, we strongly advise that you check with the consulate or embassy as this information can change at any time and with little notice. It is your responsibility to make sure that all the required travel documents are ready when traveling.

Travel Advice

We are closely monitoring the latest travel updates to Peru and following the advice of the UK Foreign Office (FCDO). For the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru

We recommend all travellers to check their Government National Travel Advisory prior to their departure:

Australia – https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

Canada – https://travel.gc.ca/

New Zealand – https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

USA – https://travel.state.gov/

Travel Insurance

All passengers travelling with Travel Talk are required to have personal travel insurance before participating in any of our tours. Your guide will collect your travel insurance details on the first day of your trip. It is your responsibility to make sure you have an adequate and suitable travel insurance for you in place, you may read more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/travel-insurance

Health & Safety

The health and safety of our passengers, staff and communities visited is of utmost priority. As we monitor and comply with the official advice from the UK Foreign Office, as well as World Health Organization and government authorities regularly, we have implemented several policies and precautions on our tours for your wellbeing. You may find our Safe Travels Protocols at https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels

Travel Talk Adventures has received the Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which allows travellers to recognise companies around the world that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

Please make sure to regularly check your Government’s travel advice before travelling and be well-informed of any requirements. Your tour guide will also notify you of the regulations and protocols to follow throughout your trip with us.

Please note that if any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary or possess a potential risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to remove them from all or part of a trip.

Please consult with your doctor for the latest medical travel information and any vaccinations you may need. We recommend that you bring any personal medical requirements and medications with you as these may be difficult to obtain while on tour.

Weather

The weather in Peru can be split into two seasons: wet and dry. The best time to visit Peru if planning to visit or trek to Machu Picchu is during the dry season between May and October. During these months, Peru sees minimal rainfall with bright blue skies in the Andes and chilly nights. The climate significantly alters by altitude with mountainous regions such as the Andes and Inca Trail seeing major drops in temperature overnight. The summer months (wet season) of December to March are warmer but travellers can expect more rain with the wettest of these months being either January or February. Meanwhile, the Amazon rainforest has a tropical climate and is hot and humid with rainfall year-round.

For more, check out our Peru weather guide.

Money Matters

The official currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol (PEN). For context, 1 USD equates to approximately 3.5 Sol. Credit and debit cards are accepted at major hotels and tourist attractions across Peru but are not accepted for small payments such as meals or snacks. We recommend carrying Sol cash to cover daily expenses, especially when travelling through regional areas or trekking the Inca Trail. ATMs are common and US dollars is a legally accepted currency in major cities but is typically reserved for more expensive purchases. We recommend you do not exchange bulk sums of money at the airport, as the exchange rates are usually
more favourable in the major cities. Your tour leader will be happy to help if you need any assistance.

Please remember that everyone has different spending habits, some prefer to spend more on souvenirs, some on experiences and others on a night out! Make sure to budget your trip to your spending habits for shopping, drinking, and tipping

Tipping is appreciated for good service in Peru. Generally, a 10% tip is a welcome gesture for good service in any restaurant, café or formal bar with service in Peru. If taxi drivers provide a good service, we recommend adding a few Sol to the fare or rounding to the most suitable denomination. You may also consider tipping your leader and driver for outstanding service at the end of your trip. The amount is entirely a personal

Eating & Drinking

Peru is widely regarded as a dream destination for food lovers. So much so, that in 2016 was crowned ‘World’s Leading Culinary Destination’ by the World Travel Awards for the fifth year in a row! Peruvian food is a mixture of hot and cold on the same plate with ingredients and cooking techniques from Africa, Europe and East Asia coming together to create culinary delights. When travelling to a new destination with menus in foreign languages, it can often be tricky to know what to order for a truly authentic experience. So, here are a few of our favourite, authentic Peruvian dishes to get you started. For more, check out our Peru food guide.

Ceviche: This coastal dish consists of raw fish marinated in lime juice, chillies and onions. Ceviche is considered Peru’s signature dish and is best enjoyed with sweet potatoes and corn.

Lomo Saltado: Considered a staple in Peru’s mainstream cuisine, Lomo Saltado is made with beef sirloin strips marinated in soy sauce, vinegar and spices which are then stir-fried with tomatoes and onions. The dish is frequently served with potatoes or fries and rice.

Cuy al Horno: Cuy al Horno is guinea pig that is stuffed with herbs, baked and then served whole – head and all! Traditionally, this dish is reserved for special occasions, however it is common across menus in Cusco with many foreigner’s game to try.

Aji De Gallina: A creamy curry-like dish of shredded chicken prepared with cream, ground walnuts and cheese. The curry chicken is often served on a bed of rice, boiled potatoes, and black olives to give it a rich, chowder-like consistency.

Juane: This traditional Amazonian boiled dish was invented to eat on the go. It consists of rice, meat, eggs, and olives rolled into a ball and wrapped in a macaw flower leaf.

Choritos a la chalca: This dish consists of mussels marinated in lime juice and then filled with onions tomatoes and corn kernels.

Picarones: Donuts made from squash and sweet potato and served up with lashings of sweet syrup. You’ll find these deliciously sweet treats sold on the streets of Lima.

Drinking alcohol is typically done as a social activity in Peru and is often a community-orientated process. Pisco is considered Peru’s signature and most popular spirit, made from pressed grapes, and used in cocktails or drank straight. Pisco Sour is a must-try cocktail including a bizarre combination of pisco, egg
white, and lime juice. It’s a strong and sour drink that you’ll have the chance to make and try for yourself in an optional cocktail-making class in Cusco. Pilsen Callao, Cusqueña, and Cristal are the three most popular

Essentials to Bring & Internet

-Face mask/cover and hand sanitiser enough for your personal use throughout the trip – See more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels/

-Travel Documents: Passport, Visa (if required), flight or transport ticket (and photocopies)

-Travel Talk Tour Voucher (printed or digital)Travel Insurance Policy (and photocopy)

-Personal medical kit and medicine

-Money (cash, credit card, travellers’ cheques)

-Power Adapter

-Reusable water bottle

-Ear plugs and eye mask

-Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

-Comfortable, closed walking shoes

-Wind/water proof jacket

-Warm clothes, hat, and gloves for cold weather

-Sandals, swimwear, shorts for warm weather

Internet Access

Most cafes, hotels, and restaurants in large cities of Peru provide free Wi-Fi, but the connection may be spotty or slow. If you wish to use your own 3G/4G Data, be sure to enable data roaming on your mobile, however, it may be limited in rural and remote areas. Purchasing a Peruvian SIM card for the duration of your tour may be a cost-effective alternative. Make sure that your phone is unlocked before you leave home so a local SIM will be compatible. Your guide will be able to provide advice on where to purchase SIMs.

Solo Travellers

We have many solo travellers joining our tours. Solo travellers will be roomed with another traveller of the same gender. If you would like a private solo room, please contact us. You may see out solo travels page for more details.

Rules to Follow

We are committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. We do not tolerate any form of violence (physical or verbal), bullying or harassment involving customers, partners, Travel Talk staff or locals. Sexual relationships between a tour leader and a passenger are forbidden.

We will not tolerate any illegal activity, including but not limited to: use and possession of illegal drugs, trespassing, and disrupting public order. If you consume alcohol, please ensure that you drink responsibly and follow the local laws and regulations.

You must follow the advice of your tour leader and local officials regarding health and safety measures. We operate all tours under Safe Travels protocols for the wellbeing of our passengers, staff and communities visited. Please ensure that you have read the https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels/ and are fully prepared for your trip.

If someone is acting inappropriately regarding these matters, please notify your tour leader immediately or contact us on the emergency contact number provided below.

Your tour leader has the right to remove from the group anyone not abiding by these rules, with no right of compensation or refund. See more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/booking-terms/

Please remember that our travellers come from different parts of the world and will have various needs and preferences. Be understanding and patient with your fellow travellers, and always strive to be on time.

Responsible Travel

We believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with you, we strive to make a positive impact on local people and economies, respecting the local culture, environment, social fabric and customs; encouraging respectful and meaningful cross-cultural exchange. Read more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/responsible-travel/