This Peru Group Tour is a 10-day, whirlwind guided adventure filled with captivating wonders. You’ll travel comfortably but with a touch of the backpacker experience as we combine the safety and social side of group tours with some of the more adventurous elements of solo travel. You’ll begin in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, an area steeped in history, where the iconic Machu Picchu awaits. Next, you’ll ascend to vibrant Rainbow Mountain, a breathtaking spectacle of natural beauty. Then, you’ll head to Arequipa, where a rich cultural heritage unfolds and the Chili River waits to be tamed. Your Peruvian odyssey will conclude on the serene shores of Lake Titicaca, a sacred and enchanting destination.
(Click a day or location in the list below to scroll to that day in the Trip Details section.)
Your Peru Group Tour starts in beautiful Cusco, the historical capital of Peru. You’ll arrive at the airport in the evening, where you’ll be met by a guide who will escort you to your hotel in the heart of town. Cusco is lively and fun, with lots of action in the city center. You’ll be able to safely wander the plazas and stone streets near the hotel, with plenty of great options for food and drinks. Don’t stay out too late though, your Incan adventure starts the next day!
Nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, Cusco is a living testament to the ancient Inca Civilization. Renowned for its stunning main square, labyrinthine cobblestone streets, vibrant culture, and breathtaking surroundings, Cusco offers a captivating launching point for your Peru Group Tour. We’ll begin with a leisurely exploration of the city, immersing ourselves in its rich heritage. From vibrant markets to charming plazas to historical churches, we’ll uncover the layers of Incan and Spanish history that shaped this remarkable place. We’ll explore the city by foot, acclimatizing to the altitude and taking in Cusco’s unique splendor.
The adventure ratchets up on the third day of your Peru Guided Tour. We’ll set out early for a full day exploring the Urubamba River Valley’s many fascinating sites. “The Sacred Valley,” as it’s called, is packed with a wealth of important archaeological sites and beautiful natural landscapes. We’ll visit ruins at Pisac, the terraces of Moray, the salt pans of Maras, and more, passing through charming villages and colonial towns along the way. In the afternoon, we’ll catch the train to Aguas Calientes, where we’ll rest our heads in anticipation of the one and only Machu Picchu!
The ancient Incan ruins at Macchu Picchu are the premiere highlight of any Peru Group Tour. Often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, this stunning citadel perched high atop tropical mountains is the most famous icon of the Inca Empire and well deserving of its status as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We’ll set out very early, by bus, to the front gate at the top of the mountain so we can begin our tour as soon as it opens. After a thorough tour of the ruins, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then catch the train back to Cusco.
At this point, you’re in the midst of the rugged stretch of your Peru Group Tour, where we’ll test your mettle as a true adventurer. After two long days exploring Machu Picchu and The Sacred Valley, you’ve got one more mountain setting to conquer. We promise, though, that Rainbow Mountain and its gorgeous surroundings are worth another early morning. We’ll spend the early part of the day hiking stunning, high-altitude landscapes before returning to Cusco with several hours to relax before our overnight bus to Arequipa.
Finally, it’s time to unwind a bit and, by this point of your Peru Group Tour, you’ve definitely earned some relaxation! With a stunning volcanic backdrop, “The White City”, as it’s called, was the colonial-era capital of the region and is a beautiful, pleasant place to experience urban Peruvian culture. With far less of the bustling tourist crowds, Arequipa serves as the ideal place to recover after three days of exhilarating adventures. We’ll arrive early on the overnight bus from Cusco and you’ll have the whole day to yourself to stroll the city, eat, drink, and take in some spectacular museums at your own leisure.
Today will be another relatively laid-back day, with the exception of a few exhilarating hours on the appropriately named Chili River. Brace yourself for a chilly but incredibly fun experience! After a leisurely morning, your Peru Group Tour will resume with a thrilling rafting trip of the rapids just outside of Arequipa. The Chili River rapids strike a perfect balance, offering excitement for seasoned rafters and a safe, enjoyable ride for beginners. While we’ll approach them with the respect they deserve, rest assured that they present no serious danger.
After breakfast, we’ll continue our Peru Group Tour by bus to Puno, on the shores of mythical Lake Titicaca. Puno is relatively cold and stark compared to the warmth and comfort of lower-altitude Arequipa, but it’s an interesting city with much to see nearby. It’s also considered Peru’s “folkloric capital,” owing to its traditional festivals featuring vibrant music and dancing. We’ll arrive in the afternoon and have the rest of the day to take in some of the city’s sights.
Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, fascinating Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable body of water and said to be the birthplace of the Incas. We’ll set out early on a boat tour of some of Lake Titicaca’s best sights, including the fairytale-like, floating Uros Islands, made by hand entirely from totora reeds and timeless Taquile Island, where life has barely changed for hundreds of years. Your Peru Group Tour will wrap up late in the afternoon, and then we’ll finish our final day with a fun farewell dinner and drinks as a group.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye, as today officially marks the end of your Peru Group Tour. Early in the morning, we’ll begin transporting everyone, in groups, to the Juliaca Airport based on flight times. Our lead guide will be there to make sure everyone departs without issue. Next, you land at home and tell all your friends what an amazing time you had. We anxiously await the day you join us for another guided tour. Remember, with Hop Skip Jump, the world is smaller than you think!
(Prices are in $USD & exclude the cost of any flights.)
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