Simply Peru + Amazon Extension

17 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
Using some simple hotels, public transport and with ample free time to choose your own adventure, this is a great way to see Peru on a shoestring. Not only discovering the highlights, including Machu Picchu and the majestic Colca Canyon, this trip gets you to the heart of Peru, with a homestay on Lake Titicaca and a trip to one of Cusco's best food markets. ...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Machu Picchu - Travel by train to the 'Lost City', one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
    • Cusco - Explore the ancient capital city of the Incas
    • Arequipa - A chance to discover the fascinating Santa Catalina Convent and the magnificent Colca Canyon
    • Lake Titicaca - Traverse the highest navigable lake in the world, visiting Uros and Taquile Islands
    • Nazca - View the intriguing Nazca lines from platforms
    • Amazon - From a jungle lodge discover an exotic world of flora and fauna on foot and by canoe

What's this trip about?

    Using some simple hotels, public transport and with ample free time to choose your own adventure, this is a great way to see Peru on a shoestring. Not only discovering the highlights, including Machu Picchu and the majestic Colca Canyon, this trip gets you to the heart of Peru, with a homestay on Lake Titicaca and a trip to one of Cusco's best food markets. Machu Picchu - Take a mountain train to the ancient citadel, quite simply one of the world's most astonishing sites Lake Titicaca - Visit the 'floating islands' of Uros, made entirely from reeds, and stay in a local house on Taquile Island Colca Canyon - Watch the enormous condors soaring over the mouth of this jaw-dropping canyon

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age range30 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityLima
End CityPuerto Maldonado Airport

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

Activities

  • Cycling
  • Hiking
  • Trekking

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join tour in Lima

Join the tour in Lima and check-in at the hotel.

Meals Provided :
None

Day 2 Public bus to Nazca

Departing Lima early this morning we board a modern public coach south, following the Pacific coastline, before turning towards the fertile mountain valleys that lie around town of Nazca. Our journey around seven hours and brings us through some of the driest desert r...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 3 In Nazca; optional view Nazca Lines from viewing platform or Chauchilla pre-Inca cemetery, overnight bus to Arequipa

Some specialists have speculated that the Nazca Lines represent the world's largest astrological calendar. Huge birds, spiders, whales, other creatures and geometrical figures are represented in outline. Here we have several options to spend the day. You have chance t...

Meals Provided :
None

Day 4 Arrive Arequipa; Free afternoon for sightseeing

We arrive in Arequipa this morning at around 9am. This beautiful city is spectacularly located at the foot of the volcanic slopes of El Misti, a perfect conical peak that rises to some 5822m above this grand colonial city, The city itself was founded by the Spanish in...

Meals Provided :
None

Day 5 Travel to Chivay, optional hot springs

After breakfast today we travel to Chivay by private bus. Our journey takes around six hours and brings us into the world of the Altiplano, passing behind the volcanoes that ring Arequipa and on to Chivay. There are herds of llama and alpaca en route, and if lucky we ...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 6 Visit the Colca Canyon, continue to Puno

This morning we visit the Colca Canyon. A spectacular river gorge, the Colca Canyon measures twice the depth of the more famous Grand Canyon and at one time it was believed to be the deepest gorge on earth (until it was eclipsed by the deeper Cotahuasi Canyon). Largel...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 7 Boat trip on Lake Titicaca; visit Uros Islands and overnight on Taquile Island

From Puno we take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to explore the floating reed islands, home to the Uros people who live on the lake itself. Their islands are made from totura, a reed-like papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in most aspects of their life, incl...

Meals Provided :
None

Day 8 Morning on Taquile Island, afternoon return to Puno

This morning is free on Taquile Island to make the most of a setting where the local people still preserve a rich tradition of music and dance. You might like to take a walk up to the Inca ruins , or visit the market, presenting an ideal opportunity to buy some of the...

Meals Provided :
None

Day 9 Public bus to Cusco

Today we follow the legendary route taken by the first Inca ruler - Manco Capac - on his way to find Cusco, passing through a landscape that is both desolate and magnificent, where flocks of llamas and alpacas graze amongst the windswept meadows. Rising early, we head...

Meals Provided :
Lunch

Day 10 Orientation tour of Cusco, rest of the day free

The old capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent. Imbued with an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur, the Spanish-style city of today, with its attractive pink tiled roof...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 11 Train to Aguas Calientes; visit Machu Picchu

This morning we transfer to the railway station to catch the train to Aguas Calientes, our gateway to one of the greatest of all archaeological sites. The train slowly meanders down the valley, following the tumultuous waters of the Urubamba River through a series of ...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 12 More time to discover Machu Picchu (optional); train back to Cusco

We have another chance this morning to explore the site. It is also possible to climb the steep peaks of either Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain to look down on the citadel. Machu Picchu Mountain is a 700m climb from the top of the citadel. There are co...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 13 In Cusco; optional whitewater rafting

With a full free day in Cusco there's the chance to go white water rafting on the Urubamba River; grade 2-3 (optional and seasonal), or perhaps visit the market town of Pisac, strategically located at the head of the Urubamba Valley (optional). Pisac once controlled t...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 14 Fly to Puerto Maldonado, transfer to Amazon lodge

Today we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, located in the Southern Amazon area of Peru (your Tour Leader stays in Cusco). You can leave your main luggage in Puerto Maldonado and just take with you what you need for the next few days. The ...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15 IIn Amazon Jungle; Canopy walk and Sandoval Lake

We spend the morning on the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, which is a 1129ft system of 2 observation towers, 8 platforms and 7 hanging bridges 100ft above the ground. The walkway is designed to perform scientific research of the ecosystems inhabiting the rainforest canopy,...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16 In Amazon Jungle; boat ride and Inkaterra experience

This morning, we take a 20 minute boat ride to the river island near our lodge, a large sandbank at the shores of the Madre De Dios River. With our Local Guide, we will walk across the island to explore the floodplains that provides the island an ecosystem with a grea...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17 Early morning boat to Puerto Maldonado and end trip at airport

Our Amazon adventure comes to an end today after breakfast and we will travel by motorised canoe back to Puerto Maldonado, before transferring to the airport. If you prefer you can end your trip at the office in Puerto Maldonado and arrange a taxi transfer to the airp...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,510
Price per day$148
Last Updated: 1/5/2021

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,540
Great
3,394
Average
533
Disappointing
160
Terrible
82
P

Peter

Oct 2019

Written on

One of Explore's best trips

One of Explore's best trips

P

Peter

Oct 2019

Written on

Best trips

One of Explore's best trips

J

Jill M

Sep 2016

Written on

Enjoyed the trip totally

The Island of Tequille, Cusco, Sacred Valley of the Incas, MachuPicchu...EVERYTHING!!!

Write a Review

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat, Public Bus, Train,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat, Public Bus, Train
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew, Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Peru: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. USA: (including those in transit) Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - where you apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), which applies if you enter the country by sea or by air. This must be done on line - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. Please note for your ESTA application you will be required to supply Point of Contact information. Explore' s USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. If you are leaving for the USA before this, please call the Explore team to get this information.(Not necessary if in transit) For further information please check out the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary. Please note many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificates if travelling from infected areas. A detailed list of these countries can be found on the NaTHNaC website - http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Also on the NaTHNaC site there is a list of Countries (and specific areas within a country) which are at risk of infection and a vaccination is therefore recommended. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 11
  • Dinner : 3
  • Lunch : 4
Age Requirements
30 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-QPSA

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