Peruvian Highlights with Inca Trail Trek (From Mar 2025)
Peruvian Highlights with Inca Trail Trek (From Mar 2025)
Peruvian Highlights with Inca Trail Trek (From Mar 2025)
8 Days Starting in Lima, Peru and ending in Cusco, Peru
Visiting: Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PHTK20
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Peru with the "Peruvian Highlights with Inca Trail Trek" tour, starting in March 2025. This adventure takes you from the vibrant city of Lima, with its rich history and culinary delights, to the lush Amazon rainforest, where you'll stay in a unique jungle lodge. Experience the cultural heart of Cusco, explore the Sacred Valley's ancient ruins, and learn about traditional Andean arts. The highlight of your trip will be the breathtaking trek to Machu Picchu, where you'll marvel at the iconic Incan citadel. With guided tours, local experiences, and comfortable accommodations, this tour offers an immersive exploration of Peru's most captivating sites. Enjoy included meals, transportation, and special experiences like wildlife spotting and canopy hikes, making this a truly enriching travel experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Lima
Location: Lima
Accommodation Name: Selina Miraflores (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Lima! Steeped in Spanish colonialism yet buzzing with modern metro vibes, this place is sure to ignite your love for Peru. Spend your morning marveling at lavishly decorated churches and an underground tunnel cemetery overflowing with bones or catacombs, then hit the Barranco district this afternoon to get a feel for its bohemian ambiance. A stroll over the Bridge of Sighs is also a must. And of course no trip to Lima is complete without devouring at least one portion of ceviche – it’s a pretty massive deal in the city. Round off the day watching the sun set over the Pacific, most likely with a pisco sour in hand…
Day 2: Lima To Jungle Lodge
Location: Puerto Maldonado
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We’ll catch a flight to the city of Puerto Maldonado in Peru’s southern jungle. We’ll have lunch on the river as we travel upstream by a traditional Peruvian boat to our Contiki Special Stay Rain forest Lodge in the mighty Amazon jungle, where we’ll try to spot toucans, macaws and capybaras along the way. A quick tour of the city will reveal colorful fruit stalls, open air markets, and locals going about their day. But now we're back underway and we just want to get to the jungle. Our lodge is a special experience in itself! Located in then luscious rainforest and made from wood and clay, its open walls leave you sleeping virtually amongst the rainforest! After you settle in, we’ll get a different take on the jungle as we take a hike to the canopy tower. After climbing the 100ft of stairs you will be provided with a birds-eye view of the rainforest! Home to monkeys, birds, bromeliads and other jungle life, this is the ultimate way to see the jungle. After dinner you can experience something really different, heading out to look for caiman, a member of the alligator family native to the Amazon. Scan the shores with flashlights and see if you can catch the red gleam of the light as it reflects off of the caiman’s eyes.
Day 3: Jungle Lodge
Location: Puerto Maldonado
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With another day at the jungle lodge, keep your eyes peeled for a wildlife like the giant otter,��monkeys, tropical birds, bromeliads and other jungle life, this is the ultimate way to see the jungle.
Day 4: Jungle Lodge To Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: Selina Saphi (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wave goodbye to your jungle home, and say hello to Cusco. Spend today exploring the beautiful city of Cusco - wander the main plaza, visit the Tread Right support weaving centre or feed your sweet tooth with a visit to the chocolate museum.
Day 5: Cusco To Sacred Valley
Location: Sacred Valley
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Tunupa Lodge Ollantaytambo (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Heading out of Cusco and bound for the Sacred Valley on our private coach, this is where our journey into the ruins and mystique of this land truly begins. We’ll stop off to witness the ancient Incan art of weaving in practice by a group of talented local artisans. Throughout the journey, pay close attention to your surrounds – there’s the chance to spot the Incan farming technique of terracing. Want to know what the Peruvians do for fun? You’ll get the chance to play the traditional game of “Sapo”, and exactly what that entails we’ll leave to the imagination… Our explorations of the Sacred Valley will begin with a guided tour of the Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins. Our Local Guide will give you the d-l on both, visiting the circular terraced Pisac ruins first which date back to the 1400’s. Moving on to Ollantaytambo, base camp for those taking the trek tomorrow, we’ll appease dry mouths with some homemade Chicha de Jora brew. This tiny town may be small in geographical terms, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in attitude, with artisan shops and cafes spilling out onto streets, and the roaring Urubamba river providing the perfect natural background noise. For those embarking on the Inca trail tomorrow this is your final chance to stock up on last minute essentials (socks, socks and more socks). For all others, spend your time soaking in the vibes, hanging with other travellers and just getting a feel for this iconic little town.
Day 6: Sacred Valley To Aguas Calientes Or Inca Trail Trek
Location: Aguas Calientes
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Flower's House (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
For those embarking on our epic 1 day trek, we’ll grab a packed lunch and catch the train to KM104 and the start of a day to remember. With just 3.5 hours on foot and 13-kilometres to cover, the enchanting site that awaits us will make it all worthwhile. Descending into the site we’ll take in Huayna Picchu 'Little peak' – the iconic peak you’ll have seen in every picture ever – marvelling at the incredible handiwork of the ancient Incas. Satisfaction levels at an all-time high and with a big ol’ smile on your tired face, we’ll head back to Aguas Calientes and a squishy hotel bed you couldn’t be more deserving of. For those not embarking on the Inca Trail, the morning is yours to enjoy the surrounding lush mountains of Aguas Calientes. Can you feel the excitement mounting? Yep – those are pretty much the feels when Machu Picchu is quite literally on the horizon. This afternoon we’ll hop on the train to Aguas Calientes, a cute town in its own right complete with roaring river, quaint bridges and local haunts, but most famously known as the gateway town to Machu Picchu. We’ll meet up with those who opted for the one day trek, and basically spend the evening hyping each other up for what’s to come tomorrow.
Day 7: Aguas Calientes To Cusco Via Machu Picchu
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Selina Saphi (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Excitement levels at an all-time high, the day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here – it’s Machu Picchu time! This is one big old tick off the life goals list, so enjoy every single second of it. Built around 1450 at the height of the Incan Empire, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the new world. We’ll be treated to a guided tour of the site taking in such wonders as the Temple of the Three Windows and Wayana Picchu (the peak you’ll of seen in every Machu Picchu image ever), and of course you’ll have some alone time to explore the area as only you can do. Back on the train we’ll de-brief on our once-in-a-lifetime experience as we head back to Cusco. Last time round was all about getting acquainted with the city, so now you’ve got you’re bearings you can really get lost amongst the market stalls and cobbled streets, maybe even going truly local by trying out a serving of cuy.
Day 8: End Cusco
Location: Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to say adios to your travel buddies as your trips ends after breakfast. Craving more? Why not jump on our Bolivian Magic trip? Please Note: If you opt in to the Rainbow Mountain Hike and Massage, we recommend booking post-accommodation or a late night return flight.
What's Included
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Meals
Meals included as per itinerary: breakfast, lunch, and dinner on specified days.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours of Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
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Transportation
Transportation including flights from Lima to Puerto Maldonado and from Jungle Lodge to Cusco, as well as train rides to and from Aguas Calientes.
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Special Experiences
Special experiences such as a hike to the canopy tower in the Amazon, spotting wildlife, and a guided tour of the Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins.
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Accommodation
Accommodation at Selina Miraflores, Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge, Selina Saphi, Tunupa Lodge Ollantaytambo, and Hotel Flower's House or similar.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights to and from Peru are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is highly recommended.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as the Rainbow Mountain Hike and Massage are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and any other entry/exit fees are not included.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Lunch (L)
Active
- Puerto Maldonado: We'll make our way through the lush green Amazon rainforest at our Jungle Lodge in Puerto Maldonado. There's no better way to reconnect with nature!
Culture
- Lima: Cameras ready. It’s not every day you get a bird’s eye view of the Amazon rainforest
- Puerto Maldonado:
- Cusco: Feel those butterflies of excitement as you board a plane to the Peruvian city. It’s the former capital of the Inca Empire.
- Cusco: Your chance to pick up some mementos at San Pedro Markets and then see Cusco Cathedral, San Blas and Coricancha.
- Sacred Valley: See this former heartland of the Incan Empire and hike around the Pisac ruins.
- Sacred Valley: Learn about the vibrant Andean art of weaving & goldsmithing in Pisac Qolque. Every penny you spend here helps them preserve their time-worn cultural identities & form of self-expression.
Included Experience
- Lima: Get to know this magnificent clifftop city. It’s steeped in history and pretty architecture. But we’re all about the epic food.
- Lima: Cameras ready. It’s not every day you get a bird’s eye view of the Amazon rainforest
- Puerto Maldonado: We'll make our way through the lush green Amazon rainforest at our Jungle Lodge in Puerto Maldonado. There's no better way to reconnect with nature!
- Puerto Maldonado:
- Cusco: Feel those butterflies of excitement as you board a plane to the Peruvian city. It’s the former capital of the Inca Empire.
- Cusco: Your chance to pick up some mementos at San Pedro Markets and then see Cusco Cathedral, San Blas and Coricancha.
- Sacred Valley: See this former heartland of the Incan Empire and hike around the Pisac ruins.
- Sacred Valley: Learn about the vibrant Andean art of weaving & goldsmithing in Pisac Qolque. Every penny you spend here helps them preserve their time-worn cultural identities & form of self-expression.
- Sacred Valley: The sleepy town will give you a taste of local life in the Sacred Valley. Don’t forget to pick up some mementos at the market.
- Cusco: AKA ‘corn beer’. This ceremonial bevvy was the drink of choice for Incan nobility.
- Machu Picchu: Feel the goosebumps of excitement as you glide into Aguas Calientes and get ready to start this life-changing experience.
- Machu Picchu: It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals
Landmarks
- Machu Picchu: It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the Amazon jungle stay?
During the Amazon jungle stay, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including toucans, macaws, capybaras, giant otters, monkeys, tropical birds, and possibly caimans during a night excursion.
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What unique experiences are included in the Sacred Valley visit?
In the Sacred Valley, you will have the opportunity to witness the ancient Incan art of weaving, play the traditional game of 'Sapo', and enjoy a guided tour of the Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins.
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What is the accommodation like in the Amazon jungle?
The accommodation in the Amazon jungle is at the Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge, which is made from wood and clay with open walls, allowing you to sleep virtually amongst the rainforest.
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What activities are available in Cusco?
In Cusco, you can explore the main plaza, visit the Tread Right support weaving centre, and indulge your sweet tooth at the chocolate museum.
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What is the highlight of the visit to Machu Picchu?
The highlight of the visit to Machu Picchu is a guided tour of the site, including the Temple of the Three Windows and Wayana Picchu, with time to explore the area on your own.
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What should I prepare for the Inca Trail trek?
For the Inca Trail trek, it is recommended to stock up on essentials such as socks, as you will be covering 13 kilometers on foot with a packed lunch provided.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Contiki allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform contiki, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of contiki charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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