It’s only natural that Machu Picchu springs to mind when considering a tour of Peru, and though we experience this archaeological site in all its glory, we delve even deeper into this extraordinary destination to show our Solos the true meaning of adventure. As one of the seven Wonders of the World, the Inca ruins are the most visited in the country and will leave you speechless due to the sheer beauty. Famous for the Incas, with its former capital in Cusco, we explore the modern day city with a mix of archaeological sites surrounding, as well as the Sacred Valley.
As well as the Incas, there are a whole host of reasons travellers flock to this fascinating country. A perfect starting point is the capital Lima, drenched in history. Perched on the Pacific coast, Lima has a rich cultural heritage with a spectacular array of historic monuments and prominent examples of colonial architecture. Peru also boasts landscapes that leave a lasting impression, from Lake Titicaca sitting at 13,000 feet, to the colourful mountains of Palcoyo, not forgetting the Andes mountain range. The Amazon covers a vast amount of South America, with Peru known as the gateway and is a superb way to step into nature, witness wildlife in its natural habitat and learn about the eco system of the rainforest.
Joining Solos on this tour of Peru for an unforgettable journey through time, nature & culture.
Today we depart the UK and head to Peru on a connecting flight.
Upon arrival at Lima airport, we transfer to the hotel. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis alive with history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. This evening, we gather together for a welcome dinner and get to know our fellow travellers.
After breakfast this morning, we transfer to downtown Lima. We visit Casa Aliaga – an old residence of the viceroyalty handed over by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 to one of his captains. We also see the Santo Domingo Convent, built during the 16th Century, before heading to the Casona San Marcos, the cultural centre belonging to San Marcos University, the oldest in America, where artistic work is exhibited, and dance and music workshops are given.
We stop off at Larco Museum, located in the traditional district of Pueblo Libre. It was founded by Rafael Larco Hoyle in 1926 and is located inside a viceregal mansion. The museum boasts an impressive pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver pieces, as well as erotic art.
After lunch at the Café del Museo Larco, we transfer to Barranco – the bohemian district of Lima known for its bars, museums, galleries and urban art.
We head to the airport after breakfast for our flight to Puerto Maldonado, known as the ‘Gateway to the Amazon’. Upon arrival, we board a motorised canoe and head along the Madre de Dios River to our accommodation for the next couple of nights.
Following lunch, we enjoy a walk along the Concepcion Trails, winding through the property’s nature trails for an immersive introduction to the intricate eco-systems of the Amazon basin. Backed by the protected Tambopata National Reserve and
built on the grounds of a former cacao and rubber plantation, Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion harbours primary and secondary rainforest inhabited with exotic wildlife and tropical plants.
At dusk, we witness the enchanting transformation of the rainforest from a diurnal to a nocturnal environment on a guided Twilight River Boat Ride, as animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the shadows of the night. Following this, we will get together for this evening’s dinner.
We begin the day early with a buffet breakfast before a visit to Lake Sandoval, a glassy, ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve, reached via a sun-dappled rainforest trail. We board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly paddle through a stream and glide onto Lake Sandoval, flanked by picture-perfect palms. This lake is home to many species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans, amongst others. We return to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion in time for lunch.
This afternoon we climb the exhilarating Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. The Canopy Walkway is a sophisticated and safe 344 metre (1,135 feet) network of seven ecologically constructed hanging suspension bridges, strung between eight treetop observation platforms above the forest floor. This is an unforgettable opportunity to observe the rainforest from the rooftop and gain a sense of its size. We ascend the first vertiginous tower 38 metres (124 feet) above ground, keeping an eye out for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth.
Back at the lodge, we venture out onto the Hidden Forest excursion. Our senses heighten to the movements and sounds in the undergrowth of the forest, keeping an eye out for species that only emerge during the night. We also have the option to book for an indulgent therapy at the Nua spa, built in the middle of the rainforest .
We will have our final breakfast in the rainforest this morning, waking to the sounds of parakeets chattering away in the trees and monkeys swinging through the treetops. We head to the airport to fly to Cusco and on arrival, transfer to our hotel in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley (transfer approx. two hours).
This morning we enjoy breakfastHolidays before spending a day of discovering the Sacred Valley. We begin with the archaeological vestiges of Maras and Moray. Maras is an impressive salt mine complex – huge salt deposits that were exchanged for other products from other parts of the Inca Empire. Moray’s archaeological vestiges are composed of mysterious concentric circular terraces which, according to some scholars, would be an agricultural research centre.
After lunch, we continue to discover more of the Inca Empire by visiting Ollantaytambo, a typical example of the urban planning by the Incas, whose residents still live in accordance with their ancient traditions. We stop at various points to witness parts of Ollantaytambo – considered one of the most remarkable archaeological sites of the Inca Empire.
Today will be one of the highlights of the tour – no journey to Peru would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. We start this memorable day with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the train station to catch the train to Aguas Calientes, which takes roughly an hour and a half. Upon arrival, we will see an artisanal market and take a short bus ride to Machu Picchu. A symbol of the Incan Empire and built around 1450AD, this masterpiece of engineering and architecture is believed to have served as a sanctuary and resting place for the Inca Pachacutec. Machu Picchu, which means ‘Old Mountain’, is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Today’s adventure involves hiking the impressive coloured mountain range of Palcoyo. Palcoyo acquires this colouration due to minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, among others, accumulated over millions of years, that nowadays offer a visual spectacle. Getting to the top of the Palcoyo mountain range is of a moderate level and very accessible as it is a two-hour walk without significant slopes, reaching a maximum elevation of 4,900 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, we marvel at the beautiful view of the mountain range and take time to appreciate the surroundings.
This morning after breakfast, we enjoy a guided tour of the former capital of the Inca Empire – Cusco. We begin with a visit to the Convent of Santo Domingo, built over the Inca temple of Coricancha, and one of the most important precincts dedicated to the cult of the sun. Ancient chronicles say that its walls were covered with gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. We then head to the Cathedral, the most imposing building in the Plaza de Armas. Then its onto the hills of Cusco, where the fortress of Sacsayhuaman is located. Here we’re treated to an impressive panoramic view of Cusco. We will continue to the archaeological site of Qenqo, where it is believed that the Incas practiced rituals related to agriculture. The tour then heads to Puka Pukara, known as the red fort, which boasts plazas, baths aqueducts and towers. It is believed to have been used by the Inca entourage while the leader rested in Tambomachay, which will be our final stop on the tour.
The rest of the day can be enjoyed at leisure.
Today we journey by coach from Cusco to Puno. This scenic route will take us through the wonderful Andes. Our first stop will be in Andahuaylillas, located 40 kilometres from Cusco. Here stands the Church of Andahuaylillas, nicknamed the ‘Sistine Chapel of America’ due to its impressive art found within it. We continue our journey on to Racchi, where the Wiracocha Temple is located, a surprising 30-meters wide by 20-meters high construction of rectangular shape. After a stop for lunch in Sicuani, we enjoy a brief stop at La Raya, the highest point between Puno and Cusco, sitting at 4,313 meters above sea level. Another stop off point at Pucara, which was a town first developed between the years 100 and 300 AC, this town was the first proper urban settlement of the lacustrine highlands. After the scenic drive and stop off points of interest, we will arrive into the city of Puno.
This morning we head to Lake Titicaca to take a boat trip to the islands of Uros and Taquile. After breakfast, we transfer to the port of Puno, and board a boat taking us to the floating island of Uros. The Uros are an ancestral society that populates a series of artificial islands built with the totora, a type of reed that grows in the Lake Titicaca. We even see houses built from this reed, before continuing onwards to the island of Taquile. This island was part of the Inca Empire and when here, we learn about the history of the island while enjoying lunch.
This evening, we gather for a final get together dinner with our fellow travellers and reminisce about our epic adventure in Peru.
Today we have a final breakfast before heading to the airport to fly back to Lima, before an onwards journey back to the UK.
We arrive back into the UK after a connecting flight from Lima.
We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as detailed below (or similar);
Frequently Asked Questions
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling, some with early starts and at high altitude. It is important to consider you will be sightseeing and walking at altitudes over 4000m and a good level of fitness is required for these parts of the tour.
Puerto Maldonado
Cusco – 3399m
Machu Picchu
Palcoyo Mountain
We have seven days at altitude and during this we have full days exploring where walking is involved, and at altitude, getting breathless is easier. As well as this, becoming more exhausted, and quicker, could be an issue, as well as headaches and dizziness.
From Lima airport to the hotel it is approximately 1 hour.
From the final hotel in Puno, to Inca Manco Capac International Airport it is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.
The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.
If you are visiting Peru, your passport should be valid for six months from the date you arrive. This is not applicable to foreign residents in Peru holding a valid Peruvian residence card (‘carné de extranjería’), as their passports will not require a minimum validity.
Some airlines have been allowing non-resident passengers to travel to Peru without the six-month passport validity requirement. These passengers have not been allowed to enter Peru upon arrival.
Normally, you don’t need a visa to travel if the purpose of the visit is tourism/visit. If you’re travelling for any other purpose, check entry clearance requirements with the Peruvian Consulate-General in London.
If you have tourism status in Peru, you’ll need to apply online for a special permit in order to sign any type of contract, eg, purchase of a home, business contracts, at a notary public. For more information, please contact the Peruvian Immigration Office or the Peruvian Consulate-General in London.
On arrival, you’re normally given permission to stay for up to 90 days.
Double check the period of time you’ve been granted. If you overstay, you’ll need to pay a fine. In the worst case scenario you could be held in detention.
While it is not required by the immigration authorities, some airlines require passengers to show proof of onward travel (e.g. an airline ticket) in order to travel to Peru.
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Peru (including Cusco, Puno, the Colca Canyon and Kuelap). More information about altitude sickness is available from TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel health Network and Centre).
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice at TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.
General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.
Peruvian Sol
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