Peru & Bolivia Epic Adventure
20 Days of Peru and Bolivia
5 Good Reasons To Do This Trip!
Religious sanctuary or royal estate? There’s no denying its popularity, but you’ll understand why when you explore the mountain-top Incan citadel abandoned in the 15th century.
Travel by plane, car and boat to a remote jungle eco-lodge where you’ll spend a night sleeping in the Amazon Rainforest.
Pass around home-cooked dishes with a local family and drift off to sleep for the night in their traditional mud-brick home beside the waters of Lake Titicaca.
Take a 4WD across the Bolivian Altiplano to watch the sunset over the pre-historic Salar de Uyuni – a lunar-like landscape and the largest salt ‘playa’ in the world.
Known as the ‘Tibet of the America’s’, you’ll take a cable car ride above the highest capital city in the world, La Paz before exploring its Mercado de las Brujas – the Witches Market.
Trip Details
Trip Breakdown
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Please note: The itinerary below is for our 2027 departures. If you’re travelling in 2026, you can view the 2026 itinerary here.
Length
20 days, 19 nights
Details
- A 30-day cooling-off period applies
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Private room – no sharing required.
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Meeting Point
Antigua Miraflores Hotel, Lima, Peru
Ending Point
Rosario Hotel, La Paz, Bolivia
Group Size
Maximum 12
Included
- Meals: 19 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 16 dinners
- Air-conditioned private vehicle transportation, 3 x domestic flights, boat, catamaran.
- Scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, 4WD salt flats rides
- 15 nights boutique and premium hotels, 3 nights Amazon eco lodge, 1 night homestay
- A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leader, 1 in Peru, 1 in Bolivia
- Amazon specialist guide
- All listed activities and more!
Not Included
- International Flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other personal expenses
- Tip kitty. (See FAQs for more information)
Accommodation Preview
Sonesta Hotel Posadas del Inca Yucay, Yucay, Peru
Explorer's Inn Tambopata National Reserve, La Torre, Peru
Luna Salada, Uyuni, Bolivia
Day 1: Welcome to Lima!
Welcome to Lima, the City of Kings!
It’s undoubtedly been a long journey to Peru, so you’ll be thankful for the private transfer dashing you to your hotel. There’s time to relax and recharge before meeting up with your guide and fellow Fencoxers for a dinner with a hearty Peruvian welcome in a city dubbed the gastronomic capital of South America!
We’ve chosen Restaurant Huaca Pucllana for the big event. Set amid pre-Incan ruins, it combines classic Peruvian flavours with contemporary cooking for a top-notch intro into this amazing country.
Accommodation: Antigua Miraflores Boutique Hotel (or similar), Lima – Peru
Included: Dinner
Day 2: Lima, Peru
The flavours and ingredients of the Pacific Ocean, Andes Mountains and Amazon Rainforest combine to create the unique flavours of Peruvian cuisine – one of the most revered in the world.
Your tastebuds get to continue last night’s party of flavours with a hands-on cooking class in a local home where you’ll learn the secrets of classic dishes such as ceviche – fish marinated in citrus juice.
After enjoying the fruits of your labour, you’ll head to Lima’s historic downtown neighbourhood for a walking tour around the city’s grand manor houses and churches within this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Follow this up with a trip to Alameda Chabuca Granda Park, where the snacks produced by local women at the park’s food stalls are just as impressive as their stories of reliance.
Accommodation: Antigua Miraflores Boutique Hotel (or similar), Lima – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack
Day 3: The Amazon Rainforest
Goodbye urban jungle, hello real jungle – the Amazon Rainforest to be exact. Not only are you switching scenery, you’ll be switching climates when you take a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, gateway of the Amazon.
You’ll travel by plane, road and boat, cruising up the Tambopata River for roughly two hours to reach your remote eco-lodge. Waiting for you is your local, specialist guide who knows both the rainforest and river like the back of their hand.
They will lead you on a jungle walk in search of the huge array of animal and plant species that call the Amazon their home – nearly 10 per cent of all those of Earth in fact – from orchids and butterflies to macaws and wild pigs.
Accommodation tonight is another big change of pace. It’s cold showers, no WI-FI and limited electricity for the next few days. But oh how you’ll relish the refreshing feel after a long walk through the humid jungle.
Accommodation: Explorer INN Lodge (or similar), Tambopata National Reserve, Madre de Dios – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Lake Cocococha
Wake to the sound of birdsong and howler monkeys calling to one another in the pre-dawn light to head into the depths of the Amazon, where a single hectare of rainforest can contain more tree species than all those in Europe!
Led by your guide, you’ll pass through bamboo, floodplain and upland forest on foot to reach your ultimate goal of Lake Cocococha.
Keep an eye out for birds such as the tanager and woodpecker in the tree canopy before turning your attention to Lake Cocococha’s most famous resident – the Amazon giant river otter.
After returning to your lodge, you’ll get a very different perspective on the rainforest at the highest levels of a 42-metre tower built to reveal the secrets of the upper canopy – and an extraordinary place to enjoy the sunset.
But your day’s Amazon adventure doesn’t end there, with a night walk on the cards in search of all manner of nocturnal fauna!
Accommodation: Explorer INN Lodge (or similar), Tambopata National Reserve, Madre de Dios – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Chuncho Clay Lick
Another early morning wake-up call is due – but we’re sure you’ll think it’s worthwhile to reach Chuncho clay lick in good time for rush hour at the largest macaw clay lick on Earth – part breakfast, part bird spa and part social event parrot style!
Once they fly off and get on with their day, it’ll be time for you to get some breakfast too. Fuel up for your farm visit, where you’ll learn about the importance of traditional growing methods.
Then head to Chica Lagoon on the trail of more of the Amazon’s amazing bird species. The day ends with another night walk to soak up every last moment of the rainforest before you depart for Cusco tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: Explorer INN Lodge (or similar), Tambopata National Reserve, Madre de Dios –Peru
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6: Cusco
You’ll travel from the steamy jungle to the airy highlands today. You’ve seen both the modern capital and lush Amazonian Peru, now it’s time for the ancient capital, Cusco, first city of the Incan Empire. Be prepared though, you’re about to experience a major shift in altitude as you fly from sea level to 3,400 metres in elevation in just 50-minutes in the air.
Your job is to stay hydrated, while your guide will slow the pace to help you acclimatise. So unpack, get comfy, and settle in!
Dinner this evening is at Mama Seledonia, a restaurant that supports young, single mothers and serves up some seriously yummy eats.
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar), Cusco – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
So, What Exactly Is Coca?
Peru is famous for coca and you’ll see it everywhere in the Andes region of South America as a remedy for everything from altitude sickness to asthma. Yes, this is technically the base ingredient for both Coca-Cola and cocaine, but it’s so much more than its undeserved status as an illicit drug and sugary soda. Coca has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is sacred to the Quechua people. Used in ceremonies and rituals, residue of the leaves has even been found on the lips of mummies, sacrificed long ago by the Incas. Locals typically roll the leaves into a ball and chew on them to release their restorative properties. All this to say, coca can be a wonderful aid to whatever ails you.
Day 7: History of the Incas
You’ve had only a taste of ancient Incan history so far, so now it’s time for further investigation! However, it’s not quite time for Machu Picchu yet. There are a bunch of places along the way for you to explore.
Begin on the outskirts of Cusco at Sacsayhuamán. Just how did the Incas carve these mammoth stones weighing up to 100 tonnes each but fit so perfectly together that they didn’t even need mortar? This almost impossibly fortified ceremonial centre looks as if it were created by a giant.
You’ll follow this up with a spiritual ceremony with an authentic female shaman (spiritual healer), before changing gears for a guided tour through the streets of Cusco’s historic centre. The city will sing you its story through both Incan and European-era architecture and the craggy cobblestones that connect it all.
Dinner tonight is all-things sustainable at Nuna Raymi – a restaurant whose philosophy supports local producers with an organic focus.
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar), Cusco – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: San Blas Neighbourhood
It’s day 8 already and it’s been a whirlwind of a first week in Peru, so you’ve earned today’s relaxed morning. Enjoy a peaceful breakfast at the hotel before regrouping in the afternoon for a walking tour of Cusco’s San Blas neighbourhood, which has long been heralded as its bohemian heart. These white-washed, terracotta-tiled buildings are home to a community of artists, musicians and traditional artisans.
We’re sure you know the famous tune, “El Condor Pasa”, originally composed by a Peruvian and decades later ‘remade’ by Simon and Garfunkel. Is it possible this evocative melody piqued your interest in this trip? We wouldn’t blame you! The almost mystical instruments you’re hearing are zampoña, a member of the flute family. You’ll visit a local musician’s home where you can play traditional Peruvian instruments and even try your hand at making these traditional panpipes.
End the day with a folklore dinner show that’s all but guaranteed to both feature the zampoña and get your feet tapping to the beat!
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar), Cusco – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Sacred Valley of the Incas
You’ll be bouncing out of bed this morning because the time has come for your journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, whose river was thought to mirror the Milky Way. Peer up into the hills to see the terraced farms and sheer valley walls that protect the locals.
This legendary part of Peru has been both a fertile farmland and a creative haven for centuries. Today, you’ll jump right into the locals’ way of life, learning about traditional Andean handicrafts now supporting the community, such as the dying and weaving of llama wool.
Next, head to the beautiful Piuray Lagoon for a pre-lunch yoga session. The lunch that follows isn’t any old lunch. You’ll help prepare an authentic pachamanca feast, using searing stones to cook home-grown ingredients from potatoes to guinea pigs (though they’ll be chicken and other dishes too!).
Accommodation: Sonesta Posada Del Inca Yucay Hotel (or similar), Yucay – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Aguas Calientes
All aboard! Today you’ll follow the winding Urubamba River to the town of Ollantaytambo by road, in order to catch the Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.
But this isn’t just any railway. The one hour 45 minute journey is considered one of the most wow-inducing train journeys in the world! Watch as the Sacred Valley slips past your window in all its glory before you ascend high into the dense cloud forest.
Aguas Calientes offers an insight into modern Peru despite its proximity to the famed Machu Picchu citadel. With your free afternoon, it’s well worth checking out the local market, whose stalls are decked-out Andean clothing, curios and other souvenirs.
Accommodation: Hatun Inti Boutique Hotel (or similar), Aguas Calientes – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Machu Picchu
You’ve seen it on screen and in glossy travel mags, but today, it’s the real deal. You’re finally about to glimpse Machu Picchu – in the flesh! You’ll arrive by shuttle bus, saving your energy for enjoying the ruins themselves rather than climbing up the steps of the Inca Trail. You can save that for a future adventure!
Visiting Machu Picchu is surreal. It’s beautiful, but popular. It’s amazing to think that it remained here quietly, high up on the Vilcabamba Mountains, for hundreds of years before someone noticed it – the ‘lost city of the Incas’ wasn’t rediscovered until 1911!
Your guide will teach you everything there is to know about the site before a celebratory lunch back in Aguas Calientes and a return to Cusco via Inca Rail’s Voyager train service.
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar), Cusco – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 12: Cusco
You’re over halfway into this exciting trip through Peru and Bolivia and we think you’ve earned a free day! Take the time to reflect on all you’ve experienced so far or venture back out onto the cobblestone streets to take advantage of the Boleto Touristico tourist card you’ll be given.
The Boleto Touristico offers access to 16 museums, churches and archaeological sites within the city, just in case you haven’t had your fill of Peruvian history! Whatever you decide to do, be sure to sleep in and get some much-needed rest. Tomorrow is a long drive deeper into the Andes!
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar), Cusco – Peru
Included: Breakfast
Day 13: Lake Titicaca
Slip on your comfiest clothing because it’s an epic 10-hour road trip through the Andes from Cusco to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake!
The 400-kilometre journey gives you plenty of time to admire the stunning mountain scenery surrounding you, before you hit the rolling landscapes of the Andean Plains, home to alpacas and vicuñas (related to the llama). There’ll be plenty of chances to stop for photos in addition to pausing for lunch at a local restaurant.
On reaching the lakeshore, you’ll have made it to the highest point of the trip at 3,812 metres. To get a closer look at local life, you’ll spend the night with a family in their humble mud-brick home in a traditional lakeside community. Catching some zzz’s won’t be difficult after your adventurous day!
Accommodation: Homestay with a Llachon Community (or similar), Lake Titicaca – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 14: Puno, Lake Titicaca
Bid your sweet host family farewell as you cruise the waters of Lake Titicaca. However, the local family experiences aren’t over just yet! As you drift along the serene waters, you’ll visit the floating manmade islands of the Titinos.
Formed entirely from local totora reeds, these islands are sturdy enough to stroll around and originated as a means of the Titinos protecting themselves against neighbouring peoples.
You’ll then sail on to Taquile Island, an island of over 2,000 souls. The people of Taquile Island are skilled masters of the loom and they happen to be some of the friendliest people you could ever meet, something you’re sure to agree with as you tuck into lunch with another family who lives in the centre of the lake.
Accommodation: La Hacienda Plaza de Armas Hotel (or similar), Puno – Peru
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 15: La Paz, Bolivia
Welcome to Bolivia!
After two weeks in Peru, it’s time to see the Bolivian side of the Andes. Today, you’ll make your way to the highest capital city in the world, La Paz, sitting at almost 3,650 metres.
It’ll be another adventurous day of transportation as you navigate both customs and winding switchbacks. But the journey will be studded with interesting and downright mysterious stops along the way.
At the border, you’ll pass through customs on foot. Don’t fret this formality – your Peruvian guide will be by your side until, voila! You’re safely in the hands of your Bolivian guide and driver on the other side.
Further down the road, the site of Tiwanaku is a head-scratcher. A once-great civilisation pre-dating the Incas that disappears into thin air is enough to make anyone curious…
Accommodation: Rosario La Paz Hotel (or similar), La Paz – Bolivia
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 16: Explore La Paz
Today is your introduction to the ‘Tibet of the Americas’ through La Paz’s happily jumbled streets. You should be well used to the altitude at this point but there’s no doubt that Bolivia will leave you breathless for other reasons as you explore this city of two million with your trusty guide.
A visit to the Valley of the Moon will wow you with its almost supernatural, lunar landscape. Once you’re back in the city, hop aboard the shiny cable cars for a bird’s eye perspective of town.
Next, explore the wild and wonderful Mercado de las Brujas – the Witches Market! It’s as if you’ve stepped into a wacky world of magic with llama foetuses and talismans side-by-side with a prismatic explosion of textiles in various shades of neon.
We’ve saved this afternoon up as a free one for you! Relax at the hotel or continue exploring this enchanting metropolis on your own.
Accommodation: Rosario La Paz Hotel (or similar), La Paz – Bolivia
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A Bolivian Fashion Statement
Curious why Bolivian women have incorporated the stoic-looking bowler hat , aka ‘cholitas’, into their wardrobe? First brought to Bolivia by British rail workers, the bowler hat began to take root in Bolivian fashion sometime in the 1920s. Legend has it that a shipment of strangely small bowler hats arrived one day. Rather than have them go to waste, sellers began to market the woollen top hats to local women. The rest, as they say, is history! Today, you’ll see many Bolivian ladies rocking these cholitas to complement their traditional, colourful outfits.
Day 17: Salar de Uyuni
Day 17 begins with a short, domestic flight to the small town of Uyuni – your base for exploring this alien landscape of salt flats covering more than 10,000 square kilometres – the largest anywhere in the world!
As you gaze out at these salt flats, it does indeed seem as if you’re on a different planet. It strikes you just how far from home you really are. All your worries, obligations, and whatnot have no significance out here. And boy, does it feel good.
Then jump into your 4WDs to navigate the barren Bolivian Altiplano. You’ll make several stops that tell the story of the Salar, from a cemetery of long-unused steam trains to uncovering the process of making table salt. But the most impressive stop? Incahuasi Island, with 360-degree panoramic views and its surreal cacti forest, all of it surrounded by stark, white salt flats as far as the eye can see.
Dinner tonight will be held at your hotel, made entirely of salt! You could lick the walls to double-check, but trust us, it’s 100 per cent sodium chloride.
Accommodation: Luna Salada Hotel (or similar), Uyuni – Bolivia
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 18: Tunupa Volcano
After a restful night’s sleep (did you know that salt is known to help with insomnia?), it’s time to venture back out onto the arid Salar. We hope you brought your Chapstick!
Your guide will lead you through the Chiquini and Coquesa caves, where pre-Incan mummies have been resting for hundreds of years, perfectly preserved by the dry, briny air.
You’ll end the day with views of the salt flats from the base of Tunupa Volcano as you wave goodbye to this otherworldly landscape and the sun slips below the horizon.
Accommodation: Luna Salada Hotel (or similar), Uyuni – Bolivia
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 19: La Paz
It’s your last full day in Bolivia and you’ll head back to La Paz via a one-hour, early morning flight.
Once in the capital, drop your bags and enjoy your afternoon however you like. Walk the street markets and savour those peekaboo views of Mount Illimani, or just rest and reminisce on your time in South America.
This is your last chance to grab souvenirs like singani, a local liquor, or talismans to protect you on your journey home. Tonight you’ll celebrate the end of this epic adventure with a farewell dinner and traditional dancing, elbow-to-elbow with your adventure-bonded Fencoxer friends.
Accommodation: Rosario La Paz Hotel (or similar), La Paz – Bolivia
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 20: Farewell, Friends!
It’s time to pack up, say tearful goodbyes and watch Bolivia disappear out the plane window. Can you believe it’s already been 20 memory-making days? Exchange info with your Fencox crew over one last breakfast. For now it’s, “Hasta Luego!”
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is a significant variation in the AUD:USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of:
- 2026 – 1 AUD:0.64 USD
- 2027 – 1 AUD:0.71 USD
A deposit of 25% of the total trip price is required to secure your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made at least 120 days before trip departure.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
Aussies and Kiwis do not need Visa to visit Peru and Bolivia. The length of stay permitted upon entry is 30 days in both countries.
Level 2 or Moderate
You’ll need a moderate level of fitness for this trip. If you can walk 3 – 4 hours at an easy pace on undulating and uneven ground, you’ll be fine. There will be days where you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet and times when you’ll need to get on and off different types of transport, including boats and 4WDs. You must be ok with using a squat toilet – we do our best to accommodate what you’re used to (all hotel rooms have sit down toilets) but when you’re on-the-road and in remote locations, sometimes it’s the only choice available. You’ll also need to be able to access over-the-bath showers.
High Altitude Trip
On this epic 20-day journey you’ll travel from the Peruvian Pacific coast to the Amazon, and up into the Andes. You’ll spend the final leg of your journey in the highlands where the altitude levels go beyond 2800 metres. All vehicles you’ll travel in have oxygen onboard and our guides are trained in first aid. However, you must seek medical advice from a health professional in relation to the high altitude and your personal health.
Most of our trips have a Tip Kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
We will be updating the details for tipping here soon.
To accommodate the domestic flight luggage limits, we request that you travel with 1 case/bag weighing no more than 20kg, and 1 carry-on bag/case weighing no greater than 8kg.
APRIL AND MAY
April and May are excellent months to visit Peru. As the rainy season comes to an end, the landscapes are lush and green, while the weather becomes more stable with increasing sunshine and clearer skies, especially in the Andes. These months also tend to be quieter than the peak dry season, making popular sites such as Machu Picchu more enjoyable to explore.
In Bolivia, April and May mark the transition into the dry season. Expect pleasant daytime temperatures, generally ranging between 18°C and 26°C depending on the region, with cooler nights, particularly at higher altitudes. Rainfall becomes much less frequent, and you’ll enjoy plenty of sunny days with excellent visibility.
However, you’ll be exploring a wide variety of landscapes and altitudes, so you’ll need to be flexible with your weather expectations and pack plenty of layers. Be prepared for everything from warm, humid days in the Amazon to crisp mornings and chilly nights in the high Andes.
OCTOBER
October can be an excellent time to visit Peru for several reasons. It marks the end of the dry season along the coast and in many inland areas, providing pleasant spring weather for exploring.
In Bolivia, in October, you can expect warm conditions, with average temperatures hovering between 26°C and 32°C. There are around seven hours of sunshine per day, and the rainy season usually begins in November. It is usually mostly dry, but be prepared for the odd shower.
However, you’ll be exploring all sorts of terrains and altitudes, so you’ll need to be flexible with your weather expectations and pack plenty of layers. Be prepared for everything from humid days in the jungle to icy nights in the high mountains.
Your accommodation will be private; in other words, no room-sharing with anyone, throughout the entire trip.
Most Fencox travellers tend to be in their mid-50s to mid-70s.
Generally, we have no upper age limit for our trips. But, it’s important for you to know that our trips can be physically demanding and we will chat to you about your suitability. We’ll provide you with details of the health and fitness must-haves for our trips; however, we clearly are not medical experts. We will need you to obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months before you travel for the latest health requirements, vaccination advice and recommendations for your destination.
Age 75+
Guests over 75 years old at the time of travel, or those with pre-existing health conditions may need to have medical clearance to ensure safe travel, and must have a doctor complete a ‘Certificate of Medical Fitness to Travel’ within 30 days of booking confirmation.
Minimum age
While it doesn’t happen often, we do get younger guests joining our trips! As a general rule, the minimum age is 15 at the time of travel. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or be accompanied by someone over the age of 18 appointed by their legal guardian.
International airfares are not included.
Being tour operators (not travel agents), we are not licensed to sell flights. We recommend contacting your trusted local travel agent to book flights if you’re in need of assistance.
There are direct flights to Peru from some Australian cities and several 1-stop flights from Australian and New Zealand cities.
Yes! A friendly Fencox representative will meet you upon arrival and take you to either the Start Hotel (for Pre-Tour or Day 1 check-in), or to another hotel within a reasonable distance that you’ve independently booked as Alternative Pre-Tour Accommodation. At the end of your trip, we’ll see you off with a departure transfer from the Tour-End Hotel.
The official currency in Peru is the Peruvian Sol (PEN) , and in Bolivia Bolivian Boliviano (BOB).
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
This trip visits two different countries, each with their unique histories, and cultures. So that you’re experiencing the essence of each country, your trip will be led by two culturally different guides (the transition occurs on Day 15), and from time-to-time, other specialty guides will join the group too.
Local regulations require that your stay in the Amazonian Rainforest be managed by your welcoming lodge hosts. Most of your luggage will be stored safely in their town office, and they’ll loan you a duffle bag to pack what you need for your three nights in the jungle.
Your lodge is eco-friendly and owned by the local community. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with flush toilets (ensuite), showers (cold water only) and mosquito nets. Usually, there is no electricity in the rooms. Don’t fret – you’ll be able to recharge your overworked camera batteries using the electricity outlets in the common area of the lodge at designated times of the day!
Due to the nature and remoteness of the location, you’ll be sharing the lodge and some transfers with others, besides your fellow travellers. However, during the jungle expeditions, your group will have their own jungle guide – and you’ll always be accompanied by your Peruvian tour leader.
The scenic train ride on Day 10 takes you from the ancient town of Ollantaytambo to Agua Calientes. There’s no room for luggage on the small train carriages, so your group’s luggage will be stored safely at the station, and you’ll pick it up on your way back through the next day. Bring a small backpack with you to carry any personal items you need for your overnight stay.
On the last part of the trip, you’ll be travelling through the highlands region. Most of the destinations are at high altitudes (between 2,000 m and 3,600 m). Your first destination in the highlands is the vibrant city of Cusco at 3,450 m where you’ll have a chance to acclimatise to the altitude. Your tour leader is experienced in high-altitude travel and is trained in first aid. You’ll travel with oxygen aboard, for assistance in the rare case someone should feel ill from an atmospheric change. We ask that you consult your doctor for direction on how best to prepare for this tour.
Yes, we are committed to ensuring that all our guests enjoy a comfortable and satisfying dining experience throughout their journey. To accommodate special dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, celiac, and pescatarian diets, we kindly request that these needs be communicated to us at least 45 days prior to travel.
Please note that while we strive to offer a variety of options, the local dishes in certain destinations may have limitations. For instance, in Bolivia, guests with strict dietary needs may find their options more limited and might experience a repeat of similar meals during their stay, with quinoa being a common ingredient in many dishes. Peru offers a broader selection of options that cater more easily to special diets.
Occasional days do involve long stretches of driving, and over windy roads, so you need to be the kind of person who enjoys road trips. Any such necessary long drives are offset by photo stops, picnic lunches, roadside pit stops, tea/coffee breaks, and of course seeing points of interest, with leg-stretching walks. Our vehicles are comfortable, well-maintained and not prone to breaking down.
