Walking With The Incas tour
19 Days Starting and ending in -12.043333,-77.028336
Visiting: Peru
Tour operator:
Tour code:
43
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 14
Age range:
16-85
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Get an in depth insight into the lost land of the Incas including Machu Picchu on this 19 day tour through Peru. We begin our journey in Lima before heading south to the Paracas National Reserve where we get to see many birds and marine mammals on a boat ride through the Ballestas Islands. In the morning we travel through the Ica Desert before we reach our destination of Peru's wine regoin, we have the chance to visit a winery before heading on to the Oasis of Huacachina where we get the adrenaline pumping with a dune buggy ride before enjoying an amazing sunset and a night under the stars. In the morning visit the incredible Nazca lines whose origin is still debated to this day. We spend tonight in Arequipa. Up next is an incredible 4 days exploring Colca Canyon, soak up the incredible beauty of this region or take in some optional extras like white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking. We then head on to Cuzco where we have the chance to see some nearby Peruvian sites before spending a night at our hotel in Cuzco preparing for our next big adventure! The next morning we depart early from Cuzco and travel to the Urubamba Valley, this is where our 4 day trek along the Inca Trail begins. We trek through the the Andes along this famous trail to the breathtaking Machu Picchu before defending and catching the train back to Cuzco. We then have a free day to recover from the trek or explore Cuzco. The next day we depart Cuzco by plane and fly to the town of Puerto Maldonado on the edge of the Tambopata in the jungle. We enter this jungle paradise by boat and head to our jungle lodge where we spend the next 3 nights. We will take guided walks and canoe trips to discover the incredinle array of plant, bird, animal and insect life in the jungle. We will see exotic birdlife and we will take a boat onto the lake in the hope of seeing giant river otters and caimans. Our guide will teach us about the traditional uses of the plants and trees and point out different types of monkey, macaw and moth! The next morning we depart the jungle by boat and then fly to Lima, ending our amazing journey through this amazing country.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Into Lima
Accommodation Name: Lima Hotel
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Lima for the start of your trip.
Day 2: Lima. Drive To Paracas National Reserve. Ballestas Island Boat Trip
Accommodation Name: Ica hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departing Lima, our tour begins with a trip south to the Ballestas Islands nestled in the Paracas National Reserve. We enjoy a boat ride here to view the incredible concentration of rare and exotic birds and sea mammals which make this one of the most important marine reserves in the world.
Day 3: Drive Through The Ica Desert To The Oasis Of Huacachina
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we make the short drive through the Ica Desert to the heart of Peru’s wine region. Visiting the Tacama winery we have the chance to sample the local wine as well as the country’s national drink, Pisco. We then head to the nearby Oasis of Huacachina – a palm fringed lake surrounded by sand dunes where we can relax on the beach and enjoy a swim before we take things up a notch with a thrill inducing dune buggy ride over the massive sand dunes. This evening enjoy the desert sunset as we make camp and sleep under the stars.
Day 4: Visit The Nazca Lines & Chauchilla Cemetery. Drive To Arequipa
Accommodation Name: Arequipa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we travel to one of South America’s most mysterious sites as we visit the intriguing Nazca Lines. Believed to have been present for over 2,000 years these huge figures carved into the desert floor were only discovered 80 years ago from the air and as such there are many contrasting theories as to what they actually signify – feel free to ask the locals! We then head to the Chauchilla Cemetery famous for its well-preserved mummies before saying goodbye to the Atacama Desert to begin our climb into the Andes towards Arequipa.
Day 5: Arequipa And The Colca Canyon
Accommodation Name: Arequipa hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The next four days are spent in and around Colca Canyon and the surrounding areas. We include an overnight visit to the Colca Canyon, which at 900m is not only one of the deepest in the world but also the home of the majestic Condors. Here you can view the condors circling lazily in the thermals rising from the canyon floor. Some of the other activities available to arrange in this beautiful part of Peru include white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking.
Day 6: Arequipa And The Colca Canyon
Accommodation Name: Arequipa hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Full day in and around Colca Canyon to enjoy optional activitis including white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking.
Day 7: Arequipa And The Colca Canyon
Accommodation Name: Arequipa hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Full day in and around Colca Canyon to enjoy optional activitis including white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking.
Day 8: Arequipa And The Colca Canyon
Accommodation Name: Arequipa hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Full day in and around Colca Canyon to enjoy optional activitis including white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking.
Day 9: Arrive In Cuzco. Sacred Valley Of The Incas Tour
Accommodation Name: Cuzco Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
An overnight coach journey carries us through the Andes to Cuzco – the adventure capital of Peru and starting point of the Inca trail. We will be based here for the next 7 days as we seek to explore the dramatic landscape and learn about the unique cultures that have existed here for thousands of years. Arriving early morning we have chance to tour the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, home to temples, terrace fields and bustling local markets before returning to Cuzco for a good night’s sleep in preparation of our trek the next day.
Day 10: Begin Inca Trail: Trek To Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Basic accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We head out early from Cuzco to the Urubamba Valley from where we begin our 4-day trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. A stunning combination of panoramic views, Inca ruins and magnificent mountains make this one of the most exotic adventures in the world. Reaching over 4,200m in places the trail winds up through lush valleys and tiny, hospitable villages where we spend the nights. All guides and porters are included on the trek.
Day 11: Trek To Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Basic accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day spent trekking along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Day 12: Trek To Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Basic accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day spent trekking along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.
Day 13: Trek To Machu Picchu: Train To Cuzco
Accommodation Name: Cuzco hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we complete our trek to Machu Picchu then we return to Cuzco by train.
Day 14: Cuzco: Free Time
Accommodation Name: Cuzco hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
To help recover from our trek we have 2 free days in Cuzco. Feel free to explore more of the city and its museums and churches or look for local crafts from Alpaca woollen jumpers to Andean musical instruments and local jewellery. If you still have the energy you can arrange an adventurous white water rafting trip on either the Urubamba or Apurimac River.
Day 15: Cuzco: Free Time
Accommodation Name: Cuzco hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Full day free to explore more of Cuzco or enjoy some of the many optional activities available.
Day 16: Cuzco. Fly To Puerto Maldonado. Arrive In Tambopata - Candamo Reserve
Accommodation Name: Jungle Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We depart Cuzco today by plane and fly to the town of Puerto Maldonado on the edge of the Tambopata - Candamo Reserve. Entering the Reserve by boat we cruise along the Madre de Dios River until we reach our jungle lodge which will be the base for the next 3 nights. In the afternoon join our local knowledgeable guides as they explain the flora and fauna you are likely to see in the jungle.
Day 17: Tambopata – Candamo Reserve. Walks And Canoe Trips
Accommodation Name: Jungle Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During our time in the reserve our guide will take us on walks and canoe trips to discover the amazing array of plant, bird, animal and insect life in the jungle. We can walk to one of the ox-bow lakes that abound with exotic birdlife or take a boat onto the lake in the hope of seeing giant river otters and caimans. Our guide will teach us about the traditional uses of the plants and trees and point out different types of monkey, macaw and moth!
Day 18: Tambopata – Candamo Reserve. Walks And Canoe Trips
Accommodation Name: Jungle Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day spent enjoying optional jungle activities in the Candamo Reserve.
Day 19: Transfer To Puerto Maldonado For Flight To Lima
Accommodation Name: None
We leave the jungle this morning by boat back to Puerto Maldonado where we will board our flight back to the capital Lima.
What's Included
What's Not Included
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
In South America we provide fully trained, local English-speaking tour leaders to accompany all our Peru and Bolivia tours. These leaders will arrange your accommodation, meals, travel arrangements, as well as pre-booking some excursions and guides and helping you to find the best deals, socialise. Generally they are there to run the trip and make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. While they are experienced and knowledgeable about the country and places you're visiting and travelling through, they are not tour guides as such. In most historical areas visited there are specialist local guides available if you wish (your tour leader will assist in booking these). We also have some local representatives in towns and cities en-route who are also at your service. Additional guides may also be used for some of the trekking and jungle sections.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 23, 2024Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP 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 encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.