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Upgraded - Discover Peru + the Amazon

Peru - Trip code DPRA Discovery
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611Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Peru is famous as the heartland of the ancient Incas, and you'll discover it all on this journey from coastal Lima to the Amazon, through the stunningly expansive Lake Titicaca and the mountains of the Sacred Valley. Machu Picchu is a spectacular climax, but along the way you'll find a treasure trove of ornate Spanish architecture, an exciting foodie scene, and the lush greens of the Amazon rainforest.

Why we love this trip
  • Titicaca Train - Take the scenic route from Lake Titicaca to Cusco, with panoramic views, live music and a three-course lunch on board
  • Machu Picchu - Travel on the upgraded 360 train and visit the iconic site with an expert local guide
  • Amazon Lodge - Explore on foot by day and by night, learning about the survival mechanisms of the rainforest
  • Upgraded Range - Immerse yourself in Peru's dramatic mountain scenery with our hand-picked selection of Premium hotels
  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 17

    Lunch: 5

    Dinner: 4

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Driver(s)

  • Transport

    Boat

    Minibus

    Train

  • i

    Accommodation

    14 nights premium hotel

    3 nights premium lodge

  • i

    Trip pace:

    Moderate

  • i

    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 16
    Explore average 11

Itinerary

Day 1 - Join trip in Lima

Our trip starts today in Lima, Peru's capital, which was founded in 1535 AD by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. The modern cosmopolitan city is littered with reminders of its colonial and pre-Hispanic past, particularly in the historical centre. Located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, you can easily escape the busy traffic of the city for a little calm on nearby coastal walking paths.

For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7.30pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there'll be the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Lima at any time. A transfer from Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) to the named start hotel is included on all trips in our Upgraded range regardless of your arrival day, provided that we receive your flight details at no later than 10 days prior to departure. The airport is approximately a one-hour drive from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to take an independent stroll along the coastal path through Miraflores. Alternatively, visit the extensive Larco Museum for an introduction to Peru's ancient history.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - Learn the art of ceviche making, discover street art and Peruvian coffee in Barranco

We'll dive straight into Peru's award-winning culinary scene today, starting with an explosion of sights, smells and tastes at the Surquillo Market. This wonderland of foodstuffs is where your everyday Limeno does their weekly shopping; from tropical fruits such as chirimoya and lucuma to piles of purple corn and an abundance of seafood, we'll be introduced first-hand to the fresh ingredients that go into creating Lima's excellent and diverse cuisine. Of course, during our visit, we'll have the chance to taste some of the produce, too.

Following our trip to the market, we'll visit a local restaurant, where a chef will show us how two of Peru's most iconic dishes are prepared; pisco sours and ceviche. This is a demonstration rather than a hands-on cooking class, and we'll find out how zesty lime juice, sweet onions and chilli heat combine to cook raw fish and give it a delicious flavour (limes only appeared in Peru after the Spanish conquest, but there is evidence to suggest that ceviche was created in other ways by prehispanic societies). There are ceviche spots on every corner of the city, from rustic spots with overflowing bowls to high-end restaurants serving delicately presented portions. We'll have lunch in the restaurant, including, of course, ceviche.

In the afternoon, we'll head to artistic Barranco for a walking tour. This neighbourhood has a reputation for creativity, with some of the best street art in the city. As well as beautiful architecture and a seafront walk, we'll visit the workshop of Victor Delfin (a renowned Peruvian artist), which will give you a sense of Barranco's bohemian beginnings (note that the artist isn't always in residence). During our walk, we'll also take a break to enjoy a Peruvian coffee at a speciality coffee and chocolate shop.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 - Fly to Arequipa; lunch at a traditional 'picanteria'; visit to Santa Catalina Convent

Leaving the big city this morning, we fly to beautiful Arequipa, at 2,380 metres / 7,808 feet above sea level. After checking into the hotel, we'll take an afternoon walking tour. Surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, the 'White City' is famed for its grand colonial architecture with signature vaulted rooves and white-stone arches, and the twin-tower cathedral that dominates the main plaza.

We begin our tour with a birds-eye view at the Yanahuara viewpoint, where we take in the conical peak of El Misti volcano and the white spires of the city in front. At Yanahuara we make a stop at Picanteria Tio Dario for an included lunch. Historically these picanterias began in the hillsides surrounding the city, where the wives or mothers of farmers would indicate the availability of food to rural workers with a wooden table outside, covered with a rustic checked tablecloth. This Arepiqueno fare is deeply traditional, and we'll have a three-course lunch that may include local specialties such as rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers), adobe arequipeno (a soupy, spicy pork stew), or solterito de queso (a fresh salad made from local cheese, corn, beans and vegetables). We'll also try the local chicha morada - a purple corn drink very typical in Peru.

After lunch, we visit the Santa Catalina Convent, which is a miniature walled town that once housed 450 nuns, living in total seclusion. A city within the city, founded in 1580, there are a maze of streets and squares within the walls that are ripe for exploring, along with the cloisters, rooms and ornate fountains.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 4 - Free day to explore Arequipa

Today we're at our leisure to discover more of Arequipa. The city is a charming place to explore on foot, with tree-lined plazas and ornate churches dotted throughout. You may like to take time to visit the Santuarios Andinos Museum, where the mummified body of the Inca girl Juanita is found. Alternatively, if you'd like to go further afield then you could take a trip out on the 'Sillar Route' with a local guide - a journey through the immense canyons and quarries on the outskirts of Arequipa, which are home to the pinkish-white volcanic material that built the city.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 5 - Drive to Chivay via the Andean altiplano

We'll take a four-hour drive north today, entering the world of the Altiplano, passing behind the volcanoes that ring Arequipa and on to Chivay. There are herds of llamas and alpacas en route, and if we're lucky we might spot the elusive vicuna. Today, we'll briefly reach the highest point of our trip at 4,910 metres / 16,108 feet where we'll stop for a photo before descending towards our hotel in Chivay, beautifully situated in the Colca Valley and benefitting from thermal baths that we can relax in this afternoon.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 6 - Visit the Colca Canyon, continue to Puno

We'll have an early start this morning as we head to 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). Today it allows us to discover a world of Andean villages and Inca terraces that make up one of the most outstanding natural settings in the Americas. We'll spend some time here at the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, searching for a sighting of the majestic birds flying over the canyon.

This afternoon, we'll drive east, via the Patapampa Pass again at 4,910 metres / 16,108 feet heading towards the beautiful landscapes that surround the unique waters of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Our destination is the town of Puno, a centre of Incan folklore nestling in a bay at the north-western tip of the lake and the perfect base from which to explore the cultural and historical significance of the lake itself.

The drive from the Colca Canyon to Puno is approximately six hours including a lunch stop.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 7 - Boat trip to Uros and Taquile Islands

We'll spend a full day exploring Lake Titicaca by boat today. Our first stop is the unique floating reed islands known as 'Uros', their name taken from the Uros people who have made this place their home for centuries. Their islands are made from totora, a reedlike papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in most aspects of their life, including the construction of their boats and homes. We'll then continue to the less visited island of Taquile which has preserved much of its Inca and pre-Inca heritage. The islanders still speak the language of the Inca - Runa Simi or Quechua - and we'll learn a little of their way of life during our time on the island.

In the late afternoon, we'll take a boat back to Puno and our hotel, arriving in the evening.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 8 - Journey on the Titicaca Train to Cusco

Travelling aboard the first-class Titicaca Train, we'll have an unforgettable journey today from Puno through to Cusco. The open observation car at the back provides panoramic views of the Andean scenery, where flocks of llamas or alpaca graze on the altiplano in scenes little changed since Inca times. The dining cars serve up three-course lunch as well as afternoon tea, and pisco sour demonstrations, live music and traditional dances take place in the bar car. At approximately 10 hours, the journey takes a full day and is an experience all in itself.

Please note that in the unlikely event of train strikes, we will travel to Cusco by private vehicle.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 - Visit Sacsayhuaman Fortress; walking tour in Cusco; free afternoon

This morning, we'll take an immersive walking tour through the captivating city of Cusco, kicking things off in the colossal archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, a stone fortress that's still at the core of Cusco's traditions. Winding our way along an old Incan trail, we'll head down to the colonial neighbourhood of San Cristobal, where the plaza gives us a sweeping view over the city's rooftops. Navigating the narrow streets of the old city, we'll reach the aqueduct of Sapantiana, a hidden engineering marvel only known by locals. This aqueduct directs us to arty San Blas, where coffee shops converge with traditional artisan's workshops, we'll explore the cobbled calles, venturing inside the studios to marvel at the local craftsmanship.

Entering the main Plaza de Armas of Cusco, the focal point of the city, we're welcomed by the baristas of Three Monkeys Coffee who serve us the finest Peruvian beans. Then, once revived, we'll continue walking, gazing upon the Qoricancha complex, once the Inca's most sacred site dedicated to the Sun God. Our final destination is Mercado de Wanchaq, a local hot spot jammed with rows of colourful stalls and filled with the aromas of seasonal fruit. Slurping freshly pressed juice, we'll watch the sellers hawking their wares before returning to the hotel. The walking tour is approximately 4 kilometres/2.5 miles and is expected to take around four to five hours.

We'll have the rest of the afternoon free in Cusco to explore at our leisure.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 10 - Drive to the Sacred Valley; visit an experimental potato 'engineer'; discover Maras and Moray

Potatoes are on the menu today. With over 4,000 different varieties, Peru really is the home of the potato - in fact, we didn't have them in Europe until the 16th century, when the Spanish conquistadores brought them back. We'll see these indigenous vegetables brought into the modern day, with a visit to the home and farm of Manuel Choqque, an agricultural engineer-turned-potato farmer. With over 370 varieties in his potato bank, Manuel experiments with the colouring and nutritional value of native potatoes to create new, colourful and nutritionally improved roots. After a fascinating visit, we'll get to sample some of his work, along with a traditional 'uchucuta' (hot pepper) sauce. Manuel is also experimenting with Andean tuber wines (made of ocas and mashwas) - we'll have a tasting of these before heading on our way.

After a lunch stop, we'll continue to the complex of Inca ruins at Moray - huge semi-circular agricultural terraces that were used as a botanical laboratory by the Incas, an ancient experiment that shows how in tune the civilisation was with agriculture and Mother Earth. We'll also take in a panoramic view of Maras; enormous terraced salt pans that are a shock of white in the green valley.

We arrive at our hotel in the Sacred Valley in the late afternoon.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 11 - Free time in the Sacred Valley; evening visit to the community of Misminay

Today is a free day in the beautiful Sacred Valley with a wide choice of things to do. For water lovers there is the opportunity to go kayaking or stand-up paddle-boarding on the Piuray Lagoon in the heart of the area's spectacular scenery. No previous experience is necessary - full instruction and safety equipment are provided.

If you'd prefer a less demanding activity, there's the chance to visit a craft beer brewery, including a tasting of the various beers. Craft beer is relatively new in Peru but is growing quickly. The range of local ingredients used in the brewing process is fascinating. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the nearby town of Ollantaytambo, including its very own set of Inca ruins.

This evening, we'll visit the community of Misminay, home to many of the porters who work along the Inca Trail. We'll share an Andean meal with them, prepared from local supplies, before spending the evening underneath the starry night sky, and hearing about the ancient Inca theories of the cosmos. Their rich history comes to life during this stargazing experience.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12 - 360 train to Aguas Calientes; visit Machu Picchu

We board the 360 train towards the mountain town of Aguas Calientes this morning. With a panoramic viewing car, we'll have spectacular views of the Rio Urubamba, flanked by high cliffs and peaks. Once a tiny village of no more than a few houses, Aguas Calientes is now bustling with travellers and trekkers coming to-and-from the famous 'lost' city of Machu Picchu.

From the village centre, we'll take one of the regular shuttle buses to the ancient site. This masterpiece of ancient civilisation remained undiscovered by the outside world until it was 'found' by an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham, in 1911. We'll explore the mountain-top stronghold before returning to the valley floor, where we'll stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 13 - More time to discover Machu Picchu (optional); return to Cusco

This morning is free for you to either relax in Aguas Calientes, or to explore Machu Picchu more. There are several optional ways that you might like to choose from - each one requires an additional permit that should be pre-paid at the time of booking.

The first option is to revisit the site, giving you another chance to explore (unguided) at your own pace. There are several different one-way circuits in place in the site, each with a different name (Panoramic Circuit, Classic Circuit, Royalty Circuit). If you choose to revisit, we aim to book the Classic Circuit, but the final circuit permit purchased will depend on availability at the time of your booking.

Alternatively, there are two optional hikes available within the site, each one unguided. These climb to the summits of either Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain to look down on the citadel. Machu Picchu Mountain is a 700-metre hike from the top of the citadel. There are cobbled stairs on the way up with a few exposed sections in some parts, but predominantly very enclosed and with a fairly steady, but not too strenuous, gradient. The round-trip takes around two-and-a-half to three hours. Huayna Picchu Mountain is only 350 metres, half the size of Machu Picchu Mountain, but much steeper. There are several sheer drops, and it is not suitable for anyone with a fear of heights. For those who fancy doing the two-hour climb, you'll be rewarded with unbeatable views of Machu Picchu and the feeling that you're standing on a precipice at the top of the world.

These three options must be pre-paid at the time of booking, and if you change your passport between your time of booking and prior to travel please bring your original passport with you.

A final option is to simply relax in Aguas Calientes - it's a fantastic little town with a great market, excellent cafes and a laidback vibe. Later, we'll take the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, from where we'll get the bus to Cusco, arriving late in the evening.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 14 - Free day in Cusco

Today is left free to further explore the winding streets and alleyways of Cusco. There are plenty of museums, lively plazas and bustling markets to explore, and it's a relaxing place to spend a day people-watching while enjoying a coffee - or a pisco sour! For those who would like an active end to their holiday, there is the option of hiking up the famous Rainbow Mountain, a tough, approximately 1.5 hour uphill hike on a rough mountain path that takes you up to 5,020 metres / 16,470ft of altitude. You'll pass through fields of llama and alpaca, with views to high, snowy mountains, before arriving at a lookout of the colourful red, purples, greens and pinks that give the mountain range its name. The return is by the same path. It's a full day (approximately 12 hours including the drive time) and includes a packed lunch. Your Tour Leader can assist you with the booking in Peru, pending availability.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 15 - Fly to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the Amazon Lodge by boat

We'll say goodbye to the rest of our group this morning, while those of us continuing to the Amazon will make our way to the airport for a flight to Puerto Maldonado, located in the Southern Amazon area of Peru.

From the port in Puerto Maldonado, we'll travel along the Tambopata River by motorised canoe (a journey of approximately 45 minutes) and check into our Amazon lodge. Our lodge here offers a range of different excursions (all included within the cost of your trip), and your itinerary for the following three nights can be arranged according to your interests. The lodge team will sit down with you on your first day at the lodge to discuss what you'd like to do and the following itinerary is a suggestion based on just some of the excursions that are available at the lodge, all guided by their experienced team of guides. For example, this afternoon you may wish to take a gentle twilight river trip to witness the jungle transform into a nocturnal world, where the daytime animals and birds give way to species specially adapted to the darkness of the night. Or, you may opt to swing in the hammock outside your cabana and enjoy the sounds of the rainforest.

Although this lodge is a premium property, due to its remote location the electricity is provided by a generator and is only available for certain hours of the day. Please note, our Amazon journey is designed as an extension to the Upgraded - Discover Peru trip, and as such you Tour Leader will not be joining you. Not all group members will continue on to the Amazon and you might not be travelling with other customers.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Lodge

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 16 - In the Amazon Jungle

A visit to Lake Sandoval is one of the options this morning, where you'll board a dug-out wooden cano to quietly paddle through a stream before gliding onto the lake itself. The lake is home to many species of birds, red howler monkeys, macaws and caiman among others.

The activities and tours at the Reserva Amazonica are planned for the morning and afternoon when it's cooler. Each day there'll be a few hours of downtime after lunch to relax or read in the heart of the rainforest. In the afternoon those for a head for heights might choose to climb the exhilerating Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, which is a 1,129-foot system of two observation towers, eight platforms and seven hanging bridges 30 metres/100 feet above the ground. The walkway is designed to perform scientific research on the ecosystems inhabiting the rainforest canopy and gives us an unobstructed view of the jungle setting.

During the afternoon, take a 30-minute walk following a raised wooden platform over a flooded swamp. In this ecosystem you might observe various species of birds, amphibians, and abundant flora. The lodge has an on-site spa, so upon your return you might wish to book yourself a spa treatment (at an additional cost).

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Lodge

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17 - In the Amazon Jungle

One of the trips available at the Reserva Amazonica is a boat trip to Gamitana Farm and Creek, where you'll get to see how a variety of Amazonian produce is grown by local farmers, and sample some seasonal forest fruits. Walking through a dense jungle trail to the creek, you'll be on the lookout for turtles, caiman and swamp birds hiding at the river banks. After returning to the lodge for lunch, there are several dug-out canoe trips or jungle walks on offer. And in the evening, a trip to see the rainforest by night is a must. Armed with flashlights, duck under tree boughs and spot signs of animal activity under the jungle canopy.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Lodge

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 18 - Early morning boat to Puerto Maldonado and end trip at airport

Our Amazon adventure comes to an end today after breakfast and we'll travel back to Puerto Maldonado by motorised canoe before transferring to the airport. If you're booking your own flights, you should ensure that they depart from Puerto Maldonado no earlier than 11am.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

Peru

Climate

There is a rainy season from Dec - Mar however on the coast it rarely rains. Jun-Oct is damp and misty, but temperatures never drop below 10°C. At high altitudes although there are sunny days temperatures can drop dramatically, and conditions can change suddenly.

Time difference to GMT

-5

Plugs

2 Pin Flat

Religion

Catholicism

Language

Spanish

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.

Arequipa:
Juanita museum - $8 USD
Sillars Route - $68 USD min 2 people

Cusco and the Sacred Valley:
Kayak and Paddle Board - 3-5 pers US$107, 5-7 pers US$90, 8 pers US$87.50
Craft beer tasting - US$58 (min 3 pers)
Rainbow Mountain - $62 (dependent on availability and not exclusive to Explore)

Machu Picchu:
Optional second visit £81
Huayna Picchu Mountain hike £95
Machu Picchu Mountain hike £95 (all including transport).
These are all subject to availability, must must be pre-paid at time of booking and are non-refundable. If you change your passport between your time of booking and prior to travel please take your original passport with you otherwise you may not be permitted entrance to the citadel.

Cash is preferred for most of these optional activities.

Clothing

Select your clothing carefully. Bring warm clothing such as a warm fleece, thermal underwear, warm hat and gloves for cooler nights in the mountains when temperatures drop dramatically. A lightweight waterproof jacket is essential at anytime of year. Bring your swimwear.

For your Amazon extension, expect warm and humid conditions. However there may also be heavy rain showers. (It tends to be cooler and drier between May and October, the winter)

Bring light clothing (cotton or wicking material) - Long sleeve shirts and long trousers are best when walking through jungle, and a light weight rainjacket. It is worth also bringing some warmer clothes, particularly between May and September, in case of cool weather.

Footwear

Comfortable shoes and lightweight walking shoes and sandals.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

When you travel to Aguas Calientes for your stay at Machu Picchu, your main bags will be left in storage in your hotel in the Sacred Valley for the two nights and will meet you when you arrive in Cusco. With that in mind, we recommend bringing a piece of main luggage, a daypack, and a small overnight bag that you can take up to Aguas Calientes on the train.

For your Amazon Extension, your luggage will be limited to 10 kilos due to limited space on the boat transfers. Your main bag will be left locked up in Puerto Maldonado while you stay at your Amazon Lodge. You will have time to rearrange your luggage after leaving the airport and before departing on the boat. You will need to pack enough for four days including clothes, toiletries, shoes, torch, sun cream and insect repellent. It is recommended you bring lockable bags.

Equipment

A good insect repellent is essential. Also bring a sun hat, sunscreen and swimwear. Pack a reusable water bottle for day to day use (a Water to Go bottle is ideal, as this will allow you to drink tap water throughout your trip). Please note drones are prohibited in most tourist areas in Peru.

For your jungle experience bring:
Good torch and spare batteries for night walks
Small backpack for walks and boat trips
Good camera with zoom, spare battery and memory cards
Binoculars (optional)

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise a leader that's done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we'd recommend between £20 to £25 per person per week as a guideline
Local crew
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group's tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

Accordingly, you should allow US$ 60, approx. 230 Peruvian Soles, per person for group tipping (co-ordinated by your Tour Leader), and approximately US$100 for tipping the staff at the Amazon Lodge.

For all non-included services and meals on your trip please tip independently at your discretion.

Peru

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£5.00-8.00
Dinner price
£15.00
Beer price
£2.00 - 4.00
Water price
£1
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Peruvian Sol (PEN)
Recommended Currency For Exchange
You can choose to either change your money in advance or on arrival at the airport. Here you will find both ATMs and Bureau de Change. The exchange rate with the PEN is approximately PEN 4.3 to the British Pound. We recommend you take some emergency cash in USD as the GBP exchange rate isn’t very good. Notes should be in good condition otherwise they might be difficult to exchange. Please check on line for up to date information
Where To Exchange
Your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability
ATMs can be found in the major towns and cities for cash withdrawals in Nuevos Soles. Always have some cash back up as they are not always reliable
Credit Card Acceptance
Credit card are widely accepted in many shops and restaurants but some may be subject to a service charge
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Boat, Minibus, Train

Accommodation notes

You'll enjoy an upgraded experience during this trip to Peru, which uses a selection of Premium hotels throughout. Using a variety of styles that reflect the character of the destinations we are visiting, each hotel provides plenty of comfort and all the modern amenities one would expect. Below is an idea of the typical accommodation you can expect on this trip.

In Lima we use the stylish and cosmopolitan Pullman Lima Miraflores, where the rooftop pool and cocktail bar make the most of the ocean views over the Pacific, while near the Colca Canyon we'll have our base at the El Refugio hotel, which is surrounded by the majesty of the Colca Valley and the Andes. Complete with freshwater and thermal water pools, its remote setting offers a tranquil stay.

In Puno, we use the Casa Andina Premium, which is situated right on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Its spa is the ideal way to rejuvenate after a day's excursion. And at Machu Picchu, our choice is the El MaPi Hotel, a boutique hotel with a pool, spa and a calming oasis feel away from the busy streets of Aguas Calientes.

In the Amazon, the Reserva Amazonica eco-lodge is made up of 35 beautiful cabanas in an enchanting setting within 17,000 hectares of natural rainforest on the shore of the vast Madre de Dios River. The wooden thatched cabanas enjoy views into the forest, and are outfitted with mosquito nets, comfy bathrobes and slippers, and spacious en suite bathrooms. There's also a safety box for storing valuables, and ceiling fans. Electricity is provided by a generator and will be turned off at certain times of day. Flashlights and lamps are provided, and wifi is available when the electricity is on.

Food and drink

Peru's cuisine is fresh, varied and absolutely delicious. Dishes do tend to centre around meat and seafood, but most (not all) restaurants are noticing the increase in vegetarians and are able to adapt with grains or vegetables. All included meals will have good vegetarian options available, and due to the reliance on rice, corn and potatoes, gluten free passengers will also be able to travel quite easily within Peru. Vegans may find the diet a little more limited and should travel with that in mind, and if you are dairy-free please be aware that lactose-free alternatives are not common in Peru, but that it's very easy to avoid dairy products altogether.

Peru

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip. 

 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information


Peru: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

USA: If your flights pass through the USA, even if only in transit, you will require either a visa or an ESTA (an e-visa). Please read on for more information.

Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ESTA under certain conditions. This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air, and this must be done online via 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 a biometric passport to apply for an ESTA. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover.

If you have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen 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. You should also be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Cuba since the 12th of January 2021, you will not be eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need.

Your ESTA application will ask for Point of Contact information. Please note that if you're only transiting through the USA then this is not required. If you're visiting or staying in the USA on an Explore trip, then our USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure.
Entry requirements for the USA can change regularly, therefore, please ensure you have the most up to date information before you travel by checking 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


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Altitude information

We have specifically designed this itinerary to allow you to acclimatise gradually against the symptoms of altitude sickness, a common and usually harmless condition caused by reduced air pressure and a lower concentration of oxygen. At altitudes of over 3000m, minor symptoms such as headaches and shortness of breath are commonly experienced for a day or two, and there is no preparation that you can do for this. Symptoms aren't related to general fitness. The best remedy is to rest, not ascend any further and ensure that you're well hydrated. If the symptoms persevere or get worse, then the main course of action is immediate descent.

If any symptoms do occur - whether minor or more severe - then you should let your Explore Leader know immediately.

As this tour reaches altitudes of over 4000 metres, we strongly recommend that travellers with heart or lung conditions, anaemia, asthma, high blood pressure or on the pill should seek the advice of their GP.

Please also ensure that your insurance policy covers you to the maximum altitude of 4910m.

Peru

Vaccinations

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.

Discovery information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
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Price Guarantee Promise
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Airport Transfers
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Print Trip Notes

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