Back Roads & Highlands of Peru
17 days
From $ 1439
Duration17 days
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  • Etepia
  • Back Roads & Highlands of Peru

Get off the beaten path in the highlands of Peru and discover stunning mountain scenery and remote cities few tourists visit. Getting to Cusco is half the adventure — travel by public bus keeps costs down and allows you to connect with the locals in the rarefied mountain air of the Andes. Climb the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas." We operate our own treks in Peru and can ensure the fair treatment of our porters — and an exceptional experience for you.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 17 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Physical Grading: Demanding
  • Ages: 12+
Backroads & Highlands of Peru - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Lima
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time. Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru. We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Day 2: Lima/Huancayo
Travel the route of the locals and start the Andean adventure on the road from Lima to Huancayo in the central Andes.
Enjoy a spectacular bus ride into the Andes to Huancayo.
Meals: B
Day 3: Huancayo
The villages of Cochas Grande and Cochas Chico are two interesting day trips in the Mantaro Valley, some 12km (7mi) south of the city.
Spend the day enjoying optional activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, or just enjoy the scenery.
Day 4: Huancayo/Huancavelica
Travel to the picturesque colonial city of Huancavelica aboard el Tren Macho. Take in the Peruvian countryside passing by the window and enjoy the ride amongst the locals.
Day 5: Huancavelica/Ayacucho
The altitude of Ayacucho, its colonial feel, and the local pre-Inca history make it one of the most fascinating cities in the Andes.
Travel through the highlands and remote communities of the Andes to Ayacucho.
Day 6-7: Ayacucho
The city is known for a handicrafts district famous for silver, carvings and woven items. There are many beautiful colonial churches and mansions to visit as well. The surrounding area also offers a number of attractions, including the Huari Capital and Quinua and Vilcashuaman, considered the geographical centre of the Inca Empire.
Spend two days in Ayacucho, with optional day tours to nearby archaeological sites, markets, city tours or individual exploration.
Meals: B
Day 8: Ayacucho/Andahuaylas
The focus of the day is the journey itself. You can't beat the scenery like this and there's no better way to get to know the country than to travel straight through some of the most remote regions.

Arrive at Andahuaylas, set amidst a beautiful glacial valley. Agriculture is key to the lives of the locals here and the town has a good market.
Pass by rural areas, massive mountain peaks and small villages to reach Andahuaylas.
Day 9: Andahuaylas
Enjoy free time in Andahuaylas. Opt to visit to the Sondor archaeological site, the Pacucha Lagoon or the market.
Meals: B
Day 10: Cusco
The nearby Sacred Valley, museums, churches and cobblestoned streets steeped in history, all combine to create a terrific atmosphere.
Enjoy free time to explore Cusco or take an optional city tour, head out whitewater rafting, horseback riding or mountain biking. Choose to pre-book an optional Cusco Cooking Class.
Meals: B
Day 11: Cusco
The nearby Sacred Valley, museums, churches and cobblestoned streets steeped in history, all combine to create a terrific atmosphere.

Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Enjoy free time to explore Cusco or take an optional city tour, head out whitewater rafting, horseback riding or mountain biking.
Meals: B
Day 12: Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them.

Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
Meals: B, L
Day 13: Inca Trail
Trek through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons, passing several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.
Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where the Inca Trail begins. Ease into the adventure with a straightforward day of hiking the meandering streams, stunning Andean scenery, and ancient Incan ruins. A crew of local porters, cooks, and guides will take care of all the details for the duration of the hike. Porters carry the majority of the gear so you’ll only need to carry a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, a camera, etc.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Inca Trail
Start early to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with ample time to rest and relax.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 15: Inca Trail
Cross two more passes and ruins on today's trek. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, hikers can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins ("forever young") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).
Meals: B, L, D
Day 16: Machu Picchu/Cusco
The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down for a guided tour of the site and enjoy free time to explore until noon as permitted by the tourist ticket. Opt to visit the Inca Bridge, if time allows. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes to meet any non-hiking members of your group. Eat and relax before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon.
Meals: B
Day 17: Cusco
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Cusco
  • Sacred Valley guided tour
  • Pottery making demonstration
  • Inca Trail guided hike with cooks and porters (4 days)
  • Machu Picchu guided tour
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Public bus, Private van, Hiking, Train

  • Accommodation

    Simple hotels (13 nts), Camping (3 nts)

  • Meals

    12 breakfasts,
    4 lunches,
    3 dinners

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