Peru Off The Beaten Track

Enjoy a day at leisure in Lima to explore on your own.

Lima - Suggestions

For your free day in Lima we have many suggestions: the ‘City of Kings’ has a stunning Colonial centre - (although be warned traffic can be bad). It has many fine museums including the Pedro Osma religious art, MATE photography, Amano Textiles and the Larco museum. Note - most museums are closed on Mondays. It also boasts a zoo, a water-park, some ancient mud pyramids including Pachacamac to the south or Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores.

You can take a leisurely walk or rent scooters or bikes along the Malecón to relax in the Park of Love. Or meet the famous cats of Park Kennedy in Miraflores.

Alternatively fine ice cream, shopping, coffee and a multi-screen cinema can be found in Miraflores Ovalo or Larcomar shopping. Your hotel reception can assist with a tour or friendly taxi. They can also provide you with a city map.

Pick-up from your hotel lobby this morning. Private transfer to the airport for the short flight south to Cusco, from which you can enjoy spectacular views of the Andes.

Introducing the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley, or Urubamba Valley as it's often known is a region in Peru's Andean highlands, made up of rich fertile farmlands, backed by impressive mountains. Together with Cusco, and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, it formed the heart of the Inca Empire. The Valley is home to colonial towns such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo, known for their handicraft markets and Inca sites. It's a popular place for adventure junkies with a myriad of activities on offer from white water rafting to rock climbing. It's also a great place for trekking, and together with Cusco forms the gateway to Machu Picchu. At a lower elevation to Cusco and Machu Picchu, it offers a great place to acclimatise prior to any trekking.

Private transfer from Cusco Airport approx. 90 minutes to the Sacred Valley - a key starting point in the Andes to help with acclimatising more gently. First, we will make a stop for lunch in a delightful location.

Continue on to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, where you can enjoy the picturesque scenery and adjust to the altitude. A BTG Inca Ruins entry pass is included for you - this is a tourism pass that provides access to various archaeological sites and museums in and around the city, and is valid for 10 days.

When convenient, your guide will hold a full trip briefing. Here you will be given an outline of what lies ahead. You will be asked for details of your passport and travel insurance. The guide will also check any dietary or medical requirements. You will also be asked to sign a risk acknowledgment form.

Acclimatisation:
You are now at an altitude of 2,900m. Take it easy for a few days while your body adjusts to the lack of pressure and oxygen. Slight headaches, sleeplessness, dizziness, breathlessness and confusion are common. Take Mate de Coca and a painkiller, avoid large meals, alcohol, smoking and stop if you feel you are over exerting yourself.
Severe headaches, severe noisy breathing and unconsciousness are not common – get help immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Full Day Hike Moray Ruins to Maras Salt Pans

Pick-up from your hotel lobby this morning. Head towards Chinchero plain before taking a dirt road to the incredible ruins of Moray. These rarely visited circular ruins are thought to have been agricultural experimental stations in the times of the Incas.

After visiting the ruins, follow an ancient mule trail with spectacular views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcanota. You can see examples of the finest Andean farming enroute. Head back across the plains to the interesting town of Maras for lunch.

In the afternoon, descend from Maras to the amazing Salinas, a series of salt pans that have been worked since Inca times. There will be time to explore this amazing site before descending to the Urubamba River, where your awaiting vehicle will drop you off at your hotel for the night.

Hike details
Distance: 11kms
Time: approx. 6 hours including time to explore
Ascent: 50m
Descent: 732m
Maximum altitude: 3532m

Includes:
- English speaking guide
- Picnic Lunch
- Snacks and water
- Maras salt-pans entrance fee
- Trekking poles

Half Day Hike Pumamarca to Ollantaytambo with Pachamanca

Pick-up from your hotel lobby this morning. This short hike is great to experience both the Inca culture and the living culture of Peru today. The area is still a very traditional farming area.

First, you will be driven to the ruins of Pumamarca, half an hour above Ollantaytambo. You can learn about its history and purpose with your guide. Then, follow an old Inca Trail down the steeply terraced valley towards Ollantaytambo. Depending on the time of year, you may see people ploughing with oxen or harvesting by hand. Or perhaps just the colourfully dressed locals walking down to town, from the communities above, where most still wear traditional clothing.

You can then explore the old streets of Ollantaytambo, with its narrow-cobbled passageways and ever-present Inca walls.

A Pachamanca lunch experience is included at El Albergue organic farm. A Pachamanca is a traditional way of preparing food in the Andes. In the absence of a stove an oven is built out of stones, the stones are heated with a wood fire and once brought to a very high temperature. The meat and vegetables are then carefully covered with the rocks. Herbs are then added, and the whole mound is covered by wet sheets and finally a mound of earth.

While the meal is cooking, you will be shown around this organic farm, working with sustainable methods to provide food for the Café Mayu restaurant. After forty minutes the meal is ready and you have the pleasure of digging your delicious potatoes, yams, corn, fava beans, lamb, pork, alpaca, and chicken straight from the earth.

You can enjoy your meal under a thatch roof in the middle of the farm with views of the Inca temple of Ollantaytambo, Mount Pinkulluna and the Veronica glacier. Food is served family style accompanied by chicha, fresh salads and a variety of sauces, including tasty uchucutas. Beer and wine are available upon request, and their signature Matacuy is offered as a complimentary digestif after the meal. This is made in the on-site distillery, where you can also taste Caña Alta, a sugar cane spirit being distilled here in an attempt to revive lost traditions.

Hike details
Distance: 6km
Time: approx. 3 hours
Ascent: 50m
Descent: 600m
Maximum altitude: 3400m

Includes:
- Trekking poles
- Transport
- English-speaking guide
- Pachamanca (pit roast) lunch experience at El Albergue organic farm
- Snacks and water
- Pumamarca entrance fee

Transfer to Cusco with a Guided Walk of Cusco

Pick-up from your hotel lobby this morning. Private transfer from the Sacred Valley to Cusco, a drive of around 1.5 hours.

On arrival in Cusco, your guide will introduce you to parts of Cusco few tourists experience. Meet the crafters, musicians and artisans of this fascinating city who live in the backstreets and alleys. This will provide you with a unique insight into the people and sights of this incredible city.

You may also, if time permits, visit the Plaza de Armas and its impressive Cathedral. This contains some historic pieces from the Cusqueña School of Art. Look out for the Macaw-winged cherubs and the guinea pig served at The Last Supper.

Also, if of interest, we can visit the Qoricancha temple, once home to the centre of the Inca Sun worship with its life-sized statues in solid gold, which is another very popular option.

Continue to your hotel in Cusco.

Introducing Cusco

The beautiful colonial city of Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire and has a rich history of Inca and Spanish rule, with architectural styles and archaeological sites reflecting this. It’s a fun city, with a great gastronomic and nightlife scene, and a thriving Andean culture. Cusco is a highlight for many visitors as it has plenty to occupy tourists. The city also provides easy access to a wealth of natural attractions, making it an ideal base for exploring the region. Adventure junkies are drawn to the surrounding area for its incredible biking and hiking trails and exhilarating white-water rafting.

Day Trek - Huchuy Qosqo

Pick-up from your hotel lobby this morning. Start this full day with a drive to Chinchero, heading along the beautiful lake of Piuray to the small village of Taucco where your hike will start.

Leave the vehicle behind and ascend sharply to the plateau. With most of the day's ascent now done you can relax as you follow a mainly flat and well-preserved Inca trail for the rest of the day. This little-used route will take you past herds of alpacas and llamas and on a clear day the views to the snow-capped mountains of the Urubamba range are fantastic. Along the way you can enjoy a tasty packed lunch.

After lunch, descend through a delightful canyon full of Inca remains to emerge high above the Sacred Valley for your first views of Huchuy Qosqo. Little is known about this mysterious site, though ‘little Cusco’ (as it translates from Quechua) may have been the country retreat of one of the first Incas. Its three-story houses, extensive niched walls, large central square, three-metre-high terraces, and hidden location make this one of the real gems of the Cusco area.

After time to explore, head down to Lamay on a steep donkey trail where your vehicle awaits.

Hike details
Distance: 12km (7 ½ miles)
Time: 5- 6 hours
Ascent: 450m (1475ft)
Descent: 1250m (4100ft)
Altitude: 3650m – 4100m – 3500m – 2850m

Includes:
- Trekking porter
- Transport
- Box lunch
- Huchuy Qosqo entrance fee
- English-speaking guide
- Trekking poles

Day at Leisure in Cusco

Enjoy a free day in Cusco for some rest and recuperation.

You can use your BTG Inca ruins ticket (valid 10 days) for a number of sites in Cusco city. It may also be used for Cusco's outlying ruins like Sacsayhuaman & Q'enko. Please ask your guide for directions.

Hike Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

Pick-up from your hotel lobby early this morning. The Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain day trip is a spectacular experience deep in the heart of the Vilcanota Mountain range. This option is an ideal way to enjoy the magical coloured mountains, on a relatively short trail with minimal incline and without the crowds.

On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Ausangate, Mariposa, Nevado del Inca and the diversity of this mountainous region. At the highest point of the trail, explore the Bosque de Rocas (Rock Forest) with its unique formations.

Hike details
Distance: 4km
Time: approx. 2-3 hours including time to explore
Ascent: 150m
Descent: 150m
Maximum altitude: 4,970m
Drive time: Allow 3.5 hours driving each way.
Total trip time: 10 - 11 hours round trip.

Includes:
- English-speaking guide
- Transport
- Snacks and water
- Boxed lunch
- Palccoyo entrance fee
- Trekking poles

Enjoy a day at leisure in Cusco, ahead of your 5-Day Ausangate Trek.

The Inca museum on Atuaud 154 is well worth a visit to see the Inca Star map. It is one of the few cultures to have names for the dark shadows in the Milky Way. The Llama will be very obvious from your trek campsites.

Ausangate

Ausangate is the magnificent snowy mountain seen from the Inca capital of Cusco. It is the largest mountain in the Cusco region at 6,372m and the ‘Apu’ god that resides at its summit is still worshipped by the locals. This relaxed five day trek around this incredible massif takes you over several 5,000m high passes, through llama grazing plains, ancient Inca villages, past red, blue and green lakes and remote campsites with spectacular views.

Ausangate 5-Day Trek (Tinqui - Upis - Camp 1)

Pick-up from your hotel lobby early this morning. Set off for the stunning drive to the trailhead, where you will have a magnificent view of the awaiting Ausangate. On arrival at Tinqui (3,800m), meet your muleteers and enjoy an early lunch. You will then set off for an afternoon of gentle uphill walking past open puna, highland meadows and several water tables. You may be lucky enough to see viscachas (the long tailed highland rabbits), alpaca and llama herds, condors and Andean foxes before arriving at your campsite at Upis (4,400m).

Here the hot springs, in the shadow of the snow covered Ausangate, provide a spectacular yet eerie camp setting. After dinner, the muleteers will ask you to join a ‘Jaiway’, where you can make an offering to the mountain God of ‘Apu’ requesting a safe passage around the mountain.

The Ausangate area is famous for the quality of its weavings, created by local women. There will be an opportunity to meet some of these women on your trek and learn more about their skilled craft.

Total Distance: 10km mainly uphill
Altitude: 3800m – 4400m

Accommodation – Stay 4 nights in tented accommodation in remote campsites on a full board basis

Included on your 4-day trek:
- English-speaking guide
- Cook and camp assistants
- Transport
- All meals
- Snacks and water
- Emergency horse and mule support
- Camping fees
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping bag, liner and pillow

Ausangate Trekking (Arapa Pass – Jatun Pucacocha – Camp 2)

Set off around 6am. After a morning’s sharp ascent, skirt the western shoulder of Ausangate at Arapa pass (4,800m). The colourful moon-like rock formations are a stark contrast to the white beauty of Ausangate. Your afternoon’s descent passes the spectacular Uchuy Pucacocha (little red lake) and its waterfalls before arriving at your campsite beside the red waters of Jatun Pucacocha (big red lake).

Total Distance: 10km (5km up – 5km down)
Altitude: 4400m – 4800m – 4100m

Ausangate Trekking (Palomani Rainbow Pass – Camp 3)

Set off around 6am. A day of mainly steady ascent rewards you with spectacular views from the passes of Apuchata (4,900m) and Palomani (5,200m). The beautiful azure lake of Ausangatecocha and the back view of Ausangate provide the backdrop for this fascinating but tough day. The rainbow colours of Palomani pass are astounding and often have vicuña herds grazing. Pass through the traditional base camp used for mountain ascents before finishing with a descent to your campsite on the meadow below. Glacial moraines surround the campsite, at 4,510m.

Total Distance: 12km (5km up – 1 km down – 3 km up – 3 km down)
Altitude: 4100m – 4900m – 4300m – 5200m – 4510m

Ausangate Trekking (Blue Lakes – Campa Pass – Camp 4)

Set off around 6am. Ascend the broad green valley to the small lake of Ticllacocha. More viscachas and hopefully some rare vicuñas should accompany you on your journey. The last big pass, Campa Pass, now lies before you. At 5050m, its glaciers, scree and snow make it the most impressive of all the passes and the first sight of its rugged beauty provides a truly big mountain expedition feel. Descend to the meadow below to camp at 4,650m.

Total Distance: 11km (8km up – 3 km down)
Altitude: 4510m – 5050m – 4650m

Ausangate Trekking and Return to Cusco

Set off at 6am this morning. Enjoy a gentle downhill hike to the hot springs at Pacchanta (4360m), where there is a chance to soak in the lovely hot water pools. Situated in a local community they provide the opportunity to meet some of the local people and learn a little about the life they lead and the weavings they are famous for.

Continue your hike down to Tinqui where you will meet your vehicle for the return journey. Wave goodbye to the mules and begin the drive back to Cusco where hopefully hot showers and cold drinks await.

Total Distance: 15km mainly downhill
Altitude: 4650m – 4360m – 3800m

Enjoy a free day in Cusco for some rest and recuperation. Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting Colonial churches, bargain hunting in artisan markets, chocolate museums or just relaxing over a cappuccino on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has it all.

Apurimac Canyon

Easily in the world's ten best rafting rivers, the Apurimac Canyon is twice as deep as the USA's Grand Canyon and boasts pristine sandy beaches, wildlife a-plenty and the most exciting and most accessible white-water in Peru. Three or four adrenaline filled days on the Apurimac will give you the chance to completely escape from the world, on the river known to the Inca's as the 'Great-Speaker'.

Apurimac 4-Day Rafting Expedition

Pick-up from your hotel lobby this morning. Head out from Cusco for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac canyon, hopefully glimpsing the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range before descending into the canyon to start your Apurimac rafting adventure.

Here your guides inflate your specialised rafts, load them up with provisions, and after a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white-water rafting, you head off into the canyon in search of adventure.

For the next four days, enjoy some of the least visited, but best rafting in Peru. Stay 3 nights in tented accommodation in remote locations on a full board basis.

The river enters a truly impressive steep sided gorge where you run many excellent class III and IV rapids. In between the rapids, there are relaxing floats through breath-taking scenery. You also have the opportunity to get out and explore waterfalls and colonial bridges.

At night, camp on a deserted beach and enjoy great food, a few drinks and great camaraderie around the camp fire.

4-Day Rafting Programme Includes:
- Transport
- All white-water rafting and safety equipment
- Swift Water Rescue trained English-speaking guide
- All Meals
- Camping equipment
- Wetsuit, helmet, boots, buoyancy aid, and splash jacket
- Sleeping bag, liner and pillow

Apurimac Rafting (Black Canyon)

Set off around 6.30am this morning for some more great Peru rafting. Depending on water levels there may be the odd portage between the fun rapids. There are also stretches to just sit and float down the river and enjoy being in this fantastic location.

Keep an eye out as you go for Andean Foxes, Torrent Ducks, otters and even Condors.
Look forward to another vast deserted sandy beach where camp will be set up for the evening. Enjoy more great food and drinks around the campfire.

Apurimac Rafting (Enter Granite Canyon)

Head out around 6.30am to enter the Granite Canyon of the Apurimac, passing under the Huallpachaca bridge. You'll start with grade II and III rapids, excellent training for the more exciting rapids coming up. Stopping to scout and portage 1 or maybe 2 rapids that are commercially unrunnable, you will still have plenty of great rafting all day. Rapids like Space Odyssey, the Gates of Purgatory and Tres Maria will push you to your limits.

As the sun sets behind the canyon walls, you pull up at a remote beach to camp for the night.

Apurimac Rafting and Return to Cusco

Set off from camp around 6.30am. Today the fun really picks up. After a delicious breakfast on the beach, pack everything away and load it into your boats once more. Work together with your guide to steer a safe course through the huge boulders that line this river.

Rapids such as Trident and Batman's cave will really test your teamwork. There are even a few portages when the only way down is to get out and walk around a particularly fierce rapid. The Apurimac was a sacred river to the Incas and thought to be a source of great wisdom. 500 years later it is still a river to be treated with the utmost respect.

By now you will be an expert and rapids such as Babalua and Last Laugh that would once have seemed daunting are now just pure adrenaline pulsing fun. Finally, you reach a break in the canyon walls and from here you take the beautiful drive past the Salkantay mountain range back to your hotel for the night.

4x4 Adventure Drive from Cusco to Tres Canyones for Overnight Camp

Pick-up from your hotel lobby this morning.

Set off along the Vilcanota river to Sicuani where you’ll turn off the main road to Puno, and head onto the high Altiplano for a true "middle of nowhere" adventure. Passing Lake Langui, head to Espinar and then on a rarely used road to Machu Puente and on to the incredible Tres Canyones.

There is a chance to visit various Inca ruins en route including Maucallacta or take a hike up one of the "Tres Canyones" for an amazing view.

Depending on timings, you will either camp here or head past the village of Suyuctambo and onto camp beside some hidden hotsprings.

Stay the night in tented accommodation in a remote location on a full board basis.

Includes:
- English-speaking guide
- All meals
- Snacks & water
- Camping equipment including sleeping bag, liner and pillow
- Transport

4x4 Adventure Drive to the Source of the Amazon and on to the Colca Canyon

Set off early this morning to continue your journey through the middle of nowhere as you cross the high Altiplano on a bumpy road, past Angostura, looking out for Alpacas, Vicuñas and Vizcachas.

As you start your descent into the Colca Canyon, you’ll take a rarely used dirt road towards Mount Mismi, heading higher into the Andes.

At 4900m, the road stops abruptly, and it is a short hike to a vast wall, officially the Source of the Amazon, where, when not frozen over, the water jets out of a cliff, and starts its journey towards the Atlantic some 5000+ km away, but just 145km from the Pacific, almost splitting the Latin American continent in half.

Explore this incredible place, before continuing your drive into the Colca canyon, past Sibayo and Chivay and on to the delightful Colca lodge for a well earned respite from driving and a chance to relax in their gorgeous hotsprings.

Includes:
- English-speaking guide
- All meals
- Transport
- Entrance fees
- Snacks & water

Introducing The Colca Canyon

The Colca Canyon is one of the world’s deepest canyons and is home to condors and a fascinating local culture, completely different from any other place you will visit in Peru. You will stay overnight in the charming Colca lodge. Soaking in the world class hot springs is one of the main attractions, whilst horse riding, hiking to local ruins, mountain biking and fishing can all be arranged locally through the in-house adventure company.

Day at leisure to enjoy the Colca Canyon and the facilities of your hotel.

Suggestions in the Colca Valley

The private guide and minibus are at your disposal for the day. We recommend an early morning drive to Cruz del Condor to see condors, soaring in the thermals created by the deep gorge where they nest.

From here you head back towards the lodge stopping to visit local towns and make the most of the many beautiful photo opportunities.

After lunch, you can either hike to the nearby pre-Inca ruins, visit the Yanque Museum, hike to Uyo Uyo ruins or discover the unique native culture and weaving of the area. Or you could relax and enjoy the private hot springs and Spa facilities at the lodge.

Pick-up from your hotel lobby after breakfast for the 4-hour drive to Arequipa, where you'll be welcomed by the snow-topped volcanos and lovely conical mountain of El Misti'. There is time to enjoy a final dip in the hot springs before departure and a picnic lunch can be taken en route.

Arequipa is known locally as “The White City" and is a beautiful city to explore. It boasts a magnificent marble Plaza de Armas with a stunning view of El Misti mountain in the background. Your guide will take you on a short orientation walk to familiarise you with this beautiful city.

Transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Lima. On arrival at the airport please head to the check-in desks and present your passport luggage and e-ticket for your flight, then head upstairs for departures.

On arrival at Lima airport, pick up your luggage and head out into the domestic airport. As you come out of the baggage hall, please exit the airport terminal and turn right. The Airport Hotel Costa del Sol Wyndham is the big building in the car park, across the road and 50m to your right.

Walk to the Airport Terminal

Make your way on foot to the check-in desks in the centre of the airport building. At the desk, please present your passport, e-ticket and luggage: on receiving your boarding card please head upstairs to departures. Please find the gate in plenty of time, as flights are not announced and gate allocations may not follow those written on your boarding card.