Premium Peru with Ica Valley

Intrepid Travel · 12 days

4.9

6 Reviews

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Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Coloured by historic buildings, vibrant wildlife and lush rainforests, Peru is a sight to behold. Join a local leader to discover the Inca, indigenous and modern sides of Peru on an immersive 12-day Premium journey.

Highlights

Uncover the country’s best sights during Exclusive Experiences, including a sunset tour of a wine and pisco vineyard and two guided visits to remarkable Machu Picchu, reached by 360 train offering unbeatable views of the Andes.
Get to know local culture during interactions with the Willoq community, let a local leader show you the country’s best, and explore with expert guides in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
See Peru’s wild side when you set out in search of pelicans, flamingos, sea lions and penguins on an exciting boat tour around the Ballestas Islands, and enjoy an unforgettable day of wildlife activities in the Amazon Jungle.
Take your taste buds on a trip during Exclusive Experiences, from one of Lima’s best restaurants, to a coffee break at a cafe that aids single mothers and a traditional Andean lunch in the Sacred Valley.
Sleep surrounded by nature in the Amazon rainforest in a private thatched cabana at your magnificent feature stay lodge. Located in the heart of a 380 hectare-private ecological reserve, this unique resort has an on-site team of expert local guides.

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Plane,Train,Private vehicle,Boat

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Lima, Peru

Finishes

Cusco, Peru

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Lima

Welcome to Peru! Your adventure begins in Lima. Peru’s colourful capital is equal parts cosmopolitan and chaotic. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel where you will meet your fellow travellers and local leader for an important 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive before this time, perhaps head out for a walk in the historical centre to appreciate its fine colonial architecture. After your meeting, get your first taste of Lima’s world-renowned food scene during a welcome dinner with your small group and leader. Head out to a fantastic restaurant that’s popular with the locals and get acquainted with some of Peru’s best dishes. From enticingly fresh ceviche to pisco sours – you’ll soon find out why Lima is hailed as the culinary capital of South America.

Included Activities:

Lima - Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Lima - Welcome Dinner

Optional Activities:

Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) (50 USD)
Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) (85 USD)
Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) (40 USD)
Lima - Museum of the Inquisition (entrance fee) - Free
Lima - Coast Biking Urban Adventure (minimum 2 participants) (65 USD)
Lima - Archaeological Museum (15 PEN)
Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) (75 USD)
Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) (35 USD)
Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) (75 USD)
Lima - Lima Discovery Urban Adventures (minimum 2 participants) (39 USD)

Accommodation:

Pullman Miraflores Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Ica

Depart Lima and travel to the fabulous Vinas Queirolo, the only hotel in Peru located within a vineyard and your accommodation for the next two evenings. Sitting in the Ica valley at the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by more than 500 hectares of vineyards, the setting couldn’t be more spectacular, and the comfort and service of this hotel are every bit as impressive. Enjoy traditional bodega charm, spacious and stylish rooms, three swimming pools, tennis courts and a marvellous restaurant. On arrival, you may like to take a dip in one of the pools, play a game of tennis or simply relax poolside and soak in the stunning scenery. The vineyards that surround your hotel produce Peru’s most famous wine along with the national drink, pisco. This afternoon you will have the option to take an aerial tour of the mysterious Nazca Lines. Etched into the landscape some 22 kilometres north of Nazca, these mysterious wonders are an assortment of perfectly straight lines, trapezoidal zones, and strange symbols of birds and beasts on a giant scale. Speak to your leader about arranging this unforgettable activity.

Optional Activities:

Nazca - Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines from Pisco (taxes and transfers not included) (349 USD)

Accommodation:

Vinas Queirolo or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Ica

Travel to the coast this morning to the Paracas Peninsula for an excursion to the Ballestas Islands. These islands are home to an abundance of wildlife, including pelicans, red-footed boobies, flamingos, sea lions and even penguins. You'll have the chance to get up close and personal with wildlife on an exciting boat tour of the islands. Return to your accommodation in the afternoon where you’ll have the special opportunity to explore the vineyards during a private tour with an expert sommelier. Hear the history of the vineyard and hotel, from the settlement of the Queirolo family from Italy in 1877 to the renovations and modernisations enacted by the third generation of the family in the 21st century. Learn how the brilliant wine and pisco is produced, then cap off the day with drinks at a lookout point, watching the sun set over the gorgeous landscape.

Included Activities:

Boat Tour
Ica - Vineyard tour with a sommelier
Ica - Sunset drinks

Accommodation:

Vinas Queirolo or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Lima

This morning you will return to Lima and will be introduced to any new members of your group joining the trip here. After, head out to get to know the city on a walking tour of downtown Lima with your leader. Admire the buildings of Plaza Mayor and visit the eerie catacombs of the Saint Francis Monastery, then head away from the tourist trail to Alameda de Chabuca Granda – an area popular with the locals. Stop off at the colourful street food stalls to sample some of Lima’s favourite sweet treats, like Peruvian doughnuts and mazamorra morada (porridge made from purple corn). Lima has one of the world’s most revered culinary scenes, and tonight, you’ll head to one of the city’s best restaurants that boasts stunning views, surrounded by ancient ruins. The creative chef here offers traditional Peruvian dishes with modern twists in a one-of-a-kind environment

Included Activities:

Lima - Downtown walking tour
Lima - Alameda Chabuca Granda tour and tastings
Lima - San Francisco Monastery and the Catacombs
Lima - Welcome Dinner
Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Optional Activities:

Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) (50 USD)
Lima - Lima Discovery Urban Adventures (minimum 2 participants) (39 USD)
Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) (35 USD)
Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) (40 USD)
Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) (85 USD)

Accommodation:

Pullman Miraflores Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Amazon Jungle

Today, you’ll catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado. When you arrive, take a bus to the port where you’ll board motorised canoes and head into the Amazon rainforest. Keep an eye out for macaws, herons, alligators and capybaras along the way. Here, you’ll find Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion – your Feature Stay for the next two nights. Built in the heart of a 380-hectare private ecological reserve, this unique resort is focused on the conservation of local habitats and features 25 private cabanas plus an on-site team of expert local guides. Enjoy lunch at the lodge, then explore the Concepcion Trails with an expert guide. As darkness begins to fall, join a guided Twilight River boat ride and try to spot some caimans lurking on the riverbanks. Dinner tonight will be a la carte and draws on local Amazon ingredients.

Included Activities:

Amazon Jungle - Night boat tour

Day 6: Amazon Jungle

After breakfast, board a dug-out wooden canoe and glide across Lake Sandoval, keeping an eye out for potential wildlife sightings, like red howler monkeys, giant river otters and colourful macaws. After lunch, you might like to walk along the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway – a 344 m network of suspension bridges that take you high above the forest floor to some of the best places to spot toucans, woodpeckers, monkeys and three-toed sloths. Join a night walk to discover the nocturnal activity in the surrounding areas or book into the lodge’s spa before you meet your group for dinner.

Included Activities:

Amazon Jungle - Oxbow Lake
Amazon Jungle - Night jungle walk

Day 7: Cusco

This morning, you’ll travel back to Puerto Maldonado, then take a flight to Cusco – the former centre of the Inca Empire. Arrive in the early afternoon before heading out with your leader to discover what the city has to offer. Stop by the stunning Plaza de Armas – the heart of the city, flanked by ornate churches. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cusco Cathedral, built on top of an Inca palace and one of the city's greatest repositories of art. Here, you’ll meet with a local historian guide who will provide expert insight into the building’s art, architecture and history and the surrounding city. Visit the Coricancha Temple – once the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The evening is free for your own discoveries. Cusco offers no shortage of restaurants and as night falls, the city is swept up in a flurry of live music and late-night street food stalls.

Included Activities:

Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
Cusco - Cathedral tour with Specialist Historian Guide
Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee)

Accommodation:

Casa Andina Premium Cusco Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Cusco

Today is free for you to explore at your own pace. Why not head to the San Pedro market, where you can practice your bargaining skills and take photos, then swing by the Plaza de Armas for another look at the cathedral. Speak to your leader about the optional cooking class at a local restaurant using fair trade products, or take the half-day Inkilltambo trek, exploring an archaeologic site on the city’s outskirts. Maybe consider checking out the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where the massive stone blocks that form the walls provide an impressive picture of how greatly developed Inca engineering was.

Optional Activities:

Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) (10 PEN)
Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (35 USD)

Accommodation:

Casa Andina Premium Cusco Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Ollantaytambo

This morning, travel through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, passing maize crops and fertile terraces carved into the valley walls. Visit the AMA Restaurant in Urubamba – this cafe provides employment opportunities and job training for single mothers throughout the Sacred Valley. Enjoy a snack and learn how this inclusive enterprise focuses on economic growth, gender equality and the support of vulnerable communities. Then venture further into the Sacred Valley to meet the Willoq community and gain a greater insight into the local lifestyle and visit a local workshop where you’ll learn about traditional textile techniques that are used by the community – you’ll even have the chance to make your own bracelet with the local women. Sit down for a festive pachamanca lunch. Continue to Ollantaytambo – a magnificent example of Inca urban planning and the perfect warm up for Machu Picchu. Explore Ollantaytambo's archaeological site with an expert local guide who will discuss the evidence of the Incas' engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals, dams, terraces and centres of worship dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Included Activities:

Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site
Sacred Valley - Community workshops visit
Sacred Valley - Home-cooked lunch
Sacred Valley - Snack & drink at AMA Restaurant social enterprise

Accommodation:

Pakaritampu Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu

Today, travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes in style, boarding the 360 Machu Picchu Train. High, domed windows offer unbelievable views of the Andes, allowing you to sit back comfortably and take it all in. The train also features an open-air observation carriage to completely immerse yourself in the remarkable landscape. Disembark the train in Aguas Calientes, drop your belongings at your hotel, then take a short bus ride up the winding road to Machu Picchu, where you’ll be joined by a guide who will take you through the ruins and tell you stories of its history. The true purpose behind Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, may always be a mystery since no records of the complex exist. Most archaeologists, however, believe it to be the 15th-century headquarters of Emperor Pachacuti. Later, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes.

Included Activities:

Machu Picchu - Entrance & Guided visit
Ollantaytambo - 360 degree train to Aguas Calientes

Optional Activities:

1 Day Inca Trail guided hike (465 USD)

Day 11: Cusco

Rise before the sun and take the winding road back up to the incredible Machu Picchu. On your second visit, explore more of the extraordinary architecture of the temples, palaces and living quarters. Looking at Machu Picchu as it sits against a backdrop of forested mountains is a truly breathtaking experience. Its mortar-free design is particularly earthquake resistant, and the stones are so precisely cut that, to this day, not even a knife fits between them! Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, then catch a train back to Ollantaytambo. From here, you’ll make the drive back to Cusco for the evening.

Included Activities:

Machu Picchu - Second visit

Accommodation:

Casa Andina Premium Cusco Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Cusco

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Cusco, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Optional Activities:

Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (35 USD)
Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) (170 USD)
Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) (105 USD)
Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) (85 USD)
Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline (95 USD)
Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) (130 USD)
Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class (70 USD)
Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) (100 USD)

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $8,785

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 10 Dec 2025

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

Christopher

Traveled, October 2023

11/16/2023

We spent 2 weeks travelling Peru with Norma our guide from Intrepid. Wow, what a great 2 weeks!! We saw and experienced so many things! The varied landscape, climate, culture and people diversity made it so memorable, our guide made the trip simply fantastic!!

5.0

Inês

Traveled, October 2023

11/19/2023

This tour is great! You really get a good grasp on Peru as a whole, you get a small taste of everything the country has to offer. Norma, the tour leader, was a real expert on Peru and went out of her way to provide us with the best experience possible.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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