PERU
$2950 per person
Join us in Peru for hiking and history.
We will spend 3 days/4 nights in the city of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For Incas, Cusco was the belly button of the world. A visit to this city and its nearby ruins tumbles you back into the cosmic realm of ancient Andean culture – knocked down and fused with the colonial imprint of Spanish conquest, only to be repackaged as a thriving tourist center. The capital of Cusco is only the gateway. Beyond lies the Sacred Valley, Andean countryside dotted with villages, high-altitude hamlets and ruins linked by trail and railway tracks to the continent’s biggest draw – Machu Picchu.
On our first day we will jump right into learning about the local culture and the once-powerful Inca Empire. You will find Cusco to be a city which ignites all your senses. Colorful textiles keep the past vivid, as do the wild fiestas and carnivals where indigenous tradition meets solemn Catholic ritual. Our group will step into the culture by trying our hand at weaving, cooking local dishes, immersing ourself at a local artisan and food market and then each night we will round out the day with a taste of magic that makes Peruvian food an international favorite.
Next we will venture into the wild for 4 days/4 nights of hiking in the lush green cloud forest of the Andes mountains. We will traverse vast peaks and steep mountain passes viewing landscapes dotted with centuries old ruins, accessible only to those that follow this most famous pathway. As truly beautiful as the hike may be, the real reason for its popularity lies at the very end of this four day adventure; passing through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu in the distance. Only Inca Trail hikers can access the Gate at sunrise, and it is this crescendo, at one of the new seven wonders of the world which makes this hike a feature on most peoples bucket lists.
Join us and your fellow WorldTowning Voyagers for seven days of learning, eating, smelling, hiking, crafting and more in Peru! Explore with us, using a purposefully designed itinerary that maximizes exposure to the best parts of the culture: food, art, crafts, favorite pastimes and meeting the locals.
Does this sound amazing? The experience is all that, and more.
For details scroll down up to the tabs at the top of the page for a daily breakdown of the itinerary.
The FAQ page answers many of the questions you may have about vaccines, cancellations, insurance, etc.
Price is based on double occupancy and a shared room. We do have two single tents for the hike on a first come, first serve. If additional people want them it will be $100 per person for the entire hike.
If the trip is full, please join the wait list at jessica@worldtowningvoyages.com and be sure to follow us on all social media for the latest updates to new trips.
*We have a 13 person minimum that must be met in order to offer this trip. DO NOT purchase your flights until we have confirmed trip minimum has been met.
*All guests must be fully Covid vaccinated and willing to comply with local Covid policies, as well as purchase trip insurance.
* Vegetarian menu available for those interested.
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Destinations
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Departure Date
March 2, 2024 -
Return Date
March 9, 2024 -
Level of Difficulty
Moderate to Strenuous. Minimum age 12. Recommended maximum age is 64. This is only recommended, if you think you can physically do what is listed below we will not turn you away. The hike will reach a max altitude of 3200 meters/14,000 feet. We will walk an average of 6 hours a day for a total of 43 kilometers/27 miles in 4 days. The distance is divided between camps and we will average 10-13km per day of up steep hills, down steep hills, and climbing stairs. Do not be fooled by the small amount of kilo/miles as the altitude will have you moving slower and tire easier than you do back home. To accommodate your trip and make it as smooth and comfortable we highly recommend prior to your trip, to set walking routines of about 60 minutes per day (or the comparable in running), as well as consistent stretching. For the city of Cusco, unfortunately it is not wheelchair accessible or accessible to those facing physical challenges. Most of this trip will be focused on walking/hiking. This trip requires mobility and energy. If you struggle with physical activity, have accessibility needs or need special care, then this trip is not for you. We cannot guarantee access to alternative modes of transportation (cabs, buses, etc.), which means you will need to walk, even if you are struggling. Of course we wish this trip could accommodate everyone, but this is Cusco, and certain things are beyond our control. -
Included
AccommodationsActivities/ToursGift BasketLive Q & AMeals during tripNational Park FeesPersonal GuidesPrivate FB GroupTransportationVegetarian OptionsWelcome PartyWorldTowning Swag -
Not Included
AlcoholArrival Day MealsArrival TransportationCovid testing (if applicable)Departure Day MealsDeparture TransportationEquipment RentalFlights to CountryFlights Within CountryLaundry, Phone Calls, Room ServiceMeals (breakfast and dinner)non-alcoholic drinks (not offered for free at meals)PortersSouvenirsTipping at the RestroomsTips for GuidesTrip Insurance
From Our Gallery
March 2: Cusco
Make yourself comfortable in the hotel. Please note: If you would like to arrive earlier and explore on your own prior to arrival day, that is fine. Our trip officially begins March 2 in the evening.
We can’t wait to meet all of you. As a warm welcome we would like to invite you for wine, tea and cookies on the evening before the trip officially begins.
We will hold a short workshop this evening so you can learn all about Cusco life nowadays, traditions, celebrations, food, ... and also language, from a local. This is a great way to familarize yourself with the culture before we get started.
Get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow we rock and roll!
If you will be arriving late don’t worry as we will do a more formal welcome at breakfast in the morning.
March 3: Cusco
BREAKFAST
At the hotel in the breakfast room.
NATURAL TEXTILE DYEING AND WEAVING (FULL DAY) + LUNCH
We will learn from a local textile expert about the industry and all of the natural processes used locally for dyeing and weaving. We will then tour the workshop and receive a theoretical talk about the ancestral dyeing and weaving. We will round out our day by collecting plants, preparing wool for the dyeing process and creating our own one of a kind projects.
DINNER
Pachapapa
March 4: Cusco
BREAKFAST
At our hotel in the breakfast room.
SACSYHUAMAN SITE VISIT (EARLY MORNING TOUR)
Built in the 15th century under emperor Pachacuti, Sacsyhuaman has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Although Machu Picchu is the most famous Inca archaeological site, the site is technically the largest structure built by the Inca. We will spend our morning here learning from a local historian.
PERUVIAN COOKING CLASS + LUNCH
Be immersed into a fascinating trip to the San Pedro Market, where you’ll be introduced to a vast variety of local and ancient products, learn about the history behind them and their impact on modern Peruvian gastronomy. We will then head back to the cozy cooking studio, located inside a colonial times house, where we'll step back in time to enjoy a modern Peruvian cooking class guided by a professional Peruvian chef and rounding up all we saw at the market. We will also try our hand at making Pisco Sours.
MASSAGE
You will be pampered with a deep tissue massage for 1 hour to prepare your bodies for the hike ahead. This is one of the best massages we have had in all of our travels.
FREE TIME TO SHOP OR REST
The picturesque neighborhood of San Blas is made up of several streets where craft workshops are located. It is known as the bohemian neighborhood. In this neighborhood you can see the process with which artisans produce their works and visit the workshops of the Olave family or the Camero family.
DINNER
Green Point Cusco (vegan, local flair)
March 5-8: Inca Trail
BREAKFAST
We will have an early breakfast at our hotel as we have a 5:45 departure. Also, this is WorldTowning Orange day! There will be more on this later. Just know, it will be fun!
DRIVE
TBD.
MEALS
Local flair with vegetarian options.
INCA TRAIL
The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous treks in all of Peru and South America. This 26-mile trail is only a portion of what it used to be during the Inca Empire and holds great historical importance.
We will experience 4 days of hiking through ecosystems and flora from high desert to rainforests, all while visiting amazing Inca constructions. We’ll also encounter incredible views of the Andes Mountains, its valleys and rushing rivers. The Incas used this itinerary for their pilgrimage to the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu, so you’ll walk the same historical path as the Incas from ancient times.
We will do this with an experienced local guide and historian.
DAY 1:
Today will be our flattest day of hiking with an introduction to the Incan ruins, Andean culture and walks along streams and lush agriculture.
DAY 2:
Today is the most demanding day with a lot of uphill to Dead Woman’s Pass. DWP is the highest point on the trail at 4,198m (13,769 ft).
DAY 3:
Today is our longest day of hiking where we will cross two more passes: Runquraqay and the ruins of Phuyupatamarca. We will also enjoy the beauty of the cloud forest, Urubamba Valley and catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba.
DAY 4:
Today is the earliest day as we will reach the Sun Gate at sunrise to catch our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We will then hike down to MP and enjoy a guide tour.
DINNER
Chicha
march 9: Cusco
BREAKFAST
This is the last day of the trip and the toughest. Saying goodbye to new friends is never easy, but we like to think of it as "until we meet again!" After our final breakfast, the trip will officially conclude. We will miss all of you terribly!
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Double Occupancy
$2950 USD
We will be staying in 2 different accommodations. The first several nights will be a hotel in the center of Cusco with all the amenities one could desire. For the remainder of our adventure we will sleep in tents on the trail, minus the final night where we will be back in the amenity hotel to give you a solid nights sleep before you venture home.