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Homeland Of The Incas

All content by Intrepid

21 days (ex Lima)

Destinations visited: Peru, Lima, Machu Picchu, Bolivia, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$2,860

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Description

Travel to Peru and Bolivia as you head deep into the Andes to the mountain-top capital of Bolivia, La Paz. Hike the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, explore the depths of the Colca Canyon and experience the island cultures of Lake Titicaca on a homestay. Discover the diverse scenery of Peru and Bolivia on this exciting overland journey and get a glimpse of the homeland of the Incas.

Highlights

Learn about Nazca's ancient mummies.
Search out Andean condors.
Hike the Colca Canyon.
Visit the coca museum in Cuzco.
Visit a local community in the Sacred Valley.
Trek the Inca Trail to ancient Machu Picchu.
Cruise around Lake Titicaca's floating islands.
Experience traditional life at a homestay.
Hit the many markets of La Paz.

Itinerary

Day 1 Lima

Get to know the vibrant capital of Peru, Lima, starting with the bustling Miraflores district. Check out Parque del Amor (Love Park) for a sizzling view of Lima's coast.

Day 2 Pisco

Explore downtown Lima before heading to the port town of Pisco on a local bus. Stroll along the main plaza then relax in a cafe and watch the world go by.

Days 3-4 Nazca

Start the day with an optional boat tour to the Ballestas Islands - a nature reserve for pelicans, flamingos and sea lions. Visit the oasis of Huacachina before continuing to Nazca to learn about ancient mummies perfectly preserved by the dry conditions.

Day 5 Arequipa

Welcome to the dazzling 'White City' of Arequipa, a charming place packed with colonial churches, mansions and monasteries.

Days 6-7 Chivay/Colca Canyon

Enjoy expansive views - and possibly an Andean condor sighting - at Colca Canyon, which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.

Days 8-9 Cuzco

Inca-built walls line the central streets of fascinating Cuzco. Choose to explore markets, cathedrals, ruins and fortresses before a visit to a coca shop for some tea.

Day 10 Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo

Meet members of a Sacred Valley community then spot llamas en route to the Ollantaytambo ruins, one of the few places where the Incas defeated the Spanish.

Days 11-14 Inca Trail/Machu Picchu

Trek the demanding, but incredibly rewarding, Inca Trail, part of a series of ancient highways that linked the Inca Empire from Quito in Ecuador to Santiago in Chile. Seeing the ruins of Machu Picchu for the first time is indescribable.

Day 15 Cuzco

Optional mountain biking and hiking options abound - or just rest those trek-weary legs at a cafe around Plaza de Armas.

Day 16 Puno

Travel through the dramatic scenery of the high Altiplano to Puno, Lake Titicaca's waterside city.

Days 17-18 Lake Titicaca/Puno

Set sail for Lake Titicaca's isolated Uros floating islands, built from layers of totora reeds that grow in the shallows. Stay with a local family on the lake and enjoy a trek and a game of soccer or volleyball on a local island.

Days 19-21 La Paz

Cross the border into beautiful Bolivia and end the adventure with a wander through the streets of market-filled La Paz.

Group Size

Maximum of 12 travellers per group

Accommodation

Hostel (10 nts), Hotel (4 nts), Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nts), Homestay (2 nts), Overnight bus (1 nt)

Transport

Train, Boat, Bus, Overnight bus, Minibus

Budget

Allow USD $270 for meals not included.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$2,860

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