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Spectacular Peru

A kaleidoscope of dense rainforest, a mystical Inca heritage and award-winning cuisine; Peru is a treasure trove of must-sees. This is how to absorb the best of it in just over a week

What's included

  • Exclusively for people in their 30s & 40s
  • All activities mentioned on the itinerary
  • 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Hand-picked 3-4 star hotels
  • 2 domestic flights
  • Private minibus & Vistadome train
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Accommodation in twin rooms
  • Experienced Pack Leader with you throughout the trip
  • Max 16 travelers per group

Flashpackers must provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their adventure. Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.

About your trip

From Machu Picchu to the Sacred Valley, uncover Peru’s most iconic sights in just over a week.

Explore Peru’s magnificent jungle, highlands and capital city in this nine-day adventure that will lead you from Lima’s world famous restaurant scene to the canopies of the Amazon jungle and world-famous Machu Picchu. 

Discover the country’s rich gastronomical heritage and learn to make a pisco sour the ‘proper way’. Dive deep into the jungle, catching sight of howler monkeys, sloths and caimans, and explore by foot, boat and canoe with some of the best guides in the business. Get up close to Machu Picchu’s famous ruins and board a Vistadome train to Cusco with picture windows and glass ceilings for immersive views of the epic scenery, all with a group of like-minded travelers by your side.

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Watch the adventure
Lima flavours
  • Touch down in Lima, Peru’s sprawling coastal capital and heart of the country’s foodie scene, where a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to meet you at the airport
  • Get to know your group as you visit three of the city’s top eateries on an immersive culinary journey – the perfect introduction to Peru (and each other)
Master Peruvian cuisine
  • Head to the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco for a Peruvian cooking class on a hotel rooftop; learn to make a national dish and mix a pisco sour, followed by a three-course lunch
  • Take an art tour of Barranco and visit the Jade Rivera Museum to learn about the renowned street artist, whose murals are found across the city
  • End your day sipping sampling fine Peruvian coffee in one the city’s most atmospheric cafes
Search for exotic wildlife in the Amazon
  • Prepare for a three-day, two-night adventure to the Amazon, starting with a short flight and two-hour riverboat ride deep into the rainforest, where your rustic lodge awaits
  • Learn about the lodge’s conservation efforts and take a hike into the undergrowth with an expert guide, discovering the importance of the Amazon’s plants and wildlife
Paddle on an oxbow lake
  • Rise early for an atmospheric boat safari to the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake, looking out for giant river otter, red howler monkeys and yellow-spotted sideneck turtles
  • Learn about the medicinal properties of exotic plants and take an otherworldly night hike through the rainforest in search of nocturnal wildlife, such as snakes, frogs and spiders
R&R in the Sacred Valley
  • Travel by boat along the wide, forest-lined Madre De Dios River and board a plane to your next destination: a charming 17th-century hacienda in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
  • Enjoy some R&R at your riverside lodge, soaking in the spa with sweeping valley views or signing up for some of the activities on offer
Mountain bike to Incan ruins
  • Take to two wheels for a mountain bike ride to the archaeological site of Moray, a fascinating area used by the forward-thinking Incas for agricultural research
  • Cycle to the vast salt mines of Maras, where thousands of salt pans spill out across the hillside, before returning to your hacienda for dinner
Witness Machu Picchu
  • Travel through the Sacred Valley by Vistadome train: the huge panoramic windows and glass ceilings promising incredible views of the ancient landscapes
  • Pinch yourself as you explore the fabled lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, perched high upon a mountaintop, surrounded by lush vegetation and dramatic escarpments
  • Stop at Aguas Calientes for lunch, before travelling by train to Cusco, former capital of the ancient Incan empire
Exploring Cusco
  • Be led on an immersive walking tour of Cusco with an expert guide, weaving your way from the cathedral and ancient Koricancha Temple to the artists’ district of San Blas and the Sacsayhuamán Fortress
  • Spend a free afternoon in Cusco, before gathering at one of the city’s top restaurants to feast on Peruvian fusion food and raise a toast to the adventures you’ve shared
Farewell, Peru
  • Say farewell to your new-found Flash Pack friends and make your own way to the airport for your onward flight; your Pack Leader will be on hand to help you book a local taxi
  • Arriving home you’ll feel so proud of everything you’ve ticked off and achieved. Machu Picchu? Check. The Amazon? Check. World-class gastronomy? Check. The stuff dreams are made of, and in such a short amount of time, too

Where you'll be staying

We often feature these unique hotels on this trip, with final options confirmed a month before departure. We work with these or similar hotels to ensure a stylish and comfortable stay every time.

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Posada Amazonas Lodge

Search for crocs, swing in hammocks and hike the jungle from these atmospheric huts in the heart of the Amazon.

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Aranwa Sacred Valley

Beautiful spa hotel with smart, spacious rooms in a restored 17th century hacienda, nestled on the Vilcanota river.

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Casa Andina Premium Cusco

This charming hotel blends traditional Peruvian style with modern comforts. Offering elegant rooms set around an internal courtyard, it’s ideally located in the very heart of Peru’s Incan capital, Cusco.

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Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion

Search for caiman, glide along the river and hike the canopy walkway of this chic five-star lodge in the heart of the Amazon  

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Aranwa Sacred Valley

Beautiful spa hotel with smart, spacious rooms in a restored 17th-century hacienda, nestled on the Vilcanota river.

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Novotel Cusco

A 16th-century house in the center of Cusco, the four-star Novotel is imbued with a cozy colonial feel thanks to its beautiful courtyards and contemporary yet classic rooms.

Praise for our Pack Leaders

Meet Joe, a Pack Leader in Peru

Adventure FAQs

Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code

Fly into Lima Airport (LIM) and out of Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport (CUZ).

What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?

Before 4 pm ideally. The welcome meeting and dinner will be from 5 pm onwards starting at the hotel, which is located approximately 40 minutes away from the airport.

What time should my flight depart on the last day?

There are no activities planned for the last day, so leave any time you wish. The airport is approximately 15 minutes away from the hotel.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.

Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.

We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. However, your Pack Leader will offer you support with finding a local taxi, which will cost around 55 PEN, the equivalent of 15 USD.

Are tips included?

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:

  • Pack Leader: 7 USD per day
  • Drivers: 3 USD per day
  • Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty (approximately 5 USD per day) at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

Do I need a visa?

Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.

You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:

Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.

What vaccinations and medication will I need?

While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalized medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

1. Consult with a healthcare professional

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.

2. Up-to-date medical advice

3. Government travel advice

4. Medication tips

If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.

We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.

Will I visit the Citadel and Temples at Machu Picchu?

To reduce the impact of visitors on the archaeological site, there are now strict routes for visiting Machu Picchu and your Flash Pack ticket will not include the citadel.

On Day 7, you’ll hike up to Machu Picchu on the Panoramic Circuit (a total hike up and down of around 4-5 hours). This route offers the opportunity to take the classic photo from the Guardian’s House viewpoint.

What fitness levels do I need for this trip?

We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.

Overall, Peru is one of our more active adventures with a long hike up Machu Picchu, a full day of mountain biking, and canoeing too. So, we recommend joining us on this one if you are fit enough to hike for five+ hours, and like to challenge your fitness.

The hike to Machu Picchu Mountain is the most challenging, but the views along the way are totally worth it.

Canoeing is also a great, adventurous activity which those with a fear of water may not want to partake in.

When's the best time to go? What is the weather like?

The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and October, as the days are sunny, with bright blue skies in the Andes, and chilly nights.

It is considered the best time to go trekking, but being the peak season, early booking is crucial.

For an overview of the weather in the places you visit on our trip, please see below:

Lima: The summer is from December to March and winter from April to August. It does not rain very much as it is above sea level.

Amazon (Puerto Maldonado): It is hot and humid, but also sunny most of the time.

Highlands (Cusco): The weather is divided into the rainy season (from December to March) and the dry season (from April to August). Cusco is approximately 3,400 meters above sea level.

Will the itinerary change?

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting.

What standard of hotels should I expect?

The hotels used for this trip are rated three to four stars. Where possible, we use centrally located accommodation that’s close to our activities. In Lima, the hotel we use is slightly more basic and less central than our other location, however it is still a good, comfortable option.

Why do I need to provide my passport details when booking?

We need your passport number to buy tickets for Machu Picchu, which are becoming increasingly challenging to secure. Without this information, there is a risk that we won’t be able to secure a ticket for you.

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