Peru budget holiday
| country: | Peru |
| location: | Inca Trail, Machu Picchu |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Departs selected Saturdays and Mondays throughout the year |
| price: | From £1370 (12 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
check out similar holiday ideas...
introduction to Peru budget holiday
Travel from the heady heights of the Andes to the exotic lowlands of the Amazon on this journey through the best of Peru. Hike along ancient pathways to Machu Picchu and discover the heart and soul of the Inca Empire. Discover exotic plant and wildlife in the green heart of the world's most remarkable jungle. From bustling cities to natural wonders - this trip really has it all.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Lima. Get acquainted with the charm and sophistication of this historic city on a guided orientation walk. |
| Day 2: | Cuzco. Visit the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city, home to the Inca for two centuries before the Spanish built their capital on this site. Get a feel for local life, learn to love coca tea and discover how history continues to live on here. |
| Day 3: | Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo. The fertile Sacred Valley is a great place to see charming villages, brightly dressed locals and lots of llamas. Stay in a small town that is a magnificent example of Inca urban planning. |
| Days 4-7: | Inca Trail/Machu Picchu. Hike the iconic Inca Trail, waiting for the moment when, in the early hours of the morning, the historic ruins of Machu Picchu first come into view. Wander around the ruins or find a quiet spot to soak it all up. |
| Day 8: | Cuzco. Recover from the hike in busy Cuzco. Drop into a cafe to celebrate the journey with a pisco sour, the famed Peruvian drink made with a clear local brandy mixed with egg white and lemon. |
| Days 9-10: | Amazon Jungle. Travel up-river in a motorised canoe to an eco-friendly jungle lodge. Fall asleep to the chorus of nocturnal creatures and wake to exotic birdcalls, then take a guided walk through the jungle with a local guide. Learn about the Amazon's exotic wildlife and indigenous inhabitants, as well as the medicinal properties and practical uses of native jungle plants. |
| Days 11-12: | Lima. Browse local handicrafts in Mercado de Indios, indulge in succulent seafood at a Miraflores restaurant or celebrate the end of the adventure out on the town. |
traveller reviews for Peru budget holiday
Visiting the Amazon Jungle was the 'unmissable' part! A unique environment to experience - the river, the heat and humidity, the giant trees and canopy, the sounds of the jungle; seeing animals, birds, a cayman and catching piranhas! (more)
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
award winner
This tourism business won an Award in our 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society. The central tenet of the Awards, in which winners are nominated by tourists, is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.
how this holiday makes a difference
|
We just can't get enough of the Amazon, not only as a jaw-dropping travel destination but also as a global treasure and this trip will help to ensure that the incredible Amazon Rainforest is here for us to enjoy for generations to come! Our travellers have raised a whopping AU$137,985.23 for our Foundation's Amazon Fund last year. Our Amazon Fund will help support on the ground projects run by our foundation's long time partners Greenpeace and WWF. These projects focus on forest management and indigenous lands, supporting reforestation initiatives in indigenous territories.
This trip gives you plenty of opportunities to get to know the culture and vibrant history of Latin America. There are numerous chances for local interaction as we cover so much ground using all means of public transport. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from a friendly local who strikes up a conversation during your journey. Your leader and the occasional local guide will be able to direct you to many local eateries throughout the trip, helping you discover real local fare at real local prices (and probably helping you learn some Spanish at the same time). All travellers are encouraged to explore with the group and on their own, learn a few words of the language and interact with the locals as much as possible. Local guides are employed to help explain as much as possible about the cultural differences and the historically significant places that we visit. This also allows us to appreciate the importance of preserving and respecting these sites and to help us minimise the impact of our visits. There are plenty of opportunities to support local merchants in the markets and stalls that we pass along the way. We can purchase traditional handicrafts from local artisans and learn more about the importance of preserving these crafts. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
check out similar holiday ideas...