Active trip of Peru

16 days – From €9,200 per person

white-water rafting – mountain biking – the Inca Trail – hiking

Day 3 | Cusco – Pisac

Today, the adventure really gets underway. From the banks of the Urubamba River, fully prepared, you’ll launch your raft to go rafting in one of the most beautiful areas of Peru. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on the banks of the river you’ve just conquered. You’ll then continue on to Pisac, where you’ll visit the craft market with its many handmade products. Be sure to try one of the tasty empanadas from the old stone oven.
Overnight: Pisac Inn | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | Pisac – Sacred Valley

A new day with a new activity – today you’ll be mountain biking in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It’s a perfect combination of the Andes mountains, travelling through the heart of the Sacred Valley to traditional villages. The route winds its way between Inca ruins and local villages, where you can admire traditional farming methods against the stunning backdrop of the snow-capped mountains. You’ll make a short stop along the way to enjoy a picnic lunch with breathtaking views.
Overnight stay: Hotel Tierra Viva | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Inca Trail

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll be ready to continue your journey. You’ll climb gently upwards to a small hamlet situated in the Cusichaca Valley. This is the last inhabited village you’ll pass through on your trek to the hidden city of the Incas. The route will gradually become steeper as you continue along the beautiful Inca trail. During your walk, you’ll spot hummingbirds and young cloud forests before reaching your next overnight stop. You’ll spend the night on a grassy clearing with a magnificent view. You may even spot a few deer from the Andes mountains appearing during dinner, in search of their evening meal.
Accommodation: Tent camp | full board

Day 7 | Inca Trail

Get up early, as you have a challenging but fascinating day ahead of you. You’ll continue your climb to the highest point of your trek, known as ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’, at an altitude of over 4,200 metres. During the descent to the second checkpoint, on clear days you can spot Mount Pumahuanca in the Vilcabamba mountain range on the horizon. Your route continues along the well-preserved Inca trails to Sayacmarca. Sayacmarca is situated at the junction of two different trails, the exact purpose of which remains a mystery. After crossing a few small hills, you will arrive at your tented camp in Phuyupatamarca, also known as ‘the place above the clouds’.
Overnight: Tent camp | full board

Day 9 | Machu Picchu – Cuzco

Today you’ll visit Machu Picchu once again. For many years, this city lay lost in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by Professor Hiram Bingham. The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and in 2007 Machu Picchu was even named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The city is situated in a stunning location, high on an inaccessible hilltop, and is protected by enormous cliffs and the Urubamba River. In the afternoon, you’ll board the train. It chugs gently along whilst you’re surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Sacred Valley. You will then travel back to Cuzco, where you will spend the night.
Accommodation: Quinta San Blas | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Cuzco

You have the day free to spend as you wish. You can explore the ancient capital of the Inca Empire at your leisure. It was from this place that the Incas founded their mighty empire, Tahuantisuyu, ‘Land of the Four Winds’. The entire city centre consists of colonial buildings, constructed on the foundations of the ancient Inca palaces. The city is situated in the middle of the high plateau in south-eastern Peru. There’s plenty to do in this beautiful city!
Overnight stay: Quinta San Blas | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Cusco – Arequipa

In the morning, you’ll be picked up and taken to Cuzco airport, where you’ll board your domestic flight to Arequipa. It’s a beautiful city with the breathtaking El Misti volcano in the background. In the afternoon, you’ll set off with your guide to explore the city. You’ll start at the Santa Catalina Church, which first opened in 1970. You’ll also have the chance to visit the museum dedicated to ‘Juanita’, the Ice Girl. The evening is yours to spend as you wish, exploring the city at your own pace.
Overnight stay: Hotel La Hosteria | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Arequipa

You have the day free to explore the city’s colonial centre. There is some uncertainty surrounding the origin of the name Arequipa. Various stories are circulating. One of them is that the Aymara people coined the name, as in their language ‘ari’ means ‘mountain’ and ‘quipa’ means ‘behind’. Loosely translated, this means ‘behind the mountain’, referring to the El Misti volcano. Another theory is that the fourth leader of the Incas, Mayta Capac, was travelling through the valley. He was charmed by the surroundings and ordered his entourage to stop, exclaiming “Ari, quipay”, which translates as “Yes, we’ll stay here.” Arequipa is also known as ‘The White City’, as many of its buildings are constructed from the silvery-white tuff known as sillar, which was spewed forth by the Misti volcano.
Accommodation: Hotel La Hosteria | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Arequipa – Colca Valley

Today you will be picked up and taken to the Colca Valley. On the way, enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the view of the volcano in the background, which appears to get smaller and smaller as you travel. The Colca Valley is one of the largest valleys in the world and home to the famous condor. The Colca Valley is a colourful region with Inca villages that were discovered by the Spanish. However, the local people still adhere to their ancient traditions and way of life, and so continue to make use of the agricultural terraces.
Accommodation: Colca Lodge | half board

Day 14 | Colca Valley

Today you can visit the ‘Cruz del Condor’ in the Colca Valley, where countless condors soar overhead. Sometimes they fly just a few metres above you. In the valley, they can usually be seen in the morning and evening. In between, they are hunting in a more remote area. The name ‘Colca’ derives from the holes visible in the gorge. These were used by the Incas and pre-Incas to store food for leaner times, such as potatoes and other foodstuffs with a longer shelf life. They were also used as tombs for important figures.
Overnight stay: Colca Lodge | half-board

Day 15 | Colca Valley – Arequipa – Lima – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your unique journey comes to an end today. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to Arequipa Airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Lima. At Lima Airport, you will board your intercontinental flight back to Amsterdam.

Day 16 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.