Peru Trekking Adventure
5 Good Reasons To Book This Trip
Trek through Peru’s wild landscapes with a fuzzy, four-legged friend leading the way. These llamas are the ultimate hiking buddies and they’ll even carry your gear, so all you need to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Get ready to roast, grind and brew like a pro at a Peruvian coffee farm. From bean to brew, you’ll see (and taste) what makes this liquid gold so special after the coffee farmer’s special touch.
Walk in the footsteps of the Incas on trails that zigzag through ancient ruins and villages. Expect killer mountain views, mind-bending history and a sense of “Am I really here”?!
Kick back in the thermal baths of Cocalmayo after a long hike. Steam rising, stars twinkling, muscles unwinding – it’s the ultimate post-trek reward. Just try not to fall asleep in the water!
Your legs might be screaming, but you won’t be able to hold back a “wow” as you finally reach Machu Picchu. Perched high above the clouds, surrounded by sacred peaks, this spot has ‘bucket list moment’ written all over it.
Uncover more info by clicking the tabs below!
Trip Details
| Dates | Price AUD (per person twin share) |
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$1,864 AUD
Private Supplement: +$320
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$2,078 AUD
Private Supplement: +$345
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$2,078 AUD
Private Supplement: +$345
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Machu Picchu tickets are selling out quickly.If you book closer to the departure date, tickets will be subject to availability.Once you book, we’ll ask you to send us your passport details right away, so we can secure your entrance.
Details
- 30 Day cooling-off period applies
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
- Private supplement available: 2025 departures max 2 spots, 2026 departures max 4 spots. Partial single supplement: Not available at the Coffee Route Homestays and Lazy Dog Inn.
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Trip length
16 days, 15 nights
Meeting point
Tierra Viva Miraflores Centro, Lima
Departure point
Tierra Viva Miraflores Centro, Lima
Group size
Maximum 12
Participation requirements
- You’re open-minded and open-hearted.
- You try to embrace the little things.
- You love adventure and the surprises that come with it.
- You are gracious to others and a team player.
Fitness
Level 5 – Strenuous Plus
To truly enjoy our Level 5 trips, and squeeze out every last drop of adventure, you’ll need an advanced level of fitness. A ‘strenuous plus’-labelled trip can include challenging treks over steep mountainous terrain. Many of the locations of Level 5 trips are remote and only reached through a hard-won journey.
You may need to prepare a few months or weeks in advance by training with long days of walking in varying terrain and testing your physical limits. Your body and mind should be prepared for consecutive days with hours of activities that can be difficult. Another element to consider with a Level 5 trip is altitude that can be significant.
Included
- Meals: 15 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 1 boxed lunch, 7 dinners
- Private transportation, 4 domestic flights: Lima-Cusco; Cusco-Lima; Lima-Anta(Huaraz), Anta-Lima.
- 15 nights accommodation
- A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leaders, supported by local specialist guides
- All listed activities and more!
Not included
- International Flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other other personal expenses
- Tip kitty
Accommodation Preview
Hotel Casa Eva
Lazy Dog Inn
Hiking Details
Note: Distances, walking times, and elevation figures are approximate and may vary depending on route conditions, weather, and group pace.
What our Camino Women say
Trip Map
Get to Know Your Peru Trekking Itinerary
What You'll See & Do
Day 1 – Hello Lima!
Your adventure starts as soon as you land in Lima, your driver, ready with your name on a sign, will zip you straight to meet your Camino gals. You’re hitting the ground running this morning with a four-hour street food extravaganza that’ll have you feeling like a local in no time.
Starting at your hotel, you’ll bond with your new Camino crew and your Lima guide over pile-ups of tangy causa, heaps of juicy anticuchos, and plates full of tequeño with ají de gallina – all daring you to dive in mouth-first. Expect chaos, expect flavour and don’t expect to use a fork.
After you’ve gotten well acquainted with all of Lima’s flavours, you’ll get a chance to get your poles in a row back at your hotel. Welcome to Peru!
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Centro Hotel (or similar), Lima
Included: Street Food Tour Tastings
Day 2 – Ollantaytambo
It’s your first morning, and you’re already jetting off to Cusco! Right off the plane, you’ll meet your Inca specialty-guide and together you’ll hop into a van for a wow-worthy drive through the Sacred Valley. Brace yourself, the altitude’s a kicker up here, but we’re easing you into it. First, you’ll make a pit stop at two important (and photogenic!) Incan sites: Maras, famous for its sprawling salt ponds, and then Moray and its unusual circular terraces used for Incan crop growing.
Finally, you’ll arrive in Ollantaytambo, where you can breathe a sigh of relief. Literally! The altitude is lower here, so breathing is a whole lot easier. Drop your stuff at Tierra Viva Valle Sagrado Hotel, and then, it’s exploring time. The village’s lesser-known ruins offer killer views that are well worth the uphill slog, and then, as the sun dips, it’s dinner time with your Camino crew to toast to a first full day, well spent. Hooray!
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Valle Sagrado Hotel (or similar), Yanahuara
Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3 – Walking the Inca Road to Huchuy Qosqo
It’s already day three, so it’s about time you lace up and hit the trails! Today’s hike will kick off with a vigorous climb that shoots straight up to the best views in the Sacred Valley (and that’s saying something)!
In this part of Peru, sharp mountain peaks play hide and seek with the clouds as your path winds past creeks and ancient agricultural terraces. Just when you think the views can’t get any cooler, you’ll stumble upon the “Red Village” of Pukamarca. We’ll let you guess what it looks like…
After a long hiking, the day’s prize is reaching Huchuy Qosqo, also known as “Little Cusco”. Hovering high above the Sacred Valley, you’ll get the scoop on this site’s past as a military and religious hub before exploring it from top to bottom. First hike of the trip? Nailed it!
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Valle Sagrado Hotel (or similar), Yanahuara
Included: Breakfast, Lunch Box
Day 4 – Huacayupana
Prepare your bag with just the essentials for the next few days – the rest of your luggage will stay behind at your Sacred Valley hotel. Now, the fun begins! A 2.5-hour hike up to witness where all the magic happens – the birth of the beverage enjoyed by a billion of us around the world. Yep. You’ll end up at the home of Alejandro, a coffee farmer who knows his beans and is also your host for tonight.
Strolling into Alejandro’s, you’ll feel your stomach rumble as delicious smells dance in the air. It’s all thanks to Alejandro, who is an absolute ninja in the kitchen, and his hearty lunch is ready to have you asking for seconds in no time. Lunch devoured, roll up your sleeves and dive into the art of Peruvian coffee. Naturally, you’ll cap it all off with a cup of Alejandro’s finest. Yum!
Accommodation: Homestay at Alejandro’s House (or similar), Huacayupana
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Lucmabamba
Set off from Alejandro’s with a morning trek under the shade of towering Andean peaks for four thrilling hours. The finish line? Santa Teresa! Just as you’re nearing town, there’s a treat waiting: the thermal baths of Cocalmayo. This is the perfect antidote for those trail-tired muscles, so submerge yourself in the steamy waters and let them melt away the miles. You’ve earned it.
Once you’re all warmed up and wound down, you’ll hop on local transport to Lucmabamba and find yourself on the doorstep of your next host, Enrique. Spend your afternoon either getting your hands dirty in Enrique’s coffee fields or hunting for orchids and hummingbirds in the colour-splashed surroundings – tough call, right?
Accommodation: Homestay at Enrique’s House (or similar), Lucmabamba
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Aguas Calientes
At the crack of dawn, get your pack on, share some fond farewells with Enrique and his coffee, and lace up: you’re hitting the ancient Inca Road hard today! This leg of the journey is part of the famous Salkantay Trek, and, no exaggeration, today is one of the best hiking days of the trip. It’s a steep climb up for 2 to 3 hours, but who’s counting when every breath you huff pulls in more stunning views of Machu Picchu?
Yup, that’s our big reveal – today, you’ll get to soak up views of the Lost City for almost the entire walk!
Pulling up to the finishing line of Hidroelectrica, walk along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes or take a train ride if you’re tired.
Hmm… An early night is best tonight, because you’ve got a date with Machu Picchu at 6am tomorrow. And yes, we promise it’s worth the early alarm.
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (or similar), Aguas Calientes
Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7 – Machu Picchu
Today’s the big one! Lace up and catch the first bus out of Aguas Calientes – it’s time to climb the mountain to Machu Picchu. It’s a tough two-hour hike up, but the payoff is panoramas of the Lost City, the cloud-shrouded Huayna Picchu, and the winding Urubamba River below. Who could argue with that?
With all that climbing under your belt, you deserve a treat. How does a two-hour guided exploration of Machu Picchu itself sound? Standing at 2,430 metres, surrounded by the sacred Apus, looking around you at Machu Picchu, you’re not just at a high altitude, you’re on a ‘real’ high!
Post-exploration, it’s all aboard for a train ride back to the Sacred Valley, then a private ride to Cusco. Get ready to crash hard tonight in your Cusco digs after all that hiking – we bet you’ll fall asleep before your head hits the pillow. Zzzz…
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Cusco Centro (or similar), Cusco
Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8 – Cusco Guided Walk
Can you resist falling head over heels for Cusco? We don’t think so! First up: Qenqo, an eye-popping Incan shrine with winding subterranean chambers and carved rock altars. Then, you’ll head to Sacsayhuamán, an impressive fortress with massive stone blocks fitted so precisely that you can’t fit a piece of paper between them! Oh, and the views of Cusco from here certainly don’t hurt, either. Next, it is time to explore Suan Blas and Temple of the Sun.
The afternoon is yours to spend however you please. Maybe you fancy a spot of souvenir shopping at the nearby markets? After all, those rainbow-coloured textiles and got-to-have-them alpaca throws aren’t going to buy themselves. Or, perhaps you fancy a chilled one, finding a sunny spot for a pisco sour and watching the world whirl by? Both sound like great options!
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Cusco Centro (or similar), Cusco
Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9 – Free Day in Cusco
Today, you’ll wrap up any loose ends in your Cusco love affair. Grab your Camino crew by the hand and head to the spots you missed yesterday, because you’ll be leaving this pisco sour heaven in no time.
This is your last day before going off-grid, so make the most of your time with one last sneak peek at Cusco and some well-deserved rest before the big hike. You’ll catch a flight to Huaraz in the morning, with a quick stop in Lima for old times’ sake, dreaming about the adventures ahead.
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Cusco Centro (or similar), Cusco
Included: Breakfast
Day 10 – Huaraz
We hope those dreams meant you got some sleep! That is, if the thought of exploring Huaraz doesn’t wake you up. Once you arrive from the airport, you’ll have the morning to wander around and explore this beautiful mountain town.
In the afternoon, you’ll meet your guide to get you up to speed on everything that awaits you. Rest up tonight, because tomorrow you’ll hit the trails with the furriest, most adorable hiking sidekicks you’ve ever seen. You’ve been warned!
Accommodation: Albergue Churup (or similar), Huaraz
Included: Breakfast
Day 11 – Llama Trek to Tsacracancha
Up and at ’em! Start with a hearty breakfast hosted by a local family in the village before heading off to meet your trek squad for the next three days: fluffy, fuzzy llamas! Does it get any cuter than this?
The tundra you’re tackling today is a no-frills kind of place – just you, the llamas, the occasional hawk overhead and the crunch, crunch, crunch of your footsteps crossing the tundra ground. The air up here is so fresh it practically sparkles, and it’s all too easy to get distracted by the snow-capped mountains jutting out into the sky all around you.
The peak of the trek is a Pachamama ritual, when you join in an ancient tradition, tossing coca leaves as an offering to Mother Earth and wishing for safe travels. Once you’ve paid your respects, it’s on to Tsacracancha camp, where you’ll unwind with heaping plates of local grub under the stars.
Accommodation: Camping
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12 – Yanashallash Pass
Today’s trek is part history lesson and part hike as you follow Pre-Incan ancient stone trails laid down by the Chavín culture in 1200 BC! The morning’s climb to Yanashallash Pass is a lung-buster, peaking at 4,681 metres, but some things are worth struggling for, and this is one of them. As you summit, you might even notice snow falling around you – natural confetti to celebrate your kick-ass achievement!
At the top, join the llama herders to make a traditional offering and then it’s all downhill to Shongopampa, where you’ll camp for the night. After almost 13 kilometres of climbing, kicking back at camp with your Camino sisters and snoozing under the stars sounds like pure bliss.
Accommodation: Camping
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 – Chavín de Huántar
Say adios to the High Andes – it’s time to start your trek back to civilisation. Along the way, you’ll pass through the village of Chichucancha, where the local lifestyle feels like a throwback to the 15th century. Here, living in Incan-style houses and wearing traditional clothing isn’t for show – it’s just another day!
Back on the trail, you’ll weave through the Hacheksa Gorge, setting the stage for the day’s highlight: Chavin de Huantar. At this ancient temple complex, 3,000 years flash before your eyes like a time-lapse, and you’re in for a crash course in Andean cosmology, complete with an imaginary sacrifice. Remember – imaginary. No llamas were harmed in the making of this tour!
After soaking up Chavin de Huantar, it’s all downhill – seriously. You’ll swap boots for wheels to drive down to Huaraz, so there’s only one thing for it: relax, and let the mountains roll by.
Accommodation: The Lazy Dog Inn (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14 – Free Day!
Kick back or keep moving – it’s your call on this well-earned free day at the Lazy Dog Inn.
If you’ve been dreaming about sinking into a sofa with a good book, the common room’s cosy fire and plush seats are ready and waiting. But if the great outdoors keeps calling your name, why not answer? Saddling up on a Peruvian Caballo de Paso for some horse riding is bound to be good fun, or, if you’re in the mood for a challenge, you could grab a mountain bike and conquer the trails.
If it’s more hiking you’re after (you go-getter!), there are plenty of hikes nearby, and your local hosts Diana and Wayne know just where to point you.
Accommodation: Lazy Dog Inn (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 15 – Lima
This morning, at the crack of dawn, you’ll catch a flight back to Lima. We’ve arranged a super-early check-in at noon for you at the hotel so you can freshen up, and then, you’re down to your last day of the trip, so use them wisely! One more plate of ceviche to say goodbye properly? Don’t mind if we do!
Sleep, eat, shop – do whatever takes your fancy, just come back in time to your hotel for a special farewell dinner at Huaca Pucllana. You’ll say goodbye to your newfound group of friends (only until your next adventure!), with memories of everything you’ve accomplished together.
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Miraflores Centro (or similar), Lima
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 16 – Farewell Friends!
That’s a wrap, folks! Whether you’re jetting off this morning or couldn’t resist another day in Lima, don’t forget to swap contacts with your new trek mates and share a round of hugs before departure. Your airport transfer is included.
Included: Breakfast
FAQs
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of:
- 2026 – 1 AUD : 0.65 USD
- 2027 – 1 AUD : 0.70 USD
A deposit of 25% of the total trip price is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 30 days. (Applicable to all bookings made 110 days in advance. Bookings made before 1 August 2026 retain the 14-day term unless stated otherwise.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
For Australians and New Zealanders, visiting Peru for tourism purposes does not require a pre-arranged visa. Both Australians and New Zealanders can enter Peru visa-free and stay for a maximum of 90 days.
Level 5 – Strenuous Plus
To truly enjoy our Level 5 trips, and squeeze out every last drop of adventure, you’ll need an advanced level of fitness. A ‘strenuous plus’-labelled trip can include challenging treks over steep mountainous terrain and other rigorous activities. Many of the locations of Level 5 trips are remote and only reached through a hard-won journey.
You may need to prepare a few months or weeks in advance by training with long days of walking in varying terrain and testing your physical limits. Your body and mind should be prepared for consecutive days with hours of activities that can be difficult. Another element to consider with a Level 5 trip is altitude that can be significant.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
For your Peru adventure, we ask your contribution be: 240 USD. Additional details about the specific day the tip kitty will be distributed will be shared soon.
October offers excellent conditions for trekking, with generally clear skies, mild daytime temperatures, and relatively low rainfall. However, weather can be unpredictable in the mountains, so be prepared for cooler evenings and sudden changes in temperature, particularly at higher altitudes.
October marks the transition from the dry season to the rainy season in Peru. The weather is generally mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 18°C to 25°C in the trekking regions. Nights can be cooler, particularly at higher altitudes, with temperatures often dropping to around 5°C to 12°C.
As October progresses, there may be a greater chance of afternoon showers, but these are often brief and shouldn’t significantly affect your trekking experience.
A partial private supplement is available during the trip. The private supplement is not available at the Coffee Route homestays and Lazy Dog Inn. During the Coffee Route, Alejandro’s homestay offers cozy twin-share accommodations. Some rooms share a charming bathroom with a shower, while others feature their own private ensuite. At Enrique’s homestay, the twin-share rooms are a delightful retreat, each boasting a private bathroom with a hot shower. The accommodation at the Lazy Dog Inn is mostly based on twin sharing.
Most of our guests arrive at least a day early to settle in from jet-lag. If you’d like, we can book extra nights of accommodation for you at the Start Hotel for pre-trip, and at the End Hotel for post-trip, based on your flight arrival/departure dates & times.
Starting on Day 4, you’ll set off on the first leg of your adventure along the Coffee Route — a beautiful trek that winds its way through lush landscapes until Day 7. For these days, we recommend packing a comfortable daypack with all your essentials, as your main luggage will stay safely at the Tierra Viva Valle Sagrado in Yanahuara. Don’t worry — you’ll be reunited with it on your return journey before continuing on to Cusco.
Then, on Day 10 you begin the Llama Trek, which will take you through stunning mountain scenery until Day 12. For this portion, we’ll provide you with a duffle bag to pack your belongings. Please keep in mind that there’s a 12-kilogram limit for the duffle, which includes your sleeping bag and mattress. Meanwhile, your main luggage will be securely stored in Huaraz, waiting for you to return.
This trip begins and ends in Lima, Peru. We recommend that you fly into Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, as that is where your hotel transfer will be waiting for you. Both transfers – on arrival and on departure are included in your price.
For travelers from Australia, one-stop flights are available via Santiago, Chile.
As a tour operator, we are not licensed to sell flights. We recommend contacting your trusted local travel agent to book flights if you need assistance.
The Peruvian sol is the official currency of Peru, but US dollars are also widely accepted. While you may be able to pay with US dollars in many places, it’s best not to rely on this. By carrying Peruvian soles, you’ll be sure you can pay everywhere you go.
You’ll get a better exchange rate and pay fewer fees if you exchange your money within the country. Therefore, bring US dollars to Peru and use a money exchange service to get soles upon arrival. ATMs are also widely available in cities.
In general, cash (Peruvian soles) is preferred. Credit cards are accepted, but not everywhere, and you may encounter surcharges for card payments.
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
During this trip, you’ll have a dedicated Tour Leader throughout the trip, supported by the local specialist guides. They will provide you with a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge.
When hiking the Coffee Route, your main luggage will stay safely at your Yanahuara hotel. Be sure to pack only what you can comfortably carry in a small backpack for these four days (a maximum of six kilos). The rest of your belongings will remain securely stored at the hotel in Yanahuara. On your way to Cusco on Day 7 we will stop in Yanahuara to pick your luggage up. The same goes for the Llama trek hike, you’ll leave your luggage in Huaraz, after the trek you’ll pick up your luggage and bring it with you to the Lazy Dog Inn.
Machu Picchu is a sacred Inca town hidden high in the Andes. It is one of the most important monuments of the Inca Empire and the ancient world. As a place of high significance, Machu Picchu has strict visitor regulations. Visiting by private vehicle is not allowed. Instead, your group (and your guide) will transfer to the site by shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes. Once there, you’ll be expected to follow a predetermined route, so unfortunately, there’s no opportunity to double back.. Once your guided visit reaches the end, you’ll need to exit the site, so be sure to enjoy everything you see in the moment, because there’s no returning for any photos you might have missed!
