Road-trip in Peru: National Parks, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca,Cusco, hikes

We start in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. After arriving to Cusco, we will explore the nearby areas - either by making daytrips or staying overnight. We want to go to the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu, Manu National Park, Rainbow Mountain. Some of these destinations get us using local bus service.

We will have in mind that Peru, as well as most other South America's countries, is not advised for self-driving, due to security reasons. That's why for the other two areas in the plan - Puerto Maldonado and Lake Titicaca - we want to use either bus or train service, or domestic airline service to get there.

At Puerto Maldonado our aim is to explore the Tambopata National Reserve, one of the gateways into the Peruvian share of the Amazon Rainforest and accessible by one-hour domestic flight.

The Titicaca National Preserve is a way to experience the ancient lake, sillustani (funerary towers) and the authentic spirit of the country. The train service from Cusco provides a very scenic journey.

If the group is formed, we can discuss two optional additions to the itinerary that require some detour and extra cost: Arequipa and Lima.

Arequipa has a famously beautiful Historical City Center and it's an access (with 4-hour drive) to Colca Canyon that is great for hiking. This town is accessible by bus (a budgetary Peru Hop.)

The city of Lima is the current and historical capital with an interesting architecture and spirit. Around Lima a few other points of interest and nature spots can be found (such as Barranca etc.) Visiting Lima would require flying by a domestic flight.

This trip is subject to health and safety restrictions imposed by the country. As of end of 2022 Peru is open for tourism with restrictions, and we hope it stays open toward the Spring of 2024. We'll be monitoring the situation and update as/if it changes. Here is a page with advisory from the US Embassy in Peru: https://pe.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Fall/spring weather in the areas on our route should be mild with day average temperatures 66-68 degree F (40 degree at night). See updates of weather forecasts at: https://bit.ly/33fKZF8

Trip's summary:

• 8days/7nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.
• The starting point is Cusco, Peru.
• Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.

Clothes and gear recommended:

• good hiking shoes,
• warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,
• hiking poles if you used to them,
• day backpack,
• consider hydration bladder for hikes,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen,
• hat,
• for personal protection: mask, carry-on sanitizer, gloves (by your choice.)

Cost $1200 (no later than 2 months before the start this cost can be updated, for no more than 10%, based on services price changes, like gas and others.) What's included:

• 7-night stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two beds in room),
• Breakfasts in some hotels,
• Transportation by minivan covering approx. 900 mi of road-tripping total,
• Park entrance fees,
• Organized hikes in all days.

What is NOT included:

• Getting to and from Cusco, Peru.
• Meals, snacks, water.

Sunrise: 5:50am. Sunset: 5:40pm. Every day we want to start off from the hotel at 7 am or 7:30am, or 8am as the latest. If you are a night owl, please try to adjust yourself for an earlier getup during the trip - the purpose of it is to use more of daylight for activities.

Please sign up and feel free to contact the organizer with any questions!

If you see that the event is full/no tickets available, do not hesitate to contact the organizer about your interest as spots can become available.

Also, please check on the photo-album from our past trips (in About section) and our future trips to U.S. National Parks and National Parks in Europe and Asia for 2023-2024. Thanks!

ATTN. There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to connect by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the chat.) Regular messaging will not work out for this trip, sorry.

ATTN. The $10 payment through Eventbrite is for reserving a spot in this small group event (it counts in toward the whole payment for the trip.) After you reserved your spot, you will be contacted by the organizer about a Zoom meeting with the group and joining a WhatsApp group chat. Meeting your future groupmates in a Zoom and being able to communicate by WhatsApp are mandatory steps to become a part of this trip and make the full payment. If any of these cannot be done/mind changed, the $10 reservation payment will be refunded in full though the initial means of payment, minus fees paid to Eventbrite/third parties. The outline of the trip will be communicated during a Zoom meeting and in WhatsApp group chat. The detailed, hour-by-hour, itinerary will be provided to the confirmed participants of the trip.