- by StephOnTheMap
- published
Epic 12-Day Peru Itinerary For Adventure Seekers
Peru is home to the iconic World Wonder Machu Picchu, making it a bucket list destination for most. Here are the top ten experiences you can look forward to on this 12-day itinerary.
TOP TEN EXPERIENCES
- Hike the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Fall asleep under the stars at Starlodge Adventure Suites
- Climb 13,000ft above sea level and dine in a transparent pod overlooking Sacred Valley
- Experience a high-altitude cooking class with a Quechua Community
- Conquer the famous Rainbow Mountain
- Enjoy a dreamy mountainous stay at Mountain View Experience
- Have a picturesque picnic with llamas
- Explore and enjoy the many things to do in Cusco City
- Indulge in Peruvian Cuisine & try guineapig
- Relax with an Inca Massage
Peru is an adrenalin junkie’s paradise. It’s rich in culture, archaeological sites, and breathtaking scenery. This epic 12-day Peru itinerary is not for the faint-hearted or budget-conscious traveller. It will require a pretty penny, but I assure you, you will have an adventure of a lifetime.
Most people like me tend to fly into the country’s culinary capital Lima. I only spent one night in Lima for a connecting flight to Cusco the following morning, where this epic 12-day Peru itinerary for adventure seekers will begin.
DAY 1
Reconnect With Nature at The Mountain View Experience In Maras
Get a morning flight to Cusco if you are not there already as your Peruvian adventure will start at Mountain View Experience in Maras.
Here you will sleep in Tipi-style huts in the Plainfield of the sacred valley. This was a truly unique experience with the most breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains.
This unique hotel also offers many activities during the day. During my stay, I decided to connect with my artistic side and paint while indulging in a picturesque picnic surrounded by magnificent views and a scenic horse-riding experience to see the area.
In the evening enjoy a drink and a meal at the rustic bar then warm up by a log fire back at your cabin.
To read my full review on my stay at Mountain View Experience Maras click HERE.
DAY 2
Skylodge & Starlodge Adventure
Day 2 will be adventure-filled, but first, enjoy breakfast and soak in the cabin hot tub with mountainous views surrounded by llamas.
Next, you will experience the adventure of a lifetime at the Skylodge. You will climb 13,000 feet via Ferrata and cross a scary suspension bridge to eat lunch in a transparent dining pod.
As well as having the thrill of dining 400 metres high above sea level overlooking the Sacred Valley. You will enjoy a Peruvian gastronomic experience through a 4-course meal and wine. Then, when you think the fun is over, you will exit the dining pod via five ziplines.
Overnight Adventure at Starlodge
After your lunch experience, you will transfer to the Starlodge base camp at 9433 ft. above sea level. From there, you will start an easy walk to your sleeping pod.
After all the climbing, you will most likely be ready for rest, so what better way to unwind than to shower and watch the sunset in a hot tub overlooking the Sacred Valley?
Enjoy the evening by having dinner at the base camp before returning to your capsule to fall asleep under the stars.
If you want to discover more about my experience at the Skylodge and Starlodge please click below.
DAY 3
Explore Cusco City
Adventure Suites will transfer you to Cusco City. You will arrive around lunchtime at your chosen hotel.
If you are feeling up to it, sign up for a FREE Walking Tour to give yourself an induction to Cusco City. The tour lasts 2.5 hours. Walking tours are a great way to get your bearings and discover more about the history and culture of the place.
If you are interested in booking a FREE walking tour with a free walking tour the meeting point is at KFC Cusco City every day at 9:45 am, 12:30 pm, and 3 pm.
Although this is a FREE activity, the guides work on tips, so be sure to tip them well if you feel they did a good job.
In the evening, enjoy some local cuisine. For those of you with an adventurous taste pallet, why not try the local delicacy guinea pig at Mr. Cuy?
In the UK, guineapigs are cute fluffy pets, but in Peru, they are a loved delicacy served with potatoes and veg.
At Mr. Cuy, they dress your guinea pig in a little hat, making it a fun experience. They also have other food options for those not wishing to try guinea pig.
DAY 4
High Altitude Culinary Experience in Andean Mountains
Today, you will meet and interact with a Quechua community and enjoy a high-altitude culinary experience in the Andean mountains.
Pasitos Andinos is an association that strives to empower local Andean women by connecting them with tourists to learn about Quechua culture and traditions.
This experience was very eye-opening into the Quechua life and how hardworking and talented these women are. You will spend the day learning about Quechua clothing, hairstyles, and textiles. As well as building a stone oven from scratch and taking part in an authentic high-altitude cooking experience.
Location
The Quechua Village is located 1 hour from Cusco City. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included in the experience.
Spend the evening in Plaza de Armas. Get tipsy on Pisco Sours and listen to live music. Pisco Sours is the national drink of Peru and a must-try on your visit. The freshness and mix of flavours of pisco, egg white, lemon juice, and simple syrup is a big hit among locals and tourists.
DAY 5
Hike Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain is a must-do trip from Cusco on your ultimate 12-day Peru itinerary. It is famous for its natural multi-coloured beauty. I also loved seeing the contrast with the snow-capped mountains here too.
As Rainbow Mountain is around 3.5 hours away from Cusco, you will be in for an early start at 3.30 AM to reach the mountain before the influx of tourists.
I must admit I found this hike challenging, and I struggled with my breathing as it reached an altitude of 17,000ft above sea level. However, the magnificent views at the top and the smiling alpacas made it all worth it.
I chose to book with Rainbow Mountain Travels as they pride themselves on getting to the top first. This was true. When the tour group and I reached the top of the mountain, there were not many tourists around, which meant we got amazing photos and time to relax and enjoy the mountain before the others arrived.
Location
Rainbow Mountain is located 3 hours from Cusco City. The tour with Rainbow Mountain Travels includes hotel pickup and drop off, all entry fees and taxes, breakfast, and lunch.
This is a strenuous hike so use the rest of the day to rest and enjoy some food in the evening
DAY 6
Free Day
Today you have free time to explore the city further or rest. You can click HERE to discover 15 things you can do in Cusco City.
Use today to pick up any last-minute bits you may need for the Inca Trail Hike. It will be likely your Inca Trail briefing meeting will also be held in the evening.
DAYS 7 - 10
The Inca Trail
Hiking the Inca Trail is on every adventure bucket list. I am so happy I ticked it off mine! Machu Picchu is a symbol of the Incan Empire and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
If you opt for the 4-Day Inca Trail, you will trek through the most breathtaking landscapes in the sunshine and rain. Walk through the jaw-dropping cloud forests. Discover archaeological sites along the way and discover yourself and your capabilities before reaching the top of the mountain. I also added on the additional hike of Huayna Picchu. This is a very steep climb, so please bear this in mind and tickets need to be purchased well in advance.
This magnificent site stands 7900ft above sea level in the Andes mountains, and I had the pleasure of completing the 4-day classic Inca Trail with trexperience.
However, if you are tight on time or do not fancy the long hike, lucky for you, you can take a day trip from Cusco via train. Whether it is a 4-day, 2-day, or 1-day trip to Machu Picchu, find your perfect Machu Picchu trip with TreXperience here.
DAY 11
Rest & Relaxation
Hopefully, you picked up some food and snacks when you arrived back. Today, you will not want to go anywhere. Spend the day in bed or find a massage parlor to soothe your muscles. I ended up having two massages in one day. Make sure to try out the unique Inca Massage, which compresses an array of massage techniques in one.
DAY 12
Visit Saqsaywaman & Explore More of Cusco
Cusco City has so much to offer, from shopping, museums, vibrant neighbourhoods, and eateries.
Cusco is also home to many sites. A site not to be missed is Saqsaywaman. Saqsaywoman, located 25-30 minutes’ walk uphill from Cusco’s main square, is a unique archaeological site built by the Incas in the 15th century.
Spend the day exploring, eating, and picking up any last-minute souvenirs.
Need To Know Information
Local Language: Spanish
Currency: Peruvian Sol
Visa’s: For UK citizens you do not require a Visa to travel to Peru for short visits of 30 days or less.
Tipping: Tipping is expected for tours especially for the Inca Trail.
Weather: The dry season is May- September and the best time to visit for most activities.
Is Peru Safe?: I personally did not experience anything bad and felt very safe all throughout my trip. However be aware of petty theft, muggings and assaults.
If you are planning a trip to Peru and found this post useful, please comment and share.
If you have been to Peru, I would love to know in the comments what your must-do things are and what you enjoyed most about your trip.