Peru Adventure: Lima to Cusco (Self-Launched)
12 days · Peru
CondeTravel charges £2,110
No-markup version: ~£1,065 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of CondeTravel's 12-day Lima-to-Cusco Peru Adventure — Lima's colonial centre, Ballestas Islands, Huacachina sandboarding, the Nazca Lines, Arequipa and Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca's floating islands, Cusco's Inca ruins, downhill mountain biking from Abra Malaga, the Santa Teresa jungle trek, ziplining, and Machu Picchu. Swap private minibuses and a guide for Peru's excellent long-distance buses (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa), collectivos, and self-booked tours via GetYourGuide/Klook or directly with local agencies in Cusco and Puno. Costs are approximate per person and assume shared hostel/guesthouse dorms or budget doubles.
Day-by-day
Lima: Colonial Centre on Foot
Lima
Land at Jorge Chávez airport and take an airport bus (Airport Express Lima, ~£8) or a registered taxi (~£12) to a hostel in Miraflores or Barranco (dorms from ~£12/night). Spend the afternoon doing a free walking tour of the historic centre (tip ~£5), taking in Plaza San Martín, Jirón de la Unión, Plaza de Armas and the San Francisco Monastery with its catacombs (entry ~£4). Eat at a menú del día spot for ~£4-5.
🚌Airport Express bus ~£8 or taxi ~£12
🛏Hostel dorm in Miraflores/Barranco, ~£12-15
- →Free walking tour of Lima historic centre
- →San Francisco Monastery and catacombs (~£4)
- →Sunset at Parque del Amor, Miraflores
Lima to Paracas: Ballestas Islands and Huacachina
Paracas / Ica
Take an early Cruz del Sur or Oltursa bus from Lima to Paracas (~3.5h, ~£13). Book a shared boat tour to the Ballestas Islands (self-book via GetYourGuide or at the Paracas pier, ~£15 — includes 'Candelabro' geoglyph). Continue by local bus or shared taxi to Ica/Huacachina (~1.5h, ~£4). Book a sunset dune buggy + sandboarding trip at Huacachina (~£17, book direct at the oasis). Overnight in Huacachina or Ica.
🚌Lima-Paracas bus ~£13; shuttle to Huacachina ~£4
🛏Hostel in Huacachina/Ica, ~£12-16
- →Ballestas Islands boat tour (~£15)
- →Huacachina dune buggy and sandboarding (~£17)
- →Sunset over the oasis dunes
Nazca Lines Flight and Chauchilla Cemetery
Nazca
Take a morning bus from Ica to Nazca (~2.5h, ~£6). Book a 30-minute Nazca Lines overflight from Nazca's small airfield (~£85-95 including airport tax — book online in advance, light aircraft, weight limits apply). In the afternoon take a shared local tour or taxi to Chauchilla Cemetery, the Cantayoc aqueducts, Paredones and Cahuachi (~£25 combined, book at your hostel). Overnight in Nazca.
🚌Ica-Nazca bus ~£6; local tours ~£10
🛏Hostal in Nazca, ~£12-16
- →Nazca Lines scenic flight (~£90)
- →Chauchilla Cemetery and aqueducts half-day tour (~£25)
Nazca to Arequipa
Arequipa
Long travel day: overnight-style but daytime bus from Nazca to Arequipa is ~9-10h (~£22 with Cruz del Sur). Alternatively take an overnight bus from Ica on Day 3 if you want to save a hotel night. Arrive Arequipa (2,335m — take it easy), check into a hostel in the historic centre (~£14), and do a self-guided wander of Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Santa Catalina Monastery (~£9 entry, morning light is best). Sample rocoto relleno for dinner.
🚌Overnight or daytime bus ~£22
🛏Hostel in Arequipa centro, ~£14
- →Nazca-Arequipa bus journey
- →Self-guided Plaza de Armas and Cathedral
- →Santa Catalina Monastery (~£9)
Colca Canyon: Condors and Villages
Chivay / Colca Canyon
Book a 2-day/1-night Colca Canyon tour (shared minibus, ~£30-40, book in Arequipa the day before or via GetYourGuide) or DIY it: shared minibus to Chivay (~4h, ~£8) then a 5am collectivo to Cruz del Condor. Catch condors at sunrise, stop at Yanque, Achoma and Maca villages, and soak at the Yanque thermal baths (~£3). Optional day hiking in the canyon. Overnight in Chivay or Yanque guesthouse (~£14).
🚌Shared tour minibus ~£35
🛏Guesthouse in Chivay, ~£14
- →Cruz del Condor viewpoint at sunrise
- →Villages of Yanque, Achoma and Maca
- →Yanque thermal baths (~£3)
- →Optional canyon day hike
Colca to Puno
Puno
Return to Arequipa or take the direct Chivay-Puno shared bus (~6h, ~£12-15). Arrive Puno (3,830m) and check into a hostel (~£12). Go slow to acclimatise, walk the lakeside, and pre-book tomorrow's Uros + Taquile boat tour with a local agency or via GetYourGuide (~£25-30). Eat at a local market for lunch (~£4).
🚌Shared bus ~£14
🛏Hostel in Puno, ~£12
- →Scenic bus ride across the altiplano
- →Puno lakeside walk and Plaza de Armas
- →Book Lake Titicaca boat tour
Lake Titicaca: Uros and Taquile
Uros / Taquile / Puno
Take a full-day shared boat tour from Puno harbour (~7:30am) to the floating islands of Uros and Taquile Island (~£28 including island entry fees and lunch on Taquile). Return to Puno around 5pm. Alternatively, overnight on Amantaní with a local family (~£20-25) — a great budget upgrade.
🚌Shared boat tour ~£28
🛏Hostel in Puno, ~£12
- →Uros floating islands boat visit
- →Taquile Island walk and lunch
- →Optional homestay on Amantaní
Puno to Cusco: Inca Ruins and City
Cusco
Morning bus to Cusco (~6.5h, ~£15 with Cruz del Sur or Turismo Mer — scenic route via La Raya). Arrive and check into a hostel in San Blas (~£13). Buy the Boleto Turístico del Cusco (~£20, valid 10 days, covers Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Pukapukara, Tambomachay and more). Afternoon self-guided city loop: Qoricancha (~£5) and the Convent of Santo Domingo. Wander San Blas markets for dinner (~£5).
🚌Bus ~£15; local taxis ~£4
🛏Hostel in San Blas, Cusco, ~£13
- →Scenic Puno-Cusco bus
- →Boleto Turístico del Cusco (~£20)
- →Qoricancha and Santo Domingo (~£5)
Sacred Valley and Downhill Mountain Biking to Santa María
Abra Málaga / Santa María
Book a shared mountain-biking day tour from Cusco to Abra Málaga (~£35-45, includes bike, helmet, transport, lunch — book at any Cusco agency). 55km mostly downhill to Huamanmarca, then transfer to Santa María. Optional Vilcanota rafting add-on (~£25-30, April-Dec). Overnight in a Santa María basic hostel (~£8). Ask about the Inca Jungle trek package if you want the operator to handle the next three days (~£150-180 all-in with transport, meals, zipline, Machu Picchu entry and guide — usually cheaper than booking piecemeal).
🚌Shared tour transport included; ~£40 tour cost
🛏Basic hostal in Santa María, ~£8
- →Downhill mountain biking from Abra Málaga
- →Optional Vilcanota river rafting (~£28)
- →Overnight in Santa María village
Santa Teresa Jungle Trek: Cocalmayo and Zipline
Santa Teresa / Hidroeléctrica
Walk the jungle trail from Santa María to Santa Teresa (~3h, some climbing, passing Quellomayo for hammock-café lunch) and relax at the Cocalmayo hot springs (~£4). In the afternoon, zipline across the Vilcabamba valley (~£22, 4-6 lines) and cross the hanging bridge toward Hidroeléctrica. Overnight in Santa Teresa (~£8).
🚌Collectivo legs ~£5
🛏Hostal in Santa Teresa, ~£8
- →Inca Jungle trail walk to Santa Teresa
- →Cocalmayo thermal baths (~£4)
- →Zipline over Vilcabamba valley (~£22)
Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes
Morning transport/collectivo to Hidroeléctrica (~£6), then walk the flat 3-hour railway route along the Río Urubamba into Aguas Calientes (~£0, bring snacks and bug spray). Check into a budget hostal (~£15). Pick up your pre-booked Machu Picchu entry ticket for tomorrow (book online well in advance — timed slots sell out; ~£42 for circuit 2, plus bus up ~£9 one-way). Hot springs in town ~£4. Early night.
🚌Collectivo + bus ~£10
🛏Budget hostal, Aguas Calientes, ~£15
- →Walk along Urubamba river to Aguas Calientes
- →Collect Machu Picchu entry ticket
- →Aguas Calientes hot springs (~£4)
Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco
Machu Picchu / Cusco
Catch the 5:30am bus up to Machu Picchu (~£9 one-way) for sunrise. Enter with your pre-booked circuit ticket and either self-guide (download an audio guide ~£5) or join a small on-site guide at the gate (~£15-20 per person shared). Optional extra Huayna Picchu or Montaña hike (~£8 extra, book far ahead). Afternoon: bus down (~£9), optional train Aguas Calientes-Cusco (~£55, book on PeruRail/Inca Rail in advance) or the adventurous route: bus to Hidroeléctrica (~£11) then a 6-7h shared minibus/taxi back through the valley (~£15). Overnight in Cusco (~£13).
🚌Machu Picchu buses ~£18; return train ~£55 or budget minibus route ~£26
🛏Hostel in Cusco, ~£13
- →Sunrise at Machu Picchu
- →Self-guided or small-group guide (~£18)
- →Optional Huayna Picchu climb
- →Return to Cusco
Self-launched vs. CondeTravel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | CondeTravel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,065 | £2,110 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,045 per person (50%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more CondeTravel-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,065
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Peru Adventure: Lima to Cusco (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,065 per person for 12 days in Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with CondeTravel?+
Yes — CondeTravel charges around £2,110 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,065 — a saving of roughly £1,045 (50%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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