Peru: Ancient Cities & the Andes — Self-Launched Edition
14 days · Peru
G Adventures charges £1,360
No-markup version: ~£955 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 14-day, do-it-yourself run of G Adventures' "Peru: Ancient Cities & the Andes" (trip code SPPS) — Lima, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and a fully self-booked 4-day Inca Trail. Instead of a CEO and a group, you book your own buses, collectivo vans and trains, pay the Machu Picchu and Inca Trail permits directly through the official Peruvian government portal, and steer your own route through Andean markets, condor viewpoints and high passes. Same mountains, same citadel, backpacker prices. All costs are approximate per person, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Lima — Barranco by night
Lima
Land at Jorge Chávez airport, take a taxi or the Airport Express Lima bus (~£7-9) to Miraflores or Barranco and check into a hostel. Spend the evening wandering Barranco's bohemian streets — the Bridge of Sighs, street art, and a craft beer at a local barra. Eat cheap: a menu del día or ceviche at a market stall runs £3-5.
🚌Airport Express Lima bus or taxi to Miraflores (~£7-9)
🛏Hostel dorm in Miraflores/Barranco (£9-14)
- →Barranco street art walk
- →Bridge of Sighs
- →Craft beer in Barranco
- →Ceviche dinner
Lima to Nazca by coastal bus
Nazca
Take the Cruz del Sur or Oltursa bus from Lima to Nazca — roughly 7-8 hours down the Panamericana through desert. Book online the day before. Check into a cheap hostel near the plaza and eat at the local market. Optional evening: read up on Nazca Lines flights and decide on tomorrow's plan.
🚌Cruz del Sur / Oltursa bus Lima-Nazca (~£13-17)
🛏Hostal in Nazca (£10-14)
- →Coastal bus journey
- →Nazca town plaza
- →Market dinner
Nazca: mummies, lines and an overnight bus
Nazca
Full day in Nazca. Book a small-plane flight over the Nazca Lines (30-35 min, ~£75-95 — the priciest optional on the trip; sign up at any agency on the plaza). Alternatively join a shared tour to the Chauchilla Desert Cemetery and a potter's studio (~£12-15) to see 1,500-year-old mummies and pottery. Try a pachamanca-style lunch at a local restaurant (~£5). Around 10pm board the overnight bus to Arequipa (~9 hours, book the 160° reclining seat).
🚌Overnight bus Nazca-Arequipa (~£14-18)
🛏Overnight bus (no room)
- →Nazca Lines scenic flight (optional, ~£85)
- →Chauchilla Cemetery tour
- →Potter's studio visit
- →Pachamanca lunch
Arequipa — the White City
Arequipa
Arrive early morning, walk 10 minutes from the terminal or grab a taxi (~£2) to a hostel in the historic centre. Explore Plaza de Armas, then pay entry to the Santa Catalina Monastery (~£9) for a glimpse into colonial convent life. Lunch at a picantería — try rocoto relleno or alpaca — for around £5. Optional: Museo Santuarios Andinos and the Juanita ice maiden (~£6).
🚌Arrive by overnight bus; local taxis (~£2)
🛏Hostel dorm in Arequipa centre (£9-14)
- →Plaza de Armas
- →Santa Catalina Monastery
- →Picantería lunch
- →Museo Santuarios Andinos (optional)
Colca Canyon — condor country, day one
Colca Canyon
Book a shared 2-day Colca Canyon tour through any Arequipa agency or GetYourGuide (~£30-40 including transport, guide and basic lodging in Chivay) — this is the cheapest way to cover the long distances. Drive over the Patapampa pass (4,910m) to Chivay, stop at villages and terraces, and soak in the Chivay hot springs (~£4). Evening: local dinner in Chivay.
🚌Shared tour minibus (~£30-40 incl. guide)
🛏Simple hostal in Chivay (£10-15)
- →Shared Colca Canyon tour
- →Patapampa viewpoint
- →Chivay hot springs
- →Village stops
Condors at Cruz del Cóndor, then bus to Cusco
Colca Canyon to Cusco
Early start for Cruz del Cóndor, the viewpoint where Andean condors ride morning thermals — best between 8 and 10am. Return to Arequipa by mid-afternoon, then catch an overnight bus to Cusco (~10 hours, ~£18-25). Buses depart Arequipa around 8-9pm; book ahead so you get a sleeper seat.
🚌Shared tour minibus + overnight bus Arequipa-Cusco (~£18-25)
🛏Overnight bus (no room)
- →Cruz del Cóndor condor viewpoint
- →Return drive via local villages
- →Overnight bus to Cusco
Cusco — acclimatise and explore
Cusco
Arrive early, drop bags at a hostel in San Blas and take it easy at 3,400m. Free entry points: San Pedro market for a £3 lunch, Plaza de Armas, and the San Blas lanes. Pre-book a Cusco cooking class (~£22-30) via GetYourGuide for the afternoon. Do not skip acclimatisation — hydrate, chew coca, sleep early. Confirm your Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu details today.
🚌Walking; taxis (£1-2)
🛏Hostel dorm in San Blas (£10-15)
- →San Pedro Market
- →San Blas neighbourhood walk
- →Cusco cooking class (optional)
- →Plaza de Armas
Sacred Valley: weaving co-op and community homestay
Ccaccaccollo / Sacred Valley
Take a collectivo from Cusco to Pisac (~£2-3), browse the artisan market, then continue by local van to Ccaccaccollo, where the women's weaving co-operative sells textiles and keeps resident llamas. Pay a small entry/workshop fee (~£4) direct. Arrange a community homestay through a local agency in Cusco or Ollantaytambo (~£15-20 including dinner and breakfast) — booking ahead by email is essential as places are limited.
🚌Collectivos Cusco-Pisac-Ccaccaccollo (~£4)
🛏Community homestay / simple guesthouse (£15-20 with meals)
- →Pisac artisan market
- →Ccaccaccollo weaving co-op visit
- →Community homestay
Ollantaytambo and Sacred Valley ruins
Ollantaytambo
Continue by collectivo to Ollantaytambo (~£2). Buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico, ~£28) if you plan to see several ruins, or just pay single entry to Ollantaytambo fortress (~£6). Optional: a shared Sacred Valley tour (~£13-15) covering Pisac ruins and Chinchero, or the farm-to-table Parwa Community Restaurant near Lamay (~£12). Hit the Sacred Valley brewery for a pint. Early night before the trek.
🚌Collectivo from Ccaccaccollo (~£2)
🛏Hostal in Ollantaytambo (£12-16)
- →Ollantaytambo fortress
- →Sacred Valley ruins
- →Parwa Community Restaurant (optional)
- →Sacred Valley Brewery
Inca Trail day 1: Km 82 to Wayllabamba
Inca Trail
Critical to understand: independent hikers cannot walk the classic 4-day Inca Trail without a licensed agency and guide — permits (~£70-90, sold via the official MINCUL/Dirección de Cultura Cusco portal) are only issued to registered operators. Book a budget group trek through an authorised Cusco operator or GetYourGuide (~£300-380 including guide, cook, porters, meals, tents and the return train). Day 1 starts with a van from Ollantaytambo to Km 82, a gentle 11km walk past Llactapata, and camp at Wayllabamba (3,000m). Permits sell out months ahead — book as early as possible.
🚌Operator van to Km 82; trekking
🛏Camping on trek (included in trek package)
- →Van to Km 82
- →Hike to Wayllabamba
- →Llactapata ruins
Inca Trail day 2: Dead Woman's Pass
Inca Trail
The hardest day. Climb steadily to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,198m — start early, pace yourself, and don't race the altitude. Descend to Pacaymayo camp for a well-earned rest. Bring layers; nights are cold. All meals and camping are covered by your trek package, and tipping the guide, cook and porters at the end is customary (~£10-20 pooled).
🚌Trekking
🛏Camping on trek (included)
- →Dead Woman's Pass 4,198m
- →High Andes trekking
Inca Trail day 3: two passes and cloud forest
Inca Trail
Cross Runquraqay pass (3,950m) with views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, then the gentler second pass (3,700m) through cloud forest and original Inca stonework. Reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca — the 'town above the clouds' — then continue about 1.5 hours down to Wiñay Wayna (2,650m) and camp there for an early start to the Sun Gate.
🚌Trekking
🛏Camping at Wiñay Wayna (included)
- →Runquraqay pass
- →Cloud forest trekking
- →Phuyupatamarca ruins
- →Wiñay Wayna
Sun Gate to Machu Picchu, then Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu
Leave camp around 4am to reach the Sun Gate for sunrise over Machu Picchu, then descend into the citadel for a circuit-based visit (trekkers are assigned Circuit 5) with your trek guide. Note new rules: circuit tickets are first-come-first-served and your passport details must be correct at booking. Afterwards take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (~£10), soak in the hot springs (~£3), eat, and stay the night. Train back to Ollantaytambo/Cusco tomorrow.
🚌Bus down to Aguas Calientes (~£10)
🛏Hostal in Aguas Calientes (£15-22)
- →Sun Gate sunrise
- →Guided Machu Picchu tour
- →Aguas Calientes hot springs
Train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
Cusco
Take the PeruRail or Inca Rail service from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£40-55 for the standard 'expedition' class — book well ahead) and then a local bus or collectivo on to Cusco (~£3). Final afternoon for souvenirs, a pisco sour and one last San Pedro market meal. Fly out from Cusco or overnight bus to Lima.
🚌Train Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo (~£45) + bus to Cusco (~£3)
🛏Hostel in Cusco (£10-15)
- →Scenic train ride
- →Final Cusco evening
- →Pisco sour and market dinner
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£955 | £1,360 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £405 per person (30%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£955
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: Ancient Cities & the Andes — Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £955 per person for 14 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,360 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £955 — a saving of roughly £405 (30%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 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, hiking, culture 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?
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