Self-Launched Discover Peru: Lima to Cusco with Inti Raymi
15 days · Peru
Explore! charges £4,250
No-markup version: ~£1,054 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 15-day self-launched version of Explore!'s "Upgraded - Discover Peru (Inti Raymi)" route, running Lima → Arequipa → Colca Canyon → Puno/Lake Titicaca → Cusco → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu → Cusco for the Inti Raymi festival. Instead of a 4* hotel-and-coach package, you'll use hostels and guesthouses, PeruRail/Inca Rail, Cruz del Sur and Turismo Mer buses, local colectivos, and self-booked day tours via GetYourGuide/Klook or hotel pickup. Key timed bookings you must lock in weeks ahead: Machu Picchu entry + Huayna Picchu (sell out months in advance), the Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes train, and Inti Raymi grandstand tickets at Sacsayhuamán. Costs are rough per-person estimates in GBP, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Lima — Miraflores and the coast
Lima
Fly into Jorge Chávez airport (LIM) and take an airport shuttle or official taxi (£10-12, ~45 min, no traffic) or the Airport Express Lima bus (£5) to Miraflores. Ease into the city with a stroll along the Malecón coastal path at sunset. Skip the Larco Museum today if jet-lagged — go tomorrow morning instead. Eat simply in a local menú restaurant (S/12-18 / £3-4).
🚌Airport shuttle/taxi to Miraflores (~£10); walking
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Miraflores/Barranco, dorm or private double (£15-20)
- →Coastal walk along the Malecón
- →Miraflores and Barranco street exploration
Lima food crawl — Surquillo, Barranco and ceviche
Lima
Self-guide a food and culture day: walk Surquillo Market (free, go before 12:00 for produce and juice stalls), then take a ceviche and pisco sour cooking class or demo — book via GetYourGuide/Klook or a Barranco cooking school like SkyKitchen (£25-35, includes lunch). Wander Barranco's murals and the Puente de los Suspiros, visit Larco Museum (£10 entry, allow 2 hrs), and finish with Peruvian coffee from a specialty roaster in Barranco (£3-4).
🚌Local combis/Metropolitano bus or cheap Uber/Beat (£2-4 total)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Miraflores/Barranco (£15-20)
- →Surquillo Market
- →Ceviche and pisco sour class
- →Barranco walking route
- →Larco Museum
- →Specialty coffee tasting
Fly to Arequipa — Santa Catalina and Yanahuara
Arequipa
Fly LIM→AQP on Sky or JetSMART from ~£45-70 booked 4-6 weeks ahead (9:00-10:30 departures). From the airport, a taxi to the centre is S/25-30 (£6). Check in, acclimatise (2,335 m), then self-guided walk: Yanahuara viewpoint for El Misti views, the Compañía and Basilica, and the Santa Catalina Convent (£12.50 entry, ~2 hrs). Dinner of rocoto relleno or adobo at a picantería such as Tío Darío in Yanahuara (£8-10).
🚌Domestic flight (~£55); taxi from airport (~£6); walking
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Arequipa's historic centre (£12-18)
- →Yanahuara viewpoint
- →Santa Catalina Convent
- →Arequipa historic centre self-guided walk
- →Picantería dinner
Arequipa — Juanita and the Sillar Route
Arequipa
Morning at the Santuarios Andinos Museum to see the mummified Inca girl Juanita (£7, book a slot, 1 hr). Optional afternoon Sillar Route tour with local guides from Arequipa operators (£20-25 including transport, 4 hrs) through the cantera canyons. Altitude prep matters tomorrow: drink water, keep it easy, sleep early.
🚌Walking; tour vehicle for Sillar Route
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Arequipa (£12-18)
- →Santuarios Andinos Museum (Juanita)
- →Sillar Route excursion
- →Plaza de Armas evening
Arequipa to Chivay over the Altiplano
Chivay / Colca Canyon
Take a colectivo or shared minibus from Arequipa's Terminal Terrapuerto to Chivay (£8-10, ~4-5 hrs) via the Patapampa Pass (4,910 m) — bus drivers stop briefly at viewpoints; ask. Arrange your Chivay guesthouse to hold a room (£15-22) and use the La Calera thermal baths (£3-4). Book tomorrow's Cruz del Cóndor transport tonight through your host (£20-28 shared tour Arequipa-style, includes Condor Cross and onwards to Puno if you want the through option).
🚌Shared minibus Arequipa–Chivay (~£9); local taxis
🛏Guesthouse in Chivay (£15-22)
- →Patapampa Pass photo stop
- →La Calera thermal baths
- →Altiplano scenery
Colca Canyon condors, then to Puno
Puno
Leave at 06:30 for Cruz del Cóndor to catch condors before thermals build (£20-28 shared tour, or S/70 colectivo from Chivay). Continue to Puno either by an organised shared tour that drops you in Puno (£25-30) or back to Arequipa then a Cruz del Sur night/afternoon bus (Arequipa–Puno ~6 hrs, £10-14). Check into Puno centre (3,826 m), eat light, and buy your Titicaca tour for tomorrow via GetYourGuide or your hostel (£18-25 boat tour to Uros + Taquile).
🚌Shared tour transport to Puno or bus via Arequipa (~£25-30)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Puno centre (£10-16)
- →Cruz del Cóndor
- →Colca Canyon viewpoints
- →Andean villages and terraces en route
Lake Titicaca — Uros and Taquile
Puno
Full-day shared boat tour from Puno's main pier to the Uros floating islands and Taquile Island (£20-25 including island entries and often a basic lunch; 8 hrs). You'll meet reed-weaving families and spend a few hours on Taquile's hillside terraces. Bring sun protection and S/50 cash for small purchases. If you want a slower option, sleep a night on a Uros or Amantaní homestay (£20-30) instead of returning to Puno.
🚌Shared tour boat
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Puno (£10-16)
- →Uros floating islands
- →Taquile Island
- →Taquile weaving and terraces
Puno to Cusco by the Ruta del Sol
Cusco
Take the Turismo Mer/First Class Ruta del Sol bus Puno→Cusco (£22-28, ~10 hrs) with stops at La Raya Pass (4,338 m), Raqchi's Inca temple of Wiracocha (£3 entry), and Andahuaylillas church. Alternatively, the Titicaca Train runs certain days (~£120, book ahead) for scenic dining-car travel. Arrive Cusco evening, taxi to San Blas (£5), and start acclimatising with coca tea and no alcohol.
🚌Ruta del Sol tourist bus (~£25)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in San Blas or Centro (£12-20)
- →La Raya Pass
- →Raqchi Inca temple
- →Andahuaylillas church
Cusco city — Sacsayhuamán to San Blas
Cusco
Self-guided day using the Boleto Turístico (partial ticket £18, or full £28 valid 10 days — worth it if you visit more sites). Climb from San Cristóbal to Sacsayhuamán fortress (allow 2 hrs), then walk down through San Blas: Sapantiana aqueduct, San Blas market, craft shops, specialty coffee (£3), and Qorikancha (£8 or on the Boleto). Evening: buy your Ollantaytambo→Aguas Calientes train ticket online (PeruRail ~£45-60 one way) and Machu Picchu entry + Huayna Picchu slot (£40-45 Machu Picchu, +£5-8 Huayna Picchu, book via the official Ministerio site or a reseller like GetYourGuide).
🚌Walking (steep); taxi to San Cristóbal (~£2)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Cusco (£12-20)
- →Sacsayhuamán
- →San Cristóbal
- →Sapantiana aqueduct
- →San Blas market
- →Qorikancha
Sacred Valley — Moray, Maras and potato farms
Sacred Valley (Urubamba)
Book a Sacred Valley day tour via GetYourGuide/Klook from £25-35 (includes transport, Moray £5, Maras salt pans £4), or use colectivos from Cusco's Pavitos street to Urubamba (£3) plus local taxis. Prioritise Moray's circular terraces and the Maras salt pans. Lunch at a farm-to-table spot in Urubamba or a menú del día (£6-10). Optional: the Manuel Choqque potato-farm visit is a bespoke private experience — contact his Ccachín farm or a Cusco agency direct (£25-40).
🚌Shared tour vehicle or colectivos (~£5-10)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo (£12-20)
- →Moray Inca ruins
- →Maras salt pans
- →Andean potato and tuber tasting (optional, direct), Ollantaytambo village
Sacred Valley — Piuray Lagoon and Misminay community
Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo/Urubamba)
Morning kayak or stand-up paddleboard on Piuray Lagoon (£20-28 with a local operator, includes gear and instruction) or visit Ollantaytambo ruins (£8 on Boleto). In the afternoon, arrange a Misminay community visit independently — the community runs day visits and evening meals (£15-25) with stargazing and Andean astronomy talks; book via a Cusco agency or your guesthouse. Optional craft-beer stop at Cervecería del Valle Sagrado (£6-8). Confirm you're walking distance to Ollantaytambo train station for tomorrow.
🚌Local taxis/colectivos around the valley (~£8)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo (£12-20)
- →Piuray Lagoon kayaking or SUP
- →Ollantaytambo ruins
- →Misminay community meal and stargazing
Train to Aguas Calientes and enter Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu
Take the PeruRail or Inca Rail Expedition from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (~£40-60, 1.5 hrs) on a mid-morning departure. Airport-style carry-on only. Buy the Consettur shuttle up to Machu Picchu (£11 one way, £22 return, queue early) and enter on your pre-booked Circuit 2/3 slot. Consider a licensed guide at the gate (£20-30 split with others) or self-guide with an audio tour. Evening: hot springs (£4) and market food (£6-9).
🚌Train (~£50); Consettur bus (~£20 return)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Aguas Calientes (£18-28)
- →Scenic valley train
- →Machu Picchu entry and circuit
- →Aguas Calientes hot springs
Huayna Picchu, then back to Cusco
Cusco
If you pre-booked Huayna Picchu (entry ~£8-10, only 400 slots/day, sell out weeks ahead), climb early — allow 2 hrs and mind the vertigo. Otherwise revisit Machu Picchu on an upper-terraces or royal circuit or do the free walk to the Mandor waterfall. Take an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (£40-60) and a shared van/colectivo to Cusco (£4) or the train to Poroy + taxi (£6), arriving Cusco by evening.
🚌Train back (~£50), colectivo/shared van to Cusco (~£4-6)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Cusco (£12-20)
- →Huayna Picchu climb (optional)
- →Machu Picchu alternate circuit
- →Mandor waterfall walk
Inti Raymi Festival at Sacsayhuamán
Cusco
The Inca New Year festival falls on 24 June. Grandstand tickets at Sacsayhuamán cost £80-150 (book months ahead via the official EMUFEC site or a reseller); the free alternative is watching the morning procession from Qorikancha to the Plaza de Armas and the streets around Sapantiana. Arrive at the fortress by 08:00. Afternoon: explore the San Blas galleries and museum shops, and have a celebratory dinner in the centre (£10-15).
🚌Walking; taxi if needed (~£2-3)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Cusco (£12-20)
- →Inti Raymi procession and Sacsayhuamán ceremony
- →San Blas galleries and markets
Final Cusco morning and depart
Cusco
Breakfast, last browse of San Pedro Market and craft shops, and a taxi to Velasco Astete airport (£4-5) for your onward flight, or a bus/flight to Lima for international departure. If your flight is late, add a morning at the Museo Inka or San Pedro coffee stop.
🚌Airport taxi (~£5)
🛏—
- →San Pedro Market
- →Craft souvenir shopping
Self-launched vs. Explore!
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Explore! | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,054 | £4,250 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £3,196 per person (75%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Explore!-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,054
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 Self-Launched Discover Peru: Lima to Cusco with Inti Raymi cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,054 per person for 15 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 Explore!?+
Yes — Explore! charges around £4,250 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,054 — a saving of roughly £3,196 (75%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 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?
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