Region Overviews: Peru Travel Guide: Overview
From the Amazon jungle to the to the Pacific Ocean, Peru is extraordinarily diverse. In fact, few places on this planet can claim the geographical variety of Peru.
Multi-Adventure
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Peru Family Multi-Adventure Tour - 20s & Beyond
Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Family — 20s & Beyond
8 days 7 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
From: $6,099 - $6,299 pp dbl occ
($1,000 for sgl occ)
As you stand above Machu Picchu, wispy clouds float by and the jagged Andes tower in the background. You'll snap the photo. But actually being there—it will forever reset your view of humanity. How did they build it? There are few places on Earth like this. And to think, this is only one moment in a week's worth of incredible moments.
Walk/Hike
Bike
Peru Multi-Adventure Map
Peru
Start/End Cusco
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Discover the secrets of fascinating Machu Picchu, and explore sky-high Cusco, alive with Incan history
- Pedal alongside the mighty Urubamba River and through untouched Peruvian villages in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Connect with our local guide for an in-depth look into the diverse ancient civilizations of Peru and hike to Incan ceremonial sites
- Discover Peru's flavors and culture in private homes and haciendas as you enjoy farm-to-table meals and learn about local traditions
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
8 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-3
Description
Pedal in the altiplano through ancient Inca farmland and high-altitude terraces | Sit down for a private farm-to-table lunch in the home of a local family | Explore Las Salineras, a stunningly beautiful honeycomb of tiered pools | Join an exclusive cooking demonstration with a local chef | Walk through the magical hilltop ruins of Pisac, site of the largest known Inca cemetery | Learn about traditional farming techniques the owners of exclusive Hacienda Sarapampa have implemented for three generations | Bike through the Sacred Valley amid a panorama of snowy peaks and traditional villages | Engage with Quechua culture in a community famous for its master weavers | Visit the world-renowned ceramics studio of Pablo Seminario.
Accommodations
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
Urubamba
| Premiere Hotel Situated in the heart of the picturesque Urubamba Valley, this contemporary hotel is inspired by colonial design and local cultural history. (spa)
Days 4-5
Description
Behold the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu—an Incan retreat built in the 15th-century | Take a train to begin our hike on the Inca Trail to the famed Gate of the Sun for a bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu | Spend a second day exploring more corners of spellbinding Machu Picchu, joined by a local expert.
Accommodations
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Aguas Calientes
| Premiere Hotel This eco-friendly hotel's Andean-style casitas blend seamlessly into the surrounding cloud forest. (pool, spa)
Days 6-8
Description
Stroll through Cusco, once the center of the pre-Columbian Inca Empire | Explore Coricancha, a Spanish colonial church built atop the ruins of an Inca temple | Our local guide joins us as we journey through the Temple of the Moon and Sacsayhuamán | Browse the local markets and shop for handicrafts, plus check out the action in the Plaza de Armas.
Accommodations
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas
Cusco
| Premiere Hotel This luxurious property, a former palace set in a tranquil plaza behind Cusco's main square, offers personal butler service and is home to the city's first outdoor pool. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
From our Guests
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Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip
Activity Level: 1-3
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
The biking terrain on this trip is moderately rolling with some steeper sections. You'll be on titanium mountain bikes, perfect for our non-technical dirt road riding (about 70%) and paved riding (about 30%). Riding conditions change with the weather—trails can be dusty or muddy. Our walking and hiking routes are a mix of village and archaeological site walks and rugged trails paved with Inca stone through jungle and mountains. Elevations are between 8,000 and 12,000 feet, which can make activities feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. Also, some routes involve substantial elevation loss, adding to perceived difficulty. To accommodate, we bumped up the activity level rating on this trip by one level.
Daily Route Options
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip. (click the arrow to see all available options)
Backroads Titanium Mountain Bike
Rigid Mountain Bike
Included in your trip price
This custom-built titanium mountain bike is ideal for all adventures from dirt roads to rough terrain. Equipped with a rigid front fork and wide, low-pressure tires to absorb most of the bumps that come your way.
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 7 dinners, 7 lunches
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Hiking the Inca Trail
One of our hikes requires an Inca Trail permit that Backroads will obtain on your behalf (included in your trip price). Therefore, we recommend booking your trip at least 3-4 months prior to departure to have the best chance of securing your permit.
Also, due to national park regulations and difficulty securing permits, your Backroads leaders may not be able to accompany you along the hike requiring an Inca Trail permit. If they're unable to join you, rest assured you will always be well supported by our local Peruvian guide, who we've worked with for years, and a staff of porters.
Terrain & Trail Support
Our hikes through Peru's captivating rugged terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, many of which are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles will get us to and from the trailheads, but the nature of these trails is such that we won't see our vans along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
Hiking on Your Own
This trip has been designed to offer as many hiking options as possible. Since many of the trails are unmarked, we recommend that you hike with the company of a Backroads leader or one of our local support staff. On the few days when we're in national parks, regulations require you to hike in the company of one of our certified park guides.
Air-Conditioning
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a Premiere Hotel. While it offers outstanding service and amenities, please note that it is not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region's generally temperate climate and cool nights, guestrooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Hiking the Inca Trail
One of our hikes requires an Inca Trail permit that Backroads will obtain on your behalf (included in your trip price). Therefore, we recommend booking your trip at least 3-4 months prior to departure to have the best chance of securing your permit.
Also, due to national park regulations and difficulty securing permits, your Backroads leaders may not be able to accompany you along the hike requiring an Inca Trail permit. If they're unable to join you, rest assured you will always be well supported by our local Peruvian guide, who we've worked with for years, and a staff of porters.
Terrain & Trail Support
Our hikes through Peru's captivating rugged terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, many of which are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles will get us to and from the trailheads, but the nature of these trails is such that we won't see our vans along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
Hiking on Your Own
This trip has been designed to offer as many hiking options as possible. Since many of the trails are unmarked, we recommend that you hike with the company of a Backroads leader or one of our local support staff. On the few days when we're in national parks, regulations require you to hike in the company of one of our certified park guides.
Air-Conditioning
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a Premiere Hotel. While it offers outstanding service and amenities, please note that it is not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region's generally temperate climate and cool nights, guestrooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
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