Head on the adventure of a lifetime with this small-group tour of Peru and Chile! Prepare for a fascinating journey like no other as you discover the most fascinating attractions and ancient sites in Latin America. Begin your tour in Lima, the capital of Peru and the second largest desert capital city in the world. Fly over the snow-capped Andes Mountains to Cusco, travel through the Sacred Valley, take a train to Aguas Calientes, and explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Make your way back to Cusco where you will visit Santo Domingo Convent and the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Head on a boat excursion to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Catch a flight to Lima and transfer to Santiago, the capital city of Chile surrounded by the Andes Mountains. Discover the Plaza de Armas and Barrio Lastarria before you travel to Puerto Natales and explore Patagonia with its breathtaking mountains, fjords, glaciers, and forests. Your next stop will be in the Atacama Desert — discover the driest desert in the world and explore the Moon Valley, an otherworldly landscape in the Atacama Desert with some of the most stone and sand formations in the world. From there you will travel back to the Atacama to end your tour of Peru and Chile!
Join us for this adventurous 4-day trek to visit the legendary Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The trek takes you through the enigmatic Inca Trail, which connects the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. During the trek, explore the numerous pre-hispanic ruins scattered along the Inca Trail, such as Puyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna.
The trail, which runs through the Andes mountain range, travels through a variety of Andean ecosystems, including cloud forest and alpine tundra. The Inca Trail ends at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain, which provides a unique view of the citadel during sunrise. The trek ends with a guided tour of Machu Picchu and includes bus and train tickets to return to Cusco.
The Classis Peru trip is full-on, covering a lot of ground in just two weeks. The key sights are there, but also lots of unexpected minor sites which became highlights too.
The quality of guide will make or break this kind of tour because there is quite a bit of travelling and exposure to unfamiliar history. We were extremely well served in this department with Arturo, who was well organised and very knowledgeable, but also kind and funny.
The altitude effects must not be overlooked. Do expect to have a couple of days of feeling unwell, and recognise you may not be able to function with your usual energy and physical ability/stamina.
Take a deep dive into Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil on an epic 51-day trip. With local leaders guiding you to the best neighbourhoods as well as plenty of time to explore independently, you’ll wonder what took you so long to appreciate this corner of the globe. Trek or train to the lost Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, spend a few days on an estancia in Uruguay, take a 4WD adventure through the Andean desert to the Uyuni salt flats and wind up in all the best cities – Buenos Aires, La Paz and Lima, to name a few. Finish up with beach and party vibes in Brazil – a perfect spot to chill out after your adventure to South America’s hotspots.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Inc
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Puno, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Salar De Uyuni, Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve, Tilcara, Buenos Aires, Colonia Del Sacramento, Estancia, Iguazu Falls, Iguazu Falls, Nazca, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Arequipa, Colca Canyon
In a country filled with enchanting historic monuments, there is one that stands out above all, the impressive ‘Lost City of the Incas’ – Machu Picchu. Let Peru’s most beautiful archaeological sites inspire you during this seven-day tour of the country. Start in Peru´s capital, Lima, explore the ancient seat of the Inca Empire in Cusco, discover the archaeological sites of the Incas in the Sacred Valley, and end with an awe-inspiring visit to Machu Picchu, high up in the Andes. Join this dream trip that promises impressive things to see and memorable experiences.
Initially before booking the trip I thought it was extremely overpriced.
However(our tour guide) was fantastic. He made the trip worth every penny and was extremely organised and knowledgeable. The locations were great, and the activities were really cool.
was a fantastic character, and became a friend by ensuring we all had fun. He looked after and catered for everyone’s needs and requirements, promoting safety above all else, and more than once went the extra mile to ensure we all had a great time (joining myself at CrossFit and his traditional dance moves were personal highlights).
I hope he gets the recognition he deserves, as I would love to book a similar trip with Contiki in future because of this great experience.
I would also recommend that you include huacachina in future - I went there on my own and it was one of the coolest experiences - maybe this could be added as an extra at the beginning of the trip.
G Adventures offers a small group tour format that works very well for family adventures. This is the 2nd one our multi-generation (ages spanning over 7 decades) family group of 6 has taken. We now have our eyes on a third G Adventures family adventure.
There are many sides to South America, from the energy of the cities, the beauty of the lansdcapes and the spirit of its people. Discover it all on this trip that winds through the Inca heartlands and jungles of Peru, the enigmatic cities and natural wonders of Argentina and the dynamism of Brazil's vivacious Rio. See animals, meet locals, traverse trails and marvel at all the contrasts of this very special corner of the world.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Sacred Val
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Buenos Aires, Foz Do Iguazu, Foz Do Iguacu, Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve, Nazca, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, Puno
Peru wasn't love at first sight, but it became something unforgettable. Lima felt chaotic but I quickly fell into rhythm. Then the Amazon hit me like another world entirely. You don’t just see nature there. You hear it and feel it pressing in around you. The nights were humid and loud, filled with the chorus of life. It was wildly outside my comfort zone but I loved it.
Cusco had colonial charm and a sense of sacredness in every stone. Machu Picchu was, of course, the crown jewel. But what surprised me most? The way the guide told its story, not just facts, but legends, perspectives, reverence.
This trip didn’t feel curated to be “easy.” It was immersive. Real. A little demanding at times but that’s what made it stick. These guys handled everything greatly. I came home with stories I actually want to tell not just photos to post.
This epic multi-sport expedition explores the culturally rich region near Cusco, Peru. The expedition combines trekking, biking, rafting, and zip lining in an unforgettable experience. Get a unique view of ancient archaeological sites, beautiful valleys, and stunning mountain glaciers before making your way to Machu Picchu.
Join as a solo traveler or with friends to experience these amazing destinations with fellow travelers from all over. We guarantee all group departure dates even if only one person is signed up. We recommend asking how many people are currently in your group before booking.
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Incas with this unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu. Begin your adventure in Cusco, travel through the scenic Sacred Valley, and arrive at the awe-inspiring Inca Citadel. With expert local guides, explore the ancient marvel, indulge in a gourmet lunch, and return with memories etched in time.
Arturo was a fantastic leader and guide. Knowledgable, helpful, caring, experienced and amusing. This was my 11th Explore holiday and Arturo is up there with the best guides. The porters and cooks are heroes - we were very happy to tip them generously. The itinerary was perfect, though no one should underestimate the challenge of around ten hours walking on day three. Cusco hotel staff were fine but the layout around a central atrium means the rooms are very noisy. The hotel near Machu Picchu was lovely but the staff were rude, unhelpful and disinterested. Overall I’d fully recommend this trip - but be sure to get into shape beforehand and consider your kit carefully.
