Road-trip to Peru's NPs, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, w/moderate hikes

Let's explore the Peru's diversity of landscape, the people, its picturesque Andean towns and the world famous destinations. In this trip after arriving to Cusco we will start exploring the nearby areas - either by making day-trips or staying overnight. We want to go to the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu, Manu National Park, Rainbow Mountain. Some of this destinations will need to use local bus service.

We will have in mind that Peru, as well as most other South America's countries, is not advised for self-driving, due to security reasons. That's why the other two areas in the plan may need to use either bus or train service, or domestic airline service to get there. These two other areas are Puerto Maldonado and Lake Titicaca.

At Puerto Maldonado our aim is to explore the Tambopata National Reserve , one of the gateways into the Peruvian share of the Amazon Rainforest. This destination is accessible by one-hour domestic flight.

The Titicaca National Preserve is a way to experience the ancient lake, sillustani (funerary towers) and the authentic spirit of the country. There is a train service from Cusco that should provide a very scenic journey.

If we wish and can manage it )) we can make two more additions to the itinerary, Arequipa and Lima.

Arequipa has a famously beautiful Historical City Center and it's an access (with 4-hour drive) to Colca Canyon that is great for hiking. This town is accessible by bus (a budgetary Peru Hop.)

The city of Lima is the current and historical capital with an interesting architecture and spirit. Around Lima a few other points of interest and nature spots can be found (such as Barranca etc.) Visiting Lima would require flying by a domestic flight.

These two locations are not currently in the plan, but can be considered.

Please see the uploaded map for the basic route for this trip. Hotel accommodations will be at the places shown on the map.

This trip is subject to health and safety restrictions imposed by the country. As of 2023 Peru is open for tourism with restrictions, and we hope it stays open toward the Spring of 2025. We'll be monitoring closely the situation and as it changes. Here is a page with advisory from the US Embassy in Peru: https://pe.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Fall/spring weather in the areas on our route should be mild with day average temperatures 66-68 degree F (40 degree at night). See updates of weather forecasts at: https://bit.ly/33fKZF8

Trip's summary:

• 12days/11nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.
• The starting point is Cusco, Peru.
• Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.
• Hotel accommodations will be at the places shown on the map.

Clothes and gear recommended:

• good hiking shoes,
• warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,
• hiking poles if you used to them,
• consider hydration bladder for hikes,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen,
• hat,
• for personal protection: mask, carry-on sanitizer, gloves (by your choice.)

Cost: the final calculation is to be made 5 mo before the start.

What's included:

• 11 nights stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two beds in room),
• Breakfasts in some hotels,
• Transportation by minivan covering approx. 800 mi of road-tripping total,
• Park entrance fees,
• Organized hikes in all days.

What is NOT included:

• Getting to and from Cusco, Peru.
• Meals, snacks, water.

Sunrise: 5:50am. Sunset: 5:40pm. Everyday we want to start off from the hotel at 7 am or 7:30am, or 8am as the latest. If you are a nigh owl, please try to adjust yourself for an earlier getup during the trip - the purpose of it is to use more of daylight at winter time for activities.

There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to connect by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the group.)

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