Back Roads & Highlands of Peru — Self-Launched
17 days · Peru
G Adventures charges £2,200
No-markup version: ~£812 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A do-it-yourself version of G Adventures' 17-day Lima-to-Cusco highlands route: the remote central Andes (Huancayo, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Andahuaylas) by public bus and the legendary El Tren Macho, then the Sacred Valley and a 4-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. You book your own buses (Cruz del Sur, Movil Bus, Expreso Los Chankas), your own beds in guesthouses and hostels, and your trail permit plus trek through a licensed outfitter — everything the tour does, with far more freedom and around half the price. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Lima — Miraflores
Lima
Land at Jorge Chávez airport and take an official taxi or the Airport Express Lima bus to Miraflores (~£6-9). Settle into a hostel in Miraflores or Barranco, then stretch your legs along the Malecón clifftop walk at sunset. Book tomorrow's bus online tonight and eat cheap at a menú del día spot (~£3).
🚌Airport Express bus or official taxi ~£6-9
🛏Hostel dorm or private room, Miraflores/Barranco (~£10-14)
- →Malecón sunset walk
- →Miraflores/Barranco wander
- →Book Huancayo bus online
Spectacular bus climb into the Andes — Lima to Huancayo
Huancayo
Take a morning Cruz del Sur or Movil Bus service from Lima to Huancayo (~7-8 hrs, £13-18), climbing from sea level to 3,200m past high passes and herds of alpacas. Arrive afternoon, check into a simple hostal near the Plaza Constitución, drink coca tea and take it easy for acclimatisation. Do not plan anything strenuous today.
🚌Public bus Lima–Huancayo ~7-8 hrs, £13-18
🛏Hostal near Plaza Constitución (~£10-14)
- →Scenic Andean bus ride
- →Plaza Constitución evening stroll
Huancayo free day
Huancayo
Optional day out: hike or bike in the Mantaro Valley, ride horses towards the Nevado Huaytapallana foothills, or take a colectivo to the artisan village of San Jerónimo de Tunán and the pre-Inca ruins of Tunanmarca. Wednesday and Sunday are market days — the Feria Dominical is one of the biggest in Peru. Book tomorrow's Tren Macho ticket if you haven't already.
🚌Local colectivos/taxis £3-6
🛏Hostal, Huancayo (~£10-14)
- →Mantaro Valley hike or bike rental
- →San Jerónimo de Tunán crafts
- →Huancayo market
El Tren Macho to Huancavelica
Huancavelica
Peru's beloved 'lazy train' runs the narrow-gauge Huancayo–Huancavelica line via the Ferrocarril Central, roughly 4-5 hrs through tunnels, switchbacks and quebradas, stopping to pick up locals with sacks of potatoes en route. Buy tickets a day or two ahead at the station or check with PeruRail/Ferrocarril Central agents; if the train isn't running, the bus takes the same scenic corridor (~4 hrs, £6). Afternoon in Huancavelica's colonial grid — Plaza de Armas, Santa Bárbara church and the hot springs at Baños Termales.
🚌El Tren Macho ~4-5 hrs £5-8 (or bus ~£6)
🛏Simple hostal, Huancavelica (~£10-13)
- →El Tren Macho rail journey
- →Historic Plaza de Armas
- →Baños Termales hot springs
Highlands overland to Ayacucho
Ayacucho
A long, remote bus day (6-8 hrs, £9-13) through puna grasslands and tiny communities to Ayacucho (2,760m). Buses leave early — grab a seat on the left for the best valley views. Arrive by late afternoon and settle in near the Plaza de Armas; Ayacucho is famous for its 33 churches and Semana Santa processions.
🚌Local bus Huancavelica–Ayacucho ~6-8 hrs, £9-13
🛏Hostal near Plaza de Armas (~£10-14)
- →Highland overland bus journey
- →Evening around Plaza de Armas
Ayacucho — Wari ruins & artisan quarter
Ayacucho
Self-guided day: take a colectivo to the Wari archaeological complex of Wari (Pikillacta-area outskirts, ~£2), the capital of a pre-Inca empire, plus the nearby Quinua village with its pottery workshops and the battlefield memorial. Return for the Barrio de Artesanos de Santa Ana, where families carve retablos and weave.
🚌Colectivos and local taxis £3-5
🛏Hostal, Ayacucho (~£10-14)
- →Wari ruins
- →Quinua village and pottery workshops
- →Barrio de Artesanos de Santa Ana
Ayacucho free day
Ayacucho
Either a DIY city walk (cathedral, Templo de Santo Domingo, Museo de la Memoria) or a day trip to Vilcashuamán (3-4 hrs each way, shared taxi/bus), the Inca administrative centre with its Ushnu pyramid and Sun Temple. Otherwise hike up to the Mirador de Acuchimay for views over the city. Ask your hostal about licensed local guides for English context.
🚌Shared taxi/bus to Vilcashuamán ~£6-8
🛏Hostal, Ayacucho (~£10-14)
- →Museums and churches
- →Vilcashuamán Inca site (optional)
- →Mirador de Acuchimay
Ayacucho to Andahuaylas
Andahuaylas
Bus south (7-9 hrs, £9-13) through rural highlands, massive peaks and small villages to Andahuaylas (2,900m) in Apurímac. Bring snacks and water — services stop at roadside stalls. Arrive late afternoon, check in and walk to the Plaza de Armas for a cheap dinner.
🚌Public bus Ayacucho–Andahuaylas ~7-9 hrs, £9-13
🛏Guesthouse, Andahuaylas (~£9-13)
- →Remote highland scenery by bus
- →Plaza de Armas walk
Andahuaylas — Sondor & Pacucha Lagoon
Andahuaylas
Hire a taxi or catch a local combi to the Chanka hilltop ruins of Sondor (~30-40 min), then continue to the turquoise Laguna de Pacucha for a lakeside trout lunch and a short walk along the shore. Back in town, browse the market. Confirm your onward Cusco bus for tomorrow.
🚌Shared taxi to Sondor/Pacucha £4-7
🛏Guesthouse, Andahuaylas (~£9-13)
- →Sondor archaeological site
- →Laguna de Pacucha
- →Local market
Andahuaylas to Cusco
Cusco
Long scenic bus day (10-12 hrs, £12-17) via Abancay to Cusco — an early departure gets you in by evening. Alternatively break the journey with a night in Abancay. Arrive in Cusco (3,400m), take a taxi to your hostel in San Blas, and have a light dinner. You'll meet your Inca Trail outfitter for the trek briefing in the next couple of days.
🚌Public bus Andahuaylas–Cusco ~10-12 hrs, £12-17
🛏Hostel, San Blas (~£10-15)
- →Overland through Apurímac
- →San Blas evening stroll
Cusco acclimatisation day
Cusco
Use today to acclimatise and prep for the trek. Options: buy the Boleto Turístico (130 PEN) covering Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukará and Tambomachay — walk up to Sacsayhuamán from San Blas. Also the Inka Museum (10 PEN), San Pedro market for coca leaf and supplies, and pick up rentable trek gear (sleeping bag ~45 PEN, poles ~15 PEN each) at the briefing. Book the Sacred Valley tour and Machu Picchu entry + Huayna Picchu slot online tonight.
🚌Walking and local taxis £2-4
🛏Hostel, San Blas (~£10-15)
- →Sacsayhuamán and nearby Inca sites
- →Inka Museum
- →San Pedro market
- →Inca Trail briefing with outfitter
Sacred Valley — weaving co-op, pottery and Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo
Join a shared Sacred Valley day tour (GetYourGuide/Viator, ~£20-30) or build your own with colectivos: Chinchero for the Ccaccaccollo women's weaving co-op demonstration, the pottery workshops at Raqchi-style villages, Moray terraces and the Maras salt pans. Lunch at the community-run Parwa restaurant near Lamay (book ahead, ~£8-10). Finish in Ollantaytambo and climb the storehouses (qolqas) for sunset over the ruins; a chichería on the cobbled streets is the local nightcap.
🚌Shared tour van or colectivos £8-15
🛏Guesthouse, Ollantaytambo (~£9-14)
- →Ccaccaccollo weaving co-op
- →Pottery demonstration
- →Maras salt pans and Moray (optional)
- →Parwa Community Restaurant lunch
- →Ollantaytambo ruins and storehouses
Inca Trail day 1 — km 82 to Wayllabamba
Inca Trail
Book your 4-day Inca Trail permit months in advance (only ~500 permits/day, sold solely through licensed outfitters — £450-620 for a 4-day group trek including guide, cook, porters, meals and Machu Picchu entry). Meet your group at dawn, van to Piscacucho/km 82, and hike an easy 11km through the Cusichaca valley past Llactapata and into camp at Wayllabamba (3,000m).
🚌Outfitter van to km 82, included
🛏Camping (provided by outfitter)
- →Inca Trail day 1: km 82 to Wayllabamba
- →Llactapata ruins
Inca Trail day 2 — Dead Woman's Pass
Inca Trail
The big one: climb to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass, 4,198m), the highest point of the trek, then descend to Pacaymayo camp. Steady pace, lots of coca tea, early start to beat the heat and crowds. Porters carry up to 6kg of your gear in a duffle; carry the rest yourself.
🚌Hiking
🛏Camping (provided by outfitter)
- →Warmiwañusca / Dead Woman's Pass
- →Runkurakay pass
Inca Trail day 3 — cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna
Inca Trail
Over the second pass, down through cloud forest and past the impressive Runkurakay and Sayacmarca ruins, then a long descent of stone steps to the terraced site of Phuyupatamarca and camp at Wiñay Wayna. Optional visit to the Wiñay Wayna ruins before dinner.
🚌Hiking
🛏Camping (provided by outfitter)
- →Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca ruins
- →Cloud forest trekking
Sun Gate sunrise — Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
Pre-dawn start to reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) as the light spills over Machu Picchu below. Guided tour of the citadel (included with your trek), then optionally climb Huayna Picchu (pre-booked slot, 200 PEN) or the Montana. Descend by bus to Aguas Calientes (£10), collect your bags and take the evening PeruRail train back to Ollantaytambo (~£40-60, book in advance) with a transfer onward to Cusco — or stay the night in Aguas Calientes.
🚌Bus down £10; PeruRail train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo ~£40-60
🛏Hostel, Cusco (~£10-15) or Aguas Calientes (~£15-22)
- →Sun Gate sunrise
- →Guided Machu Picchu tour
- →Huayna Picchu climb (optional)
Cusco — depart or extend
Cusco
Last morning in Cusco: coffee in San Blas, souvenir shopping at San Pedro market or the artisan shops on Calle Hatun Rumiyoc. Optional extra day trips if you have time — Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, ~£20-30 with a shared tour) or a cooking class. Fly out from Cusco or take an overnight bus to Arequipa/Puno to keep going.
🚌Airport taxi ~£4-6
🛏—
- →San Blas cafés
- →San Pedro market shopping
- →Rainbow Mountain or cooking class (optional)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£812 | £2,200 |
| Duration | 17 days | 17 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,388 per person (63%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£812
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 Back Roads & Highlands of Peru — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £812 per person for 17 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 £2,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £812 — a saving of roughly £1,388 (63%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 17 days, covering 17 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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