Peru Adventure: Self-Launched
14 days · Peru
Gap 360 charges £1,649
No-markup version: ~£700 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Experience the very best of Peru independently — from Lima's coastal neighbourhoods and Nazca's desert dunes to the depths of Colca Canyon, the Sacred Valley, a Quechua homestay and the iconic Inca Trail finishing at sunrise over Machu Picchu. Swapping a group tour operator for self-booked transport, hostels and GetYourGuide activities slashes the cost dramatically while preserving every highlight. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive Lima — Explore Barranco & Miraflores
Lima
Catch an official taxi from Jorge Chávez International Airport to your hostel in Miraflores or Barranco (~$27 USD / ~£21). Drop your bags and start exploring. Walk the clifftop Malecón, cross the Puente de los Suspiros in Barranco, and grab a cold Cusqueña with fellow travellers in the evening. Book a self-guided city walking tour or a GetYourGuide Lima bike tour (~£12) for the afternoon.
🚌Official airport taxi to Miraflores ~£21
🛏Pariwana Hostel Miraflores or similar rated hostel, dorm ~£12–16/night
- →Self-guided walk through Barranco and Miraflores
- →Visit the San Francisco Church & Catacombs (self-booked, ~£5)
- →Optional: Lima Cooking Class via GetYourGuide (~£35)
- →Optional: Bike tour to Puente de los Suspiros (~£12)
Lima to Nazca — Desert Bus Ride
Lima → Nazca
Take an early Cruz del Sur or Oltursa bus from Lima's bus terminal to Nazca (~7–8 hrs, ~£15–20). Watch the desert landscape transform as you head south. Arrive in the evening and check into a budget guesthouse. Enjoy the sunset over the desert.
🚌Cruz del Sur or Oltursa bus Lima → Nazca, ~£17
🛏Hostal Alegría Nazca or similar guesthouse, ~£12–15/night
- →Scenic bus journey through Peru's coastal desert
- →Arrive and explore Nazca town centre on foot
Nazca — Ruins, Pottery & Sandboarding, then Overnight Bus
Nazca
Full day in Nazca. Book a self-guided or small-group tour to the Chauchilla Cemetery and a Nazca pottery workshop (~£15 combined). For adrenaline seekers, hire a dune buggy and sandboard at Cerro Blanco (~£25–35). In the evening, experience a traditional Pachamanca meal at a local restaurant before boarding an overnight Cruz del Sur bus to Arequipa (~£18–22).
🚌Overnight Cruz del Sur bus Nazca → Arequipa, ~£20
🛏Overnight bus (seat/bed reclines) — no hotel cost
- →Guided tour of Chauchilla Pre-Inca Cemetery (~£12)
- →Nazca-style pottery workshop (~£8)
- →Optional: Dune buggy & sandboarding at Cerro Blanco (~£30)
- →Traditional Pachamanca dinner at a local restaurant (~£8)
- →Overnight bus to Arequipa
Arequipa — The White City
Arequipa
Arrive in the morning and check into your hostel. Arequipa's centro histórico is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk to the Plaza de Armas, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery (~£10 entry) and the Juanita Mummy Museum (~£5). Join a self-booked walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£8) to learn about the sillar volcanic architecture. Try shrimp chowder (chupe de camarones) and alpaca steak for dinner.
🚌Walking within city centre
🛏La Casa de Melgar Hostal or similar, ~£14–18/night
- →Visit Santa Catalina Monastery (~£10)
- →Juanita Mummy Museum (~£5)
- →Self-guided or GetYourGuide walking tour of historic centre (~£8)
- →Dinner: local Arequipeño cuisine — chupe de camarones & alpaca
Arequipa to Colca Canyon — Hot Springs
Colca Canyon
Book a shared 2-day Colca Canyon tour via a local agency in Arequipa (e.g. Zarela Travel, ~£35–45 including transport, guide and basic lodge). Depart early, passing through Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca. Spot llamas, vicuñas and alpacas en route. Arrive at the canyon, hike to the valley floor and relax in the natural hot springs at La Calera (~£3 entry) as the sun sets.
🚌Shared minibus Arequipa → Colca Canyon (included in tour)
🛏Basic lodge/guesthouse in Cabanaconde or Chivay, included in tour package or ~£12–15 separately
- →Shared guided Colca Canyon day tour (departs Arequipa, ~£40 for 2-day package)
- →Hot springs at La Calera (~£3)
- →Spot llamas, vicuñas and alpacas in Reserva Nacional Salinas
Colca Canyon — Condor Viewing, then Overnight Bus to Cusco
Colca Canyon → Cusco
Rise at dawn and head to Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint to watch Andean condors ride the thermals — one of Peru's most spectacular wildlife moments. Continue through quaint local villages in the valley. Your shared tour transport returns you to Arequipa, from where you board an overnight bus to Cusco (~£15–20, ~9–10 hrs).
🚌Shared tour minibus back to Arequipa, then Cruz del Sur overnight bus to Cusco ~£18
🛏Overnight bus to Cusco — no hotel cost
- →Cruz del Cóndor condor watching at sunrise
- →Walk through local villages in the canyon
- →Overnight bus to Cusco
Cusco — Imperial Capital
Cusco
Arrive in Cusco and check into your hostel near Plaza de Armas. Spend the day acclimatising and exploring at your own pace. The Cusco Tourist Ticket (~£35) gives access to 16 sites including Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha and the Inka Museum. Book white water rafting on the Upper Vilcanota River via GetYourGuide (~£25) or mountain biking for extra adventure.
🚌Walking within central Cusco
🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Cusco, dorm ~£12–16/night
- →Plaza de Armas, Cathedral & San Blas neighbourhood (free)
- →Cusco Tourist Ticket — 16 sites including Sacsayhuamán & Inka Museum (~£35)
- →Optional: White water rafting on Upper Vilcanota via GetYourGuide (~£25)
- →Optional: Cusco cooking class at a local market (~£28)
Cusco to Ccaccaccollo — Women's Weaving Co-op & Homestay
Ccaccaccollo
Take a shared taxi or colectivo toward Pisac (~£2–3) and arrange a visit to the Ccaccaccollo women's weaving cooperative — bookable via local Cusco tour agencies (~£15–20 including transport). Watch traditional backstrap loom weaving, buy directly from artisans, and spend the night with a Quechua host family. Help prepare a traditional dinner and learn about daily Andean life — a highlight of the whole trip.
🚌Shared colectivo or taxi Cusco → Pisac area ~£3
🛏Ccaccaccollo community homestay, ~£15–20/night (often included in tour)
- →Visit Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op (~£15–20 via local agency)
- →Help prepare a traditional Quechua dinner with host family
- →Cultural exchange: learn about Quechua customs and daily life
Sacred Valley — Pisac Ruins & Ollantaytambo
Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo
Join a shared Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco (~£20–25) or travel independently by colectivo. Visit the Pisac ruins and artisan market (covered by Cusco Tourist Ticket). Stop at Sacred Valley Brewing Company for award-winning craft beer made with local ingredients. Continue to Ollantaytambo, your base for the Inca Trail start. Check into a hostel and prepare your kit for tomorrow's hike.
🚌Shared colectivo or Sacred Valley day tour bus, ~£5–8
🛏Hostal El Albergue or KB Tambo Hostal, Ollantaytambo, ~£14–18/night
- →Pisac archaeological ruins & artisan market
- →Sacred Valley Brewing Company stop
- →Explore Ollantaytambo fortress (Cusco Tourist Ticket or ~£12 entry)
- →Prep gear for the Inca Trail
Inca Trail — Day 1: Km 82 to Llactapata
Inca Trail (Km 82)
The Inca Trail must be booked in advance through a licensed operator — this is a legal requirement. Budget agencies in Cusco (e.g. Alpaca Expeditions, SAS Travel) offer the classic 4-day Inca Trail from ~£280–320pp including permit, guide, porters, all meals and camping. Transfer by van to Km 82, cross the Urubamba River and begin hiking through cloud forest. Pass the ruins of Llactapata on your first full day.
🚌Van transfer Ollantaytambo → Km 82 (included in package)
🛏Camping on trail (included in Inca Trail package)
- →Hike Km 82 → Llactapata ruins → campsite (~12km)
- →Guided interpretation of Inca ruins along the trail
- →All meals provided by trekking operator
Inca Trail — Day 2: Dead Woman's Pass
Inca Trail
The hardest day: ascend to Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwañusca) at 4,215m — the highest point on the trail. The effort is absolutely worth it for the panoramic Andean views. Descend to Pacaymayo camp, arriving by early afternoon to rest, refuel and enjoy the mountain air.
🚌On foot
🛏Camping on trail (included in Inca Trail package)
- →Hike to Dead Woman's Pass summit at 4,215m (~16km)
- →Descend to Pacaymayo campsite
- →All meals provided by trekking operator
Inca Trail — Day 3: Runkurakay & Phuyupatamarca
Inca Trail
Hike through the circular ruins of Runkurakay and enjoy sweeping views across the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Pass through cloud forest, emerge at the 3,700m pass with views over the Urubamba Valley, and descend to camp at the spectacular ruins of Phuyupatamarca — literally 'town in the clouds'. Fall asleep above the clouds.
🚌On foot
🛏Camping at Phuyupatamarca (included in package)
- →Hike Runkurakay ruins and second pass (~22km)
- →Views of Cordillera Vilcabamba
- →Camp at Phuyupatamarca ruins (3,600m)
- →All meals provided by trekking operator
Machu Picchu — Sunrise & Guided Tour, Back to Cusco
Machu Picchu → Cusco
Rise before 4am to reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for sunrise over Machu Picchu — one of the world's great travel moments. Descend into the citadel for a guided tour of Inti Watana, the Temple of the Condor, the Room of the Three Windows and Inti Mach'ay Cave (guide included in your trekking package). Take the afternoon train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (PeruRail or Inca Rail, ~£35–45), then a bus or shared taxi back to Cusco. Celebrate with your new trail friends over dinner and drinks in Cusco!
🚌PeruRail/Inca Rail Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo ~£40, then shared taxi ~£5
🛏Loki Hostel or Pariwana Cusco, dorm ~£12–16/night
- →Sunrise walk to Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
- →Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel
- →Inti Watana, Temple of the Condor, Room of the Three Windows
- →Train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo (~£40)
- →Bus/taxi Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~£5)
- →Celebratory dinner in Cusco
Farewell Cusco
Cusco
Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast at one of Cusco's excellent cafés (Jack's Café is a backpacker favourite). Browse the San Pedro Market for last-minute souvenirs. Reminisce on an incredible adventure before heading to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport or onward by bus.
🚌Taxi to Cusco airport ~£5, or onward bus
🛏Check out
- →Farewell breakfast at a local café
- →Browse San Pedro Market for souvenirs
- →Depart or extend your Peru adventure independently
Self-launched vs. Gap 360
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Gap 360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£700 | £1,649 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £949 per person (58%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Gap 360-style trips? Check them out here.~£700
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 Peru Adventure: Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £700 per person for 14 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 Gap 360?+
Yes — Gap 360 charges around £1,649 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £700 — a saving of roughly £949 (58%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 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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