Self-Launched Peru: Andes & Amazon Adventure
12 days · Peru
G Adventures charges £2,850
No-markup version: ~£950 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched equivalent of G Adventures' TailorMade Peru: Andes & Beyond takes you on the same epic journey — Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon at Tambopata — but without the guided tour price tag. You'll book your own flights, local buses, and trains, stay in well-rated hostels and guesthouses, and join self-bookable guided excursions via GetYourGuide and Klook. The Inca Trail requires a licensed guide by law, so that segment is booked directly with a reputable local operator (mandatory for all hikers), keeping costs lean while preserving the full magic of the route. Estimated costs below are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Lima
Lima
Fly into Jorge Chávez International Airport. Take a pre-booked airport taxi or the Metropolitano bus to Miraflores or Barranco — Lima's most traveller-friendly neighbourhoods. Check into a hostel, grab ceviche from a local cevichería, and get an early night ahead of your Cusco flight tomorrow. Arrival transfer is easy to sort independently via apps like inDrive or Taxi Satelital for around £10-12.
🚌Airport taxi or inDrive to central Lima (~£10-12)
🛏Hostel in Miraflores or Barranco — e.g. Flying Dog Hostel or Selina Miraflores (~£14-18/night)
- →Explore Miraflores seafront (Malecón de la Reserva) — free
- →Grab ceviche at a local market or cevichería — £5-8
- →Stroll Barranco's bohemian streets and street art — free
Fly to Cusco — City Orientation
Cusco
Take an early morning domestic flight from Lima to Cusco (LIM–CUZ, ~1hr). Budget airlines LATAM or Sky Airline run this route from around £40-60 booked in advance. On arrival, take it easy — Cusco sits at 3,400m and altitude acclimatisation is essential. Check in, drink coca tea, and join a free walking tour of the historic centre in the afternoon to see the Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha temple, and San Blas neighbourhood.
🚌Domestic flight Lima to Cusco with LATAM or Sky Airline (~£45-65). Airport colectivo to centre (~£2)
🛏Hostel in Cusco city centre — e.g. Loki Hostel or Pariwana Hostel (~£12-16/night)
- →Free walking tour of Cusco's historic centre — tip ~£3-5
- →Visit Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) — ~£5 entry
- →Explore San Blas artisan quarter — free
- →Coca tea and acclimatisation rest at hostel
Sacred Valley — Pisac, Chinchero & Ollantaytambo
Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo
Join a self-bookable Sacred Valley day tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (from ~£25pp) which typically includes Pisac ruins, the Pisac artisan market, Chinchero weaving demonstrations, and Ollantaytambo ruins — matching the highlights of the G Adventures itinerary. Alternatively, take a shared colectivo from Cusco's Puputi terminal to Pisac (£1.50) and onward to Ollantaytambo (£2), doing each stop independently. Overnight in Ollantaytambo to be ready for the Inca Trail start.
🚌Shared colectivo Cusco–Pisac (~£1.50), Pisac–Ollantaytambo (~£2). Or Sacred Valley day tour with drop-off (~£25-30)
🛏Guesthouse in Ollantaytambo — e.g. Hostal Iskay or KB Tambo (~£14-18/night)
- →Pisac Inca ruins — entry ~£10 (included in Boleto Turístico or Sacred Valley combo ticket)
- →Pisac artisan market — free to browse
- →Visit a local weaving cooperative — free or small donation
- →Guided tour of Ollantaytambo ruins — entry included in combo ticket
Inca Trail Day 1 — Km 82 to Wayllabamba
Inca Trail
The Inca Trail requires a licensed guide by Peruvian law — independent hiking is not permitted. Book a small-group Inca Trail package with a reputable local operator such as Alpaca Expeditions, Llama Path, or Salkantay Trekking. A 4-day/3-night Classic Inca Trail package typically costs £250-320pp and includes a licensed guide, porters, camping gear, and all meals on trail. Today your operator's van picks you up from Ollantaytambo and drives to Km 82, the trailhead. Day 1 is a steady introduction — riverside paths, Andean scenery, and the ruins of Llactapata.
🚌Operator van from Ollantaytambo to Km 82 — included in package
🛏Camping on trail — included in Inca Trail package
- →Hike Km 82 to Wayllabamba (~12km, ~5hrs)
- →Pass Inca ruins of Llactapata
- →Enjoy meals prepared by your trail cook (included in package)
Inca Trail Day 2 — Dead Woman's Pass
Inca Trail
The toughest day on the trail. Start early and climb to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,198m — the highest point of the trek. The ascent is steep and challenging but the views over the Andes are extraordinary. Descend to camp at Pacaymayu, arriving by early afternoon. Rest and recover with hot drinks and your trail cook's dinner.
🚌Hiking (no additional transport)
🛏Camping on trail — included in Inca Trail package
- →Hike Wayllabamba to Pacaymayu (~12km, ~7hrs)
- →Summit Dead Woman's Pass at 4,198m
- →Stunning Andean panoramic views
Inca Trail Day 3 — Cloud Forest & Ruins
Inca Trail
Cross two high passes today — Runkurakay (3,950m) with views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba on clear days, and a second pass at 3,700m with sweeping Urubamba Valley views. Hike through original Inca constructions and cloud forest before reaching either Phuyupatamarca ('town above the clouds') at 3,650m or push on 1.5hrs further to the spectacular Wiñay Wayna ruins at 2,650m. Camp here for the night.
🚌Hiking (no additional transport)
🛏Camping on trail — included in Inca Trail package
- →Hike over Runkurakay and second pass (~16km, ~8-9hrs)
- →Visit Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna ruins
- →Cloud forest trekking through original Inca constructions
Inca Trail Day 4 — Sun Gate & Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu / Cusco
Wake at 3:30am and hike by headtorch to reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) before sunrise for your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu below. Descend into the citadel for a guided tour of the ruins (included in your Inca Trail package — entry is bundled with trail permits). After exploring, take the Vistadome or Expedition train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo (£35-45), then a shared colectivo or bus back to Cusco. Celebratory dinner in Cusco tonight!
🚌Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo by PeruRail Expedition or Vistadome train (~£35-45). Ollantaytambo to Cusco by shared colectivo (~£2)
🛏Hostel in Cusco — e.g. Loki Hostel or Pariwana (~£12-16/night)
- →Pre-dawn hike to Sun Gate — included in trail package
- →Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel — included in trail package
- →Optional extra: hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (~£15 extra permit, book months ahead)
Free Day in Cusco — Markets & Cooking Class
Cusco
Rest those legs with a free morning — wander San Pedro Market, pick up souvenirs, or simply sit in the Plaza de Armas with a coffee. In the afternoon, book a Peruvian cooking class via GetYourGuide or directly with local schools like Mil Centro or Cuisine Peru (£25-40pp). You'll visit a local market, learn to make ceviche, lomo saltado, and pisco sours, and eat your creations for dinner. A brilliant cultural half-day.
🚌Walking / local taxi (~£2-3)
🛏Hostel in Cusco (~£12-16/night)
- →Explore San Pedro Market — free
- →Peruvian cooking class with market visit — ~£25-40 via GetYourGuide
- →Optional: visit Sacsayhuamán ruins above Cusco — entry ~£10 with Boleto Turístico
- →Optional: Pisco sour tasting at a local bar — ~£5-8
Fly to Puerto Maldonado — Amazon Lodge Transfer
Tambopata / Puerto Maldonado
Take a morning domestic flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (CUZ–PEM, ~35 mins, ~£50-80 with LATAM). From Puerto Maldonado, arrange a motorised boat transfer along the Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers to your chosen Amazon lodge. Instead of G Adventures' exclusive G Lodge, book independently with a well-rated local lodge: Tambopata Research Center, Posada Amazonas (run with the Ese'Eja community), or Inotawa Lodge offer similar naturalist-led experiences. A 2-night package including transfers, meals, and guided excursions costs approximately £150-220pp.
🚌Domestic flight Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (~£55-80). Boat transfer included in lodge package
🛏Amazon lodge — e.g. Posada Amazonas or Inotawa Ecolodge (2-night package ~£150-220pp, meals included)
- →Domestic flight Cusco–Puerto Maldonado (~35 mins)
- →Motorised boat transfer to lodge along Tambopata river (~1-2hrs)
- →Arrival orientation with resident naturalist guide
Full Day in the Amazon — Wildlife & Jungle Excursions
Tambopata
A full day of guided naturalist excursions included in your lodge package. Typical activities include dawn birdwatching (the Amazon around Tambopata hosts over 600 species), canoe trips along jungle waterways, visits to an oxbow lake to spot giant river otters, caiman spotting at dusk, and guided night walks to find tarantulas, tree frogs, and katydids. Meals are taken at the lodge. All excursions led by expert local naturalist guides.
🚌Canoe / boat — included in lodge package
🛏Amazon lodge (included in 2-night package)
- →Dawn birdwatching walk with naturalist guide — included in lodge package
- →Canoe trip on oxbow lake — included
- →Giant river otter and caiman spotting — included
- →Guided night walk for nocturnal wildlife — included
Morning in the Amazon — Return to Lima
Tambopata / Lima
Enjoy one final morning activity at the lodge — perhaps a visit to a macaw clay lick (colpa) at dawn if your lodge offers access, or a final birdwatching walk. After breakfast, take the boat back to Puerto Maldonado and catch an afternoon flight to Lima (PEM–LIM via Cusco or direct, ~£60-90). Check into a Lima hostel for your last night. Head to Barranco or Miraflores for a farewell dinner — Lima is one of the world's great food cities; splurge on a meal at a top-rated but affordable local restaurant.
🚌Boat to Puerto Maldonado (included in lodge package). Domestic flight Puerto Maldonado–Lima (~£65-90)
🛏Hostel in Miraflores or Barranco, Lima (~£14-18/night)
- →Dawn macaw clay lick visit or final jungle walk — included in lodge package
- →Boat transfer back to Puerto Maldonado — included
- →Farewell dinner in Lima's Barranco or Miraflores — £15-25
Depart Lima
Lima
Check out and head to Jorge Chávez International Airport for your onward or return flight. If you have time before your flight, grab a final Lima breakfast — try pan con chicharrón (pork sandwich) at a local bakery, a quintessential Lima send-off. Take an inDrive or pre-booked taxi to the airport (~£10-15). Note: allow at least 3 hours before an international departure.
🚌Taxi or inDrive to Jorge Chávez Airport (~£10-15)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Final Lima breakfast at a local bakery or café — £3-6
- →Last-minute souvenir shopping at the airport or nearby market
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£950 | £2,850 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,900 per person (67%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£950
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 Self-Launched Peru: Andes & Amazon Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £950 per person for 12 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 £2,850 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £950 — a saving of roughly £1,900 (67%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 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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