Ultimate Peru: Self-Launched
10 days · Peru
Gap 360 charges £1,350
No-markup version: ~£630 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Same incredible Peru adventure — Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, the Inca Trail, Cusco's markets and the Maras Salt Mines — but booked independently and at a fraction of the group-tour price. You'll stay in well-rated budget hotels and hostels, travel by local trains, shared buses and taxis, and book activities directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. All costs are approximate per-person estimates based on current backpacker rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Cusco
Cusco
Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). From the airport, take an official airport taxi to the city centre — agree the fare upfront, typically around £4-6. Check into your hostel in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas neighbourhood. Take it easy and acclimatise to the altitude (3,400m). Head out to the Plaza de Armas for ceviche and a pisco sour at one of the lively local restaurants — Inkazuela or Cicciolina are popular budget-friendly options.
🚌Official airport taxi to city centre (~£5)
🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar — dorm from ~£10/night, private twin from ~£22/night
- →Arrive at CUZ and take an official taxi to centre (~£5)
- →Check in and rest to acclimatise to altitude
- →Evening stroll around Plaza de Armas
- →Dinner: ceviche and pisco sours at a local restaurant (~£8-12)
Cusco City Exploration
Cusco
Spend the day exploring Cusco independently. The historic centre is very walkable — wander the cobbled streets, browse the San Pedro Market for street food (try tamales and empanadas for under £2), and pick up souvenirs. Visit Sacsayhuamán, the spectacular Inca fortress overlooking the city — entry is covered by the Cusco Boleto Turístico (~£35, valid for multiple sites over 10 days, worth buying now). In the evening, find a salsa bar in the Plazoleta San Blas area.
🚌Walking
🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar
- →Self-guided orientation walk around Plaza de Armas and San Blas (~free)
- →Browse San Pedro Market for street food (~£2-4)
- →Visit Sacsayhuamán ruins — covered by Boleto Turístico (~£35 for multi-site pass)
- →Evening salsa bar in San Blas neighbourhood
Cusco Local Culture: Weaving & Pottery
Cusco & surrounds
Book a half-day weaving and textile workshop with the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco or a community weaving tour via GetYourGuide (~£20-30). These community-run experiences directly support local artisans and teach you to extract wool, spin thread and work with natural dyes. In the afternoon, join a pottery class at a local school — bookable via GetYourGuide for around £15-20. A great low-key day that supports local communities.
🚌Shared minibus/colectivo to community (~£2-3 each way)
🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar
- →Traditional weaving workshop at a rural artisan community via GetYourGuide (~£20-30)
- →Afternoon pottery class (~£15-20, bookable via GetYourGuide)
- →Free time in Cusco's markets in the evening
Cusco to Ollantaytambo via Maras Salt Mines & Mountain Biking
Maras / Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo
Take a shared colectivo from Cusco to Urubamba (~£2.50), then a mototaxi or taxi to the Maras Salt Mines (~£3). Explore the stunning Incan salt evaporation pans — entry is ~£3. Afterwards, book a downhill mountain bike experience on Sacred Mountain via GetYourGuide or a local operator in Cusco (e.g. Peru Bike) for ~£30-45, including bike, helmet and guide. After the ride, take a shared taxi or colectivo to Ollantaytambo (~£2-3) and check into a guesthouse.
🚌Colectivo Cusco→Urubamba (~£2.50), mototaxi to Maras (~£3), shared taxi to Ollantaytambo (~£3)
🛏Hostal KB Tambo or similar guesthouse in Ollantaytambo (~£15-20/night twin)
- →Shared colectivo Cusco → Urubamba (~£2.50)
- →Maras Salt Mines visit — entry ~£3
- →Downhill mountain bike on Sacred Mountain — book via GetYourGuide or Peru Bike (~£30-45 including guide and equipment)
- →Shared taxi to Ollantaytambo (~£2-3)
- →Evening free in Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo at Your Own Pace
Ollantaytambo
A relaxed day in one of Peru's most charming Inca towns. Hike up to the free viewpoint above the town in the morning for panoramic views. Visit the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site (entry ~£7 with Boleto Turístico or ~£12 separately). Explore the mazy cobblestone streets and try local delicacies — alpaca steak or cuy (guinea pig) at a local restaurant. Rest up ahead of the big Inca Trail day tomorrow.
🚌Walking
🛏Hostal KB Tambo or similar guesthouse in Ollantaytambo
- →Morning hike to the town viewpoint (free)
- →Visit Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site (~£7-12)
- →Try local food: alpaca or cuy at a local restaurant (~£5-8)
- →Relax and prep kit for the Inca Trail
Ollantaytambo → Inca Trail (Km104 to Sun Gate)
Inca Trail / Sacred Valley
Board the Inca Rail or Peru Rail train from Ollantaytambo to Km104 (the Chachabamba trailhead) — book in advance at perurail.com or incarail.com, from ~£25-35 one way. You'll need a 1-day Inca Trail permit (Km104 route), which must be pre-booked through an authorised operator — budget ~£60-80 including the permit and a mandatory licensed guide for the final section. This shorter route takes you through cloud forest, past Wiñay Wayna ruins and up to the iconic Sun Gate (Inti Punku) with the first views of Machu Picchu. Book via Alpaca Expeditions or similar licensed operator.
🚌Peru Rail / Inca Rail train Ollantaytambo → Km104 (~£25-35)
🛏Hostal Machu Picchu or similar in Aguas Calientes (~£18-25/night twin)
- →Train Ollantaytambo → Km104: Peru Rail or Inca Rail (~£25-35, book at perurail.com)
- →1-day Inca Trail permit + licensed guide (mandatory) — book via Alpaca Expeditions or similar (~£60-80 total)
- →Hike Km104 → Wiñay Wayna ruins → Sun Gate
- →Descend to Aguas Calientes and check in
Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco
Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes / Cusco
Rise early for the bus up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes — buses run from 5:30am, return ticket ~£20. Machu Picchu entry must be pre-booked online at machupicchu.gob.pe (~£35-45 depending on circuit). Spend the morning exploring the citadel at your own pace — the Classic Circuit is highly recommended. In the afternoon, take the train back to Ollantaytambo (Peru Rail ~£25-40) and a shared taxi or shuttle back to Cusco (~£5-8). Check back into your Cusco hostel.
🚌Bus to Machu Picchu (~£20 return), Peru Rail train back (~£25-40), shuttle to Cusco (~£6)
🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar
- →Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu entrance (~£20 return, buses from 5:30am)
- →Machu Picchu entry — pre-book at machupicchu.gob.pe (~£35-45)
- →Self-guided exploration of Machu Picchu citadel
- →Train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo (~£25-40 via perurail.com)
- →Shared taxi/shuttle Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~£5-8)
Cusco Cooking Class
Cusco
A relaxed morning — sleep in, wander the markets, or visit a museum. In the afternoon, join a traditional Peruvian cooking class in Cusco. Options like Marcelo Batata Cusco or classes bookable via GetYourGuide run for 2-3 hours and cost ~£25-40 per person. You'll cook lomo saltado, learn to make pisco sours and sample your creations. Book directly with the cooking school for the best price.
🚌Walking
🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar
- →Relaxed morning — optional visit to Museo del Qoricancha (~£3)
- →Afternoon Peruvian cooking class — book via GetYourGuide or direct with Marcelo Batata (~£25-40)
- →Cook and eat lomo saltado + pisco sour
- →Free evening in Cusco
Rainbow Mountain (Montaña de 7 Colores)
Vinicunca / Cusco
Book a shared day-trip bus to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) from Cusco — easily arranged through your hostel or any tour agency on the street for ~£20-30 including transport and guide. Depart very early (around 4am) to beat the crowds. Entry to the site costs ~£3. The hike to the summit is ~6km each way at high altitude (5,200m at the peak), so acclimatisation from earlier in the trip is essential. Return to Cusco in the evening for a farewell dinner with any travel friends you've made.
🚌Shared tour bus Cusco ↔ Rainbow Mountain (included in day-trip price ~£20-30)
🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar
- →Shared day-trip to Rainbow Mountain — book via hostel or local agency (~£20-30 including transport and guide)
- →Entry to Vinicunca (~£3)
- →Full day trekking to the summit and back (allow 6-7 hours total)
- →Farewell dinner in Cusco
Adios Cusco!
Cusco
Pack up and check out. Head to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) via an official taxi (~£5). If your flight is late, drop your bags at the hostel and squeeze in a final wander through the San Blas neighbourhood or a last cup of coca tea at a café on the Plaza de Armas. Safe travels!
🚌Official taxi to CUZ airport (~£5)
- →Check out of hostel
- →Optional final wander in San Blas
- →Official taxi to CUZ airport (~£5)
Self-launched vs. Gap 360
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Gap 360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£630 | £1,350 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £720 per person (53%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Gap 360-style trips? Check them out here.~£630
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.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Ultimate Peru: Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £630 per person for 10 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 £1,350 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £630 — a saving of roughly £720 (53%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.