Peru for Women: Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca & Machu Picchu
14 days | 16 days with The Amazon Region extension |
- Group size
- 15–28 travelers
- Activity level
From Pachamama to pre-Inca cultures, hear the echoes of women across Peruvian history.
Beyond Machu Picchu, beyond Lima, Peru bursts with life—and if you look closely, you’ll find women at the heart of it all. On this specially designed tour, you’ll combine classics like Cuzco with fresh destinations like Arequipa and the Colca Canyon. At each stop, your Tour Director will center the feminine experience across centuries and cultures, from the ancient sculptures of the Larco Museum to the specialty coffee of Florencia y Fortunata Cafe. And if you find yourself yearning to trade the arid Andes for the lush Amazon, tack this trip’s extension onto the end of your itinerary.
Your tour package includes
- 12 nights in handpicked hotels
- 12 breakfasts
- 7 lunches
- 6 dinners with beer or wine
- 2 tastings
- 10 sightseeing tours
- Expert female Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
- 2 on-tour flights
- 2 train rides
Included highlights
- Larco Museum women-themed tour
- Arequipa’s UNESCO-listed historic center
- Colca Canyon’s condors & villages
- Lake Titicaca
- Raqch’i Inca ruins & community lunch
- Sacsayhuaman
- Coffee tasting at women-owned Florencia y Fortunata Cafe
- Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Ollantaytambo
- Awamaki women’s weaving cooperative
- PeruRail train ride
- Machu Picchu
Itinerary
Lima2 nights
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
Welcome to Peru! After arriving in Lima, make the short transfer to your hotel. You’ll touch down later in the evening, so use the rest of your day to settle into your room, grab a bite to eat, catch up on sleep, and look forward to the rest of your journey.
Day 2: Women’s sightseeing tour of Lima
Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome lunch
With its glimmering skylines and UNESCO-recognized historic quarters, the coastal city of Lima’s more than earned its nickname of the Pearl of the Pacific. Today, set out on a walking tour with your group to take it all in.
- Head toward the coast to the Parque del Amor—Love Park—and gaze at the mighty Pacific Ocean as you amble down its boardwalk.
- Enter the Larco Museum—Lima’s preeminent collection of pre-Columbian art—and embark on a thematic tour centered on the female experience in ancient Peru. Led by a guide, you’ll learn how women were revered as powerful figures in the region’s early cultures: artisans, warriors, rulers, and goddesses.
- Sit down in the museum’s restaurant for an included welcome lunch, served with beer or wine, and continue getting to know your Tour Director and groupmates.
Afterward, take it easy at your hotel until this evening’s optional cooking demonstration and dinner. Should you add it to your itinerary, you’ll get to experience a true national treasure—the bold flavors and bright freshness of the country’s cuisine.
Arequipa1 night
Day 3: Flight to Arequipa & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
Take to the skies this morning and fly southeast to Arequipa, Peru’s volcano-bound second city. After transferring to town, stretch your legs with a walking tour led by a local guide.
- Enter the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena, a sprawling Dominican convent that takes up an entire city block. Pass through its peaceful cloisters—beneath domes and flying buttresses—and peek into the daily lives of its resident nuns.
- Walk through Arequipa’s UNESCO-listed historic center—dubbed the White City for its buildings hewn from volcanic stone—to the Andean Sanctuaries Museum. Among its exhibits, you’ll find Juanita: the Ice Maiden. More than 500 years ago, she was sacrificed to the Inca gods high up the Ampato volcano. She lay there, frozen, until 1995, when her mummified body was discovered.
- Indulge in a slice of queso helado. Despite what its name suggests, this local treat doesn’t contain any cheese—just ice cream flavored with clove, coconut, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Colca Canyon2 nights
Day 4: Transfer to Colca Canyon
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, you’ll climb higher into the Andes, driving from Arequipa to Colca Canyon via the Patapampa Pass. At just over 16,000 feet of elevation, it’s the highest paved road in the Americas; a photo stop at the soaring Mirador de los Andes reveals a barren landscape and nearby peaks stretching even farther into the sky.
Finish your journey by descending into the Colca Valley and stopping at a local restaurant for an included lunch. The rest of your day’s all about relaxation: Once you check into your hotel, you’ll be free to nap in your room or melt into the welcoming waters of an on-site hot spring. Emerge in the evening for an included dinner, served with beer or wine, then get back to lounging.
Please note: If you’re prone to altitude sickness, be sure to pack medication, stay hydrated, and take any other precautions needed for the drive up the Patapampa Pass.
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Colca Canyon
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon—and deeper than all but a handful around the world—the Colca Canyon cuts a 60-mile path from the heights of the Andes to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Today, you’ll travel around its edge, stopping at mountain villages, pre-Inca farming terraces, and scenic viewpoints to get the full effect. And don’t forget to keep an eye on the sky: If you’re lucky, you’ll spot an Andean condor—the largest bird of prey on Earth.
Return to your hotel for a free afternoon (maybe try the hot springs if you haven’t yet?) before capping your day with an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Please note: Depending on your arrival time, some of today’s sightseeing may take place on day 4.
Lake Titicaca2 nights
Day 6: Lake Titicaca via the Lagunillas Region
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Forge east, across the arid expanse of the Andean highlands, and stop by Lake Lagunillas for an included lunch. From there, continue your trek to Lake Titicaca. A blot of deep blue surrounded by the dry yellows of the Altiplano, it’s the highest navigable body of water in the world, and one of 20 ancient lakes on Earth.
Pull into the city of Puno, Peru’s folklore capital, and settle in at your hotel. You’ll have some time to kick your feet up before joining back up with your group for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 7: Uros & Taquile islands
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Trade your bus for a boat today and take to the waters of Lake Titicaca. Your first port of call: the Uros Islands, just off the coast of Puno.
- Disembark on these artificial islands—created from buoyant, dried totora reeds—and learn about the Uros, an Indigenous group that has lived on the lake for centuries.
- Discover how Uros craftspeople built their floating homes by hand, then meet community members for a chuno workshop. Unique to the region, this dried food, made from potatoes, can last decades in storage.
Bid farewell to your hosts and climb back aboard your boat to sail further into Lake Titicaca. Soon, you’ll dock on Taquile Island—the outpost for a UNESCO-recognized style of textile art.
- Link up with some of the island’s inhabitants and listen as they explain Indigenous customs. Then, enter a family’s home to help with weaving and farming—and gain a more intimate understanding of daily life on the island.
- Finish your activities and join your hosts for an included lunch, served in full view of the Bolivian Andes. Afterward, return to your boat and head back to Puno.
Cuzco2 nights
Day 8: Cuzco via Raqch’i ruins & Inka Roots walk
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
En route to Cuzco, take a layover at Raqch’i. Part community, part storage depot, this four-square-mile archaeological site contains an array of Inca ruins—granaries, a temple, and more.
- Join members of the Inka Roots Experiential Tourism Association for an included family-style lunch. (Locally grown potatoes, beans, quinoa, and more are all on the menu.)
- Listen as your hosts share their group’s history and mission. Founded by Esther Camino Morón, Inka Roots seeks to promote environmental awareness, community support, and sustainable tourism—all grounded in Inca traditions.
- Follow a local guide across the Raqch’i complex, stopping to marvel at the Temple of Wiracocha. Though reduced to ruin, its 60-foot walls still stand, outlining a once-massive structure.
- Head to a nearby village and meet up with another Inka Roots member for a short hike. Follow a millennia-old path, leading to the famed Inca Trail, as your guide explains the area’s significance and some of its legends.
Finally, finish your drive to Cuzco, check into your hotel, and gear up for tomorrow’s sightseeing in the city.
Day 9: Women’s sightseeing tour of Cuzco
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
As the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cuzco once ruled over a territory that stretched from the southwestern tip of modern Colombia to the central valleys of present-day Chile. Today, you’ll get to know this UNESCO-recognized city from a woman’s perspective during a guided tour.
- Stroll through the ruins of the Sacsayhuaman, a citadel whose stone walls were put in place without the use of mortar. Then, view the 26-foot-tall Cristo Blanco, a statue of Jesus Christ sent to the city as a thank-you gift by Palestinian refugees who sheltered there during World War II.
- Walk through the city center and step inside the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo. Established by the invading Spanish in 1534, it stands on the site of—and originally used materials from—Koricancha, the Incas’ most important temple.
- Cross the UNESCO-listed Plaza de Armas to enter Cuzco Cathedral. Standing on the site of the old Inca temple Kiswarkancha, this Catholic church makes excellent use of Renaissance, late-Gothic, and Baroque styling.
- Wrap up by visiting Florencia y Fortunata, a women-owned specialty coffee shop. From sourcing beans from female growers to only employing female baristas, this cafe centers women at every step of the coffee-making process—with tasty results. Chat with the owner and grab a cuppa before saying goodbye!
Whether you missed our excursion on day 2, or want to solidify what you learned with hands-on practice, tonight’s optional cooking class offers another opportunity to dig into the details of Peruvian cuisine. If you decide to spend the evening on your own, grab some new friends and go for a walk through the San Blas neighborhood, climbing Calle Siete Borreguitos to the colonial-era Sapantiana Aqueduct.
Machu Picchu Region1 night
Day 10: Aguas Calientes via the Sacred Valley
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
As you journey through the Sacred Valley to reach the town of Aguas Calientes—the gateway to the grandeur of Machu Picchu—make some stops to better understand the Inca culture and present-day life in the Andes.
- Start with a visit to Ollantaytambo, a small mountain town with a trove of Inca ruins. In the 16th century, it served as a base of operations for Manco Inca, leader of the resistance to the Spanish conquest of Peru; to this day, visitors can explore Ollantaytambo’s stone defensive walls and still-standing homes.
- Stop by Awamaki, an EF partner and nonprofit dedicated to increasing economic opportunities for local women. Over the years, we’ve helped this group grow, allowing it to more deeply impact its community by increasing educational access and promoting financial independence. In an exclusive experience, you’ll see how Awamaki’s female weavers skillfully create textiles using traditional techniques, then try your hand at crafting a bracelet.
- Refuel with an included lunch at El Albergue, a partner of Awamaki’s, and enjoy the flavors of a traditional pachamanca—marinated meats and seasoned vegetables cooked in an earthen oven.
- Board a scenic train to Aguas Calientes, soaking in the views as you roll through the Sacred Valley.
Arrive in the evening, then sit down for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Sacred Valley2 nights
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Machu Picchu
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
No words can truly do Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, justice—but today, you’ll get to see this UNESCO-protected gem with your own eyes. From Aguas Calientes, climb higher into the Andes and spend the first part of your day exploring one of South America’s most spectacular archaeological sites.
- Begin in the heart of the complex, touring its emerald agricultural terraces and the guardhouse—a spartan hut used by soldiers to guard the approach to Machu Picchu.
- Continue to the Funerary Rock, the symbolic entrance to the citadel’s graveyard; the hulking Main Temple and adjacent Chamber of Ornaments, where priests may have lived; and the Temple of the Three Windows, with its perfectly symmetrical openings.
- Wrap up by returning to the Sacred Plaza and gazing upon the Intihuatana. Set at the highest point in the complex, this carved, four-sided stone was most likely used by the Inca as an astronomical clock.
Use the rest of your morning to roam Machu Picchu at your leisure, then return to Aguas Calientes with your group for an included lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, board a scenic train to the Sacred Valley town of Urubamba and transfer to your hotel for the night.
Please note: There are several routes through Machu Picchu; the one your group will take may change based on availability. Furthermore, due to ticket scarcity and daily entrance restrictions, you must submit your full passport details no later than 90 days prior to departure, or risk being denied entry to Machu Picchu.
Day 12: Free day in the Sacred Valley
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
If you want to make the most of your time in the Sacred Valley, add this morning’s excursion. You’ll check off another pair of Inca highlights in Moray and the Maras Salt Pans, and enjoy an included lunch, too. Otherwise, ease into your day in the riverside village of Urubamba—and maybe pop over to the Palace of Huayna Capac. A rugged stone wall enclosing the local cemetery, these ruins stand as testimony to a ruler who oversaw the Inca Empire at its most expansive.
This evening, join your group for an included three-course dinner, served with beer or wine.
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 13: Flight to Lima & departure
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Leave Urubamba and transfer to Cuzco, where you’ll board a flight to Lima. Once you arrive, relax in a dayroom until the evening’s farewell dinner. Toast your trip with your choice of beer or wine, then return to the airport for your late-night or early morning flight home.
Please note: If you’re joining us on the extension, you’ll fly directly to Puerto Maldonado—your door to the Peruvian Amazon and the marvels hidden within.
Arrive Home
Day 14: Arrival home
Arrive home today.
The Amazon Region extension
The Amazon rainforest drapes over nine different countries—luckily, Peru’s one of them, and accessing its wonders couldn’t be easier. One short domestic flight from Cuzco is all that separates you from Puerto Maldonado, an ecologist’s paradise nestled in a bend of the Madre de Dios River. Explore the Amazon from the water and the air, understanding its biodiversity with help from a naturalist guide, then head home with a more profound connection to nature (and your fellow female travelers).
Puerto Maldonado 2 nights
Day 13: Flight to Puerto Maldonado & twilight river expedition
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Cuzco, board a flight bound for the fringes of the Amazon rainforest and land in Puerto Maldonado—Peru’s official Capital of Biodiversity. After an included lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll understand how it earned that title while on a twilight cruise of the Madre de Dios River.
As the sun goes down, listen as your naturalist guide expounds on the local ecosystem and the constellations slowly coming into view in the sky. Soon, nocturnal animals will stir from their slumber—look out from your boat and watch the river’s banks come to life.
Afterward, dock and head back to your lodge for an included group dinner, served with beer or wine, before calling it a night.
Day 14: Lake Sandoval & Amazon rainforest excursion
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell dinner
After getting a taste of the Amazon last night, head back into the jungle for a full day of exploring.
- Take a short boat ride up the Madre de Dios River, then hop ashore and follow a nature trail to the marshes of Lake Sandoval. There, climb into a canoe and paddle around the horn-shaped lake, admiring the region’s unique flora and fauna from the water.
- Return to Puerto Maldonado for an included lunch before departing for a canopy walk. Ascend a 100-foot tower and walk across a series of bridges to get a true bird’s-eye view of the forest floor—and maybe catch a glimpse of macaws and other native birds roosting in the trees.
- Head back to your lodge, then take to the paths surrounding it for an evening rainforest walk. (If you’re feeling tired, that’s OK: You can hang back and rest instead of joining this optional activity.) Keep a sharp eye out for the caimans, frogs, and other creatures your naturalist guide points out.
End the day with an included dinner, and celebrate your trip with your choice of beer or wine.
Please note: Activities may differ depending on lodge facilities.
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 15: Flight to Lima & departure
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy one last free morning in the Amazon before flying back to Lima, where you’ll spend the afternoon in a dayroom before boarding your flight home.
Arrive Home
Day 16: Arrival at home
Arrive home today.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Lima - Hilton Garden Inn Lima Miraflores
This modern hotel is located in the Miraflores district of Lima. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool, fitness center, and city views. Nearby, you'll find several beaches, Malecón de Miraflores, and the Huaca Pucllana Site Museum.
Arequipa - Casa Andina Premium Arequipa
This historic hotel is located in the heart of Arequipa. Guests enjoy the rooftop terrace, traditional room decor, and on-site spa. Nearby, you’ll find the Cathedral Museum, Plaza de Armas, and several of the city's best...
Colca Canyon - Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs
This peaceful hotel is located on the banks of the Colca River in Colca Canyon. Guests enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape, the beautifully manicured gardens, and the relaxing thermal baths. The hotel also offers...
Lake Titicaca - GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca
This modern hotel is located on the private island of Esteves. Guests enjoy a restaurant, a meeting area, and a gift shop. Nearby you’ll find Lake Titicaca, Titicaca National Reserve, and downtown Puno.
Cuzco - Hilton Garden Inn Cusco
This contemporary hotel is located in Santa Ana. Guests enjoy courtyard yoga, Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour market. Nearby, you'll find Plaza de Armas, Quirikancha, and Sacsayhuaman.
Machu Picchu Region - El MaPi by Inkaterra
This contemporary hotel is located in Aguas Calientes. Guests enjoy Wi-Fi, a bar, and laundry service. Nearby, you'll find Machu Picchu, Phuyupatamarca, and the Urubamba River.
Sacred Valley - Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado
This chalet-style hotel is located in Urubamba, Peru with panoramic views of the surrounding Sacred Valley. Guests enjoy the on-site planetarium, full-service spa, and garden with hammocks. Nearby you’ll find downtown Urubamba,...
The Amazon - Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción
This hacienda-style lodge is located in the Amazon Rainforest on the shores on the Madre de Dios river. Guests enjoy the spa, binoculars for rent, and access to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center. Nearby, you’ll...
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
FAQ
- Go Ahead’s Tours for Women are intentionally designed group tours for women. On our guided tours, you’ll travel with other women by your side and a woman Tour Director in your destination country to guide you as you go. It’s a perfect opportunity to forge meaningful connections with your travel companions and fellow travelers through shared journeys and bonding experiences.
- You’ll also learn about the history and legacy, and current experiences of women in the countries you visit, as well as have the opportunity to meet and work side by side with inspiring local women artisans, farmers, winemakers, tea growers, and chefs.
- For other questions, like who can travel on these tours, please visit our Tours for Women page.
- In order to enter Peru, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- Upon arrival in Peru, you will receive an Andean Immigration card which you will need to present when visiting Machu Picchu. Entrance tickets into Machu Picchu require full passport information. Travelers must enter these details via your online account, mobile app, or by giving the Traveler Support Team a call no later than 90 days prior to departure, or risk being denied entry into Machu Picchu due to scarcity of tickets and daily entrance restrictions.
- There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens to enter Peru.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Lima and depart from Lima.
- Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Lima, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect vigorous activity throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a very fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Two 1-night stays
- Most days and evenings full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Variety of transportation including motor coach, flights, trains and boats
- Daily drive time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 3-5 miles per day—this includes city streets, cobblestones, dirt paths, stairs, and hills.
- Stone walkways may be slippery even when dry.
- Visit to Machu Picchu requires minimum of 2 miles walking with many stairs, hills and uneven terrain.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.
Climate Considerations
- Travelers can expect a variety of climates on tour, from hot, humid weather in Iquitos to cooler, drier weather in the higher altitudes of Cuzco.
- Travelers should be prepared for days as cool as 60F and hot as 90F.
- Countries visited on this tour are in the Southern hemisphere so their seasons are opposite of those in North America.
- Summer months are considered December- February, while winter is June - August.
- Please be aware that you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 16,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including trains, planes and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- PeruRail transit and flights from Lima to Arequipa and Cuzco to Lima are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes flights from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado and Puerto Maldonado to Lima.)
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must be able to manage their luggage throughout tour; porters aren’t guaranteed at hotels or airports.
- Travelers must be prepared with an overnight bag/small carry on luggage for the train to Aguas Calientes as larger luggage will be stored in the Sacred Valley for one night.
- Peru’s diverse geography means temperature and climate vary widely across the country. A sun hat, sunglasses, and rain gear can help you stay comfortable in all types of weather.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing. Hiking boots are highly recommended, especially in the rainy season, as the terrain can be tough and muddy.
- Binoculars will let you get a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
- A small flashlight is helpful during night walks.
- Insect repellent is recommended for outdoor activities.
- We recommended bringing or purchasing snacks that you can easily bring with you each day to eat in between meals.
- A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
- Nasal spray and throat lozenges can help alleviate dry conditions when in high altitudes.
- On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers or potable water is provided on the bus and/or hotel.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the air conditioning in South American hotels and buildings is often not as strong or cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- Peru operates on 220 volts and uses Types A or C plugs with two flat pins or two round pins, respectively.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Please be aware that you will be traveling at altitudes as high as 16,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
- Even healthy travelers may sometimes experience altitude sickness, a temporary condition featuring symptoms of headache, fatigue, nausea, and light-headedness. Until your body acclimates to the higher altitudes, we suggest that you drink plenty of fluids and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
- Many hotels on this tour do not keep the electricity running throughout the night. Please contact Go Ahead Tours if you will be traveling with a CPAP machine so we can inform the hotels that the electricity in your room will need to stay running throughout the night.
- Be sure to take proper care for sun exposure, as the sun can be more intense at higher altitudes.
- We recommend drinking bottled water and refraining from drinking tap water, even while brushing teeth. Bringing a backpack that has an interior pocket to hold water will help you stay hydrated.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
- This tour includes seven lunches and six dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Peruvian cuisine reflects both the country’s indigenous cultures as well as European colonial and Pacific Rim influences. Staples include grains, like quinoa, maize and rice, as well beans, potatoes, and meat. Ceviche, traditionally raw sea bass marinated with lime and chilies, is a national dish. Adventurous eaters may want to try cuy, or roasted guinea pig, that’s cooked over an open fire. You can also raise a toast with Peru’s famous pisco, the delicious (and sour) white-grape brandy.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the Peruvian sol on tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey in Peru.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- Peru is in Eastern Time (ET) but does not observe daylight saving time.
- When it’s 9 am in New York City, it’s 9 am on tour from November through March and 8am from April through October.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers or potable water is provided on the bus and/or hotel. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
- When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
- Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
- If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.
