Lima to La Paz: Sandboarding & Sunsets
Experience Overview
Take the party to new heights in the crisp mountain air of the Andes. With other young travellers not afraid to try new things, you'll journey from the enigmatic Nazca Lines to the lost city of Machu Picchu and onward to incredible La Paz. You'll commune with the condors in Colca Canyon and feel like a local while crashing at a small village homestay at Lake Titicaca. Think of this as three weeks of climbing higher, going further, and pushing boundaries on the roof of South America.
Highlights
- Go sandboarding in the oasis of Huacachina
- Conquer the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Spot condors at Colca Canyon
- Meet the locals at a Lake Titicaca homestay
- Sample the delicious Peruvian cuisine.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2478
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Local bus, train, hiking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
18 - 35 Year Olds Only
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: JML.A
Starts: Lima, Peru
Finishes: La Paz, Bolivia
Duration: 21 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Demanding
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products Your G for Good Moment: Lake Titicaca Homestay, Lake Titicaca Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Foodie Moment: Pachamanca, Nazca Your Discover Moment: Cusco Your Foodie Moment: Sacred Valley Brewery, Ollantaytambo Your Big Night Out Moment: Cusco
- Sunset sandboarding & dune buggies (Huacachina)
- Pachamanca-style lunch (Nazca)
- Colca Canyon excursion
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Inca Trail hike with a local guide, cook, and porters (4 days)
- G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products for use on the Inca Trail
- Guided Lake Titicaca excursion
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Simple hotels (10 nts), hostel (4 nts, multi-share), overnight buses (2 nts), camping (3 nts), homestay (1 nt).
- 15 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
- Local bus, train, hiking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, specialist Inca Trail CEO on hike, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,161 ($151 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Arrive at any time. Get to know your group tonight as you head out to one of the many bars and restaurants in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco. Enjoy a local craft beer with your fellow travellers as you get excited for the adventure to come.
Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city.
Day 2: Lima/Huacachina
Travel along Peru's breathtaking coast to the oasis of Huacachina where you can sandboard on the desert dunes while watching the sun go down.
Day 3: Huacachina/Nazca
Wake up and make the most of your time in Huacachina before your adventure continues on to Nazca. There is time in the morning for an optional excursion to the Ballestas Islands, home to a lively colony of sea lions, pelicans, and other varieties of birds. Later, catch a bus to Nazca. Stop along the way at a Pisco winery and try the country's national drink!
Day 4: Nazca/Arequipa
Choose to soar over the iconic Nazca Lines today with a pre-bookable flight, or take a tour of the Nazca Desert Cemetery and Pottery Studio. For lunch today experience pachamanca, a traditional way to prepare Andean foods by slow cooking them in an underground oven. Tonight, catch some z's on an overnight bus to Arequipa.
Day 5: Arequipa
Welcome to Arequipa! Take the day to explore what is known as the 'white city.' If you're into history and architecture, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, where you'll get a unique glimpse into a bygone way of life. For spicy food lovers, visiting one of the 'picanterías' is a must. Satisfy your craving with a variety of local regional foods: alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces.
Day 6: Arequipa/Colca Canyon
Enjoy a full-day tour of the spectacular Colca Valley and venture to the impressive Colca Canyon — one of the deepest canyons in the world — on an overnight excursion. With a little luck, you'll spot some unusual Andean animals such as vicuñas, and alpacas. Give your body some much needed relaxation by taking an optional dip in the the hot springs.
Day 7: Colca Canyon/Arequipa
Get an early start to be on the look out for condors. Travel from Chivay town to a condor viewpoint to get a glimpse of these magnificent birds in the air. On the way back, stop in local villages, and see old terraces. Later, head out for a drink in the Calle Zela area – restaurant, bar, or club, there's something for everyone!
Day 8: Arequipa/Cusco
Explore Arequipa – take a city tour if you want or check out a monastery or museum. Later, sit back and relax on an overnight bus to Cusco.
Day 9: Cusco
Explore the city on your own today or choose from a variety of activities that will help you discover the magic of Cusco. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets and plazas or choose to take a half-day tour of the city. Or, pre-book the Cusco cooking class if you want to learn to prepare delicious local specialties!
Day 10: Cusco
Today is another free day to explore all that Cusco has to offer. Feeling active? Take on the Rainbow Mountain trek or go mountain biking. Prefer to stay local? Take it easy with a visit to the Inka Museum and hit up some of the many great cafes, restaurants and bars.
To arrange the hike to the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 11: Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Head into the Sacred Valley today to visit the G-Adventures supported women's weaving co-op in the Ccaccaccollo community. Learn about weaving, and meet the adorable resident llamas. If you see a knitted item you like, buy it — a perfect keepsake from your journey. Stop and sample some craft beer at a brewery on your way to Ollantaytambo.
Day 12: Inca Trail
Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where your trek begins. Hike through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons. You'll see several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.
Day 13: Inca Trail
Get an early start today to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, known as Dead Woman's Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with some much needed R&R.
Day 14: Inca Trail
Cross two more passes and ruins along the way. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through cloud forest on the gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley.
At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins (""forever young"") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).
Day 15: Machu Picchu/Cusco
The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Wake up around 03:30 and walk to the checkpoint. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the site. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon. Tonight, dance the night away at a popular night club.
Day 16: Cusco
Today is another free day to get the most out of Cusco and to do anything you may not have done yet. Continue to explore and be active or relax and watch the world go by from one of they many bars and restaurants on the main plaza.
Day 17: Cusco/Puno
Sit back, relax, and soak in the impressive views as you travel by bus through the Altiplano on your way to Puno on Lake Titicaca.
Day 18: Puno/Lake Titicaca
This morning, you will board a boat on Lake Titicaca and head to Taquile Island. Opt to have lunch in a local restaurant and shop in the afternoon at the local weaving cooperatives. Later, cruise to another village for an overnight homestay to live like a local on the shores of the lake. Learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and create unforgettable memories with the family and fellow travellers.
Day 19: Lake Titicaca/Puno
Say goodbye to your homestay family and stop at the Uros Islands on your way back to Puno. If you want, you can check out the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site. Or kayak on Lake Titicaca.
Day 20: Puno/La Paz
Today, enjoy a full-day drive around the picturesque lake and through the Altiplano to La Paz. Cross over into Bolivia and catch your breath before a night out in the highest city of the trip. Check out the area of Sopocachi for cool bohemian vibes.
Day 21: La Paz
Depart at any time.
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Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Kate R. - Traveled, December 2023
it's was super easy to have everything organised for me and all I had to do was relax and had fun. The only reason why I put 9 instead of 10 is sometimes I felt like the trip moved too quickly and I would have liked more time in some places such as huacachina
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/23/2023
Pietra K. - Traveled, December 2023
I was able to have experiences on my trip that I would not otherwise have. The homestay or unique experiences that our guide showed us made the trip incredible. The pace was perfect and I felt safe and didn't have the hassle of planning my trip alone. The size of the group was also perfect (there were 9 of us).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2023
Lucy I. - Traveled, November 2023
Travelling with G Adventures took all the stress away from me having to organise anything and it made me feel safe all the time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Matthew H. - Traveled, November 2023
Lots of activities packed in however it could do with more days with nothing planned to relax and catch up
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Louis C. - Traveled, November 2023
Overall experience was great
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/02/2023
Maren T. - Traveled, November 2023
Great time and lots of new friends
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/25/2023
Jan A. - Traveled, November 2023
Everyting was good organised (geregeld) in my oppinion execpt some of the daylay aouts that had coud be beter longer in ceartain places and night bus instaid of a day bus
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Jishnu B. - Traveled, November 2023
It was a good experience, you were taken care off very well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2023
Madison H. - Traveled, November 2023
Immersion into culture, good itinerary
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2023
Tesse K. - Traveled, October 2023
Everything was taken care of and we didn't have to worry about anything. If something happened (like someone got sick or the car broke down) our CEO handled the situation great.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/16/2023
Chloe W - Traveled, November 2023
Everything was planned for us so I could enjoy exploring Peru without any stress. I made great friends for life and the tour guides were so amazing and Knowledgeable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/02/2023
Emil P. - Traveled, October 2023
Experience a lot in little time
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Sam C. - Traveled, October 2023
Made everything very easy, didn't have to organise anything myself and had a great group of people + guide!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Scott R. - Traveled, October 2023
Unbelievable experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/11/2023
Jack C. - Traveled, October 2023
Had a great guide and an amazing trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Marie V. - Traveled, October 2023
It was an amazing trip but you need to be social and have the money
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2023
Michael G. - Traveled, October 2023
I had a great time on the trip but there are a few things that could be better.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2023
Alina M. - Traveled, September 2023
Ramel did a very good job as a tour guide and made this vacation memorable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2023
Matthew G. - Traveled, November 2023
The group tour aspect, of like minded individuals is awesome!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Leah F. - Traveled, September 2023
Well paced tour seeing many beautiful places. Excellent tour guide Romel. Nice being on a tour with people of similar ages.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2023
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