20 Day Peru & Bolivia Adventure
Women Only
Max group 12
Lifetime Deposit
Solo traveller friendly
5 Good Reasons To Do This Trip!
MACHU PICCHU MAGIC:
You’ve seen it on all the travel shows a million times, but now it’s your turn – make that travel dream come true! Experience the magic of Machu Picchu live and feel the vibes of Incan history around you to truly ‘know’ this world wonder.
COOK THE CEVICHE OF CHAMPIONS:
Learn to make the best ceviche, possibly ever (!) with a Peruvian matriarch right in her own kitchen. Hit the market, gather your ingredients and whip up local specialties that’ll equally delight your taste buds and belly.
TITICACA HOMESTAY:
High up in the Andes, far away on the Peru-Bolivia border is a beautiful lake. A mud-brick house on its shores becomes your home for a night, and the local family becomes your family. Sweet dreams, Patchie. Better than a five-star hotel any day!
AMONG THE CLOUDS IN LA PAZ:
Explore the world's highest capital, where the air is thin but your adventures are never ending. From the wacky Witches' Market to the topsy-turvy Valley of the Moon, La Paz will leave you breathless – in every way.
SURREAL LANDSCAPE – SALAR DE UYUNI:
It’s the world’s biggest natural ‘mirror’ for a reason – you’ve never seen anything like the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia. Bounce along by 4WD, visit cactus-filled islands and watch the sunset turn the salt flats into a sparkling alien landscape. Just… wow!
Trip Details
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Pricing Details
- $1,900 AUD deposit per person.
- 2-week cooling-off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
- Private supplement available (max 4 spots) for those who would like to pay extra for their own private room.
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Trip length
20 days, 19 nights
Meeting point
Antigua Miraflores Boutique Hotel, Lima, Peru
Ending point
Rosario Hotel, La Paz, Bolivia
Group size
Maximum 12
Participation requirements
Please see our “Is this trip right for you?” section under the Participation Tab.
Included
- Meals: 19 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 16 dinners
- Air-conditioned private vehicle transportation, 4 x domestic flights, boat, catamaran.
- Scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, 4WD salt flats rides
- 15 nights boutique and premium hotels, 3 nights Amazon eco lodge, 1 night homestay.
- Two top-rated and English-speaking tour leaders
- Amazon specialist guide
- All listed activities and more!
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Any visas if required
- Late check-out at hotels
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks with included lunches and dinners
- Tip kitty. Note: as Aussies and Kiwis, we are not used to tipping! However, guide and driver tipping is customary for tours in Peru and Bolivia.
- Personal expenditure.
Click the tabs to find out more
What our Patchies say
Day 1: Welcome to Lima!
Welcome to Lima, the City of Kings!
It’s undoubtedly been a long journey to Peru so we’ve arranged for a private pick up and transfer directly to your hotel. No fussing with taxis! Relax and reboot or get acquainted with Lima’s energetic streets before a welcome dinner this evening. Soon it will be time to meet your fellow Patchies and local guides. This isn’t just your first taste of Peruvian cuisine but also your first glimpse of pre-Incan ruins.
Tomorrow you’ll dive head first into Peru’s lively capital!
Accommodation: Antigua Miraflores Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Included: Dinner
Day 2: Lima, Peru
The flavours and ingredients of the Pacific Ocean, Andes Mountains and Amazon Rainforest converge to create Peruvian cuisine, one of the most revered in the world. Today you’ll explore this colourful country through your tastebuds.
Follow your guide’s cue and get yourself immersed in the city’s hubbub of a market and vendors commotion, selling everything from peculiar fruits to whole tuna and aromatic spices like aji amarillo. Imagine if this was your weekly shop! After you’ve gathered together your medley of ingredients, head to a local home to learn how to make Peru’s national dish, ceviche, from the best. Your teacher is a Peruvian matriarch and, of course, a seasoned cook. You on the other hand won’t need to be a master chef, merely a devoted student – and lover of food!
End your epic foodie escapades with a walking tour along some of Lima’s best street food stalls: the perfect mix of history and cuisine.
Accommodation: Antigua Miraflores Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Snack
Day 3: Puerto Maldonado
(The Amazon Rainforest)
From the cosmopolitan streets of Lima to the Amazon Rainforest, today is a whirlwind-change of scenery to another of Peru’s many climates. You’ll take a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway of the Amazon Rainforest – getting there is an adventure in itself. You’ll travel by plane, car and boat, cruising up the Madre de Dios River for three hours before reaching a remote eco-lodge. Waiting for you is your local, specialist guide who knows both the rainforest and river like the back of their hand.
Accommodation tonight is another big change of pace. It’s cold showers, no WI-FI and limited electricity for the next few days. But oh! You’ll relish in the refreshing feeling after a long walk through the humid jungle.
Accommodation: Explorer’s Inn Lodge
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Amazon Rainforest
Wipe the sleep from your eyes under your mosquito net at the first light of dawn. After all, in the jungle there’s no snooze button! Today will be as action-packed as it gets, so energise yourself with a hearty Peruvian breakfast, then – it’s time to hit The Amazon!
Set off on a jungle trek beneath the towering bamboo and forest trees, all the while keeping an eye out for tanagers, turkeys, nun birds, woodpeckers and other majestic jungle dwellers. Can you hear the monkeys chatting to each other in the distance?
Your journey leads you to Lake Cocococha, a natural haven where the beauty of the Amazon is on full display and be sure to keep a vigilant eye out for the elusive giant otters!
After a brief intermission back at the lodge, we’ve made plans for you – a magical Amazonian sunset from the best seat in the house. We could explain this in more detail, but it’s more fun letting you find out on the day!
You’re not done yet! Pull out the bug spray – there’s a grand finale to your day of exploring the steamy bush – a night jungle expedition. You’ll hear the jungle’s nocturnal inhabitants come alive in a whole new way, before a symphony of tree frogs croak you off to sleep.
Accommodation: Explorer’s Inn Lodge
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: LAGUNA CHICA
At the crack of dawn, the Amazon awakens and so will you. A quick boat ride will take you to the ‘clay lick’ – a riverside spectacle where the morning light dances on the feathers of parrots and parakeets. Deep into their little ritual, these birds swoop and swirl, feasting on the mineral-rich clay to offset any toxins they may have consumed.
Back to the lodge for some breakfast, before the morning continues with a visit to a local farm. Here, you’ll connect with the land alongside resident farmers who’ll show you first-hand how they care for their crops, teaching you the techniques that sustain life in the Amazon.
In the afternoon, take a leg-stretching walk to Laguna Chica. The peacefulness goes hand-in-hand with some birdwatching and quiet reflection time.
Accommodation: Explorer’s Inn Lodge
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Cusco
It’s goodbye to the steamy jungle and hello to the highlands! Enjoy one final sunrise reflecting off the river – a panorama that captures the awakening of the Amazon. The air is filled with the calls of howler monkeys and the rustling of leaves as various creatures begin their day. After these final, unforgettable moments, you will head back to the real world.
You’ve seen both the modern capital and lush Amazonian Peru, now it’s time for the ancient capital, Cusco. It’s just a 50-minute flight up and into the Andes from Puerto Maldonado. Be prepared though, you’re about to experience a major shift in altitude as you fly from sea level to 3,400 metres in elevation.
Make sure to stay hydrated and, should you feel the effects, go in search of the infamous coca tea with the help of your guide. Dinner this evening is at Mama Seledonia, a restaurant that supports young, single mothers and dishes up some seriously yum-inducing eats. Unpack at the hotel, get comfy and settle in for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Altitude: 3,450 m
So, What Exactly Is Coca?
Peru is famous for coca and you’ll see it everywhere in the Andes region of South America as a remedy for everything from altitude sickness to asthma. Yes, this is technically the base ingredient for both Coca-Cola and cocaine, but it’s so much more than its undeserved status as an illicit drug and sugary soda. Coca has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is sacred to the Quechua people. Used in ceremonies and rituals, residue of the leaves has even been found on the lips of mummies, sacrificed long ago by the Incas. Locals typically roll the leaves into a ball and chew on them to release their restorative properties. All this to say, coca can be a wonderful aid to whatever ails you.
Day 7: History of the Incas
You’ve had only a taste of ancient Incan history and now it’s time for a deep dive! “Are we there yet,” you’re probably wondering? Not quite! Before you get to Machu Picchu, there are a bunch of places along the way for you to explore. Beginning with the outskirts of Cusco at Sacsayhuaman, a ceremonial centre that’s almost impossibly fortified. Just how did the Incas carve these stones that fit so perfectly together? The megalithic boulders that make up Sacsayhuaman look as if a giant had carefully placed each one.
Finish off your first full day in Cusco by strolling the streets this afternoon on a guided tour. You’re walking in the footsteps of thousands of years of history from the Qoricancha Temple to the gruesome Spanish Conquest. The city will sing you its story through both European and Incan architecture and the craggy cobblestones that connect it all.
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Altitude: 3,450 m
Day 8: San Blas Neighborhood
It’s been a whirlwind of a first week in Peru. Time for a little R&R! Start the day with a free morning, enjoying a peaceful breakfast at the hotel. A walking tour of the funky San Blas neighbourhood is on this afternoon. These white-washed, terracotta-tiled buildings are home to an artisan community of galleries, studios and a creative restaurant scene.
We’re sure you know the famous tune, “El Condor Pasa”, originally composed by a Peruvian and inspired by Andean folk music, and decades later ‘remade’ by Simon and Garfunkel. Is it possible this evocative melody piqued your interest in this trip? We wouldn’t blame you! The almost mystical instruments you’re hearing are zampoña, a member of the lute family. You’ll visit a local musician’s home where you can play traditional Peruvian instruments and even try your hand at making these traditional panpipes.
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Altitude: 3,450 m
Day 9: Sacred Valley of the Incas
It’s day nine and the time has finally come to journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This also means you’re a step closer to Machu Picchu. Peer up into the hills to see the terraced farms and sheer valley walls that protect the locals. This legendary part of Peru has been both a fertile farmland and creative haven for centuries. Today, you’ll jump right into the locals’ way of life, learning about their traditional, Andean weaving techniques using camelid wool. Afterwards, there’s a special lunch in store to commemorate your arrival!
Watch as searing stones are used to cook home-grown ingredients like guinea pig and potatoes, in preparation of an 8,000-year-old, traditional Pachamanca feast in your honour. Don’t worry if you can’t stomach eating these cute little guys – there’ll be beef and chicken too!
Accommodation: Sonesta Posada Del Inca Yucay Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: 2,860 m
Day 10: Aguas Calientes
All aboard the Inca Rail! Today you’ll follow the winding Urubamba River to Ollantaytambo by car before taking the train to Aguas Calientes. This isn’t just any railway but one of the most wow-inducing train journeys in the world! Watch as the Sacred Valley slips past your window before ascending high into the dense cloud forest.
On arrival in Aguas Calientes you’ll need to brace yourself, because… it’s just not as attractive. Unfortunately. It’s a touristy hotspot. But, there’s literally no way around it – it’s the necessary through-route to the main gig. Your hotel on the other hand is rather beautiful! Gather together for lunch before spending the remainder of the day however you’d like. You might just want to zen out at the hotel so you can avoid the souvenir traps. Get some rest tonight, this is the eve of your pinnacle Peru moment – the final push to the mythic Machu Picchu.
Accommodation: Hatun Inti Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Altitude: 2,040 m
Day 11: Machu Picchu
You’ve seen it through a screen or maybe in a magazine, but today, it’s the real deal. You’re finally about to witness Machu Picchu – in the flesh! You’ll arrive by shuttle bus, saving your energy for exploring the ruins themselves rather than climbing up the steps of the Inca Trail.
Visiting Machu Picchu is surreal. It’s beautiful, but popular. We recommend finding a quiet space for yourself, closing your eyes and bringing yourself into the moment. You can just feel the magical vibe out there. It’s amazing to think that it’s remained here, high up on the Vilcabamba Mountains, quietly for hundreds of years before someone noticed it.
Your guide will teach you everything there is to know about the Lost City of the Incas. A final stop for a celebratory lunch back in Aguas Calientes, then head back to your old stomping grounds, Cusco.
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: Machu Picchu 2,430 m, Cusco 3,450 m
Day 12: Cusco
It’s a free day in Cusco! You’re over halfway into this exciting trip through Peru and Bolivia. Take the day to reflect or venture back out onto the cobblestone streets. Your guide will give you a Boleto Touristico, a pass that gives you access to 16 museums and archaeological sites, if you haven’t had your fill of Peruvian history. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to sleep in and get some much needed rest. Tomorrow is a long drive deeper into the Andes!
Accommodation: Munay Wasi Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast
Altitude: 3,450 m
Day 13: Lake Titicaca
Remember that long drive we mentioned? Well today’s the day! It’s an epic 10-hour road trip of the Andes. It may be arduous but we promise that the destination, and views, are well worth the journey. Your route will contour through the mountainy peaks, all the while punctuated with herds of alpaca, wild vicuñas and locals navigating on foot.
You’ll break up the drive with lunch at a local restaurant, and before you know it, the gang will arrive at the shores of the stunning Lake Titicaca. You’ve made it to the highest altitude point of the trip at 3,800 metres. Spend the night, tucked beneath thick blankets in your host family’s humble, mud-brick home. Catching some zzz’s won’t be difficult after your adventurous day!
Accommodation: Homestay with a Llachon Community
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: 3,860 m
Day 14: Puno, Peru
Bid your sweet host family a tearful farewell as you sail away on Lake Titicaca. But dry your eyes quickly because the local family experiences aren’t over just yet! Drift along the serene waters as you head towards both the Floating Islands and Taquile Island for lunch with another family who lives in the centre of the lake.
The people of Taquile Island are skilled masters of the loom and they happen to be some of the friendliest people you could ever meet. Feel free to pick up one of their masterpieces if you find them appealing. This evening you’ll appreciate your more plush accommodation in the quiet town of Puno after a night of roughing it. Believe it or not, just across the water is your next destination, Bolivia!
Accommodation: La Hacienda Plaza de Armas Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: 3,830 m
Day 15: La Paz, Bolivia
Welcome to Bolivia!
After 15 days in Peru, it’s time to see the Bolivian side of the Andes. Today you’ll make your way to the highest capital city in the world, La Paz, sitting at almost 3,600 metres. It’ll be another adventurous day of transportation as you navigate both customs and winding switchbacks. But the journey will be studded with interesting, and downright mysterious, stops along the way. At the border, hop out of your Peruvian vehicle, take your time to farewell your Peruvian guide who is practically family by now, make your way through customs, and voila! Your Bolivian vehicle and local guide are eagerly waiting for you on the other side. Don’t fret this formality. Your guide will be with you every step of the way. Further down the road, the site of Tiwanaku is a head-scratcher. A once-great civilisation disappearing into thin air is enough to make anyone curious.
Crouched within a volcanic crater, the city looks as if it’s cradled in the arms of gargantuan mountains.
Accommodation: Rosario La Paz Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: 3,600 m
Day 16: Explore La Paz
Today is your introduction to the “Tibet of the Americas” through La Paz’s happily-jumbled streets. You should be well used to the altitude at this point but there’s no doubt that Bolivia will leave you breathless as you explore this city of two million with your trusty guide.
A visit to the Valley of the Moon will wow you with its almost supernatural, lunar landscape. Once you’re back in the city, hop aboard the shiny new cable cars for a bird’s eye perspective. Next, explore the wild and wonderful Mercado de las Brujas – the Witches Market! It’s as if you’ve stepped into a wacky world of magic with llama foetuses and talismans side-by-side with a prismatic explosion of textiles in various shades of neon.
Enjoy the afternoon free, relax at the hotel or continue your explorations of this enchanting metropolis. You’ll have the opportunity to seek out a local dinner of your choice tonight. Bolivian cuisine is all things hearty and comforting.
Accommodation: Rosario La Paz Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Altitude: 3,600 m
A Bolivian Fashion Statement
Curious why Bolivian women have incorporated the stoic-looking bowler hat , aka ‘cholitas’, into their wardrobe? First brought to Bolivia by British rail workers, the bowler hat began to take root in Bolivian fashion some time in the 1920s. Legend has it that a shipment of strangely small bowler hats arrived one day. Rather than have them go to waste, sellers began to market the woollen top hats to local women. The rest, as they say, is history! Today, you’ll see many Bolivian ladies rocking these cholitas to compliment their traditional, colourful outfits.
Day 17: Uyuni
Day 17 begins with a short domestic flight to the small town of Uyuni – home to the largest salt flat in the world and your base for exploring this alien landscape!
The salar was formed thousands of years ago as a result of lake waters slowly retracting, leaving behind huge deposits of salt and lithium, just beneath the surface.
As you gaze out at these salt flats, it does indeed seem as if you’re on a different planet. It strikes you just how far from home you really are. All your worries, obligations and what-not, have no significance out here. And boy, does it feel good.
Jump into your 4WDs to navigate the barren Bolivian Altiplano. You’ll make several stops that tell the story of the salar, from a long forgotten train cemetery to the process of making table salt. But the most impressive stop? Incahuasi Island, with 360-degree panoramic views and its surreal cacti forest, all of it surrounded by stark, white salt flats as far as the eye can see.
Dinner tonight will be held at your hotel, made entirely of salt! You could lick the walls to double check but trust us, it’s 100 percent sodium chloride.
Accommodation: Luna Salada Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: 3,650 m
Day 18: Tunupa Volcano
After a restful sleep beneath the salt, it’s time to venture back out onto the arid salar. We hope you brought your chapstick! Your guide will lead you through ancient caves where mummies have been resting for hundreds of years, perfectly preserved by the briny air. End the day with views of the salt flats from the base of Tunupa Volcano as you wave goodbye to this otherworldly landscape and the sun slips into the horizon.
Accommodation: Luna Salada Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19: La Paz
It’s your last full day in Bolivia and you’re headed back to the capital via a one-hour, early morning flight. Once in La Paz, drop your bags and enjoy your afternoon however you like. Walk the street markets and savour those peekaboo-views of Illimani, or just rest and reminisce on your time in South America. This is your last chance to grab souvenirs like singani, a local liquor or talismans to protect you on your trek home. Tonight you’ll celebrate the end of this epic adventure with dinner and traditional dancing, elbow-to-elbow with your adventure-bonded friends.
Accommodation: Rosario La Paz Hotel (or similar)
Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Altitude: 3,600m
Day 20 – Farewell Friends
It’s time to pack up, say tearful goodbyes and watch Bolivia disappear out the plane window. Can you believe it’s already been 20 memory-making days? Exchange info with the Patchie gals over one last breakfast of traditional salteñas. For now it’s, “Hasta Luego!”
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
Good to Know
Fitness
Level 2 or Moderate
A moderate level of fitness is required for this trip. If you can comfortably walk for 3–4 hours at an easy pace on uneven, undulating terrain, you’ll do just fine. Some days will involve spending extended periods on your feet and getting on and off various types of transport, including boats and 4WD vehicles.
You’ll need to be okay with using a squat toilet occasionally. While all hotel rooms are equipped with standard sit-down toilets, in remote locations and on-the-road, squat toilets might be the only option. Additionally, you should be comfortable accessing over-the-bath showers.
Day 3, 4, and 5: You’ll explore the Amazon jungle. While the walks aren’t particularly strenuous, the terrain is dense forest with high humidity, so be prepared for the unique challenges this environment presents.
Day 13: A long 10-hour drive awaits, so make sure you’re comfortable with extended travel. Rest assured, there will be occasional stops to stretch, refresh, and break up the journey.
High Altitude Trip
On this epic 20-day journey you’ll travel from the Peruvian Pacific coast to the Amazon, and up into the Andes. You’ll spend the final leg of your journey in the highlands where the altitude levels go beyond 2800 meters. All vehicles you’ll travel in have oxygen onboard. Our tour leaders are trained in first aid. We’ll share more advice on how to manage altitude change closer to your departure.
Is This Trip Right For You?
You love travelling and enjoying most of your time in a country.
You don’t like being rushed or herded around B-grade attractions, but you also understand that some places are worth the wait in line.
You’re open-minded and open-hearted. You try to embrace the little things. You understand that even in the best vehicles, the air-con sometimes breaks. Even in the best restaurants, the service sometimes is a little slow. This is just part of the adventure, and you choose to be gracious.
You also know that a ‘great trip’ doesn’t have to mean sprinting from place to place. The best moments so often come when you hit the pause button, sit still, and just take it all in.
You’re young enough at heart to know that sometimes the best opportunities come when you’re least expecting it. You understand that doing things right doesn’t always mean following a strict routine.
You enjoy trying new food, visiting new places, and making new friends. You make a great travel buddy and you love to share experiences with others. You understand that to fit in with local cultures, sometimes that involves trying something you haven’t tried before, or sitting on the floor to eat with a nomad family.
Does that sound like you? We’d love to invite you to travel with us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD:0.65 USD.
A deposit of $1,900 is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made 110 days in advance.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
This is the most frequently asked question we get!
Nearly everyone is in their 50s and 60s, with some people above and below (but of course, everyone is welcome!)
Most Patchies come alone and are matched with a room-mate. Remember, you don’t need to pay for a single supplement if you come solo. We will place you with a similarly-aged roommate.
The typical Patchie has travelled a LOT, is a well-seasoned adventurer, and is not easily thrown by small things. However, many Patchies tell us that this is their first ever group tour. Many of our guests have avoided tours to this point as they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.
Oh, and one last thing:
Patchies are warm, generous, and kind. We knew it would be like this, but we weren’t expecting it to be *quite* like this. We’re so blessed as a business to have the customers we do; we consider ourselves to be some of the luckiest people in the world.
There are several 1-stop flights to Peru from some Australian and New Zealand cities.
To accommodate the domestic flight luggage limits, we request that you travel with 1 case/bag weighing no more than 20kg, and 1 carry-on bag/case weighing no greater than 8kg.
Local regulations require that your stay in the Amazonian Rainforest be managed by your welcoming lodge hosts. Most of your luggage will be stored safely in their town office, and they’ll loan you a duffle bag to pack what you need for your three nights in the jungle.
Your lodge is eco-friendly and owned by the local community. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with flush toilets (ensuite), showers (cold water only) and mosquito nets. Usually, there is no electricity in the rooms. Don’t fret – you’ll be able to recharge your overworked camera batteries using the electricity outlets in the common area of the lodge at designated times of the day!
Due to the nature and remoteness of the location, you’ll be sharing the lodge and some transfers with others, besides your fellow Patchies. However, during the jungle expeditions, your group will have their own jungle guide – and you’ll always be accompanied by your Peruvian tour leader.
The scenic train ride on Day 10 takes you from the ancient town of Ollantaytambo to Agua Calientes. There’s no room for luggage on the small train carriages, so your group’s luggage will be stored safely at the station, and you’ll pick it up on your way back through the next day. Bring a small backpack with you to carry any personal items you need for your overnight stay.
Yes, we are committed to ensuring that all our Patchies enjoy a comfortable and satisfying dining experience throughout their journey. To accommodate special dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, celiac, and pescatarian diets, we kindly request that these needs be communicated to us at least 45 days prior to travel.
Please note that while we strive to offer a variety of options, the local gastronomy in certain destinations may have limitations. For instance, in Bolivia, Patchies with strict dietary needs may find their options more limited and might experience having to choose similar meals during their stay, with quinoa being a common ingredient in many dishes. Conversely, Peru offers a broader selection of culinary options that cater more easily to special diets.
On the last part of the trip, you’ll be travelling through the highlands region. Most of the destinations are at high altitudes (between 2,000 m and 3,600 m). Your first destination in the highlands is the vibrant city of Cusco at 3,450 m where you’ll have a chance to acclimatise to the altitude. Your tour leader is experienced in high-altitude travel and is trained in first aid. You’ll travel with oxygen aboard, for assistance in the rare case someone should feel ill from an atmospheric change. We ask that you consult your doctor for direction on how best to prepare for this tour.
International airfares are not included.
Solo travellers will be matched with a room-mate. Of course, if you prefer to have your own space, you can reserve the private room supplement.
Please contact us for more information.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under- tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf. On this trip you’ll visit two different countries with independent currencies, so for the sake of ease, we ask that you provide the amount in USD.
As your trip transitions on Day 15 to your second guide, we ask your contribution be:
$210 USD given to your guide in Lima on Day 1
$100 USD to your guide on Bolivia on the evening of Day 15.
The kitty will be managed by your guide and distributed along the way at restaurants for
included meals, hotel staff, drivers and all guides.
Aussies and Kiwis do not need Visa to vist Peru and Bolivia. The length of stay permitted upon entry is 30 days in both countries.
Airport transfers are included. You can plan to arrive at any time, but we recommend arriving in the morning to give yourself time to settle in. (NB: Hotel check-in time is 2pm)
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
