Peru is a very interesting country with a rich history and amazing landscapes. It is difficult to fit all the attractions of the region into one trip. But we have tried to put together a program that is suitable for almost any participant and covers the most famous locations of Peru: Lake Titicaca with the floating islands of Uros, the mysterious Nazca lines, the amazing oasis of Huacachina among the desert. And participants with acclimatization can also choose to climb El Misti volcano (5822 m), and those who are not ready for such hardships can visit the deepest canyon of Colca.
This is a more sightseeing program, all overnight stays in hotels (except for a night in the base camp for volcano climbers), meals in cafes, transfers between cities by shuttle or comfortable coaches, daytrips without backpacks, with you only snacks and water. Even beginners can join our tour in Peru. Physically the route is quite simple. The main difficulty is the altitude, the cure for which only one thing - the most smooth acclimatization, which is provided, mainly due to the trekking program.
If you are interested in the wilder nature of the Andes Mountains, want real hiking life with backpacks and overnight stays in tents, we recommend taking part in a hike in Peru, where you can pass the scenic Salkantay and Ausangate treks, and, of course, visit the ancient city of Machu Picchu. For those who go two programs in a row, there is a $250 discount on the second program (does not add up to other discounts).
In 8 days we can cover the most famous locations of the country: Lake Titicaca with the floating islands of Uros, the mysterious Nazca lines, the amazing oasis of Huacachina among the desert.
Climb the active but now dormant volcano El Misti, 5,822 meters high, where you can meet an enchanting sunrise and peek into the crater of the volcano.
We do not cancel or shift groups. If the manager approved the purchase of a ticket, you can surely buy it. The hike will not be canceled due to our fault.
Kuluar experienced teamleaders will accompany the group along the entire route, making your trip as memorable and safe as possible! They have been to South America many times and know the country in detail.
The manager, who will advise you before the trip, thoroughly knows the route and will tell you about it in detail.
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97.8% were satisfied. We're sure you will, too.
The Nazca Plateau and its mysterious drawings, created before our era by the ancient Nazca civilization, and which are now visible even from space.
During the trip we will have the opportunity to see the culture and life of the indigenous Quechua Indians living on Lake Titicaca and on the floating reed islands of the Uros.
Part of the group is already in Cusco after the previous main program. Who joins the group today - we strongly recommend to arrive 1-2 days earlier in order to acclimatize to the altitude and to adjust to a different time zone (8-9 hours difference). In the morning all together in a comfortable bus from Cusco we will travel 300 km to the shores of Lake Titicaca, which is the largest in South America by fresh water reserves and the second largest after Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. It is also the highest navigable lake in the world. In the afternoon we will arrive in the city of Puno, where we will check into a hotel, have a good rest, and take a short walk through the historic center.
Overnight in Puno. Altitude: 3900 m.
In the morning we explore the main attraction of Lake Titicaca, the floating islands of the Uru Indians. The Indians placed their dwellings on floating platforms made of totora reeds, and boats were also made of them. The traditional occupation of local residents is fishing. Many of the Indians now moved to the mainland and lead a more modern lifestyle, but a few hundred people and continue to live on the floating islands and keep the old traditions and culture of the ancestors, which are very willing to introduce the tourists coming here. After the cultural program, we return to Puno for lunch and leave by bus for the next point of our fascinating journey, the city of Arequipa. By about 9 p.m. we will arrive in town and check into a hotel to get a good rest before tomorrow's new adventure.
Overnight in Arequipa. Altitude: 2300 m.
Climbing El Misti volcano, the height of which is just under 6 km, is quite a serious and dangerous for health. Therefore, only those participants who have already been trekking in Peru and have been to heights of 5,000 meters are allowed to ascend. Those who arrived only a couple of days ago go on an excursion to Colca Canyon.
El Misti Volcano
In the next two days we will have the opportunity not just to make a mountain trekking, but a real ascent to the volcano with a height of only a little less than 6 km. It will be a real, active, but now temporarily dormant, volcano El Misti, whose last eruption was registered in 1985. The huge volcano is only 17 kilometers above the city and can be seen from almost anywhere in Arequipa, but we are going to look straight into its crater at an altitude of 5822 meters. In the morning we will be picked up by a vehicle that will take us to the 5,500 m ascent. Our goal for today is to get to the summit camp at 4550m and from there we will start the ascent to the summit tomorrow.
Distanse: 5 km. Difference in elevation: climb - 1050 m.
Overnight in tents. Height: 4550 m.
El Misti Volcano - Arequipa
We wake up, like all real climbers, long before dawn, and after a light breakfast we go to assault the summit. Such early departure is necessary in order to have enough time for ascent and descent in case of too slow movement, bad weather or other unfavorable circumstances. Besides, weather in any mountain is usually more stable before lunchtime, so chances to climb early are much higher. The ascent is not technically difficult and requires only good physical form and acclimatization to the altitude we have already gained during the previous treks. We will walk along the frozen lava streams and volcanic ash, and when we reach the summit we will look into the main crater of the volcano and see active fumaroles, sources of hot volcanic gases. On the same day we will have to go back to the base camp, pack our things and tents, and go down to the transport waiting for us at the beginning of the road.
Distanse: 11 km. Difference of heights: ascending - 1270 m, descending - 2320 m.
Overnight in a hostel in Arequipa.
Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Those who chose to visit Colca Canyon will return back to Arequipa tonight, where we will reunite as a group and continue our journey.
We will rest for a while in Arequipa, see the cathedral and the historic center of the city, built of white volcanic stone "siyar", for which Arequipa was tacitly called the "white city". Lunch will take the bus to the Nasca town in the middle of the desert plateau on the southern coast of Peru.
The tour in Peru continues, and in the morning we will have an unforgettable adventure - flying in a tiny plane over the legendary Nazca lines. The origin and the exact age of the lines are still a mystery, but it is known that thanks to the incredibly dry local climate these geoglyphs have been preserved since ancient times. In total about 30 drawings are known and also set of lines and spirals outlined in this desert landscape for many kilometers. The drawings range in size from tens to hundreds of meters, so it is only possible to see them from a plane, which takes off from the local airfield every hour.
After the flight, a two-hour drive to the next point on our route, the Oasis of Ouacachina, a unique lake in the middle of the sand dunes near the town of Ica. Here we will spend the sunset, and if we wish we can take an extreme ride on sand "buggies" or ride off the dunes on a sand board.
After enjoying the oasis and all its attractions, we take the express bus to Lima. The trip to the capital of Peru takes about 5 hours. During the day we will have time to visit the sights of the city, and in the evening we will go to a fantastic light and music show Circuito Magico del Agua in the world's largest open-air fountain complex in one of the parks of Lima.
The final day of the trip. Our trip has come to an end and we say goodbye to the magical and unforgettable Peru. And now happy and full of impressions we return home to share with family and friends entertaining stories, show photos and give souvenirs from the distant and mysterious country of Peru.
Optional: Excursion to the Palomino Islands
In the morning, if there is time before your flight and weather permits, you can go on a fascinating excursion to the Palomino Islands in Lima. This archipelago, just an hour and a half from the port of Cayao, is a nature reserve that is home to marine animals and large colonies of birds such as boobies, pelicans, gulls and red-footed cormorants. The highlight of this trip will be the opportunity to dive into the water and swim in close proximity to the sea lions that live there, who out of their natural curiosity willingly swim up to tourist boats and are very friendly to people who join them in the water.
The manager will advise you on equipment, help you find the best flight, share information on hotels and excursions. You make your own payments and purchases. If you want the manager to buy the ticket for you, it is possible, but for extra money, because it is a big responsibility. More in the article: additional services.
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the teamleader has the right to make changes to the route.
You do not need a visa to Peru. Of the documents you need to have with you only a valid passport.
You must have no illnesses from this list in order to participate in the hike.
It can be quite hot during the day, even at altitude. Peru is characterized by frequent but brief rains. Therefore, be sure to take a good membrane jacket and pants, and do not forget the sunscreen. In the evening at altitude it gets cold, night frosts can reach temperatures down to -15C, so do not forget a warm fleece and thermal underwear.
Peru is a mountainous country. Therefore, immediately upon arrival in Cusco you get to an altitude of 3400 m. We strongly recommend you to arrive 1-2 days earlier in order to acclimatize before the program and give your body time to adjust to a different time zone. On the first day of the program we move to Puno, which is located at an altitude of 3900 m. Without proper acclimatization it will be difficult for you to cope with such altitude. And apart from not enjoying the trip because of weakness and headache, the first day of the trek can be your last one because of the mountain sickness. So don't spare an extra 2 days of vacation to help your body and ensure you feel good. There are many interesting places to do in Cusco, we can help you with that. As an option, from Cusco you can take a train to Machu Picchu (2400 m), which will provide you with a smoother acclimatization.
After journey in Peru, we recommend the following routes:
Flight to Peru from Kiev is possible only with connections in Europe, usually in Paris or Amsterdam. The cost of such international flight is about $1,200-1,300, but may vary slightly depending on the time of purchase and departure dates. When choosing a flight, keep in mind that with short connections of less than 2 hours there is a high probability of delay of your luggage, which can be delivered only in a couple of days. So try to choose longer connections or prepare in advance all the things you need for the first days in your hand luggage that you'll take with you on the plane.
Our recommendations for airline ticketing services can be found in this article.
You need good insurance to participate in the program. Please do not neglect this item. For some participants, it saved thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for taking out insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hikers"
The whole group gathers in Cusco. Individual participants can cooperate even at the stage of buying tickets - it's easier and more fun to get there together. We will send you detailed information about the group meeting 7-10 days before the start of the trip by e-mail
Meals in the cities, during excursions, are not included in the price of the program. Breakfast will usually be included in the price of the hotel, and for dinner we will go to one of the local restaurants, where everyone will be able to choose a dish to their liking. At lunchtime we will act according to circumstances - either go to the restaurant or take a pre-prepared snack.
The price includes accommodation in hotels on a two- or three-bed basis. If possible, these will be rooms with private showers and breakfast included. On the ascent we will rent spacious 4-person tents, where we will sleep 2-3 people each. The mats can be used instead of bringing mats from home, as they come with the tents. Here we'll use 3-cm-thick foam mats. We recommend that you have your own sleeping bags, although there are also rentals available if needed.
It can be quite hot during the day, even at altitude. Peru is characterized by frequent but brief rains. Therefore, be sure to take a good membrane jacket and pants, and do not forget the sunscreen. In the evening at altitude it gets cold, night frosts can reach temperatures down to -15C, so do not forget a warm fleece and thermal underwear.
The cost depends on the number of participants in the group:
The total amount of additional expenses not included in the price may be $200-450 + airfare to Peru.
We advise you to exchange money for food and souvenirs in local currency (Peruvian sol, PEN) on the first day of the program. Note that in Peru, because of frequent counterfeiting, dollar bills of the CB series are not accepted. Card payment is possible in the cities, but not everywhere. VISA cards are most commonly accepted. ATM cash withdrawals are limited to the equivalent of $200 per transaction and are subject to a fee.
*Please note: It is not the manager's task to choose a separate flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations from his experience and shares flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want the manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
To reserve a place in the group, you need to make an advance payment of $200 in a way that is convenient for you. It is after you have made the prepayment and purchased the tickets that you will be booked in the group. The remainder of the amount should be handed over to the guide on the first day of the program in cash dollars. In case of get out the itinerary you will not receive a refund.
