Peruvian Highlights – Peru Tour for Young Adults & Young Solo Travellers

Peruvian Highlights Tours for Young Adults

The one that dives deep into Peru’s iconic sites, from Incan ruins to Amazonian adventures

Let the good times roll as you go deep into some of Peru’s ultimate spots on this 8 day adventure. Get your culture fix at Machu Picchu, with its unbeatable views & ancient Inca history. Head to the mighty Amazon before feeling an adrenaline rush in Cusco, with rafting at the ready. Try fishing for piranha, spotting Amazonian Caiman & sleeping at a luscious lodge in the rainforest. You can choose to either trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or take it easy and go by train.

“70 percent join our trips solo”

“70% of our travellers join our trips solo, so you’ll travel with like-minded young people who want to make friends, experience new things and create lifelong memories. This is the best way to turn solo travel into the most social travel imaginable.” (Cited from the very experienced and internationally popular operator of this tour for young adults. For the latest info and eventual changes see here)

“Most popular youth travel company in the world”

Info by the very experienced and internationally popular operator of this tour for young adults (“Most popular youth travel company in the world”, Wikipedia): “Our trips are exclusively for 18-35s, and whether you join us solo or in a group, our trips are designed so you can share incredible experiences with young travellers just like you.”

Reviews by tour participants:

4.7 out of 5 stars (70 Reviews)* (all reviews and the latest rating available on the details page

Target age group:

18 to 35 (35 to 45 at “Reunion Trips“)

Trip duration and price:

8 days, 1 country from about $ 2459* (final prices – also in other currencies like British £ or € – available on the booking page)

Destinations:

South America > Peru

You’ll find all details and eventual changes on the details page

Planned Itinerary:

Day 1: Lima

Day 2: Lima

Puerto Maldonado

Jungle Lodge

Day 3: Jungle Lodge

Day 4: Jungle Lodge

Cusco

Day 5: Cusco

Sacred Valley

Day 6: Sacred Valley

Aguas Calientes

Day 7: Aguas Calientes

Machu Picchu

Cusco

Day 8: Cusco

Day 1: Start Lima

Lima
Welcome to Lima! Steeped in Spanish colonialism yet buzzing with modern metro vibes, this place is sure to ignite your love for Peru. Spend your morning marveling at lavishly decorated churches and an underground tunnel cemetery overflowing with bones or catacombs, then hit the Barranco district this afternoon to get a feel for its bohemian ambiance. A stroll over the Bridge of Sighs is also a must. And of course no trip to Lima is complete without devouring at least one portion of ceviche – it’s a pretty massive deal in the city. Round off the day watching the sun set over the Pacific, most likely with a pisco sour in hand…

Selina Miraflores (or similar)

Included Meals:

DinnerIncluded ExperienceTour LimaGet to know this magnificent clifftop city. It’s steeped in history and pretty architecture. But we’re all about the epic food.

Day 2: Lima to Jungle Lodge

LimaWe’ll catch a flight to the city of Puerto Maldonado in Peru’s southern jungle. We’ll have lunch on the river as we travel upstream by a traditional Peruvian boat to our Contiki Special Stay Rain forest Lodge in the mighty Amazon jungle, where we’ll try to spot toucans, macaws and capybaras along the way.

Puerto MaldonadoA quick tour of the city will reveal colorful fruit stalls, open air markets, and locals going about their day. But now we’re back underway and we just want to get to the jungle.Jungle LodgeOur lodge is a special experience in itself! Located in then luscious rainforest and made from wood and clay, its open walls leave you sleeping virtually amongst the rainforest! After you settle in, we’ll get a different take on the jungle as we take a hike to the canopy tower. After climbing the 100ft of stairs you will be provided with a birds-eye view of the rainforest! Home to monkeys, birds, bromeliads and other jungle life, this is the ultimate way to see the jungle.
After dinner you can experience something really different, heading out to look for caiman, a member of the alligator family native to the Amazon. Scan the shores with flashlights and see if you can catch the red gleam of the light as it reflects off of the caiman’s eyes.

Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge (or similar)

Included Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Included ExperienceFly to Puerto Maldonado Cameras ready. It’s not every day you get a bird’s eye view of the Amazon rainforestIncluded ExperienceCanopy hike for amazing jungle views at our Jungle Lodge in Puerto MaldonadoIncluded ExperienceOrientation tour of Puerto Maldonado

Day 3: Jungle Lodge

Jungle Lodge
With another day at the jungle lodge, keep your eyes peeled for a wildlife like the giant otter, monkeys, tropical birds, bromeliads and other jungle life, this is the ultimate way to see the jungle.

Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge (or similar)

Included Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4: Jungle Lodge to Cusco

Jungle LodgeWave goodbye to your jungle home, and say hello to Cusco.CuscoSpend today exploring the beautiful city of Cusco – wander the main plaza, visit the Tread Right support weaving centre or feed your sweet tooth with a visit to the chocolate museum.

Selina Saphi (or similar)

Included Meals:

Breakfast

Included ExperienceFly into Cusco Feel those butterflies of excitement as you board a plane to the Peruvian city. It’s the former capital of the Inca Empire.
Included Experience Walking Tour of CuscoYour chance to pick up some mementos at San Pedro Markets and then see Cusco Cathedral, San Blas and Coricancha.
Interactive Peruvian Dining ExperienceAcPeruvian Encounter dining experience where you’ll learn about traditional Peruvian culinary practices and ingredients in Cusco.
Additional costs apply

Day 5: Cusco to Sacred ValleyMake Travel Matter®

CuscoHeading out of Cusco and bound for the Sacred Valley on our private coach, this is where our journey into the ruins and mystique of this land truly begins. We’ll stop off to witness the ancient Incan art of weaving in practice by a group of talented local artisans. Throughout the journey, pay close attention to your surrounds – there’s the chance to spot the Incan farming technique of terracing. Want to know what the Peruvians do for fun? You’ll get the chance to play the traditional game of “Sapo”, and exactly what that entails we’ll leave to the imagination…Sacred ValleyOur explorations of the Sacred Valley will begin with a guided tour of the Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins. Our Local Guide will give you the D-L on visiting the circular terraced Pisac ruins first which date back to the 1400’s. Moving on to Ollantaytambo, base camp for those taking the trek tomorrow, we’ll appease dry mouths with some homemade Chicha de Jora brew. This tiny town may be small in geographical terms, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in attitude, with artisan shops and cafes spilling out onto streets, and the roaring Urubamba river providing the perfect natural background noise. For those embarking on the Inca trail tomorrow this is your final chance to stock up on last minute essentials (socks, socks and more socks). For all others, spend your time soaking in the vibes, hanging with other travellers and just getting a feel for this iconic little town.

Tunupa Lodge Ollantaytambo (or similar)

Included Meals:

Breakfast

Included ExperienceExplore the Sacred ValleySee this former heartland of the Incan Empire and hike around the Pisac ruins. Make Travel Matter®Help Preserve Millenary Traditions (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience)Learn about the vibrant Andean art of weaving & goldsmithing in Pisac Qolque. Every penny you spend here helps them preserve their time-worn cultural identities & form of self-expression.
Included ExperienceVisit Pisac Town and Market The sleepy town will give you a taste of local life in the Sacred Valley. Don’t forget to pick up some mementos at the market.
Included ExperienceTaste Local Chicha de JoraAKA ‘corn beer’. This ceremonial bevvy was the drink of choice for Incan nobility.

Day 6: Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes or Inca Trail Trek

Sacred ValleyFor those embarking on our epic 1 day trek, we’ll catch the train to KM104 and the start of a day to remember. With just 3.5 hours on foot and 6-kilometres to cover, the enchanting site that awaits us will make it all worthwhile. Descending into the site we’ll take in Huayna Picchu ‘Little peak’ – the iconic peak you’ll have seen in every picture ever – marvelling at the incredible handiwork of the ancient Incas. Satisfaction levels at an all-time high and with a big ol’ smile on your tired face, we’ll head back to Aguas Calientes and a squishy hotel bed you couldn’t be more deserving of.

For those not embarking on the Inca Trail, the morning is yours to enjoy the surrounding lush mountains of Aguas Calientes.Aguas CalientesCan you feel the excitement mounting? Yep – those are pretty much the feels when Machu Picchu is quite literally on the horizon. This afternoon we’ll hop on the train to Aguas Calientes, a cute town in its own right complete with roaring river, quaint bridges and local haunts, but most famously known as the gateway town to Machu Picchu. We’ll meet up with those who opted for the one day trek, and basically spend the evening hyping each other up for what’s to come tomorrow.

Hotel Flower’s House (or similar)

Included Meals:

Breakfast

Included ExperienceTrain to the Gateway of Machu PicchuFeel the goosebumps of excitement as you glide into Aguas Calientes and get ready to start this life-changing experience.

Day 7: Aguas Calientes to Cusco via Machu Picchu

Aguas CalientesExcitement levels at an all-time high, the day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here – it’s Machu Picchu time! This is one big old tick off the life goals list, so enjoy every single second of it.

Machu PicchuBuilt around 1450 at the height of the Incan Empire, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the new world. We’ll be treated to a guided tour of the site taking in such wonders as the Temple of the Three Windows and Wayana Picchu (the peak you’ll of seen in every Machu Picchu image ever), and of course you’ll have some alone time to explore the area as only you can do.CuscoBack on the train we’ll de-brief on our once-in-a-lifetime experience as we head back to Cusco. Last time round was all about getting acquainted with the city, so now you’ve got you’re bearings you can really get lost amongst the market stalls and cobbled streets, maybe even going truly local by trying out a serving of cuy.

Selina Saphi (or similar)

Included Meals:

Breakfast

Dinner

Included Experience Entry into Machu Picchu: UNESCO World Heritage SiteIt’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals

Day 8: End Cusco

CuscoIt’s time to say adios to your travel buddies as your trips ends after breakfast. Craving more? Why not jump on our Bolivian Magic trip?
Please Note: If you opt in to the Rainbow Mountain Hike and White Water Rafting, we recommend booking post-accommodation or a late night return flight.

Included Meals:

Breakfast

Hike the Rainbow MountainHike the colourful contours of Rainbow Mountain from Cusco (subject to availability).
Additional costs apply

Go White Water Rafting on the Urubamba River Ramp up the adrenaline (and the laughs), it’s white water rafting time.Additional costs apply

You’ll find all details and eventual changes on the details & booking page

Some of the Highlights:

Included Experience
Canopy hike for amazing jungle views at our Jungle Lodge in Puerto Maldonado

INCLUDED

Included Experience
Entry into Machu Picchu: UNESCO World Heritage Site

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals

INCLUDED

Hike the Rainbow Mountain

Hike the colourful contours of Rainbow Mountain from Cusco (subject to availability).

ADDITIONAL COST APPLIED

Go White Water Rafting on the Urubamba River

Ramp up the adrenaline (and the laughs), it’s white water rafting time.

ADDITIONAL COST APPLIED

Trip Highlights

The must do experiences that you can cross off your bucket list

You’ll find all highlights and eventual changes on the details page

FAQs:

You’ll find all FAQs and the latest info on the details page

Included Meals:

7 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners

You’ll find all details and eventual changes on the details page

Team:

Expert Trip Manager + Driver Team + Local Guides

You’ll find all details and eventual changes on the details page

Group Size:

Maximum 25 people

You’ll find all details and eventual changes on the details page

Transfers:

Coach, Mini-Van, Plane

You’ll find all details and eventual changes on the details page

More Details:

You’ll find all details and the latest updates on the details & booking page

Over 60,000 – Join Us

Get occasional updates by email:

(Partially) travel with a nice group or entirely travel solo?

By booking an organized Peru tour for young adults or other South America trips for young people you can not only reduce planning hassle, but often also save money, as tour operators can buy accommodations, transportation, etc. in larger contingents in advance and thus get special conditions. You will also benefit from the experience of the tour operator, professional tour guides (whose stories you can enjoy…) and have the easy opportunity to meet nice fellow travelers when traveling in a group. Anyone who has traveled before will know that travel companions or other traveling acquaintances are one of the most essential factors for unforgettable experiences. In addition, you usually have enough individual freedom even with organized tours and you can, if the arrival and departure is not included, additionally extend your stay individually before or after the group tour with young adults. If you still prefer to organize your trip completely on your own and travel independently, then you’ll find all the practical tools you need to plan and book quickly & cheaply on our individual travel page.