NOTE: Due to increased violence in South America, specifically Ecuador, this itinerary has changed. Read more to see how.
What this trip is: This is a 10 day group trip of the highlights Peru. We will start and end the trip in the capital of Lima, to allow for round trip flights. Our itinerary will include a day trip to sand dunes and islands, and spend several days in the historical cities of Cusco and Machu Pichu. The target dates are July 5-14th, 2024. The target group size is 8-10 people. The age is 21 and up. The price is $1550 + airfare and food. The registration deadline is March 10, 2024.
Goal: The primary goal of this trip is to explore the culture and history of Peru. The secondary goal is to have fun doing it. I cannot promise you that I won’t make any mistakes as a newbie tour guide, but I can promise that I will be responsible to solve it. You can just relax and enjoy the ride! Along the way you can anticipate 1000+ years of history, the rugged beauty of the Andes Mountains, and more kinds of potatoes than you ever thought possible. They say Peru has over 4000 varieties of this starchy vegetable, can you imagine??
Itinerary: Fly in Lima, Peru on July 5th and home on July 14th. Along the way we will explore the capital of Lima, take a day trip to sand dunes and islands, and spend several days in the historical cities of Cusco and Machu Pichu. Specific details, including optional tours and daily itinerary can be found here.
What to Expect of South America in August: It will be winter while we are there. As it is close to the equator, we can expect moderately warm temperatures, especially in lower elevations. However, as we will be in the Andes Mountains, sometimes at elevations of 11,000 feet or more, we can expect it to be cold. Another thing to consider is the types of insolation in the buildings as buildings in the area may not have good heating systems due to how short the cold season is. It is realistic to expect to pack layers, or stock up on the llama wool outerwear that the region is famously known for.
Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash
Speaking of elevation, we are talking about 10 days in a very high part of the world. You can expect countless stairs, hikes, and walks, and not just on a ‘hike’ but even just to our hotel. Pretty much everyone can expect to struggle with altitude sickness at some point. There are many local remedies and medications we can try, but I am also intentionally scheduling this trip to go from lower to higher elevations in the hopes that we will build up resistance and reduce any side affects. However, with this in mind, you will need to be gracious with yourself and others as no one really knows how we’ll feel until we get there. It would also be in your best interest to be physically active before the trip to reduce fatigue as much as possible. Above all else, you must have a clean bill of health to travel.
Another thing to consider is that, because of how the tourist industry has developed in these regions, many of the activities are only accessible with a guide, especially things that involve hiking. I will try to offer a variety of tours so you can get what you want out of each area we are in, but if you are a person who prefers to wander independently, you will need to expect to curtail that wandering some days on this trip.
Special note: This is a train and bus to hike around Machu Pichu style tour. This is not a hike the Incan trail tour, just to be clear.
Note on the flight: You will be responsible to get yourself to Lima, Peru on July 5th by 5pm and leave on July 14th.
*Note on Safety: Due to an increase in violent and nonviolent crimes in Peru, this trip requires an understanding and agreement that safety is our first priority.
Please read the US State Departments’ view on Peru’s Safety, especially noting the tab under ‘safety and security’. Please understand that if you join this group, you 1. Understand that we will do everything we can to be safe, but I can make no guarantees. 2. You are agreeing to travel as a group, never alone, especially at night and 3. we will not be out at night, even as a group, unless we have determined that we are in a very safe location. Peru, reportedly, has a 7 pm sunset in July.
What to expect from me: If you don’t know me well, you can read about me here. If you want to learn more about my travel style, click around on my page or find me on instagram @tripsbycamille. I’ve reviewed many of my previous adventures. I have been to 30 countries and counting, the majority of which I have had a significant role in planning. I do enjoy figuring out the details, but I also love the travel itself. Sometimes things don’t go as planned but my favorite part is when they go better than planned. So I keep planning and going because I love the surprises that travel brings. I’m excited for the opportunity to share these surprises with you and want to thank you profusely for even thinking this is an idea worth reading about.
Special note: I do speak Spanish and will be the acting translator for those who need it on the trip.
What I expect from you: I expect that you are adults. For this reason (and my own legal liabilities) you must be at least 21 to join the trip. I am agreeing to coordinate but I’m not agreeing to be a chaperone or a maid. I ask that everyone is considerate and responsible, that you ask for help if you need it, chip in where you can, keep track of your own travel documents, and you don’t wander off without telling someone.
I always say that travel is a gift. It’s an incredible privilege and my hope is that we can all keep this in mind as we go. Gratitude and grace go a long way about half way through a trip when the sun is beating down and you don’t know where the nearest bathroom is and maybe your travel coordinator is scrambling to pull the group together. So, I am asking that you bring your gratitude and your flexibility because we’ll be growing together.
Luggage Policy: If you haven’t traveled much internationally you are going to be surprised by my next statement, but everyone will be allotted one carry on suitcase and one hand bag/backpack. First, because we are being budget friendly and probably basic economy airfare. Second, because mountains= stairs and you do not want to be lugging a full sized suitcase over the Andes. Also, we will be traveling by plane, taxi, and public transportation. You will be very thankful for packing light, even if it means you have to decide what you will wear before you get there. In light of this, I will be booking accommodations with a washer and dryer at some point on our trip in case you need to do any laundry.
Note: Some people in my past groups have opted to carry large backpacks rather than pull a suitcase around. My only word of caution in this regard is that you will possibly be carrying that backpack for a half an hour or more, depending on the commuting situation. Since this always makes me too hot and tired, I opt for a suitcase, but that’s just me.
Additionally, I recommend that everyone pack a ‘daypack’ sized back pack or crossbody to use for carrying water, clothing layers, etc. A drawstring backpack, while handy, will not be comfortable for all day wear.
Cost
$1550 plus airfare, food, souvenirs, and optional tours. Should this change, you will be given adequate warning.
What Is Included
Trip Planning Fee: itinerary formation and managing tour and within trip transportation bookings
Transportation between cities: Flights from Quito to Cusco and Cusco to Lima. Transportation on day trips. Train to Machu Pichu. Basically, things that can be booked in advance. Spontaneous taxis, bus from the airport, etc, are not included in the trip price as they are difficult to calculate in advance.
Accommodations: These are double occupancy accommodations, allowing for you to share a room, but not a bed. If you are traveling with someone who you would be willing to share a bed with, let me know and I will calculate a discount for you. If you are wanting your own room, that is an option for a fee as well. Some locations may be hotels, lodges, airbnbs, or hostels. I prefer airbnbs as they get you into local neighborhoods, but I will be cross-referencing prices and booking other options if they are better.
Tours: 2-day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour, Island and Desert Day Trip from Lima, and Lima Walking Tour are all included. For more details, follow this link.
What Is Not Included:
Specific Transportation: Your international flights and public transportation. It is impossible for me to guess how much tickets will cost from each of your homes, or to calculate how many bus rides we will be taking, so I am not able to include that in the price. However, I am happy to help you with booking, if you have any questions, and will be helping you purchase public transit tickets upon arrival.
Meals and food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee shop stops, empanadas, etc are not included in the price. This is to allow you maximum control over your food budget and preferences. The internet recommends budgeting an additional $20-$50 a day to cover this cost, although I would keep in mind the rising price of food. I am not opposed to getting groceries for breakfast some days, or packing lunches, if the group wants to cut some corners.
Sim cards: I tried to include this last year and learned that everyone has different needs depending on their phone plan. For this reason, I will not be including it this year. If you would like advice about this, I’m happy to give it as the date of travel approaches. However, most people opt to pay the roaming fee to their phone company and keep it simple.
Souvenirs.
Extra tours or excursions, specifically Cusco Market and Food Walking Tour ($48) and Rainbow Mountain Hike from Cusco (starting at $34). If you opt out of the tours, you are welcome to use your free time as you wish. For more information, follow this link.
Travel insurance (including health insurance). Given the events of 2020, I do recommend travel insurance. I have found World Nomad’s Travel Insurance to be reasonable in the past, although I haven’t needed to file any claims yet.
Sign Up
You can sign up by following this link SIGN UP and completing the trip application.
The Payment Plan
If you have read all the way to the bottom of this page, I’m assuming you are pretty interested in this trip. Hooray! If you are ‘in’ and ready to make it official here’s the plan:
- Follow the link to Sign up and confirm your spot.
- The registration deadline is March 10, 2024 and the registration fee is in the form of a $100 non refundable deposit that will go towards the cost of your trip. If, for some reason, I need to cancel the trip, I will refund the money to you, no cost.
- You may choose the pay the entirety of your debt at the time of registration or within 60 days of registering.
- Pack your bags because…
- Summer 2024, we will head out on the adventure of a lifetime!
NOTE: Payments are accepted via cashapp and venmo. I will share my accounts to receive payment when you sign up. This trip is non refundable and any travel insurances that you wish to purchase will be additional costs to you. Prices are subject to change, with adequate notification to participants.
There! That’s the whole thing! (For now.) (I think.)
If you have any questions, email me at: tripsbycamille@gmail.com or contact on my socials.
Trips by Camille 
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