Peru Group Trip – Andes Adventure 2027

The Peru trip that rewrites who you think you are.

Trek the Lares, walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate and stand on Rainbow Mountain at 5,200m – with a small group of adventurers by your side.

About this trip

Peru has a way of getting under your skin. The scale of it. The altitude. The silence at the top of a pass when you realise you just did something you weren’t sure you could do.

This 14-day group adventure starts in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and takes you deep into the Andes – through the Sacred Valley, remote mountain villages, the Lares Trek and the iconic Inca Trail – finishing at Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. It is, by any measure, one of the world’s great adventure journeys.

This trip is for anyone who is ready for it. The trekking is real – we summit passes at 4,200m and 4,500m and the days on trail are long and physically demanding. Fitness is a genuine requirement, not a formality. But if you’ve prepared your body, you’re willing to push through discomfort and you genuinely want to be there – this is absolutely within your reach. The guides, the group and the pace are all there to support you.

Features and benefits

The Lares Trek – not the Inca Trail crowds.

You’ll trek through remote Andean villages and high-altitude passes where you’ll encounter almost no other tourists. This is the Peru most visitors never see.

Every logistical detail handled.

Tips, guides, mules, camping gear, most meals, transport between destinations – all included. You just have to show up ready to move.

Small group, real connection.

With a maximum of 10 people, this isn’t a tour bus experience. You’ll finish the trip with friends you’ll have for life.

An earned Machu Picchu moment.

You won’t arrive by bus. You’ll walk in through the Sun Gate after the day on the trail – and that first view will mean something completely different because of it.

Rainbow Mountain at 5,200m.

One of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes, reached on foot. Layers of colour rippling across the Andes like nothing else on earth.

Cultural immersion, not just sightseeing.

Cook Peruvian food with locals, visit alpaca sanctuaries, explore salt mines still harvested using pre-Incan methods and spend time in communities rarely touched by tourism.

FAQ

Fitness & the trek

How fit do I need to be?

Fit enough to have prepared – that’s the honest answer. The Lares Trek involves three consecutive days of hiking, summiting passes at 4,200m and 4,500m, with full days on trail. This is a genuine physical challenge and we won’t pretend otherwise. What it doesn’t require is being an elite athlete or an experienced mountaineer. If you’ve been training consistently in the months leading up to departure – regular hiking, cardio and building leg strength – and you genuinely want to be there, you can do this! The guides, the group and the pacing are all there to support you. What we ask is that you arrive prepared.

How should I train for hiking at altitude in Australia?

Start with what you have. If you’re near hills or trails, get on them regularly – aim for hikes of 2-3 hours with elevation gain at least once a week in the months before departure. If you’re in a flat area, stair climbing, incline treadmill sessions and loaded pack walks (wear your daypack with some weight) are all effective substitutes. Build your weekly cardio base with walking, cycling, or swimming. The goal is arriving with strong legs, good cardiovascular fitness and confidence in your hiking shoes. We’ll share a more detailed preparation guide with all confirmed travellers.

What about the altitude? How will my body cope?

Altitude affects everyone differently and there’s no way to fully predict it in advance. The good news is that the itinerary is deliberately designed with acclimatisation built in – your first two days in Cusco (3,400m) are gentle, giving your body time to adjust before the trek begins. We recommend speaking to your doctor before departure about altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide is commonly prescribed) and arriving in Cusco with that conversation already had. Coca tea, hydration and not pushing too hard in the first 48 hours are your best friends. Most people adjust well with the right preparation and mindset.

How long should I arrive before the trip starts?

For Australians, we strongly recommend building in extra time before Day 1 – and here’s the approach we suggest: fly into Lima first and spend 2-3 nights there before continuing to Cusco. Why Lima first? Because it lets you tackle two significant challenges one at a time rather than both at once. Lima sits at sea level, so you can work through the jet lag from that 20+ hour journey in a normal environment before flying up to Cusco at 3,400m. Arriving in Cusco already rested and adjusted makes a real difference to how your body handles the altitude.

A number of us will be spending time in Lima before the trip – if you’d like to join the group there, let us know when you book and we’ll connect you with who else is doing the same.

Solo travel & belonging

I’m travelling solo – will I feel left out?

The vast majority of people on these trips come on their own. That’s actually one of the things that makes small group adventure travel work so well – everyone arrives as an individual and leaves as part of something. With just 10 people on this trip, there’s no hiding at the back of a crowd. You’ll share meals, trail time, campsites and some genuinely hard moments together. That’s where real connection happens. Solo travellers consistently tell us it’s the best travel decision they’ve ever made.

Who else will be on this trip?

Adventure travellers who want more than a resort holiday. People who’ve been putting this trip off and finally decided to stop waiting. Those who want a physical challenge in extraordinary surroundings and who value real connection with the places and people they encounter. There’s no single demographic – I’ve had people in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond on my trips. What they share is a willingness to show up, push themselves and be genuinely present for the experience.

Investment & payment

Is it worth the money?

Fourteen days of guided adventure travel through one of the world’s most extraordinary regions, with most meals, accommodation, all guides, trekking support crew, mules, camping equipment, tips and gratuities included – the per-day cost is significantly less than most people spend on a standard holiday. More than the logistics though, this is the kind of trip that people point to years later as something that genuinely changed them. We think that’s worth investing in. But you already know that, or you wouldn’t still be reading.

What’s the deposit and how do payment plans work?

We offer flexible payment options to make this as accessible as possible. You can secure your spot with a deposit and spread the remaining balance across monthly payments leading up to departure – no need to have the full amount upfront. Full pricing and payment plan details are on the booking page. If you have specific questions about what works for your situation, get in touch directly and we’ll work something out. I have a range of payment plans set up for participants, including paying off fortnightly. Almost anything is possible!

What’s included in the price – and what do I need to budget for on top?

Included: twin-share accommodation throughout (hotels and tents on the trek), most meals as listed in the itinerary, all transport between destinations, fluent English-speaking local guides, Lares Trek support crew including horsemen and mules to carry camping and personal gear, all camping equipment for the trek (tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag) and all tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and crew.

Not included: international and domestic flights, airport transfers, travel insurance (required), hiking poles (available to hire locally), visas if required and any personal spending. Budget roughly AUD $2,000-3,000 on top of your trip cost for flights from Australia, depending on your departure city and how early you book.

Can my dietary requirements be catered for?

Yes – please let me know your dietary requirements when you book and I’ll communicate these to our guides and suppliers in advance. Peruvian cuisine is naturally varied and abundant and our team is experienced in accommodating common requirements including vegetarian, gluten-free and food allergies. The more notice you give us, the better prepared we can be, especially for the trekking days when meals are prepared in the field.

Getting there

How do I get to Cusco from Australia?

There’s no direct flight from Australia to Cusco – you’ll typically connect through either the United States (Los Angeles or Miami) or Latin America (Lima, Bogotá, or Santiago). The most common routing for Australians is Sydney or Melbourne – Los Angeles – Lima – Cusco OR Sydney or Melbourne – Santiago – Lima – Cusco, with total travel time of around 30+ hours depending on connections. I recommend booking flights as early as possible, particularly the Lima-Cusco leg which sells out quickly during peak season. I’ll provide detailed flight guidance to all confirmed travellers and if you’d like recommendations on booking, just ask.

Do I need a visa for Peru?

Australian passport holders do not currently require a visa to enter Peru for tourism purposes. You’ll receive a tourist stamp on arrival valid for up to 183 days. Always check the latest entry requirements with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade closer to your departure date, as requirements can change.

Reasons to act now

BOOK NOW

This trip is limited to 10 people – and that small group size is deliberate. It’s what makes the experience feel personal rather than like a tour. But it also means spots are finite.

There’s another reason not to wait: the Lares Trek and Inca Trail require permits that our local guides apply for on your behalf. Permit numbers are strictly limited and allocated well in advance – the sooner we have confirmed numbers, the sooner we can secure yours. Once they’re gone, there’s no workaround.

Bookings close October 1st, 2026. If Peru has been on your list, this is the moment to stop thinking about it and actually do it. Secure your spot with a deposit and let’s get your permit locked in.