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20-Nights Lima to La Paz: Sandboarding & Sunsets - 18-to-Thirtysomethings from $2,099
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1532985
Lima to La Paz: Sandboarding & Sunsets
Take the party to new heights in the crisp mountain air of the Andes. With other young travellers not afraid to try new things, you'll journey from the enigmatic Nazca Lines to the lost city of Machu Picchu and onward to incredible La Paz. You'll commune with the condors in Colca Canyon and feel like a local while crashing at a small village homestay at Lake Titicaca. Think of this as three weeks of climbing higher, going further, and pushing boundaries on the roof of South America.
Highlights
Go sandboarding in the oasis of Huacachina, Conquer the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, spot condors at Colca Canyon, meet the locals at a Lake Titicaca homestay, sample the delicious Peruvian cuisine.
Accommodation
Simple hotels (10 nts), hostel (4 nts, multi-share), overnight buses (2 nts), camping (3 nts), homestay (1 nt).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, specialist Inca Trail CEO on hike, local guides.
Group Size Notes
Max 18, avg 14.
Meals Included
15 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo
Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Your Foodie Moment: Pachamanca, Nazca
Your Discover Moment: Cusco
Your Foodie Moment: Sacred Valley Brewery, Ollantaytambo
Your Big Night Out Moment: Cusco
Your Local Living Moment: Lake Titicaca Homestay, Lake Titicaca. Sunset sandboarding & dune buggies (Huacachina). Pachamanca-style lunch (Nazca). Colca Canyon excursion. Guided tour of Machu Picchu. Inca Trail hike with a local guide, cook, and porters (4 days). G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products for use on the Inca Trail. Guided Lake Titicaca excursion. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
20 nights from $2,099 per person
G Adventures: Lima to La Paz: Sandboarding & Sunsets
Day 1: Lima
Arrive at any time. Get to know your group tonight as you head out to one of the many bars and restaurants in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco. Enjoy a local craft beer with your fellow travellers as you get excited for the adventure to come.
Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city.
Day 2: Lima/Huacachina
Travel along Peru's breathtaking coast to the oasis of Huacachina where you can sandboard on the desert dunes while watching the sun go down.
Day 3: Huacachina/Nazca
Wake up and make the most of your time in Huacachina before your adventure continues on to Nazca. There is time in the morning for an optional excursion to the Ballestas Islands, home to a lively colony of sea lions, pelicans, and other varieties of birds. Later, catch a bus to Nazca. Stop along the way at a Pisco winery and try the country's national drink!
Day 4: Nazca/Arequipa
Choose to soar over the iconic Nazca Lines today with a pre-bookable flight, or take a tour of the Nazca Desert Cemetery and Pottery Studio. For lunch today experience pachamanca, a traditional way to prepare Andean foods by slow cooking them in an underground oven. Tonight, catch some z's on an overnight bus to Arequipa.
Day 5: Arequipa
Welcome to Arequipa! Take the day to explore what is known as the 'white city.' If you're into history and architecture, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, where you'll get a unique glimpse into a bygone way of life. For spicy food lovers, visiting one of the 'picanterías' is a must. Satisfy your craving with a variety of local regional foods: alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces.
Day 6: Arequipa/Colca Canyon
Enjoy a full-day tour of the spectacular Colca Valley and venture to the impressive Colca Canyon — one of the deepest canyons in the world — on an overnight excursion. With a little luck, you'll spot some unusual Andean animals such as vicuñas, and alpacas. Give your body some much needed relaxation by taking an optional dip in the the hot springs.
Day 7: Colca Canyon/Arequipa
Get an early start to be on the look out for condors. Travel from Chivay town to a condor viewpoint to get a glimpse of these magnificent birds in the air. On the way back, stop in local villages, and see old terraces. Later, head out for a drink in the Calle Zela area – restaurant, bar, or club, there's something for everyone!
Day 8: Arequipa/Cusco
Explore Arequipa – take a city tour if you want or check out a monastery or museum. Later, sit back and relax on an overnight bus to Cusco.
Day 9: Cusco
Explore the city on your own today or choose from a variety of activities that will help you discover the magic of Cusco. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets and plazas or choose to take a half-day tour of the city. Or, pre-book the Cusco cooking class if you want to learn to prepare delicious local specialties!
Day 10: Cusco
Today is another free day to explore all that Cusco has to offer. Feeling active? Take on the Rainbow Mountain trek or go mountain biking. Prefer to stay local? Take it easy with a visit to the Inka Museum and hit up some of the many great cafes, restaurants and bars.
To arrange the hike to the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 11: Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Head into the Sacred Valley today to visit the G-Adventures supported women's weaving co-op in the Ccaccaccollo community. Learn about weaving, and meet the adorable resident llamas. If you see a knitted item you like, buy it — a perfect keepsake from your journey. Stop and sample some craft beer at a brewery on your way to Ollantaytambo.
Day 12: Inca Trail
Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where your trek begins. Hike through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons. You'll see several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.
Day 13: Inca Trail
Get an early start today to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, known as Dead Woman's Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with some much needed R&R.
Day 14: Inca Trail
Cross two more passes and ruins along the way. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through cloud forest on the gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley.
At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins (""forever young"") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).
Day 15: Machu Picchu/Cusco
The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Wake up around 03:30 and walk to the checkpoint. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the site. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon. Tonight, dance the night away at a popular night club.
Day 16: Cusco
Today is another free day to get the most out of Cusco and to do anything you may not have done yet. Continue to explore and be active or relax and watch the world go by from one of they many bars and restaurants on the main plaza.
Day 17: Cusco/Puno
Sit back, relax, and soak in the impressive views as you travel by bus through the Altiplano on your way to Puno on Lake Titicaca.
Day 18: Puno/Lake Titicaca
This morning, you will board a boat on Lake Titicaca and head to Taquile Island. Opt to have lunch in a local restaurant and shop in the afternoon at the local weaving cooperatives. Later, cruise to another village for an overnight homestay to live like a local on the shores of the lake. Learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and create unforgettable memories with the family and fellow travellers.
Day 19: Lake Titicaca/Puno
Say goodbye to your homestay family and stop at the Uros Islands on your way back to Puno. If you want, you can check out the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site. Or kayak on Lake Titicaca.
Day 20: Puno/La Paz
Today, enjoy a full-day drive around the picturesque lake and through the Altiplano to La Paz. Cross over into Bolivia and catch your breath before a night out in the highest city of the trip. Check out the area of Sopocachi for cool bohemian vibes.
Day 21: La Paz
Depart at any time.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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