Peru Expedition: Trek the Great Inca Road

Peru Expedition: Trek the Great Inca Road

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Peru Expedition: Trek the Great Inca Road

12 Days Starting and ending in Lima

Visiting: Peru

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

GGXG

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

High

Age range:

15-99 years

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

You’ve heard of the Inca Trail, but what about the Great Inca Road? Made up of ancient Inca trade routes cutting through the Andes, the Great Inca Road is every bit as significant and special as its more famous counterpart – it just doesn’t have the crowds. On this 12-day trekking expedition you’ll join a local leader and traditional llama caravan to hike storied paths that few travellers have ever seen, visiting archaeological sites along the way. To get acclimatised to the altitude, you’ll spend time in the adventure hub of Huaraz, hiking the spectacular surrounding landscapes. You’ll soon find out it’s not called the Great Inca Road for nothing.

Highlights

  • Hike on the ancient and little-visited trade routes of the Great Inca Road, taking in seriously spectacular views of the Andes and visiting well preserved yet remote Inca outposts.

  • Get acclimatised to the altitude in the adventure hub of Huaraz, a low-key city surrounded by mountains, lakes and glaciers waiting to be explored on your included hikes.

  • You’ll not only be accompanied by a local leader on your adventure – a traditional llama caravan will join you on the Great Inca Road, meaning you only need to carry a daypack.

  • Your hiking journey comes to an end at the incredible Inca site of Huanuco Pampa, where you’ll meet a local guide for a private tour of these significant ancient ruins.

  • Visit the intriguing Caral-Supe archaeological site, left behind by a civilisation pre-dating the Inca and built at the same time as the first Egyptian pyramids.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Awamaki. Donations help them empower indigenous women artisans in Peru with skills training and job opportunities that provide financial independence.

Itinerary

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotels (7 nights), Camping (4 nights)

  • Huaraz: LLanganuco lakes and Laguna 69 guided hike

  • Huaraz: Laguna Churup guided hike

  • Huaraz: Pastoruri glacier & Huascaran National Park guided hike

  • Great Inca Road: Castillo to Soledad de Tambo guided hike

  • Great Inca Road: Soledad de Tambo Archaeological guided site visit

  • Great Inca Road: 4 days fully supported (Porters, Llamas, all meals and equipment)

  • Chavín de Huántar archaeological site guided visit

  • Great Inca Road: Soledad de Tambo to Quenhuajirca guided hike

  • Great Inca Road: Meeting with traditional master weaver

  • Great Inca Road: Quenhuajirca to Tambo Grande guided hike

show more

Transport

  • Private vehicle , Bus , Taxi

Accommodation

  • PERU
  • Due to local energy supply and infrastructure issues, please be prepared for some cold showers while travelling in Peru.
  • CAMPING
  • On camping nights, we stay 2-man tents, set up by our crew. If you have booked a single supplement, it will not apply for the camping section of the trip, and you will be sharing a tent with another traveller of the same sex.
  • Comfortable sleeping mats and sleeping bags are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer so.

Important Information

  • 1. Please note this trip starts at 6pm on day 1. If you are unable to find a suitable flight it is possible to book additional nights at the joining accommodation. We recommend that travellers intending to depart Lima on the final day of the trip book flights out of Lima no earlier than 12 at noon.
  • 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 6-10 (Great Inca Road), where you will be camping in comfortable 2-man tents. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
  • 3. Parts of your trip go above 2800 m/ 9200 ft where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. Please consult your doctor for professional advice about travelling at high altitude if you have a health condition.
  • 4. Due to remoteness of Great Inca Road, please make sure you bring all necessary gear, such as walking boots, rain gear, thermals, walking poles, etc with you. While you will be able to visit an outdoor store in Huaraz, it’s safer to rely on your own trekking gear. Please check out Packing List for further recommendations.
  • 5. At the pre-trek briefing you will be given a small duffle bag to pack your clothes for the trek, sleeping bag and personal items. The maximum weight you can take with you is 7kg per traveller.

Mode of Transport

  • Private vehicle , Bus , Taxi

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    On Expedition trips, there can be some hiccups or welcome surprises along the way. All that’s needed for this is a go-with-the-flow attitude! Sorting out the details is what your local leader is for, so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

    This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result, some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

    This is a hiking trip, and it is strenuous – you need to be physically fit to enjoy all hikes fully.

    For 4 nights (days 6-10) you will be camping. All gear is provided, including sleeping bags, sleeping mats and pillows and two-person tents.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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