Yes. Peruvian cuisine includes plenty of naturally gluten-friendly foods, including potatoes, rice, corn, and quinoa, and vegetarian options are widely available. Vegan options are more limited outside Lima. Be sure to flag any allergies or dietary restrictions when you book so we can plan accordingly.

Parts of this trip take place at high altitude, including the Sacred Valley and Cusco. The best approach is to take it slow, stay hydrated, and give your body time to adjust. We intentionally build in some easier time when you first arrive in the Sacred Valley, and Day 8 in Cusco is designed to be a slower day since Cusco is the highest point of the trip. 

Give yourself time to adjust during the first day or two and listen to your body – don't feel like you need to push yourself. If you have heart conditions, blood pressure concerns, or respiratory issues, please let us know ahead of time.

The trip includes 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 3 dinners, so you won’t need to budget for every meal. For meals not included, we recommend budgeting around $200, depending on your eating and spending habits.

You’ll also want to account for incidental expenses and tips for activity providers, guides, drivers, and hotel housekeeping, which are not included. while tipping is not mandatory, it is customary and highly appreciated. Our team will provide guidelines for tipping prior to the trip.

You’ll stay in comfortable, well-located hotels in walkable areas, including boutique-style properties in the Sacred Valley with mountain views. Rooms are shared with one other traveler by default, with private room upgrades available for an additional cost and subject to availability.

Layers are key. Lima stays fairly mild year-round, while the Sacred Valley and Cusco can be warm during the day and cold at night. Bring comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets, ruins, and uneven terrain, along with sunscreen, sunglasses, a rain jacket, and layers for changing temperatures. And don’t forget your passport, which needs to be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.

Absolutely. Since the trip ends in Cusco, extending your time there is an easy option. Your included Boleto Turístico gives you access to 16 sites across the Cusco region and is valid for 10 days, so you can use extra time to explore more ruins, museums, churches, and cultural sites. You can also fly back through Lima or continue exploring elsewhere in Peru or South America.

If you feel like really making this one for the books, you could take on our Patagonia: Chile & Argentina trip to check off more of your South America bucket list moments.

Plan to arrive at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport by 1 PM on Day 1 so you can be at the hotel by around 3 PM. The drive from the airport can take 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Airport arrival and departure transfers are not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to the hotel. On Day 10, you can depart from Cusco Airport at any time.

This is an active trip with a 6/10 physical activity rating and an 6/10 trip pace. You’ll have plenty of walking, ancient ruins, cobblestone streets, uneven terrain, and some stone steps at altitude, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. If you’re comfortable walking a few miles at a moderate pace, you should be right at home. We also intentionally build in free time, including a slower day in Cusco to help you adjust to the highest altitude of the trip.

Think food, culture, history, and a little adventure, with plenty of time to experience Peru together. You’ll spend your days exploring ancient sites, eating your way through neighborhoods, meeting local communities, learning traditional crafts, and checking Machu Picchu off the list. The trip is rated 9/10 for cultural experiences and 8/10 for food, so it’s especially well suited to curious travelers who want to go beyond the typical tourist checklist.

Lima is mild year-round, generally around 60–75°F. In the Sacred Valley and Cusco, daytime temperatures can range from roughly 40–70°F, with colder nights, so layers are important. May through September is the dry season with the clearest skies, while April and October are shoulder-season months with fewer crowds and generally good weather. November through March brings more afternoon rain but fewer tourists.

One other thing to know: parts of this trip are at high altitude, so take it easy, stay hydrated, and give your body time to adjust.