Overview
From hectic Lima to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Look for penguins at Ballestas Islands, visit hidden Inca towns in Cusco, taste unique cuisine in Arequipa, see the mysterious lines of Nazca and admire gliding Condors in Colca Canyon.
This 14-day guided, self-drive adventure promises a Peru you didn’t know was there as well as the opportunity to gain new overlanding skills and the confidence to keep exploring the world.
Highlights
- Lima - Join a guided city tour to get to know the ‘real’ Lima
- Paracas Reserve & Islas Ballestas - See the coastal landscapes and wildlife of this natural reserve
- Huacachina - Take in the views from the sand dunes of Oasis de Huacachina
- Nazca - Discover the mysterious lines of Nazca
- Arequipa - Stroll through the streets of Peru’s ‘White City’
- Colca Canyon - Watch the Andean Condor throw an amazing show in the world’s second-deepest canyon
- Suyckutambo Canyon - Avoid the crowds and get truly off the beaten path
- Cusco - Get to know the capital of the Incan empire
- Machu Picchu - Be awed by one of the World’s most remarkable Wonders
- Acquire new navigation & overlanding skills to boost your confidence and experience for further exploration
Itinerary
DAY 1 - LIMA OFF THE BEATEN TRACK & FOOD TOUR
DAY 2 - PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
DAY 3 - OASIS OF HUACACHINA - NAZCA
DAY 4 - NAZCA LINES TO CAMANA
DAY 5 - AREQUIPA
DAY 6 - AREQUIPA BUFFER DAY
DAY 7 - SALINAS & AGUADA BLANCA NATIONAL RESERVE
DAY 8 - COLCA CANYON
DAY 9 - SUYCKUTAMBO CANYON - SECRET INCA SITES
DAY 10 - TRAVEL TO CUSCO
DAY 11 - FREE DAY IN CUSCO
DAY 12 - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
DAY 13 - MACHU PICCHU
DAY 14 - FLY OUT OF CUSCO
What's included
- Meal plan: Breakfasts = 12 / Lunches = 9 / Dinners = 7
- Accommodation plan: 10 nights in mid-range hotels (private, comfortable, double* room) and 2 nights in rural lodge incl. homestay
*Single supplement applies - Most/major activities and attractions as per itinerary
- Lead, experienced driver
- Fully bilingual tour leader (English-Spanish)
- Support driver & mechanic
- Optional skills workshops (e.g. learn how to drive on small sand dunes and change a tire)
- Vehicles and all fuel
What's not included
- Inbound/outbound flights
- Accommodation in Lima at the start of the tour
- Some meals as per itinerary
- Some, optional activities as per itinerary
- Personal expenses, purchases, alcoholic beverages, etc.
- Fuel surcharge (if applicable)
- Any optional upgrade
- Optional tips/gratuities (highly appreciated)
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1 - LIMA OFF THE BEATEN TRACK & FOOD TOUR
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- Difficulty level / road type: 0 / No driving today
- Hours / distance driven: 0 / 0 Km (0 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Group bonding
Our first day is an easy one in order to get into gear for the intense days ahead.
After a mid-morning pick up from your location of choice (accommodation, airport, etc.), follow our local guide to see Lima’s must-see landmarks and learn about its history and current affairs while meeting the group. Once we have visited the historic district, we get off the beaten path, safely visiting the ‘real’ Lima in its outskirts, meeting friendly locals, strolling colorful markets, tasting local delicacies and enjoying the best views. Drop off at our accommodation (will be in either Miraflores or Barranco districts).
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- Meals: Lunch, snacks
- Activities included: Lima City Tour
- Accommodation: Not included (please book accommodation of your choice in selected districts*)
*Pickup & drop off is free of charge within the central, Miraflores, San Isidro & Barranco districts.
DAY 2 - PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
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- Difficulty level / road type: 2 / paved highway
- Hours / distance driven: 4-5 hrs. / 260 Km (161 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Navigation / driving as part of a small caravan
Leaving very early to avoid the notorious Lima traffic, this morning we drive to Reserva Nacional de Paracas which is a treasure trove of wildlife and desert coastal landscapes overlooked by magnificent cliffs. Leaving your vehicle in town, you'll have the opportunity to join a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, home to a lively colony of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and other species of birds.
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- Meals: Lunch, dinner
- Activities included: Boat excursion to Islas Ballestas
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 3 - OASIS OF HUACACHINA - NAZCA
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- Difficulty level / road type: 2 / paved highway
- Hours / distance driven: 4-5 hrs. / 215 Km (134 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Light sand dune driving
This morning we drive further south to Ica/Huacachina to climb the sand dunes and see the spectacular “Oasis de Huacachina”. Continuing our journey after lunch, drive along the spectacular coast along the Pan-American Highway until we get to the city of Nazca, where we arrive at the end of the day.
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- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Activities included: Hike around ‘Oasis de Huacachina’
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 4 - NAZCA LINES TO CAMANA
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- Difficulty level / road type: 2.5 / paved highway
- Hours / distance driven: 6-7 hrs. / 395 Km (245 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Learn how to change a tire, replace a fan belt, and fix other common problems that could occur on a road trip (basic/easy level)
In Nazca, the morning will see us stopping at a viewing platform over the lines etched into the desert. Huge birds, spiders, whales and other creatures and geometrical figures are represented in outline. Opt for a flight over the famous Nazca Lines or enjoy an independent drive to the Nazca Desert Cemetery and Potter's Studio.
Resume our drive towards the city of Arequipa, arriving in the beachside town of Camana in the evening.
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- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Optional Activities / Not included: Flight over the Nazca lines
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 5 - AREQUIPA
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- Difficulty level / road type: 1.5 / paved highway
- Hours / distance driven: 3-4 hrs. / 177 Km (110 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Learn how to prepare a tasty Peruvian road lunch
Arrive in Arequipa around noon. Then, let us show you around town and enjoy some of Peru’s best cuisine to end an easy day’s driving.
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- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Activities included: Half-day City Tour
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 6 - AREQUIPA BUFFER DAY
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- Difficulty level / road type: 0 / NA
- Hours / distance driven: 0 hrs. / 0 Km (0 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Get a good day’s rest / night’s sleep.
Enjoy a buffer day to catch up with friends / family, explore independently, eat amazing food or just rest. What more can you ask from a day in Peru’s beautiful White City?
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- Meals: Breakfast
- Optional activities / Not included: Santa Catalina Monastery tour, bus tour, Canteras de Añashuayco, cooking class, food / pub crawl & more
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 7 - SALINAS & AGUADA BLANCA NATIONAL RESERVE
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- Difficulty level / road type: 2 / Paved road
- Hours / distance driven: 3 - 4 hrs. / 173 Km (107.5 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Safe driving on winding roads
Stunning landscapes and incredible vistas await today. Resume our drive and climb to the world of the Altiplano (high plains) with awe-inspiring views of Mt. Misti & Chachani on the way to Reserva Salinas y Aguada Blanca, a wonderland of high plains and wildlife. With only a little bit of luck, we will see herds of llamas, alpacas and the wild vicuña as well as the Andean goose, vizcacha and more.
Arrive in Chivay for lunch. The afternoon is free for you to drive and explore independently. You may either soak the medicinal powers of natural hot springs, visit fascinating archaeological sites or enjoy a scenic hike in the Colca valley.
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- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Optional activities / Not included: Natural hot springs, hiking, Inca sites
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 8 - COLCA CANYON
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- Difficulty level / road type: 3.5 / dirt road
- Hours / distance driven: 5-6 hrs. / 130 Km (80 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Driving on dirt roads / tracks
The Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and at one time it was believed to be the deepest gorge on the planet (until it was eclipsed by the nearby Cotahuasi Canyon, also in Peru). Today we have the privilege of watching the majestic Andean Condor gliding before our eyes.
Then, climb back aboard and follow our guide vehicle for one of every overlander’s dream journeys along Andean landscapes, villages and deserts filled with native flora and fauna. Arrive in perhaps the most spectacular places of the tour in a truly remote and authentic setting.
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- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Activities included: Visit to Mirador del Condor
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 9 - SUYCKUTAMBO CANYON - SECRET INCA SITES
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- Difficulty level / road type: 1.5 / dirt road
- Hours / distance driven: 1 hrs. / 5 Km (3 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Spiritual / Self discovery through connection with nature, road recovery, cultural sensitivity
Today is a free day in the hidden gem of Cañon de Suyckutambo with a wide choice of things to do. For fishing-enthusiasts, there is the opportunity to go trout-fishing in the Apurimac River (the headwaters of which is considered to be the source of the Amazon) or take a more active approach with a moderate to demanding hike up to the mesas and secret Inca sites (no lines/queues, crowds nor admission fees!) to admire the area's spectacular scenery. You might as well do both or more as you will have total freedom to explore at your own pace and time.
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- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Included activities to choose from: Fishing, hiking, off-roading
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 10 - TRAVEL TO CUSCO
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- Difficulty level / road type: 2.5 / dirt & paved highway
- Hours / distance driven: 6-8 hrs. / 263 Km (163 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Basic first aid & survival skills in remote settings
After breakfast, we drive from Suyckutambo to the city of Cusco (approximately six hours plus stops). We continue along the winding roads of the fertile valleys of the Cusco Department, with great views of lagoons, crop fields, mountains, villages and even fascinating Inca sites en route. Arrive at our accommodation at the end of the day.
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- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Activities included: Visits to secret Inca sites
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 11 - FREE DAY IN CUSCO
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- Difficulty level / road type: 0 / NA
- Hours / distance driven: 0 hrs. / 0 Km (0 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Spanish language skills (crash course to brush up skills acquired from day 1)
Enjoy a full day exploring Cusco independently or joining a guided half-day tour of the city. Highlights include Sacsahuayman, Qoricancha, the historic district, the 12-angle Incan stonework, the colorful market or the viewpoint of San Cristobal.
Enjoy a good night’s rest in our accommodation.
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- Meals: Breakfast
- Activities included: Guided Half-day City Tour
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 12 - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
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- Difficulty level / road type: 2 / paved mountain road
- Hours / distance driven: 2.5 - 3 hrs. / 95 Km (59 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Friendly haggling skills in local markets
Resume our drive to the scenic Sacred Valley, winding through small towns and villages with the Andes flanking us on either side. Visit the market and scenic ruins of Pisac as well as the most fascinating highlights of Valle Sagrado, including Ollantaytambo, where you may opt to visit the Inca ruins and spend the night in this traditional Peruvian town.
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- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Optional Activities / Not included: Visit to Ollantaytambo Inca ruins
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 13 - MACHU PICCHU
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- Difficulty level / road type: 2 / paved road
- Hours / distance driven: 2-3 hrs. / 62 Km (38 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: How to make a Pisco Sour! (farewell)
This morning, trade the wheels for a scenic train ride en route to Machu Picchu. It will be one of the most beautiful train journeys you will ever experience, flanked by high cliffs and peaks. Spend the afternoon admiring the 'lost' city of Machu Picchu. One of the greatest of all archaeological sites, we get to visit this awe-inspiring site led by our knowledgeable guide.
At the end of our grand finale, return to Cusco by train and our own vehicle.
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- Meals: Breakfast
- Included activities: Train/Fully guided visit to Machu Picchu
- Accommodation: Included
DAY 14 - FLY OUT OF CUSCO
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- Difficulty level / road type: 0 / NA
- Hours / distance driven: NA / 0 Km (0 mi)
- Skills gained / practiced: Social media profiles’ exchange to stay in touch with your new life-long friends
The end of this experience of a LIFETIME! Drop off your vehicle and let us take care of your transfer to Cusco airport in order to board your flight out.
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- Meals: Breakfast
- Included activities: N/A
- Accommodation: N/A
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Frequently asked questions
1. Who is this trip for?
Independent travelers looking for a unique opportunity to explore Peru driving their own car within the safety net of a group and local support/guidance, but with time to explore independently and gain new overlanding/driving/navigational skills as well.
2. Will I be able to enjoy myself if I have to drive for several days?
Absolutely. Our itineraries are carefully designed to allow you to drive just enough hours every day and not be exhausted (average 4-5 hrs. per day). By driving your own car, you will also be able to visit off the beaten path locations and even go on your own day trips with the help of our local team. You will also learn new skills such as navigation, basic mechanics, driving on fairly challenging terrain and more.
3. Is driving and touring in Peru safe?
Yes, very. While cities are always hectic, you will always be guided by our local team to arrive at your destination safely. As long as you keep good driving practices, you will discover it is easy and safe to drive outside of major urban areas (which is where we are 90% of the time).
4. Do I need to be an experienced ‘overlanding’ driver?
No, you do not need any special experience other than being a confident driver for this trip. What’s more, one of the purposes of the trip is to make you a more confident driver and learn new skills. If you are experienced, you can even share your knowledge with the group.
5. Does this trip depart daily/frequently?
No. It only departs on any of the published dates AND as long as the minimum number has been reached OR whenever a certain number of participants are willing to book as one party.
6. Is this a group tour?
Yes, we aim it to be due to the benefits this brings when driving in a foreign country. However, we understand the need for independent exploration which is why you will have plenty of opportunities to safely venture on your own with your vehicle and re-join the group the following day/when agreed.
7. Why can’t I just rent a car and drive myself?
You can, but by joining our organized tour, we take care of important aspects such as a carefully designed itinerary, personal safety, road assistance, a professional tour leader who will work with local guides to make sure you enjoy all places and activities and the confidence to drive in a foreign country while still enjoying free time to explore independently.
8. What type of vehicles are used and who provides them?
We provide medium-sized, automatic SUVs and/or larger 4WD trucks.
9. Is this a guided trip?
Yes. We provide a guide vehicle equipped with a lead driver and a tour leader who both travel with the group at all times (except when provided with opportunities for independent exploration/side trips). We provide an additional support vehicle equipped with a mechanic and recovery gear as well, making a total of two support vehicles and a minimum of three staff driving at the front and back of the caravan/group.
10. What will happen if I have a mechanical breakdown or damage?
There will always be one or more backup vehicles equipped with our own experienced staff to make sure you always get to your destination. As long as you follow the rules of the road and are a responsible driver, you should not have any issues other than minor ones typical of any road trip.
11. Where do we sleep every night?
We include most of the accommodation in mid-range hotels in cities as well as carefully selected lodges and rural homes in the countryside. Please review each day of the itinerary for details.
12. Is food included?
Most is, but some meals are not, which gives you the freedom to prepare your own meal or choose your preferred restaurant when applicable.
13. Are tours and activities included?
Most are. However, we leave room for personal choice as well, meaning that all activities indicated in the itinerary will be provided, but some are optional as well (why should you be forced to participate in something you may not be interested in?). Please review the itinerary for more details.
14. Why is this trip referred to as an “overland” tour?
We travel overland during the day to really get under the skin of the country and not miss anything. In addition, we are certain it is always safer to travel under the sunlight and in a small group. In the near future, we will add more elements of ‘overland’ travel such as rigs and rooftop tents to all vehicles.
15. Is this an all-inclusive trip?
Not quite. While we do include the most important elements such as accommodation, transportation and some meals and tours, some are left for you to choose independently. Why should you pay in advance for a tour/activity you are not interested in?
16. Who is Inca Frontiers and what kind of experience do you have?
Inca Frontiers is an experienced Peruvian tour operator whose owner and founder is currently based in the United States and highly involved in overlanding. We know our country inside out and as locals, we understand our own geography, history and culture to be able to share it all with our guests.
