Peru Safari, Mountain Views

Andes to the Amazon 4x4 Self Drive

  • EXPERT-LED GROUP TOUR
Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Tour Expert Group Size Status
10/26/24 11/10/24 15 days $0 $10,314 Paul Boardman 8 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place
11/18/24 12/03/24 15 days $0 $10,314 Paul Boardman 8 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place
03/13/25 03/28/25 15 days $0 $11,088 Paul Boardman 8 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Peru Safari Vehicles 1

Expert Guidance

In your own expedition 4×4 vehicle, follow expert guides Paul and Marisol over Peru’s untamed roads.

Quechua Peoplem, Inca Wall, Peru 2

Traditional Peru

Traverse mountain roads through Andean Indian villages, where local people wear traditional dress and still travel by horseback.

Peru Safari driving, Peru 3

Amazon & Andes

Navigate the unpaved Mantaro River Canyon to reach a hacienda only accessible by 4×4, followed by a night at an Amazon jungle lodge.

Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru 4

Cusco

Spend three days getting lost in the colourful city of Cusco, sitting at over 3,000 metres above sea level.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Lima

  • Day 2

    Lima - Huacachina - Nazca (7.5 hours)

  • Day 3

    Nazca - Chalhuanca (8.5 hours)

  • Day 4

    Chalhuanca - Cachora (4 hours)

  • Day 5

    Cachora - Cusco (4 hours)

  • Days 6-8

    Cusco

  • Day 9

    Cusco - Andahuaylas (8 hours)

  • Day 10

    Andahuaylas - Ayacucho (5.5 hours)

  • Day 11

    Ayacucho - Pampas (6 hours)

  • Day 12

    Pampas - Tarma (4 hours)

  • Day 13

    Tarma - Oxapampa, Amazon (4 hours)

  • Day 14

    Oxapampa, Amazon - Tarma (4 hours)

  • Day 15

    Tarma - Lima (6.5 hours)

Day 1

Lima

Arrive into Lima, be met and transferred to Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores hotel for a welcome briefing with guides Paul and Marisol.

Day 2

Lima - Huacachina - Nazca (7.5 hours)

Set off towards Nazca, stopping at the desert oasis of Huacachina for optional sand boarding and an exhilarating ride in a 4×4 dune buggy. Next, visit Chauchilla Cemetery to view the 2000-year-old mummies sitting out in the desert. Overnight in Nazca at Hotel Majoro.

Day 3

Nazca - Chalhuanca (8.5 hours)

If budget allows experience the Nazca Lines from the air, the pre-Columbian geoglyphs that are etched into desert sands and are best seen from above. Head east to Chalhuanca, stopping at Pampa Galeras National Reserve. This region high in the Andes protects the now thriving vicuña that were almost hunted to extinction. Guanaco, Andean foxes and the Andean Eagle also live in the reserve. Stay overnight at Samay Wasi Hotel Chalhuanca.

Day 4

Chalhuanca - Cachora (4 hours)

Drive to the Andean village of Cachora, located 2,902 metres above sea level, for an overnight stay at Casa de Salcantay before heading to Cusco the following morning.

Day 5

Cachora - Cusco (4 hours)

On the way to Cusco, drive along the spectacular Apurimac Canyon, where some sections reach over 3,000 metres deep, surpassing the depths of the Grand Canyon. See soaring Andean Condor’s, the world’s biggest and heaviest flying bird. Spend the next four nights at Casa Andina Premium Cusco, a restored 17th-century colonial mansion.

Days 6-8

Cusco

Three days to explore Cusco, the once capital city of the Inca Empire. If budget allows, book a full day tour to Machu Picchu on the Vistadome Train, a Cusco city tour, river rafting in the Sacred Valley, a visit to Pisac Market or a tour of the Inca Ollantaytambo ruins.

Day 9

Cusco - Andahuaylas (8 hours)

Enroute to Andahuaylas, see the fascinating Sayhuite stone. This large granite stone features over 200 intricate carvings of reptiles, felines and river channels carved during the Inca Empire. Drive at heights of over 3,500 metres, offering spectacular views of the Apurimac region, stopping at the Sondor Ruins and passing Lake Pacucha. Overnight at La Mansion Casa Hotel.

Day 10

Andahuaylas - Ayacucho (5.5 hours)

Traverse the Andes ridge high above the Amazon jungle to the east and Pacific coast to the west, home to endangered species such as the spectacled bear and Andean condor. Overnight at ViaVia Cafe Ayacucho located in Ayacucho’s bustling main square, Plaza de Armas.

Day 11

Ayacucho - Pampas (6 hours)

Head off road on the narrow route along the Mantaro River Canyon ascending to 5,000 metres above sea level. The final stop is Casa Hacienda San Juan in Pampas, only accessible by 4×4, where a wood fired oven dinner awaits.

Day 12

Pampas - Tarma (4 hours)

Today, we drive to the mountain city of Tarma in Peru’s Junin region, an area known locally as the pearl of the Andes due to its beautiful fields of flowers. Overnight at Hacienda Santa Maria in Tarma, a charming 17th-century inn.

Day 13

Tarma - Oxapampa, Amazon (4 hours)

Our journey continues towards the Amazon as we head to Oxampampa. Along the way, see an abundance of bird life, including the Peruvian cock-of-the-rock. Spend the night at Altares de Oxapampa Ecolodge.

Day 14

Oxapampa, Amazon - Tarma (4 hours)

After a night in the jungle and optional zip lining, we ascend back into the Andes stopping to do a jungle hike to a secluded waterfall and lunch at a riverside restaurant. Overnight at Hacienda Santa Maria in Tarma.

Day 15

Tarma - Lima (6.5 hours)

Journey off road along the snowline at 4,900 metres following Ticlio mountain pass. Back in Lima for a final night at Casa Andina Select Miraflores hotel, with an optional floodlit farewell dinner at the Huaca Pucllana ruins.

Desert, Coastline, Paracas, Peru
Paracas, Peru
Peru Driving, Peru Safari, Peru
Peru Safari
Peru Safari driving, Peru
Mantaro River Canyon
Peru Safari, Peru
Peru Safari

The Peruvian Coast

Begin your journey in Lima, Peru’s colonial capital city on the Pacific coast, before travelling south into the Nazca desert. Stop for lunch at the desert oasis town of Huacachina where there is the option to traverse the dunes in a 4×4 dune buggy or sand board. Make a sunset stop at Chauchilla Cemetery in the small desert town of Nazca where intact mummified remains dating back to 1000 AD can be seen in their original graves.

Peru Safari, Peru
Peru Safari, Mountain Scenery
Cusco, Peru
Cusco, Peru
Peru Safari, Peru
Peru Safari
Peru Safari scenery, Peru
Peru Safari scenery
Peru Safari vehicle looking overlooking Sacred Valley, Peru
Sacred Valley View Point

Into the Andes

Ascend into the Andes up to heights of 5,000 metres, passing through the Apurimac Canyon where some sections surpass the depths of the Grand Canyon. Along the way, look out for vicuna, alpacas and the Andean condor, with an impressive wingspan of over three metres. Spend three days in the former Inca capital city of Cusco, meandering through the bohemian district of San Blas, visiting the Inca Museum and continuing further up to pass artisans in their workshops.

Andean Cock of the Rock, Peru
Andean Cock of the Rock, Peru
Peru Amazon, Peru Safari, Peru
Amazon, Peru Safari

The Amazon Rainforest

From the Andes descend steeply towards the Amazon and the Cloud Forests of Oxapampa, a haven for bird life, including the Peruvian cock-of-the-rock, macaws, parrots and toucans. Hike through the jungle to a secluded waterfall with an option to zipline back to the rainforest lodge.

Peru Safari, Mountain Views
Peru Safari, Mountain Views
4x4 vehicles driving through river in Peru
Peru Safari 4x4 Vehicle

Expedition Vehicles

Travelling in Toyota Fortuner or Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 4×4 expedition trucks, professionally prepared for this Peru overland adventure, you will be driving vehicles with smooth and powerful 3.0 turbo diesel engines and a host of special expedition accessories. There will be four vehicles, plus the guide vehicle and a 2-way radio. Paul or Marisol are always available to take over if you feel tired or are not confident with any section of the route.

How does this holiday make a positive impact?

This itinerary includes a visit to the Pampa Galeras National Reserve, which is now the largest vicuna reserve in the world. High in the Andes, this region protects the now thriving vicuña that were almost hunted to extinction. The project also supports local Andean culture, such as reintroducing the annual chaccu shearing ceremony when the vicuna are sheared and their wool is sold, bringing income to the local people.

The trip includes four nights at Casa Andina Premium Cusco who partner with Peru Champs to provide scholarships to children from low income families, with guest donations helping to fund this. They also work with Hösėg who make warm high-quality coats that are given to Peruvian children who live in cold, high Andean communities.

Includes / Excludes

Important Information

Activity Level
Active
Single Supplement

Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.

Flexibility

To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.

What is included

  • Accompanied by English speaking guides Paul and Marisol in a guide vehicle throughout
  • Expedition vehicle hire and fuel
  • Entrance to Chauchilla Cemetery
  • All non-alcoholic drinks (other than whilst in Cusco/Lima/Ayacucho)
  • Range of accommodation from private haciendas to mountain lodges

What is excluded

  • International flights
  • Travel Insurance (mandatory)
  • Additional meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Optional activities, including Machu Picchu tour, Nazca Lines flight, river rafting and dinner at the Huaca Pucllana ruins
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities

Other available dates

For further information about any of these tours please call 1 800 571 2985

Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Tour Expert Group Size Status
10/26/24 11/10/24 15 days $0 $10,314 Paul Boardman 8 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place
11/18/24 12/03/24 15 days $0 $10,314 Paul Boardman 8 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place
03/13/25 03/28/25 15 days $0 $11,088 Paul Boardman 8 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place
03/31/25 04/15/25 15 days $0 $11,088 Paul Boardman 8 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place

Reserve your place on this group tour

Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.

01285 880 980

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With an average group size of just eight to ten people our group tour itineraries enable you to travel to some of the most intriguing regions of the world in the company of expert guides in the field and, of course, with likeminded people.

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