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 This exciting gay group journey showcases the Amazon, Andes, Machu Picchu, and more. From the depths of the Amazon to the heights of the Andes, this eye-opening Peruvian adventure will immerse you in the country’s diverse land and life. Get a taste of the big city in Lima, with a chance to explore their cuisine and gay nightlife. Discover ancient cultures as our tour journeys through the homeland of the Incas on our way to the monumental Machu Picchu. And, to keep you smiling, you’ll even encounter friendly locals at every turn, with it all adding up to a luxurious trip at an easygoing pace.
• Meander among the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu
• Awake to the sounds of an Amazonian animal orchestra
• Wander the atmospheric streets of Cuzco
• Admire the might of the Inca empire in the Sacred Valley
• Explore Lima’s historic centre and world-famous cuisine
• Dance the night away in one of Lima’s gay bars
• Learn the secrets of the Amazon Jungle from a local guide
• Stroll geometrically perfect streets in Ollantaytambo
• Become versed in the fusion of Incan and Spanish colonial architecture
• See how locals live in the countryside
Day 1
Hola! Welcome to Lima. Please check in to our centrally located, posh hotel. We have no activities planned until our important Group Meeting at 2PM in the hotel lobby. Here you’ll meet your Group Leader, and your fellow Out Adventures travellers, to discuss our upcoming adventure.
We’ll then head to Lima’s historic centre for a walking tour that celebrates the city’s Spanish colonial architecture. Tonight we’ll get a tasty lesson in Pisco before enjoying our included Welcome Dinner. Also during dinner, a gay rights activist from Presente will be dropping by to talk about the local LGBTQ+ movement and what his organization is doing. Presente is an incredible organization and we’ll be donating $50 to the it for every spot sold on this tour! Finally, if you’re not too jet lagged, you can even join us for kick-off cocktails.
Hotel: Dazzler Hotel , Lima
Day 2
Today begins with an early flight to Puerto Maldonado. We’ll leave most of our luggage behind, aside from an Out Adventures duffel bag packed for two nights, then take a motorized canoe up-river to our remarkable jungle lodge. The hotel exudes tropical chic. After an included lunch we’ll get our first taste of the jungle, when our local guides introduce us to some sensational fauna and flora in their natural habitat on a walking tour. From macaws to monkeys, with thousands of butterflies thrown in, this is biodiversity at its best. This evening, before dinner, you will enjoy a cocktail hour around a bonfire with pisco chilcanos and local snacks. Then we head to the Casa Grande’s dining room for dinner.
Please note: Today’s flight is not included in the cost of the tour. Please see 'Trip Notes' for a special note on purchasing domestic airfare.
Hotel: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion Hotel, The Amazon
Day 3
Here’s your chance to explore the Amazon in-depth with our guide. After a hearty buffet breakfast, we’ll trek through terra firma into Tambopata National Reserve. Look out for the endangered giant river otter, blue and yellow macaw, red howler monkey and black caiman. Lunch awaits back at the lodge, then onto the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. Climb a 91ft/28m tower into the canopy, then cross 7 hanging bridges. Enjoy breathtaking vistas while photographing white-throated toucans, three-toed sloths, woodpeckers, trogons and squirrel monkeys. Dinner awaits back at our hotel. The day ends on another nocturnal safari, before dinner is served at the lodge.
Hotel: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion Hotel, The Amazon
Day 4
Today we return to Puerto Maldonado by canoe, then board a flight to Cusco (also spelled Cuzco), South America’s oldest continually-inhabited city. In order to adjust to the altitude (3,400m/11,200m), we’ll take it easy this afternoon, with a short orientation walk that includes a visit to the local San Pedro market. This evening you’re free to explore, take advantage of the incredible hotel’s amenities, or you may join the group for an optional dinner.
Please note: Today’s flight is not included in the cost of the tour. Please see 'Trip Notes' for a special note on purchasing domestic airfare.
Hotel: El Mercado Hotel, Cusco
Day 5
We’re off to the Sacred Valley via private transport. We’ll visit a farming community en route, before we arrive in the town of Ollantaytambo. Take some time to explore, and be sure not to miss the fortress above town, as the entrance fee is included. Tonight we’ll enjoy an incredible included meal at our chic hotel. Note: We’ll safely lock up the majority of our luggage in our hotel just outside Ollantaytambo for the next few days while we explore the Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. We’ll use our Out Adventure duffel bags to carry the items you’ll need for the following few days.
Hotel: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel , Ollantaytambo
Day 6
We’ll begin our day riding the rails on the charming 360° Machu Picchu Train, aboard which glass panels in the ceiling ensure you soak in as much of the view as possible. Venturing through the Urubamba Valley, we’ll eventually arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes, which is the closest civilization to Machu Picchu. You could take this afternoon to rest up, as tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu will be a long day, or you could treat yourself to a sneak peak of the ancient citadel before our guided tour tomorrow. Dinner is included back at the hotel.
Hotel: El MaPi Hotel by Inkaterra , Aguas Calientes
Day 7
This morning we’ll depart by bus around 5:30AM in order to make our way along the notoriously windy road to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we’ll explore Sun Gate and the Inka Bridge for a few hours. These two sites offer an incredible photo opportunity overlooking the main ruins themselves. After exploring the upper area, we’ll meet a private guide who will tour us through the UNESCO World Heritage Site itself, providing fascinating insights into Inkan culture and history.
Please Note: As of July 2018, no one is allowed to explore Machu Picchu on their own.
We’ll enjoy an optional lunch before taking the 360° Machu Picchu Train back to the Sacred Valley, where we’ll connect with our private transport to Cusco. Take the rest of the night to enjoy our luxe accommodations.
A Special Note On Machu Picchu
As of July 1, 2018, Peruvian authorities have enacted new regulations surrounding all Machu Picchu visits. This will affect all Out Adventures in the following capacity:
• Entry tickets are valid for one entry only, meaning you cannot leave the site and re-enter.
• After entry, our group will be directed to one of three “circuits” around the site. We will not have the ability to backpedal, switch circuits or explore Machu Picchu after completing the circuit. We must immediately leave the site after completing the circuit.
• We will have a set time slot for our tour, either 6am-12pm or 12pm-4:30pm, and this slot will be chosen in advance by our operations team.
• We will spend additional time exploring the famous Sun Gate and Inka Bridge which will be less regulated.
Hotel: El Mercado Hotel, Cusco
Day 8
For the final morning of our tour, you’ll have the option to visit the archaeological sites of Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo & Tambomachay via private transport (price will depend on number of participants). While these sites may not be as mesmerizing as Machu Picchu, they remain historically significant, and are still worth a visit. This evening we’ll gather one last time, at a gay-welcoming restaurant, to share some fond memories over our Farewell Dinner.
Hotel: El Mercado Hotel, Cusco
Day 9
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at your leisure. Thank you for joining our gay Peru tour. Your local guide will help arrange your included departure transfer to the airport. Safe journey!
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• Arrival & departure transfers to/from Out Adventures’ joining/finishing point hotel
• Group leader from beginning to end of tour
• 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners
• Lima orientation walking tour
• Cuzco orientation walk
• Pisco sour lesson
• Gratuities for drivers, day/city guides, hotel porterage and included meals
• Visit to a community in the Sacred Valley
• Guided Amazon Jungle walks
• Private, guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Out Adventures duffel bag
• Bottled water on all bus rides
• Train trip between Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo on the Vistadome train
• International airfare and domestic airfare (Details will be provided when the official Trip Guarantee is sent to group)
• Meals & Activities not mentioned
• Travel insurance is mandatory for all travellers.
• Gratuities for Group Leader ($45-$90 USD)
• All items of a personal nature (laundry, drinks, etc.)
• Visa fees
Peru Visa
A visa is not typically required for American, Australian, British and Canadian citizens travelling to Peru for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.
Culture Shock
Peru is a developing country with infrastructure, values, customs and standards that may differ from what you’re accustomed to. Expect poor road conditions, along with unanticipated inconveniences such as restaurants and tourist sites being closed from time-to-time. Please note our transportation may be altered, and/or our itinerary changed, due to such circumstances beyond our control.
Local LGBT Scene
Many people frequently mistake the Inca national flag for a rainbow Pride flag…if only that were the case. Peru is predominantly Catholic, quite conservative, and hasn’t progressed far in terms of LGBT rights. That said, Lima does have a large LGBT community, some popular gay bars, and a friendly restaurant and art scene.
Weather
Expect the weather in Lima to be fairly consistent, with daytime highs around 18C/65F, and evening lows around 15C/58F. April through October are the coolest and driest months in the Andes Mountains (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail), where the average daily high is around 20C/68F, with evening lows around 4C/40F.
Required Vaccinations
Based on entry requirements, there are no vaccinations needed for Peru. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as we cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Electricity
You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type A/B/C sockets.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi will be available at no cost at our hotels in Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Unless you have a local SIM card, you won’t have a data connection during our hike on the Inca Trail.
Travel Insurance
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.
Domestic Airfare
On this tour domestic airfare is not included. We will provide the recommended flight details in the official Trip Guarantee email. If you are booking your trip less than 90 days to departure, there is a chance you will have to purchase a different flight than the rest of the group.
Meals
To keep things flexible, not all meals are included in the trip price. Although we typically dine together so that everybody can get a taste of everything, feel free to explore on your own…your guide will always have some restaurant recommendations. While in the Amazon Jungle, all meals will be included. You will have a selection of meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables, with hot meals throughout.
Money
The local currency is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants, but not for gratuities. We recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used only in the case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.
Tipping
Gratuities for local day/city guides, drivers, hotel porters and food at included meals are all covered in the trip price. However, a tip to your Group Leader, housekeeping, and gratuities for optional meals and drinks at included dinners are not. Please note: Credit cards are accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants, but we strongly recommend cash for gratuities.
What to bring
Our adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get costlier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb thanks to costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.
Optional Activities
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.
How We Travel
Out Adventures is all about good times with likeminded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
Your Guide
All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture. If you’re pleased with your guide, we recommend a tip of US $50-$100 per person… they’ll certainly appreciate it!
Flying Solo
If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.
Important Machu Picchu Info
For safety reasons, our Machu Picchu entrance tickets do not include the fee to climb/hike to the top of Huayna Picchu (the mountain in the background of Machu Picchu photos). You will, however, have access to the entire site along with a 2-hour guided tour. You will be required to temporarily sign off your Out Adventures trip if you choose to do this activity due to serious safety concerns.
A Special Note On Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation may be felt while travelling to high altitudes. Symptoms include shortness of breath, headaches, general lethargy and a reduced appetite. It is important that you drink plenty of water, and don’t attempt too much in a day.
Starting Point Hotel
Dazzler Hotel, Lima
Featuring an outdoor heated swimming pool, a fitness centre, and a restaurant, Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores offers self-catering accommodation with free Wi-Fi and buffet breakfast. Guests will be received with a complimentary welcome drink.
Guests at Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores can relax in the sauna or use the computers with free internet. Laundry services can be arranged upon request for an extra fee.
Providing a tranquil environment, the rooms in Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores feature private bathrooms, cable TVs, kitchenettes and air conditioning.
Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores is 900 m from Ovalo de Miraflores and 9,6 km from Plaza Mayor square. Larcomar Shopping Centre is 1,7 km away. Jorge Chavez international airport is 17,4 km away.
Finishing Point Hotel
El Mercado Hotel, Cusco
El Mercado Hotel is rated 3 stars and is placed about 3 km from Balcon del Diablo. Free Wi Fi is featured throughout the venue, and a storage room, a safe deposit box and lift are also provided on site.
The accommodation is located in Cusco City Centre district, 2 km from the centre of Cusco. Guests are advised to visit Puka Pukara, which is 4.3 km away.Plaza de Armas is within walking distance of this hotel. Limacpampa is not far away.
A mini-fridge-bar, a trouser press and IDD telephone, and a pillow-top mattress and linens are provided at each room.
A daily buffet breakfast can be enjoyed in the restaurant. There is a gastronomic restaurant onsite the venue. Guests can quench their thirst in the lounge bar with their favourite drink. A number of restaurants, including Chicha por Gaston Acurio, Inka Food and The Curry House Korma Sutra, are located in the surrounding area, 100 metres away.The property is less than 15-minute walk from Wanchaq train station. Guests can relax and entertain with a patio and a bar.
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