Join SideQuests host Ryan on an 8-day adventure through Peru's most iconic landscapes. We'll land in Lima, diving headfirst into one of South America's greatest food cities: ceviche, pisco sours, and a welcome dinner inside ancient archaeological ruins. From there, we take an included flight up into the Andes to Cusco, where we'll spend a few days getting lost in cobblestone streets, learning to cook traditional Andean dishes, and experiencing the beauty of the living at 11,000 feet! Then, we drop into the Sacred Valley where terraced hillsides, Inca fortresses, and open-air markets accentuate  to the natural beauty of this breathtaking region. And at last, we board a panoramic train that takes us through the mountains to the Amazonian cloud-forest for our grand finale: Machu Picchu. . There's a reason people cry when they get there. It's that good; it's that unbelievable.

This trip is the ideal balance of ancient history, incredible food, jaw-dropping views, and time to connect, make new friends, and actually absorb where you are. Ryan has led more tours through Peru than we can count, and he knows this country like a second home. Our local tour-partner LlamaTrip is an LGBTQ+-owned and operated company that is among the best in the business. Marco, your local guide, will take excellent care of you and ensure that from the time you arrive in Lima to the last night's farewell dinner in Cusco, you'll come home

At SideQuests, we believe the most meaningful travel happens when you stop rushing and start paying attention: to the place you're in, the people around you, and the version of yourself that shows up when you finally slow down. This journey through Peru is built around that idea: creating space for connection, reflection, laughter, and those unplanned moments that often become the most memorable.We're excited to have Ryan leading this experience. A North Carolina native who left a decade-long tech sales career to become a full-time digital nomad, Ryan has spent the last four years traveling to 35 countries with one guiding belief: the people make the experience more than the place does. He brings a natural ability to build community and create spaces where connection happens easily. Whether he's leading a deep conversation over dinner or keeping things light and ridiculous on a long bus ride, Ryan's grounded energy helps everyone feel welcomed, seen, and ready to be fully present for the journey ahead.

• Lima: Food, History & a Welcome Dinner Inside an Archaeological Site – Kick off the journey in one of South America's most exciting food cities. We'll explore colonial Lima on foot, dive into the historic center, and sit down to our welcome dinner at Huaca Pucllana, a restaurant built inside an actual ancient pyramid.

• Cusco & the Heart of the Inca Empire: Spend several days in one of the most remarkable cities on earth. We'll take a hands-on Peruvian cooking class in the artistic neighborhood of San Blas, then tour the city's most iconic Inca and colonial sites: Koricancha, Sacsayhuamán, the Cathedral Basilica, and the Plaza de Armas.

• Sacred Valley of the Incas: Journey through a breathtaking stretch of Andean landscape, stopping at the Pisac ruins and its famous handicraft market, lunching in Urubamba, and exploring the fortress town of Ollantaytambo before the big day ahead.

• Machu Picchu: Board a panoramic Vistadome Observatory Train through the mountains to Aguas Calientes, then ride up to the ancient citadel for a private guided tour of one of the most awe-inspiring places on earth. There's a reason people cry when they get there.

• Cultural Depth, Thoughtfully Guided: Explore Peru with private, English-speaking local guides who bring the history, spirituality, and stories of the Inca civilization to life at every stop. From Lima's colonial catacombs to the sacred stones of Machu Picchu, this is truly the trip-of-a-lifetime.

• Intimate Group Travel: Travel alongside a small group of like-minded LGBTQ+ travelers. Every detail is handled by LlamaTrip, an LGBTQ+-owned and operated local company that knows Peru like the back of their hand.

• What Airport Do I Fly Into? For this tour, we recommend flying into and out of Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM). Your domestic flights from LIM to Cusco (CUZ) and from CUZ back to LIM (and Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon if you choose to attend our post tour) are included. All included airport transfers are coordinated around arrivals at LIM and departures at CUZ, making travel logistics simple and seamless from start to finish.

• When Does the Tour Begin and End? The first official activity of the tour begins in Lima on July 11th, 2027. We recommend arriving in Lima the day before on July 10th to allow time to settle in after travel. The tour concludes with your flight back to LIM (or Puerto Maldonado) from CUZ following your included breakfast at the hotel, with a transfer to the airport for your flight home or onward to your next destination.

• What About Altitude in Cusco? Cusco sits at 11,152 feet above sea level, and altitude affects everyone differently. We build acclimatization time into the itinerary, so  your first day in Cusco is intentionally low-key. We recommend staying well hydrated, avoiding alcohol your first night, and listening to your body. But don’t worry: millions of people visit Cusco every year without any issues. If you’re concerned about how your body may adjust to high altitude, talk to your doctor about altitude medication options.

• What Is The Cancellation Policy? If your booking is still pending (meaning the trip has not been confirmed yet), you're eligible for a full refund, including your 25% deposit. Once the trip is confirmed (after 10 travelers have booked), we will send you a confirmation notification and your deposit becomes non-refundable. If you need to cancel after confirmation, you'll receive a Credit Voucher to be applied to a new trip within 1 year of cancellation. The Credit Voucher covers the 25% deposit minus a $100 cancellation fee. Optional Add-ons can be added at any time and are fully refundable up to 90-days pre-trip. After the 90-day mark before the trip, all payments become non-refundable, since hotels, transportation, and activities have already been paid for. Any exceptions at that point are at the discretion of our local partners. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to provide peace of mind.

Overview
Welcome to Lima! Upon arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), you'll be warmly welcomed by our local team and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in Miraflores, Lima's most vibrant and walkable neighborhood. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours — rest up, take a stroll along the cliffside Malecón, or grab your first pisco sour. You've made it! Exact meeting times and details will be shared on our group WhatsApp chat and the official timed guide released closer to the trip date.

Overview
After an included breakfast, we'll meet in the hotel lobby and head out into the streets of Lima. This colonial city has been layering history on top of history for centuries, and it shows in the most incredible way. We'll wander through the grand historic center, past ornate colonial facades, bustling plazas, and centuries-old cathedrals that somehow coexist seamlessly with the energy of a modern South American city. We'll visit the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the stunning Cathedral Basilica, and the iconic Plaza Mayor  — one of the great public squares in all of Latin America. Then, we go underground. Beneath the Monumental Convent of San Francisco, lies a labyrinth of catacombs that once served as the city's burial ground. It's eerie, fascinating, and unlike anything most people have ever seen. After the tour, we'll return to the hotel to freshen up before tonight’s special dinner.

Overview
After our included breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel in Lima and head to the airport for our included domestic flight up into the Andes Mountains. And up is the right word: Cusco sits at 11,152 feet above sea level. From the moment you step off the plane and take your first breath of thin mountain air, you'll know you're somewhere completely different. The city that greets you is extraordinary: cobblestone streets, Incan stonework tucked beneath Spanish colonial architecture, the smell of woodsmoke and fresh bread drifting out of doorways, mountains rising in every direction. It's a lot to take in, and that's exactly what today is for. The afternoon and evening are intentionally unscheduled. We'll get settled into our hotel, take a gentle walk if you're feeling up to it, and let Cusco come to us. Drink plenty of water, take it slow, and trust that your body will adjust. The city rewards patience  and everything we have planned for the days ahead is absolutely worth it.

Overview
After an included breakfast, we'll take a short walk from the hotel into San Blas: Cusco's most artistic and atmospheric neighborhood. San Blas is a delightful labyrinth of narrow uphill lanes, whitewashed walls, and workshops where local artisans have been practicing their craft for generations. We'll spend our morning in a hands-on Peruvian cooking class at one of the neighborhood's most beloved restaurants, a gorgeous space with a colonial-style patio and the kind of culinary energy that makes you want to immediately move to Peru and cook for the rest of your life. Expert local chefs will walk us through the preparation of traditional Andean dishes — the ingredients, the techniques, the stories behind the food — and then we'll sit down together and eat everything we’ve made. It's one of those mornings that sounds nice on paper and turns out to be genuinely one of the highlights of the whole trip. After lunch, we head out for a guided Cusco City Tour that will completely reframe everything you thought you knew about the Inca Empire. We're talking massive stone fortresses, gilded temples, a cathedral built on top of a palace: layer after layer of history stacked on top of itself in the most dramatic way. The rest of the evening is yours to wander the famous Plaza de Armas, find a rooftop bar, shop for something beautiful in the markets of San Blas, or just soak in the romantic beauty of Cusco at night.

Overview
After an early included breakfast at the hotel, we'll load up and depart Cusco by private transport, descending into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The valley is  a wide, lush, impossibly green corridor carved by the Urubamba River and flanked on all sides by terraced mountainsides and snow-capped peaks. Our first stop is the Pisac Archaeological Site, perched dramatically above the valley floor, followed by time at the famous Pisac Handicraft Market. We'll continue through the valley to Urubamba for a traditional Andean lunch before heading to the remarkable fortress town of Ollantaytambo for our final excursion of the day. Tonight we stay in the valley and close to tomorrow's train, and one train ride away from Machu Picchu. Pack just a small overnight bag for this one. Your main luggage will be waiting safely back in Cusco when we return.

Overview
After an early included breakfast, we transfer to the train station to board the Vistadome Observatory Train toward Aguas Calientes, — the gateway to Machu Picchu. The 2.5-hour journey winds through the Sacred Valley and deep into the cloud forest, with the landscapes growing more dramatic and lush with every passing mile. From Aguas Calientes, we'll board a shuttle bus for the 30-minute ride up the mountain to the ancient citadel itself. And then you're there and no amount no. No amount of photos or documentaries or descriptions—including this one, can fully prepare you for the moment Machu Picchu reveals itself. It's one of those places that hits differently in person, and we can't wait for you to experience it. After our private guided tour, we'll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for free time and lunch on your own before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private driver will be waiting to transfer us back to Cusco in time for dinner.

Overview
After an included breakfast at the hotel, the day is entirely yours. Sleep in a little. Wander back through the streets of San Blas. Duck into one of Cusco's incredible museums. Hunt down the perfect souvenir in the markets around the Plaza de Armas. Find a rooftop café, order something warm, and just sit with everything you've experienced this week. Cusco is one of those cities that rewards slow mornings and aimless afternoons.and after the pace of the last few days, you've earned one. In the evening, we'll come together one final time for our farewell dinner at MAP Café,  one of the most celebrated restaurants in Cusco, set in the intimate, lantern-lit courtyard of the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. It's the perfect setting for a last night together: elegant without being stuffy, deeply Peruvian, and genuinely unforgettable.

Overview After one last included breakfast at the hotel, it's time. Time to pack up, check out, and say goodbye to Cusco. Private transfers to the airport are already set-up for you, so your send-off will be smooth and stress-free. Your flight back to Lima is included in this itinerary. Please feel free to spend more time where you see fit, whether that's Cuzco, Lima, or elsewhere, we'll coordinate with you to ensure a seemless experience to your next adventure. Ryan and the team are happy to help with recommendations and logistics. And if you're heading straight home, just know that the post-trip blues are completely normal, entirely valid, and a sign that something really good just happened.