Why Our Gay Trip To Peru’s Amazon Rainforest & Machu Picchu Is So Popular

Ancient civilization, modern cuisine, and exotic wilds await on this LGBTQ+ tour that flaunts the Incas’ finest assets.

As one of the first trips we launched way back in 2010, our Peruvian Amazon and Machu Picchu tour has remained among our most popular gay-cations…and for good reason! It’s an incredible value. The people are friendly. The history is epic. And there are a ton of cute (and creepy) animals. Over the years, we’ve refined our trip to capture Peru’s greatest hits – read on for the best parts and most interesting details.

Note: This is one of three tours to Peru we offer. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can join us for a hike along the Inca Trail. Or if you really want to wallow in leisure, embark on our decadent Amazon River gay cruise.

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Enjoy A Very Civilized Start

With over eleven million residents, Lima is the second-largest city in the Americas, and the starting point for our adventure!

Before delving into the Amazon Jungle, you’ll explore the trendy yet historic Barranco neighbourhood, where the streets are lined with traditional colonial-style homes. Then, enjoy a spot of shopping in the upscale enclave of Miraflores.

We’ll also wander along Lima’s waterfront esplanade (like many Latin cities, this seaside stroll is known as the Malecón).

Food, Food, And More Delicious Food

Thanks in part to its impressive size, Lima is also the culinary capital of South America. Our first night in the big city wraps with a Welcome Dinner where you can taste what all the fuss is about.

But the good eats don’t stop there. Every hotel and town we visit has something to tantalize your taste buds. Start your day with freshly squeezed passion fruit juice and açaí breakfast bowls. Savour the tang of zesty river fish ceviche for lunch. Sip pisco sour cocktails at happy hour. And if you’re feeling ambitious (and it won’t remind you of a childhood pet), consider an authentic Peruvian entree for dinner: roast guinea pig. But even if you favour a plant-based diet, rest assured you’ll be well fed.

Tens Across The Room and Board

If you’ve travelled with us before, you know that we don’t mess around when it comes to who we sleep with. And by that, we mean we *love* lavish accommodations. And like a good mother, we love all our tour hotels equally…except the Amazon Jungle’s Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción. This is definitely our favourite-favourite.

To set the tone, we’ll arrive by boat (in this case, a motorized canoe). You’ll see macaws, monkeys, and myriad other species along the way.

For a full rundown on all the luxurious hotels we visit on this tour, check out this blog post.

Wander Through The Treetops

While in the Amazon, you’ll get to explore the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. After ascending the stairs up a 95 ft (29 m) tower, you’ll traverse the forest canopy along 7 cable suspension bridges connecting 8 observation platforms. From here you’ll see white-throated toucans, three-toed sloths, and even some adorable squirrel monkeys…amongst many other jungle critters.

It may look and sound daunting, but this is one of the safest and most sophisticated treetop bridge systems in the world. Our visit also helps support several local communities.

Explore The Rainforest Via Motorized Canoe

Forget gondolas in Venice. This is how we do boat rides in the Amazon. Aboard a low-slung, motorized canoe (no rowing required, you’re welcome), we’ll glide through winding jungle tributaries like rainforest rock stars.

Our expert guide will point out sunbathing caimans, curious capybaras, and possibly a sloth who couldn’t be bothered to RSVP. And the soundscape? Birds, monkeys, and maybe even the distant growl of a jungle cat. This excursion is quite literally an adventure into one of the wildest biomes in the world.

Enjoy A Nighttime ‘Safari’

As dusk settles, the hum of cicadas takes over, and 950 species of bat awake from their slumber. Armed with headlamps and an expert guide, we’ll venture into this dark ecosystem.

Our leader will point out arachnids venturing out of the woodwork. They’ll discuss the unique habits of nocturnal toads and frogs. And while it’s extremely unlikely to spot a prowling jaguar, we’ll discuss these fascinating felines in detail.

Get Elevated In Cusco And The Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, forming the heart of their ancient empire, is so far above sea level that it may take your breath away just being there. Reaching elevations up to 9,800 ft (3,000 m), the highest points of the valley are nearly twice the distance from sea level as North America’s mile-high city of Denver. For that reason, upon landing in Cusco, we’ll take things pretty easy so that you can acclimatize.

In the Sacred Valley, we’ll visit a farming community to learn about their local traditions, try on colorful patterns, and hand-feed adorable llamas and alpacas. If you’re feeling festive (and who wouldn’t be), you can even try out a local dance style!

Afterward, we’ll visit the ancient ruins of Ollantayambo, perched on a mountainside as a remnant of empires past.

In the 1400s, Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti. It then became an Inca stronghold during the Spanish conquest of Peru. Today, it remains a popular tourist town surrounded by agricultural terraces known as andenes.

Come Aboard A World-Renowned Train Ride

Only launched in 2018, Peru’s 360° train has quickly become one of the most epic rail rides on Earth (speaking of which, this isn’t the only gay train ride we offer).

The windows are massive, with glass ceiling panels, to take in the panoramic views. There’s even an outdoor observation car if you want to feel the wind in your hair (and take some wondrous photographs).

The crew serves authentic Andean snacks and meals. And there’s even live music onboard. Venturing through the Urubamba Valley, we’ll eventually arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes, the closest civilization to the literal and metaphorical apex of our tour…

Machu Picchu!

Built in the 1400s and rediscovered in 1911, its exact purpose remains elusive. Today, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and Peru’s most popular tourist attraction. In other words, it’s a definite bucket list destination. 

The Inca Trail is the most popular hike in the world, and culminates at the ancient mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. This trip, however, skips the hike and cuts to the good stuff (the hike is three and a half days long after all).

And, as we mentioned off the top, if you did want to tackle the Inca Trail, you can do it with us.

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To sum up why this gay trip to Machu Picchu is all that and a bag of plantain chips (aka chifle)…

You’ll experience big city sights and small town charm. The depths of the Amazon and the height of Incan civilization. You’ll be well fed and sleep in luxe beds. You’ll also get to ride boats, trains, and aeroplanes. As they say in Peru, “¡Asu mare!”

Have we enticed you to peruse Peru on this iconic tour? Book your spot, or Contact Us with any questions you may have.