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ToursHomestays & Local Immersion

Homestays & Local Immersion Strenuous Tours & Trips

2,659 Homestays & Local Immersion trips. Tours from 261 tour companies. 9,900 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

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Strenuous
Peruvian Pathways
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Peruvian Pathways

By Intrepid Travel
premier
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, Lima, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Puerto Maldonado, Puno, Sacred Valley

Highlights

  • The choice is yours on the way to Machu Picchu – test yourself on the challenging Classic Inca or Inca Quarry trails, or take the train for a more leisurely experience. Then, marvel at the incredible Inca citadel of Machu Picchu with a guided tour around the ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters.
  • Experience the wild world of the Amazon rainforest. Stroll along jungle trails on the lookout for monkeys, parrots, otters and caiman, and sleep in a nature lodge lit by candles and kerosene lamps.
  • Treat yourself to freshly made coffee and cakes at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley that’s empowering community growth and providing job opportunities and training for single mothers from the region.
  • Enjoy a day out on tranquil Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable body of water, and explore the floating islands crafted by the indigenous Uru locals.
  • Get to know the locals of the Huilloq community in the Sacred Valley, learn from them, discover their ancestral textile techniques, join an offering to Pachamama and then sit down for a special lunch together.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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-19%$6,710
14 days From$5,455

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Peru Encompassed
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Peru Encompassed

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Arequipa, Cusco, Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, Lima, Machu Picchu, Nazca, Ollantaytambo, Puerto Maldonado, Puno

Highlights

  • Colonial facades, Spanish houses, endless culture and delicious cuisine during your free time in the Peruvian capital.
  • Take the opportunity to board a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines – whether they’re the work of ancient civilizations or something more supernatural, it’s an incredible experience.
  • Trek the Inca Trail, the Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, no matter how you get there, the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu are a majestic destination.
  • Explore Cusco, South America's oldest continuously inhabited city, with its ancient foundations and interesting blend of Inca and colonial influences.
  • Experience the untouched world of the Amazon rainforest. Stroll along jungle trails on the lookout for monkeys, parrots, otters and caimans.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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-26%$6,764
20 days From$5,010

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Sacred Land of the Incas
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Sacred Land of the Incas

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Lima, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Puerto Maldonado, Puno, Sacred Valley, Urubamba

Highlights

  • Choose you own adventure on your way to the mother of all Inca cities – magical Machu Picchu. Test yourself on the challenging Classic Inca or Inca Quarry trails, or take the train for a more leisurely experience.
  • Marvel at the evergreen splendour of the untouched Amazon. Explore rainforest trails with a local guide, looking out for wildlife and medicinal plants, and stay in a tranquil jungle lodge overnight.
  • Head on a guided stroll through charming Cusco with your local leader, where Inca temples and Spanish cathedrals line the cobblestone streets – Peru’s true cultural and historic centre.
  • Sleep in a mud-brick hut on the shore of vast, ancient Lake Titicaca during a homestay in a traditional Andean community, and visit the floating reed islands of Uros with your small group.
  • Finish up in the eclectic and hectic La Paz, where Indigenous Aymara or Quechua traditions are flourishing in contemporary Bolivia – a living example of the resilient traditional communities of South America.
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Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
-26%$4,653
15 days From$3,447

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Pakistan Expedition
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Pakistan Expedition

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Delhi

Highlights

  • Learn about Pakistan – its turbulent past, fascinating present, and hopeful future – from a local leader who knows and loves the country best.
  • Discover the jagged snow-capped peaks, bright blue lakes and traditional culture of the Hunza Valley, a little touristed but unbelievably beautiful region of northern Pakistan.
  • From its ancient museums, gardens and forts to its fantastic food scene, Lahore has so much to offer. Spend three days discovering this dynamic city.
  • Travel to the incredibly remote village of Shimshal where you’ll meet the local families who live in this challenging environment and hike through the surrounding mountains.
  • Visit a women’s group supported by the Aga Khan Foundation to learn about their projects and have lunch at a cafe run by local women.

Themes

Local Immersion & Homestays, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
-26%$6,122
15 days From$4,535

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Inca Encounter
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Inca Encounter

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Inca Trail, Lima, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Puerto Maldonado, Sacred Valley

Highlights

  • Marvel at the incredible Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a moment you’ll truly never forget – enjoy a guided tour around the ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters.
  • Experience the wild world of the Amazon rainforest. Stroll along jungle trails on the lookout for monkeys, parrots, otters and caiman, and sleep in a nature lodge lit by candles and kerosene lamps.
  • Treat yourself to freshly made coffee and cakes at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley that’s empowering community growth and providing job opportunities and training for single mothers from the region.
  • Get to know the locals of the Huilloq community in the Sacred Valley, learn from them, discover their ancestral textile techniques, join an offering to Pachamama and then sit down for a special lunch together.
  • Choose your own adventure on your way to the magnificent Machu Picchu – hike the Inca Trail, traverse the Quarry Trail or enjoy a few days in Cusco before taking the train to Aguas Calientes.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
-19%$5,111
10 days From$4,155

Health Safety +

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Inca Trail & Amazon Adventure
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Inca Trail & Amazon Adventure

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Inca Trail, Lima, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Puerto Maldonado, Sacred Valley, Urubamba

Highlights

  • Explore Cusco, South America's oldest continuously inhabited city. The city has ancient foundations, an interesting blend of Incan and colonial influences, and seemingly endless things to do and see.
  • Adjust to the altitude with a pisco sour and some ceviche to get to know Peruvian cuisine.
  • Travel through the Sacred Valley – known for its steep and soaring scenery, its mystical significance for the Inca and the indigenous cultures that still reside here.
  • Explore the greatest icon of ancient South America and one of the Seven Wonders of the world – Machu Picchu – on a guided tour.
  • Experience the untouched, evergreen splendour of the Amazon Jungle. Explore rainforest trails with a local guide, looking out for monkeys, parrots and medicinal plants, then fall asleep in a lodge lit by candles and kerosene lamps.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
-26%$3,621
12 days From$2,682

Health Safety +

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Nepal: Women's Expedition
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Nepal: Women's Expedition

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Chitwan National Park, Himalayas, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Tibet

Highlights

  • Enjoy a five-day hike in the incredible Annapurna Mountains, wholly supported by an all-female crew of leaders, guides, assistants and porters.
  • Get to know the locals during a Madi Valley homestay run by women working to alleviate the human impact on the surrounding wilderness and wildlife.
  • Visit an NGO working to abolish the practice of Chhaupadi – the illegal but socially common practice of forbidding women to enter their homes, kitchens, schools and temples during their menstrual cycle as they're believed to be rendered temporarily impure.
  • Learn how to create traditional dishes while supporting a unique social enterprise that has changed the lives of disadvantaged women and learn the secrets to creating the perfect MoMo during a cooking class at a Tibetan refugee camp.
  • Swap stories and learn about the lives of local Buddhist nuns as you visit an all-female monastery challenging patriarchal Buddhist traditions.
Show more

Themes

High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, Trekking & Expeditions, Women Only

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
-26%$2,471
13 days From$1,830

Health Safety +

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Galapagos & Peru Adventure
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Galapagos & Peru Adventure

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Cotopaxi, Cusco, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil, Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Lima, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Otavalo, Puerto Maldonado, Puno, Quito, Sacred Valley, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Urubamba

Highlights

  • Snorkel the incredible waters of Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) – an eroded volcanic cone where sea turtles, rays and colourful fish make their home.
  • Get up close and personal with giant tortoises as they shuffle along the Galapagos Islands and watch the aerobatic routines of blue-footed boobies and the death-defying stunts of the frigate birds as they whizz through the air.
  • Choose you own adventure on your way to the mother of all Inca cities – magical Machu Picchu. Test yourself on the challenging Classic Inca or Inca Quarry trails, or take the train for a more leisurely experience.
  • Marvel at the evergreen splendour of the untouched Amazon. Explore rainforest trails with a local guide, looking out for wildlife and medicinal plants, and stay in a tranquil jungle lodge overnight.
  • Whether you trek the Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, you'll be travelling responsibly with a company that cares about balancing profit and purpose. Intrepid is the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail and we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
-26%$12,089
24 days From$8,955

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Homestays & Local Immersion Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
9,900  Reviews
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Excellent
5,897
Great
2,080
Average
346
Disappointing
88
Terrible
47
I

Ida

Oct 2015

Written on

A great variety of experiences (learning about

A great variety of experiences (learning about culture, but also being in nature and doing some more physically challenging activities). Great tour leader and great ...

Tour:  Mexico Unplugged

B

Begum

Oct 2015

Written on

I love our tour leader Edith and

I love our tour leader Edith and the support we got from her was excellent!

Tour:  Mexico Unplugged

P

Paul

Sep 2015

Written on

I felt we covered a lot in

I felt we covered a lot in a short time and there was a flexible app...

Tour:  Mexico Unplugged

g

geraint

Sep 2015

Written on

Great country, people, food and quality of

Great country, people, food and quality of the trip & leader

Tour:  Mexico Unplugged

X

Xiao

Sep 2015

Written on

I thoroughly enjoyed my Intrepid tour and

I thoroughly enjoyed my Intrepid tour and all the optional activities on offer. It's great to travel with the comforts of having transport and accommodation already ...

Tour:  Mexico Unplugged

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Homestays & Local Immersion Tour Selection Trips

  • Do your research and ask questions. Homestays can be a wonderful insight into local life, but occasionally hotels are falsely advertised as "home stays".
  • Be a courteous guest. Tidy up after yourself, and look out for house rules, such as taking your shoes off before entering. Your host should enjoy having you as much as you enjoy staying there!
  • Stretch beyond your comfort zone! You may encounter squat toilets, cold showers and strange new foods, but it's all part of the experience. And who knows, you may find you have a taste for boiled frog or fried crickets.
  • Spend time with your hosts. A homestay is more than simply renting a room - it is a chance to get involved with a family's way of life. And don't forget that the reason many people agree to host is to learn about your culture, too.

Additional details

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