Machu Picchu and the Amazon Rainforest - 10 days of adventure in luxurious style

Overview: This trip has been carefully designed for travelers wishing to explore Peru’s culture and nature in the most flexible, authentic and inspiring manner. Take in the sights, aromas, and tastes of Peru's world class cuisine on a food tour through bohemian Lima. Venture into the Amazon Rainforest, one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Soak in the history and tradition of Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Finally, discover Machu Picchu, the famed 15th-century citadel of the Incas. Prepare for a journey of a lifetime as we show you the best of our country.

• Destinations: Lima, Tambopata, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

• Trip Focus: Local Culture, Soft Adventure and Nature & Wildlife

• Duration: 10 days

• Accommodation (suggested): Combination of boutique and comfort properties:

Trip Outline:

Day 1: Welcome to Peru and Lima!
Day 2: Walking food tour through bohemian Lima
Day 3: Venturing into the Amazon Rainforest
Day 4: À la carte experiences in the Amazon Rainforest
Day 5: À la carte experiences in the Amazon Rainforest
Day 6: Flight to Cusco and Journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 7: Off-the-beaten-path Hike to Huchuy Qosqo
Day 8: Morning at Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu
Day 9: Hiking to Machu Picchu's viewpoints
Day 10: Exploring Cusco and departure

Day 1 - Welcome to Peru and Lima!

Welcome to Peru and Lima! Upon Arrival, we'll meet you at Lima Airport and continue together to your hotel in Miraflores or Barranco, where you are free to relax and wander around at your own pace. After check-in, we'll hand you your travel kit and have a short briefing to answer any last-minute questions. Depending on your time of arrival, we have plenty of suggestions for you to make the most of your first day in the city.

Included meals: none
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Casa Republica

Day 2 - Walking food tour through bohemian Lima

Lima's cuisine, popular art, and local culture await you today! Get Ready for a food tour through the bohemian district of Barranco. During our walking route, you will sample more than 15 Peruvian dishes and drinks. From our most popular dish ceviche to a causa limeña, you'll not just learn how everything is prepared but travel through history. Every bite has a story to tell! Visiting Owner-run coffee shops, art galleries, and small local restaurants is the best way to start getting a feel of the Peruvian culture. We should be returning to your hotel at around 2. 00 pm, and the rest of the day is free so you can relax and wander at your own pace.

Included meals: breakfast and lunch
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Casa Republica

Day 3 - Venturing into the Amazon Rainforest

Today, we’ll go to the local airport to board our flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to Peru’s Southern Amazon and Tambopata National Reserve. On arrival, our jungle specialist guide will welcome us and drive to the local office to leave any excess luggage.

From here we continue for one hour by land and then by boat for two and a half hours to arrive at Tambopata Research Center Lodge (TRC). This is the lodge that is located deepest in the virgin rainforest in Peru, however, it also offers some of the most comfortable facilities so you can relax during your stay. Its unique location offers the highest chances of spotting exciting jungle wildlife such as jaguars.

Upon arrival, the manager will welcome us and brief us on important navigation and security tips. We’ll have some free time to relax and we will be introduced to the various activities at the lodge. At TRC they offer a "á la carté" activity system. This means that once you are there you can select from over 20 different options, which fit best into your travel style. Whether it is an interest in birdwatching, medicinal plants, visiting oxbow lakes, searching for monkeys, etc. It's up to you to decide.

Once you are ready, you can relax, or begin exploring this afternoon and evening.

Type of service: Shared "á la carté" service. You chose your own activities but they are not private. Anyone else staying at the lodge who wishes to do the same will join the group. Groups have a maximum of 10 travelers.


Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Type of service: private guide in Lima, group tours in Amazon
Accommodation: Tambopata Research Center
 

Day 4 - A la carte experiences in the Amazon Rainforest

Get up early to go bird watching or stay up late and wait for Tapir, deer and other animals that come to feed on the nearby Mammal Clay licks. Hike to nearby oxbow lakes or enjoy a river boat ride at sunset in search of caimans and nocturnal animals. The choice is yours. You have the unique opportunity to handpick your activities depending on how you feel. This is the best possible way to enjoy a truly authentic Amazon Adventure.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Type of service: group tours/activities with other guests
Accommodation: Tambopata Research Center
 

Day 5 - A la carte experiences in the Amazon Rainforest

Get up early to go bird watching or stay up late and wait for Tapir, deer and other animals that come to feed on the nearby Mammal Clay licks. Hike to nearby oxbow lakes or enjoy a river boat ride at sunset in search of caimans and nocturnal animals. The choice is yours. You have the unique opportunity to handpick your activities depending on how you feel. This is the best possible way to enjoy a truly authentic Amazon Adventure.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Type of service: group tours/activities with other guests
Accommodation: Tambopata Research Center

Day 6 - Flight to Cusco and Journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas

This morning, at the coordinated time, we head to the airport in time to board our flight to Cusco. Upon arriving, we'll be expecting you at Cusco airport. After a brief introduction and getting acquainted with your private guide, we’ll begin our scenic journey to the Sacred Valley Incas. Because of its lower elevation (2, 870 m or 9, 415 ft) and its peaceful atmosphere, this valley is the perfect place to enjoy your first days in Cusco while you acclimatize.

The drive takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes, with several chances to stop along the way to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Andes in the area of Peru. One of which will be at Piuray, a beautiful lake, where we’ll enjoy a tasty lunch based on local produce from the surrounding communities.

After lunch, we continue our journey towards our countryside hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Type of service: Group tours/activities (Amazon) / Private guide (Cusco)
Accommodation: Casona de Yucay

Day 7 - Off-the-beaten-path Hike to Huchuy Qosqo

Huchuy Qosqo is a hidden gem in Cusco that few people see. The site hangs on high mountain slopes with commanding views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. From your hotel, we drive through the Andes to Tauca village, in the proximity of Chincheros. It is from here that we'll set off on a 9 km hike across a hilly plateau to Huchuy Qosqo. The trek begins with a short uphill segment that offers views of Piuray lagoon, llamas are frequently seen here too. Once we reach the mountain pass, at 4500 m, the trail continues downhill on an original Inca path until reaching Huchuy Qosqo. This place was once an Inca palace and still has well-preserved structures made of stone and adobe bricks. We'll have time here to explore the site freely and relax. When ready, we must descend for another 2 km towards Lamay, at the base of the valley. Our transport will be waiting there to take us back to our hotel for tonight.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Type of service: private guide
Hiking distance: 11 Km (~7 miles)
Accommodation: Casona de Yucay

Day 8 - Morning at Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu

We'll begin today by visiting Ollantaytambo, a village that has not changed much since Inca times. Besides it, we have the Ollantaytambo archaeological site, a place with impressive Inca stonework only seconded by that of Machu Picchu. Visiting in the morning is a huge advantage as large groups arrive only in the afternoons. Next, we head to Ollantaytambo train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arriving, we'll take a 25-minute bus up to the impressive mountain setting where Machu Picchu is located. Once here, we'll find a secluded spot, overlooking the main site, for an initial explanation of Machu Picchu. A little later in the afternoon, it's the ideal time to take our guided tour around the main areas of the citadel, as most travelers should already have left. We can tour the site until it closes at around 5. 30 pm.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: El Mapi by Inkaterra

Day 9 - Hiking to Machu Picchu's viewpoints

Today, you'll have bus and entrance tickets at your disposal for a second visit to Machu Picchu at your own pace. Your guide will be happy to join you, of course. For this second visit, we can include any of the three main viewpoints of the site; Huayna Picchu (the most famous), Montaña (the highest), and the Sun Gate (the main entrance to Machu Picchu when coming from the Inca trail). The three of them offer superb panoramic views of Machu Picchu. They all take between 2 to 4 hours if you include the time you spend thoroughly enjoying the sights before you return. These sites require an additional entrance that must be booked in advance, so please let us know which you prefer upon booking the trip. Later, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, in time for lunch and after, we'll board the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a private transport back to your hotel in Cusco. Depending on the time and your energy level, we can make some short stops on the way back to Cusco.

Included meals: breakfast
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas

Day 10 - Exploring Cusco and departure from Peru

Strap on our walking shoes and prepare for an easy guided stroll around Cusco's historical center. We will begin with a 10-minute drive to our first visit of the day: Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca fortress overlooking the city. From here, our walking tour takes you not only through the top landmarks in Cusco, such as the Main Square, and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, but you will also walk into its lively neighborhoods and local markets where you'll discover the true magic of this city. This is the perfect way to get a more authentic feel of this fantastic place and its people. A spot we like to visit, where few others go, is San Francisco Church. It has impressive colonial architecture, catacombs, and excellent rooftop views of the city.

Included meals: breakfast
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: none - departure day