Machu Picchu & Amazon Basin Tour – 10 Days

Upon your international arrival at Lima Airport, a representative will meet and escort you to your hotel. There are no planned activities for the day, allowing you to check in and rest. Overnight at a Lima hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, with the morning free to relax and prepare for an unforgettable journey through Peru. At 2:30 PM, begin a guided sightseeing tour of Lima, the ‘City of Kings.’ This excursion combines the best attractions from Lima’s three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial, and contemporary. Discover ancient pre-Columbian cultures that thrived thousands of years ago. Lima was part of the Inca Empire until its foundation by the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535. Return to your hotel for the night. Overnight at a Lima hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a free morning to acclimatize to the altitude. After lunch at 1:30 PM, embark on a comprehensive Cusco tour, beginning at the Main Square. You’ll visit the Cathedral of Cusco, admiring its beautiful woodwork and colonial paintings rich in Incan iconography. Next, explore the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), where the Santo Domingo Convent was built. Legend has it this temple was completely gold-coated, astonishing the conquerors upon their arrival. Ascend to the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman to visit the citadel, a royal house that worshipped the Sun God and younger deities. Admire its grand structure and the magnificent, tranquil landscape. Continue to Qenqo, the ancient Puma Temple, where you’ll see a sacrificial altar carved from a massive stone. At Tambomachay, discover the sacred fountains of life and health. Finally, see Pucapucara, which safeguarded the city gates and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The tour concludes with a detailed visit to the city of Cusco. Overnight at a Cusco hotel.

After breakfast, your full-day tour to the impressive Sacred Valley of the Incas begins with a pick-up from your hotel at 8:30 AM. Explore the beautiful Peruvian countryside, starting with the town of Pisaq, famous for its bustling market. This native town was once a hub for ‘exchange transactions’ where goods were bartered instead of purchased with currency. Visit the vibrant Pisaq market, where you can buy beautifully handcrafted products by local artisans. On Sundays, the main attraction is a mass celebrated in Quechua and conducted in Spanish, attended by mayors and their assistants playing traditional ‘pututos’ musical instruments. Afterward, enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch (included) before visiting the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo Fortress. These magnificent ancient ruins offer great vantage points over the valley. Originally the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuteq during the Inca Empire, this site later served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui during the Incas’ final rebellion against the Spanish. In the afternoon, return to Cusco. Overnight at a Cusco hotel.

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel for an early transfer to the nearby Poroy train station. Embark on a beautiful train journey to the mysterious lost city of Machu Picchu. This 3.5-hour trip offers stunning natural views of the Andes, transitioning into a jungle atmosphere as you descend to 6,560 feet (2,000 meters). Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, transfer to your hotel and check in. Enjoy lunch at the Indio Feliz Restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the Mandor Valley with a birdwatching excursion. Walk along the Vilcanota River, following the railroad tracks into the valley to visit its waterfall. The valley is home to varied and fascinating birdlife, including speckle-faced parrots anad green jays, with an opportunity to spot the elusive cock-of-the-rock. Relax and perhaps bathe under the waterfall before walking back to your hotel, shadowed by Machu Picchu. Overnight at an Aguas Calientes hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. At 5:30 AM, transfer to the bus stop for a short 25-minute ride up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, participate in a guided tour of the citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, and a large central square—all connected by narrow roads and steps surrounded by terraces cut into the mountainside. After the guided tour, you’ll have leisure time to explore the archaeological site on your own. You may choose to undertake optional activities (not included in the price): 1. Climb Wayna Picchu: For the adventurous, ascend Wayna Picchu for an even more breathtaking, elevated, and distant perspective of Machu Picchu. 2. Walk to the Sun Gate: An opportunity to walk approximately one hour up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Lunch is included at the Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant within Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for your train journey back to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at a Cusco hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel in Cusco, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. Upon arrival, a lodge representative will meet you and transfer you to the port. Embark on a scenic boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to your jungle lodge, immersing yourself in the vibrant rainforest environment. After settling in, enjoy lunch and an introductory walk through the jungle, familiarizing yourself with the unique flora and fauna. In the evening, experience a captivating caiman spotting excursion along the river, observing these nocturnal predators in their natural habitat. Overnight at a jungle lodge in Tambopata.

Wake up to the sounds of the jungle and enjoy an early breakfast. Today, you’ll embark on a full-day excursion to Lake Sandoval, one of the most beautiful and biodiverse lakes in the Tambopata National Reserve. After a short walk through the forest, you’ll paddle across the tranquil waters of the oxbow lake by dugout canoe, searching for giant river otters, black caimans, various monkey species, and a myriad of colorful birds. Enjoy a packed lunch amidst nature. In the afternoon, return to the lodge, with free time to relax or participate in another guided activity, such as a canopy walk (if available) or an ethno-botanical trail. Overnight at your jungle lodge.

After an early breakfast, you’ll have the option to participate in another engaging jungle activity, such as a guided walk to a Macaw Clay Lick (depending on location and conditions) or a visit to a local farm. Experience more of the incredible biodiversity before bidding farewell to the rainforest. Enjoy lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, take a boat ride back along the Madre de Dios River to Puerto Maldonado, and then transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Puerto Maldonado.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Puerto Maldonado. You will be transferred to the local airport for your flight back to Lima, or to Cusco for connecting international flights. Our services conclude upon your arrival at the airport, marking the end of your unforgettable Machu Picchu & Amazon Basin adventure.