Inca Trail & Amazon Rainforest – 12 Days

Upon your international arrival at Lima International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Here, you’ll receive a comprehensive briefing about your tour, along with all necessary vouchers and additional information for your Peru trip.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before being transferred to Lima Airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and taken to our local office for registration. Afterward, we’ll embark on a journey along a dirt road to the port of the Infierno Native Community. From here, a boat ride along the Tambopata River will take us to our lodge, nestled on the riverbanks within the buffer zone of the Tambopata Candamo National Reserve and Bahuaja Sonene National Park. Along the way, observe the diverse flora like *cañabravales*, *cecropias*, and *ficus*, as well as riverine fauna including weaving birds, herons, and various species of macaws, parrots, and toucans. In the afternoon, your guide will lead you on a nature walk to explore the local flora and fauna around the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll take an early morning boat trip to witness the vibrant activity at the nearby La Torre Clay Lick. Here, numerous psittacidae birds, including macaws, parrots, and parakeets, gather, offering a spectacular sight. Occasionally, you might also spot deer, capybara, and squirrels. The La Torre Clay Lick is a 4-meter high, 20-meter long riverbank embankment, similar to other salt licks along the Tambopata River. An observation hideout, located about 30 meters from the clay wall, provides an excellent vantage point. Next, we visit a Native Community Farm, where local people practice traditional farming methods. You’ll have the chance to learn directly from a farmer and discover various exotic Amazonian fruits like *copazú*, *arazá*, *pijuayo*, and *yuca*, along with local herbs such as *pajillo* and *sacha cilantro*. The farm also cultivates medicinal plants like *piñón*, *caña caña*, and *piri piri*, commonly used by the communities. We return to the lodge for lunch before traveling downriver for 15 minutes, followed by a 45-minute walk to Tres Chimbadas Lake. On the lake, we’ll board a traditional oar-powered catamaran. The lake supports a variety of birds, including shanshos, anhingas, herons, and kingfishers, as well as some reptiles and mammals. Crucially, Tres Chimbadas Lake is home to a family of endangered Giant River Otters, offering frequent opportunities for observation. You’ll also enjoy a demonstration of traditional fishing methods, where you might even spot the famous piranha. We return to the lodge in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at the lodge, we visit Cocococha Lake, a 60-hectare body of water nestled within the Tambopata National Reserve. Its stunning landscape, high biodiversity, and isolated location make it a vital habitat for numerous species, providing crucial food sources and breeding grounds for endangered animals like macaws, black caiman, and giant river otters. This pristine lake offers a unique opportunity for unspoiled nature tourism. As dusk approaches, accompanied by your guide, you’ll experience the nocturnal sounds of the Amazon, potentially a storm, or gaze at southern constellations like the *Scorpion* and the *Southern Cross*. We’ll carry a spotlight in the boat, just in case we encounter caimans, capybaras, or nighthawks active along the Tambopata River at night. Overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast at the lodge, we return to our office in Puerto Maldonado before heading to the airport. Your guide will assist you with check-in and requirements for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to acclimatize to the altitude. Overnight at your Cusco hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, with the morning free for relaxation or further acclimatization. At 1:30 PM, you’ll be picked up for a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco. We begin with a visit to Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun, one of the most significant shrines during the Inca Empire. Next, we explore the majestic Cusco Cathedral, the most imposing church in the main square. The tour continues to Sacsayhuaman, a magnificent megalithic fortress built by the Incas, perched on a hill overlooking the city. Despite their enormous size, the stones here exhibit extraordinary Inca precision. Our next stop is Qenqo, a unique limestone outcrop believed to have been used for religious rituals. The tour concludes with visits to Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Overnight at your Cusco hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a full-day tour of the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is the village of Qorao, offering picturesque panoramic views for stunning photos. We then proceed to Pisac, where you’ll explore its impressive archaeological site and browse the vibrant indigenous market. After enjoying lunch in the Sacred Valley, we continue to the magnificent Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, strategically built to guard the valley’s entrance.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred from the Sacred Valley to the starting point of the Inca Trail (usually Km 82). Here, you’ll meet your porters and begin your trek through breathtaking Andean landscapes, following ancient Inca paths. The day involves a relatively gentle ascent, allowing for acclimatization and appreciation of the stunning scenery. Overnight camping.

This is often considered the most challenging day of the Inca Trail, as we ascend to Warmiwañusca Pass (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,215 m.a.s.l. The climb offers incredible panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. After reaching the pass, we’ll descend into the Pacaymayo Valley, enjoying the diverse ecological zones. Overnight camping.

Today’s trek takes us through the beautiful cloud forest, where we’ll explore fascinating Inca archaeological sites. We’ll cross two more passes, visiting the ruins of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca («Town in the Clouds»). Each site offers unique insights into Inca engineering and astronomy, set against a backdrop of lush vegetation and stunning vistas. Overnight camping.

An early start is rewarded with the magical experience of watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). We’ll descend to the citadel for a comprehensive guided tour, learning about the history, architecture, and mysteries of this UNESCO World Heritage site. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore on your own or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (additional permits required). In the afternoon, we’ll take a bus down to Aguas Calientes and then a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, followed by a transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy some free time in Cusco for last-minute souvenir shopping or relaxation. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Cusco Airport for your departure, concluding your unforgettable Peru adventure.