Classic Peru: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Upon arrival at Lima airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, typically located in the vibrant Miraflores district. Depending on your international flight’s arrival time, you may have the opportunity for an optional visit to the renowned Gold Museum of Peru (entrance fee not included).

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado (airfare included). Upon arrival, you’ll receive a warm welcome with a refreshing tropical fruit beverage before embarking on a captivating 3-4 hour boat trip up the Tambopata River to the Boking Inca Jungle Tambopata Lodge & Research Center. Enjoy a box lunch en route. During the journey, observe local farms and diverse birdlife, with a chance to spot families of Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents. After check-in and lunch at the lodge, take a short introductory walk in the nearby forest to learn about basic ecology and local wildlife history. Following dinner, experience your first nighttime forest excursion to observe insects, frogs, and potentially nocturnal mammals, serenaded by the sounds of the jungle. Overnight at the lodge.

Rise early (around 4:00 AM) for a memorable one-and-a-half-hour boat trip up the Tambopata River into the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. Witness a magical sunrise and keep an eye out for wildlife such as capybaras, tapirs, jaguars, and deer in the pristine forest. From a safe distance, observe the incredible spectacle of hundreds of parrots, parakeets, and macaws of various species as they feed on mineral salts at a river bank. Enjoy a hot drink and snack while birdwatching, followed by a walk in search of monkeys. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and some rest. After lunch, delve deeper into the verdant jungle on a special trail designed for wildlife observation. You’ll enter areas frequented by peccaries and deer, with possibilities to hear or see their tracks, or encounter troops of monkeys foraging through the forest. Weather permitting, enjoy a refreshing swim in the ‘cat’s cascade.’ After dinner, choose to embark on another nocturnal jungle excursion to spot caimans or simply relax at the lodge, enveloped by the exotic sounds of the night.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic boat ride back to Puerto Maldonado. Relax in your bungalow and savor a delicious lunch. Later, embark on a twenty-minute journey along the Madre de Dios River, leading to the access trail for Lake Sandoval, a stunning and characteristic rainforest lake. Enjoy a 5 km (3.1 miles) walk to the lakeshore, where you’ll board a canoe to paddle around the lake. Revel in the beautiful landscape and observe diverse wildlife, including kingfishers, herons, hoatzins (unique pre-historic looking birds), and various monkeys. If lucky, you might even spot the family of giant otters that inhabit the lake. You’ll also have the opportunity to fish for piranhas and swim in the lake. Prepare for a spectacular sunset. Afterward, begin the walk back to the Madre de Dios River for your return to Puerto Maldonado. You’ll stay in modern and comfortable bungalows. After dinner, you can relax, stroll around the city on foot or by bicycle, or enjoy the pool and its cascade surrounded by lush vegetation. The rest of the night is free to experience the vibrant nightlife of this welcoming city.

Following an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Puerto Maldonado airport for your flight to Cusco (airfare included). Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a few cups of coca tea and have any questions answered. At 1:45 PM, embark on a captivating tour of Cusco. This tour encompasses the city’s major historical sites, including the famous Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the revered Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun). A tourist card providing access to all sites in the wider Cusco area (including the city outskirts) is included. The tour concludes around 6:00 PM.

At 8:45 AM, depart for a full-day tour of the magnificent Sacred Valley of the Incas. This excursion includes a shuttle bus to the traditional market of Pisaq, a visit to the impressive Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo, and exploration of the charming Chinchero Market. Enjoy magnificent views of the high Peruvian Andes throughout the trip. Lunch will be provided at a typical restaurant in Urubamba. You will arrive back at your Cusco hotel around 6:00 PM.

Embark on an early morning adventure to Machu Picchu. You will depart from your hotel at 5:30 AM and take a train (typically the ‘Vistadome’ class) departing at 6:00 AM. Arrive at Aguas Calientes station around 9:40 AM, where you’ll board a 25-minute bus ride up to the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a comprehensive guided tour with an English-speaking guide. Your return journey will be by bus back to Aguas Calientes and then by Vistadome train, departing at 3:30 PM and arriving back in Cusco at approximately 7:30 PM. Overnight in Cusco. *Optional: For lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, an additional $35.00 USD per person applies.*

After breakfast, transfer to the train or bus station for a picturesque ten-hour journey to Puno. Traverse the stunning Andean landscapes, dotted with small villages and herds of llamas and vicuñas. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. (Note: If traveling by train, please check availability and price, as this may vary).

At 6:40 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day excursion on Lake Titicaca. Explore the unique floating islands of the Uros people, experiencing their fascinating way of life. Continue to Taquile Island, known for its intricate textiles and communal traditions. Immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy breathtaking views of the lake. Return to Puno in the late afternoon.

In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your included domestic flight from Puno to Lima. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and escort you to Hotel Carmel or a similar hotel in the lively district of Miraflores. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or enjoy your final evening in Peru.

After breakfast, our representative will transfer you to Lima International Airport according to your flight schedule. We hope you leave Peru with unforgettable memories of its ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture. This marks the end of our services, and we wish you a safe journey home.