Day 1: Arrival in Lima

Arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, where our representative will give you a warm welcome to the land of the Incas. Private transfer to your selected hotel in the exclusive districts of Miraflores or Barranco, located along the Pacific Ocean. Lima, the former “City of Kings” and current Peruvian capital, is home to more than ten million inhabitants and represents the perfect meeting point between historical tradition and Latin American culinary innovation. Rest at your hotel to recover from your journey and prepare for the adventure that will begin the next day.

Day 2: Lima / Flight to Iquitos / Amazon Cruise Embarkation

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Iquitos, the main gateway to the Peruvian Amazon and the largest city in the world without land connections, accessible only by air or river. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the dock where you will board your selected Amazon cruise.

Note: From this point, activities, facilities, and services will vary according to the cruise chosen by the client. There are various options in the market, from intimate boutique vessels to larger cruise ships, with different levels of luxury and expedition proposals. What follows is a general description of the experiences typically offered by cruises in this region.

Day 3: Amazon Exploration

Full day dedicated to exploring Amazonian ecosystems. Depending on the selected cruise, you may participate in various activities such as:

• Expeditions in small boats through tributaries and lakes
• Walks along jungle trails with naturalist guides
• Wildlife spotting, including birds, monkeys, and possibly pink dolphins
• Visits to riverside communities to learn about their lifestyle
• Piranha fishing (under the catch and release principle)
• Observation of nighttime jungle life

Meals will be served on board and will vary according to the chosen cruise, but they generally highlight local ingredients and regional Amazonian dishes.

Day 4: Continuation of Amazon Expedition

Second day of expedition that will complement the previous day’s experiences, possibly visiting different areas or carrying out alternative activities to maximize your experience in the Amazon. Cruises usually schedule the itinerary to offer a variety of ecosystems and experiences throughout the navigation.

Day 5: Disembarkation / Flight to Lima

After breakfast on board, disembark and transfer to Iquitos airport to take your return flight to Lima. Depending on the schedule of the selected cruise, there may be time for a brief visit to an attraction in Iquitos before the flight. Arrival in Lima and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of Lima’s Historic Center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, the San Francisco Convent with its catacombs, and finish with a stroll through the modern district of Miraflores. For dinner, we recommend experiencing one of Lima’s acclaimed restaurants that have positioned Peru as a world-class gastronomic destination (not included).

Day 6: Lima / Flight to Cusco / Acclimatization

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire located at 3,400 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the historic center. Dedicate this first afternoon to a gradual acclimatization to the altitude, staying constantly hydrated and perhaps enjoying a traditional coca tea. Take a gentle walk to familiarize yourself with the immediate surroundings of your hotel and the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city since pre-Columbian times. Light dinner and early rest to prepare for the adventures awaiting you in the following days.

Day 7: Cusco City Tour

After a nutritious breakfast, begin a fascinating tour of the imperial city. The visit will start at the Plaza de Armas where the imposing Cathedral is located, housing important collections of colonial art. Continue to the Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun, the most important religious center of the Inca Empire, whose walls were once covered with gold. The Convent of Santo Domingo was built on its foundations, symbolizing the architectural and religious syncretism of the Andes. In the afternoon, visit the impressive peripheral archaeological sites: Sacsayhuamán, with its colossal megalithic walls; Qenqo, a ceremonial center carved into a rock; Tambomachay, a hydraulic complex known as the “Inca’s baths”; and Puka Pukara, an ancient military checkpoint. In the evening, enjoy a dinner show with traditional dances representing Peru’s cultural diversity.

Day 8: Sacred Valley of the Incas

After breakfast, embark on a journey to the Sacred Valley, located at a lower altitude than Cusco (2,870 meters), which provides a pleasant physical relief as you explore this fertile valley irrigated by the Urubamba River. Visit the archaeological complex of Pisac, with its impressive agricultural terraces, and the colorful craft market in the town, where you can purchase authentic Andean crafts. Enjoy a buffet lunch with regional specialties before continuing to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town continuously inhabited since the 13th century. Its cobblestone streets, water channels, and the imposing archaeological complex that dominates the town offer an extraordinary window into the Incan past. Overnight at a hotel in the Sacred Valley, taking advantage of its privileged microclimate and the tranquility of the surroundings.

Day 9: Maras and Moray / Train to Aguas Calientes

The morning will be dedicated to visiting two extraordinary archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. First, explore Moray, a fascinating Inca agricultural laboratory composed of concentric circular terraces descending to a depth of 150 meters. This ingenious design created different microclimates at each level, allowing experimentation with various crops at different “simulated altitudes.” Continue to the Maras Salt Mines, a spectacular collection of more than 3,000 salt pools stepped on a mountainside, in operation since pre-Incan times. The contrast between the crystalline white of the salt and the ochre tones of the mountains creates a unique and photogenic landscape. After lunch (not included), transfer to the Ollantaytambo station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. The approximately 1.5-hour journey offers spectacular views of the ecosystem change, from the arid Andean valley to the cloud forest. Arrival and accommodation in Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy dinner (not included) and prepare for the visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

Day 10: Machu Picchu / Return to Cusco

Very early, board one of the first buses that ascend to the entrance of the citadel of Machu Picchu, located at 2,430 meters above sea level. For approximately 2-3 hours, a specialized guide will lead you through the assigned circuit according to current conservation regulations, revealing the secrets of the Temple of the Sun, the enigmatic Intihuatana, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the different urban and agricultural sectors. This masterpiece of Inca architecture and engineering, declared a World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, offers a transformative experience that combines history, spirituality, and perfect harmony with the impressive natural surroundings. In the afternoon, descend to Aguas Calientes to take the return train to Ollantaytambo and subsequent land transfer to Cusco, where you will arrive at nightfall.

Day 11: Free Day in Cusco

Enjoy a full day at your disposal to explore Cusco at your own pace or rest after the intense previous days. We recommend visiting some of the excellent museums in the city such as the Pre-Columbian Art Museum or the Inka Museum; exploring the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, home to renowned artisans; or immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the San Pedro Market. Alternatively, we can organize optional excursions to nearby destinations such as the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) or Humantay Lake (at additional cost). In the evening, take advantage of Cusco’s excellent gastronomic offerings at one of the restaurants in the historic center.

Day 12: Cusco / Flight to Lima / Farewell

After breakfast and depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy free time in Cusco for last-minute shopping or visits. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take your return flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, depending on your connection schedule, a brief visit to an additional attraction or a farewell lunch or dinner (not included) could be arranged. Transfer to Jorge Chávez International Airport for your international flight, taking with you unforgettable memories of your adventure through Peru’s most diverse ecosystems, from the lush Amazon rainforest to the majestic Andean heights.

INCLUDES:

ACCOMMODATION

• 2 nights hotel in Lima (selected category)
• 2 nights aboard the selected Amazon cruise
• 5 nights hotel in Cusco (selected category)
• 1 night hotel in Sacred Valley (selected category)
• 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes (selected category)

MEALS

• 11 breakfasts (hotels and cruise)
• Meal plan according to selected cruise during the Amazon stay
• 1 buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley
• 1 folklore dinner show in Cusco

TRANSPORTATION

• All airport-hotel-airport transfers
• Transfers to and from the cruise dock in Iquitos
• Private transportation during indicated tours
• Round-trip train ticket to Machu Picchu (service according to chosen category)
• Round-trip bus ticket to and from the Machu Picchu citadel

TOURS AND ENTRANCES

• Activities and excursions according to the selected cruise program
• Lima city tour with professional guide
• Cusco city tour with professional guide
• Full-day Sacred Valley tour with professional guide
• Visit to Maras and Moray with professional guide
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu according to available circuit
• Entrance tickets to all archaeological sites mentioned in the itinerary

SERVICES

• Official bilingual tour guides (Spanish and English)
• Permanent assistance throughout the tour
• Complimentary water bottles during land tours

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

AIR TRANSPORTATION

• International flights to/from Peru
• Domestic flights:
  • Lima – Iquitos
  • Iquitos – Lima
  • Lima – Cusco
  • Cusco – Lima

MEALS

• Lunches and dinners not specified
• Beverages during included meals

PERSONAL EXPENSES

• Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and cruise crew
• Purchases and souvenirs
• Laundry services
• Phone calls
• Optional excursions not mentioned in the program

OTHER

• Travel insurance (highly recommended)
• Expenses derived from problems beyond our organization (strikes, delays, cancellations, weather conditions, natural disasters, etc.)
• Airport taxes or departure fees
• Excess baggage charges

IMPORTANT:

• The exact itinerary, activities, and services on board the Amazon cruise will depend on the vessel selected by the client. There are various options, from boutique cruises to larger vessels, each with different levels of luxury and expedition proposals.
• A copy of a valid passport is required for reservation
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for visiting the Amazon
• It is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours in advance for international flights and 2 hours for domestic flights
• Please consult us about cancellation and modification policies