Day 1: Arrival in Lima

Arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, where our representative will welcome you to Peru. Private transfer to your selected hotel in the exclusive districts of Miraflores or Barranco, located along the Pacific Ocean. Rest of the day free to rest from your journey or take a first exploration of the surrounding area depending on your energy level. If your arrival schedule allows, enjoy a stroll along the Miraflores Boardwalk, with its impressive sea views, carefully maintained gardens, and the emblematic Park of Love. Accommodation in Lima.

Day 2: Lima / Flight to Puerto Maldonado / Tambopata

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the extraordinary biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon. Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, our specialized team will receive you to begin the adventure in the lush rainforest. At the lodge office, you will be provided with a travel bag where you can transfer only what is necessary for your stay in the jungle, leaving the rest of your luggage in secure storage. Board a river boat to navigate the majestic Madre de Dios River, whose coffee-colored waters come from Andean snowmelt and travel hundreds of kilometers through the Amazon forest. During the journey (the duration of which will depend on the selected lodge), you can observe the transformation of the urban landscape into a canvas of lush vegetation. Arrival at the lodge, where you will be greeted with a welcome drink and a brief explanation of the facilities and activity program. After settling into your cabin or room, enjoy your first meal in the jungle.

Note: Activities during your stay in Tambopata will vary according to the selected lodge, but generally include options such as:

• Day and night walks along jungle trails
• Bird watching at dawn
• Navigation on Amazonian lakes or cochas
• Visits to macaw or mammal clay licks
• Canopy tours or observation towers
• Visits to native communities
• Piranha fishing
• Caiman observation excursions

Day 3: Tambopata

Full day to enjoy the activities offered by the selected lodge. Tambopata National Reserve is home to more than 632 bird species, 1,200 butterfly species, 103 amphibian species, 180 fish species, 169 mammal species, and 103 reptile species, as well as thousands of plant species.

Programs usually include several activities throughout the day, with breaks for meals and during the hottest hours. In the evenings, many lodges offer informative talks about Amazonian biodiversity and ongoing conservation projects, or night walks to discover the fascinating life that emerges in the jungle after dark.

Full board at the lodge.

Day 4: Tambopata

Continue exploring the diverse ecosystems of the Amazon rainforest with the activities scheduled by your lodge. Depending on the location and specialty of the selected accommodation, this day could focus on visiting more remote areas of the reserve, learning about specific conservation projects, or delving into cultural aspects of Amazonian communities.

The extraordinary biodiversity of Tambopata offers new discoveries in each excursion, even when traveling the same trails at different times of day.

Full board at the lodge.

Day 5: Tambopata / Flight to Cusco

Wake up early to enjoy the last Amazonian sunrise before preparing for your departure. After breakfast, begin the return journey to Puerto Maldonado, navigating again along the Madre de Dios River, perhaps with a strategic stop for final wildlife observations as scheduled by your lodge.

Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, retrieve your stored luggage and take a brief visit to the Fruit Market to discover the incredible variety of tropical products offered by the Peruvian Amazon before heading to the airport.

Take your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, located at 3,400 meters above sea level, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.

Spend the rest of the afternoon gradually acclimating to the Andean altitude. To mitigate the possible effects of “soroche” (altitude sickness), we recommend staying hydrated, resting, and possibly enjoying coca tea, a traditional Andean remedy that facilitates adaptation to the altitude.

Day 6: Sacred Valley / Train to Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, start early on a concentrated journey to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, located at a lower altitude than Cusco (2,870 meters), which allows for a pleasant feeling of physical well-being while exploring this fertile valley irrigated by the Urubamba River.

Your first stop will be the archaeological complex of Pisac, where ingenious agricultural terraces extend like giant steps on the mountainside. Briefly explore the artisan market of the colonial town, where you can purchase textiles, ceramics, and jewelry made with ancestral techniques.

Enjoy a buffet lunch with regional specialties before continuing to the fortress of Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that maintains its original urban layout to this day. Its stone streets, still-functioning water channels, and the imposing temple-fortress that dominates the valley offer an extraordinary journey to the pre-Columbian past.

After visiting Ollantaytambo, head directly to the train station to board the railway bound for Aguas Calientes, the town located at the foot of Machu Picchu. The approximately 1.5-hour journey winds alongside the Urubamba River, offering spectacular views of the ecosystem change, from the arid Andean valley to the beginning of the cloud forest.

Arrival and accommodation in Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy dinner (not included) and prepare for the exciting visit the next day.

Day 7: Machu Picchu / Return to Cusco

Very early, board one of the first buses that ascend the winding road to the main entrance of the Machu Picchu citadel, located at 2,430 meters above sea level.

Machu Picchu, officially discovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, is considered the masterpiece of Inca architecture and engineering. Its perfect integration with the spectacular mountainous environment and the mystery that still surrounds many aspects of its original purpose have rightly made it one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

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 (ceremonial sundial), the Temple of the Three Windows, the Urban Sector, and the agricultural areas, among other architectural treasures.

In the afternoon, descend to Aguas Calientes to take the return train to Ollantaytambo and subsequent land transfer to Cusco, where you will have free time for dinner and rest.

Day 8: Free Day in Cusco

Enjoy a full day to explore Cusco at your own pace, taking the opportunity to rest and prepare for the high-altitude excursions of the coming days.

We recommend visiting some of the excellent museums in the city, such as the Pre-Columbian Art Museum (MAP), the Inka Museum, or the Religious Art Museum; touring the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, home to renowned artisans; or exploring the San Pedro Market, a vibrant local supply center where you can appreciate the extraordinary diversity of Andean products.

For food lovers, Cusco offers a flourishing culinary scene that fuses contemporary techniques with ancestral ingredients. Don’t miss trying specialties such as roasted guinea pig, quinoa soup, or various dishes prepared with alpaca or Andean trout.

Alternatively, we can organize a visit to Maras and Moray (at additional cost) if you wish to take advantage of the day to visit these impressive archaeological sites.

In the evening, delight your senses with a dinner show that presents traditional folk dances from different regions of Peru, accompanied by delicious local cuisine.

Day 9: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

Prepare for an unforgettable day with a very early departure (between 3:00 and 4:00 am) to one of the most impressive and photogenic landscapes of the Peruvian Andes.

The approximately 3-hour vehicle journey will take you through picturesque Andean villages to the starting point of the trail to the Mountain of Seven Colors, also known as Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountain, located at 5,200 meters above sea level.

The ascent hike (approximately 1.5 hours) passes through dreamlike landscapes where you will appreciate the traditional life of alpaca shepherds and Quechua communities whose practices have remained unchanged for centuries.

Upon reaching the summit, marvel at the unique geological spectacle in the world: multicolored stripes of minerals that draw a gigantic natural rainbow on the mountain massif, creating a chromatic phenomenon that defies imagination.

Take time to photograph and contemplate this extraordinary landscape before beginning the descent. For those who prefer, it is possible to hire local horses to facilitate parts of the journey (additional cost not included).

After enjoying this extraordinary landscape, begin the descent to return to Cusco in the afternoon, where you will have free time to rest after this demanding but rewarding day.

Day 10: Humantay Lake

After breakfast, embark on a journey to another natural jewel of the Andean landscape. The approximately 3-hour journey will take you through the Limatambo Valley and the small village of Mollepata until you reach the trailhead at Soraypampa (3,900 meters).

From here, begin a moderately demanding ascent hike (approximately 1.5 hours) that will reward you with the vision of the spectacular Humantay Lake, a turquoise mirror of water that rests at the foot of the imposing Apu (sacred mountain) of the same name, whose snowy peak is majestically reflected in its crystalline waters.

This place, considered sacred in the Andean worldview, offers a deep connection with nature and ancestral beliefs. Your guide will perform a brief thanksgiving ceremony to Pachamama (Mother Earth), allowing you to participate in this millenary ritual that honors natural forces.

As in the Vinicunca excursion, it is possible to hire local horses to facilitate the ascent (additional cost not included).

Return to Cusco in the afternoon, where you will have free time to rest and prepare for your journey to Lake Titicaca the next day.

Day 11: Route of the Sun to Puno (Bus or Train)

BUS OPTION: Early in the morning, begin a fascinating journey by road through the Andean Altiplano to the city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This route, known as the “Route of the Sun,” will allow you to discover unique attractions between Cusco and the highest navigable lake in the world.

First stop in Andahuaylillas to visit the “Sistine Chapel of America,” a colonial church of modest external appearance that hides inside a dazzling display of Andean baroque art with gilded altarpieces and polychromatic murals.

Continue to Raqchi, where the Temple of Wiracocha is located, an impressive rectangular structure dedicated to the main Inca deity, with enormous columns and walls that combined stone and adobe in an extraordinary example of Inca architecture.

Enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to La Raya, the highest point of the journey at 4,335 meters above sea level, which offers magnificent panoramic views of snow-capped mountains and the Puno high plateau.

Last stop in Pucará, a pre-Inca ceremonial center known for its famous ceramics, especially the “little bulls of Pucará,” symbols of protection and prosperity in the Andean tradition.

Arrival in Puno at nightfall and transfer to your hotel.

TRAIN OPTION (with additional supplement): Transfer to the railway station to board one of the most spectacular trains in the world: the PeruRail Titicaca or the luxurious Belmond Andean Explorer, which make the journey between Cusco and Puno.

Aboard this elegant train, enjoy a panoramic journey through impressive Andean landscapes, while observing from the comfort of your seat or from the observation car the mountains, valleys, and the vast Peruvian Altiplano.

During the approximately 10-hour journey (depending on the service chosen), you will be served exquisite gourmet meals that incorporate local ingredients, and you can enjoy on-board entertainment that will introduce you to Andean culture.

The train makes a stop at La Raya station (4,335 meters), the highest point of the route, where you can disembark to take photographs and purchase handicrafts from local communities.

Arrival in Puno and transfer to your hotel to rest.

Day 12: Lake Titicaca – Uros Islands and Taquile

After breakfast, prepare for an unforgettable experience on the legendary Lake Titicaca, considered the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 meters above sea level and cradle of millenary civilizations.

From the port of Puno, embark on an excursion that will first take you to the fascinating Floating Islands of the Uros. These artificial islands, built entirely with totora reed, are home to families who keep pre-Inca traditions alive. Their friendly inhabitants will show you how they build and maintain these extraordinary floating platforms, their homes, and traditional boats.

Continue sailing to Taquile Island, known worldwide for its exceptional textiles, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For approximately 2 hours, explore this beautiful island where time seems to have stood still. Men weave while walking, and women create fine textiles that narrate the history and worldview of their community through complex symbols.

Enjoy a typical lunch prepared with fresh local products before beginning the return to Puno, where you will have free time to rest or explore the city on your own.

Day 13: Puno / Flight to Lima / Farewell to Peru

After breakfast and depending on your flight schedule, enjoy free time in Puno before the transfer to Juliaca airport to take your flight to Lima.

Upon arrival in the Peruvian capital, and depending on your international connection schedule, you can visit the bohemian district of Barranco, known for its colorful colonial and republican houses, numerous art galleries, cafes, and gourmet restaurants.

If time permits, enjoy a farewell lunch or dinner at one of Lima’s renowned restaurants that have positioned Peruvian cuisine among the most prestigious in the world.

At the indicated time, transfer to Jorge Chávez International Airport for your return flight, taking with you unforgettable memories of this journey that has combined the extraordinary Amazonian biodiversity, the monumental legacy of the Inca civilization, and the living cultural richness of the Andean communities.

INCLUDES:

ACCOMMODATION

• 1 night hotel in Lima (selected category)
• 3 nights at lodge in Tambopata National Reserve (selected category)
• 4 nights hotel in Cusco (selected category)
• 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes (selected category)
• 2 nights hotel in Puno (selected category)

MEALS

• 12 breakfasts at hotels/lodges
• Full board during the stay in Tambopata (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)
• 1 buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley
• 1 lunch on the Route of the Sun (bus option only)
• 1 lunch in Taquile
• Box lunch during the Rainbow Mountain excursion
• Box lunch during the Humantay Lake excursion
• 1 folklore dinner show in Cusco

TRANSPORTATION

• All airport-hotel-airport transfers
• River transportation in Tambopata
• 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
• Transportation for Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake excursions
• Transportation from Cusco to Puno according to chosen option:
  • Tourist bus with stops and visits on the Route of the Sun
  • Or train (PeruRail Titicaca or Belmond Andean Explorer) with additional supplement
• Boat for the Lake Titicaca tour

TOURS AND ENTRANCES

• Activity program in Tambopata according to selected lodge
• Full-day Sacred Valley tour with professional guide
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu according to available circuit
• Rainbow Mountain excursion with specialized guide
• Humantay Lake excursion with specialized guide
• Full-day tour to Uros Islands and Taquile with professional guide
• Entrance tickets to all archaeological sites and protected natural areas mentioned in the itinerary

SERVICES

• Bilingual specialist guides (Spanish and English) in each region
• Permanent assistance throughout the tour
• First aid kit and supplemental oxygen in high-altitude areas
• Complimentary water bottles during tours
• Secure luggage storage in Puerto Maldonado

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

AIR TRANSPORTATION

• International flights to/from Peru
• Domestic flights:
  • Lima – Puerto Maldonado
  • Puerto Maldonado – Cusco
  • Juliaca – Lima

MEALS

• Lunches and dinners not specified
• Beverages during included meals

PERSONAL EXPENSES

• Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel/lodge staff
• Purchases and souvenirs
• Laundry services
• Phone calls
• Optional excursions not mentioned in the program
• Horse rental for trekking (available locally)

OTHER

• Supplement for train option on the Route of the Sun (consult rate according to season and service category)
• Travel and medical evacuation 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:

• It is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours in advance for international flights and 2 hours for domestic flights
• A copy of a valid passport is required for reservation
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for visiting Tambopata
• The Amazon itinerary may vary according to the selected lodge
• Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake excursions are subject to weather conditions and require good physical condition
• The train service between Cusco and Puno operates only on certain days of the week (check availability)
• Please consult us about cancellation and modification policies