Mythic Peru and the Amazon

Itinerary
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Day 1: LIMA – Arrival

Your private chauffeur awaits you at the Lima airport! You’ll arrive at your hotel after a 50-minute transfer. Settle in to your accommodations and get ready to explore this beautiful city!

Meals at your leisure and night in Lima at your four-star hotel.

Day 2: LIMA – private guided tour of the Peruvian capital

This morning you’ll head into the city with your private English-speaking guide to discover the central and colonial neighborhoods. You’ll visit the cathedral, San Francisco and its catacombs, as well as the Place Mayor. Then you’ll head on to the modern part of town with its residential neighborhoods lining the Pacific coast.

After lunch you’ll explore the Larco Herrera Museum with your guide. This museum is one of the largest and most important in Peru, where you’ll discover some of the numerous civilizations that marked the nation’s history. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city as you wish… The Gold Museum is another worthwhile stop where you can feast your eyes on beautiful gold metalwork. To stretch your legs a bit, go for a stroll in the bohemian quarter of Barranco, or along the Miraflores esplanade.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Lima at your four-star hotel.

Day 3: LIMA – CUSCO (10,825 ft)

This morning you’ll head into Lima with your private English-speaking guide to discover the capital by bike! First stop, the fish market, where you’ll see the daily hustle-and-bustle. Then you’ll hop on a 20-minute boat ride before tasting some delicious, traditional Peruvian dishes, like ceviche, causa peruana, artisanal ice cream or the traditional Picarones. You’ll see the architectural gems and the Barranco neighborhood’s most beautiful frescos from a new angle! To finish the tour, you’ll stop by one of Barranco’s best microbreweries for a sampling of artisanal beer – what better way to begin the afternoon?

After the bike and food tour, your private driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Lima airport. Next stop: the mythic Cusco! Your private driver will meet you at the Cusco airport and take you to your four-star hotel in the heart of historic Cusco.
The rest of the evening is free for you to discover the Imperial City.

Lunch included, diner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your four-star hotel.

Day 4: CUSCO

Weave your way through the Imperial City of the Incas with your private English-speaking guide to discover the city’s striking monuments. First stop, the cathedral of Cusco and Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun. Up next: the four important archeological sites above the city, Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Q’enko and Pukapucara.

Sacsayhuaman is the immense military and religious fortress that dominates the city of Cusco… you’re sure to be impressed by the enormity of the structure and its perfectly assembled stone blocks. The ceremonial center, Tambomachay, is home to aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks. The water that flows through the site comes from a sacred source for the Incas. Head to the outlook to appreciate the site’s splendor in its entirety. The major monuments of Q’enko are monolithic, including a sacrificial altar and labyrinth carved directly into the rock. The last visit of the morning is at Pukapucara, the « red fortress » perched on a hilltop.

When you return to the city center, the rest of the day is free for you to meander through the typical charming alleyways, discover the wealth of artisanal products and visit the sights and museums that beckon you.

Lunch included, diner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your four-star hotel.

Day 5: CUSCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

After breakfast you’ll make your way into the Sacred Valley of the Incas with your private driver and English-speaking guide. The region is 1,970 feet below the city of Cusco, and benefits from a pleasant climate and fertile soil that the Incas worked masterfully. Your first stop is at Pisac where you’ll visit the artisanal market and the archeological site considered the most important, second only to Machu Picchu. The next stop is at Ollantaytambo where you’ll visit the ancient fortress where the Incans claimed victory against the Conquistadores.

Late in the afternoon you’ll hop aboard the IncaRail train and wind your way through the mountains to Aguas Calientes, the little village at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night in Aguas Calientes at your premium hotel, in a beautiful blend of modern and traditional styles.

Day 6: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO

This morning you’ll board the shuttle to Machu Picchu for a 3-hour guided tour of the most famous of the Incan ruins. You’ll discover the wonders of its agricultural and urban sectors, and its incredible constructions that mark the mountaintop.

After your visit, tighten your shoelaces for a once-in-a-lifetime climb! Choose between the Cerro Machu Picchu or the Wayna Picchu climb for a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu from above.

Cerro Machu Picchu: Departure at 7,975 feet above sea level, highest point at 10,000 feet. Walking distance just under 1 mile, 3 ½ to 4 hours round trip. The path is not steep, but it is demanding (about 2200 steps).
Wayna Picchu: Departure at 7,975 feet above sea level, highest point at 8,640 feet. Walking distance just under 1/3 mile, 2 to 3 hours round trip. The path is very steep, and not advised for those with a fear of heights. (about 1600 steps).

You’ll take the shuttle back to Aguas Calientes to board the train to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll spend the night.
Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Ollantaytambo at your premium hotel with a striking view of the mountains.

Day 7: OLLANTAYTAMBO – MARAS Salt Mines – MORAY – CHINCHERO – CUSCO

Continue your discovery of the Sacred Valley in the company of your private English-speaking guide! Your first stop is at a curious natural wonder, the Maras Salt Mines. You’ll then explore the archeological site at Moray, with its circular terraces which are thought to have served as an agricultural experimentation center. To end the day, you’ll visit the typical village of Chinchero and its baroque church. You’ll return to Cusco at the end of the afternoon.

Lunch included, dinner at your leisure. Night and breakfast in Cusco at your charming four-star hotel.

Day 8: CUSCO – PUERTO MALDONADO – Amazon Jungle Lodge

After breakfast, your private driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to the Cusco airport for your next destination in the heart of the Amazon! You’ll be met at the airport and greeted with a welcome cocktail before embarking on a 45-minute boat ride to reach your lodge. If you’d like, visit the lodge’s butterfly farm before boarding the boat. After lunch at the lodge, you’ll discover the medicinal plants and tropical trees surrounding the lodge on a jungle walk. Afterwards, rest your feet at the lodge and savor the lush surroundings before heading into the forest this evening on a caïman river night safari where you’ll see the stars like you’ve never seen them before! When you return, enjoy dinner at the lodge and your first night in the jungle.

Lunch and dinner included. Night and breakfast at your five-star eco-lodge in the heart of the Amazonian jungle.

Day 9: PUERTO MALDONADO – Amazon Jungle Lodge

Adventure awaits! After breakfast, you’ll board a boat for a 30-minute trip to Lake Sandoval. You’ll disembark and continue on a 3-mile jungle walk to reach the lake. The area is home to a variety of exotic species such as otters, piranhas, kingfishers, capuchin and other monkeys, so keep your eyes on the water as well as the canopy above!
After lunch at the lodge, you’ll experience a whole new take on the rainforest. You’ll climb into the tree canopy to explore the Amazon from above, perched on bridges suspended as high as 90 feet overhead! Don’t forget your camera as you zigzag between the treetops!

You’ll observe the life of the Amazon by night this evening, with the opportunity to see the area’s nocturnal animals in their natural habitat. Enjoy dinner at the lodge after the excursion.
Lunch and dinner included. Night and breakfast at your five-star eco-lodge in the heart of the Amazonian jungle.

Day 10: PUERTO MALDONADO – Amazon Jungle Lodge

Have you been wondering about local life in the Amazon? Wonder no more! After breakfast you’ll head to the Chacra Perdida, a local agricultural hub where you’ll learn about indigenous life and farming techniques. You’ll explore the botanical garden, bursting with local medicinal plants. After lunch you’ll paddle onto Lake Cocha to discover local fishing techniques by canoe.

Tonight, you’ll go to the Collpa Tierra Adentro to discover more of the Amazon’s nocturnal secrets and species!

Lunch and dinner included. Night and breakfast at your five-star eco-lodge in the heart of the Amazonian jungle.

Day 11: PUERTO MALDONADO – LIMA

Enjoy your last wakeup by bird song this morning! After breakfast you’ll board the boat to the Puerto Maldonado port, where a vehicle will take you to the airport for your flight to Lima.
In Lima, your private driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your four-star hotel.

Night and breakfast in Lima at your four-star hotel.

Day 12: LIMA – DEPARTURE

Savor your last morning in the Peruvian capital at your leisure. After lunch, your private driver will take you to the airport for your return flight to the United States.
Lunch included.

ACCOMODATIONS

Lima: Dazzler Hotel
Cusco: Costa del Sol Ramada Hotel
Aguas Calientes: El Mapi by Inkaterra Hotel
Ollantaytambo: Pakaritampu Hotel
Puerto Maldonado: Hacienda Concepcion by Inkaterra Lodge
Hotels based on availability.
Hotels can be modified on request – let us know what you’d like and we’ll make it happen!

MEALS

Breakfast is included at each hotel.
In addition:
– Lunch from days 2 to 11. Drinks not included.
– Dinner on days 8, 9 and 10. Drinks not included.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION:

Transfers to and from airports and mentioned activities with a private car and driver.
Exceptions:
– Shared shuttle to and from Macchu Picchu
– IncaRail train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (round trip)
– Shared shuttle to and from Puerto Maldonado airport and port
– Shared boat to and from Puerto Maldonado port and jungle lodge

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS: (not included)

Lima – Cusco
Cusco – Puerto Maldonado
Puerto Maldonado – Lima

GUIDES

You will have a private English-speaking guide during all activities
Exceptions:
– shared guide for jungle lodge activities