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8-Day Machu Picchu and the Amazon

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Overview

Peru is a land rich in history and culture. From an abundant coastline to beautiful colonial cities and majestic Inca ruins, during this eight day Peru itinerary, you'll explore a truly remarkable region.

This journey will allow you to immerse yourself in nature by staying in a lodge located in the Peruvian Amazon with ample opportunities to observe wildlife and appreciate this lesser-known region of Peru. The trip will begin in Lima, the nation's vibrant capital, before travelling to Cusco, the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

You will have a full day to explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in the cloud forest before returning to Cusco. Then, you will travel east toward the Amazon for a unique experience of learning more about the complex jungle ecosystem.
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts
Adventure
Sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1

Lima Arrival

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Lima Arrival

Upon arrival in Lima for your Peru itinerary, you will be transferred to your hotel. Lima, Peru's capital, sits on the country's arid Pacific coast. The city is home to various museums including the Museo Larco that houses a collection of pre-Columbian art and the Museo de la Nación, which traces the history of Peru’s ancient civilizations. Lima is also known as the 'gastronomical capital of the Americas, encompassing specialities from ceviche and traditional cooking to refined global fare.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Casa Republica Barranco Boutique Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Free Time in LimaOptional Activity

    Larco MuseumOptional Activity

    Museo de la NaciónOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Jorge Chavez International Airport to Lima

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Lima

Day 2

Travel to Cusco

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Travel to Cusco

After breakfast, you'll transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire. It is known for its Spanish colonial architecture and Incan remains. Narrow, cobble-stoned streets lined by Inca walls stretch out from the main plaza in every direction and many of the colonial buildings were built on top of Incan foundations.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Casa Andina Premium Cusco4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in CuscoOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Lima to Jorge Chavez International Airport

    Plane from Jorge Chavez International Airport to Alejandro Velasco Astete AirportRequest to Book

    Private Driver from Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport to Cusco

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Lima

    Cusco

Day 3

Sacred Valley Experience: Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo

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Sacred Valley Experience: Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo

Today, your Peru itinerary will include a full day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a private guide. You'll visit Moray, an impressive Inca ruin of giant terraces in a circular shape and the salt ponds of Maras, which have been exploited from the Inca period to the present. After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll continue the journey along the River Urubamba to Ollantaytambo, a town that still preserves its old Inca design. From here, you'll continue to Machu Picchu by train.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    El MaPi Hotel by Inkaterra3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sacred Valley Tour: Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo

    Moray Inca Ruins

    Maras Salt Mines

    Ollantaytambo Ruins

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    La Cafeteria of El MaPi Hotel byInkaterra

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cusco

    Ollantaytambo

    Aguas Calientes

Day 4

Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco

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Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco

After breakfast, you'll be met by your private guide and head to the bus station to go up to Machu Picchu. You will be astonished at your first view of the Inca citadel, a stunning display of ancient architecture with incredible surroundings. After a guided tour of the ruins and monuments and exploring Machu Picchu, you'll take the bus down and return to Ollantaytambo in the comfort of a train. You'll then transfer from Ollantaytambo train station back to Cusco where you'll stay overnight.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Casa Andina Premium Cusco4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Machu Picchu Tour

    Machu Picchu

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

    Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

    Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

    Minivan from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Aguas Calientes

    Cusco

Day 5

Flight to Puerto Maldonado, Native Community of Infierno & Canopy Tower

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Flight to Puerto Maldonado, Native Community of Infierno & Canopy Tower

This morning, you'll take a flight to Puerto Maldonado and enjoy your first taste of the forest when entering the native community of Infierno. A boat ride will take you into the community's primary forest and private reserve and a short walk leads you to the 30-metre scaffolding canopy tower with spectacular views. The vast expanse of the forest is full of toucans, parrots and macaws seen flying against the horizon. After dinner, there's a presentation on the Inferno ecotourism project.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Posada Amazonas3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Posada Amazonas Day One

    Canopy Tower at Posada Amazonas

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Cusco to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport

    Plane from Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport to Padre Aldamiz International AirportRequest to Book

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cusco

    Madre de Dios

Day 6

Tres Chimbadas Lake, Forest Walk, Centro Ñape Clinic & Evening Hike

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Tres Chimbadas Lake, Forest Walk, Centro Ñape Clinic & Evening Hike

This morning, you will take a short boat ride and a 45-minute hike to Tres Chimbadas lake. Here, you will search on a catamaran for the resident family of nine giant river otters and other lakeside wildlife such as caiman, hoatzin and horned screamers. A short boat ride after lunch leads you to a trail of medicinal forest plants to the Centro Ñape Clinic. After dinner, you will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals and frogs are active.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Posada Amazonas3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Posada Amazonas Day Two

    Tres Chimbadas Lake

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Madre de Dios

Day 7

Parrot Clay Lick, Giant Ceiba Tree & Community Farm

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Parrot Clay Lick, Giant Ceiba Tree & Community Farm

After breakfast, you'll enjoy a short walk to a lookout at the parrot clay lick. Dozens of parrots and parakeets descend to ingest the clay on this riverbank. During a two-hour hike to the giant ceiba tree, you will learn about the history of the rainforest. After lunch, you'll take a boat ride to a community farm. The owner grows a diverse variety of popular and unknown Amazon crops. In this garden, just about every plant and tree serve a purpose.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Posada Amazonas3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Posada Amazonas Day Three

    Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Madre de Dios

Day 8

Back to Puerto Maldonado & Departure

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Back to Puerto Maldonado & Departure

After breakfast, you'll transfer by boat to the Tambopata River port and then transfer by land to Puerto Maldonado headquarters before heading to the airport for the onward flight to Lima and later flight back home. We hope to see you for your next Peru itinerary.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Boat from Posada Amazonas to Tambopata River

    Minivan from Tambopata River to Padre Aldamiz International Airport

    Plane from Padre Aldamiz International Airport to Jorge Chavez International AirportRequest to Book

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Madre de Dios

Included in Price

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 12 activities
  • 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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