Amazon and Machu Picchu Experience: 10 Days

Welcome to Lima, the lively capital city of Peru and starting point for your Peru trip. Your transfer to the accommodation in Miraflores or Barranco, two of the most beautiful Lima neighborhoods, will take place after you land at Jorge Chavez International Airport. On your very first day of the tour in Peru, you'll be able to familiarize yourself with Peru on its coast by enjoying beautiful beaches, interesting neighborhoods, and top-notch cuisine.

After checking into the hotel and relaxing or exploring after your international flight, head out for an afternoon stroll along the Miraflores Malecon where you will be able to admire the views of the Pacific Ocean, the dramatic cliffs, and the beautiful parks. The artistic, colorful, and charming Barranco gives you another perspective of Lima and Cusco contrasts which you will come across on the following days during your trip in Peru.

For dinner, try some traditional Peruvian cuisine. As a culinary capital of South America, Peru will not disappoint your senses with various fresh and delicious dishes and the famous Peruvian cuisine becomes one of the highlights of this great Peru tour.

This day is light and easy to help you acclimatize after your flight and get ready for the upcoming adventure that includes a visit to such places as Machu Picchu and Amazon region among others.

• Destination: Lima
• Activities: Airport reception & transfer, leisure exploration
• Recommended: Light walking tour along the Malecon
• Accommodation: Lima

Today you leave the coastal area for the unique jungle rainforest which is one of the most biodiverse environments in the world. This morning you fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios and the gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve, at about 183 m above sea level.

On arrival you have a short briefing and travel by motorboat to the lodge. The boat ride is your first chance to see wildlife. The birds, river bank reptiles and vegetation are defining elements of the scenery.

Arrival at the lodge allows you to dive into the life of the rainforest. Immersion into the nature surrounded with rainforest takes place here without any loss of comfort. After lunch you paddle by kayak to Monkey Island, where several kinds of monkeys live in the trees. During this part of the day you have a chance to learn about the rhythm of life in the rainforest and uniqueness of traveling to the Peruvian Amazon.

At night time the sounds of the forest become prominent. Dinner is served in a natural environment after which you stay overnight in private bungalows. This day is the first real step in the combination of Machu Picchu and Amazon adventure – the unique opportunity to see two ecosystems in a detailed itinerary.

• Flight: Lima – Puerto Maldonado
• Ecosystem: Amazon rainforest
• River: motorboat to the lodge
• Wildlife potential: Birds, caimans, monkeys
• Activities: Boat ride, kayaking, nature excursion
• Overnight: Amazon lodge

After breakfast we go by boat to the start of the Lake Sandoval trail, in the Tambopata National Reserve, and walk about 3 km through forest and a swamp of aguaje palms, much of it on a raised boardwalk, to the lake, which we explore by canoe.

Lake Sandoval itself presents extraordinary wildlife opportunities. A family of giant river otters lives in this oxbow lake of about 127 ha, along with black caimans, turtles, herons and macaws. This is a defining moment of traveling deep into the Peruvian Amazon, where nature remains largely untouched.

Later, you will ascend to an elevated observation platform built around a giant Shihuahuaco tree. From this vantage point, panoramic views of the lush jungle canopy stretch in every direction, offering a perspective few travelers experience. Then you have time to rest at the lodge before dinner.

A guided night walk reveals nocturnal species rarely seen during daylight hours. This day represents the essence of the Machu Picchu and Amazon combination showcasing the raw biodiversity that defines the best of Peru.

• Walk: about 3 km each way to Lake Sandoval
• Ecosystem: Amazon Rainforest Wetlands
• Major Species Encountered: River Otters, Birds, Reptiles
• Highlights of Activity: Boat Trip, Hike, Canopy View
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate
• Overnight Stay: Amazon Lodge

In the morning, we'll take a walk through a forest path to Cocha Perdida (Lost Qocha). This is an area that is relatively isolated and rarely visited, which features an excellent environmental condition and atmosphere of calmness. Our hike to Cocha Perdida takes about 2 hours of peaceful walking away from tourist paths and gives an opportunity to feel the beauty of the wilderness and to enjoy the sounds, smells, and touch of the untouched nature. Sometimes our guides use machetes to clear the path from the vegetation along the way, which helps to demonstrate how alive this area is.

During the trip to the Cocha, your guide will tell you about the peculiarities of the nature around us and will show you unique formations of the local flora and fauna and the balance that keeps all this alive. The hike is not meant to be rushed but allows us to notice many of the interesting details in our surroundings that are usually missed by those who are in too much of a hurry. Cocha Perdida offers a peaceful place that seems to be totally disconnected from the rest of the world – there is only calm water and greenery here.

After that, we'll return to the lodge for a lunch. In the afternoon we walk to a forest creek near the lodge, where you learn some local fishing techniques. At the end of our hiking program, we'll have a ride in a canoe, which will allow us to return to our lodge in a calm and leisurely way, giving a chance to admire the natural beauty of this area and to enjoy the peace of the surroundings.

• Activity Time: Approximately 4 Hours in Total Walking Time
• Activity Level: Moderate
• Setting: Far Outdoors in Nature
• Activity Type: Guided Trip

After breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to the lodge and start heading home. The trip begins with the same beautiful river route used for arrival, giving a final chance to enjoy the serene environment. This marks the point where scenery changes from lowland areas to Andean highlands.

On arriving at the departure point, transfer to the airport is arranged for your flight to the mountains. The difference in geography is astounding – from warm and humid climate to fresh high altitude environment. The journey then starts from the cusco airport and ends at your hotel.

This afternoon is going to be a tour of one of the most historical locations in all of South America. This will be an interesting experience that is well-paced and allows the visitor to learn about the history and contrasts in the city. Ancient streets show an amazing combination of cultures, as colonial balconies and churches sit atop stone structures.

Among other highlights are beautiful stone structures, plazas with ceremonies, and walls showing engineering perfection. The guide will explain the significance of each place and describe how this capital used to function as the political and cultural center of inca empire. The knowledge obtained will give more understanding about the city planning and symbols of this civilization.

The tour goes on through colorful streets, local stores and houses showing the unique architecture of the city. This introduction will prepare you for the upcoming days and make them even more interesting.

• Duration of Flight: Approx. 1 hour
• Activity for the Afternoon: Heritage Exploration
• Altitude: Cusco, about 3,400 m (11,155 ft)
• Type of Experience: Cultural and Historical

Today the journey starts with early morning drive to the spectacular region known for its rich valleys, mountain views, and strong traditions. This part of the Andes also has important archaeological sites. Pisac, Moray and the salt pans of Maras are the stops of the day.

The first stop is Pisac, a village known for its crafts and for the terraces on the mountain slope. Here, the tour includes visiting an interesting inca site, where visitors can see ceremonial buildings, terraced areas for cultivation, and scenic viewpoints.

Further on the route is Moray, where the Incas built rings of terraces in natural hollows, probably to grow crops in different conditions.

Then follows another destination – the Maras Salt Mines, which are considered to be quite unusual for their spectacular white ponds of salt located at the slope of the mountain. Guides will talk about the tradition of their extraction, which is used throughout many generations.

During the day your guide explains the culture and traditions of the local people, with plenty of stops for photos. This trip can be easily combined with other excursions planned for the next days and serves as a great introduction to the sacred valley and Machu Picchu.

• Excursion Type: Full-day Experience
• Highlights: Pisac • Moray • Maras
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
• Landscape: Valleys & Mountain Views
• Overnight in a hotel in Urubamba.

After a short break in Ollantaytambo, the trip continues on a mountain road. Drive is an experience itself because you get changing landscape every single minute during your way through valleys, mountains covered with clouds and remote highlands. Finally, after about one hour, we arrive at Abra Malaga, the place of our descent.

Before start of biking, participants will go through a detailed safety instruction with professional guides. Safety equipment will be checked for comfort and safety. When everything is ready, the downhill cycling starts - exciting, but not too challenging activity for people of different skill level. Ride goes through a diversity of landscapes, showing interesting transition of environment. Along the way there will be small towns, fruit orchards, streams and other rare highland landscapes which you won't see in standard paths.

The trip is aimed to provide both exciting adventure and sightseeing. Guides will regulate the speed, giving you a chance to stop, take pictures, drink some water and enjoy the views. Route finishes at Santa Maria, where there will be a nice lunch for you to relax.

After short pause, participants will continue their adventure with a fun rafting tour along the river. Professional guides will lead you through rapids, providing safety and adventure without any previous experience needed. Rafting is a good combination of fun and energy after a long bike ride.

Finally, by the end of the day participants will have great mix of activities, adventure and impressive landscape.

• Biking Time: Approx. 3 hours
• Distance: ~ 45km
• Rafting Time: Approx. 2 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate Adventure
• Type of Excursion: Day Inca Jungle

The day starts off with an adrenaline-pumping zipline adventure that promises to offer a combination of thrill and magnificent views. Following the breakfast session, individuals get ready for an amazing flight across deep canyons while gliding along cables installed high above the ground. Qualified instructors ensure that individuals are well guided through the whole process.

Participants will undertake several runs along the different zipline sections which allow them to have various views of the landscape. The feeling of speed and elevation mixed with beautiful views creates a wonderful sensation. This is an activity done under the supervision of professional instructors.

After the thrilling morning adventure, ground transport takes individuals to Hydroelectric for a lunch break. In the afternoon, participants take a walk toward Aguas Calientes through beautiful scenery in mountains with rivers sounds in the background. This journey is quite exciting and helps build up anticipation for the following day's main attraction.

While moving toward the destination, tourists get occasional glimpses of the distant machu picchu which adds up to the excitement. In Aguas Calientes, individuals have dinner then rest for the following day.

• Zipline Adventure: Approx. 3 Hours
• Afternoon Walk: Approx. 4 Hours
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Dining: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
• Accommodation: Local Hostel

The day starts early, with one of the highlights of the whole journey, the visit to machu picchu. After having breakfast, the group heads off towards the entrance of this world famous archaeological sanctuary. Arrival at the place is an impressive sight of mists covering peaks and stone structures that have been created throughout centuries.

After entering, the tour continues under the guidance of a professional guide who gives detailed information about the history and architecture of this outstanding inca citadel. Travelers learn about the precision of the structures, ceremonial areas, farming terraces, and sacred sectors.

During the walking tour, the travelers explore remarkable structures, ceremonial squares, and masterfully built layout of the place. The walking tour leaves enough time to take pictures and look around.

The hiking up huayna picchu is an additional activity for the visitors interested in adventure. This hike provides magnificent views from the top of mountain peaks and creates contrast with the stone constructions below. The entry to machu picchu is organized in such a way that travelers do not face any difficulties.

This is an incredible opportunity to see and explore one of the most recognized historical places in the world.

• Main Activity: Guided Site Exploration
• Optional Activity: Huayna Picchu Climb
• Experience Type: Cultural & Historical Discovery
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

As per your personal preferences, your last day will be entirely flexible. This will ensure that the entire travel itinerary ends on a light note. In case you are leaving on a particular day and time, the last day can also be spent in leisure activities.

This will allow you to enjoy some relaxing moments, reflect upon your experiences, take any photos if you wish to, and finally say goodbye to the city that you enjoyed spending time in.

Many tourists also tend to spend their last day in Cusco visiting coffee shops, artisan stores, and even revisiting places they visited previously. Your final transfer to the airport will conclude your travel experience in Peru. Upon reaching there, you will complete your tour with memorable experiences, wonderful sceneries, and unique experiences gained on the journey.

In case you would like to continue your trip, you can also enquire from us regarding any further tours you might be interested in.

• Activity Level: Leisure and Flexible
• Transfer: Airport Transfer Service Included