Amazon, Incas & Titicaca
Explore the Amazon, Inca ruins, Lake Titicaca and much more on this 13 day tour of Peru, starting and ending in Lima. Starting in the cultural capital of Lima, explore plazas, monasteries and underground crypts. Delve into the flora and fauna of the Amazon Jungle during a two night stay at a beautiful eco lodge before exploring captivating Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Enjoy a scenic train ride to breathtaking Machu Picchu and enjoy lunch with a local family on Lake Titicaca's Taquile Island.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Lima
Day 1 Lima
Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival at the Lima airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel in the popular Miraflores district of the city. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city before our welcome meeting at 6pm this evening where you will meet your tour leader.
Day 2 Explore Lima
Day 2 Explore Lima
Today we explore the beautiful city of Lima, also known as the 'city of kings', we'll visit the well preserved historical centre. Making our way through Plaza San Martin, we'll also take in Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace and the City Hall. Our tour of the city continues with a visit to the San Francisco Monastery and its famous underground crypts which are home to an estimated 70,000 remains. This bright yellow architectural wonder is also home to an incredible library, holding thousands of antique texts, some of which pre-date the conquest in the 16th century. Later we'll head through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by Huaca Pucllana, a clay pyramid that was the ceremonial and administrative centre of the Lima culture and later considered a sacred town by the Inca's. Next up we'll stop at El Olivar park, a peaceful space where we'll find olive trees that were brought to Peru in the 15th century. Our final stop on today's tour of Lima is El Parque del Amor, this romantic spot is situated on the cliffs of Miraflores overlooking the Pacific ocean.
Lima is fast becoming one of the gastronomic capitals of the world and later this afternoon there is the opportunity to join an exciting optional Lima Gourmet Food Tour, combining gastronomic delights with walks around the capital, experiencing the local culture. Must be booked prior to departure.
Days 3-4 The Amazon Jungle
Days 3-4 The Amazon Jungle
Lima - Puerto Maldonado. Transfer to Lima airport this morning and fly to Puerto Maldonado. From Puerto Maldonado we take a scenic boat ride along the meandering Madre de Dios River to our eco-lodge, nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. As we glide down the river look out for capybaras and caimans on the riverbanks. Arriving at the lodge, there's a short briefing before we settle into our jungle accommodation. Over the next two days enjoy a variety of jungle activities, with the lodge's expert naturalist guides. Delve into the depths of the rainforest on a nature walks, observing an abundance of flora and fauna. Scale the canopy walkway or canopy tower for incredible panoramic views of the Amazon from its rooftop, gaining a sense of its size and keeping an eye out for bright toucans, macaws, monkeys and the three-toed sloth. Enjoy a Twilight River excursion or nightime walk through the rainforest, as nocturnal creatures appear.
Day 4 includes a visit to Lake Sandoval, a glassy, ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve, reached via a sun-dappled rainforest trail. We board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly paddle around the serene lake which is home to many species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles, black caimans amongst others.
Please note: jungle activities and excursions may vary, depending on the lodge you're staying at and the weather conditions.
Days 5-6 Cusco
Days 5-6 Cusco
Puerto Maldonado - Cusco. This morning travel back to Puerto Maldonado before flying onwards to Cusco, after arriving into Cusco you'll have the chance to relax and adjust to the altitude. This beautiful city full of history and intrigue, is located 3,399m above sea level.
On the morning of day 6 enjoy a guided tour of the highlights of the beautiful city of Cusco. Along the way we will visit some of the most famous landmarks of the city, starting at the Plaza de Armas, built on the remains of one of the most important Incan gathering spots. We'll also visit the Cathedral, the Kenko Amphitheatre and the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Built between 1438 and 1474, Sacsayhuaman Fortress took over 20,000 labourers to build and some of the magnificent stone work measures over 4 metres in height and over 100 tons in weight. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to do any independent exploring of Cusco.
Day 7 Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo
Day 7 Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo
Cusco - The Sacred Valley. Bidding farewell to Cusco we travel on to the Sacred Valley today. Our first stop is the popular Pisac markets where we will have the chance to see the variety of colourful handicrafts on offer. Originally only held on Sundays, Pisac Market was a place for artisans from across the region to trade in their products. Today the market is a daily occurrence where locals and visitors alike can find some of the finest textiles, jewellery and clothing typical of this area of Peru. Then we travel on to the remarkable Ollantaytambo fortress which was constructed to guard the entrance to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasions of tribes from the jungle lowlands. One of the best examples of Incan architecture, many of the inhabitants of Ollantaytambo still live according to the customs and traditions they have inherited from generations of ancestors, leading to it being known as a living Inca town.
Day 8 Machu Picchu
Day 8 Machu Picchu
Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco. We have an exciting day ahead, starting with a short drive to the Ollantaytambo train station where we board the train for a scenic journey to Aguas Calientes. Remember to look out the windows as the scenery along the way is utterly breath-taking. In Aguas Calientes we board a bus which takes us along a winding path up the slopes of the great Machu Picchu mountain to the famous Inca citadel.
The incredible lost city of the Incas is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba River, surrounded by tropical forest. Completed in the latter half of 15th Century, archaeologists believe Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Pachacuti, an Incan leader who reigned from 1438 to 1471. Built in the classical Inca style with polished dry-stone walls and terraces that seem to have been crafted naturally from the rock escarpments, Machu Picchu is a spectacular testament to the greatness of the Inca civilisation. Only a century after its completion however, the citadel was abandoned during the Spanish conquest and only thrust into the spotlight in 1911 when it was discovered by the American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham, who brought it to the world's attention.
We explore Machu Picchu on a guided tour and then return to the spa town of Aguas Calientes where there's time to stroll around before travelling by train back to Cusco.
Day 9 Free time in Cusco
Day 9 Free time in Cusco
Enjoy a free day in Cusco to explore the city at your own pace. Alternatively you may wish to join one of the optional excursions on offer. Visit the local Andean market town of Chinchero on a half day tour. Chinchero has one of the most traditional markets in South America, and here you will find locals in colourful traditional dress, buying and selling their produce.
Alternatively, for the fit and active, there's an optional full day excursion to Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain (offered from March to November), with lunch included. After a scenic 2.5 hr drive through rugged mountain scenery, trek with a guide to the summit of Rainbow Mountain, with its striking bright stripes of mineral deposits. Please note: All optional excursions must be booked prior to departure.
Days 10-11 Lake Titicaca
Days 10-11 Lake Titicaca
Cusco - Puno. After an early breakfast, we’ll travel by bus to Puno (approx. 10 hr journey), passing by the lovely Wacarpay Lake, with spectacular views of the mountains reflected in its calm waters. Along the way we’ll make a couple of stops, the first one being in Andahuaylillas to see the Church of San Pedro, which has been given the nickname the Sistine Chapel of the Americas. Moving along, we pass through herds of llamas and spectacular landscapes until we get to Ayaviri, an important livestock and textile centre. Here, we’ll be able to lay eyes on the Temple of Kalasaya, remnants of a Pucara structure. After a stop for lunch at a countryside restaurant, we continue on to Puno, our base for the next two nights.
The following day we take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to see the remarkable floating islands of Uros. These unique islands are made of a certain type of reed called totora, which enables it to float, despite the weight of a civilisation upon it. We’ll then move on to Taquile Island, where we can mingle with the Quechua-speaking locals and learn about their efficient and unique social system as well as their fine hand weaving techniques, passed down from generation to generation. Next we'll be invited into a local home for lunch to enjoy a delicious home cooked meal. After lunch we'll discover more of this remarkable island including some of the islands archaeological sites. Later this afternoon we return to Puno.
Day 12 Return to Lima
Day 12 Return to Lima
Puno - Lima. Today we head to Juliaca Airport for our flight back to Lima, upon arrival in Lima we'll be met and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore the beautiful Peruvian capital of Lima. Why not visit one of the many fantastic museums around the city, showcasing everything from pre-Colombian art to archaeological gems.
Day 13 Lima
Day 13 Lima
Today our amazing tour through Peru comes to an end with a transfer to Lima airport.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
The modern Hilton Garden Inn is located in the vibrant heart of Lima’s upscale Miraflores district, only a 5-minute stroll from Miraflores Central Park and Kennedy Park. The hotel features spacious rooms with contemporary amenities, including free Wi-Fi, HD TV and a mini-refrigerator. You can enjoy a relaxing swim in the rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city, work up a sweat at the fitness centre or savour Peruvian cuisine at the on-site restaurant. From the hotel’s prime location you can also take a scenic stroll along Malecón de Miraflores, a popular coastal path which stretches for 6-miles, and visit the popular The Larcomar shopping centre.
Built in a former cacao and rubber plantation, Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion is a rustic chic jungle lodge, nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, near the Tambopata National Reserve. The comfortable guest rooms are designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding rainforest. Each room, crafted from local materials, provides a cosy retreat with modern amenities, private bathrooms, and serene views of the jungle or gardens. Meals are served in a buffet style, using only the best local ingredients and especially good homemade breads. The lodge also a friendly bar with free Pisco sours served between 5 and 7pm! Discover the area's incredible biodiversity on guided excursions, including riverboat tours, canopy walks, night safaris and a visit to beautiful Lake Sandoval, a water mirror inhabited by Howler monkeys, caimans and giant river otters. The lodge's dedication to sustainability and conservation is reflected in its practices and partnerships with local communities, ensuring a responsible and enriching travel experience. This beautiful lodge is 25 minutes down river from Puerto Maldonado and can only be reached by taking a scenic canoe ride from the town.
Set on the banks of the meandering Madre de Dios River, enter the wonderful realm of the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica where you can fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest. This charming eco lodge features 35 well-appointed cabanas, each crafted from local materials to harmonize with the natural surroundings. The guest rooms provide a serene escape with elegant, rustic decor, private bathrooms, and screened porches with hammocks, perfect for relaxing while listening to the jungle's symphony. A range of activities are offered at the lodge, from guided rainforest treks and canopy walks to twilight river excursions, all while the lodge's commitment to sustainability and conservation ensures a responsible and immersive Amazon experience. The Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is situated in a private reserve adjacent to the lush Tambopata National Reserve. From Puerto Maldonado it's a 45-minute boat transfer along the river to reach this beautiful jungle retreat.
Scenically housed in an old monastery at the foot of a mountain in Peru's iconic Sacred Valley, the Sonesta Posadas del Inca-Yucay is located just outside Urubamba and makes a great base for exploring the region. Rooms combine the contemporary and the rustic, featuring private bathrooms, TV, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. The onsite restaurant serves Andean classic dishes with a modern twist, and there's also a bar for customers to enjoy. As with many rural Peruvian hotels, there are resident alpacas!
The recently renovated Sonesta Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Cusco. The Plaza de Armas, Cusco Craft Center, Centro de Textiles and Cusco Museum of Popular Art are all just a short walk away. The well-appointed guest rooms feature either a mountain or city view, with cable TV, free WiFi and private bathrooms. The hotel’s restaurant serves a fusion of Peruvian and international food. There are two bars and a café for you to relax and enjoy a drink after a busy day sightseeing.
Set on the banks of Lake Titicaca you cannot go wrong with the view from this hotel in Puno. This modern property boasts spacious and comfortable guest rooms outfitted with air-conditioning, safety deposit boxes, TVs and a fully stocked mini bar. The hotel restaurant Sillustani enjoys fantastic has floor to ceiling windows serves up a delectable menu. When you return from a day of sightseeing why not grab a drink from the bar and admire the vista from the lounge. While Hotel Jose Antonio might be located a taxi ride from Puno, but its well worth it for the view.
Tour Reviews
The tour was excellent and included all the places I wanted to visit. Loved the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica but misleading having a picture of the parrots at the clay lick in Trip Notes as this wasn’t included. Tour guide Lucia was really good, would have liked 2 nights at Sonesta Posadas del Inca.
Julio was amazing! He was funny, approachable, incredibly informative (but not over the top), fun to be around, thought of every need, kind, considerate, so incredibly organised (don't know how he did it), absolutely fabulous (in Brit words), he just felt like one of the tour group but the most organised, useful and essential one, honestly, he was awesome, 100 plus percent would recommend Julio to anyone doing this or any other tour, you have a gem there.
Extras and add-ons
Add on:Chinchero Half Day Tour
On this half day excursion, explore the picturesque village of Chinchero, nestled within the Sacred Valley. Revered as the birthplace of the rainbow, this traditional Andean settlement boasts Inca ruins, a beautiful colonial church, breathtaking mountain panoramas, and a bustling traditional Sunday market.
Add-on: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Trek
Embark on a full-day guided excursion to discover the natural wonder of Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, located in the Andes of Peru. Trek to the summit and marvel at the vibrant colours of the mountain's layered sedimentary rocks, ranging from deep reds to vibrant yellows and mesmerizing blues, creating a unique and unforgettable sight. With a knowledgeable guide to lead the way and a delicious lunch included.
Add on: Lima Gourmet Food Tour
This gourmet food tour commences with a Peruvian Pisco cocktail and seafood by the sea at sunset. Continuing your culinary tour of the capital, venture to the historical heart of Peru and delight your palate with gourmet recipes next to the awe-inspiring pre-Inca ruins in the Huaca Pucllana. Then you're treated to a hands-on gourmet culinary experience in a hidden location, featuring a local's chef's signature dishes, to tantalize your taste buds. End the evening with a starlit stroll through the charming district of Barranco, known for its bohemian spirit and artistic allure.
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