Peruvian Panorama

On arrival at the Lima airport, you’ll make your way to the Wyndham Costa del Sol, which is accessible via a walkway from the terminal. On check-in, you will need to provide reception with your passport, immigration entrance slip, and a credit card to cover any incidentals.

Make your way back to the airport terminal for a flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Tambopata Amazon. Here you will be met by your expert resident guide and taken to the docks to board a motorized dugout canoe for the trip to your jungle lodge. You will be able to leave any excess luggage at your guide’s offices in Puerto Maldonado.

On arrival at the lodge, you can choose from a number of activities: jungle hikes, canoe trips, or simply taking a siesta and enjoy the sounds of the jungle from your hammock.

Today there is a huge variety of options to choose from. The jungle is usually alive very early in the morning so try to get out pre-dawn and explore, as this will be your best chance to see wildlife including monkeys, birds, giant otters, and ants galore. This morning is also an excellent chance to learn about the rainforest from your expert resident guides, either on foot or by dugout canoe.

Later, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a siesta and avoid the hottest part of the day. You can then take a canoe trip on a lake or explore more trails and catch a beautiful sunset over the Amazon basin.

The evening can be free to relax or—for those still eager to see wildlife—there are two more options: either head out on foot in search of nocturnal mammals or take a canoe in the hopes of getting a glimpse of the rare black caimans that inhabit the nearby water. Also, there is an opportunity to travel downriver and experience a canopy walkway.

After early morning breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to the airport for your flight to Cusco where a representative will be waiting for you with a sign at the barrier just outside the arrivals gate when you arrive. They will escort you to the hotel where you will begin acclimatizing to the rarefied air of this beautiful city (3,326 m/ 10,909 ft). After checking in, you’ll take a short walking tour of the city, which is a great way to get your bearings (and also helps you get used to the altitude). The beautiful historic center was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 with Inca and colonial architecture evident all around.

Later in the day, your guide will give you a full briefing on the adventure ahead.

Today’s lovely walking tour is a superb introduction into the Inca heritage of Peru and at 3,650 m/ 11,972 ft, a perfect acclimatization hike for anyone planning to do the Inca trail or other longer hikes in the area. Begin by visiting the most stunning ruins at Sacsayhuaman on the outskirts of Cusco. Although much of the smaller stones of this 13th-century fortress complex were used to build modern-day Cusco, the remaining stones are up to 8.5 m (28 ft) high and weigh over 360 tons. The distinctive zig-zag ramparts that form the complex are said to be characteristic of the head of a puma with many functions including storehouses, administration buildings, reservoirs, and a play area. It was also the site of a crucial battle between the Incas and the Spanish.

Next, head to the Inca ruin of Tambo Machay, popularly called the Inca’s Bath due to its finely preserved waterfalls, carefully diverted through fine stone channels. The Incas acknowledged water as one of the principal elements of life and revered it accordingly. As you make your way back towards Cusco, visit the site of Puca Pucara. This delightful ruin on a small prominence is believed not to be the “red fort” as its name suggests, but a “Tambo” – a rest house for traveling animals, goods, and travelers.

You’ll then cut across the country following the old Inca road from Cusco to the village of Pisac. The traditional farming methods and highly adapted Andean crops are a treat to see still functioning. Stop at a large ‘waca’ or outcrop of rock known as Salumpuncu, or the Temple of the Moon. This demonstrates the Incas affinity with rock as they improve the naturally occurring features of this huge rock into caves, seats, carvings, mummy-niches, and an altar that is supposed to be bathed in moonlight on the full-moon of the winter solstice. Time permitting, the settlement of Cusillyuioc, known as the Temple of the Monkey, just below is an interesting layout of caves and tunnels. En route, you will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.

With Cusco now in your sights, visit the fascinating Qenqo, a waca containing some of the finest examples of Inca carvings in-situ. The eroded limestone fissures have been artfully carved into zig-zag channels (from where Qenqo derives its name), pumas, condors, snakes, and houses. Bountiful Mummy Niches in the caves, an amphitheater, and the central phallic column all add to the mystery of its multi-functional use. An old Inca road brings you to San Cristobal church built on top of Inca Manco Capac’s Palace offering a fantastic viewpoint of Cusco. The final steps down the streets of San Blas bring you to the Plaza de Armas and the end of the tour.

Distance: 12 km/ 7.5 mi; altitude gain: negligible; altitude loss: 600 m/ 1,968 ft

Spend a day exploring the incredible Sacred Valley of the Incas, and really get to know this beautiful Andean valley by visiting all its best archaeological sites, markets and towns. This one-day Sacred Valley tour is a great way to spend a day acclimatizing while enjoying the amazing ruins, markets, and scenery of Peru.

Continuing on, you’ll stop at the Awana Kancha Camelid farm where you’ll have the opportunity to see all four members of the South American Camelid family. There is also an amazing variety of Alpacas and a display of the different styles of wool produced.

Your next stop is the picturesque Andean village of Pisac. The village is famous for its local market and superb artisan stalls throughout the week. Time can be spent shopping or, for the more energetic, visiting the extensive Inca ruins at the top of the hill. Old Pisac ruins have much to explore, with a circular hike along well-defined Inca trail that passes through royal buildings, look-outs, terraces, tunnels, and irrigation channels. If time permits you may also visit a traditional bakery to try freshly baked bread and learn about the guinea pigs of Peru.

After a delicious lunch in the Sacred Valley continue to Urubamba, a large town perfect for exploring a bit. Later in the afternoon, visit the Inca fortress town of Ollantaytambo, the site of the last big battle between the Incas and Spanish before the remaining Inca rebels fled into the jungles of Vilcabamba. In this lovely, well-preserved village and ruins you can still feel the true magic of the Incas. The hill-top, Inca sun temple displays some of the finest stonework in the area. The site was unfinished and some magnificent stones still lie un-erected, providing important clues to the building methods.

Today you can choose to hike the Inca Trail for 4 days or stay in the Sacred Valley and enjoy day hikes. Both will end in Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail:
Your Inca Trail guides will pick you up this morning for the drive past the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and a chance to buy any last-minute supplies. After an interesting drive to the end of the road at Pisca K’uchu (km 82), you’ll meet your support team of traditional porters before embarking on the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu. The trek undulates along the banks of the Urubamba river and you’ll camp the night at Llactapata (2,788 m/ 9,145 ft) beside some spectacular ruins which, if you have the energy, you’ll have time to explore. This is camping and trekking in style. While walking, all you’ll need to carry is a daypack – all camping equipment and food is carried by the porters. All camp chores are done for you and delicious food is served by a cook and his helpers.

Important Note: Inca Trail needs to be booked in advance as permits are necessary and sell out quickly.

Sacred Valley Hike:
Chinchero, Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo
Start with a visit to Chinchero Church and its impressive Inca ruins. Chinchero is famous for its colorful Sunday market and its incredible weavings – you can visit a local cooperative and see how the locals weave their intricate designs before driving across the fertile plain of Chinchero, rich with grain, potatoes, and beans. Labor-intensive local farming techniques are well demonstrated en-route.

Arrive at the circular Inca ruins of Moray where you’ll have time to fully explore these fascinating ruins. Moray is believed to be an Incan agricultural center used to improve high altitude crops – an essential commodity for the huge Incan armies and road-building teams that supported the empire.

Next, continue to the ancient town of Maras, with its out-standing Spanish door arches and a vast church. Maras is famous for its spices, due to its strategic location above the Sacred Valley. En-route are some of the most astounding salt-pans covering the whole of the hillside. These salt-pans were mentioned in conquering Spanish’s chronicles.

The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Inca Trail:
Today, trek up the Cusichaca valley to the small hamlet of Huallyabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail. From there you will follow ancient Inca paths past hummingbirds and stunted cloud forest. The camp is at Llulluchupampa (3,680 m/ 12,070 ft) – a beautiful grassy area with outstanding views down the valley.

Sacred Valley Hike:
Huilloc, Puma Marca, Ollantaytambo
Drive up to the small traditional hamlet of Huilloc, a community well known for being the birthplace of many of the porters who hike the Inca Trail and for their continued use of Quechua, the language of the Incas. Huilloc is also famous as a weaving center, and you will be able to see traditional ponchos being made and worn before commencing your hike. Start with a short steep climb up to Puma Marca, a remarkably well preserved and extensive Inca ruin with spectacular views down the valley. Later follow an Inca Trail along a steeply terraced valley down towards Ollantaytambo where you will have lunch, then spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Inca Trail:
Possibly the hardest day of the trek, rise early and head to the top of Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,200 m/ 13,776 ft). This is the highest point of the trail before you descend into the Pacasmayu valley and then climb again, passing the first of many Inca ruins. Your second pass of the day (3,998 m/ 13,113 ft) gives you spectacular views of the Vilcabamba range. Walking on a well-preserved Inca pathway, you pass Sayacmarca ruins with plenty of time for an in-depth tour and explanation before passing through a tunnel and a gentle climb, which brings you to Phuyupatamarca ruins (the place above the clouds), your campsite for the night (3,650 m/ 11,972 ft).

Sacred Valley Hike:
Today you visit the museum of Inkari in the Sacred Valley. This new museum has an interactive display of many of the different cultures that have appeared in Peru over the last centuries. It gives a fantastic insight into how rich and diverse the history of Peru is, not confined to just the Inca, Nazca and Moche cultures, but also many many more.

Inca Trail:
After an early morning to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snow-capped mountains of Salcantay (6,200 m/ 20,336 ft) and Veronica (5,800 m/ 19,024 ft), say a farewell to your porters with a traditional song and dance. Your final day of hiking brings you down into the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairways to Winay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. Finally, contour through cloud-forest to Inti Punku, the Gateway of the Sun, and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Pass through the ruins, then catch a bus down to your hotel in the colorful town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and celebrate your return to civilization.

Sacred Valley:
Today catch a train to Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly known as Aguas Calientes) and enjoy the journey that follows along the impressive Urubamba river to the base of Machu Picchu itself. Arriving in Machu Picchu Pueblo you will be transferred to your hotel for the night.

In the morning return to Machu Picchu for a fully guided tour of the residential, religious and agricultural sectors. There will be time afterward to hike to the Inca Bridge, Watchman’s Hut, or just wander through the ruins, soaking up the atmosphere.

In the afternoon, board the train for an interesting ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here your waiting transfer whisks you back to Cusco and your hotel. Then, if you have the energy, you can explore Cusco’s excellent nightlife.

Note: Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain now require an extra, limited-availability permit. Please inquire at time of booking if you require one.

This morning you will board the luxury all-day train from Cusco and ride across the high plains to Puno. This is one of the “Great Train journeys of the World.” The waiter service and entertainment is everything you would expect of the ‘Orient Express’ service.

On arrival in Puno, you will be met at the train station and transferred to your Puno hotel.

Note: Train must be booked on a Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday.

Today you will board a shared fast boat for a cruise on Lake Titicaca where your own private guide fully explains the local history, traditions, and agricultural methods as you visit the amazing floating reed islands of Uros. Then, journey to Taquile Island for lunch where, if you wish, an extremely tough climb to the top of the island that is rewarded by spectacular views of Lake Titicaca. Afterwards, return to Puno and to your hotel for the night.

If time allows today, you can visit the circular pre-Inca burial towers of Silustani, then transfer Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel, located in the Miraflores District where you’ll find many historical and cultural attractions, restaurants, and bars to fill the rest of your afternoon.

Your pick up from the hotel is early this morning (around 6:00 am) for the drive down the Pan American highway to Ica, with your accompanying guide explaining the sites on the way. On arrival at the Ica Airport, you’ll board your plane for the approximately 90-minute scenic flight over the Nazca Lines, a group of massive geoglyphs preserved in the shape of plants and animals. On arriving back at the airport, continue on to the desert oasis of Huacachina for a tour that includes a visit to the vineyard Bodega Vitinicola, famous for its production of various Piscos and wines that you can try. In the late afternoon continue onto Paracas and check-in to your hotel for the night.

This morning head down to the port for a tour of the Ballestas Islands, a national marine reserve. Known as a “mini Galapagos”, this important wildlife reserve has an amazing quantity of marine life. From Humboldt Penguins to seals, sea lions, and dolphins, plus thousands of marine birds, these amazing islands are a true haven for wildlife. On the way there, pass by local fisherman and see El Candalbro, a geoglyph etched onto the hillside. The source and reason for this is still unknown, though there are many different theories. Your return journey to Lima will be via the Pan American Highway. Overnight again in Lima for a final night.

Today you will be transferred to airport in time for your onward flight.