Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Peru’s capital is a melting pot of both modern and traditional culture.
Spanish colonial architecture (Cusco Cathedral) and Pre-Columbian ruins (the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara) come together in the ancient Inca capital. No Peru tour would be complete without a trip to the mystical Machu Picchu ruins.
As the gateway to the southern Amazon jungle, the city of Puerto Maldonado boasts many Peru highlights tucked away within its realm, including the Tambopata National Reserve and Lake Sandoval.
This seven-day Peru tour allows visitors to experience some of top Peru highlights all in one go, starting with the scattered remains of the Inca Empire buried deep within the Andes and continuing into the hidden depths of the virgin rainforest. Come along with us to appreciate the extensive history of the various archeological sites within Cusco city en route to the magical Machu Picchu ruins before delving boat first into the native flora and fauna of the Amazon. When you book a trip like this that encompasses the best of both worlds, unforgettable memories for you and your family are sure to happen.
Your trip to Peru has commenced! A representative will pick you up from the airport at the scheduled time to transfer you to your hotel in Lima. A modern metropolis full of history, travelers can find comfort and cultural activities in the capital city— though you’ll want to get plenty of rest as your sightseeing adventure begins the following day.
Enjoy breakfast at your Lima hotel before continuing your Peru highlights trip to Cusco city. After a short flight (90 minutes) from Lima to Cusco, you’ll have a chance to settle into your hotel before an afternoon of exploration.
Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is full of architectural gems spanning varying centuries and shifts in power. A private tour will allow you to appreciate Santo Domingo Convent, a large, Renaissance-baroque complex built over Coricancha (‘The Temple of the Sun’), the most important temple of the Inca Empire. Next, marvel at the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square, before heading over the hills of Cusco city to visit the 15th century stone fortress Sacsayhuaman, ritualistic site Qenqo, and the alleged military ruin Puka Pukara. Once finished, you will be ushered back to your hotel for the evening.
After breakfast, you will start your Sacred Valley tour en route to Pisac, whose charming market is filled with beautiful alpaca textiles, musical instruments, and other handmade crafts fashioned after ancient Inca pieces. Next, we will tour the Pisac archeological vestiges, which are the largest, Incan-built agricultural terrace complexes in the area. After lunch, we will continue our Sacred Valley tour to the Ollantaytambo Park and Ollantaytambo, an ancient town whose residents still live in accordance with Incan traditions. At the end of this leg of the trip, you will return to Cusco city in time to relax for the evening.
Today we’ll finally confront the Machu Picchu ruins after breakfast at the hotel. In order to arrive to the renowned archaeological site, we’ll take a train ride to Aguas Calientes, a small town often referred to as “Machu Picchu Pueblo.” After a quick bus transfer, we’ll reach the Machu Picchu ruins, considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We’ll take time to tour the timeless architectural masterpiece and soak in the views. Later on, we’ll return by bus to Aguas Calientes and have lunch at local restaurant before catching a train back to Cusco in the afternoon.
After breakfast at your Cusco city hotel, take an hour-long flight to the jungle city of Puerto Maldonado, where you will navigate by boat (25 minutes) along the Madre de Dios River to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción.
Upon arrival, we will fuel up on an organic, flavorful lunch before trekking through Concepcion Trails to discover and learn about all aspects of the rainforest as well as its global impact. At dusk, get ready to embark on a Twilight River excursion along the Madre de Dios River, where you will have a chance to not only observe nocturnal jungle animals, but also the abundance of southern constellations that light up the sky. Return from your jungle exhibitions in time to dine and relax.
*Consult lodge luggage allowances. During your stay, larger luggage will remain stored.
A nutritious breakfast buffet will prepare you for today’s trek into the Tambopata National Reserve, specifically on Lake Sandoval. Navigate by dugout canoe across this mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, blue and yellow macaw, red howler monkey, black caiman, and one of the world’s largest freshwater scaled fish, the paiche. After returning to the lodge for lunch, we will take a motorized canoe (20 minutes) to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center, where you will ascend one of the two 98-ft. tall towers and cross the seven hanging bridges that connect the treetops at 91 ft. high. Enjoy the breathtaking views as you observe native jungle fauna, such as white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, squirrel monkeys, and the three-toed sloth. Afterwards, pass over jungle swamps on the way to your last jungle activity that allows you a second chance to witness the Rainforest by night, a nocturnal excursion. End your day with a pleasant dinner.
After breakfast, take a farm excursion to learn about local techniques and even do some tastings. Then we’ll delve into the world of medicinal plants at the botanical garden. After lunch at Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion, we’ll take a water excursion across a natural pond, with the opportunity to do some catch and release fishing or to simply sit back and enjoy the scenic view. An Amazon tour wouldn’t be complete without observing wildlife, and we’ll get a close look at native fauna in their nightly routine just before dinner.
After breakfast, a motorized canoe will take you back to Puerto Maldonado where we will venture to the butterfly house. Learn about the fascinating transformation of these colorful winged insects, an impressive feat of nature that will surely stay on your mind during your flight back to Lima later today.
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