Discover Peru and spend time in the mythical Amazon Rainforest
Your adventure starts with a full tour of Lima. After getting to know the gorgeous Capital of Peru, you head into the jungle. To be specific you enter The Amazon Rainforest, where you will spend 3 days exploring and encountering magnificent fauna and flora in their natural habitat. Here you can spot an array of animals from macaws and monkeys to peccary, jabirus, otters and thousands of butterflies.
The journey then continues to Cusco, to learn about the Inca Empire, and will take you to the famous Machu Picchu, which was long thought to be legendary. In 1911 the explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it remains. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments.
12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS
Itinerary
+DAY 1: Welcome to Peru
Welcome to Peru! On arrival into Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport you will be transferred to your hotel Located in the well-known coastal suburb of Miraflores.
Feel free to explore the near by restaurants for a real Peruvian Pisco Sour and perhaps some mouthwatering ceviche. When in Peru…
+DAY 2: Lovely Lima
In the morning, you will start the visit of Lima. You visit colonial Lima, where you’ll see attractions like the Cathedral, the Viceroyalty of Peru, the main places of Lima’s Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Government Palace, the City Hall, and other important monuments.
Later, you visit the Convent of San Francisco, a seventeenth century architectural complex that includes a church, a convent and a square. The facade of the church, which has an image of the Immaculate Conception painted on it, was carved in stone and is characterized by its Corinthian columns. You will also see the catacombs, a dark chamber found under the church. After visiting the center of Lima, you head to the modern section of this great metropolis to visit the district of Miraflores with its nice Shopping Mall named Larco Mar, which was built on a spectacular cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the traditional “Parque del amor” (Love Park).
+DAY 3: Welcome to the Jungle
After breakfast you fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, which should take around two hours. You won’t be escorted during the flight, but you will be taken to the airport in Lima and met at the airport in Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, the lodge staff will take you to their office in town where you’ll leave the majority of your luggage in safe storage. You’ll continue traveling with a small pack with only the necessary items for your next two nights in the jungle.
Shortly afterwards, take a motorized canoe up river to your jungle lodge in the Madre de Dios region.
Posada Amazonas is a rainforest lodge that’s just a 45-minute boat ride from Puerto Maldonado.
The lodge is owned by the indigenous Ese-Eja community of Infierno, offering a 30-metre canopy tower that provides spectacular views of the vast expanses of forest, Tambopata River and endless opportunities to witness Amazonian wildlife. Every room overlooks the tropical rainforest allowing guests to enjoy this unique ecosystem, even during their down time. The rooms are built with local materials such as wood, bamboo, adobe mud and palm trees, with each room having a spacious private bathroom with hot water. Use your evening getting to know the community and relaxing.
+DAY 4: The Amazon
After breakfast it’s time to explore the Amazon. The lodge is perfect for your first taste of the Amazon’s natural wonders. The Posada Amazonas offers ample opportunities to see wildlife such as squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, parrots and macaws. The lodge is also home to a family of giant river otters. All three meals are served at the lodge and included in the stay.
+DAY 5: Jungle Hike
This morning, head into the jungle of the Amazon with your local, multilingual guides, encountering magnificent fauna and flora in their natural habitat.
You may even spot an array of animals from macaws and monkeys to peccary, jabirus, otters and thousands of butterflies. The guides can also teach you about the medicinal properties and practical uses of the plants. After your hike finishes in the afternoon, you’re then free to sit back and relax in the comfort of your lodge.
+DAY: Cusco & Coca
Today, travel back to Puerto Maldonado before taking the short flight to Cusco. On arrival, your local guide will take you on a walking tour, including a visit to the Coca Museum – where you can learn about the infamous plant that has been an essential part of life for centuries in the Andes – and the local San Pedro market.
+DAY 7: Inca History
After breakfast you visit the huge “Inca Ceremonial Center of Sacsayhuaman”. This enormous structure overlooks the city of Cusco. Its constructions are amazing, with huge rocks perfectly fitted. It is said that it took over 10,000 workers 50 years to build it. The origin of the temple of Sacsayhuaman is still today unknown. The archaeologist attributed its construction to the Period of the Inca Pachacutec.
Later, you continue on to visit another important Inca site known as “Qenqo”. This is a place with subterranean passages and carved stone channels in a zigzag pattern. In its inner part there is a carved stone table where it is said the Incas mummified their dead. Afterwards you will do a short visit to the archaeological Inca sites of “Tambomachay” a temple dedicated to the God of Water and “PucaPucará”. After these visits, you will return to Cusco. The afternoon is free at leisure.
+DAY 8: Sacred Valley
In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to start your visit of the Sacred Valley.
On the way you stop at a point known as El Mirador, from where you will be able to see the whole Sacred Valley and receive a good insight of the Inca history. The Sacred Valley was undoubtedly a key area of settlement to the Incas; its combination of agreeable climate and fertile plains bestow an unusual abundance for the high Andes. Here the Incas sculpted the mountain flanks with vast contour terracing and irrigation channels. Your driver and guide will suggest you the best points for pictures.
Later on, you drive towards the ruins of Pisac. At the ruins you will see and learn about different aspects of Inca culture. You can see a great fine art of stone works and impressive agricultural terraces all over the place. Then, you visit the town of Pisac and wander through the local market, known for its multi-coloured textiles, local foods, and indigenous clothing – a great opportunity to pick up some souvenirs as well as take some great photos.
In the afternoon, you will drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. When you arrive in Ollantaytambo you’ll see it’s a magnificent example of Incan urban planning. It’s one of the few places where the Incas defeated the Spanish. Once you get there you will visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo, an important Inca construction built during the Inca’s heydays. This is an extraordinary Inca place where besides the ruins you may also see an amazing rock formation representing the Inca god Wiracocha. Afterwards, you will return to Cusco and your hotel.
+DAY 9: Expedition Train
Where you will board the “Expedition” train towards Aguas Calientes, a modern little town close to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The train ride to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful journeys that visitors can experience in our country. After passing the Sacred Valley of the Incas the train starts to descend gradually along the edge of the Urubamba River, till finally reach the cloud forest. After approximately 1 hour 45 minutes you will have arrived in Aguas Calientes town, where you will be transferred to your hotel.
You will have a dinner in the local restaurant.
+DAY 10: Machu Picchu
Early in the morning you will be to taken to the Machu Picchu ruins starting with a short bus ride up the steep, zigzagging road to the impressive Lost City of the Incas. Upon your arrival, you will get into the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu and the tour guide will show you the most important sectors of this great Inca City, such as the great Intiwatana (solar clock), the Sun Temple, the urban sector, the agricultural sector among others.
+DAY 11: Day at leisure
Today you can enjoy free time to relax, shop for souvenirs or explore more of Cuzco’s sights. Perhaps head to a cafe on the Plaza de Armas, or for those seeking an active adventure, try mountain biking in the hills surrounding Cuzco.
+DAY 12: Goodbye Peru
After breakfast you will be met by your guide at your hotel foyer, and transferred to the airport for your flight back to Europe – leaving Peru with life long memories.
Included in the price
– Meet & greet at the airport
– 11 overnights at hotel
– 11 breakfasts
– 3 lunches
– 4 dinners
– All transportation mentioned above
– Tours as described above
– Entrance fees
– Domestic flights
– International flights (price based on flights from Scandinavia)*
*International flights are optional. If you are in Latin America already or want to book your own flights, just contact us and we will deselect International flights on your booking. Your booking price will then be equivalent lower.
**IMPORTANT NOTES
This is a quotation only and neither reservations for services nor hotel bookings have been made. Availability of all services is guaranteed upon confirmation of reservation. The prices quoted are valid for 1 week from quotation date.
Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability. Therefore quoted rates might change accordingly.