Exploring Peru's highlights
Continue the adventure with a flight to Puerto Maldonado to head into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon. One of the most remote lodges in South America, and pristine location means that it has some of the best wildlife to see that the Amazon jungle has to offer – be it monkeys, birds, insects, jaguar, peccary, capybara, caiman and more!
Another quick flight has you arrive to Cusco for a three-night stay, the UNESCO World Heritage site being Peru’s most popular destination. Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire has a bounty of cobblestone streets, Inca Temples and colonial buildings to explore. Some time spent here with a guide fits in nicely with learning about the local culture and history, then with some time at leisure to explore, for foodie adventures, to shop, people watch and more.
A six further nights are spent on this journey on the Salkantay Trek – adventure at its finest hiking along the Cordillera Vilcabamba, the spectacular Andeam mountain range which cradles the famed Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Trek along the Salkantay Pass, descent into lower and warmer cloud forest valleys, visit small villages, learn about the history of the Incas, enjoy a variety of bird and plant life unique to the region, and culminate the trek with a visit to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu.
A final night back in Cusco for some R&R and perhaps a spa treatment rounds up a fantastic just over two-week journey in Peru.
You will love
- Exploring the Amazon’s wonders
- Hiking through astonishing scenery
- Visiting Machu Picchu
- Time to explore Cusco at leisure
17 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
PLEASE NOTE:
This itinerary provides the perfect framework for a spectacular journey but it is an example only. All journeys will be individually designed and quoted on a case by case basis.
DAY 1 | LIMA
Arrive to Lima and check into your accommodation. The evening is at leisure.
DAY 2 | LIMA
Enjoy a walking tour of the historic and colonial quarter of Lima. After lunch, some time is at leisure to explore Barranco or for a nap if required. Dinner is scheduled at Maido this evening.
DAY 3 | AMAZON
Fly to Puerto Maldonado, then transfer to Refugio Amazonas to re-organize and take only necessary items to the lodge. Transfer to the port with a snack on route and onwards to your accommodation. Upon arrival, check in and an explanation of the ‘a la carte’ activities will be given. In the evening head out for a sunset cruise and after dinner choose from a night walk or enjoy a lecture with an Amazon camera.
DAY 4 | AMAZON
This morning make the most of the ‘a la carte’ activities offerred by Tambopata Research Centre. Enjoy lunch and a further activity in the afternoon from the ‘a la carte’ menu. After dinner head out for a night walk or the evening may also be at leisure.
DAY 5 | AMAZON
Before breakfast enjoy a morning activity such as seeing the parrot clay licks, then head out again after breakfast for example to do the ‘island exploration and pond’ activity. After lunch another activity is on offer such as the ‘monkey search’. Relax before dinner, then either head out again for an evening activity or
rest onsite for a lecture.
DAY 6 | AMAZON
A final full day of activities is on offer to explore anything on your bucket list that you haven’t yet done, or to further search for wildlife you haven’t yet seen, or want to see more of.
DAY 7 | CUSCO
After an early breakfast transfer by boat followed by road transfer to Puerto Maldonado, then fly to Cusco. Upon arrival after lunch-time, check into your accommodation and the afternoon is at leisure to explore.
DAY 8 | CUSCO
Enjoy a half day city tour of Cusco. Remainder of afternoon and evening at leisure to rest, people watch, or perhaps to visit Sacsayhuaman.
DAY 9 | SACRED VALLEY
After an early breakfast, drive to your first lodge to commence the Salkantay Trek. Enroute, tour the Inca ruins of Tarawasi. Take a scenic four hour hike to Salkantay Lodge, check in and dinner is overnight at the lodge. Approx 6 hours of moderate hiking in total today.
DAY 10 | SACRED VALLEY
Head out for an acclimatization hike to a turquoise blue glacier lake and return to Salkantay Lodge for lunch and overnight. The afternoon is at leisure with the option (at extra cost) for horse riding. Enjoy views of the Salkantay snow peak from the outdoor jacuzzi. Approx 4hrs of moderate to challenging hiking.
DAY 11 | SACRED VALLEY
After an early start hike up to the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak to the highest point on the trek – Salkantay Pass at 4, 600m. Take in the snow capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range, and a hot lunch is served enroute. Dinner and overnight at Wayra Lodge. 6-8 hours of challenging hiking today.
DAY 12 | SACRED VALLEY
Hike downhill above the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery, amidst orchids and colourful butterflies. Upon arrival at the next lodge you are treated to a “Panchamanca-style” lunch. Dinner and overnight at the Colpa Lodge. 3-4 hours of easy to moderate hiking.
DAY 13 | SACRED VALLEY
Continue your descent to the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more populated rural areas with coffee plantations and orchards. Stop along the river for a picnic lunch. The last 1/2 hour of hiking will be “Llactapata Inca Trail”, an impressive Inca road newly restored. Dinner and overnight at Lucma Lodge. 5-6 hours of moderate to challenging hiking.
DAY 14 | SACRED VALLEY
On the last trekking day head uphill for 2-3hrs towards Llactapata pass, 2,700m, where you come upon a distant but spectacular view of Machu Picchu from the southwest. Also visit the Llactapata Ruins, with a picnic lunch enroute. Descent to the Aobamba River and Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short scenic train ride away. 4-6 hours of moderate to challenging trekking.
DAY 15 | MACHU PICCHU
Early morning ride up to Machu Picchu Sanctuary for a complete guided tour. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and board the train station for a mid-afternoon departure to Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours). From there you will be collected and driven back to Cusco and to your hotel.
DAY 16 | CUSCO
All full day has been left at leisure today in Cusco to enjoy the cafe’s, shops, walking about the cobblestone streets and for people watching.
DAY 17 | END OF ARRANGEMENTS
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and end of arrangements.
ACCOMMODATION
A handpicked selection
Hotel B – Lima
Hotel B has the feeling of a restored Grand Dame with a cheeky twist, integrating vintage and designer furniture with a unique art collection. This exquisite hotel caters for those looking for a luxurious Lima experience along with artistically-keen explorers interested in immersing themselves in Barranco’s art and culture scenes. Read More
El Mercardo
In the heart of Cusco, stay at El Mercardo in one of its 32 rooms offering the best of colonial and contemporary architecture and with all the latest comforts. Look beyond the walls of the hotel and reminisce on the farmers marketplace that the property formerly was part of, and head out to explore Cusco's vibrant main square, vibrant temples, cobblestone streets and more during your stay here. Read More
Tambopata Research Centre – Amazon
Tambopata Research Centre is one of the most remote rainforest lodges in South America. Sightings of monkeys, macaws and other large species are frequent, and jaguars are also sometimes seen. Whilst accommodation is fairly basic, the Tambopata Research Centre is an excellent place for in depth explorations into the Amazon. Read More
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
This 7 day lodge-to-lodge hike to Machu Picchu gives the opportunity to experience the essence of adventure with creature comforts and culminating with a visit to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the modern world. Read more
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