Journeys: Machu Picchu and the Amazon
10 days, Lima to Cusco
Itinerary
Day 1Lima
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Please note: if you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima, and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 am (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 13:00.
Also, hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
There are some very early morning starts on this trip to make the best use of our time and see as much as we can of Peru as we can.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Lima Cooking Class (4hrs)
Get a taste of Peruvian cuisine, visit local markets, sample exotic fruit, select fresh ingredients, and try your hand at preparing unique Peruvian dishes influenced by China, Italy, West Africa, and Japan.
Please note that if you are travelling with a family there is no age restriction on this activity and the cooking class is acceptable for children.
Lima City Tour
40USD per personDiscover Lima’s cultural and culinary highlights on this half-day guided tour. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, walk around Plaza de Armas, marvel at the Bodega y Quadra Museum, and get to know some of Lima's lovely neighbourhoods. Stop to enjoy some authentic Peruvian tapas and be introduced to Pisco Sours during a demonstration and tasting.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Antigua Miraflores (or similar)
Day 2Lima/Tambopata
Fly to Puerto Maldonado and continue by motorized canoe to our comfortable lodge, situated near the Tambopata National Reserve in the Amazon rainforest. Spot local bird species along the lush shores of the Tambopata River en route to the lodge, and set off on an evening walk with a naturalist guide before dinner, keeping an eye out for some of the rainforest’s nocturnal creatures.
After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge.
En route, spot bird species typical of the local river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.
Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich flora and fauna and locals' extensive use of medicinal plants and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques for building, fishing, and hunting.
Enjoy a welcome drink and orientation. Before dinner, head out for a night walk around the lodge grounds.
The lodge itself combines native architectural style and materials with low-impact, eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, showers (with solar-heated hot water), and candles for lighting (no electricity).
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Motorized Canoe
Head by private vehicle to the lodge's office in Puerto Maldonado to store large luggage. From there, travel about 1 hr to reach the boat landing.
Be prepared to protect yourself from the sun and bugs before you get on the boat. It's quite pleasant with the covered roof and breeze, but you can still get sunburned. It's recommended to wear light long sleeves and trousers on the boat.
Wildlife-spotting Night Walk
Get the lowdown on local flora and fauna, and grab a flashlight to discover what’s living around lodge grounds. Receive help from the talented, expert naturalist guide to locate heaps of hidden creatures! Keep an eye out for snakes, tarantulas, owls, and poison dart frogs, just to name a few.
Accommodation
Tambopata Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Tambopata
Spend the day exploring the thriving ecosystems of the rainforest with our lodge’s naturalist guides. Scan the treetops for toucans, howler monkeys, and sloths, and glide along oxbow lakes on canoes for a chance to glimpse river otters, turtles, and, if we’re lucky, anacondas. After dinner, embark on a river tour by motorized canoe on the lookout for caimans, the smaller cousins of alligators, which are often found hiding near the muddy banks.
Head out early to catch the jungle at its wildest (and coolest). Walk slowly through the forest searching for wildlife before heading out on an oxbow lake by canoe.
Search for anaconda, the elusive giant river otter, or black caiman. Even if you don't spot these shy creatures, there are plenty of birds, interesting plants, and other animals about.
Jungle Excursions
Enjoy visits to oxbow lakes to learn about the jungle and its inhabitants. Be introduced to the area’s rich flora and fauna by expert naturalist guides, who can teach extensive uses for medicinal and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques. Be prepared to go early morning or evening to avoid the heat of midday. Enjoy a leisurely pace – the trip requires some walking, but nothing too strenuous.
Free Time
Spend time around the lodge or go further afield. Free time is yours to explore any way you want!
Caiman-Spotting Cruise
Head out after dark by motorized canoe to search for caimans on the river banks. Enjoy a lesson on caimans from the expert guide. Take advantage of the keen eyes of the expert naturalist guides – they are truly spectacular at spotting these elusive smaller cousins of alligators hiding on the muddy banks.
Accommodation
Tambopata Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Tambopata/Cusco
Travel out of the jungle by boat and catch a flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco, soaring above the Andes into Peru’s Inca heartland. This evening, visit the Cusco Planetarium for a presentation on the skies of the Southern Hemisphere, and learn about the vital role that astronomy played in the lives of the ancient Inca. Weather permitting, peer through the planetarium's telescopes for a dazzling look at the stars.
Afternoon arrival into the Inca capital. Time for strolling around the plazas and markets. Admire the cobblestones streets, and visit some museums and Cathedral.
This adventure travels to high altitude, medically defined as anything over 8,000 ft (2,440m).
Motorized Canoe
Climb in and move swiftly through the water to the next stop.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Free Time
Take it easy this afternoon and acclimatize to the higher altitude.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cusco Planetarium
Look to the night sky for a different view of the city. Explore the Cusco Planetarium surrounded by the serene nature of the Llaullipata Ecological Reserve. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Incas’ relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use the telescopes to admire the stars (weather-permitting).
Accommodation
Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Cusco/Urubamba
Drive to the scenic Sacred Valley for a full day of exploration with a local guide. Tour the G Adventures–supported Parque de la Papa, or Potato Park, a rural Andean community working to preserve hundreds of varieties of native potato. During this exclusive experience, you'll walk through the park to learn about potato cultivation, traditional weaving, and the importance of both these practices to Andean culture. We’ll also visit the fascinating Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, and enjoy a meal at the G Adventures–supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo.
Private Vehicle
Times includes all stops and visits enroute through the Sacred Valley.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Andean Experience
In Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Inca, six communities of approximately 6000 indigenous people are working together to preserve over 700 species of potato – a cornerstone of life here. As part of an experience exclusive to National Geographic Journeys travellers – and part of our G Adventures for Good program – visit this area, named “Parque de la Papa” (“Potato Park”), to learn about life in an Andean agricultural community. Walk through the park here with a local guide, dropping by the seed bank (which has direct ties to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway) and then head out to the fields to watch the planting or harvesting process, depending on the season. After, enjoy some of the delicious varieties of potato and visit the small stone hut where traditional weaving takes place. Learn about the natural dyeing process and witness alpaca wool strands being transformed into beautiful textiles through a centuries-old backstrap weaving style. Your visit to this special community means this local enterprise can continue earning an income that supports their development and conservation goals.
Your G for Good Moment: Parque de la Papa (Potato Park)
Parque de la Papa (meaning "Potato Park") serves two important purposes for the community of Pampallacta: the preservation of agricultural biodiversity and economic opportunity. National Geographic Journeys travellers visit the park to learn about life in a rural agricultural Andean community and take a tour of the seed conservation program, which is preserving heritage potato species. They also learn about traditional planting, harvesting and indigenous weaving practices. With G Adventures' support, the community is able to create jobs in the area and invest in local businesses, which helps the community preserve their culture.
Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley
Contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how the resident-run restaurant was kickstarted by G Adventures and the Multilateral Investment Fund, to become a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises.
Pisac Ruins Guided Tour
Tour the fascinating hilltop citadel of Pisac, an Incan ruin with plunging gorges, a ceremonial centre, and winding agriculture terracing that's still in use today. Be captivated by this truly amazing site sitting amid sweeping green valleys and mountain peaks. Explore the back of the site to see a pocketed cliff across Kitamayo Gorge, which once contained hundreds of Inca tombs.
Ollantaytambo Ruins Guided Tour
Tour the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo with a local guide. Take a step back in time at this Inca archaeological site; it still shows signs of its former glory, including agricultural terraces, a Temple Hill, and storehouses. Learn how the area, overlooking the Urubamba River Valley, was an important stronghold during warfare between the Spanish and Incas.
Accommodation
Villa Urubamba (or similar)
This property in Urubamba offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, garden or mountain views, and amenities such as free WiFi, air-conditioning, and private entrances.
Guests can enjoy a sun terrace, garden, restaurant, and bar. The traditional restaurant serves Peruvian, Latin American, and Italian cuisine, with vegetarian options available. Additional facilities include paid for yoga classes and cycling.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 6Urubamba/Cusco
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley. Visit the Ollantaytambo ruins and walk up the 200 stone steps to the top. After, visit the terraced salt pans of Maras, which have been used for salt extraction since pre-Inca times, and tour the Inca site of Moray—believed to have been an agricultural laboratory where priests would test soils and crops. Then set off on a scenic drive through the lush Andean countryside, dotted with peaceful villages. Then, visit the Chincheros ruins, known to the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow and featuring incredible views of the Andean countryside. Return to Cusco for the evening.
Leave the hikers to start their trek and head out to explore Moray and Maras ancient Incan ruins. Enjoy a scenic drive through Andean farmland on the way.
Ollantaytambo Ruins Visit
Explore this ancient site right in the heart of Ollantaytambo city. Learn about the principles of Incan architecture and get a first taste of climbing around a massive ruins site.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Maras Salt Mines and Moray Visit
Drive a little more than an hour to get to the Moray archaeological site. Tour these unique Inca ruins, consisting of circular terraces and a sophisticated irrigation system located at 3500m (11483 ft). Learn about the history and study of this fascinating site – speculation has it that it was an Inca agriculture experiment station.
Visit the impressive Maras Salt Mines, after Moray. See thousands of individual ancient salt pools spilling over a hillside. Learn about the different varieties of salt, and try the renowned pink salt, famous worldwide.
Scenic Andean Drive and lunch near Maras
Set out on a scenic drive above the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop along the way to look out over small farms carved into the hills and small villages dotted along the landscape. Enjoy the views and have lunch near Maras, opt to relax, explore the surroundings.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Chincheros Ruins Visit
Chincheros is known to the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow. This typical Andean village has Inca ruins, a colonial church, and sweeping mountain views. Explore the ruins and check out the impressive architecture of this ancient place.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Cusco
Fill up on breakfast at your hotel in Cusco before walking to the Cusco Cathedral where your guide will meet the group for your walking tour of Cusco's colonial side. The group will see the colonial architecture and influence visible in Cusco and visit the beautiful Sapantiana waterfalls before having lunch at Nuna Raymi in the city. Afterwards, enjoy free time to continue exploring Cusco. Opt to visit Plaza de Armas, the historic main square; the 15th-century Sacsayhuaman fortress; or some of the city’s ornate churches, such as the Iglesia de Santo Domingo and La Catedral, which fuse pre-Columbian and colonial design. You may also visit the Inca Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of Inca jewelry, metalware, pottery, textiles, mummies, and more.
Cusco Colonial Side Walking Tour
Spend time on a group walking tour of the colonial areas in Cusco. Start in Cusco City and finish with a visit to the Sapantiana waterfalls before having a delicious lunch at a restaurant near the main plaza.
Free Time
Spend more time getting to know this fascinating city and surrounding area. Free time is yours to explore any way you want.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Cusco Tourist Ticket
130PEN per personThis ticket allows admission at 16 sights of the city of Cusco including many popular museums and cathedrals, the ticket also provides entrance to Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, and sights in the South Valley of Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Inka Museum
10PEN per personGet ready to explore the artifacts from the Inca Empire, including mummies, jewelry, skulls, and ceramics at this museum of archaeology.
Accommodation
Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 8Cusco/Aguas Calientes
After breakfast at the hotel in Cusco, the group will travel by van to Ollantaytambo to catch the scenic train for a journey following the Urubamba River Valley to Aguas Calientes. After enjoying a quick orientation walk around the town of Aguas Calientes the group will have free time for optional activities. Opt to visit the Machu Picchu Museum, the Mandor Waterfalls, and the butterfly garden. Or consider taking a dip in some thermal baths to relax those muscles.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Aguas Calientes Orientation Walk
The group will arrive at Aguas Calientes with their assistant guide or CEO and they will have an orientation walk through the town of Aguas Calientes. Your CEO can then help you coordinate any optional activities you may want to try during your time here.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Machu Picchu Museum Visit
7USD per personGet an in-depth look at Inca history and learn more about Hiram Bingham, the American archaeologist and explorer that discovered Machu Picchu. The museum holds the largest collection of Inca artifacts excavated from Machu Picchu. Your guide will point out items of interest so you walk away feeling like an explorer yourself.
Machu Picchu Thermal Baths
6USD per personAfter Machu Picchu, the biggest tourist attraction in the town of Aguas Calientes are its thermal baths. Temperatures vary from 38ºC. (100.4 ° F) to 44ºC. (111.2 ° F). The waters come from a natural spring of volcanic origin that is yellowish in colour due to the presence of sulfur.
Mandor Waterfalls Optional Visit
20PEN per personThis botanical garden boasts a beautiful waterfall, varied wildlife and lush scenery. Walk along one of the trails and admire the many orchids.
Machu Picchu Butterfly Garden
20PEN per personThis sanctuary is located inside the National Park of Machu Picchu. There are more than 100 different endemic species here and you'll have the opportunity to see them on this visit to the House of Butterflies.
Accommodation
Hotel Taypikala Machupicchu (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Machu Picchu/Cusco
This morning, embark on a guided tour of Machu Picchu—the 15th-century Inca citadel famously introduced to the world by archaeologist Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine. After being taken through the temples and terraces of this awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage site, return to Cusco by train
Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with the guide. Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins. When ready, head back down by bus to Aguas Calientes to meet up with the rest of the group and take a train back to Cusco.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Machu Picchu Guided Tour
Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Inca Bridge Visit
FreeUse any leftover energy from your Machu Picchu hike to visit the Inca Bridge site nearby (thought by some to be a secret back entrance to Machu Picchu). Trek up to the bridge that's cleaving to a 579m (1,900 ft) cliff, and soak in amazing views of cloud forest along the way.
Accommodation
Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Cusco
Depart at any time.
Want more time to explore? G Adventures offers post-accommodation. Please request at time of booking.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.