Peru Amazon Experience
A mix between history, culture, and nature, Lima, Cusco and the jungle in Puerto Maldonado are waiting for you to embark on your great Peruvian adventure. This is the perfect trip to experience the breathtaking wildlife that Peru has to offer, whilst also becoming immersed within the mystery which surrounds the history of the region.
- Old City of Lima
- Catacombs of San Francisco Church and Monastery
- Historical City of Cusco
- Machu Picchu
- Peruvian Jungle at Puerto Maldonado
- Canoe trip
Spend 9 days visiting Lima, where you will be able to enjoy a panoramic visit to the modern districts of Lima (Miraflores and San Isidro) with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and a beautiful park called “El Olivar” which was the first plantation of olive trees in South America, with trees dating from that time.
Then, visit the old part of the City, which includes a visit to The Main Square, Archbishop’s Palace, Palace of Government called ‘Pizarro’s House’ and a tour of Cathedral of Lima and San Francisco Monastery and Church where you will be able to walk inside the Catacombs located below.
Lima & Vicinity
Lima, the capital of Peru, is situated on a plateau overlooking the Pacific Coast. It is a sprawling metropolitan city of over 10 million Peruvians and is a naturally perfect location for sampling the famed national cuisine with its vast base of ingredients and spices. Furthermore, the city offers relaxing tours to convents, churches, and historical plazas and centres, as well as beautiful gardens, bars and nightspots. Meanwhile, an ancient tradition is very much alive at Huaca Pucllana temple, just steps away from the hotels and hostels of the central Miraflores district and the impressive Pyramids of Pachacamac are just a 40km drive south.
Cusco & Vicinity
The next stop will be the City Of Cusco. Here you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Inca Culture and be fascinated by their architecture and technology. During the City Tour, you will visit places like the Cathedral of Cusco from the Colonial time, Koricancha Temple and Santo Domingo Church, you will see the old walls of the Inca Temple dedicated to the God “Inti” (Sun), and the colonial church of Santo Domingo. Then you will have a trip to the past,, with an excursion to Sacsayhuaman, Puca Pucara, the Qenko Amphitheatre, and Tambomachay archaeological places. You will be impressed with the development of architecture reached by the Inca Civilization.
Cusco was originally the historic capital of the Inca Empire, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has an elevation of over 11,000 feet allowing visitors to acclimatise before setting off on long treks towards Machu Picchu’s legendary routes used by the Incas towards the citadel. Cusco is pleasant to explore with wonderful and ancient stonework, narrow streets and important Inca temple remains, complemented by the Spanish colonial buildings. Numerous museums showcase Inca and pre-Columbian culture, as well as textiles and sacred plants. Being a rich agricultural region, many fusion and neo-Andean restaurants offer unique Peruvian gastronomy. Meanwhile, day trips to nearby lagoons can be connected with visits to Inca ruins such as Pisac, Tambomachay, Kenqo, Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo.
Sacred Valley
The next day, an exceptional excursion will be offered to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visiting the Ollantaytambo Fortress, there is a story about an Inca General called Ollanta who fell in love with a princess, which was forbidden. He fought for his love but died in this place. Among other places, the tour leads to Chinchero town, a village specialising in textile products. Here you will see how the old Incas worked the cotton.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is the eternal home of abundance for indigenous and locals who continue to call this area home. The Sacred Valley is essentially the Urubamba Valley, home to flourishing land and rivers perfect for agriculture. It is also home to Machu Picchu, built in the 15th century for the Inca emperor, Pachacuti. From Cusco, the former Inca capital, visitors can decide on trekking an ‘Inca trail’ of multiple days, or taking the train to visit the world wonder of Machu Picchu. All routes wind around dramatic peaks, rivers and archaeological sites, with regular rest stops at scenic points, and camping for up to three nights (depending on trail length). The region is known by many civilizations for its agricultural potential, and towns such as Ollantaytambo were once country retreats for Inca royalty.
The highlight of this tour is the excursion to Machu Picchu. Visit this important archaeological site, considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, for an unforgettable experience. After a nice journey by train from Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will arrive in Aguas Calientes Town. From here you will have a 30-minute trip by bus to the Citadel. Machu Picchu was only rediscovered in 1911, this citadel is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of landscape architecture in the world. Located in an enclave on the saddle of a mountain overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba River, in an area of lush tropical forest, it served as a place of worship, a site for star-gazing and a private hacienda for the family of the Inca Pachacutec. It consists of two main areas, one agricultural, formed mainly by mountains and food stores, and the other urban, which is noted for its sacred zone with its temples, squares and royal tombs. The stairways and canals carved out of stone are recurrent throughout this remarkable archaeological site.
Amazon Jungle
Finally, spend four days in the jungle to relax or become an explorer. Walk through one of the most preserved jungles in the world, have a canoe trip through a river, observe animals in their natural habitat, and sleep with the cooing of the sounds of nature.
Peru’s Amazon rainforest covers two-thirds of the national territory and encircles the large city of Iquitos, which can only be reached by plane or boat. Tourists usually pass through frontier towns such as Puerto Maldonado, which leads to high-biodiversity jungle bordering Bolivia, but Peru’s northern rainforest is also very popular. Whether in low or high water season (beginning June and December respectively) hiking and kayaking are both on the menu. Anteaters, monkeys, jaguars, anacondas and indigenous tribes are just some of the sights on offer with experienced local guides. The less adventurous can enjoy superb bird watching, butterflies and plant life from the comfort of luxury lodges, without travelling deep into the jungle.
On Day 1, you will arrive by flight to Jorge Chavez International Airport where you will be greeted. From there, you will be treated to a private transfer to your selected hotel in Lima.
The following day will see you explore Lima. Lima is the bustling capital of Peru and a great city to explore. With this half-day city tour, you start at the city’s main square, to admire the Government Palace, and visit the Cathedral, where the conqueror Francisco Pizarro lies at his final resting place.
You also have the opportunity to visit the religious museum at the Cathedral. Then, your guide will take you to the San Francisco Church and the Monastery, where several areas are embellished with authentic Sevillian tiles dating back to 1620. Also remarkable are its Museum of Religious Art, the Zurbaran Room and the library. The complex was built on top of underground catacombs which were used as cemeteries during colonial times. Entrance to the Cathedral is included and entrance to the San Francisco convent is included.
You will also visit Larco Museum, for which admission is included. Located in an 18th-century vice-royal mansion, built on a pre-Columbian pyramid of the 17th century, its new galleries display the best and most complete collection of gold and silver in Peru. This museum showcases remarkable chronological galleries providing an excellent overview of 3000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. It features the finest gold and silver collection from ancient Peru and the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions.
You will have lunch and will again stay in Lima. Your lunch, as well as the entrance fees and tour, are all included in the price.
You will have a private transfer from your selected hotel to the airport in Lima with a guide. A domestic flight will then take you to Cusco with a private transfer from the airport in Cusco to your hotel with a guide. Please be aware of the sign with your name on it. Your transfers are included however flights are the customer’s responsibility.
The first activity of your time in Cusco is a City Tour, provided by an English-speaking tour guide. Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This beautiful city has an interesting history, both from Inca and colonial times. You start this half-day tour at Cusco’s main square. While the guide tells you more about the history of this special place, you can admire the city’s cathedral, built between 1560 and 1664 with the red granite stones from the Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The cathedral is without doubt one of the most impressive buildings in Cusco. Next, you continue to Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo. After exploring Cusco, you head to the nearby ruins, such as the Sacsayhuaman Fortress with its immense temple walls made out of huge stones constructed in a zigzag pattern. Full of new knowledge about the history of the Incas, you return to your hotel in Cusco.
Throughout this day your breakfast, entrance fees, and transport are all complimentary.
The following day, you will travel to the Sacred Valley. Located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, was unquestionably an important area for the Incas. With this full-day tour, you start the day by visiting the Pisac Andean markets. It is an interesting experience offering you new insights into the culture of this region and, of course, you also have time to do some shopping! In the afternoon, you will visit the Ollantaytambo Ruins. One of the best-preserved sites in this area is known as Hanan Huacaypata. The tour concludes with a stop at Chinchero, a village specialising in textile products that also have an interesting history to them. Afterwards, you are brought back to your hotel.
If you have ever dreamed of travelling through the Peruvian Andes on a train modelled on the Pullman cars of the 1920s, The Belmond Hiram Bingham train not only makes this possible, it turns a magical journey into an unforgettable experience, with personalised service that takes care of every last detail on your trip.
Travel on the exclusive and luxurious train, enjoy the elegant dining car, the bar car, and the observatory, where you can take in the unmatched scenery in the open air while sipping on a traditional Peruvian cocktail and listening to live local music. Start your experience off with a welcome cocktail. Once onboard, the maître will invite you to a brunch and gourmet lunch. The return trip includes a fine dining experience at dinner. In both cases, you can accompany your meals with beverages (non-premium) and an excellent wine selection.
Your transfers, dinner, entrance fees, guide and train tickets are included in the tour price. At an agreed time, you will return to Aguas Calientes for taking the train back to Cusco. From there, you will return to your hotel in Cusco for one more night.
Your remaining days will be spent enjoying the beautiful rainforests of Peru and taking part in a variety of activities. The excursions on offer are bespoke and therefore this itinerary is only an example. Begin the experience within the enchantment of the rainforest as you take a boat ride along the river to arrive at your chosen hotel. From there, you can choose from a number of activities.
The first day is the perfect time to explore your surroundings. There are many trails for you to explore with a guided tour which will allow you to take in the natural sights, flora and fauna. And if possible, at night the Twilight River Excursion is definitely recommended. The local area takes on a whole new lease of life when the sun goes down and the nocturnal life comes out.
Day Two gives you more time to explore what is around you. There are a number of lakes which you can visit on excursions, where you can take out rowboats and relax in the water. Or, for more adventure, try out the local Canopy Walkway. 29 metres above the forest, this is one of the best ways to travel through the rainforest.
Day Three, again allows you more time to explore. There are a number of wildlife trails which can fill an entire day. Visit the Chuncho Clay Lick for one of the world’s best places to see macaws, or take a trip to Gamitana Creek where you can find piranhas, turtles, and a variety of birds. Or for a more educational side, there are a number of scientific researchers who operate in the region, and a number of tour operators who know everything there is to know about the area.
Day Four is the last chance to enjoy the relaxation and unique experience of the rainforest. Whether you take in the information from the scientific projects in the area, take a guided tour one last time, or simply spend your time relaxing, this is the last day to enjoy the experience.
You will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight.
Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
Visa requirements:
Please keep in mind that you are responsible for verifying the visa requirements of your destination country and then obtaining the visa accordingly.
In addition, most countries require that travellers hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the day of entry into the country, so confirm that you meet the passport, visa and medical requirements (if applicable) of the country of entry in advance.
- Services detailed in the program
- Room with breakfast
- Transfer from/to the airport
- Inbound and outbound flights
- Personal expenses
- Tips
This trip is suitable for people with all levels of fitness, however if you except to do a lot of hikes then a moderate level of fitness is advised.
Suitable for ages 5 to 80
