Epic Peru - Amazon & Machu Picchu - 2024-25

On your arrival at Lima Airport, once you have cleared border formalities, you are met and escorted to the hotel and assisted with the check in procedure at your hotel located inside of Lima airport.

Overnight - Costa del Sol Wydham Hotel Lima Airport

Today you fly from Lima to Iquitos to begin your Amazon cruise.  On arrival you are met and board our private transfer to the exclusive Nauta Lounge for a welcome lunch before embarkation.

Settle into your generously-sized suite aboard the Aqua Nera as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures.  Following an introduction to your naturalist guides and a routine safety drill you gather at the restaurant for the first of many Amazonian cuisine experiences created by Aqua Nera consulting chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, ÁmaZ, is one of Peru’s most renowned dining establishments.

Overnight - Aqua Nera

Today you rise with the sun for an early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River and enjoy breakfast in the middle of the jungle.

Next you visit an Amazonian village, where you can interact with native riberenos (people of the river) and witness and Aguaje palm harvesting demonstration. 

Later, go swimming, kayaking, or canoeing in the Yanayacu-Pucate Riverand keep an eye out for the legendary pink riverdolphins.  Finally, board the skiffs again to cruise along Yanaquillo River for a dusk excursion in search of nocturnal animals.

Overnight - Aqua Nera

The rewards for your early start today are plentiful: a full day excursion including a picnic lunch orchestrated to the tune of the jungle symphony, fishing along the black waters of the Samiria River, and an option to go canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or on a jungle walk inside the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

On the way back to the Marañon River after lunch, you venture out by skiff keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.

Overnight - Aqua Nera 

As the day begins, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the extraordinary black water Nauta Caño River.

If you wish, embark on a bike ride from Puerto Prado Village to Santa Cruz Village along the riverbank.

In the afternoon, take a jungle walk while looking for flora and fauna which may include medicinal trees, insects, and poison dart frogs.  Learn more about the different rainforest strata and ecosystems. 

Before dinner, meet the incredible crew who’ve been working behind the scenes to ensure your exceptional experience aboard Aqua Nera.

Overnight - Aqua Nera 

In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market to view the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon, and sample exotic snacks if you wish.

You then return to the Aqua Nera for breakfast and to pack up. 

Before saying goodbye, you will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a sanctuary for orphaned Amazonian manatees to rehabilitate before their release back into the wild. 

You are then transferred to Iquitos Airport for the flight back to Lima.

You are met and assisted to the Airport Hotel.

Overnight - Costa del Sol Wydham Hotel Lima Airport

This morning, you are met and assisted for your check in for your domestic flight to Cusco.

Upon arrival in Cusco, you are driven to the “Sacred Valley of the Incas”, a succession of picturesque Andean towns, agricultural terraces, and many archaeological sites, as well as the world’s most famous white corn cultivated for export. The mild climate, the varied and dramatic scenery of snow-capped mountains, flowering meadows, lush green hills and spectacular flora and fauna, make the Valley a prime adventure destination in South America. At a lower elevation than Cusco, the Valley is a warmer and less physically taxing environment for visiting the many attractions of the region, including Machu Picchu.

On your way to the Sacred Valley you visit Sacsayhuaman which is the largest and most impressive of four archaeological ruins on the outskirts of Cusco. Built by the Incas, it served an important military function and was the site of a major battle with the Spanish in 1536. The complex was constructed out of massive stones, some weighing as much as 300 tons, cut to fit together without the use of mortar.

Stop to learn the ancient weaving techniques used to create Andean clothing at Casa Museo Textil Sulca, an Interpretation Center of pre-Columbian textiles, where you learn about ancestral techniques and designs of the ancient Peruvians, to maintain the material and cultural legacy.  They work together with artisans from Andean communities in the Ayacucho and Cusco region, allowing artisans to keep their cultural identity, history and tradition alive, procuring them a better quality of life.

In the afternoon you check-in at your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Overnight - Sol y Luna

This morning you are driven to the nearby town of Pisac and its market, originally place where people from remote communities used to barter their products. Pisac has evolved to one of South America’s most famous souvenir markets. Make sure to sample some ‘empanadas’ baked in traditional clay ovens. Try your bargaining skills here always keeping in mind handmade artwork is worth it!

For an immersion into the heart of the Andean culture you will visit the charming Amaru community and its wonderful and amazing people. Straight from the hands of local craftspeople, you learn about textiles and the weaving process. The vivid colors of the Amaru villagers’ clothing are derived from natural dyes made from plants and other organic elements with which they decorate wool. Today you learn about “cochineal” red and the secret properties of some other medicinal plants in the area, as well as from other activities the community runs. Enjoy lunch at the community.

In the afternoon you return to your hotel for dinner at your leisure.

Overnight - Sol y Luna

You meet your driver in the lobby and are transferred to Ollantaytambo station and depart on the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. 

The train takes a spectacular journey through a changing landscape while you enjoy mimosas on board, passing lush fields and colourful villages in the foothills of the Andes. The journey is highlighted by wonderful vistas of the mountains and the beautiful Urubamba River, which runs through the Sacred Valley. 

On arrival in the town of Aguas Calientes, you enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and then board an exclusive bus to Machu Picchu.

Here you meet your guide for a complete tour that will take approximately two hours. Machu Picchu, which means “Old Mountain”, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the seven new wonders of the world. You will enjoy your time visiting the Sacred Inca citadel, exploring its main temples and hidden corners.

Overnight - Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

Early this morning you meet your guide for a second visit to Machu Picchu.  Your entrance to the citadel is scheduled to beat the crowds.  

Having done a first visit the day before, this second visit allows for a different circuit and the chance to climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain.

You will climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain behind the actual site of Machu Picchu. From a distance the mountain looks impossible to climb but even though it is a strenuous climb which might require the use of both hands and feet, the climb is possible for averagely fit visitors.

For many people climbing Huayna Picchu is one of the highlights when visiting Machu Picchu. The climb itself is interesting as you will see how the Inca steps out of the rocks.

Before you reach the top you will also have to go through a tunnel carved in the rocks and the higher you get the more structures you will recognise on the top of the mountain. The views (on a clear day) of Machu Picchu seen from Huayna Picchu are breathtaking and do really give you an impression of the magnitude of the site.

Note: Huayna Picchu hike is a steep ascent and is not suggested for guests afraid of heights.

You return to Sanctuary Lodge for lunch and have the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight - Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

This morning, you board a bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes and proceed to the station to take the Vistadome train back to the Sacred Valley.

On arrival to the train station, you will be met and transferred to Cusco and check in to your hotel.

No plans have been made this afternoon.

Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas 

This morning your Cusco visit starts with the San Pedro market, a vibrant spot in a very busy area in town that can keep you entertained for hours.  Here you can have a first-hand look at how locals live day-to-day, outside the confines of Cusco’s tourist zones.  By observing the scene you can hear the language as it is spoken and properly pronounced, view the gestures and habits that are common to the Andean culture, smell the scents of local produce and flora, absorb the styles and textures of the local fashion, see the fruits, vegetables and meats that make up the main staples of traditional meals. 

You then continue to Cusco’s main attractions.  You start with a visit to Santo Domingo Monastery, the legendary Korikancha (Temple of Gold), the most important Inca temple devoted to worshipping the Sun, whose walls used to be plated with sheets of gold.  Continue with a visit to the Cathedral, an amazing example of Colonial architecture, its interior keeps fine paintings of Cusco school.  Finally, you proceed to the San Blas quarter with a walk by this quaint district and one of the finest views of the city.  This quarter is home to the workshops and stores of the most renowned craftsmen in Cusco, including Mendivil, Merida, Rojas and Palomino.

This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the hotel or explore the city on your own.

Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas 

Today is at your leisure to explore the city on your own.

Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas 

After breakfast, you are transferred to Cusco Airport for your flight to Lima.

Here you connect with your homebound flight and depart Peru.

End of arrangements