Peru: The Amazon to the Andes

Day notes

Welcome to Peru!

Your once-in-a-lifetime journey to experience the incredible culture and natural beauty of Peru awaits.

You will be met on arrival after taking care of arrival formalities and transferred a short distance
to your airport hotel for the night.

Day notes

After some rest, you will be met at the hotel and return to the airport for your short morning flight to Iquitos where you will be met on arrival to begin your 3-night Amazon cruise aboard the Delfin II, the first Relais & Châteaux Cruise in the world. 

The 14 cabins of Delfin II include movie screen sized windows and first-rate design. They offer both elegance and comfort while sailing through the Amazon region. An array of spaces, including the dining room, an observation deck and lounge, a bar, an entertainment center, and a lecture room, among others, provide ideal gathering places for all guests.

All excursions are included with the cruise and are led by expert naturalist guides. All meals are also included.

Day notes

For all short transport (such as from the vessel to land for hiking) and wildlife seeking excursions, you will travel via skiff boats. The skiffs are stable to ride and ready to navigate into the most hidden corners of the Amazon. Each skiff comes with its own expert naturalist guide, captain, and features all safety regulations. Excursions and itineraries are dependent on natural and weather conditions and are thus subject to change.

The pink river dolphin is a rare species found in the freshwater rivers of the Amazon near Iquitos. They are social, friendly and extremely intelligent creatures, and one of the highlights of a visit to the Amazon Basin. They also love the company of humans. Do not be afraid to go for a swim with these remarkable creatures. Make sure you bring your bathing suit and a waterproof camera. A snapshot of the pink river dolphin will definitely be one for your Amazon adventure scrapbook.

A whole new world awaits you after dark.

Exploring the jungle by day is only half the fun as the adventures continue past sundown. The sound of the jungle at night is intense, and unlike anything you have ever experienced. Looking up to the sky, the stars are so visible and dense, it is like peering through a window into outer space. The groups are led by expert guides who will direct your attention to wildlife that often goes unseen. This is your chance to spot the black caimans, bats, frogs, and other nocturnal creatures. The night safaris are a very unique experience and one you will never forget.

For those who enjoy fishing, try your hand a catching the Amazon's various exotic fish with an environmental approach.

Fishing was never more exciting as in the lagoons and creeks of the Upper Amazon jungle, where you can encounter the mighty peacock bass, the gigantic awe-inspiring Amazon catfish, and other exotic sporting species while enjoying the comfort, security, and style of a Delfin Amazon Cruises experience. As part of our commitment to the environment, we exercise a strict policy of catch and release.

Day notes

See the Amazon waterways up, close and personal. Native 16” River Kayaks are available to guests and make for excellent opportunities to paddle smoothly and silently into small creeks, tributaries, and lagoons. They have been especially designed with durability and stability for fishing trips, meaning that in the calm waters of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve you are able to gently row downstream. Each kayak seats 2 people. 

A different and fun approach to discover the Amazon and its wildlife is by paddle boarding. And because of the calm, often ripple-less waters of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, it is an activity suitable for all ages. The coolness of the river water over your feet while you brush past the banks, eyeing wildlife, is an experience you do not want to miss.

Day notes

This morning, disembark the Delfin II and visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (ACOBIA), where you will have the chance to feed manatees and learn about these docile creatures and why they are on the endangered species list. In addition, there are other animals cared for by the center that have been rescued from capture and other threatening conditions. These include monkey species, river otters, and more. A band of dedicated volunteers work hard all year round to ensure their efforts are sustained.

You will then be taken to the airport in time for your flight to Lima. 

After your flight back to Lima, you will be greeted on arrival in Lima once again and transferred to your luxury hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day notes

Today, experience Lima’s historic and cultural highlights. The day starts with a curator led tour of the Larco Herrera Museum which contains the world's largest private collection of pre-Columbian art.

Continue to colonial Lima, a UNESCO world-heritage site. Begin in the picturesque Plaza de Armas, view the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), the Cathedral of Lima,  and the Municipalidad (City Hall). Afterwards, a true highlight is a visit to Casa Aliaga, which holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited private residence in the Southern Hemisphere.

Lastly, visit Convento de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Convent), a religious and architectural gem. From here, leave behind Lima's historical center and travel the streets of modern Lima towards San Isidro, the city’s financial district and onward to Miraflores with vast views of the Pacific Ocean.

Day notes

Today, we invite you to engage with the local community in a truly authentic way with an Evolved Experience. The Evolved Traveler believes travel is “evolving” into something more than we have previously experienced or knew it to be. There is a desire for it to be more meaningful, more impactful, more enriching, and certainly more engaging. We understand our guests wish to travel with a purpose and to truly engage with the cultures they visit, and that is why we have created the Evolved Experience.

Evolved Experiences are a core and unique component to all our journeys that provide you, our Evolved Traveler, with experiences that far exceed the par-for-the-course of luxury travel. Evolved Experiences allow our guests the opportunity to make a lasting impression on the communities they visit, extend their hand in a gesture of global community, and create memories that can be cherished for years to come, not only for themselves but for those they visit.

Leaving Lima, a short flight takes you to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, formerly the heart of the Incan Empire.

Your time in the Sacred Valley incorporates one of our Evolved Experiences. You will meet with the management and students of the Sol y Luna Association this afternoon. Sol y Luna Hotel's purpose is to support the foundation which provides housing and education for underprivileged or at-risk Peruvian children, grades K-12, that would not otherwise have these basic amenities. The Sol y Luna Foundation is also the first organization The Evolved Traveler will provide additional support to through our partnership with Pack For A Purpose.

Later, wander through the Pisac market taking in the sensory fusion of this lively and colorful market. Finally, visit the Hacienda Huayoccari, a mansion preserving local history with its eclectic art collection. Your visit culminates with an unforgettable lunch prepared with fresh produce right from the plantation and the current inhabitants of the house, the Lambarri-Orihuela family, will be your hosts.

The remainder of the day is yours at leisure.

Day notes

Today, the dramatic landscapes, historical highlights, and cultural vibrancy of the Sacred Valley unfold before you. Begin with a visit to Salinas de Maras (Salt Pans of Maras), a still-operating salt mine in use since Incan times.

Continue to Moray, a fascinating archaeological testament to the advanced nature of Incan agricultural engineering. Next, travel to the district of Chincheros, celebrated for its traditional, colorful, quality textiles, and it’s lively Sunday market. Here, you will be introduced to the weaver's workshop of Nilda Callañaupa, which inspired the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco (Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco), preserving the beautiful, high quality textiles of the region.

Later this afternoon, visit Ollantaytambo, one of the last remaining Incan towns, and one of the largest Incan archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. Time permitting, you will get a chance to mingle with the locals at a typical Peruvian Andes establishment, a "chichería" to end the day.

Day notes

Set off today for one of the world’s most magnificent sites, Machu Picchu.

Departing the Sacred Valley, you will be transported by the luxury Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes, the base town for Machu Picchu citadel and its ruins. Along the way, you will enjoy a gourmet brunch served on board the 5-star train.

Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, elicits a spiritual air, one that you can feel wholeheartedly as you approach. Revel in its masterpiece of engineering and architecture, spirituality and energy, history and legends while on your private tour. 

Enjoy tea time at the Sanctuary Lodge as you savor the sights before enjoying the remainder of the day at leisure. 

Day notes

This morning is at your leisure, relax, unwind, and enjoy your surroundings. Whether you wish to return to Machu Picchu (recommended at sunrise), make spa appointments, or relax in your beautiful hotel.

A late check-out is arranged until it’s time to board the Hiram Bingham train once again for the return to Cusco. A four-course, South American inspired dinner will be served on board the train.

Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be met and transferred to your luxury hotel. 

Day notes

A day of touring Cusco begins with the best view of the city from atop Cerro Pukamoqo (Red Peak), a natural scenic overlook. Next, visit the stone Fortress of Sacsayhuamán, assembled with incredible precision. Descending to the lower part of the city, visit the Mercado de San Pedro (Market of St. Peter) and immerse in the sights, aromas, tastes, and colors of the region.

From here, continue to the Korikancha (the Golden Temple)—an impressive Incan temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun God. Complete the day with a stroll through the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), to admire the art and architecture of the cathedral and the Cusco School of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Day notes

Return to Lima late this morning and on arrival, travel to the Barranco neighborhood, the city's trendy “Bohemian quarter,” where artists, photographers, and authors call home. Visit the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), which served as a source of inspiration for one of Peru's great composers, Chabuca Granda. Continue to Mario Testino Museum – MATE – one of the most influential and well-known fashion and portrait photographers.

You will have use of a day room at Belmond Miraflores Park hotel prior to your departure to the airport later this evening. Enjoy a final trip through Lima on your private transfer to the airport as you relish and reflect on all you have experienced on your spectacular journey which brought you from the Amazon to the Andes!