Special 6: Discover Peru

Take an early flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon your arrival you will be immediately transferred to your jungle lodge. It is located in the territory of the Ese'eja native community and is built with the same materials and architectural techniques as those used by the native communities throughout the Amazon. As you leave the traces of the city of Puerto Maldonado behind, sailing in a dugout canoe on the Tambopata River, the tranquility of the rainforest absorbs you.

At dawn a short hike takes you to the parrot clay lick a few minutes down-river from the lodge. Later, after breakfast, you can try to spot giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin, and wading birds. In the afternoon you will go for a walk through the forest. Enthusiasts can go on a night hike.

At dawn you can go for an optional visit to the clay lick. After breakfast, you will go for a hike accompanied by an Ese'eja who will explain how the forest is used in their everyday life: for food, medicine, construction materials etc. In the afternoon you will hike a different trail that crosses a floodplain and a bamboo forest.

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cuzco. You will be picked up at the airport and taken to your comfortable hotel where you are advised to rest to acclimatize to the altitude. That evening, enjoy Cuzco nightlife at your leisure.

In the early afternoon you will be taken on a city tour and will visit some of the many amazing archaeological sites and wonders in and around the city. You will see the Cathedral (which is located on the Plaza de Armas), Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Remember to bring your camera on this trip as you will certainly want a reminder of the amazing awe these Inca sites can evoke.

You will return to your hotel in the early evening to relax before dinner. Before setting out to eat in one of the many restaurants in Cuzco remember to put on something warm as it can get cold pretty quickly. Spend the evening enjoying the local cuisine and hospitality of Cuzco’s very friendly people.

See our Cuzco Guide for more in-depth information about the city, including Cuzco restaurants.

After an early breakfast and early start you will be taken through the Sacred Valley of the Inca where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. The drive from Cuzco is not very long and on the way you will see some typical Andean villages and scenery. Upon descent into the Sacred Valley you will know that you have arrived in the area the Inca revered for its lush fertile soils.

You will visit the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo. These ancient ruins look out as outposts over the valley and are a wonder to view. This was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti during the Inca Empire and served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui.

Later on, you will have the opportunity of visiting the lively local market in Pisac to enjoy the beautiful handicrafts on sale. It is here that many fine Andean garments are for sale. For lunch you will have the chance to try out traditional Andean foods.

In the evening you will return to your comfortable hotel in Cuzco where you will once again be given the opportunity to spend the evening at your leisure in one of the many fine restaurants or bars available in the area.

After breakfast at the hotel you will take a train to the hidden temple of the Incas: Machu Picchu. The train ride is a destination in itself as you pass through an abundant cloud forest with amazing views out over the Andes.

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, you will either be taken directly by bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu or to your very comfortable hotel - if you decide to spend the evening in the area - before you head to the ruins. The town is located a little ways down the pass and the bus up to the ruins takes about 20 minutes.

Once you arrive in Machu Picchu, you will begin a guided tour of this world wonder. If you decide to spend the night in this area (highly recommended) you will have another chance to visit the ruins early next day. You can also relax at the nearby hot springs. Otherwise you will return to the station in the mid afternoon for the train back to Cuzco and transfer back to your hotel.

See our Machu Picchu Guide for more in-depth information on restaurants, nightlife and shopping.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. From there we will take you the airport, train station or bus station for your transfer to Puno. Many travelers enjoy the beautiful 10 hour train ride to Puno, during which you will see spectacular views of the Andes. Once you reach Puno we will transfer you to your hotel.

Learn about the differences between the first-class bus to Puno and the luxury train to Puno.

During your full one day tour you will visit 2-3 of the Islands of Uros. There are an estimated 32 islands of Uros and are populated by islanders who are either close enough to Puno who are open to tourists and others who are far from Puno and live in relative isolation. The islands themselves are man made and are constructed from many layers of ‘totora’ reeds. These islands float around Lake Titicaca and are truly a wonder to behold. On some of the islands you will be given the chance to pick up some traditional local handicrafts.

Following this you will be lead to the Island of Taquile which is located about 45 km from Puno and is abundant with numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins. The local islanders still maintain many ancient traditions which can easily be seen though their time-honored clothing and beautiful handicrafts. You will be lead around the island to all of the most important sites such as the museum of traditional costumes and the ruins at the highest point of the island where, if you’re lucky, an incredible sunset can be observed.

You will be transferred to the airport or bus station for your flight or bus to Arequipa. Upon your arrival to Arequipa you will be picked up and taken to your comfortable hotel.

You will start out early to spend as much time as possible in the majestic Peruvian highlands arriving at the Colca Canyon lookout point "Cruz del Condor" in Chivay. Here you will have a panoramic view of the canyon. During your journey you will not only see amazing panoramas but also traditional Andean villages and animals - llamas, alpacas and vicuñas - whose wool is used by the inhabitants to make the finest of textiles. To fully enjoy the trip we have arranged an overnight stay in a lodge close to the canyon so that you will have every opportunity of photographing condors and grabbing up textile bargains. In the afternoon of day 12 you will return to your hotel in Arequipa - the White City.

Read about the Arequipa restaurants to learn where you can dine in this Andean city.

In the morning you will be taken on an Arequipa city tour to view what is considered by many to be the most attractive city in Peru, where many of the colonial buildings are made of white ashler stone. Late afternoon transfer to the Arequipa bus terminal to take your late afternoon bus to Nazca.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel you will be taken to view the extraordinary Nazca Lines. These geoglyphs, which were drawn between 500 B.C. and 500 A .D. are among the most impenetrable enigmas of archaeology by virtue of their quantity, nature and size, as well as their continuity. Some of the geoglyphs depict living creatures, plants or imaginary figures, as well as geometric figures several kilometers long. The lines are best viewed from the sky and during your flight you will be able to see the ornately designed drawings, including the condor, hummingbird, and monkey Many theories and studies exist to explain who made the lines and why, but the answer remains a mystery today. See our Nazca Guide for more in-depth information on the Nazca Lines.

In the morning you will be transferred to Paracas Bay where you will go on an adventurous boat trip to the Ballestas Islands. Here you will be able to spot sea lions, seals, penguins, guano birds and turtles (rarely found at this latitude) can be seen. The boat ride there will take you past the Candelabra (candlestick), a 50 meter long sketching in the hills of the mainland thought to be connected to the Nazca Lines. Some relate it to the Southern Cross constellation, while others say it is a drawing of a cactus, a symbol of power from the Chavin culture. See our Paracas Guide for more information on the area and its attractions.

In the afternoon you will take a bus to Lima.

Morning or afternoon city tour (your choice!).

One city tour will take you to the historical center where colonial and modern Lima still co-exist. In the city center’s Plaza Mayor (main square) you will find beautifully designed architecture, such as gates, altars and colonial balconies. Here you will be able to appreciate the buildings and landmarks that hold the most political and religious significance to the city such as the Cathedral, the Government Palace and city hall. You will also visit other recently restored landmarks such as San Martin Square, the Central Railway and Muralla Park.

In another city tour you will discover the Pre-Colombian history of Lima by visiting one of its most important sanctuaries: The Huaca (Temple) Pucllana. Built before the era of the Incas, the Huaca is an immense flat-top pyramid situated in Miraflores, one of the most modern districts of Lima. This provides an interesting contrast between the city’s past and present. After visiting the Huaca Pucllana, your tour will take you to the districts of Barranco and Miraflores where you will be able to appreciate the Pacific Ocean from the cliffs of Lima. 

At the appropriate time, transfer to the Lima airport for your international flight back home.

*Which city tour is utilized depends on arrival day in Lima.

• 3 nights in Puerto Maldonado, 4 nights in Cuzco or 3 nights in Cuzco/1 night in Aguas Calientes, 2 nights in Puno, 2 nights in Arequipa, 1 night in Colca Canyon, 1 night in Ica or Huacachina, 1 night in Nazca, 1 night in Lima, all in comfortable hotels based on US standards.
• Flight over Nazca Lines
• All guided visits are with English speaking tour guides.
• All meals at Posada Amazonas/Puerto Maldonado
• All transfers and entrance fees.
• All breakfasts. 4-star and up hotels offer breakfast buffets.

We recommend that you book more time in Cuzco. There is so much to see in and around the city that an extra day would amplify your Cuzco experience. We would be pleased to book an additional day(s) for you. Otherwise enjoy your 4 days / 3 nights Cuzco vacation and take in the sights and sounds of this magnificent city.

Have an extra day to visit the ruins on your own, relax at the local hot springs, and walk around the orchid gardens. The breathtaking beauty of Machu Picchu certainly deserves an extra day!

The sheer natural beauty of this area will revitalize any jaded soul. Learn why it is called the Sacred Valley.

This tour explains many of the intricacies of daily Peruvian life that are not commonly observed by the typical tourist. On this reality tour you will visit a quarry where locals extract volcanic ashler stone in the traditional, artisan way that they use to build their homes. You will also (safely) visit a shanty town where you can observe first hand the struggles and realities of daily life of the lower economic classes. In the shanty town you will visit a wawawasi- a public nursery school, and a local public cafeteria, where mothers come together to cook for their families. The next stop on the tour is a local market where you can try local fruits and vegetables. Finally, you will visit a local public elementary school.

NOTE: This tour is NOT FOR PROFIT. All money earned is used at the end of the year to buy necessary materials for the public cafeterias and the wawawasis. Some of the money is also destined to purchasing gifts for the children at the wawawasis.

With more than a thousand items from pre-Columbian cultures such as the Huari, Tiahuanuco, Chancay and Inca including ceramics, textiles, stone, wood and metal objects, the archaeology museum should not be missed. Despite all these artifacts on display, however, the most interesting attraction is arguably “Mummy Juanita” or “Ice Maiden” as she is also known. Discovered in 1995 by anthropologist Johan Reinhard in the summit crater of Mt. Ampato, Juanita is the Inca mummy of a girl who lived more than 500 years ago. The frozen state of the mummy permitted tests to be run on the organs that revealed new insights into Inca health and nutrition during the reign of the Sapa Inca Pachacuti. The discovery was heralded by Time magazine as one of the world’s top ten discoveries.

*Tour available April through December.

On the outskirts of Puno you will find the mysterious pre-Inca ruins called chullpas (funeral towers). They sit on the windswept altiplano (high planes) on a peninsula in Lake Umayo at Sillustani. The Colla people, a warrior tribe that spoke Aymara, buried their elite in giant cylindrical tombs, some as tall as 12 meters high (40 ft.). The stonemasonry is exquisite (many archaeologists and historians find them more complex and superior even to Inca engineering), and the structures form quite an impression on such a harsh landscape.

As an upgrade to a normal airport transfer:

As part of a group tour, roundtrip Puno-Sillustani-Puno*:

Lima is a city with 7 million people and has a number of things to do. You may go shopping, dinning, dancing, and sightseeing

There is still more to discover in this ecological paradise. More tours are available when you book extra days. All meals are included.

In this virgin rainforest, you will immediately notice the difference in wildlife abundance: macaws, kingfishers and cormorants can be spotted more frequently and the chances of encountering capybaras, caimans and other wildlife improve significantly. When you arrive at Tambopata Research Center you will be greeted by the ‘chicos’, a flock of semi-wild, rescued macaws. Tambopata Research Center lies close to the world’s largest macaw clay lick. Daily, hundreds of parrots and different species of macaws gather around the fifty meters high cliff, quarrelling over choice branches to grab a beakful of clay, a vital but mysterious part of their diet. All meals are included.

If you still can’t figure out the mystery of the lines, take an extra day to do so. You may also take a tour around the beautiful Paracas bay area.

Enjoy a horseback riding adventure across the Sacred Valley to Maras Moray Salt Mines. This is our most recommended additional service. Prices are per person for this private service (includes transfer to the Sacred Valley).

Located between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the campsite is situated at 2,800 meters a.s.l. and is close to the Vilcanota River. From here you can see the archeological site of Ollantaytambo, just a 30 minute walk from your campsite. The following day, you can walk to the train station, only 15 minutes away, and take the train to Machu Picchu.

Campsite is accessible by road, by rafting on the river Vilcanota or by trekking.

• Stationary tents
• Dining area
• Bathrooms
• Hot showers
• Potable water
• Campfire
• Pachamanca lunch
• Hammocks
• Soccer field, badminton court, volleyball court, petanque (a game similar to bowls)

Raft on the River Urubamba with category 2 and 3 currents, suitable for everyone. No experience necessary. Trip lasts approximately 2 hours.

Included: First-aid kit, bilingual guide service, canoeing kit, life- jackets, oars, waterproof pants, and transportation from and to campsite.

Not included: Bottled water, food, tips.

This site, constructed by the Incas, is the oldest known horticultural experimental center in the world. Each terraced level gives a different micro climate in which different crops can be grown. The terraces built into the natural surrounding landscape are fascinating. Prices are per person for this private service:

This horseback riding tour will take you to the beautiful countryside around the city of Cuzco. (minimum 2 people)

Watch professional Peruvian dancers and musicians perform to traditional Andean music during a delicious dinner.

Experience the Lima nightlife inside a party bus. This bus will tour the city of Lima while you have the chance to dance and enjoy music that is popular among the lively Lima nightlife crowd.

Enjoy a traditional dinner in Lima entertained by the best dancers in Peru.

Dine at one of Lima´s sophisticated restaurants. Lima has a reputation for having the best restaurants in South America. Most restaurants offer folk shows.

Lima has some of the best museums in the country. We'll take you to an archaeological museum where you will be able to observe ancient pieces of Peruvian history.

This tour takes you 35 miles off the coast of Lima into deep waters and is primarily for bird enthusiasts. However, there is also an excellent chance that you will see whales and dolphins, penguins and sea lions.

Detailed Itinerary for our Lima Full Day Seabird Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour.

Unlike the above tour, this half day at sea is primarily for the purpose of whale and dolphin spotting, although you there is the possibility of also seeing penguins and sea lions.

Detailed Itinerary for our Lima Half Day Whale & Dolphin Watching.

Discover the culinary history and culture of Lima as we take you on a tour that begins in a typical farmer’s market and finishes in one of the finest restaurants in the country, if not the world. As a top culinary destination, Peru offers cuisine that reflects the richness and dynamic fusion of various cultures that have created not only a new Peruvian cuisine but have helped to redefine a new national identity.

Visit the beautiful Paracas bay area.

Expand your visit to Lake Titicaca by staying overnight on the breathtaking Island of Amantani.

Cross Lake Titicaca. We have several 1 and 2-day options. Please contact us for further information.