Peru explore the culture with Amazon rainforest 9 days

Description

Explore the vibrant Peruvian culture and pristine Amazon rainforest in this 9-day tour. Discover Lima’s iconic landmarks on the City Tour. Immerse yourself in Cusco’s rich heritage during the City Tour and delve into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit Aguas Calientes and be awestruck by the mystical Machu Picchu. Unwind at the serene Lake Apu Victor and encounter fascinating wildlife on the Isla de los Monos tour. Embark on this unforgettable journey of tradition and natural wonders. Book now for an extraordinary experience!

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport – Lima Hotel

On your arrival to the Lima international airport, our staff will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel in the capital.  You will have a free afternoon to explore the city, try out the local cuisine or relax after your international flight.

TRAVEL ADVICE

We suggest that you purchase your international flight to lima city at your preferred time, however, allowing the time to visit the most interesting parts of Miraflores.  Visit the Kennedy Park, locally known as the “Cat Park” due to its feline inhabitants, The Parque del Amor, where you can spend your time, wandering around the stunning “Malecon of Miraflores”, with a panoramic ocean view of The Pacific. You can also do some handicraft shopping in Larcomar, a world class shopping centre built into the coastal cliffs and with unparalleled views of the Pacific.

  • Overnight: Hotel in Lima.
  • Check in : 12:00 / Check out : 9:00 am
  • Meals: none

NOTE: If your arrival time is before check-in time, you can use the hotel’s common areas while you wait.

Day 2: Lima City Tour (Modern and Colonial centres and the Santo Domingo Convent) –03.30 hour tour

In the morning, we will head out on a tour of down town Lima where we will visit the historical sites in the center, spanning the 3 historical periods.

MODERN LIMA: We will then make a stop off at the Intihuatana Park, found in Miraflores, with a spectacular backdrop of The Pacific Ocean. We will begin our tour in the modern, residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro. We will be able to see the Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial temple in the form of a pyramid, which managed to survive the urban expansion of the city of Lima. We will then continue to the Olivar Park and the financial centre of San Isidro.

COLONIAL LIMA: Our tour will then take us to the historical center of Lima, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. This was the administrative center of the Spanish Invaders on their arrival in the 16th century and where they built their first buildings in Peru. We will visit the Plaza San Martín, with its stunning balconies and colonial architecture, the Plaza Mayor and its most important buildings such as the Government Palace, The cathedral, The Archbishops palace, The Municipal palace and The Desamparados Train Station, amongst others.

THE SANTO DOMINGO CONVENT : We will then head to one of the most important convents of the 17th Century, where important relics of Peru´s most worshipped Saints are found, Santa Rosa of Lima, San Martin de Porres and San Juan Macías. To finish this remarkable tour of Lima, we can visit the Indian market to buy handicrafts from all parts of Peru, head to Larcomar, or return to your hotel for the evening.

  • Overnight: Hotel in Lima
  • Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Lima Airport – Cusco

Our staff will be waiting for you at the Cusco Airport, to take you to your hotel, just let us know your exact arrival time and flight number. Here, you will be welcomed with a hot cup of the famous coca tea. You will have a free afternoon to acclimatize, as the city of Cusco is at an altitude of 3,399 m (11,151 feet).

IMPORTANT ADVICE ON ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

Please be prepared for the fact that the high elevation, will make you feel more tired than normal on your arrival, so we recommend that you take the afternoon easy. If you are feeling fine, then have a cup of coca tea, which will help you acclimatize quicker. It is recommended to take a light walk, maybe to see The Plaza De Armas, to see the incredible colonial buildings, built on top of Inca foundations. It is important to drink a lot of water at high elevation, which will help you with the process of acclimatization. For the first few days at high elevation, it is also important toe at light meals as your digestion will be slower and later on you will have the opportunity to try the famous Guinea pig, a dish which was revered by the Incas and is still a national dish of The Andes and is eaten on special occasions and celebrations. One thing you must not miss on one of your free days is a visit to the “Centro QOSQO” of native art a show which demonstrates traditional dances, costume and music of the region. The show begins at 6pm, but we recommend that you arrive 40 minutes earlier and wait in line, as many people want to go to the see this unique spectacular. If you have the “Boleto Turistico” included in your package, you will have free access to this incredible show.

  • Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
  • Check in: 12:00pm / Check out: 09:00am
  • Meals: none

NOTE: If your arrival time is earlier than the check-in time, you can use the hotel’s common areas while you wait.

Day 4: Cusco City Tour (Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay) – 5 hr tour

Today, we will visit some of the most interesting sites in Cusco and the surrounding area. We will begin with a visit to the Cusco cathedral found on the Plaza De Armas and is the principal church in this imperial city. It was built on the foundations of the temple of The Inca Wiracocha. The cathedral displays over 300 paintings belong to the Cusco school of art. We will then head on to the Qoricancha which is the Quechua Word for “Temple of Gold”. This was the first temple to be constructed by The Incas, and was originally covered with large amounts of silver and gold. We will next head out of Cusco City to the close by ruins of Sacsayhuaman, famous for its enormous megaliths and giant stones, that weigh over 150 tonnes. During Inca times, it was considered the “Temple of lightening”, in honour to the deity Illapa. We will then head to the nearby ruins of Q’enqo, a religious site dedicated to the Mother Earth where you can still see carved stones and constructions. There is also a sacrificial altar where the Incas were thought to make offerings and sacrifices to The Mother Earth. After this, we will visit the to the impressive Inca fortress of Puka Pukara, which means “Red Castle” in the ancient Inca language of Quechua. Our final visit will be to Tambomachay, where we can appreciate a sacred temple dedicated to an ancient water cult which probably also functioned as a purification bath for the Inca governors. We will then return to Cusco City, where we Will drop you off at your hotel or in the central “Plaza de Armas”.

  • Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
  • Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Pisaq and Ollantaytambo) - connection to Aguas Calientes (8-hour tour)

Today you will discover the incredible Sacred Valley of the Inca, also called the Vilcanota Valley after the river that flows through it. After breakfast, we will first head to the artisan centre of Awanacancha, where we can see up close the famous llamas. You will also have the opportunity to chat with the local craftsmen and learn about the techniques and appreciate the intricacy of their Peruvian textiles and artwork. This is the perfect place to buy souvenirs for your loved ones back home and contribute to local craftspeople and artisans of The Andes, as well as purchase an intricate and authentic piece of fine textile, with an original beauty that can only be found in this region. We will then head to the archaeological site of Pisaq, situated on the mountain top. This magnificent site is composed of many sections of terraces and archaeological structures, built on the hillside of the high mountain. The perfect example of stunning countryside and impressive stonework, which combine to make this spectacular site. We will then head down to the town of Pisaq and its famous handicraft market, where local people sell their variety of handmade products, using techniques dating back to ancestral times. We will then head along the Sacred Valley to the town of Urubamba, where we will stop for lunch and where we will have the opportunity to sample some of the local delicacies, of the Peruvian kitchen including salads, soups, ceviche a variety of main courses and delectable desserts. After lunch, we will visit the impressive archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, quite probably constructed to monitor the entrance into this part of the valley and protect the Incas from possible invasion. We will have the opportunity to walk through its narrow, cobbled streets and gain a better idea about how this site functioned during Inca times, as a strategic military outpost as well as a religious and cultural centre. After the visit, we will then board the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu. On arrival, the hotel representative will be waiting for us to take us to the hotel.

  • Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Machu Picchu – Cusco (2h30m Tour) - private

In the morning, according to the scheduled time, our guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the bus station where you will climb 400m along a winding path for 20min to reach the incredible wonder of the world “The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu”, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Upon arriving at the Machu Picchu citadel with our guide, we will pass through the entrance and begin the tour of the entire citadel. For around 2h30m we will visit the main places in Machu Picchu.

We return to the town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants (lunch not included). After lunch, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo (depending on train departure time availability). The return will follow the same route as the departure. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, the train representative will be waiting to take you to the bus heading to your hotel in Cusco.

  • Overnight : Hotel in Cusco
  • Meals: breakfast 

Day 7: Cusco – Airport – Puerto Maldonado

Depending on the time of your flight, we will collect you from your hotel and take you to the Cusco airport.

AT THE MOMENT YOU BUY YOUR AIRLINE TICKETS, YOUR FLIGHT SHOULD ARRIVE IN PUERTO MALDONADO NO LATER THAN 1 PM

Arrive into Puerto Maldonado, coined the Capital of Biodiversity. Begin your Amazon adventure with a 25-minute boat ride navigating the clay-coloured Madre de Dios River to reach Inkaterra Hacienda Conception lodge. Settle into your stylish stilted wooden cabaña or room on our private eco-reserve and then head to the palm-thatched Casa Grande dining room for a buffet lunch before exploring the rainforest on foot, starting from the Eco Center.

Take a walk along the Concepcion Trails, winding  through  the  property’s nature trails for an immersive introduction to the intricate ecosystems of the Amazon basin. Backed by the  protected Tambopata  National  Reserve and built on the grounds of a former cacao and rubber plantation,  Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion  harbours primary and secondary  rainforest inhabited with exotic wildlife and tropical plants.

At dusk witness the enchanting transformation of the rainforest from a diurnal to a nocturnal environment on a guided Twilight River boat ride, as animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the shadows of the night. See if you can spot caimans lurking on the riverbanks and stars of the southern hemisphere.

In the evening enjoy à-la-carte dining, drawing on local Amazon ingrédients for inspiration. Retreat to your cabaña or room to listen to the curious calls and croaks of the rainforest at night.

  • Overnight: lnkaterra Hacienda Conception
  •  Mealsbreakfastlunch and dinner

Day 8: Tour Lago Sandoval – Canopy Walkay

Optionally join us in the early hours, with buffet breakfast served from 05:30. Visit Lake Sandoval, a plassy, ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve, reached via a sun-dappled rainforest trail. Board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly paddle through a stream and glide onto Lake Sandoval, flanked by picture—perfect palms. This lake is home to many species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bullied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles, black caimans amongst others. Return to lnkaterra Hacienda Conception in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, we recommend climbing the exhilarating Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. The Canopy Walkway is a sophisticated and safe network distributed over seven ecologically constructed hanging suspension bridges, strung between eight treetop observation platforms above the forest floor. This is an unforgettable opportunity to observe the rainforest from the rooftop and gain a sense of its size. Ascend the first vertipinous tower 38 meters (124 feet) above pround, keeping an eye out for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth. It’s possible to extend your elevated stay with sunset drinks from atop a tower, – or spend a once-in-a-lifetime night in a specially designed treehouse cabin with surprising comforts  (additional cost applies).

Back at the lodge, you can venture out onto the Hidden Forest excursion. Armed with flashlights, as your senses heighten to the movements and sounds in the undergrowth of the forest, keep an eye for species that only emerge during night time.

On the other hand if you wish to rest, book yourself an indulgent therapy at our Nua spa, built in the middle of the rainforest .

A-la-carte dinner is served from 19:00.

  • Overnight: lnkaterra Hacienda Conception
  • Included mealsbreakfastlunch and dinner

Day 9: Transfer Hotel – Puerto Maldonado Airport

Enjoy your last morning waking to the sounds of the rainforest as parakeets chatter away in the trees and monkeys swing through the treetops.

Breakfast is served in Casa Grande with check-out at 10:00. Depending on the time of your departure flight, lunch can also be arranged (additional cost applies). Embark your ready-waiting motorized wooden boat for the 25-minute return trip along the Madre de Dios River until arriving at the airport.

Please note that activities and excursions are subject to change depending on weather conditions at the time of your visit.

This marks the end of our services.

  • Check in: 12:00 check out : 9:00 am

NOTE: If your arrival time is after the hotel check-out time, you can use the hotel’s common areas while you wait

What's Included

  • Day 1- Tansfer from Airport - Hotel Lima (private)
    - Assistance
  • Day 2- Lima City Tour: Transportation, Guide and Tickets
    - Assistance
  • Day 3- Transfer Hotel – Lima Airport
    - Transfer Airport – Hotel Cusco
    - Assistance
  • Day 4- Cusco City Tour: Transportation, Guide and Tickets
    - Assistance
  • Day 5- Sacred Valley Tour: Transport, Guide, entrance tickets and lunch
    - Train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (PERU RAIL/INCA RAIL)
    - Transfer Train Station – Hotel Cusco
    - Assistance
  • Day 6- Bus Águas Calientes – Machu Picchu
    - Tickets to Machu Picchu
    - Professional tour Guide
    - Guided Tour Machu Picchu
    - Bus Machu Picchu – Águas Calientes
    - Train Águas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (PERU RAIL/INCA RAIL)
    - Transfer Train Station – Hotel Cusco
    - Assistance
  • Day 7- Transfer Hotel – Cusco Airport
    - Transfer Puerto Maldonado Airport – Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción.
    - Plunpe into the depths of the rainforest with the Conception Trails jungle walk and take a Twilight River cruise as nocturnal creatures awake.
  • Day 8- Hike through rainforest and glide across Lake Sandoval
    - Scale the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway for panoramic views and observe wildlife activity under darkness exploring the Rainforest by Night
    - Assistance
  • Day 9- Set off by boat from your lodge until you arrive at the airport in Puerto Maldonado to take your departure flight.
    - Assistance
  • Hotels- 2 nights hotel in Lima with breakfast
    - 3 nights hotel in Cusco with breakfast
    - 1 day hotel in Aguas Calientes with breakfast
    - 2 nights hotel Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción with breakfast,lunch and dinner
    - 24 hour assistance

What's Not Included

  • Drinks except those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Meals except those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Snacks
  • Phone calls
  • Extra spending money
  • Tips/gratuities
  • Travel insurance

Optional Services

  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain: USD 80.00 per person (must be booked in advance)
  • Return Train VISTADOME/360° with panoramic views, typical dance show (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo) - Upgrade service: USD 65,00 per person
  • Lunch Buffet at Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant Machu Picchu - USD 45.00 per person.

What to Take

  • Passport with at least 6 months validity
  • Light daypack
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Toilet paper
  • Sunscreen
  • Repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Clothing for hot and cold weather conditions
  • Sunhat
  • Rain gear or poncho
  • Long-sleeved shirts, (due to there being mosquitos in Machu Picchu)
  • Walking shoes/boots
  • Camera
  • Extra memory stick and additional batteries
  • Personal medications (for headaches, anti-inflammatory´s etc).
  • Extra Cash in soles and small denominations if possible

Prices

Economic ★★★

Prices

Single Room
US$ 1,607.00 / person
Double Room
US$ 1,221.00 / person
Triple Room
US$ 1,188.00 / person

Hotels

Lima
Cusco
Aguas Calientes
Puerto Maldonado

Touristy ★★★

Prices

Single Room
US$ 1,690.00 / person
Double Room
US$ 1,273.00 / person
Triple Room
US$ 1,244.00 / person

Hotels

Lima
Cusco
Aguas Calientes
Puerto Maldonado

First ★★★★

Prices

Single Room
US$ 1,905.00 / person
Double Room
US$ 1,371.00 / person
Triple Room
US$ 1,351.00 / person

Hotels

Lima
Cusco
Aguas Calientes
Puerto Maldonado

Premium ★★★★

Prices

Single Room
US$ 2,240.00 / person
Double Room
US$ 1,586.00 / person
Triple Room
US$ 1,543.00 / person

Hotels

Lima
Cusco
Aguas Calientes
Puerto Maldonado

Luxury ★★★★★

Prices

Single Room
US$ 3,334.00 / person
Double Room
US$ 2,181.00 / person
Triple Room
US$ 2,067.00 / person

Hotels

Lima
Cusco
Aguas Clientes
Puerto Maldonado

General Information

If the tour is cancelled due to weather conditions, do I get my money back?

No. Tour cancellations due to bad weather conditions are non-refundable, as these are factors beyond our control.

If my tour is cancelled, is the entrance fee to Machu Picchu refundable?

According to the latest updates from the Direccion desconcentrada de Cultura de Cusco, all entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are for personal use. Therefore, tickets purchased for Machu Picchu are not reprogrammable, nor transferable to another date and/or person, nor are refundable.

For the train trip to Machu Picchu, what do I do with my luggage? do I leave it at the hotel or take it with me?

The company that takes you by train to Machu Picchu does not allow you to take a suitcase of more than 5 kg. This means that most people pack a smaller backpack to spend the day in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, but people have doubts about where the larger luggage will stay during this time, you can leave it in the storage of the hotel in Cusco, at no extra cost.

can I choose the number of seats on the train?

PeruRail and IncaRail, the companies that provide train services in Peru, do not allow you to choose the seats on the trains. The distribution is done automatically by the company’s system.

To travel by train to Machu Micchu, which one do you suggest: EXPEDITION or VISTADOME?

We usually recommend to book the Expedition/Voyager train for the outbound trip and the Vistadome/360° panoramic train for the return trip, mainly because the outbound trip only has earlier departures, so this would mean missing the guided visit to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex.

Is it obligatory to be vaccinated against Fiebre Amarilla?

Fiebre Amarilla vaccination is not mandatory for visitors to Peru. However, it is an additional precaution, especially since it is a tropical country.

Is travel insurance obligatory?

Travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is extremely important, especially for tourists who decide to travel to Peru.

Electrical plugs and voltage in Peru

The standard voltage in Peru is 230 volts, however, in some hotels there are plugs with 110, in this case, there are transformers that reduce the voltage.

What is the best currency to use in Peru, dollars or nuevo sol, and where to change?

Almost all establishments accept payments in dollars, so this will be the most used currency in the country. The ideal is to have an amount of dollars and a smaller amount of nuevo sol to make purchases at craft fairs, for example.

It is recommended to take dollars with you and exchange them in Peru at reliable exchange houses recommended by the travel agency.

What is the weather like in Peru?

The country’s weather is divided into two main seasons: rainy and dry.

The rainy season runs from December to the end of March and the dry season from April to October. In the region of Cusco and Machu Picchu, there is a lot of variation in temperature, but normally the maximum reaches 20°C and the minimum is close to 0°C.

In the Lima region, on the coast of Peru, temperatures are higher and range from 12°C to 35°C.

REQUEST MORE INFO

    Please fill out the form below and one of our specialists will contact you..

    Tour start date*

    Number of passengers*

    Related Tours

    Reviews

    TripAdvisor