9 Day Itinerary

For a full itinerary with terms and conditions click here

Day 1 (Nov 29): Welcome to Peru

Upon landing in Lima, our team will warmly greet you. You'll be transferred to your hotel to settle in. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at Huaca Pucllana, a renowned restaurant set against the backdrop of pre-Incan ruins and enjoy getting to know your fellow travellers. (D)

Day 2 (Nov 30): Let’s go to the Amazon!

Today you'll embark on an exciting journey from Lima to the heart of the Amazon. After breakfast, you'll take a 2.5-hour flight to Puerto Maldonado via Cusco. From there, a motorised canoe ride upriver for approximately 2 hours brings you to your jungle lodge in the Madre de Dios area, offering a chance to spot wildlife along the way.

Upon arrival and check-in at the lodge, you'll join a local guide for a 30-minute walk through the jungle, leading to a traditional Amazonian archery lesson. Here, you'll learn about the indigenous community's bow and arrow craftsmanship and even try your hand at archery.

Dinner will be served back at the lodge. Post-dinner, the adventure continues with a nocturnal boat trip on the river to search for caimans and other nighttime creatures. (B,L,D)

Day 3 (Dec 1): The Amazon Jungle

Your day in the Amazon starts with a hearty breakfast, fueling you for a morning hike to Tres Chimbadas Lake, which takes about an hour. During this hike, keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife of the Amazon, including colourful macaws, hoatzins, monkeys, black alligators, and possibly the rare river wolf (otter).

After the hike, return to the lodge for some rest & lunch. In the afternoon, you'll have the unique opportunity to visit a traditional medicine garden. Here, a local shaman will introduce you to various plants used for healing purposes. You'll also get to visit a laboratory to observe how these medicinal plants are processed into remedies.

The evening brings another adventure. After dinner, your guide will lead a walking tour searching for nocturnal jungle inhabitants like insects, amphibians, tarantulas, bats, birds, and the elusive armadillo. This night walk is not just about wildlife spotting; it's also a chance to listen to the enchanting sounds of the jungle and observe the stars twinkling through the tree canopy. (B,L,D)

Day 4 (Dec 2): Flying to Cuzco

Today you journey continues from the Amazon back to civilization. After breakfast, you'll transfer by boat to Puerto Maldonado. From there, a flight takes you to Cusco, with an approximate duration of 40 minutes. You'll arrive in Cusco in the early evening.

The evening in Cusco is yours to enjoy at leisure. You might want to explore the charming old city, which is rich in history and culture. A stroll around could include visiting the Plaza de Armas to see the ancient Inca walls or exploring some of the city's many exquisite churches. Alternatively, you could choose to have a relaxed dinner with your travel companions.

As you spend your first night in Cusco, remember to take things easy. The city is located at a high altitude of 3,450 meters (11,319 feet), so it's important to allow your body time to adjust to the altitude change. This might involve moving at a slower pace and ensuring you stay well hydrated. (B)

Day 5 (Dec 3): Sights & Tastes of Cusco

Your day starts with an orientation walking tour around the centre of Cusco, a vibrant showcase of the fusion between Inca and Spanish cultures. Highlights of the tour include Stone of Twelve Angles, Qoricancha Temple & Plaza de Armas.

You'll have a full Boleto Turistico (tourist ticket), granting access to the city's top attractions. For those seeking more adventure, there's an option to climb the Inca Pachacuti Statue for panoramic city views.

In the afternoon, you’ll learn more about Peruvians (and Peruvian food!) with a Cusco Eat Street food tour that will show the most traditional food around Cusqueños. During this street food tour, you’ll have the chance to taste popular snacks and food loved by locals.

The day concludes with a Pisco Sour experience. You'll visit a local spot to taste three different kinds of Pisco, learn about this iconic Peruvian spirit, and even prepare your own Pisco Sour. A perfect way to relax and reflect on your day in Cusco! (B)

Day 6 (Dec 4): The Beautiful Sacred Valley

Today we make our way by private vehicle into the beautiful Sacred Valley (1 hour). The first stop is Awanacancha, a South American farm, where you can get to know some of Peru's famous furry locals: llamas, alpacas and vicunas!

Next up is the town of Pisac, a charming little village nestled at the base of an Inca fort. Start by exploring the colourful local market where hundreds of artisans sell their wares. You might find anything from hand-knitted Alpaca jumpers to ornately decorated Andean ceramics here. Later you will visit a local community to have a delicious lunch and then learn about old techniques of dyeing, spinning and weaving the alpaca wool.

After the weaving demonstration, it's off to explore the Inca ruins, which are spread out on the mountains above the town. They are roughly as old as those of Machu Picchu! Spend the evening in Pisac. (B,L)

Day 7 (Dec 5): Train to Machu Picchu

After breakfast, you'll delve further into the Sacred Valley with a 1.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo. This remarkable site, built atop an ancient Inca town, showcases Inca urban planning and is known as one of the few locations where the Incas triumphed over the Spanish. You'll have the opportunity to explore Ollantaytambo's archaeological site, located east of the Plaza de Armas, where the upper terraces provide excellent photo ops of the town's grid layout below.

Following your exploration, a midday train journey of about two hours takes you to Aguas Calientes. This ride offers stunning views of the Andean landscape. In Aguas Calientes, you have the option to rest early in anticipation of the next day's visit to Machu Picchu. (B)

Day 8 (Dec 6): Machu Picchu!

Today embark on an early morning journey to the iconic 'lost city' of Machu Picchu. A 30-minute bus ride takes you up to this awe-inspiring site, nestled high in the Andes and shrouded in verdant cloud forest. Machu Picchu, hidden on a ridge and invisible from below, remained undiscovered until 1911.

Your visit starts at 6 am, and your ticket allows for a 4-hour exploration of the site. Begin with wandering the upper terrace for stunning views, followed by a guided tour of the ruins. A local guide will provide insights into the approximately 200 houses and temples that make up this ancient wonder.

After soaking in the history and mystery of Machu Picchu, catch the bus back to town for some free time. Later, you'll take a 2-hour train ride back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a 2-hour drive to Cusco in a private vehicle.

The day concludes with a farewell dinner at Tunupa, a cozy restaurant in Cusco's main square. Here, you'll enjoy not only a delicious meal but also a beautiful show of Peruvian folkloric dances, offering a perfect end to an unforgettable trip! (B,D)

Day 9 (Dec 7): Goodbyes & Farewells

Bid adieu to your fellow adventurers as you prepare for your departure from Peru. Check out from your Cusco hotel and take your transfer to the Cusco airport, taking with you the incredible memories made on this unforgettable expedition. (B)

For a full itinerary with terms and conditions click here