MACHU PICCHU & AMAZON RIVER CRUISE

Meals: Breakfast

Private Excursion | Half-Day Lima City Tour

Lima City Sightseeing and Cultural Tour

Your exploration of Lima begins with a brief stop at the Huaca Pucllana Archaeological Site, a pre-Inca ceremonial center located in the heart of the city. From there, we’ll continue to Lima’s historic center, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We’ll visit the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), surrounded by stunning colonial and Republican-era buildings, many adorned with ornate wooden balconies. Notable landmarks around the square include:

• The Government Palace
• Lima Cathedral
• The Archbishop's Palace of Lima
• The Municipal Palace
• The Palace of the Union

Next, we’ll walk just one block to the iconic Convent of San Francisco, founded in the 1530s and completed in 1766. Officially blessed in 1673, it wasn’t fully completed until 1774 and has withstood several major earthquakes throughout its history.

Inside, you’ll find the San Francisco Library, housing over 25,000 books in Spanish, English, and Quechua, dating from the 16th to 20th centuries. Due to their fragile condition, many of these books, including a 1571 edition of the Bible, can only be handled by Franciscan monks.

The convent is built around a serene central garden filled with mango and lucuma trees. Above the intricate tile work, you may spot a series of murals depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi. While some have been restored, others remain partially damaged for unknown reasons, adding to the site’s mystery.

As you explore the cloisters, you’ll find rooms filled with artistic treasures — including ceiling frescoes, a golden centerpiece of angels, flowers, and fruit, and Diego de la Puerta’s 1696 painting of The Last Supper featuring a uniquely Peruvian twist: guinea pigs and potatoes on the table.

To conclude the visit, descend into the church’s foundations to explore the Lima catacombs — the largest in the city. Following Spanish colonial burial customs, over 25,000 people were interred here until 1808. The catacombs were later forgotten and only rediscovered in 1947. Today, visitors can view the bone arrangements, carefully organized into haunting geometric patterns.

.After the city tour in the morning, the group will be transferred to the airport to take their flight to Cusco (flight to Cuzco included in trip price).

Upon arrival in Cusco,  private transportation to your hotel, where you will spend the night.

Dinner on your own so you can start getting used to the altitude at your own pace.

Overnight: CUSCO - Costa del Sol Wyndham Cusco. Accommodation in A Standard Room. https://www.costadelsolperu.com/en/hotels/costa-del-sol-wyndham-cusco-hotel/

Meals: Breakfast

Private Excursion | Half-Day Cusco City Tour (Center)

Your day in Cusco begins with a visit to the impressive Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán, perched on a hill overlooking the city. This awe-inspiring site showcases some of the finest Inca stonework, with massive boulders expertly carved and fitted together without mortar, a true testament to ancient engineering.

Next, we continue uphill to Qenqo, one of the most mysterious and spiritual Inca sites. Its name in Quechua means “labyrinth” or “zigzag,” and the site offers a blend of ritual spaces, carved stone chambers, and tunnels, along with beautiful panoramic views of Cusco.

Our journey continues to the Tambomachay Archaeological Complex, believed by some to have functioned as an Incan spa. Here, you’ll see a sophisticated system of aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls flowing through terraced stone, highlighting the Incas’ mastery of hydraulic engineering.

Then we head back to the city to explore Koricancha, once the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated to the Sun God. Once adorned with gold-covered walls and life-sized statues of animals and plants made from pure gold and silver, the temple was later stripped by Spanish conquistadors. Today, it remains a remarkable structure, partially preserved beneath the Church of Santo Domingo, built atop its foundations. Your guide will help uncover its fascinating details, many of which go unnoticed without expert insight.

Our final stop is the Cusco Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, built between 1560 and 1654 over an ancient Inca temple. This grand cathedral houses priceless works from the Cusco School of Art, and its gold- and silver-covered altar and pulpit are stunning examples of colonial religious architecture. Look closely and you’ll notice subtle indigenous symbolism, such as a jaguar’s head carved into the doors, a quiet act of resistance by the native artisans who built it.

Your guide will then bid you farewell, offering restaurant recommendations for a delicious local meal (not included) or providing directions back to your hotel.

Note: Our city tour will begin at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm (TBA). 

Total trekking distance: 3 km (1 hour approx). 

Highest altitude: 3,750 m (12,303 ft). Lowest Altitude: 3,400 m (11,154 ft).

Overnight: CUSCO - Costa del Sol Wyndham Cusco. Accommodation in A Standard Room. https://www.costadelsolperu.com/en/hotels/costa-del-sol-wyndham-cusco-hotel/

Meals: Breakfast

Private Excursion | Full Day Machu Picchu by train

After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll pick you up at 5:00 a.m. to begin your journey to Machu Picchu. A travel representative will accompany you on your transfer from Cusco to the train station. Depending on the route, this drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and covers approximately 45 miles (72 km), descending from Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m) to Ollantaytambo (9,160 ft / 2,792 m) through the scenic Sacred Valley, with views of traditional villages and stunning Andean landscapes.

You’ll then board a train for a 4-hour ride through the dramatic terrain of the Sacred Valley, along the Urubamba River, and into the edge of the Amazon Rainforest. This is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world, a glimpse of the natural wonders Peru has to offer.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, a short walk brings you to the bus station, where a 20-minute ride takes you up the mountain to the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary.

Once inside the site, you'll enjoy a 2-hour professionally guided tour of this awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by free time to explore the ruins at your own pace, take photos, or simply absorb the magic of the surroundings.

After your visit, you’ll return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included), then board the return train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, our team will meet you and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.

If you’re returning via Poroy Train Station instead, a representative will assist with the 30- to 40-minute transfer (approx. 8 miles / 13 km) back to your hotel in Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m) from Poroy (11,437 ft / 3,486 m), ensuring a smooth and comfortable arrival.

Overnight: CUSCO - Costa del Sol Wyndham Cusco. Accommodation in A Standard Room. https://www.costadelsolperu.com/en/hotels/costa-del-sol-wyndham-cusco-hotel/

Meals: Breakfast

Morning at leisure in Cusco. A travel representative will meet you at your hotel for a smooth and timely transfer to Cusco Airport, offering a warm farewell and sincere thanks for visiting our beloved city. Your local flight from Cusco to Iquitos is included.

Upon arrival in Iquitos, our private transfer service ensures a comfortable and hassle-free journey to your hotel. You can relax and unwind after your flight, knowing you'll be efficiently transported, ready to begin your exciting Amazon adventure.

Overnight: IQUITOS -  Hotel Casa Morey. Accommodation in Standard Room.

https://casamorey.com/

Iquitos > Nauta > Marañon River > Nauta Caño

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your Amazon adventure begins! Our team will pick you up after breakfast to start with a guided city tour of Iquitos, a lively and colorful city rich in history. You’ll visit some of its most iconic landmarks and get a glimpse into its fascinating past. After the tour, we’ll travel by private vehicle to Nauta, a historic river port about two hours away. There, you’ll board La Perla, your home for the next few days. Our staff will help you settle into your comfortable, well-appointed cabin.

As the ship begins its journey down the Marañón River, our naturalist guides will introduce the itinerary, planned excursions, and, most excitingly, the incredible Amazon wildlife you’ll soon encounter. They’ll share helpful tips and will always be available to answer questions or provide assistance.

Next, enjoy a delicious welcome lunch featuring regional specialties, including vegetarian options. If you have any dietary needs, just let the crew know, they’ll be happy to accommodate you.

Before dinner, we’ll head out on a night boat excursion to Nauta Caño, where you’ll have the chance to spot nocturnal wildlife such as alligators, bats, frogs, tarantulas, and other jungle creatures.

After this exciting first glimpse of the Amazon, return to the ship for dinner and a well-deserved rest in preparation for the adventures ahead.

acaya Samiria National Reserve > Yanayacu de Pucate > San Regis > Amazonic Natural Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, enjoy a picnic breakfast on the Yanayacu River in Pucate, one of the most well-preserved areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve—a region often visited by pink dolphins.

After breakfast, we’ll take a ride in local canoes, giving you the chance to paddle through one of the most beautiful aquatic ecosystems in the world. If you’d like, you can also enjoy a refreshing swim in the river.

Back on board, lunch will be served in the dining room, followed by a short rest. In the afternoon, our guides will host a talk on Amazonian philosophy, offering insight into the spiritual and cultural beliefs of the region.

Later, we’ll visit the San Regis community to meet a shaman, a wise woman from the native community, who will share knowledge about ancestral rituals, medicinal plants, and the Amazonian worldview. Our guides will serve as interpreters, so you’re welcome to ask questions or engage in conversation.

After this meaningful experience, we’ll participate in a tree-planting ceremony, a symbolic act of environmental care and commitment.

Back on the ship, you can relax with live music before dinner. After the meal, our guides will brief you on the following day’s activities.

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve > Amazonic Natural Park > Shiriyacu

Males: Pre-breakfast snack or tea/coffee, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning in the Amazon holds a special magic; it’s the ideal time to spot a wide variety of animals and insects. That’s why today begins with a pre-breakfast boat excursion to Iquitos Brook, a prime location for observing numerous endemic species.

Afterward, return to the ship for a buffet breakfast, then prepare for a guided jungle walk leading to the hanging bridges, a series of elevated walkways stretched through the treetops, offering a unique canopy perspective of the rainforest and its incredible biodiversity.

Before noon, we’ll return to the ship for lunch on board, followed by some time to relax.

In the afternoon, we’ll head out on a boat expedition to the Shiriyacu Stream, where our guides will lead a piranha fishing experience using traditional local methods. This area is also well-known for frequent sightings of pink dolphins.

Back on board, unwind with live music and enjoy another delicious dinner, bringing the day to a perfect close.

Nauta > Amazon River > Yacapana Gorge

Males: Breakfast

Early in the morning, we’ll set out by boat to Gasparito Brook, a well-known spot for observing birds and primates in their natural habitat.

After returning to the ship, enjoy breakfast, followed by a Peruvian cocktail demonstration hosted by our bartender, featuring the iconic Pisco Sour, Peru’s national drink.

Later, we’ll disembark and head back to Iquitos. On the way to the airport, we’ll stop at the Amazon Forever Bio Park, also known as the Manatee Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for endangered manatees and work to rehabilitate them for return to the wild.

The early afternoon flight from Iquitos to Lima is not included in the trip price (approximately $100.00 per person). From Lima, return to the USA on your preferred overnight flight, or depart the next morning with an overnight stay at Lima airport at your own expense.