14-Day Peru Trip: Andes and Amazon

Welcome to Peru! Our private driver will pick you up at the airport to transfer you to your hotel with all the hygiene and safety protocols for your well-being. 

Overnight: Lima 

Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Lima 

Meals: B/-/- 

Start your day off right with an exciting City Tour in Lima. Rise and shine early in the morning to make the most of your time exploring this vibrant city. With your private guide, our first stop will be the famous Love Park in Miraflores, where you can soak in the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Prepare to be amazed! Next, our knowledgeable guide will take you on a panoramic visit to the Huaca Pucllana, an ancient archaeological site that offers a fascinating glimpse into Lima’s rich history. Marvel at the impressive ruins and let your imagination wander as you learn about the ancient civilizations that once thrived here. 

We won’t stop there! Get ready to explore the heart of Lima as we head to the city center. Our expertly crafted itinerary includes visits to the Main Square, Government Palace, Archbishop’s Palace, Cathedral, and Municipality. Each of these iconic landmarks holds its own unique story and architectural beauty. 

As the day unfolds, we will conclude our tour with a visit to the Convent of San Francisco. Here, you will have the opportunity to uncover the mysteries of the Catacombs of Lima, as we venture through the underground passages. It’s a truly unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of the city’s hidden secrets. After an adventure-filled day, we will return you to your hotel. Get ready for more exciting adventures tomorrow!  

Overnight: Lima 

Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Lima 

Meals: B/-/- 

Today is your last day in Ica Desert & Huacachina, enjoy the dunes and go for adrenaline-pumping dune buggy rides or sandboarding across the sands. If you’re not feeling too adventurous, hang out at one of the bars surrounding the oasis’s lagoon with a Pisco sour—after all, the famous Peruvian brandy comes from this region. 

Finally, return to Lima. 

Overnight: Lima 

Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Lima 

Meals: B/-/- 

Cusco is filled with activities and you can take your pick today based on your energy level and interests. There are churches, museums, and art galleries to visit, along with adventure activities like rafting and horseback riding. Wander around and enjoy mountain views, cafes, and appreciate the architecture that characterizes the historic center of Cusco. 

Overnight: Cusco 

Accommodation: Terra Andina Hotel 

Meals: B/-/- 

After a delicious breakfast, you will be picked up in your hotel for a city tour. You will visit the Cathedral, Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the nearby ruins: Qenko (Ceremonial and Ritual center, place where sacrifices were made), Puka Pukara (this complex was probably used by Emperor Pachacutec as a Tambo), Tambomachay (also called “The Bath of the Inca”) and Sacsayhuaman Fortress (the place where the main Inca Festivals, Inti Raymi and Warachicuy take place). After your city and nearby ruins tour, you return to your hotel for an overnight stay. 

Overnight: Cusco 

Accommodation: Terra Andina Hotel 

Meals: B/-/- 

This morning, you’ll depart from your hotel in Ollantaytambo for the journey to Moray. Along the way, you’ll see the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, lush yellow fields of wheat, and traditional villages. Upon arrival in Moray, you’ll visit the three famous amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. These terraces are carved deep into the earth in the shape of a bowl. It is believed that the Incas once used these terraces as agricultural laboratories to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops. 

When you are done exploring Moray, you will travel about two miles to the salt mines of Maras (Salineras de Maras). This village is known as a former salt-producing center and is thought to date back to pre-Incan times. There are over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside: each is filled daily by a stream of water. 

Overnight: Cusco 

Accommodation: Terra Andina Hotel 

Meals: B/-/- 

After a very early breakfast in the hotel, you will be picked up to visit one of Peru’s most famous areas, aside from Machu Picchu, for a full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley. 

On this day you will visit: 

Town of Pisac: Known for its handicraft market and Inca archaeological sites among which you can see an irrigation system, an astronomical observatory, a sundial or Intiwatana, and andenería. 

Typical lunch at a local restaurant. 

Visit to the ruins of Ollantaytambo: Built during the Inca period as a fortified area that includes a temple, terraces, and an urban sector. Two sectors can be distinguished, one linked to worship and religion, and the second set dedicated to housing. It was an important administrative center that probably also fulfilled military functions, as shown by its walls and towers.   

Overnight: Sacred Valley 

Accommodation: Aranwa Hotel & Wellness  

Meals: B/-/- 

After breakfast, take the local train to Aguas Calientes, the base for most Machu Picchu adventures. The ride takes you through a valley and into the Urubamba River canyon, then into the cloud forest as you near the Machu Picchu sanctuary.  

Aguas Calientes contains the train station, a craft market, restaurants, and a variety of hotels for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and climb it early in the day. Stop here for lunch before taking the 25-minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu ruins.  This 15th-century Inca citadel is located at 7,970 ft (2,430 m) and is a masterpiece of engineering that served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Incan Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court. Machu Picchu, which means “Old Mountain,” is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.  Built as a seasonal residence for the Inca family, Machu Picchu was rarely home to more than 800 people, and during the royals’ absence, a mere 100 servants would remain at the site to maintain the grounds.  Your guide will lead you around the site and explain the different buildings and curious corners of the building complex. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed into its original structure, giving visitors a sense for the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel. 

After the two-hour tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to connect to your train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco. 

Overnight: Cusco 

Accommodation: Terra Andina Hotel 

Meals: B/-/- 

Today you will board a flight to Lima, from here it is a free day to explore the city. Lima’s breezy location on the Pacific Ocean and mild desert climate make it the perfect city for exploring on foot. Head downtown to mingle with locals, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat in one of the many award-winning restaurants. 

Overnight: Lima 

Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Lima 

Meals: B/-/- 

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Iquitos. The guides will be expecting your arrival at the airport with a Jungle Experiences sign for your transfer to Nauta to board the cruise M/V La PerlaThe navigation will initiate in the Marañon River to the confluences of the Marañon and Ucayali rivers where the majestic Amazon begins. We suggest taking time to go to the observation deck and enjoy the amazing panoramic view, the guides will be explaining the story of the Amazon’s origin. During the next few days, you will be navigating through the Marañon and Ucayali rivers, then through the Amazon and its amazing confluences full of wildlife. After getting familiar with your new environment, you will be invited to the dining room for lunch, where you will experiment with our exquisite regional gastronomy, a delicious flavor celebration. Later, our guides will provide a general briefing about the trip itinerary, activities, routes, wildlife, and vegetation. Our guides will be attentive to help you with any questions you might have. After lunch on board, you will have an afternoon-night excursion for searching wildlife in the communal reserve of Yanayacu de Yacapana. During the excursion, you will observe the biggest water plant in the world (Victorias Regias), birds, lizards, sloths, beautiful pink dolphins and other animals. At the end of the night, the guides will use the lanterns to locate caimans, owls and capybaras. Upon returning, a reception with live music by the Ship Band waits for you to enjoy the local music followed by a welcome dinner. Once dinner is finished, the guides will invite you to a lecture about the Amazon origins. 

Overnight: Iquitos 

Accommodation: La Perla Cruise 

Meals: B/L/D 

Early call in the morning with serenade to enjoy the beautiful sunrise from the Amazon River. A small trek will take place to observe the birds of the communal reserve Yanayacu de Yacapana, sunrise is the best time of the day for bird sightseeing. This morning we will also be observing macaws, sloths, monkeys, toucans, trogons, quetzals, parrots among others. We will return to have a delicious breakfast as the ship sails to the Ucayali. Later, there will be a morning excursion to explore the tributaries rivers, like the Yarapa where you can observe a variety of reptiles as iguanas, sloths and others. We will be back to the ship to enjoy our delicious lunch and breathe the purest air ever. In the afternoon, there will be a retelling on the geographical orientation and the species that we have been observing throughout the day with our guides. We will visit the butterfly farm project of Vista Alegre, where you will learn about the Amazon butterflies and their importance in the jungle. You will be amazed of the relevance they have. You will be back on board for dinner and to enjoy live music. You can’t miss this! A chilling and really interesting excursion will be offered at night, which is based on the search of caymans, snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, anacondas, nocturnal monkeys among others. If you don’t want to participate, you can rest upon the moonlight enjoying the nature sounds and drinking pisco sour on board. 

Overnight: Iquitos 

Accommodation: La Perla Cruise 

Meals: B/L/D 

Enjoy a delicious breakfast This morning we get ready to navigate through the black waters of the Yarapa River, where we will have an unforgettable experience in the search of wildlife, enjoying the amazing landscape of the jungle. Finishing the excursion, a delicious breakfast will be served on board. We will continue sailing through the paths of the Ucayali upon the high confluence of the Marañon river until arrive at Piranha Creek. One of the first tributaries of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. This morning there will be a boat excursion to explore Piranha Creek. This area is great for piranha fishing. Once the excursion is finished we will return to the ship to have lunch on board. Later, there will be a trekking tour in the jungle, where we will learn about medicinal plants. We will be looking for exotic insects of the Amazon like tarantulas, frogs, spiders, and a multitude of species never seen before. Before returning to the ship, our naturalists will teach us about basic survival in the jungle. Back on board, you will be welcomed with live music. Then, you will enjoy an exquisite dinner, it’s time to relax and appreciate the beauty of the Peruvian Amazon. 

Overnight: Iquitos 

Accommodation: La Perla Cruise 

Meals: B/L/D 

After enjoying your last breakfast on board. We will proceed with the transfer by bus from the city of Nauta to Iquitos. We will have a stop in the Rescue Center Amazon – Manatee (ACOBIA), where you will be able to see and feed this beautiful animal. Then, you will have a brief visit to the city of Iquitos to observe the famous houses of the rubber boom, Fierro’s house, and Belen market, and transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Our representative will pick you up to take you to the hotel. 

Overnight: Lima 

Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Lima 

Meals: B/-/- 

At the designated time, your private transportation will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Lima airport, where you will take your international flight back home  

Overnight: N/A 

Accommodation: N/A 

Meals: B/-/-