9-Day Andes, Incas, and Amazon

Arrive Lima evening. Welcome and assistance to check in to your hotel. Overnight at an airport hotel in Lima.

If you arrive early in the morning, you will transfer to your hotel in Lima. There are optional tours available to visit modern and colonial Lima. There are also many museums and private collections to tour. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight in Lima.

Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Costa del Sol Lima Airport (Wyndham)

Walk to the terminal (or =, if you stayed overnight in the city, you will need a transfer or taxi) at the Lima airport to board your flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway for rainforest excursions in Southeastern Peru. This should be a morning flight.

Meet the lodge staff and check in on arrival. Transfer by guided motorized canoe to your jungle lodge. There are several options for lodges in the area according to availability; we will send you to one of three excellent options, all offering an exceptional rainforest experience. The lodge's include orientation talks on arrival, walks through trails in the forest led by naturalist guides, night time excursions on dug-out canoes, float rides to watch fauna on the shore line and exploring the canopy layers. Orvernight lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hacienda Concepcion

Today your wonderful jungle excursions continue. While guests always have the option to relax at the lodge, most of our travelers enjoy the full spectrum of activities, which include early morning boat rides, afternoon hikes, a canopy tower climb, and unique evening excursions, like night walks with a lodge naturalist. Overnight at your rainforest lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hacienda Concepcion

Transfer by boat to Puerto Maldonado, check out and transfer to the airport to catch a short flight to Cusco (early afternoon). Arrive Cusco, welcome and transfer to your hotel. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to acclimatize; lunch on your own.

Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and is set high in the Andes Mountains. Here Spanish churches and mansions sit alongside Inca remains. Nearly 600 years ago, the Inca nation appeared in Southern Peru, and in a relatively short time, consolidated its power in Cuzco, before expanding north to what are now Ecuador and Colombia and south to present-day Chile. Overnight in Cusco.

Meals included: Breakfast
Budget Accommodations: Amaru I

Morning at leisure. This afternoon, on your group tour, you will visit Sacsayhuaman, a hilltop fortress that overlooks the city of Cusco. The largest stones used in its construction are nearly 8.5 m (28 ft) high and weigh 360 tons, fitting so perfectly together that a single piece of paper would not fit between two stones. Then you are driven to Qenko, the temple dedicated to Mother Earth. Before you head back to Cusco we stop at Puka Pukara (the red fortress) and Tambomachay (the resting place of the Inca). Once in the city visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, the legendary Qorikancha (Temple of Gold), the most important Inca temple devoted to worshipping the Sun, whose walls used to be plated with sheets of gold. You continue to the Cathedral at the Plaza de Armas. Note that the order of visiting sites may vary, to minimize crowds. Overnight in Cusco.

Meals included: Breakfast
Budget Accommodations: Amaru I

Pick up at your hotel for a full day tour of the Sacred Valley: this morning we drive towards Pisac, for an immersion into the heart of the Andean culture, famous for its Andean market with its interesting food and artisan stalls. Try your bargaining skills here always keeping in mind handmade artwork is worth it! Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you visit Ollantaytambo, a still-thriving Inca village set below an ancient Inca fortress and temple with stunning views over the valley that makes you feel as if you have stepped back into the 15th century. Admire the magnificence of these important Inca ruins as you tour with your guide. Later, on your own, stroll through the quaint streets of the present town. Overnight in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Budget Accommodations: Tunupa Lodge

Today, travel to fantastic Machu Picchu! You have 2 choices in how to get there, just let us know what you prefer. The Inca Trail option is contingent on Inca Trail permits for km 104.

* OPTION #1: Arrive via the train. Transfer or walk to the Ollantaytambo train station to catch the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Arrive at the station of Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). You will have assistance to check in at your hotel. Free afternoon to explore the village and its outdoor market, hot springs baths and local museum. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

* OPTION #2: Arrive via a short trek. You can choose to hike the Inca Trail Express! Transfer to the train station for the Expedition train to km 104. An ever narrowing gorge brings your group to the trailhead at km 104, where you begin your guided hike on the famed Inca Trail. Hiking past Chachabamba, a three hour ascent through highland grasses and small gulleys, brings you to Winay Wayna. Lunch is usually in this vicinity. From here, a winding trail takes you through a cloud forest, cutting across a ridge, and bringing you finally to the gate of the sun, Intipunku, with a spectacular view of the citadel of Machu Picchu below. Arriving at Machu Picchu later in the afternoon, you will take a shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes. Overnight Aguas Calientes.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hatun Samay Hotel or similar in Aguas Calientes

Similar to the day before, you have a choice in how you wish to return to Cusco. Let us know your preference when you book your trip.

* Option #1 with train: Early shuttle and entrance to Machu Picchu. Meet your guide for a guided tour (in a group). There is an option to climb Huayna Picchu at 7 or 10 a.m. (tickets not included in pricing and must be ordered at least 90 days in advance). Lunch on your own. Afternoon train return to Cusco, where we will arrive in the evening. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco.

* Option #2 with trek: For those who hiked the Inca Trail Express: Your guide will give your group a guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel, starting early in the morning. If you wish, you may climb Huayna Picchu at 10 a.m. (ticket required and not included; must order these at least 90 days in advance). Lunch is included. You then return to Cusco on the late afternoon train, arriving in the evening. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight Cusco.

Meals included: Breakfast
Budget Accommodations: Amaru I

Depending on your flight time, you may have the morning free. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. End services.

Meals included: Breakfast