Arrive to Lima on the flight of your choice today. After picking up your luggage and clearing customs, walk across the street to the comfortable and conveniently located Wyndham Costa del Sol Hotel. Settle into your room and rest up after your travels. You have an exciting trip ahead, filled with ancient ruins, local markets and the beautiful Andes Mountains!

You will be transferred to the Tambopata River's boat dock when you arrive in Puerto Maldonado. Board a motorized canoe and travel towards the confluence of the Madre de Dios River, the source of an Amazon tributary. After a 30-minute travel downstream, disembark at the port leading to Sandoval Lake. Walk along a 3 km (2 mi) trail, pausing to observe birds and butterflies, until you reach a narrow canal boat. Navigate through the flooded palm forest to reach the open waters of Sandoval Lake.

Take a brief rest before continuing by boat to explore the eastern end of the lake, guided by the calls of Blue-and-Yellow and Red-Breasted Macaws as they return to the palm forest for the night. From the boat, you will often have close encounters with birds and mammals. At Sandoval Lake, the Capuchin Monkeys have become accustomed to human presence. Return to the lodge at dusk for dinner. Later, take the boat again to search for caimans, which are now rare in the Amazon but still common in this protected lake. On clear nights, venture further into the lake for an unobstructed view of the vast southern sky, showcasing the constellations and the Milky Way.

Watch the sunrise from the lake's shore in the early morning. Lake Sandoval, a calm-water meander, hosts a rich variety of wildlife, including giant otters, caimans, and “shanshos,” a unique bird with a prehistoric appearance. After a late breakfast, walk along the trail through the cool understory of the primary rainforest surrounding the lake, where you will see towering Chestnut trees. Following lunch, take an hour to rest, then explore the west side of the lake for opportunities to observe various monkey species. After dinner, take the chance to spot the caimans in the lake.

Rise early to watch the sunrise from the lake's shore. Then, board the catamaran to explore the western end of the lake, where you will search for a family of giant river otters, an endangered species thriving in these predator-free waters. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then take a break and enjoy a panoramic view from a high vantage point before heading out to walk a special circuit that reveals the uses of numerous medicinal Amazonian plants. This trail winds through the wild jungle and a small botanical garden dedicated to cultivating native species. After lunch, rest and prepare for a walk through the most secluded part of the forest on the lake's northern shore. In the evening, take one last chance to spot the Black Caiman along the shore or enjoy a final night walk in the woods.

After breakfast, paddle through the palm swamps at the lake's western end. On clear mornings, catch the sunrise and its reflection on the water. Then, travel back to the Madre de Dios River and continue towards Puerto Maldonado before heading to the airport.

Andean history comes alive in Cusco. Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas fill the streets and markets, colonial churches sit atop bases of smooth stonework laid centuries before the Conquistadors, and campesinos (Peru's rural farmers) in colorful dress move busily back and forth across the plazas.

You will be picked up at the Cusco airport and taken to your hotel to drop off your luggage and rest. In the afternoon, you'll begin to explore Cusco on a guided walking tour of the city. The sites visited today are flexible, as your guide sets the pace and agenda according to your interests and your ongoing adjustment to the altitude.

This morning, journey into one of the most beautiful areas of Peru. The Sacred Valley often becomes one of the highlights of your trip and you will soon see why! The day is flexible based on your interests, market days, and the weather. You'll test your bargaining skills with the locals while visiting one of the great textile markets in the area. You may also hike to the inspiring ruins of Pisac or take a short walk through the countryside to the seldom-visited town of Maras, where pre-Columbian salt mines still operate today. Visit the Inca agricultural terraces of Moray, thought to have been a nursery to experiment with and modify different varieties of crops. Eventually, you make your way to the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo and overnight.

In the morning, visit the under-rated ruins of Ollantaytambo before the larger groups of tourists arrive. During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo served as a royal estate and later a refuge after the Spanish conquered Cusco. The ruins feature expansive terraces, giant building blocks and well-preserved architecture.  Even the town itself is still laid out as it was during the Inca empire, allowing its visitors to glimpse the history which still exists within its boundaries.

Board the Vistadome train late this morning and follow the Urubamba River as it tumbles its way towards the Amazon and the sacred city of Machu Picchu, Peru. After checking into your hotel and enjoying lunch in Aguas Calientes, take the short bus ride up to the gates of Machu Picchu and begin exploring this amazing site - the former retreat of Inca kings. After walking amongst the massive complex of ruins and learning about its fascinating history, you'll return to the village of Aguas Calientes (located at the base of Machu Picchu). Enjoy one of many excellent local restaurants after exploring one of the most magical archaeological sites in the world.

Today you will return to the ruins of Machu Picchu for further exploration. Return early with the hope of catching the sun coming up over the mountains at Machu Picchu. Depending on your preference in permits, arrive in time to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu for incredible views of the entire area or choose to simply walk amongst the vast expanse of ruins and listen to the spirits of the city's past inhabitants with your guide. (The basic re-entry permit is included in the cost of this tour. Hiking permits require additional costs and should be reserved at the time of booking your tour due to limited availability.)

After your final exploration of Machu Picchu, return to Aguas Calientes to catch an afternoon train toward Cusco.  Settle into your hotel or head out on a famous Cusco culinary adventure.

Today is free to explore with your guide. You can visit the churches and surrounding ruins, such as the enormous Sacsayhuamán ruins that overlook Cusco (these ruins showcase building blocks the size of pickup trucks). You can also wander through the bustling Plaza de Armas in the heart of Cusco, shop for love potions in the local markets, or people watch from the cafes and restaurants that line these lovely streets. For those bursting with energy, horseback riding, mountain biking, or even whitewater rafting (Class III-IV) can be arranged in advance.

The evening is yours to take in some of Cusco's varied and exciting nightlife where live folk music and excellent food abounds! Enjoy the last night of your Peru vacation.

Or with more time, extend your trip with a visit to Lake Titicaca. Click here to see our Peru extensions!