Explore Peru's vast jungle with a 3 night stay in the Peruvian Amazon. Next explore Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the great ruins of Machu Picchu on a fully guided Peru tour. Wander through village markets where ancient traditions live on in the hearts of the Andean people. Visit Sacsayhuamán, Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Experience a witches' market in Cusco, bargain over tapestries in Pisac, and walk off the beaten path in the rural Andes. An easy paced journey perfect for anyone with a sense of curiosity and adventure.
Highlights
Canoe Lake Sandoval in search of Giant Otters and other wildlife
Hike through weaving trails searching for animals that only appear at night
Take your time exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu with your local guide
Visit the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cusco to learn about weaving
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Lima today on your preferred flight. After collecting your luggage and passing through 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!
Day 2: Fly to Puerto Maldonado - Transfer to Amazon Lodge
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, head to Lima Airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Tambopata River's boat dock. 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.
Day 7: Ollantaytambo Ruins | Train to Machu Picchu
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.
Day 10: Fly Home
1 Breakfast
Or with more time, extend your trip with a visit to Lake Titicaca. Click here to see our Peru extensions!
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for Mar 24, 2025 not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for Mar 24, 2025 are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,524
Notes
$614 Single Supplement Additional Cost for Private Room when traveling with others. Traveling Solo? Contact us for a custom quote.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
5 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Round Trip Vistadome train
Rubber boots are provided by your Amazon lodge. There are size limits for the following lodges in the Amazon. Hacienda Concepcion: Sizes 32-45 Reserva Amazonica: Sizes 32-46
Maras Entrance Fee
Entries to Machu Picchu - 2 Daily Entrance Fees
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Arrival Transfer
Departure Transfer
Airport Departure Tax
Internal Flights
Optional Excursions - $20 for hiking passes at Machu Picchu on second day
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
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