Inclusions and Exclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation in Cusco, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, and Tambopata (as per itinerary)
- Domestic flights: Cusco – Puerto Maldonado and Puerto Maldonado – Lima
- Train tickets: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- All airport, train station, and lodge transfers
- Guided tours with English-speaking professional guides at all archaeological sites and lodges
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley sites, and other included attractions
- Meals as specified in the itinerary (breakfast at hotels and lunch/dinner where indicated)
- Amazon excursions: jungle hikes, riverboat trips, and wildlife observation in Tambopata
- Tourism taxes and service fees
What’s Not Included
- International flights to/from Peru
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, tips, or optional activities
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Optional excursions not listed in the itinerary (e.g., Rainbow Mountain)
- Entrance fees for attractions not included in the standard itinerary
- Drinks, minibar, and additional hotel services
Detailed Itinerary
Upon arrival in Cusco, our team will greet you at the airport and transfer you comfortably to your hotel. Take some time to settle in, relax, and begin acclimatizing to the altitude.
In the afternoon, you’ll meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a gentle walking tour around the city. This easy walk is designed to help you adjust while discovering the charm of Cusco’s historic streets, blending Inca heritage with colonial architecture.
Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights about local culture, history, and daily life, giving you a meaningful introduction to the region.In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner, where you’ll get to know your guide and fellow travelers. This is the perfect opportunity to review the itinerary for the upcoming days, ask questions, and start your adventure in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
After breakfast at your hotel, your second day in Cusco begins with an enriching exploration of the region’s most iconic archaeological and cultural highlights. This thoughtfully designed itinerary allows you to continue acclimatizing while discovering the fascinating legacy of the Inca civilization.
Your morning starts with a visit to the impressive fortress of Saqsayhuamán, located just above the city. This remarkable site is renowned for its massive stone walls, built with extraordinary precision using stones that weigh more than 100 tons. As you walk through the complex, your guide will explain its historical and ceremonial importance, as well as the advanced engineering techniques of the Incas. You’ll also enjoy panoramic views of Cusco, making it a perfect place for photos.
Next, continue to Qenqo, a unique ceremonial center carved into natural rock formations. This mysterious site is believed to have been used for rituals and spiritual ceremonies. Its labyrinth-like passages and carved altars provide a glimpse into the religious practices and worldview of the Inca people, highlighting their deep connection with nature.
After the morning visits, return to Cusco for a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant. This is a great opportunity to taste traditional Peruvian cuisine and recharge before the afternoon activities.
Later, travel toward the Sacred Valley to visit the charming town of Pisaq. Famous for its vibrant artisan market, Pisaq is a wonderful place to experience local culture. You’ll find colorful textiles, handmade crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs created by skilled Andean artisans. It’s also an ideal spot to interact with locals and learn more about their traditions.
If time allows, you may also explore the Pisaq archaeological site, known for its impressive agricultural terraces and breathtaking views over the valley.
In the evening, continue to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, ending the day with unforgettable memories of history, culture, and breathtaking Andean landscapes.
After breakfast at your hotel in the Sacred Valley, continue your journey through one of Peru’s most breathtaking regions. This carefully designed day blends history, culture, and spectacular scenery—an essential part of any well-crafted Machu Picchu itinerary.
In the morning, visit the impressive Inca site of Ollantaytambo, one of the finest examples of Inca urban planning still in use today. Often called a “living Inca town,” Ollantaytambo preserves its original layout, with narrow cobblestone streets and ancient water channels that continue to flow as they did centuries ago. Explore the remarkable archaeological complex, where massive terraces rise dramatically along the mountainside, leading to ceremonial temples and strategic viewpoints. Your guide will provide fascinating insights into its role as a military, agricultural, and religious center during the Inca Empire.
After the guided tour, enjoy some free time to explore the charming village at your own pace. You may browse local artisan shops, take photos of the picturesque streets, or relax with a coffee while soaking in the tranquil atmosphere of the Sacred Valley.
In the afternoon, board your scenic train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. This unforgettable journey is considered one of the most scenic train rides in South America. As the train winds along the Urubamba River, the landscape transforms from the open Andean highlands into lush cloud forest, offering stunning views of mountains, rivers, and dense vegetation along the way.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. You may choose to explore the town, visit local markets, or dine at one of its inviting restaurants.
This memorable day perfectly combines cultural discovery and natural beauty, setting the stage for your long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu the following day.
Today is the pinnacle of your Peru adventure with a full guided tour of the world-famous Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After an early breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, you will take the bus up the mountain to the entrance of this extraordinary Inca citadel, surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Andes and the lush cloud forest.
Upon arrival, your expert guide will lead you through the extensive archaeological site, explaining the fascinating history, culture, and engineering marvels of the Inca civilization. Explore the key areas of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, the Sacred Rock, and the agricultural terraces that demonstrate the Incas’ advanced knowledge of farming and architecture. Learn how the site was built in harmony with its natural surroundings and why it remains a symbol of Inca ingenuity and spiritual connection.
The guided tour highlights the intricate stonework, astronomical alignments, and ceremonial significance of Machu Picchu, offering a deeper understanding of its role as a royal estate and sacred center. Every pathway, temple, and terrace tells a story, revealing the Incas’ expertise in construction, agriculture, and astronomy, as well as their respect for the surrounding mountains and rivers.
After completing the tour, descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch at a local restaurant (not included), then board the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo. The journey provides stunning views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, and the Andean landscapes that surround Machu Picchu.
Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, private transportation will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. This seamless return concludes an unforgettable day, offering a complete exploration of Machu Picchu’s historical, cultural, and natural treasures.
This fully guided experience at Machu Picchu ensures you gain maximum insight into one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world, creating lasting memories of Peru’s rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes.
Enjoy a full free day in Cusco to explore the city at your own pace. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history, vibrant culture, and charming atmosphere of Peru’s former Inca capital.
Stroll through the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and admire colonial architecture built on Inca foundations. Visit the Plaza de Armas, the Cusco Cathedral, and the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun). Browse local artisan markets for colorful textiles, jewelry, and traditional crafts, or enjoy a meal at one of Cusco’s cafés serving Peruvian specialties such as ceviche, alpaca steak, and Andean chocolate.
For travelers seeking adventure, an optional full-day excursion to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is available. Hike through breathtaking Andean landscapes to see the famous multicolored slopes, a once-in-a-lifetime experience ideal for photography and nature lovers.
This free day in Cusco offers complete flexibility—relax, explore the city, or take the optional Rainbow Mountain adventure—allowing you to enjoy Cusco’s culture, history, and stunning landscapes at your own pace.
After breakfast at your hotel in Cusco, start your journey from the Andes to the heart of the Peruvian Amazon with a flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve. This marks the beginning of an unforgettable rainforest adventure in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred by boat along the winding Tambopata River to your lodge. The scenic river journey offers early wildlife sightings, including monkeys, birds, and caimans along the lush riverbanks, giving you a first glimpse of the rich Amazonian ecosystem.
At the lodge, settle into your comfortable accommodations nestled deep in the rainforest. After lunch, take an introductory guided walk to explore the surroundings. Your expert guide will explain the rainforest’s unique flora and fauna, from towering trees and medicinal plants to vibrant macaws, parrots, and howler monkeys.In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge, followed by an optional night walk to experience the rainforest after dark. Listen to the symphony of insects, frogs, and nocturnal wildlife while observing creatures that only appear at night, deepening your appreciation for this extraordinary ecosystem.
Today, immerse yourself fully in the incredible biodiversity of the Tambopata National Reserve, one of the richest ecosystems in the Peruvian Amazon. After breakfast at your lodge, join your expert guide for a full day of exploration, wildlife observation, and rainforest adventures.
Start the day with a morning jungle hike, where you will discover giant trees, medicinal plants, and unique flora while learning about the ecological importance of the Amazon. Listen for the calls of parrots, macaws, and howler monkeys, and keep an eye out for sloths, toucans, and other fascinating wildlife. Your guide will share insights into the behavior of rainforest animals and the ways local communities coexist with this environment.
After the hike, enjoy a relaxing boat trip along the Tambopata River, ideal for spotting river dolphins, caimans, and countless bird species. The river offers stunning scenery, reflecting the vibrant greenery of the rainforest and providing unique photographic opportunities.
Following lunch at the lodge, embark on an afternoon excursion to explore oxbow lakes or clay licks, where parrots and macaws gather in spectacular displays. These excursions provide unforgettable encounters with wildlife and a deeper understanding of Amazonian ecosystems.
Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner, sharing stories of the day’s discoveries while enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle at night.
After breakfast at your lodge in Tambopata, enjoy a final morning in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Take a short guided walk or boat ride along the Tambopata River, observing birds, monkeys, and other wildlife one last time before your departure.
Later, transfer by boat back to Puerto Maldonado, where you will board a domestic flight to Lima, Peru’s vibrant capital. During the flight, enjoy views of the Andes, Amazon, and the transition from jungle to coastal landscapes.
Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel or onward destination. This day provides a smooth and comfortable transition from the lush rainforest to the dynamic city environment, giving you time to reflect on the unforgettable wildlife encounters and natural beauty experienced in Tambopata.
On your final day in Peru, enjoy a relaxing morning in Lima before your departure. After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Lima’s international airport for your onward flight.
This private transfer ensures a smooth and comfortable journey, allowing you to leave Peru with ease and peace of mind. Your final day marks the conclusion of an unforgettable adventure, from the Andes and Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest, leaving you with lasting memories of Peru’s culture, history, and natural beauty.
