Machu Picchu & Amazon Lodge
See Peru from rainforest eco-lodge to mountain empires
Destinations
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puerto Maldonado
Activity
Adventure, Nature & Wildlife, Culture & History, Luxury, Family, Photography
Physical Level
Mild
Season
January - December
Combine Peru's two finest gems in one trip: the biodiverse wonderland of Puerto Maldonado in the southern Amazon basin, and the incredible cultural heritage of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Start your trip in Lima before heading to a remote jungle lodge to explore the rainforest with expert guides, before arriving up into the high Andes to marvel at Machu Picchu, historical Cusco and the many ruins of the beautiful Sacred Valley.
Suggested Itinerary
Recommended route & experiences
Day 2–4
Into the jungle
Puerto Maldonado

Take an internal flight to Puerto Maldonado where you'll travel by boat to your jungle lodge deep in the Amazon rainforest. Spend at least three days here on guided nature-spotting excursions, bird watching, hiking, and kayaking.

Visit a luxury Amazon eco-lodge
Puerto Maldonado in Peru’s southern Amazon basin is a wildlife wonderland. Spend a few nights in a full-service jungle lodge and take guided excursions birdwatching, climbing canopy walkways, hiking and canoeing.
Featured Accommodation
Day 5–6
Capital of the Inca
Cusco

Seat of the Inca Empire, Cusco is the epicentre for Peru's tourism industry, drawing millions of visitors en route to Machu Picchu and adventures in the Sacred Valley. With layers of archaeology built on top of each other (often literally), Cusco and its surroundings can keep you occupied for several days. Ignore the tourist traps and see Cusco for the living, breathing, contemporary city it is.

Explore historic Cusco
Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire, combines pre-Colombian heritage with colonial-era architecture and vibrant contemporary city life. You can (and should) spend some time exploring solo, but a good quality guided tour will visit the popular sites of Sacsayhuaman, Koricancha and Cusco Cathedral, while avoiding the tourist traps and giving you an insight into the stories behind this fascinating city.
Day 7
Tour the Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley

As the Urubamba River descends from Cusco, eventually connecting with tributaries of the mighty Amazon, it has carved out a sweep of valley whose beauty defies imagination. Little wonder then that the Inca chose this stunning and fertile location as their spiritual and agricultural heartland. Scattered with ruins, towns and villages where Quechua is still commonly heard, the Sacred Valley is much more than a mere stop-off before Machu Picchu. Spend some time here and get a real understanding for Peru's origin story.

Take a private tour of the Sacred Valley
The glorious Sacred Valley connects Cusco with Machu Picchu and is dotted with ruins, agricultural terraces, and historical towns, including Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moras, Moray, as well as many lesser-visited spots. Get under the surface with a full-day private tour and explore the ruins, villages and bustling markets, all set amidst incredible landscapes.

Meet Andean culture in the Sacred Valley
Despite the Spanish colonial influence, Peruvian indigenous culture thrives in the Sacred Valley. The village of Ollantaytambo has been inhabited since the 13th century, and nearby Pisac has a vibrant (if somewhat touristy) market. A good guide will help you branch off the tourist trail for a better perspective.
Day 8
Magical Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu

If you're coming to Peru you'll almost certainly visit the ruins that have come to define the entire country. Despite now drawing millions of visitors a year, the crowds can't dent the ruins' sheer scale and undeniable magnificence.
Take a guided visit of Machu Picchu
Yes it’s famous and busy, but for a perfectly valid reason: Machu Picchu remains one of the world’s preeminent archaeological sites. In spite of the crowds, an expert guide will bring the place to life and help you make sense of the Inca’s incredible ingenuity. You’ll have the option of climbing the adjacent Huayna Picchu for spectacular views, and can return for a second day exploring if you wish.

See another side to Machu Picchu
For a different perspective of the ruins and a bird’s eye view of the surrounding mountains and valleys, try the moderate hike up adjacent Huayna Picchu. Additional permit is required, our recommended tour operators will be happy to assist.
Day 9
Departure from Lima
Lima

Return to Lima to meet your flight home or, better still, stay a few days longer and get underneath the skin of Peru's fascinating capital city.

Eat like a king in Lima
Lima’s chefs cook up a storm with the fruits of the sea, mountains and jungle. But it’s not all fine dining and exclusive restaurants: Peru’s is an egalitarian cuisine and you’ll find excellent food at street stalls, local markets and neighbourhood cantinas.

Explore Lima's arts scene
Frequently seen as little more than a transit hub for Machu Picchu, Lima is in fact one of Latin America's great cities. World-leading gastronomy jostles with a flourishing arts scene, easily filling several days of deep cultural immersion.
What else would you like to do?
Select any of these experiences to tailor your route

Cusco
Overland from Puno to Cusco
Much better than the short flight from Puno (via Juliaca) to Cusco is a road-trip by minivan, giving you a more immersive view of life in this remote and rural Andean landscape. For a true taste of luxury, try the Andean Explorer train which conveys you to Cusco in classic style.

Lake Titicaca
Stay in an eco-lodge on Lake Titicaca
Isla Suasi, in a quiet corner of Lake Titicaca, is the only privately-owned island on the lake and is home to an incredible eco-lodge. Suasi promises the soothing isolation of island life, gentle strolls, and exploring the shoreline by canoe.

Trujillo
Explore coastal cultures
The Inca steal all the limelight but in historical terms they were mere upstarts. Visit Chan Chan, the Moche Valley and Sipán on Peru’s northern coast for a sense of Peruvian culture before the age of the Inca.

Chavín de Huántar
See the "birthplace of South American culture"
Chavín de Huántar, in Peru's central highlands, dates back to around 1,000 BC and was once one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Andean civilisation.

Arequipa
Explore the White City
Take a guided tour of Peru’s historic second city, la Ciudad Blanca (the White City). Arequipa is distinguished by its UNESCO-listed colonial era architecture, fiery cuisine and dramatic setting in the shadow of snow-capped volcanoes.

Iguazu Falls
Witness thundering Iguazu
The falls that famously prompted Eleanor Roosevelt to exclaim “Poor Niagara!" are truly a sight to behold. Straddling the Argentina/Brazil border, few places on earth better demonstrate both the raw power and profound beauty of mother nature.

Bartolomé Island
Penguins and Pinnacle Rock
Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Galapagos. Climb its 114m summit for views before heading down to the beach to see -- and swim -- with the diminutive Galapagos penguin.

Glaciers National Park
See glaciers in action
The Southern Patagonian Ice Field straddles the border between Argentine and Chilean Patagonia, feeding most of the region’s glaciers. Visit Argentina’s Glaciers National Park to witness Perito Moreno calving building-sized blocks of ice or, better still, go for a guided hike on the ice itself.
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