Machu Picchu & Amazon cruise

See the Amazon by luxury cruise

From Iquitos board a luxurious river cruise ship for an intimate voyage down the Amazon River to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Swim and kayak from the boat and keep an eye out for macaws, toucans, umbrella birds, monkeys, river otters, river dolphins and more.

Visit the gateway to the Amazon

Iquitos, in the northern Amazon is only accessible by boat or plane. Luxurious jungle lodges offer watery nature-spotting adventures by canoe and boat (look out for the pink river dolphin), and the city itself is a jumble of lively markets and bustling streets with a distinctly frontier vibe.

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.

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.

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.

Huayna Picchu day hike

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Duration: Two to four hours
• Max elevation: 2,693
• Start/end point: The trailhead is at the far end of the Machu Picchu citadel

The classic Machu Picchu day hike, Huayna Picchu is best known as the perfectly triangular peak that towers behind Machu Picchu in all the classic photos.

Many of the breathtaking photos you’ve seen that are taken from a vantage point far above the ruins were shot from this peak.

Huayna means young in Quechua, as opposed to “machu” which means old. Huayna Picchu is the smaller of the two peaks that bookend the main archeological site and Machu Picchu Mountain is the larger one.

Before committing to this hike, it’s important to know that it is definitely not for people who have a fear of heights. While this can be an issue anywhere in the Andes, climbing Huayna Picchu involves plenty of narrow paths with exposure to sheer drop-offs. There are handrails in the worst spots, but not everywhere you may want them.

Although there are some ruins toward the top, the main reason people do this hike is for the great perspective it gives you, looking down on Machu Picchu. If you are more adventurous, you can also go over the top and around the other side. This will allow you to visit the Temple of the Moon and the Great Cavern.

As with so many hikes in Peru, the hard part isn’t the distance as such, it’s the vertical gain over a very short distance that makes the route so challenging. Be prepared for over 300m (1,000 ft) of ascent, with steep rock stairways all the way up. It takes most people between one and two hours. If you choose to do the hike around to the back as well, you should give yourself a good four hours to complete the circuit and have time to explore the cave.

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.