Sacred Peru with Amazon Adventure Extension - Private Tour

On arrival in Lima, you will be met by your local representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.

Enjoy a half-day tour of Lima, exploring both the colonial and modern districts of Peru’s capital. Begin in the historic centre, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, where you will visit the Main Square, home to the Government Palace, Cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall. Continue to the Santo Domingo Convent before travelling to the modern district of San Isidro and the popular area of Miraflores. Here, stop at the Parque del Amor and take in views across the Pacific Ocean.

Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

With its large traditional square and colonial buildings, Peru's second largest city Arequipa has a very Spanish feel. Known as the 'Cuidad Blanca' (White City) and set against the backdrop of the misty volcano, Arequipa offers some truly wonderful cultural and historic sites including the Church of the Society of Jesus, the frescoes of America's Sistine Chapel at the San Ignacio Dome and the labyrinth Santa Catalina Convent. The tour ends with a relaxed walk around the local areas of Cayma and Yanahuara. The rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.

Today the tour moves on to the open plains of the Pampa Canaguas and Salinas where you will see llamas, alpacas, and guanacos roaming in the wild. The wetlands are teeming with different species of birdlife, and Patapampa, a high point offers stunning vistas of volcanoes. After about a five hour drive you arrive at Chivay, your base for the night where dinner is included.

An early start from Chivay sets you up for a spectacular scenic tour of the Colca Canyon with its terraced fields, and deep gorges, all culminating with a chance to see the majestic condors as they rise deep from within the canyon. You will then make your way back to the hotel and after lunch, commence your journey to Puno, arriving in the evening where dinner at your hotel is included.

Today's highlight is a trip to Lake Titicaca, the highest and largest navigable lake on earth. The views from Taquile Island that, on a clear day, can stretch to Bolivia are stunning and well worth the hour or so walk to the top from the port. Have a 'coca tea' break half way up before lunch is taken in a simple restaurant that overlooks the lake. Later you will walk back down to the port and board a boat for a brief visit to one of the floating reed islands to visit a local family home. Overnight is in Puno.

This morning you will travel from Puno to Cusco and be able to appreciate the surrounding valleys' wonderful landscapes en route. The journey includes a stop at La Raya pass, 4,300 metres above sea level, from where you will be able to take in some amazing vistas of the Andean snow-capped mountains. You will also stop at the Raqchi ruins, known as the Temple of the God Wiracocha, and Andahuaylillas village where there is a beautiful church from the 17th century. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before arriving in Cusco and transferring to your hotel.

Today the tour heads for Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where one of the highlights is a visit to the imposing Inca Fortress at Ollantaytambo. En route you will visit a camelid compound to see these unique animals at close quarters as well as the colourful Pisac market where local Indians display and sell their handmade artefacts. Lunch is in a comfortable restaurant then the journey continues to reach your hotel for an overnight stay in the valley.

Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and this morning you will be taken to the station to board the train to start your adventure to this incredible site. The train will take you to the city of Aguas Calientes where you disembark and board a bus to the archaeological site. Constructed on a saddle between two Andean peaks, Machu Picchu was one of the greatest achievements of South American civilisation. Enjoy a guided tour, then descend back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then catch the train back to Ollantaytambo and return to Cusco by coach. On return to your hotel your stored baggage will be returned to you.

This morning's tour of Cusco will introduce you to this amazing colonial city built on the foundation of Inca palaces. Visit the 'Temple of the Sun' where you can appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral with its carved woodwork and paintings. Later, you will drive to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, then to the underground cave and temple of Kenko - one of the largest wakas (holy places) in the region. Experience a panoramic view of Puca Pucara and, finally, stop at the living art workshop to admire how the local artisans create wonderful silver pieces, paintings and wood carvings. Later this afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima.

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Upon your arrival in Puerto Maldonado, Peru’s capital of biodiversity, you will be warmly welcomed at the airport. From there, your adventure begins with a visit to the local city before heading to Puerto Capitanía, where your riverboat awaits. You will then set sail along the winding Río Bajo Madre de Dios toward your lodge, located 30 km from Puerto Maldonado. Along the way, you’ll pass rural landscapes dedicated to agriculture and livestock. If weather conditions allow, you may spot vibrant flora such as large-flowered heliconias, as well as a variety of wildlife including capybaras, caimans, water turtles, herons, cormorants, carrion birds, and birds of prey.

Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be greeted with refreshing Amazonian tropical fruit nectars and escorted to your room. Once you’ve settled in, a hearty lunch will be served in a warm, rustic dining room. In the afternoon, your specialized guide will lead you along a well-marked interpretive trail to Caiman Cocha, a small lagoon where you may observe black caimans and common caimans—powerful predators at the top of the food chain. These reptiles feed on the rich aquatic life found in the lagoon, primarily fish. After returning to the lodge, a delicious dinner will be prepared for you. You’ll then have free time to relax and enjoy the bar and its excellent game room. As night falls, the sounds of the Amazon’s nocturnal wildlife will create a soothing natural symphony to accompany your rest.

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Depart Lima early this morning for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Here you will be welcomed by the friendly staff and transferred to the nearby wharf where you will board a motorised canoe. Journeying along the beautiful Madre de Dios River, marvel at the never-ending forests and abundant wildlife that is home to this area with some of the richest biodiversity in the world. Upon reaching your lodge and getting back onto dry land you will enjoy lunch before taking a stroll through some of the property’s nature trails to learn about primary and secondary rainforests in the region. When dusk falls, an exciting twilight river excursion awaits you. A motorised canoe will again take you along the Madre de Dios River where your guide will explain about its ecosystem, Amazonian creeks, nocturnal animals inhabiting the area and the southern sky’s stellar constellations. Return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.

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After breakfast, you’ll set out on a guided hike along signposted trails into the heart of the rainforest. The route takes you through a variety of ecosystems - from riverside paths to high forest and floodplain areas - offering a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Along the way, you’ll encounter medicinal plants and towering trees such as mahogany, cedar, and moriche palm, while keeping an eye out for wildlife including monkeys, capybaras, giant otters, tapirs, colourful birds, and countless insects. Your journey leads to the impressive Lake Apu Victor, surrounded by swamps and towering trees. From an observation deck, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the lake and spot parrots, macaws, toucans, and other wildlife, along with aquatic species that thrive during the rainy season. Returning to the lodge, a refreshing lunch will be served. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Monkey Island, just minutes away in the Madre de Dios River. This lush island is home to several primate species, including squirrel monkeys, capuchins, and spider monkeys, as well as coatis, squirrels, and vibrant birdlife. As the day ends, take in a stunning Amazon sunset before heading back to the lodge for dinner.

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This morning you will prepare for a long trek deep into the Tambopata National Reserve and towards the sparkling, palm-fringed Lake Sandoval. Navigating across the tranquil, oxbow lake by dugout canoe you may be able to spot one of the many species of wildlife that call the area home, such as the endangered giant river otters, macaws, red howler monkeys and one of the world's biggest freshwater scaled fish, the paiche. After returning to the lodge for lunch you will take a 20-minute canoe ride to a canopy walkway where you can cross the seven hanging bridges connecting the treetops at a height of 90 feet before to gain a birds-eye appreciation of the vast jungle. Descend to walk along the 650-foot wooden bridge over the swamps which are home to the legendary anaconda. This evening get ready to further explore the nocturnal activity of the Amazon rainforest with an excursion into the surrounding jungle areas where you will listen to the sounds of nature and observe the intriguing behaviour patterns of the wildlife found here.

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After breakfast, you’ll venture into the virgin rainforest with a local guide, following well-maintained interpretive trails deep into the forest. Crossing small tributaries by bridge, you’ll encounter a remarkable diversity of flora, including ornamental, medicinal, and fruit-bearing plants that sustain Amazonian wildlife. With a bit of luck, you may spot animals such as monkeys, capybaras, giant otters, tapirs, and even elusive predators like the jaguar, along with colourful birds and reptiles. Your journey leads to the beautiful Lost Cocha, a wetland ecosystem rich in biodiversity and surrounded by swamps and towering moriche palms - an important symbol for local cultures. From an observation platform, take in sweeping views of this tranquil landscape before enjoying a walk around the lagoon, where you may glimpse the impressive giant otter. Afterwards, return to the lodge for a well-earned lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax, explore the botanical garden, or photograph the surroundings. In the evening, enjoy dinner followed by the option to unwind at the bar and games room.

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Rising early after daybreak, visit a native farm to learn local techniques of cultivation and even sample some of the products. Continuing on to the botanical gardens, discover the immense variety of medicinal plants considered part of the 'natural pharmacy' and used by the locals in the Amazon region. This afternoon you will take a dugout canoe ride on the lake by your lodge to try your hand at the native 'catch and release' fishing technique whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery and wildlife.

Today journey back to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the airport there to board your flight to Lima. On arrival, you will be met and taken your hotel to spend the evening.