Peru: Machu Picchu & the Amazon

Arrive in Lima, where you are met and transferred to your hotel.

This morning, set out on a gourmet biking tour of the city’s street foods. Along the way, stop at Choco Museum to listen to a brief presentation about the importance of coffee and chocolate production in Amazon communities. Ride on to La Mar before visiting a small food market, and stop at a local restaurant for some delicious Peruvian cooking. On your return to Miraflores, pause for a refreshment along the way. Take some time back at the hotel to freshen up and rest. This afternoon, enjoy a colonial city tour, starting in the historical center of Lima, visiting Casa de Aliaga and Santo Domingo Convent. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at a top-flight local restaurant.

Fly to Cusco, arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a briefing on the history and highlights of the Inca Trail in preparation for your hike. Head out for the Sacred Valley, stopping en route at a center devoted to caring for South American camelids, such as llamas, guanacos and alpacas, with the opportunity to feed them if you wish. Arrive at your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to acclimatize. This evening, dine at your hotel’s restaurant.

Begin today interacting with members of a village community in Sacred Valley, followed by a light trek escorted by llamas on trail that overlooks a lake. Stop for a delicious picnic lunch, and then enjoy an afternoon at leisure capped off by a Scenic Sundowner overlooking a river. Tonight, gather for dinner at your hotel.

Start the day by exploring Ollantaytambo, a fortress of massive stone terraces that hug the mountain slopes and the site of the Incas’ greatest victory over the invading Spanish. Then Ride Like a Local, journeying aboard the Inca Rail First-Class Train deep into the Andes toward Machu Picchu gazing out at the spectacular Peruvian countryside. In the early afternoon, explore the ruins with your expert guide and, as you wander amid the age-old stone walls, picture life as it might have been in this majestic citadel, set some 8,000 feet above sea level. Alternatively (for an additional cost), you may opt to hike the Inca Trail en route. Depart early, boarding a many-windowed Vistadome Train for the same scenic ride, but with a twist: disembark at KM 104 and set out with a guide on a hike that culminates at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), looking out over the vast UNESCO World Heritage Site. Either way, arrive for your overnight stay at the only hotel located on-site at marvelous Machu Picchu.

Rise with the sun to walk through Machu Picchu in the early morning mist before the crowds arrive, an experience some consider the spiritual highlight of the journey. Overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca Empire. Although this “Lost City” was revealed to the rest of the world by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, its location was long known to locals. Its original purpose, however, remains a matter of some conjecture, as the Incas left no written records. After a thorough exploration of the citadel, return to your hotel for lunch. Then, board the Vistadome Train back to Ollantaytambo, and continue to Cusco to relax or explore on your own.

Experience Cusco your way, enjoying one of these Design Your Day activities. Explore Highlights of Cusco and visit imposing Sacsayhuaman, compiled from colossal stones. Join a Photographer in Cusco who helps you capture authentic images of the city’s impressive architecture. Visit Oropesa — where you sample fresh-baked bread at an artisan bakery — and the Main Plaza of Cusco. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, gather for a dinner at the trendsetting MAP Café restaurant.

Today, fly to Iquitos via Lima. Upon arrival, journey overland into the Peruvian countryside en route to remote Nauta, a village set on the banks of the Marañón River, one of the Amazon’s three main tributaries. Begin your three-night river-cruise adventure, embarking elegant ‘Aria Amazon,’ a modern river cruiser. Settle into your spacious suite before meeting the expert naturalist guides who accompany your expedition. This evening, gather for dinner featuring innovative Amazonian cuisine created by consulting chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, owner of one of Lima’s top-ranked restaurants.

Begin your day with an early morning cruise along the Ucayali River in a comfortable skiff searching for wildlife including parrot, egret, and monkey. After breakfast, choose to go canoeing, kayaking, or swimming on the black water of the Clavero Lake, or visit an Amazonian village, where you can interact with native Riberenos (people of the river). At dusk, explore the Yarapa River in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife. This evening, gather on deck to enjoy stargazing beneath the breathtaking Amazon night sky. Your naturalist guide is on hand to help you locate various constellations.

Set off in skiffs on a wildlife excursion along the Amazon River and then, after breakfast, explore the Tahuayo River, a black water tributary of the Amazon River. Back on board join the bartender and chef for a Chef’s Table Experience. Prepare a cocktail that will pair with the dish you will be making for lunch. Then attend a discussion on the flora and fauna that surround you, before venturing forth on a thrilling jungle walk across the high Amazon rainforest. On your return in the evening, marvel at the jungle symphony and extraordinary stargazing opportunities as you travel on local boats along the “enchanted river.” Later, gather for a chat with the crew members of your vessel who recount stories of life in the Amazon, followed by a farewell dinner on board.

On your return to Nauta, visit local points of interest, especially its lively markets, where the freshly harvested bounty of the surrounding forest is on display. Bid farewell to your crew and disembark ‘Aria Amazon.’ Visit the Amazon Forever Manatee Rescue Center to encounter some of the gentle, endangered aquatic mammals up close, along with examples of paiche, the river fish you sought out earlier during your journey, and learn about conservation efforts being made to protect these vital Amazon species. Then, transfer to the airport for your departing flight.