Explore Machu Picchu & the Amazon River
11 days
From $ 3649
Duration11 days

Combine two amazing adventures in one unforgettable 11-day trip that takes in the wonder of Machu Picchu and the mystical Amazon River. Ride the scenic train to the famous Inca ruins, then venture deep into the rainforest on a riverboat, spotting wildlife along the way. From the pinnacle of a fascinating civilization to the depths of pristine wilderness, this journey will ignite your passion for adventure.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 11 days
    Service level: Upgraded
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 12+
Explore Machu Picchu & the Amazon River - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Lima
Get ready for a very busy tour exploring the best of Peru in a week. We recommend booking a pre-night in Lima (in particular if your flight arrives into Lima in the evening) to recover from international flights and rest up before the excitement.
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included. Please note that if you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 am (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return to your hotel around 13:00.

Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Day 2: Lima/Urubamba
Board an early flight to Cusco then head to the scenic Sacred Valley. Explore the pre-Inca salt pans of Las Salineras and tour the Maras and Moray ruins. Enjoy a traditional pachamanca-style meal of local specialties. There are some very early morning starts on this trip to make the best use of our time and see as much as we can of Peru in a week.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Urubamba
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley with a visit to the “Parque de la Papa” (“Potato Park”). An exclusive experience for Journeys travellers and part of G Adventures for Good, you'll walk through this rural community with a local guide to learn about potato cultivation, weaving, and the importance of both to Andean culture. Also, explore the Ollantaytambo and Pisac ruins and visit the G Adventures-supported Sacred Valley Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Urubamba/Aguas Calientes
For serious archaeology buffs, there is time for an optional independent visit to Machu Picchu before the guided tour the following morning.
Catch an early transfer to Ollantaytambo station and board the scenic train to Aguas Calientes with the option to visit the market. Please bear in mind that the town has several amenities, but is also geographically remote meaning services are sometimes more basic than one would assume. As the only option for travellers visiting Machu Picchu, the development of infrastructure has happened quite quickly, much without proper planning, and the focus on providing quality service may not be up to the standards experienced in other parts of the country.

Those who have chosen the option in advance to hike the "1-day Inca Trail" will disembark the train at km 104 to begin the trek. The trail rises steeply up into the mountains and will take hikers past the archaeological sites of Wiñay Wayna and Inti Pata, where the local guide will provide insights into the fascinating culture of the Incas en route to the trek's culmination at the Sun Gate. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way and reach the Sun Gate in the late afternoon with a chance for a preliminary exploration of Machu Picchu before the guided tour on Day 5. Transfer by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to rejoin the group and spend the night in a hotel. If time permits, take an optional visit to the nearby hot springs to soak your sore muscles.
1-day Inca Trail option:
Approximate Distance: 11 km
Estimated hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: B
Day 5: Aguas Calientes/Cusco
Enjoy a guided tour of the Machu Picchu ruins. Get free time to explore on your own or take an optional visit to the Inca Bridge before returning to Cusco by train.
Meals: B
Day 6: Cusco
Please remember that star gazing is completely weather dependent and sometimes there can be cloudy skies.
Explore historic Cusco with options to visit museums or go whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or mountain biking. This evening, take in a different view of the night sky at the Cusco Planetarium. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Inca relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use their telescopes to admire the stars. Please note that if you pre-book the Peru Culinary Bundle, on day 6 you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 16:00.
Meals: B
Day 7: Cusco/Iquitos
Feel free to bring your bathing suit to the restaurant as they have a pool to cool off in.
Catch an early morning flight to the bustling jungle port town of Iquitos. Enjoy an orientation of the town, then travel by boat to a unique floating restaurant specializing in local Amazonian cuisine. There are no direct flights to Iquitos, you will have to change planes in Lima.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Iquitos
Relax and soak in the natural beauty of the wild rainforest onboard the Amazon Riverboat. Step out on deck to watch the riverbanks go by, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as grey and pink dolphins.

Naturalist guides will lead jungle excursions by skiff and on foot, give lectures, and point out unique species of bird and marine life as you explore the smaller tributaries of the river.
Enjoy a morning excursion by boat to the Pilpintuwasi Butterfly farm and learn about butterflies and their importance to the Amazonian eco-system. Also visit a non-profit Wildlife Rescue Center, dedicated to protecting animals affected by poaching and trafficking. After, transfer to the riverboat, our home for the next two nights. Settle into your comfortable cabin and enjoy a briefing from the ship crew. The river exploration begins with an evening boat excursion by motorized skiff with our expert guide. Watch as the jungle comes alive with nocturnal species at nighttime. Please note that embarkation points, excursions, and activities while on the riverboat are dependent on fluctuating water levels and are subject to change.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
Head out into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve on a boat excursion and search for monkeys, sloths, and macaws. In the afternoon, take a walk through the jungle and visit a local community to learn about their traditions. After dinner, opt to go on a night excursion to Piranha Creek.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve/Lima
In the early morning explore the shoreline by boat, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife. Leave the peacefulness of the river behind and visit a manatee rescue centre on the way to catching your flight back to Lima. Enjoy the evening in the city.
Meals: B
Day 11: Lima
Depart at any time.
Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Andean Experience, Urubamba Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cusco Planetarium, Cusco Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Wildlife Rescue Centre and Butterfly Farm, Iquitos Your G for Good Moment: Parque de la Papa (Potato Park), Urubamba Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your Discover Moment: Cusco
  • Arrival transfer
  • Two-day Sacred Valley tour including Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Pisac ruins and pre-Inca salt pans
  • Traditional pachamanca-style dinner
  • Scenic train and guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • Three-day (2 nts) aboard the Amatista Amazon Riverboat
  • Orientation tour of Iquitos
  • Launches and land excursions with our expert naturalist team
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Minibus/van, Train, Plane, Walking
  • Accommodation

    Hotels (8 nts), Amatista Amazon Riverboat (2 nts)

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