The Inca Journey
10 days
From $ 2599
Duration10 days

This tour will introduce you to the best of Peru, from ruins high in the Andes to wildlife deep in the Amazon. Embrace cultures past and present in Cusco before travelling by rail to Machu Picchu. With years of experience, we directly employ the finest guides so that you'll see the best of the region. And, with no hiking, you’ll have lots of time to explore ruins, museums, and markets. Following your visit to the Andes, travel deep into the Amazon to explore the jungle.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 10 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 12+
The Inca Journey - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Lima
Arrive at any time. 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 (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back 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/Cusco
Travel to the airport for the early morning flight to Cusco. Spend the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city.

Our best advice for exploring Cusco is to wear a comfortable pair of shoes. Arm yourself with a city map and set out to explore.
Fly to Cusco. Free time to shop and explore. Choose to pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour, visit museums or archaeological sites. Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class 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. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.
Meals: B
Day 3: Cusco/Sacred Valley
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them.

Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar). Enjoy a buffet-style lunch at Parwa Community Restaurant in the Sacred Valley.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Sacred Valley/Aguas Calientes
Board a morning train that winds through the spectacular Urubamba Valley to the end of the line: the village of Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled in the hills beneath Machu Picchu. Enjoy the rest of the day taking advantage of the hikes and hot springs in the area.
Journey to Aguas Calientes and opt to visit the local hot springs and hit the market. Those who have purchased and pre-booked the '1-day Inca Trail' hike will disembark the train at km 104 and trek to the Sun Gate for the first glimpse of Machu Picchu before re-joining the group at Aguas Calientes for the night.
Meals: B
Day 5: Machu Picchu/Cusco
Start early to catch the sunrise at the top. Take the bus up to the historic spiritual centre of the Incas, the 'Lost City' of Machu Picchu. Tour the ruins with an expert guide then explore on your own.

Later, return by train to Ollantaytambo and meet a private vehicle to head back to Cusco.
Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Opt to visit the Inca Bridge before returning to Cusco.
Meals: B
Day 6: Cusco
Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Enjoy a free day in Cusco. Opt to visit the local market, a nearby archaeological site, or get a massage.
Meals: B
Day 7: Cusco/Tambopata
Fly to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the lowlands of the Amazon Jungle.

After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge. En route, spot bird species typical of the river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.

Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich flora and fauna and locals' extensive use of medicinal plants and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques for building, fishing, and hunting.
Fly to Puerto Maldonado and continue by motorized boat to our comfortable and intimate G Lodge Amazon. The lodge itself combines native architectural style and materials with low-impact, eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, showers (with solar-heated hot water), and candles for lighting (no electricity). Please note in periods of high demand you may be accommodated in a nearby Amazon lodge. Enjoy a tasty boxed lunch aboard the boat en route to the lodge. Meals at the lodge are typically buffet-style, and include a mix of local and international dishes. As much food as possible is locally sourced – and it's absolutely delicious.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Tambopata
Head out early to catch the jungle at its wildest (and coolest). Walk slowly through the forest searching for wildlife before heading out on an oxbow lake by canoe. Search for anaconda, the elusive giant river otter or black caiman. Even if you don't spot these shy creatures, there's plenty of other birds, interesting plants, and other animals about.
Enjoy guided excursions led by expert naturalists to spot wildlife at nearby oxbow lakes and clay licks. Spend some time relaxing in a hammock, enjoying the local swimming hole or visiting a nearby plantation. Go for a caiman-spotting cruise after dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Tambopata/Lima
Enjoy a delicious Amazonian breakfast before heading back to the airport by motorized boat and van. Fly to Lima and opt for a final night out for dinner or Pisco Sours.
Fly back to Lima for an optional final dinner and night out.
Meals: B
Day 10: Lima
Depart at any time.
Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your Discover Moment: Cusco
  • Sacred Valley guided tour
  • Pottery-making demonstration
  • Train to Machu Picchu
  • Machu Picchu guided tour
  • Amazon Jungle stay at the exclusive G Lodge Amazon (3 days)
  • Guided excursions with naturalists
  • Rubber boot use
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Plane, Private van, Train, Boat, Canoe
  • Accommodation

    Hotels (7 nts), G Lodge Amazon (2 nts)

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