Machu Picchu & Amazon

Lima is a bustling, busy city and one of the most important in South America. Any trip to Peru will likely begin and end in the capital and visitors take advantage of the fact that Lima is widely regarded to be the culinary capital of the continent and home to many of the best restaurants in South America. Home of the ceviche and the Pisco Sour it is a city where the past and present mix beautifully, from the colonial center to modern Miraflores, through to the ancient Incan and pre-Incan culture which can be seen in Lima’s various museums.

A city of almost 11 million people, it is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountains. This unique location means it enjoys a microclimate of zero rainfall and is spread along the coast atop cliffs that offer beautiful sunset views and peaceful “malecóns”, even a short trip is guaranteed to be richly rewarding and a perfect introduction to Peru and its culture.

Upon arrival in Lima, you will be assisted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Meals: (x)

Today, we explore the fascinating contrast between the modern and colonial sides of Lima, the “City of Kings.” We begin in the vibrant districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, passing by a “huaca”—a sacred pre-Inca site—en route to the Historic Center.

Once there, we walk along streets steeped in history leading to the Plaza de Armas, where you will have time to capture the grandeur of the amazing colonial architecture that surrounds the square. We also take a peek inside an iconic landmark that has served Lima’s citizens for centuries and remains a vital part of the city’s identity.

Next, we visit the impressive Convent of Santo Domingo, an astonishing architectural jewel of the colonial era. After exploring the Historic Center, we head towards the Larco Museum, which houses the incomparable “Treasures of Ancient Peru” private collection.

Meals: (B)

Early breakfast and transfer to Lima Airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival at Cusco airport, our team will be there to assist you. (Note: To make the most of this itinerary, we recommend booking a flight that arrives in Cusco before 10:00 am).

We begin our journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, heading toward the town of Pisac. En route, we make a stop at the Taray viewpoint, which offers an unbeatable panoramic view of the valley. Once in Pisac, we explore the archaeological ruins overlooking the Vilcanota River, a site featuring fascinating architecture that is sure to amaze. From there, we take a livelier turn to visit the colorful Pisac market to browse the various local products and handicrafts on display.

Next, we head to a restaurant in Urubamba to enjoy a delicious lunch. We continue our day at the fortress of Ollantaytambo, a massive military, religious, and agricultural center perched atop a mountain. We end our tour with a visit to the town of the same name—a unique settlement that maintains its original Inca urban planning—where we stroll through picturesque streets and visit the local market.

Meals: (B, L)

We begin with a panoramic visit to the Maras salt mines, the extraction site of one of the finest salts in the world. Next, we head to Moray, a fascinating archaeological site in the Sacred Valley. Here, we explore the huge concentric terraces that served as an agricultural laboratory for the Incas.

Afterward, we stop for a typical lunch at a local restaurant. Following our meal, we travel to Chinchero to visit the PARWA Center, where we can appreciate beautiful Andean textiles and perhaps pick up a souvenir to take home. Our journey continues to the Chinchero Church, a colonial structure built by the Spanish in 1607 that stands to this day. We end the tour by exploring the nearby ruins, an important Inca center famous for its well-preserved terraces and aqueducts.

Meals: (B, L)

Today, we visit one of the most significant tourist destinations in the world: Machu Picchu.

Note: Your main luggage will be transferred directly to your selected hotel in Cusco, ready for pick-up upon check-in.

Our excursion starts with a scenic train trip to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where the natural beauty of the surroundings offers the perfect introduction to our visit. Upon arrival, we begin our ascent to the ruins, a moment that promises to be an unforgettable experience. Here, we explore one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World with our private guide, taking time to capture impressive photos of the ancient citadel.

After the tour, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. We then head to the train station to board our return service to Ollantaytambo (please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure). Upon arrival at the station, we transfer you directly to your hotel in the city of Cusco.

Meals: (B, L)

Today, explore the city of Cusco, the “Imperial City” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We begin our tour at the iconic San Pedro market, where we immerse ourselves in the colors, flavors, and traditions of modern Cusco. Our visit continues at the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and center of worship to the Sun God. Here, the Dominican order built a church atop the Inca foundations, a structure that stands to this day.

Next, we ascend to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive example of Inca military architecture. From there, we explore the Q’enqo archaeological site, a sacred place where important Inca ceremonies were once held. We conclude our tour at the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) with a visit to the Cathedral, the most important Christian temple in the city.

Meals: (B)

AM: After breakfast, at the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel and privately transferred to Cusco airport, ready to board your departure flight to Iquitos! After your flight to the capital of the Peruvian Amazon, our guides will meet you at the Iquitos airport—waiting for you with a sign to transfer you by a private vehicle to Nauta port, for boarding. On the road you will enjoy a box lunch.

PM: Upon boarding, our staff escorts us to your suite, which features a comfortable bed dressed in 100% Peruvian Pima cotton sheets, plush cotton bathrobes, air conditioning, and a private en-suite bathroom. Before setting sail, we are welcomed with a signature cocktail prepared with local fruit and Pisco, Peru’s most famous spirit. We sip our drinks while enjoying 360° views from the observation deck or taking in the panorama from the indoor and outdoor lounges. As the journey begins, our naturalist guides provide an overview of the itinerary, covering the wildlife, vegetation, and historical context of the region. After the briefing, we enjoy delicious appetizers and some downtime before our first skiff outing to Yacapana. Here, we embark on a thrilling night excursion in search of caimans, tarantulas, frogs, and other species that emerge once the sun goes down. We return to the boat for our first dinner on board—a special Peruvian meal with distinct Amazonian influences.

Meals: (B, D)

AM: We start our day early, venturing out before breakfast on a skiff to the Yanallpa area of the Ucayali River within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve to spot native animal species. After breakfast, we continue our exploration aboard a skiff to the Tapiche River in search of more wildlife. Before midday, we return to the main vessel for an exclusive cooking demonstration led by our executive chef.

PM: After lunch, we attend an optional educational talk about the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Later in the afternoon, we navigate by skiff to the Dorado River to try our hand at fishing using traditional local techniques. As dusk falls, we extend our outing into the night to search for caimans, tarantulas, and other nocturnal species that emerge after sunset, before returning to the Zafiro for dinner on board.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM: After breakfast, we set out to explore the Yarapa River, scanning its mysterious black waters for the famous pink and gray river dolphins. Upon returning to the Zafiro, we witness a significant geographical moment: the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which merge to form the mighty Amazon River.

PM: Following lunch and a short rest, we board our skiffs for a scenic journey along the Amazon River itself. We observe the daily lives of the local communities dwelling along the riverbanks and pause to admire a colorful Amazonian sunset. Back on board, we enjoy some time to relax with live music, followed by a special presentation by the crew and our farewell dinner.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM: After breakfast, we disembark and begin our journey toward the airport. En route, we stop at the Manatee Rescue Center (Amazon Forever Organization), where biologists and volunteers care for endangered manatees. We learn about the rehabilitation process for these gentle giants and their preparation for release back into their natural habitat. We also observe other rescued species and have the opportunity to support this dedicated organization before continuing to the airport for our final departure.

Afterward, you will be transferred to Iquitos airport for your departure flight back to your next destination.

Meals: (B)