Peruvian Amazon Cruise & Machu Picchu

Over one third of all species recorded in the world are found in the Amazon Basin, constituting the largest collection of living plant and animal species on Earth. Your cruise explores the river aside the Pacaya Samiria Reserve near Iquitos Peru, a flooded forest of some 5 million acres. The diversity of flora and fauna is unparalleled and even contains the beautiful pink dolphins. Explore the region with jungle trails, tree-top canopy walks, skiff rides to the flooded forest and night excursions in search of caiman and nocturnal predators. In addition, you will visit a local Ribereno community and learn of their daily primitive lives.

Following on from your Amazon adventure you will travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Discover the treasures of the ruins at Ollantaytambo, Pisac and dine at a beautiful Hacienda and learn of farming first hand today in this lush valley. From the valley you can choose to take the train or even take a day hike down to the citadel of the famed Machu Picchu. The crown jewel of the Inca civilisation, your first glimpse of this magnificent creation is to be forever etched on your memory. The perfect day is completed by a luxury train journey aboard the Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco. The cobbled streets of this city are laden with colonial, Incan and pre-Incan influences and your guide will share the secrets of this beguiling city. This journey ends in Lima and be sure to sample Peruvian cuisine. Perhaps a meal at Central or Maido, ranking in the top ten of the World’s Top 50 Best Restaurants.

Peruvian Amazon Cruise & Machu Picchu Itinerary

Day 1 - Lima

You will arrive into Lima and be met by our representatives. You will be taken to your Lima Hotel to relax and unwind after your journey.

Day 2 - Lima - Amazon Cruise

This morning you fly to Iquitos and then are transferred to Nauta on the Marañon River to emabark on your Amazon cruise boat. You can enjoy happy hour and an orientation evening where your naturalist guide will give you an overview of your journey’s schedule, activity options, navigation route and highlights, flora and fauna to seek out, along with a geographical and historical context to your destinations.

Day 3 - Amazon Cruise

Today its an early start as you embark upon the Fundo Casual jungle trail exploring an area with some of the most abundant wildlife and flora in the region, all under the expert eye and guidance of your naturalist guide. After lunch you will visit the small community of Amazonas and learn the daily life of a local ribereño. You can then contemplate and ponder, do yourself or themselves have the better lifestyle? From here we head to Unión de los Ríos where the Ucayali and the Marañon Rivers meet and is considered the birthplace of the Amazon. You head back on board to enjoy the evening on the third deck, stargazing whilst you sail through the Amazon Rainforest.

Day 4 - Amazon Cruise

Today you set out upon an amazing Amazon trail across the 1650 feet long and 85 feet high canopy walkway. The suspended walkway is spread between fourteen of the area’s largest rainforest trees and is one of the longest canopy walkways in the world with breathtaking scenery and access to hidden animals of the rainforest. After lunch you venture to the well preserved and mega diverse Yanayacu Pucate zone where you can partake in paddle boarding on the Amazon or enjoy an unforgettable swim with the famed Pink Dolphins.

Day 5 - Amazon Cruise - Lima

You disembark at Nauta and en-route to Iquitos airport, you will visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (ACOBIA) where you will have the chance to meet baby manatees and learn of their precarious existence, along with other animals of the centre. You will then be transferred to the airport and fly from Iquitos to Lima.

Day 6 - Lima - Cusco

Today you fly from Lima to Cusco. You have a private tour of Pisac Market and Pisac ruins on your schedule. The local market in Pisac has an impressive array of Andean textiles, art-work and silver jewellery on display. This market is also used by local people for the sale and purchase of fruit and vegetables from the region. The town of Pisac is overlooked by the impressive fortifications of the Incan ruins of Pisac and we will enjoy a short hike to explore the marvel of their Incan creators. Enjoy lunch at a local hacienda and overnight at your Sacred valley hotel.

Day 7 - Cusco

You head out on a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the Maras Salt Pans, Moray and Ollantaytambo ruins. Maras clings to the hillside in a beautiful part of the valley where salt is extracted by age old methods to this very day. You then visit Moray an ancient Incan agrarian laboratory and finally to Ollantaytambo ruins. Ollantaytambo was one of the last redoubts of the Inca as they fought to stave off the onslaught of the Spanish conquistadors in the mid to late 16^thcentury. Be sure to visit the huge monoliths of the Temple of the Sun. Overnight Sacred Valley Hotel.

Day 8 - Machu Picchu

Today you set out on the Vistadome train journey from Ollantaytambo station to Machu Picchu village. You have a privately guided tour of the citadel of Machu Picchu; nothing prepares you for your first sight of this wonder of the world. Your tour encompasses; the Caretakers Hut, Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, Three Windowed Temple, Intihuatana / Solar Clock, and the quarry. Overnight at your hotel near Machu Picchu.

Day 9 - Machu Picchu

You can re-visit Machu Picchu today and take time to visit some of the lesser explored parts of the citadel. Following on from this you hike Machu Picchu mountain which dominates above the peak of Machu Picchu. The trek offers some amazing panoramic vistas across the rugged landscape. Return to Machu Picchu village and take the luxury Hiram Bingham train to Poroy, Cusco. Overnight Cusco hotel.

Day 10 - Cusco

You have the morning free to relax in the city of Cusco, the centre of the Inca world. In the afternoon take a tour of the many ancient ruins of both Incan and Colonial origin. Marvels such as Q’enko, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the Inca Temple of the Sun – Korikancha and the impressive cathedral on main Plaza de Armas. Overnight Cusco hotel.

Day 11 - Cusco - Lima

Today you fly to Lima for your onwards journey.

Peruvian Amazon Cruise & Machu Picchu - When To Travel

The best months to take this adventure are from late April to the end of October. This corresponds to the dry season in the highlands and Amazon Jungle.

CONTACT

Contact the Luxury Safari Club for more information or to book the Peruvian Amazon Cruise & Machu Picchu