Welcome to Peru!

Upon arrival to Lima, you will be welcomed outside of Customs by an English-speaking assistant holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel to assist with check-in.

Use this arrival day to rejuvenate yourself by resting or enjoying hotel services.

Included:

• Transfer

Today, our guide picks you up from your hotel to begin your Historic Center of Lima tour.

Start by visiting the Aliaga House, a colonial mansion with over 5 centuries of history, considered the oldest house in the Americas.

Then, explore the Plaza Mayor, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you visit the imposing Lima Cathedral.

Upon leaving the Historical Center, you will head to the HuacaPucllana, a pre-Inca archaeological complex in the district of Miraflores, which was an important ceremonial and administrative center of the Lima culture, between 200 and 700 AD. In a guided tour, you will explore the different areas of the huaca and learn about the lifestyle of its former inhabitants.

Once all activities are completed we will transfer back to your hotel.

Balance of day at leisure.

Included:

• Breakfast
• Tour

This morning at schedule time a transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado.

Welcome to Puerto Maldonado. Begin to experience the enchantment of the rainforest as you take a 45-minute boat ride along the Madre de Dios River, to arrive at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica lodge. After a short briefing, settle into your beautiful cabaña and enjoy your lunch in the dining room. Take a siesta, share a refreshing tea time and get ready for the afternoon excursion.

After gathering with your Inkaterra Explorer Guide, choose from the 14 different excursions available at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica. On your first day, we recommend a guided walk along the Trail system, into the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica natural area, where you will discover the Amazon Basin. This trail offers an excellent introduction to the forest environment, winding past impressive trees such as the Shihuahuaco, and the strangely beautiful strangler fig, offering excellent opportunities for bird watching and observing exotic insects.

We also recommend on the first night our Twilight River excursion — a guided afternoon boat ride on the Madre de Dios river. Witness the transformation from a diurnal to a nocturnal world: animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the night. As you enjoy their paradise, you will learn about their habits, while you search for nightjars, owls, capybaras and up to three different caiman species.

Enjoy dinner served in the main dining room from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. After dinner, you may retire early to your own cabana, or share your experience in the rainforest with other guests and interpreters, as you listen to the intriguing sounds of the jungle at night.

Included:

• Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
• Transfer
• Air-ticket
• Tour

Wake up late or rise early — the choice is yours. Breakfast begins at 5:30 a.m., for those who want to avoid the heat, and enjoy nature at its fullest. A full buffet breakfast is served from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. During the morning you may visit the Lake Sandoval excursion into the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe, across a beautiful, mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica for lunch.

After lunch, consider the remarkable Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. Ascending the first tower, 29 meters above the forest ground, you begin your encounter with the treetop realm. For more than a quarter of a mile, you will literally walk through the rainforest canopy on a suspension bridge network linking eight observation platforms. During this hour-and-a-half expedition, be on the lookout for colorful toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys, and sloths. If you wish you may extend your excursion and watch the sunset from one of the towers. Once at the lodge, enjoy the daily nature presentation in the Eco Center and the Happy Hour. Dinner starts at 7:30 p.m.

Included:

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Tour

Enjoy a trip to Gamitana Creek, located 25 minutes by boat from the lodge. For one and a half hours, explore the rainforest along the banks of a winding, dark-water creek that is home to many piranha, caiman, turtles and birds, until the Sanipanga landing point. Navigate your way back downstream, observing the abundant flora and fauna along the way. You will return to Gamitana Farm to do a short guided tour to see how local farmers grow fruits and vegetables. Return to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch, enjoy the Hacienda Concepcion excursion, with over 200 different plant species, and learn about the uses and benefits of local flora. This is followed by a 30 minute canoe trip to look for turtles, sun grebes, nightjars and exotic herons. Return to the lodge.

Then consider the Rainforest by Night excursion through the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve at night for an approximately 2 hour excursion. Venture into the forest and experience the mystery of the animal activity that awakens in the rainforest after dark, enhancing animal resources to create new adaptation mechanisms. Listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot species that only emerge at night. Return to the lodge.

Included:

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Tour

After breakfast, check-out.

Meet the group and transfer to Puerto Maldonado Airport and check-in for your direct flight to Cuzco.

On arrival to Cusco you will be met at the airport by a local representative who will transport you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (8,500 feet elevation), a long, fertile river valley surrounded by snowcapped peaks that lies between Cusco (11,000 feet elevation) and Machu Picchu (8,000 feet elevation).

Starting here helps you adjust to the high altitude of the Andes and is a great way to see how the local people continue to live in the traditional Andean manner.

Balance of the day at leisure.

Please Note: At high altitudes, it’s essential to avoid vigorous activity for the rest of the day. After settling into your hotel, take one to two hours to rest before engaging in any physical activities. Staying hydrated is crucial—drink plenty of water, fruit juices, herbal teas, or the local mate de coca. To minimize the risk of altitude sickness, it’s best to steer clear of caffeinated beverages and alcohol.

Keep in Mind: Everyone reacts differently to altitude, and symptoms can vary widely. Pay close attention to how you’re feeling, and don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if needed.

Included:

• Breakfast
• Transfer
• Air-ticket

Today we discover the best of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Your guide picks you up to begin your excursion to the Sacred Valley.

The first stop is at the archaeological site of Moray, known for its mysterious concentric circular terraces that create different microclimates.

Then, continue to Maras, home to the historic pre-Inca salt mines still in operation today, offering a stunning landscape with their salt ponds.

Finally explore Ollantaytambo, where you can visit the archaeological complex of the same name, one of the largest in Peru, strategically located on top of a mountain.

Afterwards, you will descend to the town of Ollantaytambo, which stands out for maintaining the Inca urban planning as part of its original urban layout, with some buildings and narrow stone streets. Here you can tour the town and visit the local market.

At the end of the tour, return to your hotel.

Important: This evening, prepare a small overnight bag for your stay at Machu Picchu. Your main luggage will be securely transferred to Cuzco and stored, ready for you to collect when you check in to the hotel. Be sure to carry your passport with you.

When packing, please note the luggage restrictions for Peru Rail passengers traveling to Machu Picchu:

• One bag or backpack (carry-on only)
• Maximum weight: 5.0 kg (11 lb)
• Maximum dimensions: 62 linear inches (157 cm) (height + length + width)

Space for luggage on the train is limited, so please pack accordingly.

Included:

• Breakfast
• Tour

Awaiting you today is by far and away one of the high points in world tourism: Machu Picchu, where you will definitely have an experience you will never forget.

You will be transferred from your hotel to the train station in Ollantaytambo this morning. Your luggage will be collected and transferred to your hotel in Cuzco for storage while you are at Machu Picchu. We recommend you do not leave valuables in your luggage.

Board the Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes; a 90 minute journey. Your Vistadome service departs at (to be advised) and you need to be on the platform 30 minutes prior to departure. The Vistadome is the ideal train for those who want to be in contact with the environment and appreciate the wonderful journey to Machu Picchu. Surrounded entirely by glass and wagons with large panoramic windows offering incomparable scenic views and numerous opportunities to capture amazing pictures, Vistadome travellers feel connected and part of the impressive landscape of Peru. Perurail provide travellers on board personalized and first level service to give them an unforgettable life experience.

Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes train station one of our local staff will be waiting for you.

After a short briefing, explaining about your tour inclusions & timings you will be introduced to your expert guide for the rest of the day. At this point your luggage will be taken by a porter to your hotel.

Your guide will walk with you for about 5 min to catch a bus, which takes 30 minutes to reach Machu Picchu (buses depart every 10 minutes and the first bus departs 05:30)

A 2 hours 30 minutes guided tour of the ruins will have you wondering about the lives of the priests, craftsmen, and servants who inhabited this citadel and what drove them to build it on a mountain-top. Excavations have revealed skeletons, artefacts and woollen clothing, but no gold. The same precise stonework as in other Incan sites in evident. Overlooking the raging Urubamba River and discovered in a hidden tangle of vines and trees atop the mountain, the city of Machu Picchu will forever hold the secret of its destruction as the Incas left no written record.

The guided tour will end a few meters from the Machu Picchu exit.

At the proper time, you should exit the citadel.

Your return mini-bus transfer to Aguas Calientes is included; buses leave approximately every 15 minutes.

The village of Aguas Calientes is very small; on arrival please ask for directions to your hotel. Most properties are within a 5- 10 minute walk from the bus terminal. Your luggage will be made available to you after you have checked in.

Included:

• Breakfast & Lunch
• Transfer
• VistaDome Train
• Tour

Return to Machu Picchu this morning to continue your unguided exploration of this extensive site; your return mini-bus tickets and entry to Machu Picchu are included. We recommend rising early and taking one of the first buses; the ruins are much quieter in the morning and seeing the mist clear as dawn breaks is a wonderful sight.

There are many things to see and do at the site, including the hike to Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun.

Morning visitors to Machu Picchu must leave the ruins by 12pm.

Take a mini-bus back to Aguas Calientes and have some free time for lunch or visiting the souvenir shops.

Please make sure you allow enough time to collect your luggage from your hotel before returning to the train station to take the afternoon Vistadome train back to to Ollantaytambo, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Cuzco, where the bulk of your luggage will be waiting.

You will have the balance of the day free to relax and explore this historic city.

Included:

• Breakfast
• VistaDome Train
• Transfer

Enjoy a guided tour of the charming and magical city of Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire.

Start visiting the Santo Domingo Convent in the Coricancha temple.

Then, visit the main temple of the city of Cusco, known as the Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption.

Later, tour the Cusco hills of the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, visit the Qenqo archaeological complex, and walk through the Puca Pucara military architectural complex and the ruins of Tambomachay, also known as the Inca spa.

Finally, return to the selected hotel.

Included:

• Breakfast
• Tour

Use your day at leisure.

Below are some of our recommended activities near your accommodation:

Plaza de Armas & Cusco Cathedral: Explore the vibrant central square and visit the cathedral, a stunning mix of Inca foundations and colonial architecture.

Church of the Society of Jesus: Admire the ornate Baroque interiors of this beautiful church just steps from the plaza.

Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) & Santo Domingo Convent: Discover the Inca temple’s incredible stonework beneath the Spanish convent.

Hatunrumiyoc Street & Twelve-Angled Stone: Walk this historic street to see the famous Inca stone, a marvel of precision masonry.

San Pedro Market: Immerse yourself in local life with fresh produce, Andean snacks, and colorful crafts.

Included:

• Breakfast

Optional Day Tour: Rainbow Mountain

Begin your day early with an unforgettable journey into the Peruvian Andes to witness the breathtaking beauty of Vinicunca, the famed Rainbow Mountain. Rising to over 5,200 metres above sea level, this natural marvel showcases vibrant mineral layers that create its striking, multi-coloured landscape.

Travel from Cusco through dramatic highland scenery to Cusipata, where you’ll enjoy a nourishing breakfast before continuing to the trailhead. Along the way, admire sweeping views of the majestic Ausangate Mountain, one of the region’s most sacred and imposing peaks.

The guided trek leads you through stunning Andean landscapes to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint, where you’ll have time to rest, take photos, and fully appreciate this extraordinary setting. After soaking in the views, descend toward Phullawasipata and return to Cusipata for a well-earned lunch.

Later, journey back to Cusco and your hotel, completing a truly memorable high-altitude adventure.

This morning, join your fellow travellers for a spectacular journey across the Andean Altiplano as you travel by tourist coach from Cusco to Puno. Accompanied by your small group and expert guide, this full-day experience is far more than a transfer—it is an immersive exploration of Peru’s rich history, culture, and breathtaking high-altitude landscapes.

Along the way, enjoy a series of fascinating guided visits. Your first stop is Andahuaylillas, home to the famous “Andean Sistine Chapel,” where stunning frescoes, intricate artwork, and gold-leaf decorations showcase the finest examples of 17th-century Andean Baroque architecture.

Continue to Raqchi, the remarkable Temple of Wiracocha, one of the most impressive archaeological sites of the Inca Empire. Explore the enormous temple complex, ancient storehouses, and ceremonial structures while learning about the spiritual and strategic importance of this once-thriving settlement.

At Sicuani, gather with your group to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch featuring regional specialties before continuing your journey through the heart of the Andes.

Travel onwards to La Raya Pass, the highest point of the route between Cusco and Puno. Here, marvel at spectacular mountain scenery and observe llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas grazing across the vast Altiplano. This dramatic region marks the meeting point of Quechua and Aymara cultures and offers some of the most memorable landscapes in southern Peru.

Your final visit is to Pucará, an important pre-Inca ceremonial centre renowned for its ancient stone sculptures and archaeological remains that provide insight into one of the earliest civilisations of the Andean highlands.

Upon arrival in Puno, you will be met and transferred to your hotel on the shores of the magnificent Lake Titicaca, where you can relax and reflect on a fascinating day shared with your fellow travellers.

Included:

• Breakfast & Lunch
• Transfer
• Tour

Optional Day Tour: PeruRail Titicaca from Cusco to Puno

Step aboard the PeruRail Titicaca Train for a breathtaking journey from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco to Puno, on the serene shores of Lake Titicaca. This scenic 10-hour journey winds through majestic mountains and lush valleys, offering panoramic views of the Huatanay River valleys, traditional Andean villages, and herds of vicuñas and alpacas grazing in the picturesque landscape. Whether you choose to travel from Cusco to Lake Titicaca or in the reverse direction, this experience promises unforgettable moments.

Throughout the journey, indulge in the elegance of a bygone era with modern comforts. Enjoy live performances of traditional music and dance, savor a gourmet 3-course lunch, and unwind with afternoon tea as you approach your destination. Highlights include Urcos, where legend says the Inca’s gold was hidden to prevent its capture by the Spanish conquerors, and La Raya, the journey’s highest point at 4,321 meters above sea level. As the train meanders through vast pastures and remote villages, you’ll feel as if time has stood still.

Today, explore the awe-inspiring Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, resting at an altitude of 3,808 metres above sea level and surrounded by the vast, shimmering expanse of the Andean highlands.

Begin your journey with a visit to the extraordinary Uros Floating Islands, home to the Uros people, descendants of one of the region’s oldest pre-Inca cultures. Handcrafted entirely from totora reeds, these remarkable floating islands are both homes and living works of ingenuity. Originally created as a defensive refuge, the islands could be moved across the lake when needed. Here, your local guide will share fascinating insights into Uros traditions, ancestral knowledge, and the intricate techniques used to build and maintain this unique way of life on the water.

Continue by boat to the serene Taquile Island, located approximately 45 km from Puno. From the shore, enjoy a gentle walk along stone pathways that wind through terraced hillsides and sweeping lake views, leading to the heart of the island community, where a traditional lunch prepared by locals awaits.

The people of Taquile proudly preserve a way of life deeply rooted in communal values and the Inca ethical principles of ama sua, ama llulla, ama qhilla—“do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy.” Life on the island is centred around agriculture, fishing, and traditional textile craftsmanship, all organised within six community sectors that reflect ancient Inca systems of cooperation and land use.

As the afternoon draws to a close, return by boat to Puno, reflecting on a truly unforgettable day shared with your small group amidst the timeless beauty and cultural richness of Lake Titicaca.

Included:

• Breakfast & Lunch
• Tour

After breakfast buffet, we will transfer you to Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima

Upon arrival to Lima International airport your small group tour comes to an end.

Included:

• Breakfast 
• Transfer
• Air-ticket