Peru
14 days from $6649 pp with roundtrip flights
A carefully reimagined Peru itinerary that blends the Amazon rainforest with high-Andean culture and a dramatic Short Inca Trail entry to Machu Picchu. Start sea-level in Lima, sweep into the Tambopata wilds for oxbow lakes, canopy sunsets and clay-lick colour, then acclimatise smartly by sleeping in the Sacred Valley before stepping through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Close with artisan alleys, living Inca stonework in Cusco, and a coastal finale back on the Pacific.
Route at a Glance: NEW YORK → Lima → Tambopata (Amazon) → Sacred Valley → Short Inca Trail (KM104) → Machu Picchu → Cusco → Lima. Designed for unhurried travel, ethical wildlife viewing, and altitude-savvy pacing.
Why this version stands out
Practical Snapshot: Soft duffel + daypack; layers for humid rainforest and cool Andean evenings; strong sun protection at altitude; small notes for crafts. Short Inca Trail is permit-controlled (book early). Main luggage stays in Valley/Cusco on trail day; carry a compact daypack.
Best For: Curious travellers and photographers seeking diverse habitats, meaningful community encounters and a memorable, crowd-savvy Machu Picchu experience—without the duration of the full Inca Trail.
Signature moments: mirror-calm oxbow at dawn • clay-lick blaze of parrots • first glimpse of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate • violet sunset over Cusco’s terracotta roofs • Pacific clifftop farewell in Lima.
Day 1 : DEPART NEW YORK → LIMA (PERU)
Day 2 : LIMA ARRIVAL — BARRANCO & MIRAFLORES AT EASE
Day 3 : LIMA → TAMBOPATA (AMAZON): CANOPY SUNSET & NIGHT WALK
Day 4 : AMAZON: OXBOW LAKE & PARROT CLAY LICK
Day 5 : AMAZON: ETHNOBOTANY & COMMUNITY
Day 6 : AMAZON - SACRED VALLEY (VIA CUSCO)
Day 7 : SACRED VALLEY: MORAY & MARAS (E-BIKE OR 4×4)
Day 8 : SHORT INCA TRAIL (KM104) → AGUAS CALIENTES: SUN GATE FIRST LOOK
Day 9 : MACHU PICCHU → CUSCO: DAWN LIGHT & HIGHLAND EVENINGS
Day 10 : CUSCO: HISTORY & HIGHLANDS
Day 11 : CUSCO: CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE (LEISURE DAY)
Day 12 : CUSCO → LIMA: COASTLINE STROLLS & FINAL FLAVOURS
Day 13 : LIMA: CULTURE, COAST OR PACHACAMAC (LEISURE DAY)
Day 14 : DEPART LIMA → HOME
Begin your Peru itinerary with a one-stop flight to Lima (LIM). From the UK/Europe you’ll typically arrive on Day 2 (overnight sector). From the USA/Canada, arrival can be same day or next morning depending on routing. Check in at NEW YORK, set devices to Peru Time (PET), hydrate, and settle in—tomorrow brings Lima’s Pacific light and the clifftop Malecón.
Connection Tips (1-Stop): Book a through-ticket so bags are checked to Lima (LIM). Aim for 75–90 min minimum at the hub (more if changing terminals). Follow International Connections signage to remain airside. Reconfirm the gate on arrival—reassignments can happen close to boarding.
Baggage & Seats: Standard is one small cabin bag + personal item; hold allowance often 23 kg on international fares (check your ticket). If you’re tall or prefer upright sleep, pre-select exit/extra-legroom (supplement). Keep meds, valuables, adaptor, spare top in your carry-on.
Jet Lag & Wellness: Switch to PET after take-off, sip water regularly, and keep caffeine/alcohol light. Stretch hourly, use an eye mask/neck pillow, and consider electrolytes before landing. Lima sits at sea level—no altitude today; acclimatisation begins later in the Andes.
Route Preferences by Region
Important: Check transit formalities (e.g., ESTA/visas/security) for your hub before booking. Our packages generally include flights routed via US hubs by default; European-hub preferences can be arranged with a supplement if required.
On landing (Day 1 same-day or Day 2 next-day): meet-and-greet in arrivals, private transfer to your hotel, and a relaxed first evening on the coast.
Touch down in Lima and breathe in the cool Pacific air. After meeting your driver at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), settle into your boutique base in Barranco (bohemian, artsy) or Miraflores (oceanfront promenades). Today is a gentle, self-paced introduction to the capital—perfect for resetting body clocks before flights to the Amazon and hikes around the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Ease into Lima’s rhythm with a clifftop Malecón stroll—paragliders circling above the surf, runners tracing the bluffs, the Pacific rolling below. Duck into Barranco’s mural-lined lanes near the Puente de los Suspiros for coffee and galleries, or wander Parque del Amor in Miraflores for sea views and photo stops. Keep the pace light: Lima rewards unhurried browsing, ceviche lunches and golden-hour walks.
Practical Notes — Arrival Day: Lima is at sea level (no altitude today). Use official taxis or ride-hailing from the hotel; traffic can be busy at peak hours. Withdraw a small amount of soles (PEN) from an airport or hotel-area ATM. Drink bottled or filtered water; most hotels provide refills.
Light Plan (Pick 1–2):
• Malecón coastal walk + sunset at Parque del Amor.
• Barranco art loop (galleries & murals) + coffee roastery stop.
• Museo Larco for world-class pre-Columbian art & garden café.
• Huaca Pucllana (adobe pyramid) short guided visit.
• Craft boutiques for alpaca knits, ceramics and chocolate.
Foodie Tips (Best places to eat in Lima): Ceviche is a lunch classic—hit a neighbourhood cevichería midday for the freshest plates, then keep dinner lighter with nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) or criollo bistros near the Malecón. For a splurge, Lima’s tasting menus book out well in advance—reserve early.
Jet Lag & Wellness: Switch devices to Peru Time (PET), sip electrolytes, and keep caffeine/alcohol modest. Lima evenings can be breezy—carry a light layer. If using an eSIM/SIM, set it up now for smooth navigation tomorrow.
Safety & Money: Keep phones/cameras discreet in busy areas; carry only essentials and use hotel safes for passports. Ask your hotel to call a radio taxi after dark or use a known ride app. Small notes help with tips and markets.
Packing & Power: Peru uses Type A/B plugs (110–120V). Bring a universal adaptor, reusable bottle, hat, sunscreen and a light rain shell (summer mist/occasional showers). Pre-pack tomorrow’s Amazon day bag (breathable long sleeves, insect repellent, dry bag).
Trade Pacific cliffs for emerald canopy as you fly Lima → Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve. A short road hop brings you to the river port, where a long, low boat noses into the tea-brown Tambopata River. As engines purr upstream, forest walls close in—macaws arrow overhead, capybara graze sandy banks, and the air turns warm and vanilla-fragrant with leaf mulch and blossoms.
Arrive at your rainforest lodge, settle into timber rooms raised on stilts, and climb the canopy tower for sunset that sets the treetops ablaze. From this perch, scan the green sea for toucan silhouettes and kettling raptors. After dinner, lamps dim and the nocturnal cast emerges: a guided night walk along boardwalks reveals tree frogs like living jewels, patient tarantulas at burrow mouths, and nightjars flashing eye-shine along the trail.
Practical Notes — Flights & River Transfer: Typical flight time from LIM to PEM is ~1.5–2 hrs (often via Cusco). Pack a small day bag for the boat (camera, water, rain shell); your main case travels separately in dry storage to the lodge. Expect 1–3 hrs on the river depending on lodge location and water level.
What to Wear — Amazon Essentials: Breathable long sleeves, light trousers (quick-dry), and closed shoes with grip. Bring a wide-brim hat, insect repellent (DEET or picaridin), and a compact rain jacket. A dry bag and silica gel protect optics from humidity. A headlamp with red mode preserves night vision and disturbs wildlife less.
Health & Comfort: The rainforest is hot and humid—sip water steadily and use electrolytes after the boat ride. Apply sunscreen on the river and repellent at dusk (ankles, cuffs). Keep room screens zipped; store snacks in sealed containers. If you take any prophylaxis, follow your clinician’s schedule.
Wildlife Spotlight — First Afternoon & Night: On the river: capybara, caiman at sandbars, and raucous macaws. In the canopy: toucans, swallow-tailed kites. After dark: tree frogs, tarantulas, nightjars, and the soft rustle of kinkajou high in fruiting trees.
Photography Tips — Under Canopy & at Night: Let gear acclimatise in your room to avoid fogging. Start around ISO 800–1600, f/4–f/5.6, and 1/250–1/500 sec under canopy. After dark, use your guide’s light, avoid direct flash, bump ISO, and brace elbows on railings for stability.
Before dawn, drift by canoe onto a mirror-still oxbow lake. Mist lifts in ribbons; the forest exhales. Scan the lily-choked margins for a periscope of whiskers—an Amazon giant river otter rolling through the glare. Hoatzin—prehistoric, punk-crested—shuffle along low branches while a black caiman idles in tea-brown water. The soundtrack is woodpecker taps, distant howlers and the soft tick of your paddle.
Return along backwaters as sun warms the canopy, then walk a short trail to a parrot clay lick. Wait quietly in a shaded blind as the wall comes alive: mealy, blue-headed and yellow-crowned parrots, and sometimes a screech of macaws. They jostle and glitter, nibbling mineral-rich clay that helps neutralise seed toxins—ten minutes of pure colour and noise.
After a rest and lunch at the lodge, the afternoon is yours to read a hammock and watch toucans cruise the treeline. As light softens, board the boat again for river spotlighting: look for the ember-eye shine of caiman, nightjars swooping low, and the quiet, honeyed movement of kinkajou in fruiting figs. Stars gather over a black, glassy river as you glide back to dinner.
Practical Notes — Early Start & Clay Lick Etiquette: Wake-up is typically ~04:30–05:00. Wear breathable long sleeves, pack a light rain shell and insect repellent. At the lick, remain quiet, avoid sudden movements, and follow your guide’s timing—flushing birds means a long wait for their return.
What to Bring on the Canoe: Binoculars (8× or 10×), dry bag for phone/camera, microfibre cloth for condensation, hat and sunscreen for the paddle back. Closed shoes or sturdy sandals with grip are best for short trails.
Health & Comfort: Humidity peaks by mid-morning—sip water steadily and consider electrolytes. Apply repellent to ankles and cuffs before the lick. Keep snacks sealed; monkeys and coatis are opportunists. If you’re sensitive to motion, sit mid-canoe and breathe slow, steady.
Wildlife Spotlight — Likely Today: Giant river otter, hoatzin, black caiman, sunbittern, anhinga. At the lick: Amazon parrots, parakeets, and seasonal macaws. After dark: nightjars, caiman, and tree-dwelling kinkajou.
Photography Tips — Lake, Lick & Night Boat: On water, start near ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/500 sec and brace elbows against the gunwale. At the clay lick, a long lens (300–400 mm equivalent) helps; shoot bursts when birds settle. After dark, raise ISO and focus on eye-shine; use your guide’s beam and avoid direct flash on wildlife.
Morning breaks with forest steam rising through buttress roots and hanging lianas. After breakfast, join your guide for a slow ethnobotany walk—an introduction to the Amazon’s living pharmacy. Learn how barks, vines and leaves become teas, balms and poultices: uña de gato (cat’s claw) for joints, matico for skin, chuchuhuasi for sore muscles. Crush a leaf and breathe its resin; taste astringent sap that locals call “jungle iodine.” Your guide reads trailside spoor, naming each scent and birdsong as if reciting a family tree.
By late morning, step into a nearby community project where smallholder families cultivate cacao and harvest Brazil nuts. See how pods are split, beans fermented and dried in the sun, then ground into a fragrant paste. Try a warm, spiced cacao drink the way it’s been shared for generations. In nut season, learn how massive seeds drop in armored husks, then are cracked, sorted and sold—a vital sustainable income that keeps forest standing.
After a hammock siesta, choose an optional canopy adventure—a gentle zip-line through the upper layers—or stay ground-level with a craft session or farm visit. As dusk gathers, lanterns glow along the boardwalk and the jungle chorus swells: cicadas ticking, frogs chiming, night jars starting their low calls. Dinner is lantern-lit and unhurried, the dark river sliding past like polished obsidian.
Practical Notes — Field Comfort: Wear breathable long sleeves and light trousers for trails and community visits. Pack a day bag with water, electrolytes, a rain shell and a small hand sanitiser. Close footwear with grip is best on damp paths. Always ask before photographing people or private land.
Low-Impact Travel Tips: Buy locally made snacks or crafts, carry a reusable bottle for filtered water, and use biodegradable repellent/sunscreen when possible. Stay on marked trails, keep voices low near wildlife, and leave seeds/flowers where they grow.
Health & Safety: Apply insect repellent to ankles/cuffs before walks; reapply after rain. Hydrate steadily—humidity can mask dehydration. If you’re on any malaria prophylaxis or other meds, keep to schedule. For the zip-line, follow harness and helmet instructions exactly.
Wildlife Spotlight — Along the Trail: Watch for capuchin troops raiding palm fruit, squirrel monkeys threading vines, toucans crossing like arrows, and leafcutter ants marching their emerald sails. At dusk, kinkajou and owl calls often begin right by the lodge clearing.
Photography Tips — People & Plants: In dappled forest, begin around ISO 800–1600, f/4–f/5.6, 1/250 sec. For portraits, step into open shade and ask permission; show the image afterward as a courtesy. Macro fans: a small diffuser softens harsh highlights on leaves and insects.
At first light, the river is glassy and the forest yawns awake. Boat back down the Tambopata River to Puerto Maldonado, then fly to Cusco—the Andes rising like a stone tide. On landing (≈3,400 m), meet your driver and descend immediately into the Sacred Valley (≈2,700–2,900 m) for a gentler first night at altitude. Check in to a valley-view hotel where eucalyptus scents the air and terraced hills ladder the horizon.
Keep today soft and restorative: a gentle stroll among gardens and Inca-era walls, a cup of coca tea on the patio, and early dinner under a sky littered with southern stars. With the river murmuring in the background, you’ll feel the pace of the trip shift from rainforest rhythm to highland hush.
Logistics — Boat, Flight & Transfer: Pack a small day bag for the boat (rain shell, water, camera). Most flights route PEM → CUZ (often nonstop; sometimes via Lima). On arrival, your private vehicle heads straight to the Valley (≈60–90 min depending on hotel). Main luggage is reunited at check-in; keep valuables and meds with you.
Acclimatisation — Feel Good Faster: Sleeping lower in the Sacred Valley eases the transition to altitude. Walk slowly, eat lightly, and hydrate with water or electrolytes. Limit alcohol tonight. Mild symptoms (headache, breathlessness on stairs) are common and usually pass with rest. If you carry acetazolamide or similar (doctor-advised), continue as directed.
Packing Switch — Jungle → Highlands: Move bug spray and short sleeves to the bottom of the bag; bring warm layers (fleece, light down), long trousers, and a windproof. Nights can be cold even in dry season. Keep sun protection high—UV is stronger at altitude. Have cash (small notes) handy for roadside stops and tips.
Light Plan (Easy Afternoon Ideas):
• Short walk around the hotel’s maize terraces and riverside paths.
• Visit a nearby artisan workshop for ceramics or weaving (no heavy lifting).
• Stretch session, tea, and an early night to bank rest for tomorrow’s explorations.
Photography Tips — First Andean Light: Late-day sun rakes across terraces and stonework. Try ISO 200–400, f/5.6–f/8, and 1/250 sec; add +0.3 EV for backlit fields. Bring a polariser to deepen blue skies and cut glare on irrigation channels.
Wake to highland light and crisp Andean air. Today you’ll cross golden altiplano fields to two of the valley’s icons: the concentric agricultural laboratories of Moray and the glittering terraced Maras salt pans. Choose your style—an easy-to-moderate e-bike ride on quiet farm tracks or a comfortable 4×4 with short walks—both routes weaving through adobe hamlets, potato plots and broad sky.
At Moray, stand on the rim and look into a green amphitheatre of rings. Temperature varies by several degrees from top to bottom, a living Inca agricultural lab that once tested crops for the empire’s many climates. Continue to Maras, where thousands of shallow pans cascade down a ravine, fed by a single salty spring. Under the sun they turn from pearl to rose to burnished bronze—an unforgettable pattern in stone and brine.
Lunch is with a local weaving cooperative. Sit with Quechua artisans as they card alpaca, spin yarn and mix natural dyes from plants, bark and cochineal. Watch the rhythm of back-strap looms, then share a simple valley meal—quinoa, potatoes, seasonal veg—before browsing textiles that directly support the community.
Your Choice — E-Bike vs 4×4:
• E-Bike (half-day loop): mostly dirt/gravel with gentle undulations; altitudes ~3,300–3,600 m. Pace is relaxed with photo stops. Helmet, gloves and bike provided.
• 4×4: scenic drives with short walks at each site; best if you prefer a steadier acclimatisation day.
Altitude & Comfort: You’ll be higher than the Valley floor—walk and ride slowly, drink water/electrolytes, and keep lunch light. A windproof and sun protection (hat, SPF, sunglasses) are essential. If you’re adjusting to altitude, opt for the 4×4, or request an e-bike with higher assist.
Responsible Visiting — Maras Salt Pans: Stay on designated paths; avoid touching the brine or stepping on pan edges. Do not fly drones without permission. Buy salt from local vendors at the viewpoint—your soles directly support traditional miners.
What to Bring: Daypack with 1–2 L water, snacks, light fleece, wind/rain shell, lip balm, and a small cash stash for crafts. Wear sturdy shoes (gravel underfoot), and if cycling, closed-finger gloves and sunglasses for dust.
Photography Tips — Patterns & Panoramas: At Moray, go wide for the full amphitheatre; try ISO 100–200, f/8–f/11, and a touch of +0.3 EV for bright stone. At Maras, step left/right to align leading lines; polariser helps with glare on brine. Golden hour warms the salt to copper—perfect for detail shots.
Board the early train along the Urubamba River and step off at the tiny stop marked KM104—your gateway to the Short Inca Trail. Check in with passports at the ranger post and begin a steady ascent past Chachabamba, a riverside Inca site half-reclaimed by orchids and moss. Granite steps climb through cloud forest; hummingbirds stitch colour between bromeliads, the river threads silver far below.
Midday brings the terraces of Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”), an eagle’s-nest citadel clinging to a green shoulder of the Andes. Follow the contour path—stone ledges, waterfall mist, queuña trees—to the final flight of the famed “monkey stairs.” Crest the ridge and pass through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) as light softens—Machu Picchu floats into view, slate and gold against jungle folds. Linger for photos before you descend the royal road to the lower terraces.
As the site closes, ride the shuttle down the switchbacks to Aguas Calientes. Check into your hotel, soak travel-tired legs, and dine to the sound of the river—tomorrow you’ll return for a full guided exploration.
Trail Snapshot: Distance ~10–12 km • Elevation gain ~700 m • Highest point ~2,720 m (Sun Gate) • Start ~2,150 m (KM104) • Machu Picchu ~2,430 m • Typical hiking time 5–7 hours with pauses for sites and photos.
Logistics — Tickets, Bags & Checkpoints: Carry your passport for KM104 control and Machu Picchu entry. The trail requires a dated permit; your guide carries copies. Main luggage remains in the Valley/Cusco; bring a daypack only. Afternoon bus ticket (Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes) is included.
What to Pack in Your Daypack (~20–25 L): 1–2 L water (bottle or bladder), boxed lunch/snacks, light fleece, rain/wind shell, hat, SPF, insect repellent, tissues, small first-aid (plasters/ibuprofen), headlamp, phone/camera + power bank. Trek poles must have rubber tips (metal tips are banned).
Pace, Safety & Trail Etiquette: Walk single file on narrow ledges; let uphill hikers pass. Use handrails where fitted and avoid sitting on terrace edges. Keep voices low at sacred sites; never touch or climb restricted walls. Pack out all litter. Weather shifts quickly—layer up and stow rain gear near the top of your pack.
Altitude & Hydration: Today’s heights are moderate but include long stair sections. Sip water/electrolytes steadily, take short, regular breaks, and eat small, frequent snacks. If you’re using acetazolamide (doctor-advised), continue as directed.
Photography Tips — Sun Gate Reveal: Keep a wide-angle handy for the first view; try ISO 200–400, f/8, and 1/250 sec. For terraces and detail, switch to a short telephoto. As light fades, add +0.3 EV and brace on a wall (without touching delicate edges).
Today: Train to KM104 • Hike via Chachabamba & Wiñay Wayna • Enter Machu Picchu at the Sun Gate • Shuttle down • Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Rise early for the first buses up to Machu Picchu. In the hush before most visitors arrive, the citadel feels suspended between cloud and jungle—llamas cropping dew-wet terraces, mist peeling from ridge lines, stone walls warming from slate to gold. Your guide leads a thoughtful circuit through Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana (the “hitching post of the sun”), and the Temple of the Three Windows, threading Inca engineering with astronomy and myth.
If permits were secured in advance, peel off mid-morning for an optional hike up Huayna Picchu (steep, narrow steps) or Machu Picchu Mountain (longer, steadier ascent). Both reward with sweeping views of the Urubamba snaking below and terraces etched into the green. Return to town by shuttle for a late lunch, then board your chosen train to Cusco—valley scenes flickering past like a travelogue.
On arrival in Cusco (≈3,400 m), transfer to your hotel in the artisan quarter of San Blas. Cobbled lanes, blue-doored ateliers and mellow cafés make for an easy evening. Sip a muña or coca tea, browse small galleries, and enjoy a relaxed Andean dinner within walking distance.
Machu Picchu Logistics — Entry, Buses & Bags: Entry is timed; bring your passport and ticket. Large bags are not allowed inside—carry a small daypack only. Shuttle buses run from dawn; queues move quickly at first light. Keep your train ticket and ID handy for the afternoon departure.
Optional Hikes (Permit Needed): Huayna Picchu (steep, exposed stairs; ~1.5–2.5 hrs round-trip) vs. Machu Picchu Mountain (longer climb; ~2.5–3.5 hrs). Both require advance permits tied to your ticket time. Carry water, hat, SPF; descend cautiously if steps are wet.
Altitude & Pace: Machu Picchu sits at ~2,430 m; Cusco is higher at ~3,400 m. Hydrate, take stairs slowly this evening, and keep dinner light. If you’re using acetazolamide (doctor-advised), continue as directed. Mild headache or breathlessness on hills is common on first Cusco night.
What to Bring This Morning: Passport + ticket, 1–2 L water, snacks, rain/wind shell, light fleece, hat, SPF, tissues, and a small first-aid (plasters/ibuprofen). Trek poles require rubber tips and may be restricted to certain areas.
Photography Tips — Dawn to Midday: For first light, start around ISO 200–400, f/8, 1/250 sec and add +0.3 EV if mist brightens the scene. Carry a wide-angle for terraces and a short telephoto for stone detail and llamas. Please avoid leaning on or touching ashlar joints.
Respectful Visiting: Stay on marked routes, keep voices low, and don’t place bags or tripods on walls. Reusable bottles are encouraged; pack out all litter. Wildlife (especially llamas) has right of way—give space and never feed.
Wake in Cusco to thin, crystalline air and the sudden clang of church bells. This morning’s walking tour threads the Inca capital’s layered history: start at Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), where perfect ashlar stonework shoulders a colonial cloister—empire stacked upon empire. Continue along narrow Inca lanes with water channels still whispering, past blue-doored workshops and andenes (terraces) that now cradle geraniums.
On the Plaza de Armas, step inside the Cathedral to see Cusco School canvases and a Last Supper painted with guinea pig and chicha. Duck into artisan alleys in San Blas for woodcarvers and silversmiths, pausing in little café corners where muña tea and rich Peruvian coffee take the edge off the altitude. Your guide weaves astronomy, engineering and everyday life into a portrait of the city the Incas called Qosqo—“navel of the world.”
By late afternoon, drive or stroll uphill to Sacsayhuamán, a cyclopean fortress of interlocking boulders. As the sun tilts, the stone glows honey-gold and the city below turns to a sea of terracotta roofs. Stay for sunset: violet ridgelines, chill in the air, swifts stitching the sky—and that feeling you’ve stepped across three centuries in a day.
Practical Notes — City Walk: Distances are modest but stairs are frequent. Wear sturdy shoes, carry a light layer (breezy shade), and bring small cash for churches and workshops. Shoulders/knees should be covered for religious sites; photography may be restricted inside chapels—ask before shooting.
Altitude & Hydration (~3,400 m): Walk slowly, sip water/electrolytes regularly, and keep lunch light. If you’re on acetazolamide (doctor-advised), continue as directed. Mild headaches and breathlessness on hills are common; rest, tea and time usually settle them.
Responsible Visiting: Do not sit or lean on Inca walls; oils damage the stone. Ask before photographing artisans or inside churches; a small tip is appreciated for portraits. At Sacsayhuamán, stay within marked areas and avoid climbing roped-off blocks.
What to Bring: Daypack with 1–2 L water, hat, SPF, lip balm, light fleece/wind shell, and small notes for entrances and crafts. Evenings turn cool quickly—have a warmer layer for sunset on the hill.
Photography Tips — Stone & Skyline: For tight alleys and Qorikancha walls, go wide at ISO 200–400, f/5.6–f/8. At Sacsayhuamán near golden hour, try f/8, 1/250 and a touch of +0.3 EV to warm the granite. Blue hour over the plaza is gorgeous—steady your camera on a railing for cleaner shots.
Your day, your pace (leisure day). Stay within Cusco’s cobbled embrace or range a little farther to explore lesser-visited corners of the Andes. Pick one headline experience—or mix a half-day outing with an easy afternoon of cafés and craft browsing for ceramics, alpaca knits and Peruvian chocolate.
Option A — South Valley Circuit (Tipón & Pikillacta)
Head southeast to the South Valley, a quieter thread of Inca and pre-Inca history. At Tipón, water still sings through precision-cut channels and terraced gardens—a masterclass in Inca hydraulics. Continue to Pikillacta, a vast Wari citadel of straight streets and adobe walls, older than the Inca by centuries. Round out with the baroque church of Andahuaylillas (“the Sistine Chapel of the Andes”) if time allows.
Option B — Palcoyo “Rainbow” Alternative
Choose Palcoyo for tri-coloured ridges without the Vinicunca crowds. After a scenic drive, a gentler walk at ~4,800–4,900 m (shorter and flatter than Vinicunca) leads to viewpoints over three striped mountains and a stone forest. Air is thin and views go forever—gloves, hat and windproof essential.
Option C — Peruvian Cooking Class
Meet a local chef for a market-to-table workshop. Learn to balance citrus and chilli in ceviche, flame a classic lomo saltado, or stir ají de gallina. Pair with pisco sour technique and stories of regional ingredients—from purple corn to Andean tubers.
Planning Notes: South Valley is a relaxed half-day (4–5 hrs) from Cusco with light walking. Palcoyo is a full day with high altitude and mountain weather—depart early. Cooking classes typically run morning or afternoon with tastings included.
Altitude & Comfort: Cusco sits at ~3,400 m; Palcoyo is much higher. Walk slowly, sip water/electrolytes, and keep snacks handy. Pack layers—mornings are cool, afternoons can be warm in the sun, windy on ridges.
Shopping & Crafts: For quality alpaca, look for fibre labels and tight, even stitching. In San Blas, browse small ateliers for ceramics and silver—buying direct from makers keeps value in the community. Pick up single-origin chocolate and coffee for gifts.
What to Bring: Daypack with 1–2 L water, hat, SPF, lip balm, wind/rain shell, and small cash for entrances/crafts. For Palcoyo, add gloves, beanie, and a buff for wind.
Photography Tips: South Valley: water channels and terraces shine at f/8 with a polariser. Palcoyo: shoot wide for layered ridges; watch for fast-changing light—try ISO 200–400, 1/250 sec, and bracket if clouds race. Cooking class: step into open shade for vibrant plates; avoid mixed lighting when possible.
Say goodbye to the highlands and fly from Cusco (CUZ) to Lima (LIM). On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Barranco or Miraflores and switch gears from cobbles to coastline. This afternoon is for Malecón clifftop walks, street art and a celebratory dinner that bookends your Peru journey with coastal brightness and creative plates.
Start oceanside: follow the Malecón past pocket parks and viewpoints—paragliders tracing lazy arcs, the Pacific heaving below. In Barranco, drift through mural-lined lanes near the Puente de los Suspiros, popping into ateliers for ceramics and prints. If you’re based in Miraflores, detour to Parque del Amor for sea-swept photo stops before a coffee on a breezy terrace.
As light softens, dress for your destination dinner: think refined nikkei or contemporary criollo, where lime, ají and the cold Humboldt current meet on the plate. Raise a final pisco—to citadels in the clouds, jungle night songs, and the road you’ve walked.
Logistics — Flights & Transfers: CUZ → LIM is ~1.5 hrs (weather dependent). Airports sit at altitude (~3,400 m) and sea level, respectively—pack layers in your carry-on. In Lima, traffic can be dense; pre-booked private transfer reduces stress and time lost.
Packing Shift — Highlands → Coast: Move warm layers to the bottom of the bag; keep a light wind shell for evening breezes. Have a universal adaptor, small cash for taxis/coffee, and room in your case for last-minute chocolate and coffee gifts.
Barranco & Miraflores — Easy Afternoon Ideas:
• Malecón walk + sunset at Parque del Amor.
• Barranco art loop (galleries, murals) + coffee roastery stop.
• Huaca Pucllana exterior viewpoint (short visit) if time permits.
• Final browse for alpaca, ceramics, prints and bean-to-bar chocolate.
Dinner Planning: Lima’s headline tables book out—reserve in advance. If you prefer spontaneous, choose a neighbourhood spot within walking distance. Ceviche is typically a lunch dish; in the evening, aim for tiradito, anticuchos, or elegant seafood arroz.
Safety & Getting Around: Use hotel-called taxis or trusted ride apps after dark. Keep phones discreet near cliff edges and busy corners; carry only essentials and use the hotel safe for passports. Stick to marked clifftop paths—they’re well-lit and scenic.
Photography Tips — Coast & Colour: For ocean panoramas, start at ISO 100–200, f/8, 1/250 sec; a polariser deepens sea blues and cuts glare. In mural alleys, step into open shade for true colour, and avoid mixed lighting indoors.
Your final day in Lima is open by design (leisure day): choose a deep-dive into museums, a breezy coastal wander with surf-watching, or a half-day trip to the desert-side oracle of Pachacamac. Close it all with a golden-hour pisco and Pacific views—one last look before your flight home.
Option A — Museum Masterpieces (Larco & MALI)
At Museo Larco, wander bougainvillea-draped patios into galleries of exquisite pre-Columbian ceramics, gold and textiles—curation is clear, labels are excellent, and the café garden is lovely for a late breakfast or lunch. Then head to MALI (Museo de Arte de Lima), a grand 19th-century palace framing Peruvian art from pre-Hispanic to contemporary—perfect for context after weeks in the Andes and Amazon.
Option B — Coastline Strolls & Surf Watch
Follow the Malecón between Miraflores and Barranco—clifftop parks, viewpoints and breezy cafés. Drop down to the pebbly shore at Playa Makaha or Waikiki to watch longboarders carve the Pacific rollers, then climb back for coffee and a final browse in Barranco’s ateliers.
Option C — Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary
Drive south along the coast to the sprawling desert complex of Pachacamac, an ancient pilgrimage site revered by Lima, Wari and Inca cultures. Explore sun-baked adobe pyramids, a fine on-site museum, and views that sweep from dunes to ocean. It’s a striking counterpoint to highland stone—myth, empire and salt wind in one frame.
Practical Notes — Getting Around: Pre-book a private driver for Pachacamac (allow 3.5–4.5 hrs round-trip with visits). Within the city, use hotel-called taxis or trusted ride apps. Keep a cushion before your airport transfer—Lima traffic can be slow at peak times.
What to Bring: Daypack with water, hat, SPF, light wind shell, and small cash for entrances and cafés. For Pachacamac, add comfortable closed shoes—paths are sandy and exposed; mornings are cooler, midday is hot.
Tickets & Timings: Museums typically close Mon or have reduced hours—check the day. Last entries are often mid-to-late afternoon. Pachacamac is best morning for cooler air and softer light; an on-site museum visit first gives context to the ruins outside.
Safety & Comfort: Stay on marked paths at Pachacamac and avoid cliff edges on the Malecón. Keep phones discreet in busy spots. Drink bottled/filtered water; Lima’s coastal breeze can feel cool—carry a light layer even on sunny days.
Photography Tips — Desert & Pacific: At Pachacamac, haze loves a polariser; try ISO 100–200, f/8, 1/250 sec. On the Malecón, frame surfers against the breakwater from above, then drop to shore level for motion blur at 1/30–1/60 sec—brace on a railing.
As the sun dips, find a terrace for a farewell pisco—sour, chilcano or maracuyá—and watch paragliders fade to silhouettes. Then it’s time to collect bags and meet your driver for the airport: Peru in your lens and on your tongue.
Today: Choose museums • Coastline strolls & surf-watching • or Pachacamac ruins • Sunset pisco • Private transfer to the airport for your international flight.
Enjoy a slow breakfast, a last stroll along the Malecón, and Pacific views from the cliffs of Miraflores. Pack essentials in your carry-on (passport, meds, chargers, valuables), then meet your driver in the lobby for your private transfer to Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM).
On arrival, proceed to your airline zone for baggage drop, then clear security and immigration. If time allows, browse Peruvian coffee, cacao and alpaca goods, or relax with a light bite before boarding your homebound flight.
Flight Notes: Arrive at the airport 3 hours before international departures. Keep devices on Peru Time (PET) until boarding. UK/Europe routings are typically overnight (arrive next day); many USA/Canada routings offer same-day or next-morning arrivals depending on hub.
Helpful Tips: Complete online check-in and reconfirm baggage allowance. Liquids in hand luggage must be under 100 ml (in a clear, resealable bag). Power banks travel in carry-on only. Have small soles for porterage and souvenirs.
Packing Checklist — Cabin Bag: Passport & copies • Wallet/cards • Medications • Phone/chargers/adaptor • Power bank • Headphones/eye mask • A warm layer for cool cabins • Spare top • Fragile souvenirs (well-wrapped).
As your aircraft lifts over the Pacific, replay the arc of your journey—Amazon dawns, Sacred Valley terraces, and the Sun Gate reveal—carried home with you. 24/7 support remains active until landing, with financial protection via ATOL (UK bookings) and ABTOT (non-UK bookings). Safe travels and hasta pronto.
| Start Date | End Date | Price | Note | AVAILABILITY | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 10 Jan, 26 | Fri, 23 Jan, 26 | $6649 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Sun, 15 Mar, 26 | Sat, 28 Mar, 26 | $9311 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Sun, 10 May, 26 | Sat, 23 May, 26 | $9311 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Sun, 14 Jun, 26 | Sat, 27 Jun, 26 | $9311 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Sun, 12 Jul, 26 | Sat, 25 Jul, 26 | $9311 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Sun, 16 Aug, 26 | Sat, 29 Aug, 26 | $9311 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Sun, 13 Sep, 26 | Sat, 26 Sep, 26 | $9311 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Sun, 15 Nov, 26 | Sat, 28 Nov, 26 | $6649 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Sun, 6 Dec, 26 | Sat, 19 Dec, 26 | $6649 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 18 Jan, 27 | Sun, 31 Jan, 27 | $7314 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 15 Feb, 27 | Sun, 28 Feb, 27 | $7048 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 15 Mar, 27 | Sun, 28 Mar, 27 | $7314 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 10 May, 27 | Sun, 23 May, 27 | $9976 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 14 Jun, 27 | Sun, 27 Jun, 27 | $9976 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 12 Jul, 27 | Sun, 25 Jul, 27 | $9976 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 16 Aug, 27 | Sun, 29 Aug, 27 | $9976 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 13 Sep, 27 | Sun, 26 Sep, 27 | $9976 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 11 Oct, 27 | Sun, 24 Oct, 27 | $7980 | GUARANTEED | Book Now | |
| Mon, 15 Nov, 27 | Sun, 28 Nov, 27 | $7314 | GUARANTEED | Book Now |
Hand-picked stays chosen for location, character and ease of logistics for this Amazon–Andes route. If any listed property is unavailable at booking, a similar standard alternative will be confirmed to preserve the experience and pacing.
| City / Area | Hotel / Lodge | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lima (Barranco) | Casa Republica Barranco | Boutique heritage hotel in bohemian Barranco; leafy patios, walkable to Malecón, cafés and street art. Ideal for a soft landing after an overnight flight. |
| Tambopata (Amazon) | Refugio Amazonas / Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica | Comfortable rainforest lodge with canopy tower, oxbow lake access and guided activities (clay lick, night walk). Fan-cooled rooms, screened, with mosquito nets. |
| Sacred Valley (Urubamba) | Aranwa Sacred Valley / Tambo del Inka | Riverfront resort-style base at ~2,800–2,900 m for easier acclimatisation; spa, heated pool, broad terraces and easy reach of Moray & Maras. |
| Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) | El MaPi by Inkaterra / Tierra Viva | Convenient overnight stop after the Short Inca Trail; modern rooms, hot showers, early breakfasts. Minutes from shuttle to Machu Picchu. |
| Cusco (San Blas / Historic Centre) | Antigua Casona San Blas / Palacio del Inka (or similar) | Characterful stay at ~3,400 m close to artisan lanes and key sites (Qorikancha, Plaza de Armas). Oxygen on request, cosy courtyards, great breakfast. |
| Lima (Miraflores) — Final Night | Hotel Arawi / Radisson Red | Modern coastal-base near Malecón and dining; easy for airport transfer, last stroll and destination dinner. |
Notes: Final properties confirmed at booking based on dates and availability. If a listed hotel/lodge is not available, a comparable alternative of similar category and style will be provided. Room categories are standard unless stated.
Discover the wonders of Peru on this unforgettable journey that blends…
Discover the wonders of Peru on this unforgettable journey that blends…
Discover the wonders of Peru on this unforgettable journey that blends…
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