15 Days Trip Machu Picchu and Tambopata

Arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru. A representative will meet you at Jorge Chavez Airport and provide a private transfer to your chosen hotel. Overnight stay in Lima.

Meals: No meals.

Early Morning Pickup: Begin your day with an early hotel pickup and transfer to the terminal for a double-decker bus trip to Paracas Bay.

In Paracas: Enjoy a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, often referred to as the Peruvian Galápagos. These rocky islands, only accessible by boat, are famous for their diverse wildlife, including birds (such as goslings and partridges), Peruvian cormorants, Bougainville pelicans, seagulls, vultures, Humboldt penguins, dolphins, and sea lions. The islands are about 90 minutes off the coast of Paracas. Visiting this archipelago is significantly more affordable than a trip to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

Visit to Ica’s Sand Dunes and Huacachina Oasis: Begin with a guided visit to a local winery known for producing Pisco and grappa. You’ll learn about the Pisco-making process and tour the winery with a staff member. After the winery visit, you’ll have the opportunity to taste various types of Pisco and wines produced on-site. Next, explore the Regional Museum of Ica, one of the most significant museums on Peru’s southern coast, showcasing fascinating artifacts from different cultures in the region. Finally, head to the Huacachina Oasis, located just 5 km from Ica’s center. Here, you can relax by the picturesque lagoon and take in the tranquil surroundings. The towering dunes surrounding the lagoon offer thrilling opportunities for sandboarding.

Consider joining a dune buggy tour to enhance your experience and surf the sand—a perfect activity for thrill-seekers!

When it’s time, transfer to the terminal for a 2-hour bus trip to Nazca. Upon arrival in Nazca, you will be picked up at the bus terminal and transferred to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Nazca.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Nazca Lines: These impressive geoglyphs are etched into the arid plateau of the Nazca desert, stretching about 80 kilometers between Nazca and Palpa in southern Peru. More than 300 distinct designs depict stylized representations of local animals, including whales, parrots, a 180-meter-long lizard, hummingbirds, condors, and a giant spider measuring about 45 meters. Collectively, these geoglyphs consist of over 10,000 lines, some measuring 30 meters in width and extending more than 9 kilometers, making them clearly visible from the air or from nearby hills. The figures include trees, shells, the alligator astronaut, and many others, showcasing the ancient inhabitants’ remarkable knowledge of geometry.

When the time comes, transfer to the bus terminal for a double-decker bus trip to Arequipa. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Arequipa.

Meals: Breakfast.

Exploring Arequipa: Since 2000, Arequipa has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s charm lies in the blend of Spanish and indigenous cultures, evident in its unique architecture. Known as the “White City” for its light-colored buildings, you will visit the renowned Santa Catalina Monastery and admire the impressive cathedral in Plaza de Armas. During this guided tour, explore the Monastery of Santa Catalina, an extensive colonial complex that is one of the most fascinating religious buildings in Peru. The main square remains largely untouched by modern structures, resembling an outdoor museum showcasing sillar architecture.

Trip to Chivay (Colca Canyon): This journey offers a chance to experience the stunning Colca Valley and Colca Canyon. The first stop is at the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you may spot wildlife such as vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas. Next, visit the Mirador de los Volcanes to enjoy views of several volcanoes exceeding 5,000 meters, including Misti, Chachani, Pichupichu, Hualcahualca, Sabancaya, Chucura, and the Cordillera de Chila. Arrive in Chivay, where you have the option to visit thermal baths in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Chivay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

The Colca Canyon Excursion: Today, you will visit various Andean towns, including Yanque, Maca, and Pinchollo, for short visits and photo opportunities. The highlight of the tour is the stop at Cruz del Cóndor, where you can observe the majestic Andean Condor in flight—a truly spectacular sight! Afterward, return to Chivay and enjoy free time to explore the village and its thermal baths. Overnight stay in Chivay.

Meals: Breakfast.

Trip to Llachon Community by Private Car: This scenic route takes you through charming towns and a beautiful lagoon called Lagunillas, where you might spot trout farms and, if you’re lucky, Andean flamingos and other birds. One highlight of this journey is the burial towers of Sillustani, impressive cylindrical structures built long before the Incas. These towers are among the finest examples of ancient cylindrical architecture in Peru, with no equal elsewhere in South America. An optional tour of Sillustani will provide insights into pre-Inca civilizations and stunning views of Umayo Lagoon, located at the base of the Sillustani plateau.

Upon reaching Llachon, enjoy fantastic views of the lake and take short hikes to scenic hills and ancestral ceremonial sites. The peninsula is home to about 1,300 residents, belonging to the Quechua ethnic group.

To Ticonata Island and Its Mummies: A short boat ride will take you to Ticonata Island, where several archaeological remains, including funeral baskets, mummies, and ceremonial vessels, have been discovered. Many of these artifacts are now displayed in the Tiahuanaco Museum on the island. Overnight stay in the Llachon community homestay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

To Taquile Island: Upon arriving at Taquile Island, you will walk along a narrow path, taking in views of Lake Titicaca and the traditional homes of the Quechua people. You’ll have some free time to explore the main square before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, typically serving grilled trout. After lunch, you’ll head down to the dock to board your motorboat for the next part of the excursion.

To Uros Floating Islands: Continue your journey to the Uros community, where the Uros people inhabit the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. This unique location is unlike anywhere else on Earth. At the end of the day, return to Puno and transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Puno.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Route of the Sun from Puno to Cusco: Enjoy a scenic and entertaining journey along the famous “Route of the Sun.” The trip departs from Puno and covers nearly 400 km to Cusco, with five stops at notable attractions:

• Pucará:Known as the temple of fertility.
• La Raya Pass:Offering beautiful Andean landscapes.
• Sicuani:A charming rural area where you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch.
• Raqchi:Home to the Temple of Wiracocha, the creator god of the Andean world.
• Colonial Temple of Andahuaylillas:Often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of America.

Pucara Museum: Located at 3,900 meters, Pucará was the first regional population center in the Titicaca basin during the Late Formative Period (500 BC-200 AD). It provides valuable information about the origins of Andean civilization. The Pucará style is characterized by impressive monolithic sculptures and multi-colored ceramics.

Abra La Raya: This pass is situated at an altitude of 4,335 meters (14,232 feet) and serves as the watershed between the valleys flowing into Lake Titicaca and those leading to Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Marangani Buffet Lunch: Located at an altitude of 3,552 meters, Sicuani is an important intersection city surrounded by beautiful snowy hills. Enjoy a buffet lunch in our family-friendly restaurant.

Raqchi – Temple of Wiracocha: Raqchi is at 3,225 meters above sea level. The most notable building is the Wiracocha Temple, believed to have been built by the Inca Wiracocha in honor of the invisible supreme god of the Andean people.

You will arrive in Cusco around 5:00 PM. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your selected hotel. Overnight stay in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas: This valley is key to the Incas, known for its mild climate and fertile plains, which were essential for agriculture. The Sacred Valley, sitting at an altitude of 2,800 meters (9,186 feet), offers beautiful landscapes and significant archaeological sites. We will depart early in the morning for Pisaq, located about an hour from Cusco, where we will tour the archaeological sites for about two hours. Next, we will head to Urubamba, passing through villages like Coya, Lamay, and Calca along the Vilcanota River. Arrive in Urubamba around noon for lunch at a buffet restaurant (not included in the tour) before continuing to Ollantaytambo for a guided tour.

Trip to Santa Teresa: Our journey continues to Santa Teresa, ascending towards Abra Malaga and the snowy Veronica peak at an altitude of 4,316 meters (14,150 feet). Enjoy breathtaking views of the Cusco geography. After a 15-minute break at Abra Malaga, we will descend into the jungle of the Inca Trail, experiencing various climates, from snowy landscapes to the warm jungle. At Alfamayó, you will find a well-preserved Inca trail. The route continues to the district of Santa Maria, located at an altitude of 1,575 meters (5,200 feet).

Colcamayo Thermal Baths in Santa Teresa: Afterward, we can take a 30-minute walk to Santa Teresa Hot Springs. This thermal water complex features three pools with varying sizes and depths, fed by medicinal water ranging from 40°C to 44°C (104°F to 111°F). The Santa Teresa thermal baths are known for their clear waters, which have healing properties for skin ulcers, bone pain, and rheumatism. Visitors can also cool off in cold streams from the Uripata lagoons. The pools are surrounded by soft sand, rocks, lush vegetation, and the soothing sounds of the river and mountains. The thermal baths are equipped with bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, soccer fields, camping areas, a cafeteria, a food and beverage kiosk, and a viewpoint. They also offer a hydromassage system. Overnight stay in Santa Teresa.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Walking from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes: On this day, we will take a 30-minute car ride to the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Station. For those who prefer to walk, the trek from the Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes, known as the Town of Machu Picchu, takes about three hours. Once in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your assigned hotels, and you’ll have some free time to explore before optional tours to Machu Picchu or take a 20-minute train journey to Aguas Calientes.

Meals: Breakfast.

Guided Visit of Machu Picchu & Hike to Huayna Picchu: Rise early for a 20-minute bus ride to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. The bus ride climbs 6 km to the stunning site of Huayna Picchu, also known as Wayna Picchu (Quechua for “Young Peak”). Access to Huayna Picchu is limited to 200 visitors per day. The Incas constructed trails and temples on Huayna Picchu’s slopes. The peak is approximately 2,720 meters (8,920 ft) above sea level, about 360 meters (1,180 ft) higher than Machu Picchu itself. According to local guides, this peak was where the high priest and local virgins resided.

Every morning before sunrise, the high priest and a small group would walk to Machu Picchu to herald the new day. The Temple of the Moon, one of the three main temples in the Machu Picchu area, is located on the mountain’s side and sits at a lower elevation than Machu Picchu. Nearby is the Great Cavern, another sacred temple with exquisite masonry. Other major temples at Machu Picchu include the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of Three Windows, the Principal Temple, the “Unfinished Temple,” and the Temple of the Sun, also known as the Torreon. Then, we will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, Circular Tower, Sacred Sun Dial, Royal Quarters, Temple of the Three Windows, and various burial grounds.

The Sun Gates of Machu Picchu provide a stunning vantage point overlooking Peru’s most famous ruins. Tourists flock to this outcrop high in the Andes to enjoy the same breathtaking view featured in nearly every postcard of the Machu Picchu citadel. Also known as Inti Punku, the Sun Gates consist of two stones positioned at a narrow passage in the mountain’s crevice just above Machu Picchu. Each day, sunlight shines brilliantly through this portal at sunrise, giving it its name.

Return to Cusco via train at either 2:30 PM or 7:00 PM. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your selected hotel for an overnight stay in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast.

To the Rainforest of Tambopata: Early pickup and transfer to the airport for your flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. Tambopata is your next destination, known as “The Place Where Every Corner Is Alive.”

In Puerto Maldonado: Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, the capital of biodiversity in Peru, you will be greeted and transferred to the harbor captaincy to board a motorized boat. Navigate the Bajo Madre de Dios River, immersing yourself in a captivating natural environment where you might spot ronsocos, caimans, turtles, herons, cormorants, and various wildlife.

At your bungalow, you will be welcomed with a refreshing drink made from tropical Amazonian fruits before being escorted to your comfortable accommodations. A delicious lunch will be served in the rustic dining area.

To Cocha Caiman: After satisfying your appetite, your specialized guide will lead you along a marked interpretive trail to Cocha Caiman, a small lagoon teeming with black caimans (Melanosuchus niger) and white caimans (Caiman crocodilus).

In the late afternoon, enjoy the spectacular Amazon sunset, a vibrant display of colors that is sure to impress.

Upon returning to the lodge, a delightful dinner will be served. Spend your free time enjoying memorable moments in the bar, which features an excellent board games area and a variety of drinks.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Jungle Excursion & Activities: Awaken to the sounds of the Amazon’s birds, greeted by the howling monkeys (Alouatta seniculus). Enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel your morning of exploration.

To Lake Apu Victor: After breakfast, embark on a hike through the depths of the forest along specially prepared trails, crossing streams and rivers via bridges. During your walk, observe the flooded forest and a variety of flora and fauna before arriving at the majestic Lake Apu Victor, characterized by its crystalline waters and surrounded by expansive marshes and towering trees.

Next, ascend to the Amazon Pool for panoramic views over the lake, where you can spot parrots, macaws, toucans, camungos (Hoatzins), herons, and possibly the elusive giant otter, one of the jungle’s most remarkable creatures.

Back to the Lodge: After your adventure, a hearty lunch will await you.

To Monkey Island: In the afternoon, your guide will accompany you to Monkey Island, a unique destination in the heart of the Madre de Dios River, just five minutes from the lodge. On your trek, admire stunning landscapes with lush flora, home to various species of monkeys, such as maquisapa, capuchins, and lion tamarins. With some luck, you might also encounter coatis and sloths, as well as an array of bird species.

Conclude your island visit by enjoying a breathtaking jungle sunset before returning to the lodge for a delightful dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Return to the Capital: After a restful night, enjoy breakfast in the dining room before departing for Puerto Maldonado to catch your flight back to Lima.

Upon arrival in Lima, you will be picked up and taken on a guided city tour. The guided exploration will include key attractions such as the historical center, the Plaza de Armas, the renowned Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, and the modern district of Miraflores, where you can enjoy stunning views from the Park of Love. The guided tour of Lima lasts approximately 4 hours. Afterward, you will be dropped off at your hotel for an overnight stay in Lima.

Meals: Breakfast.

International Flight: At the designated time, you will be privately transferred from your hotel to the Lima airport for your international flight home.

Meals: Breakfast.