10-Nights Peru: Machu Picchu & the Amazon - Luxury Small Group Journeys — CALL

Itinerary Details

Abercrombie & Kent: Peru: Machu Picchu & the Amazon

DAY 1 Lima, Peru

Arrive in Lima, where you are met and transferred to your hotel.

This morning, set out on a gourmet biking tour of the city’s street foods. Along the way, stop at Choco Museum to listen to a brief presentation about the importance of coffee and chocolate production in Amazon communities. Ride on to La Mar before visiting a small food market, and stop at a local restaurant for some delicious Peruvian cooking. On your return to Miraflores, pause for a refreshment along the way. Take some time back at the hotel to freshen up and rest. This afternoon, enjoy a colonial city tour, starting in the historical center of Lima, visiting Casa de Aliaga and Santo Domingo Convent. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at Huaca Pucilana or another top-flight restaurant.

Fly to Cusco, arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a briefing on the history and highlights of the Inca Trail in preparation for your hike. Head out for the Sacred Valley, stopping en route at a center devoted to caring for South American camelids, such as llamas, guanacos and alpacas, with the opportunity to feed them if you wish. Arrive at your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to acclimatize. This evening, dine at your hotel’s restaurant.

Begin today interacting with members of a village community in Sacred Valley, followed by a light trek escorted by llamas on trail that overlooks a lake. Stop for a delicious picnic lunch, and then enjoy an afternoon at leisure capped off by a Scenic Sundowner overlooking a river. Tonight, gather for dinner at your hotel.

Today, depending on your choice, explore Ollantaytambo, a fortress of massive stone terraces that hug the mountain slopes and the site of the Incas’ greatest victory over the invading Spanish. Then, journey deep into the Andes toward Machu Picchu aboard the Inca Rail First Class Train, gazing out at the spectacular Peruvian countryside. In the early afternoon, explore the ruins with your expert guide and, as you wander amid the age-old stone walls, picture life as it might have been in this majestic citadel, set some 8,000 feet above sea level. Alternatively, start by boarding a many-windowed Vistadome Train for the same scenic ride, but with a twist: disembark at KM 104 and set out with a guide on a hike that culminates at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), looking out over the vast UNESCO World Heritage Site. Either way, arrive for your overnight stay at the only hotel located on-site at Machu Picchu. Overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca Empire. Although this “Lost City” was revealed to the rest of the world by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, its location was long known to locals. Its original purpose, however, remains a matter of some conjecture, as the Incas left no written records.

Today, explore Machu Picchu, led by an expert guide, wandering amid the age-old stone walls and picturing life as it might have been in this majestic citadel, set some 8,000 feet above sea level. Overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca Empire. Although this “Lost City” was revealed to the rest of the world by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, its location was long known to locals. Its original purpose, however, remains a matter of some conjecture, as the Incas left no written records. After a thorough exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, return to your hotel for lunch. Then, board the Vistadome Train back to Ollantaytambo, and continue to Cusco to relax or explore on your own.

Experience Cusco your way, enjoying one of these Design Your Day activities.

Explore Highlights of Cusco and visit imposing Sacsayhuaman, compiled from colossal stones.

Join a Photographer in Cusco who helps you capture authentic images of the city’s impressive architecture.

Visit Oropesa — where you sample fresh-baked bread at an artisan bakery — and the Main Plaza of Cusco.

After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, gather for a dinner at the trendsetting MAP Café restaurant.

Today, fly to Iquitos via Lima. Upon arrival, journey overland into the Peruvian countryside en route to remote Nauta, a village set on the banks of the Marañón River, one of the Amazon’s three main tributaries. Begin your three-night river-cruise adventure, embarking elegant ‘Aria Amazon,’ a modern river cruiser. Settle into your spacious suite before meeting the expert naturalist guides who accompany your expedition. This evening, gather for dinner featuring innovative Amazonian cuisine created by consulting chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, owner of one of Lima’s top-ranked restaurants.

Begin your day near the main entrance of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, cruising along the Yanayacu Pucate River in a comfortable skiff. Also enjoy opportunities to kayak, canoe and swim in these unspoiled black waters, keeping your eyes peeled for the Amazon’s legendary pink dolphins. Upon returning to the boat, join your onboard bartender and chef for a Chef ’s Table Experience. Prepare a cocktail that will pair with the dish you will be making for lunch. This afternoon, visit a remote village along the Marañón River to learn about traditional customs and witness a ceremony performed by the local shaman. Then, watch and learn through the eyes of these river people, who demonstrate how they climb a palm tree by utilizing a kind of scaffolding to harvest the palm fruit without chopping down the tree, thus conserving it for future generations. This evening after dinner, gather around your vessel’s high-tech telescope for a stargazing experience beneath the Amazon night sky, identifying a variety of planets and constellations.

Set off in skiffs on an excursion along the Samiria River with the option to try your hand at fishing for the paiche, a huge carp-like river dweller and longtime local food source that has more recently become a favorite of gourmet chefs. Listen to an after-lunch lecture on the flora and fauna that surround you, before venturing forth on a thrilling jungle walk across the high Amazon rainforest. On our return in the evening, enjoy the jungle symphony and extraordinary stargazing on local boats along the “enchanted lake.” Later, gather for a chat with the crew members of your vessel who recount stories of life in the Amazon, followed by a farewell dinner on board.

On your return to Nauta, visit local points of interest by bike, especially its lively markets, where the freshly harvested bounty of the surrounding forest is on display. Bid farewell to your crew and disembark ‘Aria Amazon.’ Visit the Amazon Forever Manatee Rescue Center to encounter some of the gentle, endangered aquatic mammals up close, along with examples of paiche, the river fish you sought out earlier during your journey, and learn about conservation efforts being made to protect these vital Amazon species. Then, transfer to the airport for your departing flight.