Duration 9 days
Our 9-day program is specially designed for couples, families, and groups of friends who want to enjoy the best of the Peruvian highlands in Cusco and of the Amazon rainforest of Tambopata, in Puerto Maldonado.
It is the perfect program to make the most of your time between the Andes and the Amazon, since the distance between these two regions (Cusco and Puerto Maldonado) is only 200 miles and you can travel safely by bus (8 and a half hours) or by plane (50 minutes).
Some of the highlights of this trip are Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Humantay Lake (or Rainbow Mountain) in Cusco, as well as the Tambopata National Reserve in Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios.
Our team will take care of everything you need so you can enjoy your trip in comfort, safety, and peace of mind: transfers between the hotel and the airport, tourist transportation, professional guides, train and bus tickets, hotels (optional), and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu.
Our itinerary can be modified according to your dates and arrival and departure times, and the tours can be in small groups or private. Contact our specialists for more information and alternatives for your trip!
On your arrival in Puerto Maldonado, the Biodiversity Capital of Peru, we will welcome you at the airport. We will then begin our program with a city tour by bus. Next, we will head to Puerto Capitanía to board a motorboat and navigate the Lower Madre de Dios River.
During the trip, we will immerse ourselves in a fascinating natural environment and, with luck, we will see capybaras (ronsocos), caimans, turtles, herons, cormorants, and other animal species. At our lodge, you will be welcomed with a delicious nectar of tropical Amazonian fruits and shown to your comfortable room (bungalow). A hearty lunch will be waiting for you in our cozy, rustic-style dining room.
After lunch, our specialized guide will lead you along a conveniently signposted interpretive trail to Cocha Caimán, a small lagoon with an abundant presence of black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) and white caiman (Caiman crocodilus).
At the end of the afternoon, back at the lodge and from the riverbank, you will witness the spectacular Amazon sunset, an experience full of colors in warm ranges and intensities. At nightfall, a delicious dinner will be waiting for you, and you will have free time to share unforgettable moments at our bar, equipped with an excellent board game room and stocked with every drink you can imagine.
The magic begins with the songs of the birds of the Amazon paradise and the call of the howler monkey.
After breakfast, we will begin a walk into the depths of the forest, along specially prepared trails, with bridges to cross the streams and rivers. During the walk, we will observe the flooded forest and a great variety of flora and fauna, until we reach the majestic Lake Apu Víctor, with crystal-clear waters, surrounded by immense swamps and gigantic trees.
We will then climb up to the Amazon Lookout, from which we will enjoy a panoramic view of the lake, observing parrots, macaws, toucans, horned screamers (camungos), shanshos (hoatzin, a type of wild fowl with a prehistoric appearance), herons, and other animals, such as caimans and turtles; and, if luck is on our side, we may see the giant otter, one of the most spectacular animals of the rainforest. Back at the lodge, a restorative lunch will be waiting for you.
In the afternoon, accompanied by our specialized guide, we will visit Monkey Island, a unique place in the heart of the Madre de Dios River, five minutes from the lodge. During the walk, we will observe extraordinary landscapes, with lush flora that is home to a variety of monkey species in their natural habitat, such as the spider monkey (maquisapa), the capuchin, the pygmy marmoset (leoncillo), and the squirrel monkey (fraile), and, with luck, other species such as the coati and the sloth, as well as a great variety of birds.
Finally, we will complete our visit to the island by enjoying the sunset, with the most impressive dusk in the rainforest. We will then return to the lodge and end the day with a pleasant dinner.
The birds of paradise will sing to wake you up refreshed. A hearty breakfast will give you the energy you need for a morning full of new experiences.
After breakfast, we will begin an adventure through the virgin rainforest and, accompanied by a local guide, we will hike through the deep jungle until we reach Cocha Perdida, an ecosystem that provides refuge and food for an immense variety of animals. There we will have the chance to see otters, caimans, turtles, sachavacas (tapirs), birds with multicolored plumage, the majestic jaguar, and a variety of fish species. This area is unique and belongs to the Ecoamazonía Ecological Reserve, which keeps it intact, with immense swamps and various aguaje palm swamps (aguajales).
We will then reach the extraordinary Amazon Lookout, from which we can admire the immense and magical rainforest. Next, we will take a pleasant canoe ride around the lake and return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we can make an optional visit to the local Botanical Garden or, if you prefer, relax in the Amazon Pool.
In the evening, we will have dinner and rest, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest. Back at the lodge, you can savor an exquisite dinner and, if your body allows, enjoy a fun night at our bar.
On this day, we will leave our lodge by boat along the river before dropping you off at the airport for your departure flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco. We recommend a good rest and a light diet so that your body can better acclimatize to the altitude of over 3400 m a.s.l.
Enjoy a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting two of the most important historical and cultural centers in the Cusco region: Pisac and Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night before our visit to Machu Picchu.
On this day, we will take the guided visit to the magical lost city of Machu Picchu, lasting approximately 2 hours: more than enough time to learn the history of this sacred place and take the best photos. Once the tour is over, we will return to the small town of Aguas Calientes, from where the train departs for the destination station and, finally, our transportation will take you from the station to your hotel in Cusco.
On this day, we will take a short hike to Humantay Lake to discover this paradise of turquoise waters, surrounded by imposing glaciers and impressive landscapes at 4200 m a.s.l., which is part of the famous Salkantay Trail.
On this day, we will take the tour to the 7 Colors Mountain Vinicunca, the second most visited destination in the country, which needs no introduction. It is a must-stop for all travelers, on a tour where you can also enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Cusco's southern valley and see alpacas and llamas along the way.
At the agreed time, we will safely take you from your hotel to the airport for your flight from Cusco to Lima.
You can choose to book only the excursions or the complete package, which includes excursions, transfers, and hotels. We do not include flights, but we will give you recommendations on airlines and schedules.
The Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) is a personal ticket and is not sold in advance. It must be purchased in Cusco or at the entrance of the visited sites where it is required.
The maximum volume allowed on the trains is 5 kg per person, so you should travel with the bare essentials; the rest of your luggage should remain at your hotel in Cusco during the two days of travel. If you check out when traveling to Machu Picchu, you can leave your luggage in the hotel's luggage storage.
The entry time for this tour is from 7:00 a.m., but it may vary depending on ticket availability at the time of booking. Remember: the sooner you book, the better your chances of getting the best time slots.
The yellow fever vaccine is not required to enter Peru, but it may be required when returning to your country. For more information, contact the health authorities in your country of origin.
