At a glance
- Duration:
- 10 Days
- Start/End:
- Roundtrip Lima, Peru
- From:
- $9,498
- Time of Year:
- January - September; November - December
Embark on a 10-day journey through Peru’s most iconic landscapes on the Wild Peru Escape.
Begin in Lima before heading to the legendary Machu Picchu, where you’ll spend two nights and a full day exploring the awe-inspiring Inca sanctuary. Wander the cobblestone streets of Cusco, the imperial capital of the Inca, before flying to Iquitos to dive into the heart of the Amazon. For five unforgettable days, explore the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve aboard the intimate Delfin III, navigating lush waterways and encountering the extraordinary wildlife of Peru’s vast rainforest.
Guiding your adventure is Lindblad Expeditions’ celebrated team of naturalists, expedition leaders, and photographers. With over 50 years of experience, many hold advanced degrees and bring unmatched expertise to every journey—whether returning year after year to beloved sites or leading explorations across the globe. Guests often say, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” returning again and again to share these transformative experiences.
Exploring Peru: Machu Picchu and the Amazon Highlights
- Spend a full day exploring the fabled Machu Picchu archaeological site with hand-picked guides.
- Discover the cobbled streets and monuments of Cusco, imperial capital of the Inca.
- Journey to Iquitos and the Amazon for a river voyage, venturing out daily in nimble skiffs and kayaks to explore tributaries brimming with wildlife.
- Explore the lush forest of Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve with a team of experienced local naturalists.
- Watch for elusive Amazon wildlife, including pink dolphins, monk saki monkeys, piranhas, and scarlet macaws.
Exploring Peru: Machu Picchu and the Amazon Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Lima, Peru
Arrive in Lima, Peru’s thriving capital, and transfer to the convenient Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol Lima Airport hotel, located at the airport. Most international flights arrive in the late evening. Opt to arrive early for a Lima pre-voyage extension, staying at the iconic Country Club Lima Hotel. The extension adds just a day to the expedition and gives you a chance to rest, relax and see this UNESCO World Heritage designated city.
Arrival Time: Anytime.
Arrival City: Lima, Peru
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu
After breakfast, fly via Lima to Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon basin, and continue overland to the riverside village of Nauta, where the Delfin III awaits. Settle into your cabin and gather for a welcome dinner of fine Peruvian cuisine on board. Tonight, step out on deck to gaze at the magnificent Amazon night sky.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-5: Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
Explore the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, a pristine swath of jungle stretching more than five million acres and harboring some of the Amazon’s most fascinating flora and fauna. The reserve is bordered by the Marañón and the Ucayali, two powerful rivers that converge to create the famed Amazon, which floods annually with nutrient-rich waters and is known locally as the Mirrored Forest for the reflections created by its seasonal glassy water.
Set out into this remarkable wilderness on daily excursions by skiff, kayak and, when the water level permits, hikes on dry land. Look for sloths and monkeys, including variably colored saddleback tamarins, noisy howlers and shaggy-tailed monk saki monkeys. Watch for an astounding variety of birds, from tanagers and hummingbirds to parrots and scarlet macaws. In the river, look for massive paiche fish, the Amazon’s largest; rare pink dolphins; and the infamous piranhas.
One of the unexpected joys of traveling in the Upper Amazon of Peru is interacting with the local ribereños, the traditional people who live on the riverbanks. Visit the local non-profit Minga Peru, including a program of handicraft development, radio broadcasts, women’s health initiatives and efforts in sustainable farming.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Iquitos / Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley
Disembark in Nauta, stopping at the Amazon Rescue Center on the drive to Iquitos. Fly to Cusco via Lima and continue through the fabled and fertile Sacred Valley to Tambo del Inca, your hotel for the next two nights.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Machu Picchu
Drive to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll admire the archaeological site and board the scenic train traveling along the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu. Perched at less than 8,000 feet in the “eyebrow of the jungle,” the sanctuary is surrounded by tropical mountain forest with diverse birds and orchids. Linger after daytime visitors have departed, returning to Machu Picchu Pueblo for the train ride back to the Sacred Valley and Tambo del Inka this evening. Dinner is served aboard the first-class train.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Sacred Valley / Cusco
Departing your hotel, drive through the Sacred Valley to Chinchero, a typical Andean village, where National Geographic Grantee Nilda Callañaupa puts on a family-style lunch and a demonstration of Inca weaving traditions with the women in her cooperative. Continue to Cusco and check in at the Palacio del Inka in the historic heart of the city. Dinner is on your own tonight to explore the many options.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Cusco
This morning drive the short distance to Sacsayhuamán, the emblematic site standing over the city from the northern outskirts. Like Machu Picchu, the ceremonial center was built during the reign of Inka Pacachuti. Opt to return to Cusco on foot, walking through the San Blas neighborhood. Tour the ornate 17th-century cathedral and Plaza de Armas, the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun and other treasures of this burgeoning cultural capital and center of the Inca universe, where colonial buildings stand atop Inca foundations. Enjoy lunch in the city center with time to stroll the streets and explore on your own. Dinner is on your own to delve into the culinary scene in this burgeoning cultural center.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Cusco / Lima
Fly to Lima and connect to flights home. Ask your expedition specialist about options to extend your stay, including an overnight at the Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol Lima Airport hotel.
Departure Time: After 9:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Lima
Meals Included: Breakfast
