The Amazon Cusco Inca tour takes you from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, into the Amazon jungle, after which you explore Cusco and the famous Machu Picchu “Inca city’.

This 10 day tour will bring you in the amazing world of Peru’s Amazon jungle and the Andes mountain area around Cusco, discovering the fascinating remains of the Inca culture, Machu Picchu, seeing the Inca’s impressive building techniques, geography and agricultural systems.

Picture by Peter Schijf

In this trip you will:

• Visit Machu Picchu, the world-famous ‘hidden’ Inca city
• Explore deeply the Cusco region including the Parque Inka de Qorikancha, el Agua de la Eterna Juventud, the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo archaeological park and Inca village.
• Spend 4 nights in the Amazon rainforest jungle
• Stay at Lima and 4 days at Cusco

Day-to-day:

Day 1
Arrive in exciting city of Lima, one of the world’s top culinary cultures. Spend free time exploring the historical and colorful Peruvian capital. Start with a stop to the Plaza de Armas for Peru’s own Tunki coffee together with a chicharron; a deep fried pork, fried sweet potatoes and red onion sandwich.
Stay at the Hotel Miraflores Lodge (or comparable) in Miraflores.

Day 2
Fly to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the southern Amazon jungle of Peru. Nearly 50% of the world’s plant and animal life live in the Amazon jungle; there’s 1800 species of butterflies and 200 species of mosquito. We will pick you up at the airport and bring you by car straight to the Amazon river. Your adventure begins upon arrival, as we take the boat for 1.5 hours to the lodge. On the way, you are sure to spot wildlife, perhaps even the elusive jaguar…

In the afternoon you will arrive at the lodge and get acclimated to jungle life. Before the welcome dinner, we will make our first jungle walk. This night walk is an opportunity for you to spot spiders, night birds and other smaller species. Enjoy the sleep with the evocative sounds of the jungle birds and howler monkeys all around you.

Day 3
Get up early to visit the ‘Collpita’, only 10 minutes by boat from the lodge, to spot the parrots feeding off with mud, that is full of sodium and other minerals they need.

Back in the lodge we will have a breakfast. Then we leave for a visit to the Oxbow lake, where we can have a swim and fish piranha’s. If we are lucky, we may observe giant river otters, one of the world’s unique bigger species. We return to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch it is possible to make an optional walk. Back for a good diner and good nightsleep.

Day 4
Today you will make a walk in the National Reserve, a protected nature area with many species of birds and monkeys to be spotted, maybe even a snake or the ever elusive jaguar. Early leave by boat and breakfast onboard. After the walk, return to the lodge for lunch.

The time after that you can enjoy a good rest in a hammock. Take a short walk, if you want, or can enjoy a rest in the jungle.

Late in the afternoon, you will be back out on the boat, on the river, spotting caimans and the world’s biggest mamal, the Capybara. Dinner will follow. Prepare for leaving tomorrow.

Day 5
A dawn start is required for the boat trip back to Puerto Maldonado. This will enable you to capture memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Look out for the early morning wildlife, which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard, as they stake out their territories.

Fly to Cusco. At 3300 meters (10826.8 feet), Cusco is an extremely high city and you may find yourself slightly short of breath upon arrival. Transfer to your hotel and a free afternoon to spend.

Day 6
This afternoon you will make a city tour, combined with visiting 4 parks. Visit la Catedral del Cuzco, Convento de Santo Domingo and Parque Inka de Qorikancha, Ruinas de Sacsayhuamán, Ruinas de Qenko, Ruinas de Puka Pucara and the Ruinas de Tambomachay, where you will find el Agua de la Eterna Juventud.

Day 7
Today we will visit the city of Machu Picchu. Early in the morning you will be transferred to the trainstation to get on the train to Aguas Calientes, a 4 hours trip. In Aguas Calientes you take a short busride uphill to Machu Picchu, where you will have a guided tour of 3 hours at this World Heritage site. After this unique experience, back by train to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

Day 8
A full day tour to the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas, starting at 9 AM. Please note this tour only leaves at Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
You will visit the Pisaq hand-craft market, Lamay, Tuncay, Urubamba city, Ollantaytambo archaeological park and Inca village and Chinchero church, hand-craft market and park. Lunch is included.

Day 9
The last day at Cusco will give you more insight in the revolutionary agricultural system of the Inca’s. You will explore the south of Cusco in a 4-hour bustrip, visiting Tipon archaeological park, showing the Inca agriculture and its canal of irrigation, and Pikillaqta archaeological park. Before that you will visit Huacarpay lake, the colonial village of “Oropesa”

Day 10
This is the end of your Jungle & Inca adventure. Breakfast in the hotel, after which you will be transferred to the international airport in Cusco. Fly from Cusco to Lima.

Indication price: USD 1650
What`s included: 3 local flights (Lima-Puerto Maldonado-Cusco-Lima), transport, professional guiding services in Amazon jungle and Cusco area, hotels and breakfast, entrances.

Still one day left but we absolutely love it here! So incredible to see so many different species! A great place for biodiversity and eco-tourism – would recommend to everyone. Two thumbs up!!

Kate & Simon Harvey, Canada, June 2015