Amazon and Machu Picchu

We transfer you to Lima airport to take a flight to Puerto Maldonado which lies deep in the Peruvian Amazonian Jungle. Upon arrival we travel by motorised canoe up the Madre de Dios River to an eco-friendly jungle lodge. On our journey to the lodge you have a chance to see bird species typical of the river and the forest outskirts such as a black skimmer, pied lapwing, a capped heron, a roadside hawk (Buteo magnirostris), a kingfisher, a swallow or  tyrant flycatchers.

The jungle lodge combines a native architecture and materials with a low-impact technology intending to preserve the local environment. Rooms of the lodge are simple but comfortable, containing mosquito nets over each bed, flush toilets, showers (but without hot water) and kerosene (paraffine) lamps for lighting (there is no electricity). Staff of the lodge are multilingual naturalists-guides and mostly consist of local community members.

You will take guided hikes through the jungle with a local guide and discover the Amazon's bizarre wildlife and native residents and the curative and useful  properties of domestic jungle plants. The Amazon covers about half of Peru and it is located in the Amazon Basin. Thanks to its isolation it keeps hidden to casual travellers. Puerto Maldonado is the main city of the region and is mostly accessed by air from the capital and from Cusco. The city lies on confluence of the Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. It is a busy and booming tropical frontier city which principal activities are gold mining, cashew nut collecting, timber exploitation, agriculture and ecotourism.

Sleep to the sounds of nighttime creatures and arise to the extraordinary sounds of bird song. 

Tambopata is famous for a wide variety of plants and animal populations that include over 1,300 bird species (including 32 parrot specias that are equal to 10% of the world parrot population), 200 mammal species (4 species of primates included), 90 species of frogs, 1,200 butterfly species and 10,000 species of higher plants! All of them are protected by law. Harpy eagle, a prehistoric looking hoatzin, tapir, peccary, jaguar, ocelot and playful river otters inhabitating the Oxbow Lake to name a few of these rainforest rare species!  

On the last (third) day of this Amazonian trip we transfer you back to the airport at Puerto Maldonado for your flight to Cusco located high in the Andes. You are welcomed by our representative and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to acclimatize to the high altitude as well as relax and explore some of this fascinating city.

On this day, you will visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Sacred Valley was the principal supplier of food for the Inca Empire, and today you can appreciate various Inca remnants. The valley was formed by the Urubamba River, also known as the Vilcanota River, and it flows through Pisac and Ollantaytambo up to the ancient natural sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The Sacred Valley is a lush agricultural region that continues to supply Cusco City with much of its production.

We will be taken to the impressive Inca site of Pisac, an archaeological complex situated on the hillside high above the town, with amazing views of frost-topped mountains. This place has fascinating agricultural terraces carved into the mountainside. Uphill are well-preserved temples, including a Solar Clock or Intiwatana, which are magnificent designs.

Continuing our tour of Pisac, we will visit its traditional market, an excellent location for buying keepsakes! We will have enough free time here to see and buy crafts or try some classic Andean foods. Then we will stop in Urubamba, considered the capital of the valley, to have a buffet lunch offering Andean cuisine. Afterward, we will continue to Ollantaytambo, a small town brimming with native atmosphere and occupied since Inca times. We will stop at the principal temple that was used as an Incan fortress during the Inca resistance. Here, you will enjoy beautiful views and can take some amazing photos.

Continuing the Sacred Valley tour, we return to Cusco with a stop for a guided tour in Chinchero. You will arrive at your hotel in Cusco in the evening. Spend the night there and we recommend that you pack a small backpack for Machu Picchu the next day. It is very important that you do not take all your clothes with you, just the essentials for the two days. You can leave your suitcase in the storage room of the hotel.

Day 01: Cusco - Aguas Calientes

Leaving from Cusco in the morning we travel to the village of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley where we get on the train to Aguas Calientes. With exquisite landscapes throughout the journey, the train trip is an adventure in itself. Trailing the route of the river descending the Sacred Valley you reach Aguas Calientes by lunchtime, where you are accompanied by our represantative to check in to your hotel. Afterwards you have the afternoon free. We recommend the Machu Picchu museum and orchid exhibition, a 35 minute walk outside the village or you can just unwind in the hotsprings that the village is named after.

Day 02: Machu Picchu!

We wake up early and take the bus up to Machu Picchu to enter as the site opens. We have a 2-hour guided tour of the designated circuit, during which you will learn about the Incas and see all the most significant areas of the Inca citadel. After the tour, you have free time, and if you have permits to ascend Huayna Picchu or Mount Machu Picchu, you can climb up during this free time.

In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, from where you will be transferred by our driver back to Cusco.

Important Note: There are new rules regarding Machu Picchu tickets. Today, these tickets are called Circuits, and these circuits designate the route. If you want to explore the entire Inca citadel, we recommend you book Circuit 2 Machu Picchu in advance.

Once you finish the guided tour, you can't return to the initial starting point or explore other sites of the Inca citadel unless you have another entrance ticket.

Rainbow Mountain or "Vinicunca" is a majestic place and a gift of nature. It is located near Ausangate Mountain in the region of Cusco, Peru. It is one of the places that most tourists have not discovered yet. The Rainbow Mountain is one of the most spectacular locations in the Cordillera Vilcanota because it retains its natural color given by the presence of sedimentary eroding rocks. The rocks are impressive for their colorfulness since they are made up of seven colors. Therefore, the mountain is also known as 7 Color Mountain.

 A walk to Vinicunca is a full day hike at a staggering altitude of more than 4,400 meters (14,400 feet) above sea level, which leads along a dirt road between the looming peaks of green and startling red rocks. It is a gorgeous route passing through local villages, built of stone and shimmering mountain streams.

 According to National Geographic, Rainbow Mountain Peru has been ranked among the 100 places you must visit during your lifetime for its beautiful colors! You should know that cloudy days result in darker colors, while sunny weather will have lighter colors.

Today is a free day to explore the fascinating capital of the Incan empire.

Cusco is the continents earliest constantly occupied city and the center of the South American travel net. The city draws in visitors who come to experience a unique location and an ancient culture very unlike anything they know from their modern way of life. A week could easiliy be spent here and in the surrounding areas. Inca stone walls  border many of the streets and important Inca ruins are close by. This city is immersed in history, culture and fables.

Yearly Cusco brings in thousands of visitors who come to explore its imperial but heartbreaking past. It is an excellent base for optional travel around the area.

You can explore some of many very good museums such as Inca Museum, Qoricancha Museum, Archaeological Museum (which also houses a small art exhibition), Regional Historic Museum and Religious Art Museum.

Cusco has got numerous colonial churches too. The most important of them is the Cathedral on the main square. Its construction started in 1559 and it took 100 years to finish! The Cathedral can pride on the biggest depository of Colonial art of the city! A vault containing remains of the famous Incan historian - Garcilaso de la Vega is just past the entrance. Other churches that are worth seeing are La Compañía, La Merced and San Francisco.

The city is also a perfect base for those more adventurous as it offers a range of optional outdoor activities such as white river rafting on Urubamba River, horseback riding around nearby archaeological sites (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambo Machay and Puca Pucara) or mountain biking down to Maras - Moray - Salineras and perhaps visiting some Incan sites on the way.

It is also home to fine dining restaurahnts, charismatic cafes and entertaining nightlife.

Transfer to Cusco to take a flight back to Lima.
End of service!

Please Note: The return flight to Lima from Cusco can be changed upon request. Also if you want to extend your trip, please let us know in advance and we will be happy to help you! 

• Welcome by our Representative at arrival;
• Domestic flights: Lima - Puerto Maldonado - Cusco;
• All airport transfers at arrival and departure;
• Accommodation: 3* hotels (7 nights), Jungle Lodges (2 nights);
• All entrance fees according to the itinerary;
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu;
• Professional bilingual Tour Guides as per itinerary;
• Meals: 8x breakfast, 2x lunch, 1x buffet lunch, 2x dinner;
• Motorboat transportation during the Amazon Adventure Tour;
• Transport by a private van during the tours and local transfers;
• A tourist train round trip to Machu Picchu;
• A shuttle bus to Machu Picchu - a round trip.

• Pre & post tour accommodation,
• International flights nor airport departure taxes,
• Huayna Picchu Mountain ticket,
• Meals not mentioned,
• Travel insurance,
• Tips and baggage portage (Please note: It is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory.),
• Other extras not mentioned.

All Tierras Vivas tours are accompanied by a Tierras Vivas guide, representative. Our guides are here to take the stress out of your trip and make sure you have the best experience possible. They provide valuable information about the places you visit, suggest activities and sights, and recommend excellent places to eat. Each guide has in-depth knowledge of the destination, including its history, culture, religion and social customs. We also work with local guides when their expertise can enhance your experience in certain locations.

In addition, a Tierras Vivas representative will be available via WhatsApp throughout your trip. Their role is to ensure that everything runs smoothly during your Amazon to Machu Picchu adventure. In case of any problems or emergencies, your representative will contact you directly and stay in constant communication with our local operators to ensure that all the services in your itinerary are delivered without any setbacks.

WhatsApp will be our main communication channel during your trip, so it is very important to download the app before you travel. This will allow our representative to stay in touch with you throughout your Amazon to Machu Picchu experience. If there are any schedule changes or emergencies, they will respond promptly and make sure everything is handled efficiently.

Our guides and representatives pay close attention to every detail to make your trip stress-free, enjoyable, and truly memorable.

Accommodation during the tour to Amazon & Machu Picchu

These following hotels are used to accommodate you during your tour:

Accommodation in Lima:

Hotel Ferrer Miraflores***

Address: Calle Diego Ferre 235, Miraflores. At the height of the block 12 of Av. Larco.

Tel: (+51) 1 4473456 / 1 4467276

Accommodation in Cusco:

Hotel Illa Cusco

Address: Carmen Alto 166, Cusco 08003

Tel: (+51) 920 005 100

During the tour, we request our hotels to get ready your rooms for time of your arrival, especially, if you arrive prior to standard check-in time. Nevertheless, this is not always possible. In this case, you just store your luggage in that hotel storage room and you can explore around your new destination in between.

Please note! If you have purchased pre or post trip accommodation, you might be asked to change your room during your trip.

Tierras Vivas works with LATAM and Sky Airline, which offer daily flights from Lima to Puerto Maldonado and Cusco.

The Amazon to Machu Picchu tour includes two domestic air tickets as follows:

Lima to Puerto Maldonado (Peruvian Amazon) 

There are two scheduled departures from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, usually in the morning or around noon. Each ticket includes 12 kg of checked baggage and a small handbag.

Puerto Maldonado to Cusco 

There is one scheduled flight per day from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco. This ticket also includes 12 kg of checked baggage and one handbag.

A kind of luggage you need to take with depends on a kind of tour you plan to undertake, a part of the country you like to visit, a year season and a length of your trip. In general, you should pack as lightly as possible because you carry your own luggage during most of our tours (however, there are not long walking distances – up to 30 minutes). We recommend you to keep weight of your luggage under 10 kg (22 lb.).

Most of travelers use a suitcase. However, a big backpack would be more suitable. In any case, please do not forget a small rucksack that you will need for daily travels (to carry your bottled water, camera, snacks, etc.). It is better to avoid a wheeled luggage and use luggage with shoulder straps.

What Kind of Clothing to Pack to Peru

Clothing to take with you depends on a year season in Peru and a part of country you plan to visit.

When visiting coastline of the Northern Peru and surroundings of Lima, then you need to pack some light cloths (for example, shorts, skirts, dresses, T-shirts), flip-flops, sandals, a head cover as a protection against the Sun (a hat or a cap), sun protection cream, sunglasses, mosquitos repellent and swimsuit, of course.

If you plan to visit Peruvian mountains (Andean mountain range or Altiplano), then we recommend you to take some trousers suitable for hiking, shorts, T-shirts and trekking shoes for the days; and sweaters, fleeces, hats, scarves and warm jackets for the nights. You also should take a sun protection cream, sun glasses and in some cases, mosquito repellent (depending on a route chosen). It is very convenient to have a light rain-gear available in a daypack (e.g. a waterproof poncho or jacket and/or waterproof trousers) as weather changes quickly and rains can suddenly occur. For more details, please check the below link of “What to Bring on the Inca Trail Expedition Tour”.

If you like to see the Amazonian rainforest (Manu, Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, etc.), then the most important item of your luggage must be a mosquito repellent (20 DEET as a minimum recommended)!! Except that, you should take some light clothing with long sleeves and long trousers (to put into your shoes as a kind of protection against insect). You should not forget some waterproof cloths (especially, if you plan to visit the rainforest during a rainy season), comfortable and closed footwear, long socks and a hat.

• Passport Original and copies
• Travel insurance(+ copies for a case of lost),
• Flight tickets,
• Cash in USD or credit cards,
• Our service voucher (sent by us to you),
• Entry visa and a proof of vaccination (if applicable),
• Day pack (to carry your personal items during daily travels),
• Rain gear (a rain-jacket and a waterproof trousers or a rain poncho - this can be purchased in Cusco),
• Resistible footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended,
• Sandals (for a higher comfort while at a campsite),
• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping),
• Hat or a cap (to protect you against the Sun, rain as well as cold),
• Sun cream or sun block,
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body,
• Insect repellent– recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria has been reported during this trip!),
• Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),
• Flashlight/headlamp + batteries,
• Handkerchiefs and toilet paper,
• Small towel and toiletries,
• Sufficient reserve of underwear,
• Swimsuit (to visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes),
• Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.) Please note: we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taken own snack applies only for customers who like a specific snack that might not be in our menu.
• Bottled water.
  
  

If you would like to do the hike to Inca Trail or Alternative, choose these two option hike to Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail Expedition

Amazon and Inca Trail Tours

• Day 01: Lima
• Day 02-03: Peruvian Amazon
• Day 04: Cusco City
• Day 05: Tour Sacred Valley of the Incas
• Day 06-09: Inca Trail
• Day 10: Walk around the Cusco City
• Day 11: Departure

Amazon and Alternative treks

• Day 01: Lima
• Day 02-03: Peruvian Amazon
• Day 04: Cusco City
• Day 05: Tour Sacred Valley of the Incas
• Day 06-08: Lares Valley
• Day 09: Hiking to Machu Picchu
• Day 10: Walk around the Cusco City
• Day 11: Departure