Nature and Culture in Peru

Day 1

Arrival Lima

Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be escorted by car to your accommodation in an arts hotel, Hotel B.

The remainder of your day will be spent at leisure.

Day 2

Lima

Get to know Peru’s capital city on a private guided tour. You’ll explore Plaza Mayor, visit the cathedral and San Francisco Monastery, and see the catacombs where the skulls and bones of approximately 75,000 people are held. 

The tour includes a trip to the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum, which houses the largest private collection of pre-Colombian Peruvian art, and a trip along the city’s Pacific coast to the neighbourhoods of San Isidro, Miraflores and Larcomar. 

Day 3

Lima – Iquitos

After breakfast catch a plane to Iquitos, gateway to the Amazon, where you’ll board the Aria Amazon for a four-night Amazon cruise.

Day 4

Amazon

The itinerary for the Aria Amazon varies depending on the season and water levels. Over the next three days, you’ll explore deep in the Amazon rainforest, venturing along the Ucayali River, the Amazon’s main tributary, as well as four other rivers. 

There’ll be daily skiff excursions to view the birds, mammals, reptiles and flora of the Amazon, go trekking through dense forest, and enhance your photography skills. In the evenings, you’ll enjoy a number of lectures on the diverse wildlife and birds found here.  

Day 5

Amazon

Continue your journey on the Amazon.

Enjoy daily skiff excursions to view the birds, mammals, reptiles and flora of the Amazon, go trekking through dense forest, and enhance your photography skills. 

In the evenings, you’ll enjoy a number of lectures on the diverse wildlife and birds found here.  

Day 6

Amazon

Continue your journey on the Amazon.

Day 7

Amazon – Iquitos – Lima

After a final excursion and lunch on the boat, you’ll disembark at Iquitos and visit the Manatee Rescue Centre to learn about this endangered species and see manatees being prepared for their rerelease back into the wild. 

Afterwards, you’ll catch your return flight to Lima. 

Day 8

Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley

This morning catch a flight to Cusco where your private driver will transport you to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Day 9

Sacred Valley

Today you’ll embark on a full day private tour of the Sacred Valley. 

You’ll visit the picturesque town of Pisac to browse its colourful daily handicrafts market and enjoy a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, explore the ruins of the massive Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo, to see the Temple of the Sun and witness extraordinary views over the valley. 

Day 10

Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu

It’s an early start today as your driver takes you to Aguas Calientes to board the train that passes through the Sacred Valley to the mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. 

Enjoy a private guided tour of Machu Picchu before a buffet lunch. Then you can explore the site at leisure for the rest of the day. 

Day 11

Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

This morning return to Machu Picchu to continue your exploration of the site before your afternoon train back to Cusco, departing at 15.30. 

Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel.

Day 12

Cusco

After breakfast, embark on a private guided tour of Cusco.

You’ll visit Koricancha, the most important Inca temple, explore the cathedral, and enjoy panoramic views from the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. 

Day 13

Departure

Today you’ll be escorted to the airport for your onward journey.