Lima – Tambopata – Cusco – Puno (Inca Trail 2D) 12D/11N

Trip highlights:

• Arrive in one of the most unique and varied countries of South America – Peru.
• Venture deep into the marvelous rainforest of Tambopata accompanied by expert professional guides.
• Explore the enchanting Sacred Valley and experience the ancient culture of the Andes.
• Feel the Andean energy as you wind your way along the ancient path of the Incas all the way to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
• Immerse yourself in the magic and mystery of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, accompanied by first-rate guides.
• Visit Cusco and its off-the-beaten-path hidden treasures.
• Fly from Cusco to Puno, admiring the magnificent views of the high plains.
• Be part of a magical experience visiting Lake Titicaca’s Uros and Taquile islands.
• Let your trip be planned by the best travel experts of South America.

Trip Description

This is your chance to discover southern Peru’s most enticing destinations. Begin your adventure in Puerto Maldonado, where you will stay in a renowned luxury Amazonian lodge, surrounded by exotic flora and fauna of the jungle. Then you will head to Cusco, where you will live the magical history and culture of the Incas as you explore archeological sites and hike along the spectacular Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Finally, move on to Puno and Lake Titicaca, the lake on top of the world in all its scenic splendor and cultural richness.

Upon your arrival, our representative will be waiting to welcome you and take you to your hotel, where we will provide all the information about your trip.

In the afternoon you will have free time to rest and relax.

We start the day with a morning flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. Then you will begin to experience the enchantment of the rainforest as you take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River. After a short briefing, you will settle into your beautiful cabaña and enjoy your lunch in the dining room. Later, go on a guided walk along the trail system, into the Inkaterra Amazon Reserve’s natural area, where you will discover the flora and fauna of the Amazon basin, including impressive trees such as the Shihuahuaco and the strangely beautiful strangler fig. At nightfall, we will go on a thrilling twilight river excursion. As you explore this paradise, you will learn about differ animals habits, while searching for nightjars, owls, capybaras and up to three different species of caiman.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Wake up late or rise early — the choice is yours. During the morning you may go on the Lake Sandoval excursion into the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe, across a beautiful, mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica for lunch. After lunch, consider exploring the remarkable Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. During this expedition, be on the lookout for colorful toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys, and sloths. If you wish you may extend your excursion and watch the sunset from one of the towers. Finally, enjoy a great dinner at the lodge.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Enjoy a trip to Gamitana Creek, located 25 minutes by boat from the lodge, explore the rainforest along the banks of a winding, dark-water creek that is home to many piranha, caiman, turtles and birds, until the Sanipanga landing point. Navigate your way back downstream, observing the abundant flora and fauna along the way. You will return to Gamitana Farm to do a short, guided tour to see how local farmers grow fruits and vegetables. Return to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch, enjoy the Hacienda Concepcion excursion, with over 200 different plant species, and learn about the uses and benefits of local flora, look for turtles, sun grebes, nightjars and exotic herons. Return to the lodge. Then consider the Rainforest by Night excursion through the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve at night. Listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot species that only emerge at night.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

After breakfast, we will go to the airport in Puerto Maldonado for your flight to Cusco. When you arrive in Cusco, we will be waiting for you at the airport to bring you to the Sacred Valley, which is located at a lower altitude than Cusco, so you will have an easier time acclimating to the altitude. On route to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will stop at the Inkarri Museum, to immerse you in the history of the many pre-Incan cultures that influenced the Inca civilization as it expanded to become a great empire. You will then arrive at your hotel to rest in luxury for the night.

Breakfast/Box Lunch

In the early morning we will pick you up from your hotel to start the tour of the magical Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting first the archaeological site of Pisac—a place where the history and knowledge of the Incas is in full display, and where you can appreciate the beautiful terraces and the impressive construction of the urban center. We will then visit the local handicraft market town of Pisac, where you will find extraordinary handmade textiles, silverware, pottery, and more. Later we will head to Urubamba, where we will have a delicious lunch right in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

We will continue the tour by visiting the town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, where you can appreciate the beautiful and complex architectural design of the place, built as a military and administrative base, while also serving as a final resting place.

After visiting these stunning and beautiful sites, we return you to your hotel.

Breakfast/Lunch

Very early in the morning, our transport will take us to the train station, where we will board the train and travel until km. 104, where the Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins.

We will start our hike by visiting the ruins at Chachabamba, and then start walking up to Wiñahuayna, another famous archaeological site in the middle of the hike. Along the way, we will pass by beautiful waterfalls and amazing landscapes.

We will have lunch close to Wiñaywayna campsite, the last campsite that is used for the four-day trek; there you will be able to witness the kind of long distance trekking and organization that the longer Inca Trail hike requires.

Later we will continue directly to the Intipunku, or Sun Gate, where we will see for first time the magical city of Machu Picchu. From this point, we will descend to the citadel to enjoy it for some minutes more. Afterwards we will go down to the Hotel to rest and gather energy for visiting Machu Picchu the next day.

Breakfast/ Lunch/Dinner

Today early in the morning after breakfast we will visit the citadel of Machu Picchu, with a two-hour guided tour, visiting the main plaza, the temple of the three windows, the four royal rooms, and the famous Intihuatana and the circular tower. After visiting the citadel, you have the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu, a famous peak from where you will have the most beautiful views of Machu Picchu sanctuary and its surroundings.

Later, we will take the train back to Poroy, located 30 minutes away from Cusco city. From this point our transport will take us to our Hotel in Cusco.

Breakfast/Lunch

After a good breakfast, we will begin the tour of Cusco with its temples and monuments such as the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the convent of Santo Domingo, which was built on top of the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, where you can see the impressive Inca constructions. There is also the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman, a masterpiece of Inca architecture, and where each year, on June 24, the famous Festival of the Sun or Inti Raymi is celebrated. Continuing the tour, we will visit Quenqo, with its monolithic altar, representing a puma, and then arrive at Puca Pucara, a beautiful spring-fed mountain that forms a series of pools. All of these sites are famous Inca monuments of great religious importance.

After enjoying a great lunch, one of our directors will share with you a unique experience created exclusively for Royal Luxury clients as a way to thank you for traveling with us. It will be a gift coming from our hearts.

Breakfast/Lunch

After breakfast, in the morning we will go to Cusco’s airport for your flight to Juliaca, where your guide will meet you at the airport to take you to the Sillustani burial towers. Afterwards, we will leave you at your hotel.

Breakfast/Box Lunch

In the early morning you will board a boat for a tour of Lake Titicaca and visit the floating Uros Islands, with their enigmatic customs and reed boats (the reed is a local aquatic plant). We continue the journey to the island Taquile, with its great scenic and environmental value as well as its friendly inhabitants with their authentic traditional costumes, people famous for their craftsmanship and textiles. In the afternoon, we return to Puno, crossing the highest navigable lake in the world, gazing at its breathtaking scenery.

Breakfast/Lunch

After breakfast, our transport will take you to the airport in Juliaca for your flight to Lima. We will take you to the district of Barranco to explore this bohemian and artisan neighborhood with the assistance of a guide and private car at your disposal. Based on your international flight information, we will bring you back to the airport to help you check in.

Breakfast