Compare Signature Peru & Beyond by Kuoda Travel vs Peru Family Journey: Machu Picchu to the Amazon by G Adventures

Day 1: Welcome to Peru!

Accommodation: Belmond Miraflores Park, 01 City View Jr. Suite

International Arrival in Lima

You will find us waiting for you when your international flight arrives in Lima. Look for the Kuoda sign with your name and the smile. We will escort you to your hotel in the Miraflores district, check you in, and help you get settled. You’ll then be able to rinse away the feeling of a long flight and enjoy a good night’s rest!

Day 2: Introduction to the City of Kings

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Belmond Miraflores Park, 01 City View Jr. Suite

Afternoon Visit to the Larco Herrera Museum and the Historic City Center

Wake up refreshed and enjoy breakfast in your hotel this morning. You have the morning to spend at your leisure, either enjoying the comforts of your hotel or exploring vibrant Miraflores!

At the appropriate time mid-day, we’ll collect you and bring you to the Pueblo Libre neighborhood, home to the Larco Herrera Museum. Housing the country’s largest collection of pre-Columbian artifacts (including extensive gold and silver collections, as well as the infamous erotic archaeological collection) and providing rare open access to their exquisitely catalogued storage area, this museum is the perfect introduction to Peru’s multi-faceted cultural history. First, you’ll begin your visit with a delicious lunch enjoyed on the vine-covered terrace of the Museum’s café, and then you’ll have time to explore the exhibits. Next we’ll delve into the heart of Peru’s “City of Kings,” where you’ll visit the Plaza Mayor, featuring the current President’s palace, the Convent of San Francisco (including subterranean catacombs!) and the Casa Aliaga, which is the western hemisphere’s oldest mansion and still owned and inhabited by the 17^th generation of the Aliaga family. Upon completion of your tour, we will bring you back to your hotel where your guide will be happy to suggest some great places to see and dine within walking distance of Miraflores.

Day 3: Over the Andes to the Sacred Valley

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Belmond Rio Sagrado, 01 Deluxe Terrace Room

Flight from Lima to Cusco, Private Car to the Sacred Valley

You will wake up refreshed and enjoy a complimentary breakfast in your hotel before we escort you back to the airport for your morning flight to Cusco. Watch the windows as the desert coast rises into the snow-capped peaks of the Andes!

We will be waiting for you when touch down at our Andean airport and will bring you to the historic city center of Cusco for a delicious lunch. Then, before you can feel the altitude, we’ll whisk you into the Sacred Valley. Just 15 minutes outside of Cusco, true Peruvian countryside will stretch away on either side of you, cows and sheep grazing tranquilly road-side. Impossibly steep peaks rise in the distance. Your journey will take you first to the Incan fortress at Sacsayhuaman. Next, you’ll stop at the vibrant market in the pueblo of Pisac, where locals come from miles around to sell their wares. Upon conclusion of your market visit we’ll bring you to your hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Remember, your Kuoda guide and driver are at your disposal today – please feel free to stop for photos, stretch your legs and breathe in the clear mountain air!

Day 4: Uncovering Ollantaytambo’s Secrets

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Belmond Monasterio, 01 Superior Room

Hike through Patacancha, Visit Ollantaytambo’s Iconic Ruins, and Enjoy a Peruvian Feast!

Today’s journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas will start with a drive through the breathtaking Patacancha Valley. At the ruins of Pumamarca we’ll begin our hike down a pre-Columbian trail, following irrigation canals that line terraced fields still in use today.

After approximately two hours of hiking, we’ll find ourselves in the Incan town of Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining places in Peru that retains its original Incan urban planning. You’ll note still-functioning street canals, multi-family houses with secret interior courtyards and iconic Incan trapezoidal doors! Here we’ll visit the Incan fortress perched on the mountainside overlooking the sleepy pueblo, and learn about nearby stone quarries and the pivotal Incan battle fought here. We hope you worked up an appetite while hiking, because next on the schedule is a true Peruvian feast: the traditional Pachamanca! The centuries-old Pachamanca tradition involves marinating lamb, pork, chicken, and potatoes in a variety of Andean ingredients and cooking them to perfection in an underground oven. You’ll witness each step of the process: how the oven is prepared, how white-hot stones are layered, and how the feast materializes before your eyes! While waiting for your feast to roast, make sure to wander through the grounds’ organic garden, smell the fresh-roasted coffee produced by the farm’s head roaster, and sample some of the varieties of cañazo (a local Andean spirit) that are produced on-site at the one-of-a-kind distillery. Upon completion of your tour, we will bring you back to your hotel for an evening spent at leisure.

Day 5: The Lost City of the Incas – Machu Picchu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, 01 Deluxe Terrace Room

Morning luxury Hiram Bingham Train, Private Tour of Machu Picchu

Prepare for a climactic day! In the morning, we will board the luxury Belmond Hiram Bingham train for our journey to Machu Picchu. Watch the cloud jungle pass by through the large glass windows and enjoy a gourmet lunch on board, followed by a visit to the open-air observatory car! After a bus ride to the gates of this wonder of the world, you will then ascend stone steps, through heavy tree cover to finally emerge at the top of the world – Machu Picchu. The incredible Inca stone construction will be spread below, alternately hidden and revealed by clouds. Your expert guide will give you a private tour of the ancient city. Afterwards, feel free to continue exploring, or retire to your on-site hotel to relax and refresh. Upon completion of your tour, your guide will give you advice and answer questions about how you might use your following free day. Enjoy an excellent dinner on-site at your luxury hotel and fall into bed, relishing in your exclusive proximity to Peru’s lost citadel!

Day 6: Machu Picchu on Your Terms

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Belmond Monasterio, 01 Superior Room

A Free Day to Explore the Ancient City at Your Own Pace

This is your day to relax and enjoy Machu Picchu. The adventurous can hike the steep Huayna Picchu sugarloaf peak for the postcard view of the city, or those wishing to go at a calmer pace can continue to explore the far reaches of the citadel, perhaps visiting the Inca Bridge. Your guide from the previous day will have left you with plenty of suggestions for how best to make the most out of your day exploring Peru’s world wonder.

Machu Picchu entrances, Huayna Picchu entrances, and return bus tickets are included today. In the afternoon, you will descend to Aguas Calientes for your return luxury Hiram Bingham train. Delight in a live show and gourmet dinner in thie 1920’s Pullman-style luxury train! We will be waiting in the station for you and will bring you to your hotel for a relaxing evening at leisure.

Day 7: The Past, Present, and Future of the Sacred Valley

Accommodation: Belmond Monasterio, 01 Superior Room

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

A Free Day to Explore the Ancient City at Your Own Pace

Today you will weave through the Sacred Valley’s most fertile agricultural lands and experience an unforgettable blend of the past, present, and future.

Your first stop of the day will be revisiting centuries past at the ancient Inca ruins at Moray. Some experts still believe these concentric circles served as an agricultural laboratory, though nobody has yet been able to confirm their true purpose. Form your own hypothesis as you peer deep into these beautiful feats of engineering and stonemasonry. We will then transport ourselves to the present and continue through the small town of Maras before arriving at iconic salt pans carved into the mountainside. In use to this day, each of thousands of flat white pools terracing the hillside has been passed down through generations since pre-Incan times, providing sustenance and income. The intricate network of waterways and white evaporation pools seem like a work of modern art. We will then pause for a locally-prepared lunch enjoyed with panoramic views.

After lunch, we will take you to visit our friends in a small village and glimpse the promising future that awaits the rural Sacred Valley. Surrounded by towering mountains and hugging the shore of the breathtakingly blue Lake Piuray, agriculture dominates life in this close-knit place. The women of the village are weaving masters that use Incan techniques, materials, and patterns, and have formed a weaving association providing community development through sales and teachings. You will also meet some of the local children who attend Kuoda’s after-school program, which provides a much needed haven of extra school supplies, homework help, and perhaps most importantly, encouragement to stay in school. The kids love to show off their drawings and computer skills! This town is far off the beaten-track, so you won’t see other travellers here. You will get to meet some of the friendliest people in Peru and witness how a more traditional way of life is adapting to the passage of time. Finally, after experiencing first-hand the past, present, and future of the Sacred Valley, we will bring you to your hotel in Cusco for a leisurely evening.

Day 8: Walking Through the Centuries in the Imperial City

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Belmond Monasterio, 01 Superior Room

Private Walking Tour of Cusco’s Historic City Center, Afternoon Tasting Tour

This morning you will experience the lay of the land as only true world travelers know how: on foot traversing hidden al leyways, historic plazas, and local treasures. After breakfast on your own, your private guide will proceed to illuminate Cusco’s rich tapestry woven by its inviting cobblestone streets, charming neighborhoods, and astounding landmarks.

Your first stop of the day will be to the Santo Domingo monastery, perched atop the most sacred of Incan sites, the Qoricancha temple of the sun. Once bathed in 24-karat gold long-since pilfered by Spanish conquistadors, this temple is now an astounding blend of Incan stonemasonry and colonial architecture. From there you’ll stop in at the colonial Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, and the Pre-Colombian Art Museum, housing an unparalleled collection of Incan artifacts in pristine condition. Next, climb up to the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, known for its whitewashed adobe buildings and quaint blue balconies. Top off your tour with a visit to a local indigenous market brimming with a rainbow of local fruits and traditional remedies, and make sure to pause at the 12-angled stone nestled in a wall that has withstood the test of time (as well as a couple of earth-shattering earthquakes!). Upon conclusion of your tour your guide will leave you with suggestions as to where you can find a light local lunch, but make sure to save some room for the snacks that await this afternoon! First make your way to the Coffee Museum, just a ten minute walk from your hotel, where a stimulating aroma will welcome you in. After a workshop detailing coffee’s history as well as how it is grown, sorted, and roasted, you will be whisked away to the Chocolate Museum. Did you know that Peru is the birthplace of chocolate? Here you will learn about its spectacular history and the unique process that chocolate undergoes from plant to plate. Best of all, make your own chocolate truffles to bring home with you! Lastly, you will find yourself in the Republica del Pisco to taste an assortment of the Peruvian spirit-of-choice paired with Peruvian fusion appetizers. This is the perfect way to know which Pisco variety you’ll want to take home with you!

Day 9: Bidding Farewell to Peru

Meals: Breakfast

Fly From Cusco to Lima. Explore Barranco and Enjoy Dinner. Fly Home.

At the appropriate time late this morning, we will escort you to the Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima. Watch the windows as the snow-capped peaks of the Andes become coastal desert!

Your Kuoda Lima host will meet you upon arrival and bring you to the bohemian Barranco neighborhood, one of Lima’s up-and-coming artsy areas. You’ll start off on foot and visit such highlights as the Barran- co boardwalk and the famous “Puente de los Suspiros”, which has been a meeting point for young lovers for decades and has inspired many famous Peruvian poets and singers. You’ll also wander past local art galleries, window shopping or ducking inside for a better look at their treasures, and visit the picturesque main plaza in Barranco. Be prepared for some delicious snacks and maybe even a taste of locally- brewed Peruvian craft beer!

Upon completion of your walking tour in Barranco, your private vehicle will bring you to a restaurant of your choosing, where we will have secured reservations for you. Savor the flavors of an award-winning national cuisine and reflect upon your journey over the last twelve days discovering Southern Peru. At the appropriate time, we will bring you to the airport for your journey home. We will help you check in for your international flight and wish you buen viaje!

Day 1 Lima

Arrive in time to meet your fellow travelers for a welcome gathering this evening. Your arrival transfer is included.

Note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control. There are some very early morning starts on this trip to make the best use of our time and see as much as we can of Peru as we can.

Day 2 Lima/Sacred Valley of the Inca

Board an early flight to Cusco, the gateway to Peru's Inca heartland. Take in spectacular Andean scenery as we drive north into Urubamba Valley—also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Arrive at Piuray Lake, an azure oasis framed by snowcapped peaks. Enjoy a lakeside lunch and soak up free time amid the mountain views. Continue to your hotel and settle in before dinner.

This trip travels to high altitude, medically defined as anything over 8,000 ft (2,440m).

Day 3 Sacred Valley of the Inca

Begin the day with a visit to a G Adventures–supported women’s weaving cooperative, where we’ll observe traditional weaving and dying techniques and meet some of the weavers. Next, test your Spanish skills as you bargain with vendors at the famed Pisac Market—a wonderland of colorful Quechua handicrafts. Break for a farm-to-table lunch at the G Adventures–supported Parwa Community Restaurant, tasting Peruvian dishes while learning how this resident-run restaurant helps fund community projects. In the afternoon, opt to relax at our hotel or visit the Inca ruins of Moray and the salt pans of Maras.

Day 4 Sacred Valley of the Inca/Aguas Calientes

Explore the former Inca stronghold of Ollantaytambo, stepping back in time amid ancient terraces, storehouses, and an enormous temple-fortress. Then hop aboard a train for the journey through the Urubamba Valley to the end of the line: Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled beneath Machu Picchu. The afternoon is free for optional excursions, including a visit to a butterfly farm or to the nearby hot springs.

The town has several amenities, but is also geographically remote meaning services are sometimes more basic than one would assume. As the only option for travellers visiting Machu Picchu, the development of infrastructure has happened quite quickly, much without proper planning, and the focus on providing quality service may not be up to the standards experienced in other parts of the country.

Day 5 Machu Picchu

Rise and shine! After a light breakfast, head to Machu Picchu to see the citadel in the early morning light, before the crowds arrive. Spend the morning exploring the ruins with our guides and pondering the mysteries of this “lost” city of the Inca, forgotten at the Spanish conquest and rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham with support from National Geographic. This afternoon, return by train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.

Day 6 Cusco

Set out to explore the beautiful streets and plazas of Cusco, once lavishly adorned with Inca gold that was stolen by the Spanish during the conquest. Visit the sprawling San Pedro Market, where you’ll find everything from pickled snakes to savory tamales, and visit the Machu Picchu Museum to see an array of Inca artifacts that were discovered at Machu Picchu. Later, enjoy a star-filled evening at the Cusco Planetarium, learning about the importance of astronomy to the ancient Inca and peering at the glittering night sky through high-powered telescopes.

Day 7 Cusco/Tambopata National Reserve

Today, we set out to discover a wilder side of Peru! Catch a morning flight to Puerto Maldonado, then continue by motorized canoe along the Tambopata River to our jungle lodge in the Amazon rainforest. Have lunch on board the boat and keep an eye out for wildlife and birds along the way. Upon arrival, settle into your thatched lodging, situated near Tambopata National Reserve—a biodiversity hotspot. In the afternoon, join a naturalist guide to seek out the wildlife of the rainforest—from colorful butterflies to huge spiders—and learn the uses for medicinal and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques.

En route, spot bird species typical of the local river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area. Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich flora and fauna and locals' extensive use of medicinal plants and other forest plant resources. The lodge itself combines local architectural style and materials with low-impact, eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, and showers (with solar-heated hot water). Please bring a small battery powered lantern or flashlight.

After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge. Be prepared to protect yourself from the sun and bugs before you get on the boat. It's quite pleasant with the covered roof and breeze, but you can still get sunburned. It's recommended to wear light long sleeves and trousers on the boat.

Day 8 Tambopata National Reserve

Grab your binoculars and head out with naturalist guides to explore the rainforest’s complex ecosystems. Search the forest canopy where colorful toucans, boisterous howler monkeys, and sloths may be spotted. Hike to an oxbow lake, and paddle dugout canoes to glimpse river otters, turtles, and, if we’re lucky, an anaconda or two! This evening we’ll venture out in a motorized canoe to spot the jungle’s elusive nocturnal species. If we're lucky we'll spot caimans, the smaller cousins of alligators, hiding along the muddy banks.

Activities in the rainforest are completely weather dependent and can change based on local conditions. Your CEO and local guide will review the daily schedule with you.

Day 9 Tambopata National Reserve/Lima

Enjoy a final breakfast at our lodge, then board a motorized canoe and return upriver to Puerto Maldonado. Fly to Lima and check in to our hotel. This evening, celebrate our adventure at the farewell dinner.

Day 10 Lima

Depart at any time.