Compare From the Inca Empire to the Peruvian Amazon by Avalon Waterways vs Peru Family Journey: Machu Picchu to the Amazon by G Adventures
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 5,489 | $ 3,699 |
| Price Per Day | $ 499 | $ 370 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners |
| Description | From its amazing archaeological treasures and gastronomic delights to its scenic beauty and melting pot of cultures, Peru offers visitors a wide array of attractions—and on this tour, you’ll experience its highlights. Begin in the cosmopolitan city of Lima with a guided sightseeing tour, a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, and a special welcome dinner in an ornate family-owned mansion. Fly to Cusco and descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas for guided tours of the ceremonial site of Kenko, where ancient rituals were performed, and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, with its impressive display of stones weighing up to 300 tons. Of course, no vacation to Peru is complete without visiting astonishing Machu Picchu. Built around 1450, at the height of the Inca Empire, it is located in a gorgeous mountain setting above the Sacred Valley. Stand in awe as you witness one of the most majestic images in South America, if not the entire world!Next, fly to Iquitos, where you will embark on a journey to one of the world’s vastly unexplored regions—the mighty Amazon. Experience the Amazon wilderness where it originates in Peru—where biodiversity is at its greatest and the rainforest is untamed. Board one of the world’s most luxurious small ships—the Delfin III—and enjoy fine wine, famous Peruvian cuisine, and all-inclusive comfort while venturing deep into the Amazon jungle in search of elusive wildlife. During your time in the Amazon, take naturalist-guided panga rides through the river tributaries, swim with pink dolphins, and visit native communities—all while returning to your plush five-star yacht. Wonderful scenery, historical treasures, learning opportunities, and so much more—all are yours on this thrilling river cruise adventure to Peru! |
Introduce your family to the wonders of Peru, from the mysteries of the Inca to the amazing creatures of the Amazon. Venture into the colorful swirl of village markets and experience Andean traditions firsthand. Ride a train high into the mountains to explore the “lost” city of Machu Picchu, investigating its ancient ruins. Cap off the trip with a wild Amazon adventure, spying monkeys, sloths, butterflies, and toucans while staying at an eco-lodge nestled in the rainforest. |
Day 1: LIMA, PERU
Welcome to Lima—Cosmopolitan, Colonial, and Pre-Columbian Culture
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Day 2: LIMA
Peruvian Treasures, Presidential Palaces, and Pizarro’s Conquests
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Lima to see the colonial Old Quarter, Plaza de Armas, the presidential Government Palace, and the Lima Cathedral. Visit San Francisco Monastery to see the famous catacombs followed by the Larco Herrera Museum—with the world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art.
DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a Culinary Experience with an authentic Peruvian welcome dinner in the exquisite, historic mansion—Casa Garcia Alvarado.
(Breakfast,Dinner)
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Day 3: SACRED VALLEY
Alpacas, Llamas, and Ancient Rituals of the Andes
CLASSIC Fly to Cusco, the ancient Andean city and former capital of the Inca Empire. A Guided Excursion into the Sacred Valley reveals the hillside Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Marvel at the remarkable Inca stonework of this 15th-century fortress that was once the site of the largest battle between the Incas and the Spanish. The Spanish were ultimately victorious in 1536, disassembling part of the site to build homes in Cusco and leaving behind the ruins we find today. You will also see the Inca military post of Puca Pucara and visit the ceremonial site of Kenko where ancient Peruvian rituals and sacrifices were performed.DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of Awanakancha to encounter llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos and learn about their vital role in Peruvian culture. Continue to the old mountain village of Pisac. Take time to shop in Pisac’s large Indian market for treasures such as alpaca sweaters, woven blankets, and handmade jewelry.This evening, enjoy dinner featuring Andean and Western dishes with wine.
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 4: SACRED VALLEY
Stone Temples and Formidable Fortresses
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the adobe village of Ollantaytambo this morning to visit the ruins of an Inca fortress. See the massive stones and amazing engineering design, including the Sun Temple and Princess Baths fountain.DISCOVERY Join an Escorted Visit to a native Incan home to experience the way of life that has endured since the 13th century.
MACHU PICCHU
Andean Heights and Hidden Secrets of the Inca’s Lost City
CLASSIC Join a Guided Excursion aboard the 360° Machu Picchu Train boasting spectacular panoramic views of the lush countryside of Urubamba Valley from its panoramic windows and an observation outdoor carriage. Travel by rail to Aguas Calientes to take the winding road to legendary Machu Picchu.ACTIVE Take a Guided Walk to explore the “Lost City of the Incas” high atop the Andes once overlaid with dense forest. Learn about the lives and mysteries still hidden in this ancient citadel and the amazing structures built by the pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land.DISCOVERY Enjoy your overnight stay at the foot of the mountain where Machu Picchu is found with a gourmet Peruvian dinner.(Breakfast,Dinner)
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Day 5: MACHU PICCHU
A Miraculous Sanctuary in a Tropical Mountain Cloud Forest
CLASSIC Take a second included Guided Excursion to Machu Picchu. Set out early to see the sunrise over the ruins, explore the terraces or perhaps venture up to see the Sun Gate, once used as the ancient entrance to the Sanctuary.After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by train and then continue on to Cusco.
(Breakfast,Lunch)
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Day 6: CUSCO
Conquistadors, Churches, and the Colorful Culture of Peru
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Cusco and learn about the Inca culture and the Spanish invasion that threatened their way of life and very existence. Visit Santo Domingo Monastery, originally called Koricancha and built by the Incas as a Temple of the Sun with extraordinary engineering and masonry design. Continue to the Plaza de Armas to visit the Cusco Cathedral.Enjoy free time this afternoon to explore Cusco’s colorful culture. DISCOVERY Tonight, an elegant dinner includes wine and a menu inspired by Peru’s eclectic mix of cultures.(Breakfast,Dinner)
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Day 7: CUSCO–LIMA–IQUITOS–NAUTA–PERUVIAN AMAZON RIVER (EMBARKATION)
CLASSIC Today, you’ll travel by air to Lima and then on to Iquitos to begin your Amazon journey.Travel to Nauta and embark the luxurious vessel, the Delfin III, to cruise the Peruvian Amazon in comfort and convenience. Settle in to your spacious suite before meeting your onboard Naturalist and Cruise Director.DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Welcome Reception to gain an overview of your upcoming Amazon experience. Your Naturalist Guide will offer information about the animal species of the Amazon ecosystem, the native villagers you’ll meet, and the spectacular plant life that thrives in this astonishing environment. See the two powerful Amazon tributaries—the Ucayali and Marañon Rivers—which converge to create the mighty Peruvian Amazon.Later, on board, enjoy an unforgettable dinner featuring Peruvian cuisine with the freshest local ingredients.
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 8: PERUVIAN AMAZON
Spider Monkeys, Pink Dolphins, and Peru’s Favorite Cocktail
CLASSIC Rise early this morning for your first glimpse of the majestic Amazon at sunrise to experience the sights and sounds. After breakfast, take a Guided Panga Ride down one of the Amazon’s tributaries in search of the incredible wildlife. Your Naturalist Guide helps to spot capuchin, howler, tamarin, and spider monkeys, as well as iguanas, sloths, freshwater pink dolphins, and a stunning array of birdlife. Watch for the extraordinary giant Amazonian water lily. CLASSIC This afternoon, a Guided Excursion to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve allows you to witness the activity of exotic birds, including trogons, macaws, parrots, falcons, and jacamars.ACTIVE Take a refreshing Swim in this unique area of the Amazon—with the chance to encounter the Amazon’s amazing pink dolphins.DISCOVERY Join in an onboard Cooking Class to learn about native fruits, vegetables, and fish. You’ll learn about local ingredients for delicious recipes. In the evening, enjoy a Mixology Lesson to create Peru’s famous cocktail, the Pisco Sour.(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 9: PERUVIAN AMAZON
Exotic Birds, Night Creatures, and Natural RemediesACTIVE Join a morning Naturalist Guided Walk to explore tropical flora, including epiphytes, orchids, and indigenous jungle vegetation below the rainforest’s canopy.DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Nature Presentation about indigenous and medicinal plants, fruits, and vegetation used in the Amazonian culture for centuries.CLASSIC This afternoon, a Guided Excursion to the Amazon community of San Francisco introduces you to local villagers who have called Amazonia their home for generations.ACTIVE Join a Night Safari Excursion to spot nocturnal creatures, including caiman, frogs, bats, and boa constrictors. You will also have the chance to try fishing for piranhas!
DISCOVERY Later tonight, enjoy Live Entertainment by the Delfin III crew of local performers to celebrate your Amazon adventure with music and dance.(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 10: IQUITOS (DISEMBARKATION)
A Manatee Introduction and an Amazon FarewellDISCOVERY This morning, disembark and bid your ship’s crew farewell. On the way to Iquitos, join an Escorted Visit to the Manatee Rescue Center to learn about these endangered Amazon species and the conservation efforts to save these gentle giants before flying to Lima.(Breakfast)
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Day 11: LIMA
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
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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.
