Compare Peru Family Journey: Machu Picchu to the Amazon by G Adventures vs Taste of Peru and Machu Picchu Tour by The Table Less Traveled
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 3,329 | $ 7,265 |
| Price Per Day | $ 333 | $ 807 |
| Highlights |
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N/A
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes | N/A |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included | 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners |
9 Breakfast 9 Lunch 6 Dinner |
| Description |
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. |
Explore Incan treasures and colonial cities on an intimate tour through Peru. Your adventure starts in the majestic Sacred Valley, from which you explore Machu Picchu. You'll continue to the lively city of Cusco before ending in the capital, Lima. Your journey will intertwine traditional Peruvian meals like a "pachamanca" with creative cuisines at restaurants from Pellegrino's list of "The World's 50 Best Restaurants". You'll learn techniques to use local ingredients at home including quinoa, raw fish, and Peru's famous variety of potatoes. To work up your appetite we'll venture out to paddleboard on serene lakes and hike on mild terrain through the Andes mountains. Note: This tour does not include the intense Inca Trail hike and camping. Instead, we will be enjoying boutique hotels at night and we will take alternate transportation to reach Machu Picchu. We will have some "light" activity such as a 3-hour downhill walk on trails and optional paddleboarding. If you prefer more activity, we will also have the Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu hike as an option. |
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.
Friday, Day 1
Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco (CUZ) you will be met by your private driver for a beautiful 90-minute drive through the mountains to your lodge in the Sacred Valley. We begin our trip in the valley so you can spend some time acclimatizing to the altitude of the Andes Mountains. Our tour leader will meet you at the hotel lobby upon arrival to help with check in. After you book your tour we’ll help coordinate your international arrival, early check in if necessary, or extra nights accommodations if you’d like more time to acclimatize and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
12:30 PM
Welcome Meeting, Lunch, and Paso Fino Horse Show
Meet your tour leader and the rest of your group for the first time in the hotel lounge area near the pool. We will have a short introduction about what to expect over the duration of the trip. Then we will walk 5-minutes to the onsite restaurant where we will begin our introduction to Peruvian food with a multi-course lunch with traditional food from the Sacred Valley. During lunch you can also watch the Peruvian Paso Horse Show.
6:00 PM
Cooking Class
After a few hours of rest time, you’ll meet your group again to get behind the scenes and become a part of the action in the kitchen at the onsite restaurant. We’ll prepare a 3-course dinner led by our favorite chefs and dine in our creations. The class is about 2 hours so you have plenty of time to rest on your first night.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Saturday, Day 2
8:00 AM
Paddleboarding and Ruins Excursion
Prepare for a full day! We’ll give you a quick check list to make sure you have everything you need in your day pack before we head out from the resort. We’ll start with a visit to the local market and continue on to a nearby lake to try your hand at paddle boarding. We have certified swift-water trained guides so you’re in safe hands in case you need extra help or instruction.
We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch right by the lake, enjoying the serene surroundings of the mountains before we move on for a short walk around the Moray ruins. Finally, we’ll descend to the Maras Salt Mines where you’ll learn why these salt pans are so important to local families. We will return to our hotel approximately 5:00 PM.
7:30 PM
Dinner with Wine Pairings
Peru might not be known for the wines, but tonight you’ll have an opportunity to have some Peruvian and South American wines paired with a 7-course tasting menu. Sit back and relax and let your taste buds be dazzled!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sunday, Day 3
This is where the magic-makers of luggage logistics make your travel life easier! You will pack an overnight bag as the rest of your luggage is forwarded on to the following hotel so you don’t have to lug it all with you on our magical journey to Machu Picchu.
8:00 AM
Sacred Valley Leisure Hike
Throw on your hiking boots for a mild, two-hour, mostly downhill hike. During our casual stroll through the mountains our guide will stop for breaks to explain more about the local farming terraces we pass on our way down to the town of Ollantaytambo.
1:00 PM
Traditional Pachamanca Lunch
Experience a true “Earth-To-Table” meal as we participate in a pachamanca, a traditional Andean way of using hot stones buried in the earth to cook meats, vegetables, and seafood. After lunch we will board the Vistadome train towards Machu Picchu town, watching as the flora changes on our way to the highland rainforest.
After checking in to our rainforest hotel, we will have a relaxed dinner at the onsite restaurant in order to leave plenty of rest time before our full day!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Monday, Day 4
8:00 AM
Machu Picchu with a Private Guide
It’s finally here! Prepare for a day of exquisite views and spiritual connection as we take a bus from Machu Picchu town to the archeological site. There we will have a short introduction with our guide, and optional hikes at the site. After lunch we will have an in depth tour of the site with plenty of time to learn about the intricate details of the ruins and take plenty of photos.
Leisure Evening in Machu Picchu
Upon returning to the hotel in Machu Picchu, your dinner is included at the on site restaurant, which you can coordinate at your leisure. As such, you may want to schedule a spa service or take time for souvenir shopping in the small town.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tuesday, Day 5
10:30 AM
Train to Cusco
After a leisurely morning for resting or shopping in the market, we will take the train back to the Sacred Valley. There we will stop for lunch before visiting a local co-op where they produce and sell alpaca-wares. Meet some of these sweet and soft creatures while you learn how the yarn is made into incredibly warm garments. We will drive about 60 minutes further to the city of Cusco where we will check in to our boutique hotel.
Take a short walking tour of the city to get your bearings.
5:00 PM
Leisure Evening in Cusco
You’ll have the rest of the evening free at your leisure to explore the city and have dinner on your own. We’re happy to recommend restaurants and coordinate dinner reservations.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Wednesday, Day 6
8:00 AM
Cusco Ruins with Private Guide
Join our guide for an optional tour to the archeological ruins surrounding the city of Cusco. Or - sleep in and meet us in the hotel lobby for our next activity!
10:00 AM
Coffee Museum Tour + Tasting
Get your morning fix at the coffee museum where we will have an in depth lesson about the growth and production of organic coffee in Peru. We will continue on to a local home where Chef Mila will host us as she makes empanadas, causa, and a few other surprises.
4:00 PM
Market Tour + Cooking Class
Meet for a cooking class as we meander through the local market with a chef, learning about local ingredients, traditions, and customs. We’ll then head to a beautiful kitchen overlooking the city of Cusco and make our own Pisco Sours as we watch the sunset. We’ll finish off the evening learning the simple dishes that you will be able to replicate at home.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thursday, Day 7
8:00 AM
Flight to Lima
On the move again! We will depart Cusco on a 1.5 hour nonstop flight to Lima. Upon arrival we’ll go straight to lunch as the ‘magical luggage elves’ take care of handling the bags.
1:30 PM
Tasting Menu Lunch at Astrid y Gaston
Looking for an experience of a lifetime? We will have a luxurious, chef’s tasting menu at the world-renowned Astrid y Gaston restaurant in San Isidro. Chef Gaston Acurio has been an integral part of bringing Peruvian cuisine to the international community and you’ll have an opportunity to experience the dishes you’ve been trying throughout the course of the tour presented in a new, creative way.
Leisure Evening in Lima
After our late lunch we will retire to our boutique hotel in the artsy, hip Barranco neighborhood. Given our very filling lunch, you’ll have the rest of the evening on your own to explore the neighborhood, and have dinner, or a liquid dinner for those who are too full to eat anymore!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Friday, Day 8
9:00 AM
Lima City Tour with a Private Guide
We will be picked up at our hotel by our local guide and driver who will take us around the heart of the colonial center of Lima. We’ll learn about this massive city’s history before taking a step back in time at the Larco Museum which houses one of the largest collections of Pre-Incan artifacts.
1:00 PM
Mindful Lunch with a Local
We’ll return to the Barranco neighborhood just in time to meet Brisa at her apartment for lunch. She’s a trained chef and mindfulness instructor who creates beautiful, delicious, and nourishing dishes. After a full stomach, we will return to the hotel or have free time before our farewell dinner.
7:00 PM
Farewell Dinner at World Famous Maido
Indulge in Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cultures, at Maido, currently #8 of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. We will have a sweet farewell at our last dinner together before returning back to our hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Saturday, Day 9
Bid your guides and new friends farewell as your driver takes you back to the Lima airport for your international flight, or onward on any of our customized extensions if you’d like to explore more of Peru.
Included Meal: Breakfast
