Wild Peru Escape: Amazon & Machu Picchu

Arrive in Lima, Peru’s thriving capital, and transfer to the convenient Wyndham Costa del Sol, connected to the airport. Most international flights arrive in the late evening. Opt to arrive early for a Lima pre-voyage extension staying at the iconinc Country Club Lima Hotel. The extension adds just a day to the expedtion and gives you a chance to rest, relax and see this UNESCO World Heritage designated city.

Arriving in Cusco, drive through the Sacred Valley to Chinchero, a typical Andean village where we join National Geographic Grantee Nilda Callañaupa for lunch and a demonstration of Inca weaving traditions. Continue to Ollantaytambo and board our late afternoon scenic train to Machu Picchu and checkin at our hotel. We stay for two nights at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, with Andean-style casitas set along the in a reserve with 300 species of orchids. (B,L,D)

Take the full day to explore Machu Picchu, the Inka royal retreat introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 National Geographic magazine. This morning and afternoon, choose your way to explore including hiking Huayna Picchu, which towers over the sanctuary. Dinner tonight is at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Return to Ollantaytambo by train and continue to Cusco, where we explore the magnificently ornate 17th-century cathedral and Plaza de Armas, the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun and other treasures. Check-in at Palacio del Inka in the historic center. Dinner on your own to relax or sample local fare. (B,L)

After breakfast, fly to Iquitos via Lima and continue overland to the riverside village of Nauta, where the Delfin II awaits. Gather for a welcome dinner of fine Peruvian cuisine. (B,L,D)

Explore the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, a pristine swath of jungle stretching more than five million acres—and harboring some of the Amazon’s most fascinating flora and fauna. Bordered by the Marañón and the Ucayali, these two powerful rivers converge to create the famed Amazon, which floods annually with nutrient-rich waters, called Jungle of Mirrors for reflections created by the seasonal glassy water.

Set out into this remarkable wilderness on daily excursions by skiff, kayak, and, when the water level permits, hikes on dry land. Spot sloths and monkeys, including variably colored saddleback tamarins, noisy howlers, and shaggy-tailed monk saki monkeys. Watch for an astounding variety of birds, from tanagers and hummingbirds to parrots and endangered scarlet macaws. In the river, look for massive paiche fish, the Amazon’s largest, rare pink dolphins, and the famous piranhas.

One of the unexpected joys of traveling in the region is the interaction with the local ribereños, the traditional people who live on the riverbanks.  Visit a local community and see the projects that we support through the local non-profit Minga Peru, including a program of handcraft development, radio broadcasts, women's health initiatives and efforts in sustainable farming. (B,L,D)

Disembark in Nauta, stopping at the Amazon Rescue Center on the way to Iquitos. Fly to Lima, where we visit Museo Larco and celebrate with a farewell dinner before late night flights home. Ask your expedition specialist about options to extend your stay. (B,L,D)