Machu Picchu and the Amazon

Trip Overview

Spend four days hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or take the train and enjoy extra time in Cusco.
Spot Amazonian wildlife with expert naturalists.
Visit two G Adventures–sponsored projects: the Women’s Weaving Co-op and the Sacred Valley Community Restaurant.

Itinerary

In Peru, adventure awaits at every turn, from the verdant valleys and jagged peaks of the Andes to Lake Titicaca’s sparkling shores. Experience the country’s most iconic sights on this action-packed journey. Immerse yourself in the Amazon during a stay at a jungle lodge, and venture to the Sacred Valley to discover enchanting Inca ruins and timeless indigenous traditions. Embark on one of the world’s most memorable hikes—the Inca Trail—or experience the spectacular train ride to the iconic citadel of Machu Picchu. Then set off through the stark and beautiful landscape of the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca—one of the highest navigable lakes in the world.

This trip is offered in partnership with
G Adventures.

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Accommodations:Hotel Antigua Miraflores (Comfort) (or similar)

Fly to Puerto Maldonado and continue by motorized canoe to our comfortable lodge, situated near the Tambopata National Reserve in the Amazon rainforest. Spot local bird species along the lush shores of the Tambopata River en route to the lodge, and set off on an evening walk with a naturalist guide before dinner, keeping an eye out for some of the rainforest’s nocturnal creatures.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations:Tambopata G Lodge (or similar)

Spend the day exploring the thriving ecosystems of the rainforest with our lodge’s naturalist guides. Scan the treetops for toucans, howler monkeys, and sloths, and glide along oxbow lakes on canoes for a chance to glimpse river otters, turtles, and, if we’re lucky, anacondas. After dinner, embark on a river tour by motorized canoe on the lookout for caimans, the smaller cousins of alligators, which are often found hiding near the muddy banks.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations:Tambopata G Lodge (or similar)

Travel out of the jungle by boat and catch a flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco, soaring above the Andes into Peru’s Inca heartland. This evening, visit the Cusco Planetarium for a presentation on the skies of the Southern Hemisphere, and learn about the vital role that astronomy played in the lives of the ancient Inca. Weather permitting, peer through the planetarium's telescopes for a dazzling look at the stars.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar)

Drive to the scenic Sacred Valley for a full day of exploration with a local guide. Tour the G Adventures–supported Parque de la Papa, or Potato Park, a rural Andean community working to preserve hundreds of varieties of native potato. During this exclusive experience, you'll walk through the park to learn about potato cultivation, traditional weaving, and the importance of both these practices to Andean culture. We’ll also visit the fascinating Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, and enjoy a meal at the G Adventures–supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodations:Villa Urubamba (or similar)

Set out on the iconic Inca Trail, departing Urubamba by van to the starting point of the trek. Immerse yourself in the enchanting Andean countryside, hiking along meandering streams and crossing remote mountain villages and ancient ruins as we get warmed up for the more challenging days ahead.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we ascend the long, steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass—the highest point on the Inca Trail, at 4,198 meters (13,769 feet). Enjoy stunning views of the Sacred Valley as you make your way up the rugged terrain, and aim to reach our camp by early afternoon. Rest and relax at camp the remainder of the day.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll cross two spectacular passes. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, one can catch a glimpse of the snowcapped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Continue through cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass, and arrive at the misty Inca ruins of Phuyupatamarca at 3,650 meters (11,972 feet), known as "the city above the clouds.” We will either camp here or settle at a further spot, near the beautiful terraces of the Wiñay Wayna ruins, at 2,650 meters (8,694 feet).

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The final day of our hike begins before dawn. Reach the Sun Gate—the last checkpoint on the Inca Trail—in time to witness daybreak over Machu Picchu. This 15th-century Inca citadel was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and excavated with support from National Geographic. Hike down for a guided tour of the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site and enjoy free time to explore its mysterious temples, terraces, and courtyards. Opt to visit the precipitous Inca Bridge; then catch a bus to the frontier town of Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have free time for lunch. Continue by train to Cusco.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar)

Depart at any time.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Alternate Routes

Lares Trek
Cusco Stay

Lares Trek

Please see days 6-9 for alternate route details.

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.

Accommodations:Hotel Antigua Miraflores (or similar)

Fly to Puerto Maldonado and continue by motorized canoe to the comfortable, intimate, and exclusive G Lodge Amazon located in the lush Tambopata Rainforest.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations:Tambopata G Lodge (or similar)

Enjoy guided jungle excursions led by expert naturalists to spot wildlife at nearby oxbow lakes, rivers, and clay licks. Take advantage of free time to relax or swim, and go on a caiman-spotting cruise after dinner.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations:Tambopata G Lodge (or similar)

Travel by boat out of the jungle to Puerto Maldonado for a flight over the Andes and into the heart of Inca territory, Cusco. This evening, look to the night sky for a different view at the Cusco Planetarium. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Incas’ relationship with the cosmos. Visit the on-site museum and use the telescopes to admire the stars.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar)

Enjoy a full day exploring the Sacred Valley with a local guide. Tour the G Adventures-supported Parque de la Papa, or Potato Park, a network of rural agricultural communities working to preserve more than 700 species of potatoes. Learn about potato cultivation and traditional weaving, and the importance of each to Andean culture. Next, explore the Pisac ruins and visit the G Adventures-supported Sacred Valley Community Restaurant in the village of Huchuy Qosqo.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodations:Villa Urubamba (or similar)

Depart Ollantaytambo by van to Lares town where the hike begins. Spend the first night at a G Adventures-supported campsite in Cuncani.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations:Cuncani Camp Site (or similar) (or similar)

Start early to hike from the foothills of Sicllaccasa Mountain to its high pass (4,750m/15,583 ft), providing scenic views of lagoons and the snow-capped Chicon Mountain. Celebrate after reaching the highest point by making an offering of coca leaves to the Andean gods. After the morning hike, stop to rest and take in the amazing view. Continue hiking downhill to our second campsite near the stream for the night.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations:Suttoq Pacchaq Camp Site (or similar) (or similar)

Enjoy the last few hours of hiking before travelling by van to Ollantaytambo and train to Aguas Calientes. Spend some time relaxing in town or visiting the nearby hot springs.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodations:Hotel Taypikala Machupicchu (or similar) (or similar)

Enjoy a guided visit to Machu Picchu at sunrise. Use some free time to explore the ruins on your own. Later, travel back to Cusco.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar) (or similar)

Depart at any time.

Meals Included:Breakfast