Amazon to the Andes – 12 Days and 11 Nights

• Get up to $90 cash back per person when you book with us to use on day tours before or after your trip
• Your own dedicated C.E.O (chief experience officer) so you are guaranteed an amazing trip!
• 12 Day tour of Peru, including 4 Day Inca Trail trek and in the Amazon jungle
• 6 Nights twin-share tourist-class accommodation, in venues that have local character
• 3 Nights camping accommodation along the Inca Trail
• 2 Nights jungle lodge accommodation deep in the heart of the Amazon
• Meals included: 1 breakfasts, 6 lunches, & 5 dinners
• Mix of transport: public bus, plane, train, boat, canoe and hiking
• Internal flights from Lima to Cusco, Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, & Puerto Maldonado to Lima
• Machu Picchu guided tour
• Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit
• Guided tour of Sacred Valley with a stop at Parwa Community Restaurant
• Pottery-making demonstration
• Handmade biodegradable soap products
• Porters & cooks during the hiking portion of your adventure to help take a load off

An intriguing combination of beauty and contrasts in scenery, wildlife, and cultures, this multi-day adventure heads from the Amazon to the Andes across 12 Days.

Whether you’re scanning the canopy for wildlife from the comfort of the intimate and exclusive Amazon rainforest lodge or climbing the ancient trail of the Incas to Machu Picchu, this trek traverses the heavens of the Americas.

From soaking in the views and culture of the Sacred Valley, to devouring seafood in Lima and climbing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, this trip offers multiple bucket-list worthy experiences all in the one journey.

Best of all, since the supplier runs their own treks, they can ensure the fair treatment of the porters and the quality of food and equipment, so you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the region.

Departure info:

Departs from the meeting point at Hotel Santa Cruz, Av. Sta. Cruz 1347, Miraflores (meeting location may change, please check your final documents for the confirmed location)

Where we visit:

Day 1 – Lima

Arrive in Lima any time today. There are no official activities planned other than your welcome meeting in the evening to meet your CEO and fellow travellers and learn more about your itinerary.

If you arrive early, why not add an optional activity such as a Lima City Tour, Cooking Class, or a bike tour of Miraflores and Barranco. A spare evening could be spent seeing Huacas and Larco Museum by night or taking a MALI & Peruvian Paso Horse tour with dinner. 

Day 2 – Lima to Cusco

Take a transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city and getting used to the altitude. If you want, you can book a Cusco Cooking Class, which includes a trip to the market before a hands-on lesson cooking Peruvian specialities. 

Other optional activities include a half-day Cusco City Tour, taking in the main sights. Alternatively, if you prefer to explore on your own, the Cusco Tourist Ticket gives you admission to 16 sights of the city of Cusco, including many popular museums, cathedrals, and the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park. 

Day 3 – Cusco to Ollantaytambo

Today's journey takes you via private vehicle from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. Make stops along the way as you pass through this gorgeous valley – the elevation descends the whole way.

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at a women's weaving co-op that helps local women to sell traditional textiles to travellers. See local weaving and dyeing techniques used to create garments and souvenirs, and learn how the Planeterra weaving co-operative has impacted the community and those who visit it. This includes the purchase of alpacas to provide a steady supply of wool, looms, and sewing machines, as well as several training courses on production, sales, and small business management.

Then, visit a local pottery-making community. In the rural village of Cuyo Chico in the Sacred Valley, a group of families joined together to create a small business based on their traditional adobe ceramic crafts. Using clay from their surroundings, they mould bowls, plates, and all manner of decorations. Learn about the ceramics process and the traditional adobe brick-making that forms the basis of houses throughout the valley while taking in a spectacular view of the Pisac Ruins. After the demonstration, peruse the items for sale directly from the artisans in their shop.

Break for lunch and contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how the resident-run restaurant was started and became a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises. 

After lunch, head out on an optional hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Alternatively, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).

Day 4 – Inca Trail

Depart Ollantaytambo by van to where the Inca Trail begins. Ease into the adventure with a straightforward day of hiking the meandering streams, stunning Andean scenery, and ancient Incan ruins.

Trek through beautiful scenery, with various flora that changes with the seasons, passing several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.

Enjoy handmade biodegradable soap products for use on the trek. This project empowered local Cusqueña women to start their own businesses to reduce the environmental impact of hikes in the region. As a result, "Esencia Andina" is now a successful business that produces biodegradable soaps, detergents, and natural products for travellers, guides, porters, and cooks on the treks.

Day 5 – Inca Trail

Start early to trek over progressively spectacular and steeper terrain on your way to Warmiwañusca (aka Dead Woman's Pass), the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769ft). Be prepared to face intense Andean weather (blazing sun or cold winds) around the pass. Take the hike slow, and drink lots of water along the way – amazing views are waiting as a reward. Enjoy ample time to rest and relax after reaching the camp; most campers arrive around early afternoon.

Day 6 – Inca Trail 

Cross two more passes and ruins on today's trek. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113ft), where, on a clear day, hikers can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. 

Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." 

Camp here or go another 1.5 hours to the Wiñay Wayna ruins ("forever young") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).

Day 7 – Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & Cusco

The final day of the Inca Trail hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Then, hike down to Machu Picchu (about 45 min) for a 1.5 hour guided tour of the site and free time to explore. Opt to visit the Inca Bridge (a 15-min walk one way) for no additional charge, if time allows.

Gain local insight into the Inti Mach'ay cave, Inti Watana, the Temple of the Water, the Temple of the Condor, and the Room of the Three Windows. Take time to sit and feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World (in a worldwide Internet poll).

Climb on board the train for the ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, followed by the journey from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco.

Day 8 – Cusco

After a few big days of hiking, enjoy a free day in Cusco to explore on your own. Optional activities include whitewater rafting in Urubamba or if you've not had enough hiking, join a full-day trip to Rainbow Mountain, where you can look out over these colourful Andean mountains striped with maroon, turquoise, lavender, and gold. 

Day 9 – Cusco to Amazon Jungle

Fly to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the lowlands of the Amazon Jungle. After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge. En route, spot bird species typical of the river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.

The lodge itself combines native architectural style and materials with low-impact, eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, showers (with solar-heated hot water), and candles for lighting (no electricity). 

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 through traditional building, fishing and hunting techniques.

This evening you'll enjoy a wildlife-spotting night walk. Grab a flashlight to discover what’s living around lodge grounds, and receive help from the talented, expert naturalist guide to locate heaps of hidden creatures! Keep an eye out for snakes, tarantulas, owls, and poison dart frogs, just to name a few.

Day 10 – Amazon Jungle

Explore more of the jungle today. Enjoy visits to oxbow lakes to learn about the jungle and its inhabitants. Be prepared to go early morning or evening to avoid the heat of midday. Enjoy a leisurely pace – the trip requires some walking, but nothing too strenuous.

Then, head out after dark by motorized canoe to search for caimans on the river banks. Enjoy a lesson on caimans, and take advantage of the keen eyes of the expert naturalist guides – they are truly spectacular at spotting these elusive smaller cousins of alligators hiding on the muddy banks.

Day 11 – Amazon Jungle to Lima

Enjoy a delicious Amazonian breakfast before heading back to the airport by motorized boat and van. Then, fly to Lima and opt for a final night out for dinner or Pisco Sours.

Day 12 – Lima 

You're welcome to depart at any time today.

Would like to find more information? Click here to get in touch with one of our agents! 

• The minimum age is 12 years, & an adult over the age of 18 years must accompany each child under the age of 18 years
• While it is the supplier's intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary, and on occasion, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations
• Porters are allowed to carry no more than 6kg of personal belongings per hiker, which means that including your sleeping bag, toiletries, clothing, etc., you are allowed a total weight of 6kg for the hike, which will be carried in a duffle bag provided by the local office. Any additional weight must then be carried by you in your day pack
• It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate upon entering the country visited. Please check in with your local health expert for advice on Yellow Fever and other inoculations required for this area
• Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate in this trip. You will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details
• All guests must complete & sign a waiver of liability

You may cancel your booking by notifying the supplier. Cancellation fees, if any, will be determined with reference to the date on which notice of cancellation is received by the supplier and are expressed as a percentage of the total price paid for the cancelled tour, product or service (excluding any insurance products).

Cancellation of a Tour:

• Cancellation received 60 days or more before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime deposit will be held by the supplier in accordance with these terms, the remainder of the payments made to the supplier in respect of the cancelled product will be refunded
• Cancellation received 30-59 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime deposit will be held by the supplier in accordance with these terms, an amount equal to 50% of the remainder of the payments made to the supplier in respect of the cancelled tour will be refunded

Cancellation less than 30 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime deposit will be held by the supplier in accordance with these terms, and no further refund will be payable.

All customer cancellation & refund requests are also subject to our website’s own refund conditions.