Join us on this fascinating adventure towards amazing destinations, Chaparri Reserve in northern Peru, Imperial city of Cusco, and Machu Picchu, where you will get to admire beautiful sceneries with mountains, flora, fauna, as well as have big chances to meet up with local villagers and learn more about their traditions and lifestyle. Disconnect from modern life and soak in thousands of years of Andean culture! Explore the less explored and most beautiful natural treasures in the heart of Peru along with a large variety of activities that will allow you to immerse yourself in our rich heritage, one of the most biodiverse areas all over the globe!
One of our local experts in Peru will make this the perfect trip for you!
Speaks: English and Spanish
Welcome to Peru and Lima! Upon arrival, we'll meet you at Lima Airport and continue together to your hotel in Miraflores, where you are free to relax and wander around at your own pace. After check-in, we'll hand you your travel kit and answer any last-minute questions. Depending on your time of arrival, we have plenty of suggestions for you to make the most of your first day in the city.
Optional activity: If your arrival time permits, take a morning/afternoon walk to iconic sites near your hotel, such as the Amano Museum or the pyramids of Huaca Pucllana (closed on Tuesdays).
Transportation: Approx. 1 hour from the airport to your hotel.
Accommodation options: El Tambo Hotel (3-star hotel)
At the coordinated time, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the local airport for your flight to Chiclayo airport in northern Peru. Upon arriving, our local representative will welcome you and continue to Chaparri Ecological Reserve, one of the most extensive dry forest reserves in north Peru, with excellent birding opportunities and rustic and charming character. The accommodation is run by the local community completely prepared to welcome and offer you an unforgettable experience. If time allows, we will do some afternoon or evening birding on the grounds of the lodge.
Included Activities: Introductory walk around Chaparri Reserve
Transportation: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes by flight from Lima to Chiclayo / 2 hours from Chiclayo airport to Chaparri
Accommodation options: Chaparri Ecolodge
At Chaparri, we have a lot of flexibility to enjoy the day as you wish. You can do some hiking, spot as much wildlife as possible, or relax in this remote lodge in the dry forest. Early mornings are the best time to try and spot hummingbirds and other bird species that are endemic to this ecosystem in a nearby creek just minutes away from the lodge. The highlight of today will be the Andean Spectacled bear! These beautiful, endangered mammals habit mainly in the dry forest ecosystem like the one preserved in Chaparri. The project is fighting the extensive damage the bears have experienced by men and works towards its protection. We'll be searching for these bears in the wild and also visit the local rescue center. There, you can observe a couple of bears still in captivity as they are slowly returning to their natural habitat. Finally, if we are lucky, we might be able to see some Peruvian camelids in Chaparri too!
Included Activities: Guided excursions as indicated above
Accommodation options: Chaparri Ecolodge
Today, we make the journey from Chaparri to Chiclayo, making birding stops along the way, including at Tinajones Reservoir, where we might be rewarded with sightings of several migrant shorebirds and waterfowl in certain seasons; also, Black-faced Ibis, Wood Stork, Great & Pied-billed Grebes, Andean Gull and occasionally the Chilean Flamingo. Afternoon transfer to Chiclayo airport, where you will take a flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be assisted to your hotel and have a short briefing on the coming activities to the highlands of Peru!
Included Activities: Morning excursions as mentioned above
Transportation: Approx. 2 hours from Chaparri Reserve to Chiclayo airport / 1 hour 20 minutes by flight from Chiclayo to Lima
Accommodation options: Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport Hotel (4-star hotel)
Today, after breakfast, you will make your way to the Lima airport where you will check in to your flight to Cusco. Upon arriving, our local guide will be expecting you at the airport, ready to take you to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude first. We have plenty of suggestions, in case you'd like to explore a little bit on your first day in Cusco. Remember, you don't want to do too much on this day, though; it is best to get used to the altitude first!
Transportation: Approx. 1-hour flight from Lima to Cusco / 30 minutes from Cusco airport to your hotel.
Optional activities: If time permits, you could visit the Cathedral of Cusco, walk to San Blas neighborhood, explore the San Pedro local market or Koriqancha temple.
Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel)
This unique tour will take you towards the Sacred Valley's highlands, the Andean community of Amaru. On route to Amaru, we'll stop at the Pisac village, where you'll visit its colorful Indian market to see the local fruits, vegetables, textiles, and other handicrafts. In Amaru, local people have kept their traditions alive in every aspect of their daily life, from agriculture to weaving. Locals will be happy to share and teach you, first-hand, about their habits and customs. You will also learn about agricultural practices and take part in sowing or harvesting, depending on the season. You will discover new types of potatoes and learn about local produce, such as quinoa, kiwicha, Peruvian corn, native medicinal herbs, among others. But most important of all, you will interact with the local people and enjoy a day side by side with them. By night you'll dine with your host family and overnight in their rustic but charming homestay.
Included Activities: Visit Pisac market, walk around Sacred Valley, be part of immersive activities in the Amaru community
Transportation: Approx. 40 minutes to Pisac village & 1h to the community.
Accommodation options: Homestay at Amaru community
After an exquisite breakfast, the local hosts will take you hiking through the mountains on a quick and beautiful descent to the archaeological site of Pisac and then to the town of Pisac itself along with your private guide, who will be beyond glad to wander around the area with you. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and optionally, take some time to go shopping in the traditional market of Pisac, where local villagers sell authentic products to visitors. Continue to your hotel in the Sacred Valley and relax the rest of the day.
Included Activities: Hike to Pisac archaeological site, guided tour of the complex & Visit to Pisac Market.
Optional afternoon activity: Ziplining in the Sacred Valley & Via Ferrata near the Skylodge's capsules.
Transportation: Approx. 40 minutes from Pisac village to your hotel.
Accommodation options: La Casona de Yucay (3-star hotel)
Machu Picchu, here we come! In the morning we’ll enjoy a train journey to Aguas Calientes, a spectacle in itself as we'll be able to appreciate the changing landscape from green fields and eucalyptus forests to lush jungle, always traveling beside the meandering Urubamba River. Upon arriving, we'll take a 30-minute bus up to Machu Picchu, surrounded by an impressive mountain setting. Once here, you'll enjoy your first views of the fantastic scenery while we share with you an introduction to the Inca site before start exploring every corner of the lost Inca citadel. The afternoon is a great time to take our guided tour around the site since many travelers may have left. After our exploration, we will return to Aguas Calientes town, where a comfortable hotel awaits you.
Notes:
· Be sure to be at the train station 30 minutes before the train departure.
· Please don't forget to bring your passport since it's required when entering Machu Picchu.
Included Activities: Guided excursion to Machu Picchu
Transportation: Approx. 1 1/2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu town by train / 30 minutes from Machu Picchu village to the citadel's entrance / 30 minutes from the citadel's entrance to Machu Picchu village
Accommodation options: Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu (3-star hotel)
In the morning, you will enjoy a nice walk towards the Jardines de Mandor (50min approx.), this property is visited by few people as you will walk through an amazing path until reaching some small waterfalls. After visit inside Mandor, you’ll go back to Aguas Calientes town by walk (50min approx.), admiring some flora and fauna. Afterward, you will get to visit a local butterfly farm in the village, where you will observe and learn about different species of butterflies found in the area. This is part of the butterfly reproduction program that has been put in place and these species are released back into nature once they reach maturity so that their population can increase. At the appropriate time, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where your private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel after this long but fun day.
Included Activities: Guided excursion to Mandor and butterfly farm
Transportation: Approx. 1 1/2 hours by train from Machu Picchu town to Ollantaytambo / 1 hour 40 minutes from Ollantaytambo to Cusco hotel
Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel)
Cusco is one of the most exciting cities in Peru and South America. Today, enjoy the free day to explore the streets, plazas, and markets of this UNESCO World Heritage City at our own pace. We recommend you visit the Main Square, San Francisco Church, Koricancha Temple, and San Pedro Market. If you are into arts and crafts, you could take a walk around Cuesta San Blas and visit the local workshops and galleries. Cusco for something for everyone, it's up to you to discover it.
Optional activities: Biking to southern Cusco, Cusco guided hike & visit to Sacsayhuaman Fortress, visit San Francisco church
Accommodation options: Casa San Blas Boutique (3-star hotel)
Today, you have free time to explore the area at your leisure. Maybe take a last walk around Cusco's shops and markets. At the coordinated time we'll head to Cusco's airport to board your flight to Lima and connecting flight home. Hopefully, you will be heading back full of happy memories, new friends, and great pictures of your time with us!
Transportation: Approx. 30 minutes from Cusco hotel to the local airport
Hotel accommodations as indicated, including all hotel taxes and service charges
Unique experiences available daily. See the day-by-day itinerary for recommended tours and additional options available
English speaking local & specialized guides during activities
All ground transportation and excursions as indicated
Domestic flights with Latam Airlines are included (subject to price variation at the time of booking)
To sites of interest, museums and national parks
Included meals are noted in the itinerary: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner
In country assistance in English during the whole trip + Comprehensive assortment of pre-tour planning materials and amenities
For guides or drivers
International flights are not included (we can recommend options)
We can recommend some options
• When booking a trip with us, we require a 5% front pay, non-refundable deposit. This covers the costs of the hard work our team and collaborators put towards creating your itineraries and making all the necessary pre-trip arrangements
• There are scenarios in which the initial payment is higher (e.g. domestic flights, Inca trail, and some high-end hotels that need upfront payments to be booked). In these cases, we always let you know in advance and explain the reasons. You will always be in control of your decisions.
• Your deposit is non-refundable because we value all our collaborators' hard work highly. Many of them work from long before you arrive to prepare your trips. For guides, drivers, and communities we work with, their time is just as valuable as yours or ours, and it is not easy to find new bookings when cancellations happen. It also allows us to offer better protection to the guides, communities, field staff, and other partners whose livelihoods depend on tourism.
• Just like with the initial down payment, the final trip payment is a non-refundable commitment from you and us to ensuring that your fantastic holiday experience will happen. The final trip payment is always scheduled 35 days before you arrive.
• We understand that you are making a significant effort to visit our country. This is why we prefer to make our pledge clear before you book. Having said this, we also assure you that you can always reach us about any issue concerning the trip.
• We do not have a policy stating that you can postpone your journey after booking. Through our time, we could help travelers postpone trips on a case-by-case basis. We are a small, trusted operator, so there is no computer-generated algorithm deciding if we can help with your postponement, a human being is. We will always do the best we can to help accommodate you, however, charges corresponding to new services or penalties are passed to you.
• We ask you to please purchase travel insurance to guarantee that you are well protected in case of any unexpected situations. We can recommend some options that best fit your necessities.
Locally Owned Social Enterprise
We offer authentic, sustainable and tailor-made trips throughout Peru. As a young and fresh company we are constantly exploring, so we can offer out of the box experiences to our customers. We have a strong commitment towards creating authentic human bonds and making a positive impact in the communities we operate.