Compare Peru Family Journey: Machu Picchu to the Amazon by G Adventures vs Adventure in Peru by Audley Travel
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 10 days | 14 days |
Price From | $ 3,699 | $ 5,181 |
Price Per Day | $ 370 | $ 370 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided 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 | N/A |
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. |
Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the fabled lost city of the Incas. Hike the Inca Trail and approach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Bike, trek, and raft your way through the Sacred Valley. |
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.
Day 1 : Lima
On arrival to Lima airport your private driver and guide are waiting to take you to the hotel in the lovely Miraflores area of town.
Day 2 : Lima
A different way to see some of the city is by bike. You will join a small group on this tour to visit both Miraflores and Barranco.
Day 3 : Cuzco
Your private driver will return you to Lima airport for the short flight to Cuzco high in the Andes. Your private driver and guide will drive you to your hotel.The afternoon will be yours to enjoy at your leisure as you adjust to the altitude.
Day 4 : Cuzco
A great way to adjust to the high altitude and see the main sites of Cuzco is on foot. First, visit Tambomachay in a private vehicle and then walk back down to Cuzco visiting different Incas sites with your private guide.
Day 5 : Cuzco
The morning is spent rafting on class III and IV rapids on the Urubamba River before a picnic lunch on the banks of the river.
Day 6 : Cuzco
Enjoy a day at leisure in Cuzco. It is a great town to wander about and enjoy the local markets and cafes that look out over the main square.
Day 7 : Sacred Valley of Incas
Your private guide will accompany you for 2 days of mountain biking on small mountain trails into an area of the Sacred Valley that is well-known for its traditional weaving techniques. You will spend the night camping close to hot springs.
Day 8 : Sacred Valley of Incas
The private car drives you to the top of a mountain pass where you begin biking down through a beautiful canyon with a mix of Inca pathways and farming roads.
Day 9 : Sacred Valley of Incas
Enjoy a day of leisure in Ollantaytambo. This small Incan village has ruins well worth exploring.
Day 10 : Sacred Valley of Incas
You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the beginning of the Inca Trail where you will be given a briefing and start the trek.
Day 11 : Sacred Valley of Incas
The most challenging day on the trail as you cross Dead Woman's pass at 4,200 meters above sea level.
Day 12 : Sacred Valley of Incas
This day involves trekking down Inca staircases and through Inca tunnels, it is a truly spectacular day of hiking.
Day 13 : Cuzco
An early departure towards Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) where you see Machu Picchu and then head down into the ancient citadel. You will have a guided tour and then board your train to head back to Cuzco for the night.
Day 14 : Return home
Your guide and driver will bid you goodbye as they take you to the airport to begin the journey home.