Discovering the Amazon and the incredible Tambopata-Candamo Reserve, in the Department of Madre de Dios, just an hour and a half from Cusco.
In this spectacular biological reserve have so far been identified: 1234 species of butterflies, 592 species of birds, 135 types of ants, 127 species of amphibians, 94 species of fish. We will make an unforgettable experience of ecotourism in the Amazon. All this without neglecting the “jewels” of Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon. All accompanied by visits to community and local communities to really get on tiptoe in the spirit of this country, like real travelers …
International flight. You meet one of our staff members at the airport. Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel.
Transfer to the airport and flight to Puerto Maldonado. Airport pick-up and ground transport to Inferno Community. We then navigate the Tambopata River for an hour and a half until we arrive at our lodge. On the way we have lunch and can observe a wide variety of bird species and mammals such as capybaras, caimans and turtles. In the afternoon we explore the surroundings of the lodge to embrace the fauna around us such as trogons, partridges and turkeys, trees such as shihuahuacos, lupunas, ceibas and almond trees, and insects and animals such as tarantulas and frogs, etc. Night at Inotawa lodge.
We rise very early in the morning to go to an observation tower, a clay canopy where every day, many birds’ species come to eat such as parrots and parakeets. Afterwards we continue by boat for about half an hour, and then walk up to Lake Tres Chimbadas where, on board of a silent catamaran, we are able to observe otters, shanshos, reptiles and mammals. Night at Inotawa lodge.
After breakfast we walk to Lake Cocococha through the rainforest for two hours and a half. In the afternoon we get back to the lodge to visit a “chacra” (farm), an agricultural land where commonly used tropical fruits trees and medicinal plants are found. In the evening we go on a boat excursion on the Tambopata River, to spot caimans, capibaras and other mammals. Night at Inotawa lodge.
In the morning, we get back to Puerto Maldonado. Transfer to the airport for the connecting flight to Cusco. Airport pick-up and transfer to the hotel where we get time to rest so our bodies can adjust to the altitude. Free afternoon, we recommend resting and eating light. Night at the hotel.
After breakfast, we walk through the city center with our guide and reach San Pedro market, where we feel the typical Andean flavors, aromas and colors. We get back to the city center to visit Qoricancha or sun temple, the most important temple of the Inca Empire. Then, using private transportation, we visit Sacsayhuaman fortress and Qenqo, a temple dedicated to the snake God who is the creator of life in Andean cosmology. During our walk, we stop in a textile workshop and meet alpacas, lamas and vicuñas. We continue up to Pisac, famous for its colorful handcraft market and its archeological site with great walls, palaces and towers, all made of huge stone blocs. Night in the Sacred Valley.
Today, with our tour guide and by private transport, we explore the mythical “Sacred Valley of the Incas” to discover one of the most beautiful and magical places in Peru. We visit Moray, ancient and wonderful biological lab of the Incas; Maras, impressive salt ponds embedded in a beautiful landscape, which have been in operation for over 1000 years; and Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that is still inhabited today and is an extraordinary model of urban planning. In the afternoon we ride the train to Aguas Calientes to begin our Machu Picchu adventure. Night at the hotel.
At dawn we embark on a dream. We take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and enter the “lost city.” For the more adventurous there is also the possibility to climb to the top of Huayna Picchu or visit the Machu Picchu Mountain or the Huchuy Picchu. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, and then the bus to make our way back to Cusco. Night at the hotel.
At 6am, we get picked up to start our trip to the alternative Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo, located approximately 100 km away from Cusco.
After a 4-hour journey by private transport, we reach the starting point of our gentle hike, which goes from 4700m to 4900m.
We walk for about an hour and a half in the surroundings of the rainbow mountain. On our way back, we have lunch in a family restaurant located in Cusipata. Return to Cusco expected around 18.00. Night at the hotel.
Note> if you wish so, you can visit Vinicunca instead of Palccoyo. It is the most famous rainbow mountain. But it is also much more touristy. Besides, the hike to Vinicunca is more strenuous (from 4600 to 5100 m). Between them, we recommend you Palccoyo because it is more “intimate”.
Free day to walk around the beautiful city of Cusco. Some must-see places we recommend: MAP (Museum of Pre-Columbian Art); San Francisco Convent; and the quaint neighborhood of San Blas. In the evening we go on a cultural and alternative walking tour. Strolling under the stars through the historic city center, we discover a less-known side of Cusco: myths, legends, tales, ghosts and saints. A unique experience to see the real Cusco, Peru’s iconic city. Night at the hotel.
We get picked up at 06:15 from the hotel and begin our journey towards the city of Puno. The comfortable touristic bus (including heating, air conditioning, chemical bathroom, DVD, on board service, and buffet lunch in Sicuani) will make several stops during the journey: Andahuaylillas, Rajchi, and Pukara. Pick-up from the bus station in Puno. Night at the hotel.
After breakfast, we head to the port and embark on a boat to Uros floating islands, located north of Puno’s bay. Then we reach Amantani island where we have lunch and spend the afternoon discovering the island. Dinner and night with a local family.
After breakfast we go towards Taquile, the biggest island of the Lake Titicaca. We disembark on the northern side and walk till the main part of the island. Lunch in Taquile. We get back to Puno in the afternoon (estimated arrival at 18:00). Night in Puno.
In the morning, between 06:15 and 06:30, we take a bus from Puno to Chivay where we arrive in the afternoon. Chivay is located in the Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon on Earth. There, we can enjoy beautiful landscapes and see the natural habitat of alpacas, llamas, guanacos, vizcachas, etc. Option to bathe in the thermal waters of the valley. Night in Chivay.
In the early morning we depart towards “The Cross of the Condor,” a lookout point from where we are able to closely see this spectacular Andean bird in flight. After lunch we begin our trip to Arequipa, stopping at various villages along the valley. Estimated arrival at 18:00. Night at the hotel.
Free day in Arequipa, “The White City.” A few spots you cannot miss: Santa Catalina Convent, Museum of mummy Juanita, and the delicious traditional dishes of Arequipa. In the afternoon transfer to the airport and flight to Lima. Transfer to the hotel and night in Lima.
Airport transfer. International flight. If your flight departs at night, we recommend you spend the day on our City Tour, where we take you to discover an authentic Lima.
City to city transfers in comfortable tourist buses: restroom on board, heating, air conditioning, and reclining seats.
If your international flight arrives in Lima in the morning, please note that the room is available from 3 pm. You can then leave your luggage in the hotel luggage storage for free, but you cannot enter the room before the check-in time. In this case we recommend to include a room available from the moment of your arrival, with an extra cost.
Amazon: it is advised to get the yellow fever vaccine, it has to be done 10 days prior to the start of the trip. Remember to bring a proof of vaccination.
During the rainy season (November to April), Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
In the Amazon, electricity and hot showers are limited to a few hours per day. There is no fan or air-conditioning.
The Amazon program is subject to changes as per your guide decision or weather conditions.
PeruEtico does not directly organize the group trips described in the program. We work with selected local and professional agencies.
Qoricancha: it is closed on Sunday; if the city tour of Cusco coincides with this day of the week, you can visit the archaeological site yourself during the free day.
Machu Picchu: travelers are limited to a 20lt/5kg backpack; the rest of your luggage is to be left in custody at the hotel in Cusco or Urubamba.
Palccoyo: we reach 4900 meters above sea level so you will feel the altitude. We recommend you walk slowly. This tour is only for fit people. During the rainy season (from December to March), it is not always possible to visit Palccoyo due to bad weather. If necessary, this tour will be replaced by an excursion to the Huatanay Valley (south of Cusco), including Tipón, Piñipampa Pikillaqta.
Housing in Amantani is very basic. Rooms are cozy and there are enough thick blankets to keep you warm. Bathrooms are located outside the house.
In Arequipa, the hotel checkout time is 11:00. Luggage can be left in the hotel storage. (To keep the room for the rest of the day there is an extra charge of 30 USD per person).
As from the arrival in Peru, the passenger is responsible for any additional costs caused by a variation in the program (net cost plus agency rights) not caused directly by our company (bad weather, strike, etc.) or decided by the passenger himself.
Through the stay and experience in Amantani, the visit to the Maras salt ponds and the stay at Inotawa Lodge in the Amazon, you are directly helping and supporting the local families and their projects.
Any of our employees, from guides to local communities, receive a fair salary and remuneration for the work done, above the average in Peru.
Peruetico is committed to reducing the environmental impact and the use of plastic and paper during your travels.
We relied on PeruEtico for our honeymoon.
Everything was perfect: top organization and preparation, excellent on-site assistance and a tailor-made tour for us.
The strengths of PeruEtico are many: certainly the local guides, always in a good mood and very prepared; the possibility of having a fully organized tour, but of traveling alone as a couple with a private driver; the attention to sustainability in the choice of hotels – highly recommended to stay with the family, allows you to be a little less tourists and a little closer to the place you visit-.
PeruEtico, with its professionalism and the knowledge of those who have lived on site for years, has allowed us to get to know a wonderful country like Peru, rich in history, nature and culture, living a unique experience! Thank you!
We traveled from the Amazon to the Arequipa highlands … only two weeks that seemed months thanks to the many wonderful experiences. We enjoyed the countless landscapes and atmospheres that this country can offer. Thanks to PeruEtico and its professionalism, the team took care of everything allowing us to enjoy the trip in total carelessness. Recommended!
What about PeruEtico … not only we experienced a splendid and incredible journey, but we also found friends! Breathtaking landscapes, from the Amazon – which I recommend to everyone !!!! – to the Andes. A perfect organization and excellent problem solving – like a train that breaks down in the middle of nowhere! PeruEtico was a positive 200% experience for us and allowed us to live a journey and a country exactly the way we had imagined it. We are waiting for you in Italy for a dinner on Lake Garda !!!!!
Peru: Cusco … Machu Picchu … Lake Titicaca … a dream pursued since youth that has finally come true with this journey. The reality is often different compared to the dream but in this case everything went according to and even beyond my best expectations. Peru, its inhabitants, the atmosphere that reigns even while going to places so different from each other, the jungle, the mountain and the coast. It was a complete trip!PeruEtico helped us so much during this adventure, they followed and guided us to discover the soul of the country.
Thanks to Gianni who was present at all times to verify that everything worked in the best way. Thanks to Emanuele who has taken care to answer and satisfy all our needs and requests.
Thanks to the guides who have accompanied us to these magical places and who have proved not only competent and prepared but font of their work, passionate and always close to us.
Thanks to the family that hosted us on Taquile Island, an unforgettable life experience.
In summary, a journey that will remain for a long time in our hearts.
Claudio, Stella, Margherita and Katia
Perfect organization. Dozens of tours without a minute late. Capable and passionate guides. Constant presence even if we were distant from Emanuele and Gianni. Wonderful Amazon. The only limit waswhen the tour was not organized directly by PeruEtico, that is in the Colca Canyon. A bit hasty the day with the sighting of the condors, constraint for lunch and too many stops… too touristic. But PeruEtico was perfect.
