Peru Tours 14 Days, Top Destinations, Amazon River, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca

A spectacular day in the City of Kings. On Day 2 you will begin your tours. Peru is a country of incredible contrasts and historic treasures. Lima, with its 2000 years of history, will amaze you. The center of colonial Lima has been declared to be part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Beautiful edifices surround the Plaza de Armas. During your guided tour of Lima, you will appreciate the beauty of the imposing Archbishop’s Palace, the opulent Palace of the Government and the impressive Cathedral of Lima. The keystone of the Cathedral was laid by Francisco Pizarro during the 16th century.

Then you will continue by visiting the San Francisco Monastery which was built during the 17th century and features some magnificent tile work. In the interior you will see exceptional paintings, ornate carvings, and its world-famous library.

On your way back to your hotel through modern Lima, you will stop at the panoramic ¨Huaca Pucllana” Pyramid. This site, which was constructed in the 4th century B.C., was a magnificent ceremonial center. Huaca Pucllana is an amazing architectural feat, and it was considered to be a sacred place by the Incas. After the tour you will have the afternoon free to explore and enjoy the exclusive Miraflores and Larcomar neighborhoods where is the Marriott Hotel is located.

If you would like to explore more deeply into Peruvian culture, you could participate in the optional tour to the Larco Herrera Museum. This museum is located in a restored 17th century mansion and is considered to be the finest museum in all of Lima. Here you will be able to observe the largest collection in the world of pre-Columbian masterpieces, and also an excellent exposition of gold and silvery jewelry, the value of which cannot be estimated.

Today you will begin your new adventure! In the morning you will fly out of Lima on a comfortable jet plane. Your destination is Iquitos on the Amazon River, which is located in the heart of the jungle close to the Colombian and Brazilian borders. Iquitos is also considered to be the capital of the Peruvian Amazon. When you arrive at the airport you will be welcome by our team, and you´ll go travelling on an exciting boat ride up the river to your luxurious Treehouse Lodge.

On your Amazon River journey, the scenery is just incredible. Almost more than anywhere else on earth, the level of biodiversity here is spectacular. Treehouse Lodge is the only all-inclusive treehouse lodge in the Amazon and delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Located at the confluence of the serene and protected Yarapa and Cumaceba rivers near the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, this lodge offers an entirely new rainforest perspective that most visitors never experience… the tree top canopy.

After check in and lunch you can take a break at this exclusive accommodation. Then you can begin to explore the magical trails along with your guide who is an expert in the local wildlife. This naturalist will be happy to share his knowledge of the enchanted forest with you. You´ll be hiking through old growth forest covered with moss, orchids, and ferns. Later you´ll return to the lodge for a good night´s rest.

This is the perfect way to start your day in the Peruvian Amazon Jungle. About an hour before sunrise you will boat along the Yarapa and Ucayali rivers until you reach the Amazon River. Here you will enjoy “breakfast in boat” while observing the world famous Pink and Gray River Dolphins of the Amazon during their morning feeding. Enjoy sunrise over the skyline of the Amazon rain forest. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous you can jump in and swim with the dolphins (We cannot guarantee that on any particular day you will see a pink dolphin.). As with all excursions, there is always a chance that you catch a glimpse of other types of wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and birds along the edges of the river.

Note: All the excursions last from 2 to 3 hours depending to the water level and the weather conditions.

After the tour you will have the rest of the day free to relax or to take an optional tour in the Amazon Jungle.

After an energizing breakfast you will have free time to explore on your own before starting on your scheduled adventures in the jungle. On your next excursion you will explore all of the canopy walkways and viewing platforms that dot the area. You will learn about the history, the traditions and the architecture of this unique hotel while you observe wildlife from 30 to 70 feet above the jungle floor.

TREEHOUSE is one of the most unique hotels in the world. Featured by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 Most Unusual Hotels in the World, Treehouse offers travelers from all over the world an unforgettable adventure deep in the rainforest and high up in the trees.

After finishing this hike, you’ll return to your hotel and relax.

The best way to witness wildlife is by waking up early to the sound of hundreds of birds and monkeys. Suspension bridges have been built to bring you closer to all the wildlife that exists around the Lodge. You will see many species of tanagers, toucans, parrots, parakeets, antbirds, antwrens, woodpeckers, and monkeys that come to feed on the fruit and insects found on the trees.

There are species of birds that never venture close to the ground because the fruit they eat is found on the tree tops. Being close to the canopy, it’s easy to see the beauty of these species. In only one early morning, you will observe at least 50 species of birds, 20 of which are uncommon. The variety of wildlife in this type of igapo forest is outstanding. We gain more appreciation of these species through the research we perform, and we do our best to preserve these species for future generations.

After the tour you will have a great breakfast in the tropical jungle. There will be farewell ceremony of thanksgiving. Usually all the team participates. Then you will return to Iquitos and go check in at the airport. After your flight back to Lima, you will catch your flight up to Cusco. When you arrive in Cusco our team will be there to welcome you and to drive you to your hotel where you can rest and relax.

Usually your flight from Iquitos to Lima is scheduled to depart after midday. So, you will arrive in Lima around 2:30 pm. Your flight from Lima to Cusco is scheduled to depart around 6:00 pm or a little after. This way you will have a plenty of time to catch your flight to Cusco even if there are delays due to high season traffic.

Free day in Cusco. You probably have asked why Cusco is considered to be such a special city. It is because here it is possible to do all the activities and take part in every adventure sport that you have always wanted to try, from taking a walking tour of the city to going river rafting on the Vilcanota River.

The Imperial City was the ancient capital of the Incan Empire. Today it has been declared part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. It is a friendly city that is full of fascinating history and wonderful architecture. There are Incan ruins around every corner, and there are also excellent examples of Spanish colonial architecture. It is well worth your while to spend time in Cusco exploring the most unforgettable places and visiting the local galleries full of handmade textiles and other crafts.

You will leave Cusco early in the morning and travel to the traditional town of Chinchero. There you will visit a local family who will demonstrate the details of their authentic Incan weaving techniques for you. Then you will have time to visit the amazing Chinchero archeological center. After visiting Chinchero, you will take a trip to the most important agricultural testing station in the Inca Empire, Moray. There you can observe the great skill that the Incas exhibited in how they adapted plants to different climatic zones. You will see the great circular terraces where the temperature changes depending on the elevation. The Incas had extraordinary knowledge of climates and microclimates.

In Maras you will make a short stop to see the pretty houses which feature the coats-of-arms of Incan nobles who lived here during Incan and colonial times. Maras used to be inhabited by Incan nobility who originally lived in Cusco. Today the lintel of each house shows the coat-of-arms of an Incan noble family. This town was important after the time of the Spanish Conquest.

Next you will continue to the salt mines of Salineras. This is an impressive site that consists of over 5000 small wells where salt is collected. Some of these wells are very old. Incas mined salt at this site, and this practice continued throughout the reign of the Spanish viceroys. Now the local people let the salt water flow into the depressions which they have dug out. Then the sun evaporates the water and leaves behind a crust of salt which is collected and sold on the local market. We will finish up our tour by stopping in Urubamba for a good buffet lunch. After lunch you will explore the Ollantaytambo Ruins. Finally, you will return to your hotel in the Valley.

This will be one the most memorable days that you will experience while traveling on your Best Peru Tours. After a great breakfast at your hotel, we will take you to the Ollantaytambo train station where you´ll board your train to Machu Picchu. You will ride the Vistadome train along the banks of the Vilcanota River to One of the Wonders of the Modern World. On the train ride you will pass by ancient terraces, sacred mountains, and a great number of wild plants and animals native to this area. At the same time, you will pass by the beginning of the famous Classic Inca Trail.

When you arrive in Machu Picchu Pueblo you will encounter a small vibrant city that exists in order to satisfy the needs of every visitor who comes here looking to visit Machu Picchu and its enchantments. The unforgettable Citadel of Machu Picchu, known as the Lost City of the Incas, was designated as One of the Seven New Wonders of the World on 7/7/2007. Machu Picchu was practically unknown until it was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. At Machu Picchu Sanctuary you will enjoy a 3-hour private guided tour of the site during which you´ll visit the most important locations of the Citadel of Machu Picchu.

After your tour you will be able to take some wonderful photos that will be treasured long after you return home. Finally, after you marvel at this magical site that was built during the 15th century, you will return to Aguas Calientes where you will eat lunch at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Then you can board your Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo. There our team will meet you and drive you to your hotel in Urubamba. There you can rest up after wonderful adventure in Machupicchu.

After breakfast you will travel from the Sacred Valley to Cusco. On your way back to Cusco you will visit Awana Kancha. The idea of Awana Kancha originated more than 17 years ago as the initiative of a family who wanted to pass on their connection to the non-materialistic culture that they first encountered on their visits to the forgotten corners of Peru. The initial plan was to build an exhibition center for South American camelids, and for the ancestral weaving and dying techniques which have been passed down from generation to generation since Incan times.

You’ll next adventure will be at Tambomachay. Tambomachay is an Inca archaeological site located just outside of Cusco. Its precise function has been lost in time, but some historians say that’s it was used as a ceremonial site dedicated to water, and also a place where the Incan nobles could go relax and bathe.

Finally, you will explore Sacsayhuaman. Sacsayhuaman is believed to have been built by around 20,000 workers who cut and transported the gigantic stones from the quarries of Huaqoto and Rumiqolqa. With its megalithic walls made of stones that can weigh from 99 to 138 tons, Sacsayhuamán is a great mysterious destination. Some of the stones have more than one hundred angles. Each is fitted and joined together perfectly with the other stones and no mortar whatsoever was used. Each and every stone is of a different size.
After you arrive in Cusco and check into your hotel, you will have free to explore Cusco’s museums and Incan alleys on your own.

In the morning, after a delicious breakfast, you will leave Cusco and ride through the Andes in the direction of the Antiplano and Lake Titicaca. The first stop on the Route of the Sun will be the chapel at Andahuaylillas. There you will have a very interesting guided tour of the Church of St. Peter, the Apostle. The ceilings and the walls of this church are covered with murals and the oil paintings in which real golden foil was used. This famous site is known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas.

Your next stop will be the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi. Wiracocha was the Supreme God of the Incas. So, this is a very important Incan archeological site. This beautiful rectangular temple is 92 m. long, 25.5 m. wide, and about 9.8 m high. Travelers here can learn all about Wiracocha and the Incan priesthood while they enjoy the changing weather of the Andean highlands.

When you arrive at Sicuani you will eat a great lunch. Then you will continue your journey along the Route of the Sun and stop at La Raya. At 4335 masl., this is the highest point on your trip from Cusco to Puno. Pukara museum will be the final stop on your tour where you will bear witness to the most important ceremonial site on the Altiplano. Here you can discover the origin of pre-Incan cultures through the museum’s collection of sculptures and ceramics. Finally, you will arrive at Puno at approximately at 5 pm. Then you will be able to get comfortable and relax at your luxurious hotel on the shore of Lake Titicaca.

We will come by and pick you up at your hotel at 7 am. You will go over to the port, board our motor launch, and ride out to the Island of Taquile. There you will enjoy a 2-and-a-half-hour tour of this island which has been ranked as the 4th most beautiful island in the world. Here you will visit the isolated weavers of this ancient community. According to pre-Columbian legend, the Incas actually learned how to weave from the artisans of this island. They are incredibly skilled.

Leaving Taquile around noon, you will return along the traditional route as you go travelling in the direction of the Chucuito Peninsula. This is the Aymara region of the Lake and represents the communal identity of the Peruvian – Bolivian Altiplano. You will eat buffet lunch in the community of Luquina Chico.

Later in the afternoon you will explore the wonderful Floating Islands on your way back to Puno. At the Uros Islands the Peruvians who live here maintain their ancient customs and their way of life by weaving together totora reeds which grow in the shallows of the Lake. These reeds are used to construct their floating islands and houses.

This alternative program allows our clients to visit new tourist attractions which very few visitors know about. By going on this non-traditional expedition, our clients always feel very satisfied about discovering how the people who live on Lake Titicaca go about their daily activities.

After an excellent breakfast at your hotel you will bid farewell to Puno and travel north. On this, the last of your private Peru Luxury Tours, you will stop for a quick tour at the Chullpas of Sillustani. This pre-Incan site is situated 34 kilometers outside of Puno. We always try to choose the most interesting alternative routes for our travelers. At Sillustani you can go exploring the mysteries of this wonderful place. Many of the chullpas are over 30 feet high. Historians tell us that these ruins were a cemetery consisting of 90 chullpas. They look like circular towers made out of rocks. It is thought that the important people from the Collao were buried here on the shore of Lake Umayo.

After Sillustani you will continue on to the Juliaca airport. On your flight back to Lima you will have a fantastic view of the Peruvian Andes and the Pacific Ocean. When you arrive in Lima our team will meet you and drive you to your hotel in the exclusive Miraflores neighborhood. This will be your last full day in Peru. So, to celebrate, we encourage you to enjoy the best food that Lima has to offer accompanied by a Pisco Sour, the National Beverage of Peru.

Our team will drive you to Lima’s Jorge Chaves International Airport in time for you check in and catch your flight home. At the airport we will bid you a fond farewell as you begin your next adventure, hoping that you carry with you sweet memories of fulfilled dreams and, above all, positive energy so you will be able to continue to explore the best that our world has to offer.

*** Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 15 and therefore, you will require transportation to the airport late on Day 14. We will pick you up at your hotel approximately 4 and half hours prior to your flight departure time.

If your flight departs late on Day 14 or early on Day 15, we recommend that you have a post-accommodation hotel room where you can relax until it is time to be picked up and go to the airport.