Independent Peru Highlights with Peru's Amazon

Independent Peru Highlights with Peru's Amazon

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Independent Peru Highlights with Peru's Amazon

11 Days Starting and ending in Lima, Peru

Visiting: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata National Reserve, South America

Tour operator:

Globus

Tour code:

ISM2-2025

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the "Independent Peru Highlights with Peru's Amazon" tour, exploring the rich history and breathtaking landscapes of Peru. Begin your journey in Lima, then fly to Cusco to discover the ancient Inca sites, including the majestic Machu Picchu. Traverse the Sacred Valley, visiting traditional markets and learning about Inca weaving techniques. Continue your adventure into the heart of the Amazon Jungle in Puerto Maldonado, where you'll experience the vibrant wildlife and lush rainforest. Stay in unique accommodations, from luxury hotels to a rustic Amazon lodge, and enjoy guided tours that bring Peru's natural and cultural wonders to life.

Highlights

  • Explore the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress of gigantic stones near Cusco.

  • Visit the market town of Pisac in the Sacred Valley to buy handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry.

  • Embark on a train trip to Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas," and explore its temple remains and holy houses.

  • Take a nature walk in the Amazon Jungle with a Naturalist to learn about primary and secondary rainforest.

  • Navigate by dugout canoe around Lake Sandoval in the Tambopata National Reserve to see endangered giant river otters and other wildlife.

  • Walk along the canopy walkway in the Amazon to spot white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, and squirrel monkeys.

  • Fish for piranha and visit a clay lick to observe wildlife in the Amazon.

Places You'll See

Hotel Pullman Miraflores

Casa Andina Premium Cusco

Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel And Villas

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Lima,Peru

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Hotel Pullman Miraflores

Welcome to Lima, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2: Lima

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Hotel Pullman Miraflores

Meals Included: Breakfast

LIMA• Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias. (B) Today’s I-Time Tips This evening, you may choose to head over to a nearby park to witness the largest electronic water fountain complex in the world, certified by the Guinness Book of Records. You will enjoy a wonderful show of water, lights, music, and images.

Day 3: Lima,Cusco

Location: Cusco

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast

LIMA–CUSCO • Fly to Cusco, high in the Andes, where you will be met by your Local Guide. • Your guided tour visits the cathedral in Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo Monastery, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. • Take a short drive outside the city to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons. Followed by the amphitheater of Kenko, and the red fortress of Puca Pucara. (B)

Day 4: Cusco,Sacred Valley

Location: Sacred Valley

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY • Today, a short drive into the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you will learn about the importance of the alpaca for Inca cultures, as well as the ancient weaving techniques still in use today. • Continue to the market town of Pisaq, where you can buy handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry at bargain prices. • At the other end of the valley, visit Ollantaytambo to see some of the finest examples of Inca masonry. (B,L)

Day 5: Sacred Valley,Machu Picchu

Location: Machu Picchu

Accommodation Name: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU • Embark on a train trip bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911.• On a guided tour of Machu Picchu, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Machu Picchu,Sacred Valley,Cusco

Location: Machu Picchu

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast

MACHU PICCHU–SACRED VALLEY–CUSCO • A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins. • Return to Cusco by train. (B)

Day 7: Cusco,Puerto Maldonado

Location: Puerto Maldonado

Accommodation Name: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

CUSCO–PUERTO MALDONADO • Fly to Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios and the entry to Peru’s Amazon Jungle. • Embark on a motorboat ride for a journey up the Madre de Dios River to view the exotic wildlife. • Arrive at your Amazon Jungle lodge and meet your Naturalist. • After settling in, head out with your Naturalist for a nature walk along nature trails to learn about primary and secondary rainforest. • At dusk, take a canoe ride to learn about the Amazon River ecosystems, nocturnal animals’ behavior, and the southern constellations. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Peru's Amazon

Location: Tambopata National Reserve

Accommodation Name: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

PERU'S AMAZON• This morning, take a Naturalist-guided walk into the Tambopata National Reserve and then navigate by dugout canoe around Lake Sandoval, a beautiful oxbow lake. Learn about the reserve’s conservation efforts and the animals that inhabit this lake, such as the endangered giant river otters, blue and yellow macaws, red howler monkeys, and black caimans. • This afternoon, the canopy walkway shows you a different perspective 100 feet above ground. From the treetops, keep an eye out for white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys and the three-toed sloth.• After night falls, your Naturalist introduces you to the nocturnal animals of the Amazon. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Peru's Amazon

Location: Puerto Maldonado

Accommodation Name: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

PERU'S AMAZON • A short boat ride brings you to a native farm where farmers use ancient methods to grow crops. Learn about local cultivation techniques and taste some of the produce. • This afternoon, you can fish for piranha like the local indigenous communities do and visit a clay lick to observe wildlife from a blind to observe the normal routine of the fauna without disrupting the environment. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Puerto Maldonado,Lima

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Hotel Pullman Miraflores

Meals Included: Breakfast

PUERTO MALDONADO–LIMA • Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima and then transfer to your hotel upon arrival in Lima. (B)

Day 11: Lima

Location: Lima

Meals Included: Breakfast

LIMA Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Stay at Hotel Pullman Miraflores in Lima, Casa Andina Premium Cusco in Cusco, Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas in Sacred Valley, Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel in Machu Picchu, and Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion in Puerto Maldonado.

  • Meals

    Buffet breakfast daily; 5 lunches; 4 three-course dinners.

  • Guided Tours

    Guided tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon Jungle with a Naturalist.

  • Transportation

    Flights from Lima to Cusco, Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, and Puerto Maldonado to Lima. Train trip to Machu Picchu.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Tambopata National Reserve, and other sites mentioned in the itinerary.

What's Not Included

  • Luggage Restrictions

    For overnight stays in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, only an overnight bag weighing no more than 11 pounds is allowed due to luggage restrictions on the train.

    Main luggage will be stored at the Cusco hotel.

  • Physical Requirements

    Walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs is required.

    Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge.

  • Accommodation Conditions

    The Hacienda Concepcion in the Amazon rainforest is a rustic lodge without air conditioning.

    Electricity is shut off between 11 pm and 4 am, and rooms are provided with kerosene lanterns and flashlights.

Meals

Buffet breakfast daily; 5 lunches; 4 three-course dinners

Notes

Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary and include private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights. Local guide service is provied in Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu. A Naturalist is also provided in the Amazon.

Intra-vacation flights are not included but can be added.

Maximum enjoyment of this vacation requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge. Maximum elevation on this tour is 12,200 ft. For the Amazon adventure, guests should be prepared for eco-lodging due to their remote nature in the rainforest. Further, guests should be prepared for sustained walking, possibly muddy conditions, and have the ability to jump in/out of small water crafts such as canoes and small fishing boats.

UNESCO Sites

City of Cusco|Historic Center of Lima|Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Accommodation

Lima: Hotel Pullman Miraflores, Cusco: Casa Andina Premium Cusco, Sacred Valley: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas, Machu Picchu: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, Puerto Maldonado: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion.

Mode of Transport

Travel includes flights to Cusco and Puerto Maldonado, a train trip to Machu Picchu, and motorboat rides in the Amazon Jungle.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of physical fitness is required for this tour?

    Maximum enjoyment of this vacation requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge. Travelers should be in relatively fit shape without walking difficulties.

  • Are there any luggage restrictions during the tour?

    For your overnight stays in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, you will only be allowed to bring an overnight bag weighing no more than 11 pounds due to luggage restrictions on the train. Your main luggage will be stored at the Cusco hotel where you will return for an additional overnight.

  • What should I expect from the accommodation in the Amazon Rainforest?

    The Hacienda Concepcion is a rustic lodge in the middle of the rainforest. Rooms have ceiling fans but do not have air conditioning - the rooms are screened in to allow you to hear the surrounding rainforest. Electricity is shut off between 11 pm and 4 am, and at night, each room is provided with kerosene lanterns and flashlights. This is a truly unique experience in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest with wildlife everywhere and educated guides to bring this area to life for you.

  • What kind of wildlife can I expect to see in the Amazon?

    During your stay in the Amazon, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including endangered giant river otters, blue and yellow macaws, red howler monkeys, black caimans, white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys, and the three-toed sloth.

  • What activities are included in the Amazon portion of the tour?

    In the Amazon, you will embark on a motorboat ride to view exotic wildlife, take a nature walk to learn about primary and secondary rainforest, go on a canoe ride to learn about the Amazon River ecosystems, and take a Naturalist-guided walk into the Tambopata National Reserve. You will also navigate by dugout canoe around Lake Sandoval, explore the canopy walkway, and visit a native farm to learn about local cultivation techniques.

  • What are the highlights of the Machu Picchu visit?

    At Machu Picchu, you will embark on a train trip through the Sacred Valley to the 'Lost City of the Incas.' On a guided tour, you will explore the intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, there is an option for a brisk one-hour walk to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas. You will also have a second included entrance to the ruins to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu.

  • What kind of meals are provided during the tour?

    The tour includes buffet breakfast daily, 5 lunches, and 4 three-course dinners.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    For over 90 years.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.

Reviews of this operator

Lisset  

Great Value for your Money

19-Dec-2022

This is my second time travelling with Globus, would have been my third if not for COVID. The way they plan everything is super organized, the tour managers are very caring and knowledgeable. We always enjoy all the site visits planned for each trip. They start by picking you up from the airport and from then on everything is taken care of up until the last day of your trip, even dropping you off at the airport not matter the time of day or night. The hotels at every city are always great and centrally located so you can walk around during your free time or plan your own visits to different sites.

Joan Cupp (Google Reviewer)  

My go-to escorted travel Co My...

01-Mar-2024

My go-to escorted travel Co My 4th trip with Globus and the did not disappoint. The sales deals they offer make it affordable for me to travel. All of the guides are well versed in the history of the area you travel in.

David R  

What a wonderful trip, thanks Globus

10-Jan-2023

Globus is my favorite travel agency. I tried others, but always come back to Globus. It is a 100% stress free one-stop shop. Easy booking with flight, hotel, transportation and travel insurance all in one place. Great customer service at reasonable prices. Lots of information prepared for the trip to handle travel logistics. I planned and booked my trip within 24 hours. Highly recommended to everyon

Alexander Wright  

Great guide, accommodations, and tours.

28-Dec-2022

We had a fantastic guide, with a great mix of free time and guided tours.

CTRTeach 11  

Globus exceeded my expectations!

20-Dec-2022

This is my first Globus tour. I was pleasantly surprised with the depth and quality. The hotels were top notch, and the cruise on the Nile exceeded my expectations. The cabins were roomy and comfortable, and the food was very good.

Nancy Arias  

The experience was amazing!!

30-Dec-2022

The trip was amazing. Our tour guide was so kind and very knowledgeable. I needed to attend a very important meeting via zoom. She was very understanding and accommodating to my needs and made it happen. I was very grateful! Our driver was by far the best driver I’ve ever encountered! I was beyond impressed with our guide, driver and trip!! I will definitely be back for another adventure!!

Irish Beth Maddock (Google Reviewer)  

Did the Globus Highlands and...

30-Sep-2023

Did the Globus Highlands and Islands Scottish Tour with Ian and Allister. What a trip!! With his sharp wit, immense knowledge and fun humour, Ian absolutely brought Scotland to vivid life with his many tales, informative quips and total, utter passion for history. Was spellbound. Am so VERY thankful I had the opportunity to be on Ian's last bus tour before retiring with Globus. In addition, to being so hard working and helpful, with Allister our driver, I cannot tell you how safe and secure I felt in his capable driving hands. He had some very awkward traffic and interesting roads to navigate with our large bus, (especially on the islands and up north) but he handled it all expertly and without a hitch. So much so, I was able to relax and enjoy the journey. All in all, with our tour, you could tell both these kind men cared very much for those of us who needed the extra help and advice. Made my bucket list trip to Scotland so memorable and wonderful. Thank you Ian and Allister! Globus is truly fortunate to have you both.

Patty Walker (Google Reviewer)  

Specifically, Cosmos Tour of Ireland...

11-Aug-2024

Specifically, Cosmos Tour of Ireland and Scotland. August 2024. Let me begin with the positive , the Tour guide was knowledgable, personable and educated! He also was extremely professional and took a genuine interest in providing the highest quality of service to the client. The bus was clean and comfortable and well maintained. The driver was highly experienced and provided excellent transportation. The excursions were acceptable and enjoyable. The Variety of age groups on the trip made for wonderful traveling companions. But unfortunately, that is where the positive ends. The Leonardo hotels that are part of the chain and experience for this specific tour are below quality. We spent a night in a room with a leak in the ceiling. That was known before we checked in and continued to leak while we were there. Another Leonardo hotel, we could not get out of our room. Due to the carpet being ripped up and blocking the door. Most of these hotels I would have walked away from, had I been on my own individual trip. The customer service is missing, customer safety is also missing in these hotels. There is lack of concern to assist customers to their rooms even when it is there responsibility to change the room, there isn't assistance offered. Never have I experienced where you had to absolutely be your own advocate. Because there is no customer concern or care. Quality of food provided is also below standards. It is frowned upon if you request something and often denied. We even had a situation where another individual was placed in the same room we were in and it was considered a "oh well too bad for you." Again, we had to transport our own luggage and bags to a new room. Only after we were our own advocates. We said this stranger and ourselves are not going to stay in the same room. Finally, we received a good room, a room that would be found acceptable in every day normal travel, and we had to change again. Because there was a missing part in a Radiator and this was known to the hotel but yet they still booked us into a room. The radiator would not turn off and the room was steaming hot. So once again, we had to transfer all of our luggage and personal items and trudged down stairwell and elevators to once again change rooms. This is so sad for a bucket list, once in a lifetime, save your money and go on your anniversary trip. The rooms are old and out, dated with stains and tears in carpets and materials. Some of the missing items are a safety concern. Buyer beware! The communication for traveling in other countries is not to the level of customer service and satisfaction that we are used to, we did not expect this level of unacceptable accommodations, much like staying in a hostile. It is the Globus/Cosmos Travel companies responsibility to make sure their accommodations for housing is up to the level of expectations of their customers. The accommodations provided are a reflection of Globus/Cosmos business model and integrity in the global travel industry. This is not everything we experienced, but just a few examples. At this time, their brand appears to be old, outdated, without concern or care for the safety of their clients or their health and welfare as applied to accomodations.Customer service, is their lost art. Choose carefully for travel service. And I would not recommend Globus or Cosmos.

Suneetha Raja (Google Reviewer)  

I have done Newfoundland &...

06-Jul-2024

I have done Newfoundland & Labrador with Iceberg Festival tour with Globus in June 2024. It was absolute rubbish for the price I paid towards the tour. Terrible hotels, horrible meals, barely any sightseeing that is worth while the visit, most importantly, the Iceberg festival never happened. Globus sold this specific tour departure date as the only way to attend this supposed Iceberg Festival. I felt cheated after paying 3527£ for a 13 day tour considering the only reason I picked this departure date was because I wanted to attend this Iceberg festival. I could have used my time and money in a better way doing a different tour with another company. A Canadian company who did the exact same tour is doing it for £2400. I have been travelling with Globus and Cosmos tours since 2008. However, this company tours have been terrible after the covid shutdowns. They are charging more than the premium companies and not providing the equivalent service on par with the prices. Safe to say that I won't be recommending Globus and Cosmos tours to anyone. Try other tour companies that are on the market.

Lynda Bailey (Google Reviewer)  

I really enjoyed my Cosmos...

11-Jun-2024

I really enjoyed my Cosmos tour to Italy last September. However I was totally disappointed by two major things which completely changed the atmosphere of the holiday for me. One was the 'last minute' rearrangement of one of our hotels which then put us well outside of Florence on a trading estate for two nights instead of walking distance from the city walls. That completely blocked any plans or ideas of enjoying Florence in the evening. My biggest disappointment was the terrible travel arrangements and associated advice about travelling through Heathrow Cosmos put in place for me and for which they refused to be accountable despite the fact that they had made the ticket booking on my behalf and I had asked them for appropriate check in advice at all key points before I travelled. As a result I was put on standby when I should never have been (even the BA departure staff were shocked at this) and separated from my luggage which travelled on a later flight. I spent over 6 hrs of my first day in Rome in the airport waiting for my luggage and subsequent transfer to my hotel, without any assistance from Cosmos or BA airside staff. When I complained after my holiday, Cosmos would not take any responsibility at all for the fact that I lost the first day of my holiday and approx. 50% of the time I was due to spend in Rome, preferring to blame BA who in turn were uncontactable about my complaint. Very poor customer service indeed.

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  • Low Deposit

    Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.

    Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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