Day 1

Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel. If arriving during the day, your hotel will be in the neighborhood of Miraflores, with good shopping and restaurants, and you’ll have an included city tour in the afternoon. The city tour lets you explore the wonders of the colonial capital, you visit the famous Plaza de Armas, as well as the impressive Cathedral in the Plaza and the beautiful San Francisco church. You also get a chance to take in some beautiful views of the coast at Parque de Amor. If arriving late at night, you’ll be close to the airport for a bit more sleep before your next day’s flight, and you’ll have your city tour of Lima upon your return.

Day 2

A short morning flight brings us to the famous Inca city of Cusco. After checking into your hotel, we set out to explore the incredible capital of the Inca Empire. We head to the picturesque Plaza de Armas to the cathedral to see the colonial influence in the city, and we can admire the stunning architecture of the church and also the native influences subtly woven in into the artwork. Onwards to Qoricancha church, where the colonial and Incan architectures are on display side-by-side directly contrasted with each other. Afterwards we make our way above the city to the imposing fortress of Sacsaywaman where we can marvel at the incredible stonework and architecture of the Inca civilization. We head back to Cuzco in the late afternoon.

Day 3-4

A beautiful morning train journey across the high plain above Cusco then down the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. Unlike most other companies’ trips, we actually spend a night at the village below Machu Picchu. So after a guided tour, take your time and enjoy this magnificent place. While most people are heading down to catch the afternoon train, we can stick around and have the place almost to ourselves, and also come back the next day for more exploration. This allows us plenty of time at the ruins, as well as time for some beautiful day hikes in the surrounding mountains. We return to Cuzco by train on the afternoon of Day 4.

Day 5-6

This morning we’re off to the Amazon rainforest! Travel by air to the city of Puerto Maldonado and then transfer to a motorized dugout canoe for the trip upriver to our jungle lodge. Our cabins at the lodge have modern bathrooms and comfortable beds with mosquito nets, and the food here is great. Take an afternoon walk through the rainforest with an experienced naturalist guide, come back for dinner, then set off again for a nocturnal jungle canoe ride to spot caiman! The next day’s activities will include a visit to an oxbow lake to look for giant river otters, monkeys, macaws and other wildlife as well as jungle walks led by an experienced, English speaking guide. You’ll witness an array of medicinal and otherwise interesting flora and fauna, as well as gain some insight into native Amazonian peoples and traditions.

Day 7

After a morning flight to Lima, we’ll have the day free to enjoy the capital city’s many museums, restaurants, cafes and other sights.

Day 8

Departure Day. A transfer to the airport is included in your tour.

Is this trip for me?

Amazon Adventure is an 8-day tour which includes a visit to a rain forest lodge and includes walking around ruins and during city tours. As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and occasional delays of developing-world travel.

Joining the tour

On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel. No bargaining or being ripped off by airport taxis!

What’s included in the trip

• Private airport pickup at the beginning of trip and drop off at end of the trip

• Southern Crossings bilingual guides

• All other internal transport – (excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)

• Domestic flights – Lima-Cuzco, Cuzco-Lima, Lima-Iquitos, Iquitos – Lima

• Five nights of 3 star hotel accommodation, two nights of 3 star rainforest lodge

• Three day Amazon rainforest lodge excursion

• All food while at rainforest lodge

• Breakfast – included every morning with your hotel stay

• Private Machu Picchu excursion – including bilingual guide, round trip Vistadome or Executive train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and a two-day entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary

• Private Cuzco City Tour

• Private Lima City Tour

• The Cuzco Visitor’s Ticket – which includes entrance to the ruins in and around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, and many churches and museums in Cuzco

• 24 hour customer support line while on tour

What’s not included

International flight to/from Lima, pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy, cancellation insurance is advisable.  Any medical insurance is acceptable.

Pre-trip planner

Required documents

All travelers to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.

Required immunizations

A yellow fever vaccination and certificate is required to travel to the Amazon. Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations. The rainforest area of Peru (approx. 3500 ft. and below, east of the Andes) is a malarial and yellow fever zone. The yellow fever vaccination with the official certificate is required, and travelers may wish to take malarial prophylaxis. Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.

Things to bring

One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A recommended list of things to bring:

• Passport and, if necessary, visa

• Traveler’s checks and/or cash card

• Airline ticket

• Photocopies of airline ticket and documents

• Wearable pouch for documents and money

• Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase

• Smaller, comfortable day pack

• Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in

• Sandals or flip-flops

• Rain poncho or jacket

• Waterproof pants

• Sun hat

• Hat for cold weather

• Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers)

• T-shirts

• Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments

• Towel and swimsuit for hot springs

• Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)

• Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellent

• Lip balm

• Earplugs

• Alarm clock or watch

• Sanitizing hand wipes or gel

• Camera and film

• Camera batteries

• Reading material

• Toiletries

Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries are available in Peru.

It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, extra large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries.

Baggage

For your international flights, please check with your airline. Within Peru, you are allowed 20 kilos (44 lbs) of checked baggage, as well as one carry-on and another small, purse-like item. The carry-on size regulations are the same as international carry-on size regulations.

Climate

Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:

Cuzco: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are cold in Cuzco.
Machu Picchu: similar to Cuzco, but warmer and with more chance of rain.
Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain.
Amazon basin: hot and humid year-round. We recommend light clothing (in weight and in color) that fully cover arms and legs to avoid mosquito bites.

Money guide

The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Automatic cash points are available in Lima and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler’s checks (American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options. Do not bring Money Grams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in Lima and Cuzco. For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged. Please note that cash must be untorn. It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country.

Expect to spend about US$4-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru.

Artisan market prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30. Currency Converter