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 guide
• Domestic flights – Lima-Puerto Maldonado, Puerto Maldonado-Cusco, Cuzco-Lima
• Seven nights of 3-star hotel accommodation, three nights of camping (on the Inca Trail), two nights 3-star jungle lodge accommodation, one night family stay on Lake Titicaca
• Four day Inca Trail excursion – including bilingual guide, food, cooks, porters, tent, sleeping bag and mat
• Guided tour between Cusco and Puno, including buffet lunch
• Private two-day Lake Titicaca excursion
• Three-day rainforest lodge excursion
• Six breakfasts, seven lunches, and six dinners while on Inca Trail, rainforest and Amantani Island excursions
• Breakfast – included every morning with your hotel stay
• The Cusco Visitor’s Ticket – which includes entrance to the ruins in and around Cusco and the Sacred Valley, and many churches and museums in Cusco
• Private Machu Picchu excursion – includes bilingual guide, return train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary
• Private Lima city tour with entrance fees, private vehicle, driver and professional guide
• Private Cusco city tour including entrance fees, private vehicle, driver and professional guide
• 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 or tips. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings, cancellation insurance is advisable.

Detailed trip itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Lima anytime today and private transfer to your hotel. If arriving during the day, your hotel will be in the neighborhood of Miraflores, with good artisan markets 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.

Lima City Tour – Option 2: Larco Museum & Huaca Pucllana (upon request). Let us know if you would prefer this tour over the Cathedral Tour (or both for an extra fee). We could also plan a tour of the Huaca Pucllana at night if you have time in Lima. The site is lit up until midnight and looks amazing!

The Larco Museum is housed in an 18th century viceroyalty-era mansion. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the Larco Museum is a stimulating and inspiring space in which visitors can enjoy and learn more about the fascinating history of ancient Peru. The cultures gallery provides a clear and captivating narrative account of more than 5000 years of pre-Columbian Peruvian history. Visiting the Larco Museum with their more than 45,000 meticulously catalogued archaeological objects, is a unique experience.

The Archaeological Complex “Huaca Pucllana” was an Administrative and Ceremonial Center of the Lima Culture, a society that developed at the Peruvian Central Coast between 200 AD and 700 AD. Located in today’s district of Miraflores the “Huaca Pucllana” was built around 500 AD. “Pucllana” is one of the most important ancient monuments in Lima. Based on the “Huaca Pucllana” architecture and found objects, it is believed that the complex was the heart of development of the “Lima Culture” and served as a ceremonial and administrative center.

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 2-3

After a short flight, we arrive in the city of Puerto Maldonado and 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 4

Today you’ll have an optional early morning excursion before a transfer to the airport. A short flight brings us to the famous Inca city of Cuzco. You will have time to acclimatize and relax in the Incan and historical capital of Peru.

Day 5

Today we set out to explore Cusco, 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 Coricancha 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 Sacsayhuaman where we can marvel at the incredible stonework and architecture of the Inca civilization. We head back to Cusco in the late afternoon.

Day 6

This morning we take a short and scenic ride in our private transport to Pisac and Ollantaytambo, two important Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley. After visiting the site of Pisac, we’ll head down to the colonial town below and visit its famous crafts market. We then continue on to Ollantaytambo. Besides the huge and fascinating ruins above the town, Ollantaytambo is the only Inca village still inhabited today. Walk its narrow streets and peer through huge Inca doorways into courtyards where life has changed little in over 500 years. Early to bed, as our trek along the Inca Trail begins tomorrow!

Day 7

Early this morning we start walking the Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu! A morning drive brings us to kilometer 82, start of the world-famous Inca Trail trek. Our first day is an easy one to get acclimated, as we gently climb through Andean valleys to the village of Huayllabamba, making our first camp just above it. Along the entire trek we are well taken care of by our team of porters and cooks, freeing us up to fully enjoy the Inca sites and vistas unfolding before us. Parakeets, bromeliads and the major Inca site of Llactapata are some of today’s highlights. Tonight we camp at Wayllabamba.

Distance to hike 10 km/6m
Estimated hike time 5-7 hrs.
Min altitude 2,680m/8,790ft
Max altitude 3,000m/10,824ft
Everyone may hike at their own pace.
Tonight we camp under the Andean sky.

Day 8

Up and up to Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusqa) as we pass through several ecological zones and microclimates to the highest point on the Inca Trail. Near the top of the world at 4200 meters (14,000 ft.) the air is thin, but the view is not to be believed. We then continue on to Pacaymayo, tonight’s campsite. On the way we will see more archaeological sites along the trail.

Distance to hike 10 km/6m
Estimated hike time 6-8 hrs.
Min altitude 3,000m/9,840ft
Max altitude 4,200m/13,880ft
Everyone may hike at their own pace.
Tonight we camp under the Andean sky.

Day 9

Today we continue trekking past three of the most beautiful Inca sites anywhere in Peru: Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñaywayna. We camp at Wiñaywayna or nearby.

Distance to hike 15km/9m.
Estimated hike time 6-8 hrs.
Min altitude 2,700m/8,856ft
Max altitude 3,750m/12,300ft
Everyone may hike at their own pace.
Tonight we camp under the Andean sky.

Day 10

A pre-dawn departure brings us to the Gate of the Sun to watch the first rays of sunlight strike the sacred city of Machu Picchu. Known as one of the greatest architectural achievements in the world, this historic sanctuary is considered one of the seven man made wonders of the world. After a guided Machu Picchu tour, take your time and enjoy this magnificent place. During peak visiting hours (10-2), try a hike on one of the surrounding Inca trails on Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the late afternoon we’ll catch a train back to a hot shower and the other comforts of Cusco. Add an extra night and day at Machu Picchu to your itinerary if you wish.

Distance to hike 8 km/5m
plus the distance you hike at Machu Picchu.
Estimated hike time 5-6 hrs.
Min altitude 2,400m/7,872ft
Max altitude 2,700km/8,856ft
Everyone may hike at their own pace.

Day 11

This morning we head south to Puno on a guided bus tour. The trip there is beautiful, as we pass by Andean villages, herds of llama and alpaca, and high snowcaps. We stop at the Inca site of Raqchi, the old colonial church at Andahuaylillas and the Pukara Culture Archaeological Museum. We arrive on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake at 12,500 feet above sea level and get to relax before the tour of the lake the following day.

Day 12

Boats are the transport theme today as we head out across the waters of Lake Titicaca. Our first stop is the islands of Uros, completely constructed out of totora reeds and floating on the surface of the lake. We’ll take a walk across the spongy surface of these unique islands and go for a ride in a reed boat before continuing on to the island of Amantani, where we’ll spend the night with a local native family. Please note: our Lake Titicaca family stay is a truly authentic experience which includes being cooked for by and dining with the local family and staying in a room at their house. There is often just candlelight, no electricity, and the bathroom is an outhouse. This is a great experience which is the highlight of many people’s trip, but which can certainly be described as “basic” or “roughing it”. If you do not wish to spend the night on the islands, Taquile and the floating Islands can be visited on a day trip.

Day 13

The native culture of Taquile Island, which we’ll visit today, is the most intact in probably all of the Andes, with its inhabitants maintaining the same customs and dress as they have for over 1000 years. Taquile Island is famous for its textile art that has been declared a UNESCO masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity. You will truly feel as though you have gone back in time as you walk the ancient stone paths of the island and observe its people. Boat ride back to Puno.

Day 14

All good things must come to an end, and today we fly back to Lima and the end of our journey. Departure day and free late afternoon in Lima to visit any of the sites missed the first time around. Today your international flight may depart any time after 5pm. We recommend you add an extra day to your itinerary if you have time to spend another night in Lima to rest before your flight.

Extra accommodation

We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip, just ask.

Extra activities

Add extra activities such as river rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, zip lining, paragliding, surfing and free days to your custom itinerary. Ask about these options and we’d be happy to add them to your quote. If you have any special requests or interests like birding, cooking or crafting that you would like to explore please let us know!

Accommodation Upgrades

This tour includes 3-star hotels. We would be happy to give you an upgrade to four- or five-star. If you would like to select a specific hotel let us know your preference. We can then work it into your custom itinerary.

Other Options

We also organize Amazon lodge stays in treehouses and luxury cruises down the Ucayali river (for an additional cost) with the option of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the cruise starting in the colonial city of Iquitos in northern Peru and journeying deep into the Amazon rainforest. If interested, please ask us for more details about this cruise or treehouse excursion.

Is this trip for me?

Ruins and Rainforest is a 14-day cultural tour that includes a four-day moderate trek, no trekking experience is required, but one should be in average physical shape and not suffer from any heart or respiratory conditions. The trip also includes a visit to a rain forest lodge, high-altitude walks of up to 45 minutes and a basic family stay on Lake Titicaca. The rooms with the family are twin-share and very clean, but also very basic, often with no electricity and always with the bathroom outside the house. It is possible to visit the Titicaca Islands on a day trip if you would prefer. The trip also includes some public transport, 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 swindled by airport taxis.

Single Person Supplement

A single person supplement will be added to your quote if you will be travelling alone.

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

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 is recommended and travelers may wish to take malarial prophylaxis. Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.

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: Cusco and the Sacred Valley: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are chilly in Cusco. Lake Titicaca: similar to Cusco but colder. 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 are difficult to cash (American Express is best, but you may be charged 5-8% to cash) 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 unchangeable. Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country. Expect to spend about US$5-12 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