ANDES & AMAZON
About this journey
From the breathtaking landscapes and living traditions of the Sacred Valley to the awe-inspiring citadel of Machu Picchu, the colonial charm of Cusco, and the timeless culture preserved in its local markets, every day unfolds at a comfortable pace, allowing you to connect with the landscapes, the people, and the history that make this destination so extraordinary.
Designed exclusively for you, this private journey combines authentic experiences and exceptional hospitality
Itinerary
A gentle arrival in the Sacred Valley
Arrive in Cusco, where your guide welcomes you before continuing by private transport into the Sacred Valley. Depending on your flight arrival time, your route may include a stop in Chinchero, a traditional Andean village known for its weaving, or at the Taray viewpoint, where the valley opens out below. Mountain slopes soften into cultivated fields and villages along the Urubamba River. Settle into your hotel, your home for the next three nights, and enjoy a quiet afternoon to adjust to the altitude.
The landscapes of Maras & Moray
With your guide, walk among the concentric terraces of Moray and learn about their history and distinctive place in the Andean landscape. Continue to the salt pans of Maras, where thousands of pools follow the contours of the mountainside. Together, these sites tell of the bond between land, local knowledge and generations of work. Enjoy lunch in the valley before returning to your hotel.
Along the Urubamba, to Machu Picchu
Set out early for Ollantaytambo and board your train to Machu Picchu Pueblo. The railway follows the Urubamba between steep mountains as the vegetation grows ever more lush. A short bus ride brings you to Machu Picchu, where your guide explores its architecture, terraces and history within their extraordinary mountain setting. Afterwards, return to the village for your evening train and private transfer back to your hotel.
Through the valley, towards Cusco
After a relaxed breakfast, continue through the Sacred Valley by private transport. Stop in Pisac to browse its market, where textiles and handicrafts bring colour to the village streets. At Awanakancha, meet llamas, alpacas and vicuñas and see how their fibres become traditional weavings. Arrive in Cusco in time for a late lunch at a restaurant of your choice, then check in and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Cusco, history & everyday life
Experience Cusco through its monumental heritage and the life of its neighbourhoods. Begin at Sacsayhuamán, admiring its remarkable stonework, then visit Qorikancha and the Cathedral, where different chapters of the city's past meet. At San Pedro Market, wander among stalls of fresh produce, local cheeses, breads and juices for a lively glimpse of everyday Cusco. A stroll through San Blas then leads past artisan workshops and narrow, climbing streets. Throughout the day, your guide weaves these places together through the stories that have shaped Cusco across generations.
From the Andes to the Amazon
Transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. On arrival, the lodge team welcomes you for the onward journey by road and river to Posada Amazonas. As you glide along the water, the forest gradually unfolds in all its scale, colour and sound. Settle into your room and meet your naturalist guide, who will introduce the explorations ahead. Your first outing will be arranged according to your arrival time.
The forest, from canopy to water
Spend a full day exploring with your naturalist guide. Climb the canopy tower for a bird's-eye view across the treetops, where birdlife is often most active. Later, glide across the quiet waters of Lake Tres Chimbadas, watching for wildlife along its shores and learning about this freshwater habitat. Between outings, return to the lodge for meals and rest, letting the day unfold at the forest's own rhythm.
Wildlife & the forest after dark
Walk the forest trails with your guide, learning to notice the details that are easily missed: tracks, calls, insects and the intricate relationships between plants and animals. A visit to a clay lick offers the chance to see parrots and other birds gathering, when conditions are favourable. After sunset, a guided night walk shows another side of the rainforest, as new sounds rise and small nocturnal creatures emerge along the trails.
The forest through local knowledge
See the rainforest through the eyes of those who know it best. At the Ethnobotanical Centre, learn about medicinal plants and their traditional uses, and the close relationship between community life and the surrounding forest. Further guided exploration lets you follow your own interests, whether birds, plants or the wider ecology of Tambopata. Return to the lodge for a final evening, accompanied by sounds that have become familiar over your stay.
A farewell to the rainforest
After breakfast, travel back by river and road to Puerto Maldonado, where the lodge team accompanies you to the airport for your flight to Lima or your onward destination. Leave with memories of two distinct worlds: the mountain heritage of the Andes and the intricate life of the Amazon.
Included / not included
INCLUDED
- Handpicked stays in the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Posada Amazonas, with daily breakfast
- Private transfers throughout the Andes, with local guides who bring each place to life
- A stop in Chinchero or at the Taray viewpoint, according to your arrival time
- Guided visits to the terraces of Moray and the salt pans of Maras, with lunch in the valley
- Scenic train journey along the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu Pueblo, with a guided visit to Machu Picchu
- Pisac Market and an encounter with Andean camelids and traditional weaving at Awanakancha
- Guided visits to Cusco's landmarks, San Pedro Market and the artisan quarter of San Blas
- Road and river journey between Puerto Maldonado and Posada Amazonas
- Four nights at Posada Amazonas, with all meals and naturalist-led explorations of the rainforest
- Entrance fees to the places you visit
- Dedicated support throughout your journey, with local coordinators
NOT INCLUDED
- International and domestic flights, unless otherwise specified in your proposal.
- Meals not featured in the itinerary, including lunch on Day 4.
- Optional experiences and extensions, including time in Lima.
- Late check-out and additional hotel services.
- Travel insurance
- Room upgrades at Posada Amazonas or an alternative rainforest lodge, available on request.
HAND PICKED HOTELS
Choose a stop on the journey to see the accommodation available. Warm hospitality, elegance and an unbeatable location; if you have a place in mind that you don’t see here, we’ll book it for you anywhere in Peru.
