Luxury Peruvian Amazon Cruise with Cusco & Machu Picchu

Itinerary in brief:

• 1 night in Lima
• 5 nights aboard the Amazon Star cruise
• 2 nights in Cusco
• 1 night in Aguas Calientes
• 1 night in Cusco

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flight

Day 2: Arrive in Lima

When you land in Lima, you’ll be met by your guide and driver who will drive you to your hotel in the city, and explain a little about Lima as you drive. You’ll have the rest of the day at leisure to rest or explore a little of this city.

Included:  Private transfer, hotel

Day 3: Flight to Iquitos and boarding the Amazon Star cruise

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the airport to catch your flight to Iquitos, the capital of the Peruvian Amazon. On arrival, you’ll be met and driven by a private car to the Explorama port to board the Amazon Star.

On board, you’ll get a welcome drink and hear an orientation and safety briefing; then you’ll set sail along the Amazon - the longest river in the world. Tonight you’ll have a welcome dinner buffet and a briefing about what’s going on tomorrow.

Included:  Private transfer, domestic flight, dinner, overnight on the Amazon Star           

Day 4: Amazon River exploration and Yarapa River

Early this morning, you can choose to go to the bar deck for some bird watching. As a country, Peru has the second highest number of bird species in the world, and the Amazon is home to most of them!

After breakfast, you’ll go on a guided skiff exploration to see the jungle, some local villages and to look out for wildlife. After lunch, there will be another skiff exploration of the black water Yarapa River; a natural reserve that’s protected by a local community. Look out for monkeys, bats, and sloths who make their home on the banks and in the trees. Tonight you’ll have dinner and hear the next day´s briefing.

Included: All meals and excursions, overnight on the Amazon Star          

Day 5: Yanallpa, Village visit, Dorado creek

Begin your day with an optional bird watching activity from the Bar Deck. Today you will visit Yanallpa, a beautiful creek near the Ucayali River. You’ll visit a village and a school to learn about the culture and everyday life in the Amazon. You can also buy beautiful handicrafts and help the sustainability of the community.

After lunch, a naturalist guide will talk to you about the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and spend some time exploring. Tonight, there’s a night safari on the Dorado Creek where you can look out for birds including the Common Potoo, Great Potoo, nightjars and night herons, as well as other nocturnal wildlife. Later, you’ll have dinner and hear the next day´s briefing.

Included: All meals and excursions, overnight on the Amazon Star          

Day 6: Pacaya River, Yuracocha Lake

There’s an early start this morning with a 6 am wake-up call, so you can have breakfast and then jump into a boat exploration along the Pacaya River to look for red howler and spider monkeys that live here. After lunch, there’s an expert talk from a naturalist guide about the source of the Amazon River, followed by a skiff exploration to Yuracocha Lake where you can see some spectacular giant water Lilies. Later, you’ll have dinner and participate in the next day´s briefing.

Included: All meals and excursions, overnight on the Amazon Star          

Day 7: Supay creek & San Jose de Paranpura village

After an early breakfast, you’ll go for a skiff exploration to the Supay Creek on the lookout for the Pigmy Marmoset, the world’s smallest monkey who lives in the canopy and loves to snack on tree sap.

Before lunch, you’ll hear another talk on tales from the Amazon; then you’ll visit a village. You’ll meet a shaman at San Jose de Paranpura Village who will explain his traditional healing techniques, some medicinal plants and the spiritual practices. The shaman will perform a traditional blessing for those who are interested in taking part.

Returning to the ship, you’ll get to witness an Amazon sunset over the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañon Rivers before dinner is served. Get a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s early disembarkation.

Included: All meals and excursions, overnight on the Amazon Star          

Day 8: Iquitos to Cusco

Breakfast is served very early this morning so you can disembark the ship at Nauta City by 5 am. You’ll be driven to the airport for your flight to Cusco, where you’ll be met and driven to your hotel.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, domestic flight, hotel

Day 9: Cusco city tour

Your day starts with a guided city tour of Cusco. You’ll visit the colonial centre of this beautiful city and take in the main sights including the cathedral dominating the grand Plaza de Armas and the Santo Domingo Convent. Your guide will also take you to the Inca ruins that are situated just outside the city, including the Sacsayhuaman fortress.

After the tour, you’ll be driven back to your hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure.        

Included: Breakfast, city tour, hotel       

Day 10: Machu Picchu

In the morning you’ll be driven to the train station to catch a train to Aguas Calientes, a small village that’s the gateway to Machu Picchu. Your guide will meet you and accompany you on the short bus ride to Machu Picchu.

Here you’ll have a privately guided tour but also have some time to visit the ruins at your own pace.

After the tour, you’ll hop back on the bus to Aguas Calientes, where lunch is included in a local restaurant, with the afternoon will be free for you to spend as you wish.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, train, bus ticket, lunch, entrance fee, guided tour, hotel  

Day 11: Cusco          

This morning you have the option to return to Machu Picchu and explore at your leisure (please ask us for a second entrance ticket if you choose this). Alternatively, you’ll have a morning at leisure in Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, make your way to the train station and board the train back to Cusco, where you’ll be met and driven back to your hotel.

Included: Breakfast, train, transfers, hotel          

Day 12: Depart Cusco         

Today you’ll be collected and driven to the airport for your flight home.

Included: Breakfast, transfer, international flight           

Day 13: Arrive UK    

Land back in the UK.

Why not add in a stopover?