Description
Your first stop on this adventurous holiday to Peru is Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca empire, for a stay at La Casona, a former 16th century mansion. Stroll around this beautiful colonial city enjoying delicious Peruvian cuisine, conserving your energy for the next part of your adventure: a five night trek staying at the Mountain Lodges of Peru along the route. Completely off the beaten track, each luxury lodge has a hot tub - perfect after a day’s trekking along the Salkantay Trail through ever-changing Andean scenery, over high mountain passes, past ancient Inca stairways, snow-capped peaks and remote Andean communities.
Once you reach Machu Picchu you’ll spend a night at Inkaterra Machu Picchu, amidst beautiful gardens full of orchids and hummingbirds, before heading into the Amazon rainforest for an enchanting three night cruise on the luxurious M/V Aria exploring the Ucayali, Yarapa and Yanallpa rivers, Piranha fishing and visits into the jungle to view Amazon monkeys, three-toed sloths and caimans at home in their habitat. Enjoy watching the infamous Amazon pink dolphins at play, journey to the headwaters and learn from the expert naturalist guides about the diverse wildlife in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and stay up late to glimpse the nocturnal species that creep into view after dusk.
Itinerary
When to travel
April to October is best for time for visiting Peru’s Andean region and main highlights. It is typically sunny in the day and cold at night due to altitude. Heavy rains last from December to end of February with January and February being the wettest months. Peru is very popular in the high season, especially during their many cultural festivals such as Inti Raymi on 24 June, so best to book well in advance.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
When to travel
April to October is best for time for visiting Peru’s Andean region and main highlights. It is typically sunny in the day and cold at night due to altitude. Heavy rains last from December to end of February with January and February being the wettest months. Peru is very popular in the high season, especially during their many cultural festivals such as Inti Raymi on 24 June, so best to book well in advance.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Cuzco, Salkantay Trail, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Iquitos
The first three nights are spent in La Casona, located on the serene Plaza Las Nazarenas on the cobbled streets of the historic city of Cusco. Then to the Mountain Lodges of Peru, the first lodge is a 3-hour 30-minute drive from Cuzco. The Mountain Lodges are spread out along the Salkantay Trail, allowing you the unique opportunity to trek to Machu Picchu whilst experiencing spectacular scenery in an authentically unspoilt area Sacred Valley. Next onto Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes village) at 2,450 meters (8,038 ft.). Inkaterra Machu Picchu is a 20-minute drive from Machu Picchu. Then back to Cusco and La Casona for a night before finishing your journey with three nights onboard the luxurious M/V Aria which departs from the town of Iquitos and travels through the tributaries of the northern Peruvian Amazon.
How to get there
16-hour flight from London to Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport (via Madrid), followed by a 1-hour 15-minute domestic flight to Cuzco.
