Overview
Your itinerary begins in Cusco with a hands-on culinary class to prepare causa limeña and pisco sours, then explores the Sacred Valley alongside local Quechua communities. You will hike the Short Inca Trail via Wiñay Wayna to enter Machu Picchu through the iconic Sun Gate, followed by a dedicated guided tour of the citadel. Next, ascend past alpine valleys and native wildlife toward the striking, mineral-rich slopes of Rainbow Mountain at over 16,000 feet. The journey then transitions seamlessly to the Peruvian Amazon basin at Puerto Maldonado. Motorized canoes and quiet paddling on Lake Sandoval bring you face-to-face with caimans, giant river otters, capuchins, and vibrant bird species in their natural habitat. With pre-arranged 3-star accommodations, regional flights, essential permits, and local guides included, every detail of your transition between highlands and rainforest is handled.
Travelers seeking a combined Andean trek and Amazon river safari often face complex logistics when coordinating trail entries, high-altitude transit, and remote jungle lodge access. By integrating regional transfers, specialized permits, and local experts into a single seamless route, this eight-day program eliminates planning friction, allowing you to focus entirely on Peru’s diverse landscapes. Secure your reservation to experience both regions efficiently in one trip.
Summary
Cusco – Historic Center
Arrive in Cusco and transfer to your hotel, followed by an orientation meeting with your guide. In the afternoon, enjoy a historic walking tour of the city and a hands-on Peruvian cooking class to make causa limeña and pisco sours, ending with a welcome group dinner.
Sacred Valley – Chinchero – Ollantaytambo
Drive up the Sacred Valley to visit an indigenous Quechua community outside Chinchero. Learn about native farming, weaving traditions, and Andean culture through music and dance before transferring to Ollantaytambo for the night.
Ollantaytambo – Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Inti Punku – Aguas Calientes
Take an early morning scenic train to Km 104 to begin the Short Inca Trail. Hike past the Chachabamba ruins up to the Wiñay Wayna archaeological complex for lunch. Continue to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Board an early bus up to Machu Picchu for a 2.5-hour guided tour of the citadel, followed by time for independent exploration. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by private transit to your Cusco hotel.
Cusco – South Valley – Rainbow Mountain – Cusco
Depart early for the South Valley, stopping for breakfast before beginning the high-altitude hike with views of Mount Ausangate and local wildlife like vicuñas. Reach the summit of Rainbow Mountain at over 16,000 feet, then descend for lunch before returning to Cusco.
Cusco – Puerto Maldonado – Madre de Dios River – Lake Sandoval
Transfer to the Cusco airport for a flight to Puerto Maldonado. Travel by motorized canoe down the Madre de Dios River to the entrance of Lake Sandoval. Hike the forest trail and paddle across the lake to the jungle lodge, then end the day with a night boat safari to spot caimans.
Lake Sandoval – Tambopata National Reserve
Embark on an early morning boat excursion to spot giant river otters and active bird species at sunrise. Hike through primary rainforest to see ancient trees, then take an afternoon boat tour along the western shore to spot capuchin monkeys, ending with an evening wildlife outing.
Lake Sandoval – Puerto Maldonado – Lima
Take a final morning paddle through the palm swamps of Lake Sandoval before trekking back to the river and taking a boat to Puerto Maldonado. Transfer to the local airport for your connecting flight to Lima.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Historic Center
Activities: Hotel check-in and orientation meeting; afternoon guided walking tour of historic Cusco; hands-on cooking class preparing causa limeña and pisco sours; welcome group dinner.
Day 2: Sacred Valley – Chinchero – Ollantaytambo
Activities: Scenic drive into the Sacred Valley; cultural outreach visit to an indigenous Quechua community near Chinchero; interactive presentation on sustainable farming, weaving, music, and traditional attire; transfer to Ollantaytambo.
Day 3: Ollantaytambo – Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Inti Punku – Aguas Calientes
Activities: Scenic morning train ride to Km 104; 13 km (8 mi) hike along the Short Inca Trail; guided exploration of the Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna archaeological sites; box lunch at Wiñay Wayna; hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for panoramic views of Machu Picchu; bus descent to Aguas Calientes.
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Activities: Early-morning bus to the citadel; 2.5-hour guided historical tour of Machu Picchu; self-guided exploration (or optional Huayna Picchu climb); bus down to Aguas Calientes; train back to Ollantaytambo; private vehicle transfer to Cusco.
Day 5: Cusco – South Valley – Rainbow Mountain – Cusco
Activities: Early morning 4:00 AM departure through the South Valley; breakfast at a local restaurant; 7 km round-trip hike along streams, potato fields, and vicuña habitats; 30 minutes at the summit of Rainbow Mountain; downhill return hike; lunch before the 3-hour drive back to Cusco.
Day 6: Cusco – Puerto Maldonado – Madre de Dios River – Lake Sandoval
Activities: Flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado; land transfer to Tambopata River dock; motorized canoe trip down the Madre de Dios River; 3 km (2 mi) rainforest trail walk; paddle canoe navigation across Lake Sandoval to the lodge; dusk dinner; night boat safari to spot caimans.
DAY 7: Lake Sandoval – Tambopata National Reserve
Activities: Sunrise boat excursion to spot giant river otters and prehistoric hoatzin birds; late breakfast; guided hike through primary rainforest understory to observe ancient chestnut trees; afternoon boat trip along the western shore to observe capuchin monkeys; jungle educational video presentation; night caiman-spotting excursion.
Day 8: Lake Sandoval – Puerto Maldonado – Lima
Activities: Final morning canoe trip through palm swamps and flooded forests; return hike to the river dock; motorized canoe transfer to Puerto Maldonado; airport transfer for flight to Lima.
Details
What Trip Includes
What Trip Excludes
Packing List
What to bring?
Additional articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Destinations
Inca Trail vs Salkantay: Which Trek Is Right for You? | Crossover Peru
Both routes end at Machu Picchu. Almost nothing else about them is the same. One…
Huarari Cave: Spelunking One of Cusco’s Last Unexplored Caves
A cave outside a small town in the highlands of Chumbivilcas is one a 19th-century…
Peruvian Football That Will Blow Your Mind!
Hey, soccer fans! You think you know passion? You think you know Peruvian football? Wait…
T’aqrachullo Archaeological Site: The Definitive Guide to Discovering This New Gem of Cusco
Imagine a vast Inca citadel stretching across an Andean plateau, surrounded by deep canyons and…