Peru

with optional Amazon Extension

Length: 9 - 11 days  
Guaranteed Dates Available
 

Peru Educational Tour | Student at Machu Picchu
 
Map of Peru Educational Tour
 
Peru Educational Tour | Peruvians
 
  • Day 1 Start Tour
  • Day 2 Hola Lima
    Lima Guided Sightseeing Tour 
    Government PalaceCity HallCathedral of LimaMirafloresSan IsidroSan Francisco Convent visit
    Details: Lima Guided Sightseeing Tour
    Experience the vibrant culture and breathtaking architecture of this capital city overlooking the Pacific Ocean. See the vast neo-colonial Governmental Palace, the towering Cathedral of Lima with its 14 side doors and main “door of forgiveness”, go past the upscale San Isidro district and visit the San Francisco Convent.
    Details: Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology visit
    Get a thorough grounding in Peru's history and culture in this fascinating museum. Exhibits trace the country from prehistoric times through the present with collections of weapons, carvings, textiles, Inca jewelry, and ancient mummies and funeral objects. Check out the interactive model of Macchu Picchu, which explains the various sectors of the mysterious city.
  • Day 3 Lima--Cuzco
    Fly to Cuzco
    Cuzco Guided Sightseeing Tour 
    Tambo Machay, Qenko, Puca Pucara
    Details: Cuzco Guided Sightseeing Tour
    Colorful Cuzco was an important Inca center, and sites surrounding the town testify to the power of the empire. Begin your tour at Tambo Machay, the ritual baths probably used by nobility. Underground water bubbles up over the intricately carved stone platforms, creating a shower as it tumbles over the edge. The impressive stone at Qenko had a slightly less cleansing purpose -- each year, priests would pour llama blood over the top and watch its progress through the complicated zigzag pattern to determine the luck for the coming planting season. Puca Pucara was likely a hunting lodge or vacation home for the emperor; from its high position, you can gaze out at the glaciers in the south.
  • Day 4 Cuzco--Sacred Valley
    Indian Market
    Wildlife Sanctuary visit
    Details: Travel to Pisac via Ollantaytambo & Urubamba Valley
    Built to resemble an ear of maize, Ollantaytambo is one of the few remaining examples of Inca urban grid architecture. Get an overhead view from the fortress, still impressive all these centuries later. Continue on through the lush Urubamba Valley before reaching Pisac, which hosts a renowned crafts market three days a week.
    Details: Ollantaytambo Fortress
    Travel to this old town surrounded by the stunning snowcapped Andes Mountains to see the best surviving example of Incan town planning. The fortress itself is encased in impressive terrace walls that served the Incas well against the Spanish Conquistadors.
  • Day 5 Sacred Valley--Machu Picchu
    Train Ride to Machu Picchu
    Details: Explore Machu Picchu
    Get the best view of the most impressive site in South America as you arrive at Intipunko, or the "Sun Gate," overlooking Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is a stunning complex of buildings clinging to the surrounding mountains and above the Urubamba River. Much of the extensive city is still intact, showcasing the agility and skill of Inca stone work. (Legend claims that the Inca knew of leaves that would dissolve rock, allowing them to meld stones together when building; birds in the surrounding jungle have been known to melt nesting holes in the mountains themselves, supporting the theory, but the leaves have not been identified.) Archaeologists disagree about the purpose of Machu Picchu -- many believe it was a country retreat, others think it may have been a university.
    Details: Hike to Intipunko
    Climb the steep stairs up to Intipunku, or “The Gate of the Sun”, for a gorgeous aerial view of Machu Picchu below.
  • Day 6 Machu Picchu--Cuzco
    Machu Picchu free time
    Transfer back to Cuzco
  • Day 7 Cuzco
    Details: Rafting excursion down the Urubamba River
    Raft through the Sacred Valley, which winds through major Inca sites and beautiful scenery. Ancient fortresses loom on cliffs high above, while the river makes its slow way into the jungle.
  • Day 8 Cuzco to Lima & Flight Home
    Fly Back to Lima
    Details: Fly home
    In most cases, your flight home is overnight. You will return home on Day 9.
  • Day 9 Return Home

  • Or
  • Day 8 Cuzco--Puerto Maldonado
    Fly to Puerto Maldonado
    Explore Nocturnal Wildlife (weather permitting)
    Details: Motorized canoe to Lodge
    Take a motorized canoe to your base camp in the midst of the Amazon. Just over 15% of the Amazon rainforest is in Peru, covering about half the country.
  • Day 9 Amazon Landmarks
    Details: Jungle Hike & Activities
    Almost two billion acres large, the Amazon boasts over 2.5 million species of insects but does not stop there. Thousands upon thousands of fish, birds, mammals & reptiles also live here, making the Amazon home to more life than any other place in the world. Today spend your day exploring this land. Options may include Monkey Island, Observation Tower, Tres Chimbadas, or more.
  • Day 10 Puerto Maldonado--Lima & Flight Home
    Fly to Lima
    Details: Fly home
    In most cases, your flight home is overnight. You will return home on Day 11.
  • Day 11 Return Home
  •  
    Step
    1
    2
    3
    4
    price this tour


     

    Tour Includes:
    • Round-trip airfare
    • Breakfast daily
    • Overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
    • Lunch daily
    • Dinner daily
    • Full-time services of a professional Tour Director
    • Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
    • Tour Diary™
    • Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided