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12 Day itinerary in Peru, South America

Peru: As seen on Families Love Travel

12 days to explore together with your family! During this trip, everyone in the family will find something they will absolutely love. Feel the speed of the rapids that take you on a journey on a rafting day. Explore the history and magnificent traditions while visiting Machu Picchu! Slow down during... Read More

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SandraLeslieIsaacEli

By Sandra, Leslie, Isaac and Eli

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Minimum 9
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Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Lima

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Hiking

Visit markets

Meet local people

Historic & cultural landmarks

Outdoors & Nature

Classic Sights

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Raft the challenging Vilcanota River

2

Walk through ancient Machu Picchu on a guided tour

3

Discover Cuzco - the former capital of the Inca Empire

4

Hike in the heart of the Amazon

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Lima Arrival Day

Upon arrival to Lima Airport, you will be transferred to Lima City for your tonight's accommodation. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy on your own!

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Arawi Miraflores Express
  • 4* Hotel: Arawi Miraflores Prime
Day 2

place Flight from Lima to Cusco

You will be picked up from your accommodation in time for your flight from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival to Cusco, you will be transferred to your tonight's accommodation. Take your time to discover your new surroundings on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Hotel Las Quenas
  • 4* Hotel: Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Historico
Day 3

place Cuzco Rafting & Zip-Line Adventure

Today you will be picked up at your accommodation in Cusco between 8:30 - 9:00 am. You will then have a half-hour drive to reach Oropesa, a small Andean town known for its homemade bread. Here we will make a stop to pick up some fresh bread for lunch before heading to the rafting starting point, where your exciting adventure will begin. You will get geared up and receive a safety briefing from your professional rafting guide. Head out into the water on the Vilcanota River, one of Peru's most important rivers for whitewater rafting. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes you will enjoy this super fun class III, III+ and IV rapids with new friends! After hours of thrilling adventure on the Vilcanota River, you will reach the camp where you can change into dry clothes and have a tasty lunch. Then, at the same camp, get the chance to go down 2 fun ziplines. You will be dropped off around 17:00, at the city center of Cusco after this amazing day.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Hotel Las Quenas
  • 4* Hotel: Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Historico
Day 4

place Travel to Aguas Calientes

Accommodation pick-up in Cusco and transfer to Ollantaytambo for the journey to Aguas Calientes by train on the Peru Railway, with amazing views of the Andean mountains on the way. Wander through the quaint town of Aguas Calientes on your own and have a fulfilling lunch at a touristic restaurant. In the town, you will find internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax. Enjoy a typical dinner at a local restaurant on your own. Your guide will meet with you to give you indications for the next day.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Inti Punku Machupicchu Hotel & Suites
  • 4* Hotel: Inti Punku Machupicchu Hotel & Suites
Day 5

place Visit Machu Picchu

Take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. Meet up with your English speaking guide for a visit to the archaeological site (approximately 2 hours). After your tour, your guide will return to Aguas Calientes and you will be on your own with plenty of free time to explore the hidden corners of this ancient Inca city. Choose from the optional treks to climb Huayna Picchu (at an additional cost - needs to be booked at least 2 weeks in advance) or walk to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for panoramic views of the site. Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Return to Ollantaytambo by train and finish the trip with a van back to Cuzco late that day. Upon arrival to Cusco City Center, you will need to make your own way to your accommodation.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Hotel Las Quenas
  • 4* Hotel: Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Historico
Day 6

place Tour of Cusco

After being picked up from your accommodation, you will head towards the ancient city of Cusco, once the glorious capital of the Inca Empire and the center of the world. Explore the cobblestone streets built atop Inca pathways and imagine yourself walking among the flawlessly built ancient Inca roads that once led to the modern-day Plaza de Armas from faraway lands. You will then continue the journey outside the city and discover the impressive archaeological sites of Saqsayhuaman, Q'enqo amphitheater, Pucapucara Red Fortress and Tambomachay, the Inca bath. Get the opportunity to learn more about the importance of these incredible sites on this guided tour and be amazed at the impressive engineering skills it took to build these giant fortresses so high in the Andes mountains. Enjoy stunning panoramic views over the city and fresh mountain air before returning to Cusco and being dropped off at your accommodation.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Hotel Las Quenas
  • 4* Hotel: Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Historico
Day 7

place Travel from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado

Today, you will be picked up at your accommodation & transferred to Cusco airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Welcome and reception at the airport of Puerto Maldonado. Depending on when you arrive, you might first be transferred to our local office and wait for the rest of the group to arrive before taking the boat transfer (with the purpose of preserving the environment and using less amounts of gasoline). There you'll be able to rest, have a snack, coffee and use wifi internet. Around noon, once the whole group has arrived, you'll transfer to the boat wharf, Port Captain, located 15 min from the airport. Begin the 1-hour boat ride to your Eco-Lodge while enjoying the wonders of the rainforest. We set off down the Madre de Dios River through the heart of the jungle surrounded by flora, fauna and breathtaking scenery. Arrive at your Eco-Lodge and settle into your private bungalow. Take a short rest before meeting with your guide followed by an introduction walk around the lodge and its trails. Winding past giant Kapok trees, walking palms and strangler figs while being dazzled by the sounds of native birds. Return to your bungalow for a rest. Before dinner, you may choose to take a walk with your guide and experience the jungle as it transforms from day into night, making way for nocturnal animals and birds especially adapted for the dark. Return to the dining hall with your guide for your first dinner in the rainforest and enjoy a typical meal from this region. After dinner, you may return to your bungalow or meet with other tourist and share your stories and experiences.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Amazon Planet Peru
  • 4* Hotel: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion
Day 8

place Jungle Walk–Taricaya Reserve

After breakfast begin your adventure with a walk through the jungle through towering trees. We will arrive at our first platforms located 15 and 25 meters high in the branches of an old fig tree. Continue your walk into the Taricaya reserve towards the Canopy platform, the highest tree platform in the Amazon rainforest, 45 meters high and connected by a 90-meter long suspension bridge. Catch a glimpse of flying Macaws, parrots Toucans or the infamous Harpy eagle; the views from this platform are truly unforgettable! Continue into the reserve until we reach the animal rescue center where you will encounter many different wild animals including a jaguar, Puma, toucans, macaws, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, jaguarondi, bush dog, tapirs and more. Stop at the butterfly house before returning to the lodge for lunch. After lunch walk to the Agroforestry farm and visit the reforestation projects of mahogany, cedar, cocoa, coffee and tropical flowers. Visit the Taricaya turtle project and its artificial beaches. Return to the lodge in your own inflatable boat as the sun sets. Take a rest before we finish the day’s activities with a caiman search along the river’s edge in a motorboat under moonlight. End the day with a delicious dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Amazon Planet Peru
  • 4* Hotel: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion
Day 9

place Tambopata National Reserve - Lake Sandoval

Have an early breakfast before traveling by boat upriver for 45 minutes to the entrance of the Tambopata National Reserve and begin the trek to Lake Sandoval. Paddle in a rowboat around the pristine mirror like lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery with the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife such as the endangered giant river otter, howler monkeys, macaws and black caiman. Take a snack by the waters edge before continuing around the lake. Finishing with a walk back to the river where we board our motorboat and return to the lodge. Lunch and rest. Navigate the Madre de Dios River in your own inflatable boat with the opportunity to see turtles, monkeys, herons and other birds with a beautiful backdrop of the sunset over the river. End the day with a Farewell dinner.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Amazon Planet Peru
  • 4* Hotel: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion
Day 10

place Boat to Puerto Maldonado-Puerto Maldonado Drop-off

Enjoy an early breakfast at your lodge before your 8:00am departure and a scenic return boat trip on the Madre de Dios River bringing us back to Puerto Maldonado by 9:30am approx. Depending on your return flight, you can be taken directly to the airport or dropped off at the office where you can rest, refresh yourself and use the wi-fi. If time permits, you have the option of visiting the Puerto Maldonado city center on your own today and exploring a few of the interesting sights of this jungle city by motor taxi at an additional cost. Choose to have lunch in town, take a stroll through the local markets where you will find everything from fish, meat and fruits to local arts and medicines or make your own way up to the Obelisk and admire the scenic view from above. In time for your flight return to the office to catch your transfer to the airport or bus terminal. Catch your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative for a transfer to your tonight's accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Arawi Miraflores Express
  • 4* Hotel: Arawi Miraflores Prime
Day 11

place Taste your way through Lima

Today you have a late morning! Enjoy a light breakfast at your hotel and get ready or your next and last adventure of this trip. Around 10M you need to be ready to meet up for your today's gastronomy tour of Lima. The food-loving traveler would love this culinary excursion. This culinary tour of Lima's historic core will satisfy your appetite if you appreciate trying foods from all over the world. You will get to taste Chicharron bread, in the Central Market you will be able to taste typical fruits and visit the local stores, refresh yourself with Chicha morada, then we continue to Plaza Mayor and from there we will go to the Alameda, popularly known for its street food carts. In this area you can taste typical Peruvian food. After approximately 4 hours of tasting your way through Lima, your tour will be over & you can spend the rest of the day at leisure!

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • 3* Hotel: Arawi Miraflores Express
  • 4* Hotel: Arawi Miraflores Prime
Day 12

place Departure Day

Today it's time to say goodbye to Peru! Your airport transfer will pick you up in time for your upcoming flight!

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Arawi Miraflores Express
  • Hotel Las Quenas
  • Inti Punku Machupicchu Hotel & Suites
  • Amazon Planet Peru
  • Hotel Hacienda Cusco Centro Historico
  • Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion
  • Arawi Miraflores Prime
  • Inti Punku Machupicchu Hotel & Suites

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (11)
  • Lunch (5)
  • Dinner (3)

Transport expand_less

  • Domestic Flights
  • All transfers included in your day tours
  • All airport transfers

Activities expand_less

  • Cuzco Rafting & Zip-Line Adventure
  • Machu Picchu by Train
  • Cuzco City Tour
  • Puerto Maldonado Amazon rainforest
  • Gastronomic Street Food tour in Lima

Extras expand_less

  • 24/7 local assistance

Not Included expand_less

  • Other meals / drinks
  • International Flights
  • Personal Expenses
  • Tips & Gratuities

About Sandra

TEAM LEAD

+3 Local experts

verified Baboo Certified

star_outline 4.83 (12 reviews)

Expertise: 

Historic & cultural landmarks

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Outdoors & Nature

Beach & Sea

Food & Drink

I have been working in tourism for several years and I have traveled on my own to through Mexico.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$2,494.00 USD