Peru Natural Explorers

Preserving wildlife from coast to jungle

13 days

LIMA | PIURA | AMAZON JUNGLE | CUSCO | SACRED VALLEY | MACHU PICCHU

Embark on a 13-day journey through Peru’s landscapes and culture, where nature takes center stage. Peru is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, and this adventure will lead you through strikingly contrasting ecosystems: from the arid deserts and the waters of the Pacific coast, to the tropical rainforest of the Amazon, and the high mountain ranges and cloud forests surrounding Machu Picchu. Along the way, you may encounter majestic humpback whales, elusive jaguars, and the legendary anaconda. Your journey includes an unforgettable stay deep within the Tambopata Reserve, in the heart of the Amazon, immersing you in one of the richest and most vibrant natural environments on Earth.

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whale

Highlights:

  • NWhale Watching in Northern Peru: Observe humpback whales, dolphins, and sea lions off the Pacific coast (July–October).
  • NAmazon Rainforest at Tambopata: Stay at one of the most remote lodges in South America, explore canopy trails, and visit a macaw clay lick.
  • NCusco Walking Tour: Walk ancient Inca roads and discover Sacsayhuamán, Qoricancha, and San Pedro Market.
  • NSacred Valley: Visit Chinchero’s weaving workshops, the circular terraces of Moray, salt pans of Maras, and the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo.
  • NMachu Picchu: Take a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes and explore the iconic Inca citadel with a guided tour.

Starting at (base 4):

$2958

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Peru!

Upon arrival at Jorge Chávez International Lima Airport (154 m|505 ft), we will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores. You’ll have free time to relax and begin acclimatizing at your own pace.
Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: Lima Through the Ages, Ancient Roots & Colonial Splendor (B)

Discover Lima’s rich history in a half-day tour that spans thousands of years.
Start at the Larco Museum, housed in an 18th-century mansion atop a 7th-century pyramid. This world-class museum features over 45,000 artifacts, including an iconic collection of erotic pottery, open archives, and beautiful gardens. Enjoy a tasting of Lucuma mousse, a classic Peruvian dessert, at the museum café.

Then head to Lima’s Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where colonial architecture meets vibrant city life. Visit the Convent of Santo Domingo, one of Lima’s best-preserved religious sites from the Viceroyal era, with its ornate baroque design and peaceful courtyards.
A perfect introduction to Lima’s ancient heritage and colonial charm—all in one unforgettable morning.
Overnight in Lima

Day 3: Northbound to the Sun - Arrival in Piura - Vichayito (B)

Take a domestic flight from Lima to Piura, the gateway to Peru’s northern coast and warm desert landscapes. Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you to the Refuge. You will stay in a fully equipped, comfortable tent right on the beachfront. The Pacific Ocean breeze and the sound of the waves will immerse you in nature.
The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore at your own pace. Whether you choose to unwind at the hotel, take a bath QUITAR take a stroll through Piura’s colonial squares, or sample northern Peruvian cuisine, the afternoon offers a gentle start to your next adventure.
Overnight in Vichayito Beach

Day 4: Whale Song & Ocean Wonders – Marine Safari in Northern Peru (B)

Set out early this morning for an unforgettable marine wildlife expedition off the coast of northern Peru. Hop aboard and sail into the Pacific blue, as we search for one of the ocean’s most iconic visitors — the majestic humpback whale.

From July to October, these giants migrate to the warm equatorial waters to breed and give birth, offering an incredible opportunity to witness their spectacular surface displays — breaches, tail slaps, and more. With a 98% chance of spotting humpbacks on our dedicated tours, it’s one of nature’s most awe-inspiring performances.

But the adventure doesn’t end there. Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins, curious sea lions, graceful sea turtles, and even other whale species as we cruise through this rich marine ecosystem. Every trip offers a new surprise and a deeper connection to the ocean’s rhythms.

After the excursion, enjoy time for lunch at leisure, then transfer to the airport for your domestic flight back to Lima.
Overnight in Lima.

Day 5: Into the Heart of the Amazon – Arrival at Tambopata Research Center (B/L/D)

This morning, take a domestic flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to Peru’s southern Amazon. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed by a guide from the lodge, who will accompany you on your journey deep into the jungle.

Your destination: the Tambopata Research Center (TRC), located inside the Tambopata National Reserve, near the edge of Bahuaja Sonene National Park. One of the most remote eco-lodges in South America, TRC offers a truly immersive rainforest experience — far from civilization and surrounded by some of the richest biodiversity on Earth.

The journey to the lodge is an adventure in itself, involving a combination of road and river travel, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed with a tropical drink and a short orientation before settling into your room.

The lodge features 300 meters (almost 1,000 feet) of elevated walkways, designed to place you right at the mid-story level of the rainforest — between the canopy and the forest floor — where wildlife is most active. Expect to hear the calls of howler monkeys, spot colorful toucans, or even see squirrel monkeys swinging overhead.
Overnight at the lodge.

Day 6: Life in the Canopy – Macaws, Monkeys & Jungle Trails (B/L/D)

Wake up to the sounds of the Amazon and begin your day with an early morning visit to one of the largest macaw clay licks in the world, just a short distance from the lodge. Here, you may witness dozens of scarlet, blue-and-gold, and red-and-green macaws gathering in a dazzling display of color and sound as they feed on the mineral-rich clay.

After breakfast, join a guided walk along the lodge’s network of trails and canopy walkways, learning about the unique plant and animal life of this region. You may spot agoutis, peccaries, capuchins, or even a giant river otter if you’re lucky.

In the afternoon, enjoy a naturalist-led talk about rainforest ecology or participate in a citizen science project, contributing to the ongoing research that TRC is known for. This is one of the few lodges where guests actively engage in scientific discovery alongside researchers.

After dinner, opt for a night walk to experience the jungle’s nocturnal side — where frogs sing, insects flash, and the forest truly comes alive.
Overnight at the lodge.

Day 7: Deep Jungle Discovery – Trails, Towers & Tree Canopies

Today offers the chance to explore even deeper into the surrounding rainforest. Choose from a range of guided excursions tailored to your interests and fitness level, from wildlife tracking and medicinal plant walks to visiting oxbow lakes and birdwatching hotspots.

Walk through the elevated canopy network, suspended at the perfect level to see arboreal creatures like sloths, howler monkeys, and vibrant tanager species. TRC’s unique positioning allows for encounters with some of the highest biodiversity per hectare in the world.

In the afternoon, relax in a hammock, journal your experiences, or review camera trap footage with researchers. Before dinner, join a sunset river cruise to listen to the jungle’s transition from day to night — a soundscape like no other.
Overnight at the lodge.

Day 8: From Rainforest to Highlands – Journey to Cusco

After an early breakfast, bid farewell to the Amazon as you begin your return journey down the Tambopata River, soaking in the final sights and sounds of the jungle — perhaps a glimpse of capybaras on the riverbank or a last call from a distant howler monkey.

Your naturalist guide will accompany you back to Puerto Maldonado, where you’ll board a domestic flight to Cusco, the historic heart of the Andes and gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

As the lush lowlands give way to soaring mountain peaks, reflect on your time in the rainforest — a vivid experience of wildlife, wilderness, and wonder that few places on Earth can match.
Overnight in Cusco.

Day 9: Walking Tour of Cusco – Discovering Hanan & Hurin Qosqo (B)

Enjoy a full day walking through Cusco’s most iconic sites, starting in Hanan Qosqo (Upper Cusco) with the impressive Sacsayhuamán complex, an Inca ceremonial center and administrative hub.

We’ll then follow an ancient Inca road through the San Cristóbal district, visiting the Manco Cápac Palace, and continue to San Blas, the artisans’ neighborhood. At the Mirador, enjoy a traditional drink with stunning views before heading down to Hurin Qosqo (Lower Cusco), stopping at the famous Twelve-Angled Stone.

After lunch, explore the sacred Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and the historic Plaza de Armas (Haucaypata). We’ll walk along the royal Qapac Ñan road, passing San Francisco Plaza and the Chaquilchaca neighborhood, ending the day at the lively San Pedro Market, where local culture and products come alive.
Overnight in Cusco

Day 10: Legacy of the Andes - Chinchero, Moray, Maras & Ollantaytambo (B/L)

Today, enjoy a private, full-day journey through the Sacred Valley, exploring sites rich in ancestral wisdom, natural beauty, and living tradition.

Begin in Chinchero, a scenic Andean village where a colonial church stands atop the palace of Túpac Inca Yupanqui. Meet local weaver women who preserve Inca traditions through textiles dyed with natural pigments. Visit open-air workshops to see their artistry in action, a living expression of Andean knowledge. While visits are free, purchases or tips are appreciated.

Next, head to Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory of circular terraces ingeniously designed to create varied microclimates for crop experimentation.

Continue to the salt pans of Maras, where local families still harvest salt using a pre-Inca method, passed down for generations.

Finally, Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town known for its imposing fortress, cobbled streets, and original Inca infrastructure still in use today.
Overnight in Sacred Valley

Day 11: Journey to the Sacred – Machu Picchu Citadel (B)

This morning, board a scenic train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, following the winding Urubamba River through lush cloud forest and towering mountain landscapes — an unforgettable journey into the heart of Inca territory.

Upon arrival, you’ll ascend by bus to the iconic Machu Picchu Citadel, where your expert guide will lead a 2.5-hour walking tour through one of the world’s greatest architectural and spiritual masterpieces. Perched between two Andean peaks at the edge of the Amazon, Machu Picchu spans over 32,500 hectares of protected sanctuary, rich with biodiversity and Inca heritage.

Explore its most iconic landmarks, including the Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana, and the complex system of terraces and ceremonial plazas that once formed the heart of the Inca world.

After the tour, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch.

Stay overnight in Aguas Calientes (recommended if you plan to re-enter Machu Picchu the next day on your own, without a guide).
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 12: Return to Cusco or Optional Second Visit to Machu Picchu (B)

This morning, you may choose to re-enter Machu Picchu on your own to explore at your own pace or hike one of the nearby peaks such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (advance tickets required).

Alternatively, take the morning train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a vehicle transfer to Cusco through the Sacred Valley.
Overnight in Cusco.

Day 13: Farewell Peru (B)

Today you’ll take your domestic flight from Cusco to Lima in time to connect with your international departure. We hope this journey has brought you closer to the heart of Peru.

B: Breakfast– L: Lunch – BL: Box Lunch - D: Dinner

Where is your trip?

Hotels (*)

Tourist Category

  • Lima: Antigua Miraflores
  • Piura:Aranwa Vichayito Standard Tents
  • Puerto Maldonado: Tambopata Research center
  • Cusco: Moaf Sonesta Cusco
  • Sacred Valley: San Agustín Urubamba
  • Aguas Calientes: Hatun Inti El Mapi

Comfort Category

  • Lima: Arawi Express
  • Piura: Aranwa Vichayito Superior Tents
  • Puerto Maldonado: Tambopata Research Center
  • Cusco: Sonesta Cusco
  • Sacred Valley: San Agustin Urubamba
  • Aguas Calientes: El Mapi

(*) Or similar in each category

Know before you book

Included

  • Accommodation in selected hotels or similar, based on double rooms with breakfast.

  • All transfers in and from airports or bus stations in private service.

  • Meals as specified in the itinerary.

  • All excursions in shared services except: Paracas National Reserve, Cahuachi Pyramids, City Tour Arequipa, Full Day Machu Picchu (private tours).

  • Shared groups of max. 12 participants, unless specified.

  • Ground transport in shared or private tourist buses as indicated.

  • Entrance fees to all archaeological sites, monuments, national parks, and museums listed (unless otherwise noted)

  • Train Expedition or Upgrade to Vistadome to and from Machu Picchu.

  • Professional local guides (private or as specified).

  • Ongoing assistance by phone and coordination from our Lima office and local partners.

  • 24-hour emergency contact number.

Not Included

  • Local or international Flights
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance
  • Anything not explicitly mentioned in the program