Classic Machu Picchu and 4 Day Aria Amazon Cruise
12 Days/11 Nights
From $6,279 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Overview
Appreciate the biodiversity and cultural richness of Peru on this captivating tour. Starting in Iquitos, you will have a four day Amazon cruise aboard the luxurious Aria Amazon that features exploration of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. Highlights include the observation of monkeys, freshwater dolphins, and other wildlife, and interaction with native villagers. Following the cruise, you will visit Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 11 nights (4 nights in Lima, 3 nights aboard the MV Aria Amazon, 3 nights in Cusco, and 1 night in Machu Picchu), and 21 meals (11 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 4 dinners).
Best Time to Go: June-November.
Destinations: South America and Peru.
Interests: Adventure, Culture & History, Expedition Cruising, Luxury, Sea Kayaking, and Wildlife Viewing.
Places Visited: Lima, Iquitos & the Northern Amazon, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 (Wed): Lima.
Day 2 (Thu): Lima-City Tour.
Day 3 (Fri): Lima-Iquitos-Nauta-Embarkation-Marañon River.
In the afternoon, you will set off on your first skiff excursion to visit the birthplace of the Amazon. At 6:00pm, you will board the Aria Amazon. Settle into your generously proportioned suite as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to your naturalist guides, you gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by the Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top ranked dining experiences. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 4 (Sat): Yanayacu Pucate River-Marañon River.
Day 5 (Sun): Samiria River-Nauta Caño or PNA (Amazonian National Park).
Day 6 (Mon): Nauta Town-Manatee Rescue Center-Transfer to the Airport-Lima.
Day 7 (Tue): Lima-Cusco-City Tour.
Day 8 (Wed): Cusco-Sacred Valley-Awanakancha-Pisac Market-Ollantaytambo.
Note: The Indian market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from October to March, and daily from April to September. On the days of the week that the market is not open, you will be taken to the Inca ruins above the village.
Day 9 (Thu): Cusco-Machu Picchu.
Day 10 (Fri): Machu Picchu-Cusco.
Note: Hiking Huayna Picchu requires a permit. To ensure availability, we recommend purchasing the permit at the time of booking.
Day 11 (Sat): Cusco-Lima-Folkloric Dinner Show.
Day 12 (Sun): Lima.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
A Note About Your Free Day in Machu Picchu
On your free day, you will be on your own. If you choose to revisit Machu Picchu, you will need to purchase a second entrance ticket, which currently costs $74 per person. If you are staying in Aguas Calientes, you will also need to purchase a round-trip bus ticket ($28 per person) for transportation to the site. The first bus departs at 5:30 AM. As an alternative to visiting Machu Picchu again, you can hike Huayna Picchu (a +/- 60 minute hike), or partake in another activity. The cost for hiking Huayna Picchu is $13 (in addition to the second entrance ticket). At the end of the day (mid-late afternoon), you will walk to the train station for the return ride to Poroy train station, where our local representative will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in Cusco.
Itinerary Map
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
- Group transfers to/from the vehicle when arriving and departing on recommended flights.
- Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
- Accommodations on board the M/V Aria Amazon.
- Excursion to Machu Picchu including overnight stay and transportation via Vistadome train.
- Other excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
- Beverages on the cruise (non-alcoholic, select premium wines, sparkling wine, and national beer).
- Use of bicycles (on the cruise).
- Pacaya Samiria entrance fee.
- Local, English-speaking tour guides.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare.
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities to tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
- Gifts and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of international airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
Lima
Iquitos
Cusco
3 Star – Casa Andina Classic Cusco Plaza
4 Star – Hotel Novotel Cusco
5 Star – Libertador Palacio del Inka
Deluxe – Hotel Monasterio
Machu Picchu
3 Star – El Mapi Hotel
5 Star – Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Deluxe – Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge
Additional Details
Group Private: All transfers (except in Iquitos) are private, and the city tours of Lima and Cusco, Sacred Valley of the Incas excursion, and Machu Picchu guided tour are group tours for single passengers and 3 Star accommodations, and private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations. All services in Iquitos and the Amazon are operated on a group basis.
Elevations: Cusco is 10,912 feet (above sea level), the Sacred Valley of the Incas is 8,944 feet, and Machu Picchu is 7,900 feet.
Acclimatization: In order to acclimatize to the higher altitude of Cusco, we suggest that you travel first to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. If you are interested in this option, which would add one day to your tour, please ask your travel counselor to provide you with an itinerary.
Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Peruvian embassy in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Travel Insurance’s Classic and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $900 per person plus the cost of airfare (if we make the arrangements for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.
