Peru

Mar Adentro Peru - (look close - thousands of sea lions on the rock)

Plaza de Armas

Notes

• Type A/B/C adapter needed. None needed for US travelers.

• Purchase these bug wipes (ad). The Amazon can definitely have mosquitoes and you can easily take wipes on the plane as they are not considered a liquid.

Day 1: Lima

Sea Lions & Historic Center

• Upon arrival in Lima either pick up a one-day rental car from Budget Car Rental (booked in advance) or use taxis (booked day of).

• Traffic in Lima is heavy and parking can be challenging.

• Head to the coast for snorkeling arranged in advance through Mar Adentro Peru.

• You will board a small boat and travel through wavy coastal waters (this was extremely wavy when we were there), passing Humboldt penguins before reaching offshore rock islands.

• Here, you will snorkel alongside hundreds of wild sea lions that swim freely around you.

• No experience required; wetsuits, equipment, and a guide are provided.

Explore Plaza de Armas & Historic District

Cusco

• After snorkeling, head into Lima’s historic center.

• Plaza de Armas is surrounded by colonial architecture, historic churches, and government buildings. Wander through San Francisco Basilica, browse shops, and soak in the atmosphere of old Lima.

• Visit San Francisco Basilica and surrounding churches.

• Shop from the local markets and artisan vendors. Buy a poncho here for higher elevations later in the trip.

Catacombs Tour

Cusco Archaeological Sites

Cusco Archaeological Sites

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Tambopata - Black-Capped Squirrel Monkey

Tambopata - Macaw Clay Lick

• Visit the Catacombs beneath San Francisco Basilica. Guided tours are available on arrival and do not require advance booking. This is one of Lima’s most fascinating and slightly eerie attractions.

• In the evening, enjoy dinner and drinks before heading to your accommodation (1 night).

Day 2: Cusco – Incan & Colonial Highlights

• Take the earliest pre-booked flight to Cusco to maximize sightseeing time. Upon arrival, take a taxi (booked day of) to your accommodation (1 night) to store luggage before check-in.

Cusco Tourist Pass – Circuit One

• Purchase the Cusco Tourist Pass (Circuit One) from the Cusco Tourism Office, day of. This pass grants access to several key archaeological sites located just outside the city.

• Sites not included in the pass but essential to visit include Qorikancha, Plaza de Armas, and Cusco Cathedral.

• Most sites close around 5:30 PM, so visit those with closing times before dinner.

• Recommended Visiting Order:

• Qorikancha – Incan Temple of the Sun

• Sacsayhuamán – massive ceremonial fortress overlooking Cusco

• Qenqo – ritual rock formations and carved stone

• Puka Pukara – ancient military and rest stop

• Tambomachay – Temple of Water

• Plaza de Armas & Cusco Cathedral

• End the day with dinner and drinks at La Quinta. This is a great opportunity to try traditional dishes such as cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca.

• Overnight in Cusco and confirm luggage storage for the following day.

Day 3: Machu Picchu

• Machu Picchu is best visited with a guided day tour due to the complex transportation logistics. Book a tour that includes all transfers, trains, buses, and entrance tickets.

• Notify your tour company in advance that you will be taking the 9:00 PM overnight bus to Puerto Maldonado. Ask them to arrange private transport to the bus station after the tour so you can collect your luggage and travel stress-free.

• While a single day does not allow you to see the entire site, the highlights you experience are more than worth the effort.

• After returning to Cusco, board the overnight bus book in advance and get first-level seats for privacy and full recline. This will be where you sleep for the night. The chairs are basically midsize recliners and it is a comfortable sleep, all things considered.

Days 4–5: Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata Amazon Rainforest

• Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, transfer to your Amazon lodge (1 night) in the Tambopata region with your pre-booked tour. This portion of the trip focuses on deep rainforest immersion and wildlife encounters.

• Activities include guided jungle hikes, river kayaking, canopy tower climbs, and visits to the Macaw Clay Lick.

• Wildlife sightings often include capybaras, caimans, monkeys, and a wide variety of bird species.

• Photography Tip: Bring at least a 400mm zoom lens and binoculars. The clay lick is located across the river and cannot be approached closely.

• All food and accommodations are included in this tour, and bathrooms are private. When you aren’t in the midst of an activity you can enjoy relaxing at the resort in your hammock, in the pool, or up in the common area.

• At the end of Day 5, return to the bus station and take an overnight bus (pre-booked) back to Cusco. Again, this will be where you sleep for the night.

Day 6: Cusco

Transportation Strike Blockade

Due to a nation-wide transportation strike and plane crash (not us but it shut down the airport) we were not able to participate in this day as originally planned. However, we are still confident in the logistics we provided for this day. Don’t let this turn you off from traveling. Sometimes things happen that are outside of your control, just adjust and make the most of it! Disclaimer - We are not encouraging hitchhiking.

Local Friend Made While Hitchhiking/Walking 30 Miles During Transportation Strike

Sacred Valley and Moray Salt Mines Tour

• Have your chosen tour company pick you up from the bus station around 7:00 am when you arrive back in Cusco for your Sacred Valley and Moray Salt Mines Tour (booked in advance).

• Ensure you can leave your luggage in the vehicle for the day, and ask too be dropped off at the airport at the end.

• Lunch usually is included in the tour. 

• You will return to Cusco around 7:00 pm. 

• Take the latest pre-booked flight to Iquitos.

  • You will have to book a separate flight from Cusco to Lima and then another from Lima to Iquitos early the next morning.

• You could get an accommodation in Lima to crash for a few hours, but you might want to just stay at the airport. It is less comfortable, but less of a hassle. Bring an eye mask and a good neck pillow! You can eat dinner at the airport. It may seem crazy, but once you do this a time or two it becomes second nature!

Treehouse Lodge - Individual Room

Common Wooly Monkey

Pink River Dolphin

Days 7–9: Iquitos – Amazon Treehouse Lodge

• Upon arrival in Iquitos, you will be picked up by Treehouse Lodge (arranged in advance) for a (2-night) stay deep in the Amazon rainforest in a tree house!

• Schedule this as far ahead of time as you can. They have limited tree houses, and the earlier you book, the more choices you have for which treehouse you want. 

• We suggest Treehouse 3 as it is on the river and if already booked, 9 and then 10 are good options as well.

• You can use the Treehouse Lodge website to view a map of the houses, and ask them for their suggestions. The lodge consists of elevated treehouses connected by suspension bridges and boardwalks. All meals and snacks are included, and each treehouse has its own private bathroom and shower.

• You can expect comfortable beds with bug nets, tepid showers, slightly worn floors and a nice ceiling fan.

• One of the highlights of staying here is night wildlife viewing. There are common wooly monkeys frolicking in the canopy tops. On the boardwalks after dark, you can spot tarantulas, scorpions, lizards, bats, and snakes up close.

• Included excursions range from birdwatching and canoeing to fishing for piranhas, making blow darts, and jungle plant walks. You’ll connect with your designated guide on which ones you want to do and when!

• The most unforgettable experience is swimming in the Amazon river with pink river dolphins. it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

• Schedule your departure flight from Iquitos as late as possible on the final day to maximize time at the lodge.

• Treehouse Lodge will coordinate airport transfers.

• Take your flight from Iquitos back to Lima and prepare for your departure flight home.