What to expect
Puerto Maldonado
The gateway of the Amazon Rainforest
Sacred Valley
Discover the heart of the Inca Empire
Machu Picchu
Marvel at the lost city of the Incas
Cusco
Former capital of the Inca Empire
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About this trip...
About the trip
It's only natural that Machu Picchu springs to mind when considering a tour of Peru, and though we experience this archaeological site in all its glory, we delve even deeper into this extraordinary destination to show our Solos the true meaning of adventure. As one of the seven Wonders of the World, the Inca ruins are the most visited in the country and will leave you speechless due to the sheer beauty. Famous for the Incas, with its former capital in Cusco, we explore the modern day city with a mix of archaeological sites surrounding, as well as the Sacred Valley. As well as the Incas, there are a whole host of reasons travellers flock to this fascinating country. A perfect starting point is the capital Lima, drenched in history. Perched on the Pacific coast, Lima has a rich cultural heritage with a spectacular array of historic monuments and prominent examples of colonial architecture. Peru also boasts landscapes that leave a lasting impression, from Lake Titicaca sitting at 13,000 feet, to the colourful mountains of Palcoyo, not forgetting the Andes mountain range. The Amazon covers a vast amount of South America, with Peru known as the gateway and is a superb way to step into nature, witness wildlife in its natural habitat and learn about the eco system of the rainforest. Joining Solos on this tour of Peru for an unforgettable journey through time, nature & culture.
What's Included
Internal Flights
Single rooms
Solos Board - Breakfast daily, eight lunches and four dinners
Hike to Palcoyo Mountain-
Boat trip on Lake Titicaca to the floating island of Uros and to the island of Taquile
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Explore the Sacred Valley - Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo
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Jungle activities when in Puerto Maldonado
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Tour the cities of Lima and Cusco
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Visit to Machu Picchu
What's extra:
- International Flights are Not Included
- Travel insurance, tips & drinks, additional meals when not included in the itinerary, and activities not included in the itinerary
Itinerary
- Fly to Peru
- Arrive into Lima
- Tour or Lima
- Fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado
- Puerto Maldonado
- Fly from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
- Sacred Valley
- Machu Picchu
- Palcoyo Mountain
- Tour of Cusco
- Bus from Cusco to Puno
- Boat trip on Lake Titicaca
- Fly from Puno to Lima then flight from Lima home
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive into Lima
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Lima
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Three: Flight, canoe rides, nature trails & boat trips
We head to the airport after breakfast for our flight to Puerto Maldonado, known as the 'Gateway to the Amazon'. Upon arrival, we board a motorised canoe and head along the Madre de Dios River to our accommodation for the next couple of nights. Following lunch, we enjoy a walk along the Concepcion Trails, winding through the property’s nature trails for an immersive introduction to the intricate eco-systems of the Amazon basin. Backed by the protected Tambopata National Reserve and built on the grounds of a former cacao and rubber plantation, Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion harbours primary and secondary rainforest inhabited with exotic wildlife and tropical plants.
- Only medium-size luggage is allowed during the stay in the lodges of Puerto Maldonado. The maximum luggage weight allowed is 10kg (22lb). During the stay, larger luggage will remain stored
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Four: Lake Sandoval and the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway
We begin the day early with a buffet breakfast before a visit to Lake Sandoval, a glassy, ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve, reached via a sun-dappled rainforest trail. We board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly paddle through a stream and glide onto Lake Sandoval, flanked by picture-perfect palms. This lake is home to many species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans, amongst others. We return to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion in time for lunch.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Five: Fly from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
We will have our final breakfast in the rainforest this morning, waking to the sounds of parakeets chattering away in the trees and monkeys swinging through the treetops. We head to the airport to fly to Cusco and on arrival, transfer to our hotel in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley (transfer approx. two hours).
- Breakfast Included
Day Six: Sacred Valley - Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo
This morning we enjoy breakfast before spending a day of discovering the Sacred Valley. We begin with the archaeological vestiges of Maras and Moray. Maras is an impressive salt mine complex - huge salt deposits that were exchanged for other products from other parts of the Inca Empire. Moray's archaeological vestiges are composed of mysterious concentric circular terraces which, according to some scholars, would be an agricultural research centre. After lunch, we continue to discover more of the Inca Empire by visiting Ollantaytambo, a typical example of the urban planning by the Incas, whose residents still live in accordance with their ancient traditions. We stop at various points to witness parts of Ollantaytambo - considered one of the most remarkable archaeological sites of the Inca Empire.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Seven: Marvel at Machu Picchu
Today will be one of the highlights of the tour - no journey to Peru would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. We start this memorable day with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the train station to catch the train to Aguas Calientes, which takes roughly an hour and a half. Upon arrival, we will see an artisanal market and take a short bus ride to Machu Picchu. A symbol of the Incan Empire and built around 1450AD, this masterpiece of engineering and architecture is believed to have served as a sanctuary and resting place for the Inca Pachacutec. Machu Picchu, which means 'Old Mountain', is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Eight: Palcoyo Mountain Hike
Today's adventure involves hiking the impressive coloured mountain range of Palcoyo. Palcoyo acquires this colouration due to minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, among others, accumulated over millions of years, that nowadays offer a visual spectacle. Getting to the top of the Palcoyo mountain range is of a moderate level and very accessible as it is a two-hour walk without significant slopes, reaching a maximum elevation of 4,900 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, we marvel at the beautiful view of the mountain range and take time to appreciate the surroundings.
- Breakfast & Packed Lunch Included
Day Eleven: Guided Tour of Cusco
This morning after breakfast, we enjoy a guided tour of the former capital of the Inca Empire - Cusco. We begin with a visit to the Convent of Santo Domingo, built over the Inca temple of Coricancha, and one of the most important precincts dedicated to the cult of the sun. Ancient chronicles say that its walls were covered with gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. We then head to the Cathedral, the most imposing building in the Plaza de Armas. Then its onto the hills of Cusco, where the fortress of Sacsayhuaman is located. Here we're treated to an impressive panoramic view of Cusco.
- Breakfast Included
Day Twelve: Scenic Route from Cusco to Puno
Today we journey by coach from Cusco to Puno. This scenic route will take us through the wonderful Andes. Our first stop will be in Andahuaylillas, located 40 kilometres from Cusco. Here stands the Church of Andahuaylillas, nicknamed the 'Sistine Chapel of America' due to its impressive art found within it. We continue our journey on to Racchi, where the Wiracocha Temple is located, a surprising 30-meters wide by 20-meters high construction of rectangular shape. After a stop for lunch in Sicuani, we enjoy a brief stop at La Raya, the highest point between Puno and Cusco, sitting at 4,313 meters above sea level.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Thirteen: Lake Titicaca - Journey to Uros & Taquile
This morning we head to Lake Titicaca to take a boat trip to the islands of Uros and Taquile. After breakfast, we transfer to the port of Puno, and board a boat taking us to the floating island of Uros. The Uros are an ancestral society that populates a series of artificial islands built with the totora, a type of reed that grows in the Lake Titicaca. We even see houses built from this reed, before continuing onwards to the island of Taquile. This island was part of the Inca Empire and when here, we learn about the history of the island while enjoying lunch. This evening, we gather for a final get together dinner with our fellow travellers and reminisce about our epic adventure in Peru.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Fourteen: Fly from Puno to Lima
Today we have a final breakfast before heading to the airport to fly back to Lima.
- Breakfast Included
Accommodation
- Lima - Hilton Garden Inn Lima Miraflores - Two nights
- Puerto Maldonado - Hacienda Concepcion - Two nights
- Sonesta Posadas Del Inca Yucay - Urubamba - Two nights
- Sonesta Hotel Cusco - Cusco - Three nights
- Hotel Posada Del Inca - Puno - Two nights
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
- During the stay in the lodges of Puerto Maldonado, only medium luggage is permitted. The maximum luggage weight allowed is 10 kg. During your stay, your largest luggage will be stored in the hotel’s offices in Puerto Maldonado.
- While within this region, we will have a full day of exploring the salt mines of Maras, where ground can be uneven with loose stones, also an archaeological site of Moray where again, uneven ground, wet grass, boulders. Trip hazards on these visits so being able to walk comfortably and being fully mobile is a must.
- The current restrictions on visits to Machu Picchu allow a maximum stay of 4 hours in the citadel accompanied by a guide during the first entry. If the visitor tours an alternate route (Mountain Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu) the passenger will have 3 hours to for this purpose, additional to the 4 hours in the citadel. If the passenger wishes to enter the citadel again during the afternoon shift or the next day, he must acquire previously an additional ticket to enter in the new shift. There is no ticket sale in the archaeological zone.
- Carry the same document that you presented to the agency, given that the train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information.
- In all train services to Machu Picchu, the passenger can carry only hand luggage (backpack, bag or briefcase) weighing no more than 5kg / 11lb on the train to/from Machu Picchu. Allowed size: 62 linear inches 157cm (height + length + width).
- When on board the train, carry the same document that you presented to the agency, given that the train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information.
- There is a 2-hour walk without significant slopes, reaching a maximum elevation of 4,900 meters above sea level.
