Peru

Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel. Gather with fellow travelers this evening for a welcome dinner.

Today is devoted to an exploration of colonial and modern Lima. Highlights include the historical center, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, and the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco. Visit the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, stopping at El Parque del Amor for spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. This afternoon, visit the Larco Herrera Museum, which features the best private collection of pre-Columbian art in all of Peru. Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Transfer to the airport for our early morning flight to Cusco. En route to the Urubamba Valley, visit the Pisac Archeological Park, a vast complex of Incan dwellings, temples, and terracing. Stop for lunch at a working hacienda where we learn about the important role corn has played in the culture and history of the Sacred Valley. Continue to Urubamba and check in to our hotel. Time permitting, enjoy a demonstration of traditional weaving techniques.

Travel to the pre-Inca Maras salt pans this morning to observe the traditional method of drying and collecting salt that has been practiced for centuries. Then marvel at the Moray terraces, believed to be a former gigantic agricultural laboratory, an astronomical observatory, or a place of worship. While taking in views of the Andes Mountains, enjoy a special picnic lunch of rustic, country Andean fare made from locally sourced ingredients.

Ride the train to Aguas Calientes, located at the base of the mountain atop which sits Machu Picchu, viewing spectacular scenery along the way. Once in Aguas Calientes, we take a bus up to the iconic mountaintop citadel, abandoned by the Incas in the 16th century and rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Learn about its history from our guides as we walk through the ruins. Return to Aguas Calientes, check in to our hotel and gather for dinner.

Today is at leisure and our options are abundant: travel back to Machu Picchu for more exploration and hiking, stroll the streets of Aguas Calientes, visit the natural hot springs, or enjoy the amenities of our hotel, including the extensive orchid garden located on the property.

Return to the train station for our journey back to Cusco. On the way to town, stop at the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo. Climb its terraces and learn about the methods of stone-carving and mortar-free construction that were used by the Incas. Upon arrival in Cusco, check in to our centrally located hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Begin the day with a guided walking tour of the old town, visiting the Plaza de Armas; the Cathedral of Cusco, which dates from Spanish viceroyalty times; and the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo that was built upon the foundations of Koricancha, the Inca temple dedicated to worship the Sun God. Enjoy an afternoon of independent exploration.

Following breakfast, travel to the airport for our flight to Iquitos, via Lima. Upon arrival, take a tour of Iquitos before driving through the Peruvian countryside to Nauta to embark our ship. This evening, dine on Amazonian cuisine as we watch the sun set on the Marañón River.

Rise with the sun for an early morning birdwatching session along the Marañón River. After breakfast, head out for a morning wildlife excursion with a possibility to see sloths, great egrets, parrots, and Taricaya turtles. Later, we explore the Yanayacu Pucate River and go fishing for Amazonia’s notorious piranhas. End the day with a dusk excursion in search of nocturnal wildlife.

The rewards for our early start today are plentiful: a full day excursion including a picnic lunch orchestrated to the tune of the jungle symphony, fishing along the black waters of the Samiria River, We have an option to go canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or walking through the jungle of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. On the way back to the Marañón River after lunch, venture out by skiff keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.

As the day begins, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the Pahuachiro River. After breakfast, visit Puerto Prado village for an opportunity to bicycle along the riverbank to Santa Cruz village. Alternatively, visit an experienced beekeeper in the community of San Francisco. In the afternoon, head out for a boat ride to the majestic Amazon River.

In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market. Marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon and sample exotic snacks. Before departing Iquitos, visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a sanctuary where orphaned Amazonian manatees are rehabilitated before their release back into the wild. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Transfer to the airport after breakfast for independent flights to the U.S.