Overview
Independent Peru Highlights with Peru’s Amazon
If your independent spirit is filling your dreams with new heights in adventure, just point your compass south to soar higher in the Andes and the heart of Peru. This Globus Independent tour in South America takes you to the legendary sites in Lima, Cusco, and magnificent Machu Picchu – the “Lost City of the Incas.” Board a train to ascend to this treasured site, with the opportunity to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Explore a wealth of ancient ruins throughout the Sacred Valley and Cusco that defy explanation and encounter the captivating cultures that live on in the Sacred Valley. Timeless temples, textiles, and tantalizing dishes are all on the menu on this free-spirited sojourn in Peru. Treat yourself to a tour that is exclusively yours with free time, me time, and optional adventures that speak to your independent spirit!Your South American adventure continues with a thrilling expedition in the Peruvian Amazon. From Puerto Maldonado, embark on a motorboat ride for a journey up the Tambopata River to your Amazon Jungle lodge. You’ll be in good hands in the company of an expert Naturalist Guide while discovering the dazzling array of flora and fauna in the Amazon. A technicolor dream come true!
Highlights of Independent Peru Highlights with Peru’s Amazon
Notes
•Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary and includes private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights. Local Guide service is provided in Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu. A Naturalist is also provided in the Amazon. •Intra-vacation flights are not included but can be added. •Maximum enjoyment of this vacation requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge. •Maximum elevation on this tour is 12,200 ft. •For the Amazon adventure, guests should be prepared for eco-lodging due to their remote nature in the rainforest. The itinerary in the Amazon is subject to favorable weather conditions and water levels. When conditions are unfavorable, alternative accommodations and excursions will be provided. Further, guests should be prepared for sustained walking, possibly muddy conditions, and be able to get into/out of small watercrafts such as canoes and small fishing boats.
City Highlights
Related Tours
Travelers Notes
Special features included in this tour:
- Guided sightseeing in Lima including the Cathedral and Santo Domingo Convent
- Guided sightseeing in Cusco including Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo Monastery
- Visit Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, and Puca Pucara Incan ruins
- Visit to Sacred Valley includes the market in Pisaq and Ollantaytambo Incan ruins
- Scenic roundtrip train ride through the Andes to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu with second-day entrance included
- 3-night Amazon eco-lodge experience with activities
UNESCO Sites
City of Cusco|Historic Center of Lima|Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Product Group
Independent Peru Highlights
Independent Tour
Venture further to enjoy the world your way without the group. The experts at Globus put Peace of Mind first in travel planning. We take care of the details with included hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts and select meals, guided sightseeing, and transportation between cities. Explore confidently, knowing your Globus Local Hosts and GlobusGO mobile app provide you with tips and recommendations to personalize your tour and see the world your way.
Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 5 lunches; 4 three-course dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE LIMA, PERU Welcome to Lima, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2
LIMA• Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias. (B) INSIDER PICKS This evening, you may choose to head over to a nearby park to witness the largest electronic water fountain complex in the world, certified by the Guinness Book of Records. You will enjoy a wonderful show of water, lights, music, and images.
Day 3
LIMA–CUSCO • Transfer to the airport and fly to Cusco, high in the Andes, where you will be met by your Local Guide. • Your guided tour visits the cathedral in Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo Monastery, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. • Take a short drive outside the city to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons. Followed by the amphitheater of Kenko, and the red fortress of Puca Pucara. (B)
Day 4
CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY • Today, a short drive into the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you will learn about the importance of the alpaca for Inca cultures, as well as the ancient weaving techniques still in use today. • Continue to the market town of Pisaq, where you can buy handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry at bargain prices. • At the other end of the valley, visit Ollantaytambo to see some of the finest examples of Inca masonry. (B,L)
Day 5
SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU • Embark on a train trip bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911.• On a guided tour of Machu Picchu, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas. (B,L,D)
Day 6
MACHU PICCHU–SACRED VALLEY–CUSCO • A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins. • Return to Cusco by train where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 7
CUSCO–PUERTO MALDONADO • Transfer to the airport and fly to Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios and the entry to Peru’s Amazon Jungle, where you will be met by a Globus representative. • Embark on a motorboat ride for a journey up the Madre de Dios River to view the exotic wildlife. • Arrive at your Amazon Jungle lodge and meet your Naturalist. • After settling in, head out with your Naturalist for a nature walk along nature trails to learn about primary and secondary rainforest. • At dusk, take a canoe ride to learn about the Amazon River ecosystems, nocturnal animals’ behavior, and the southern constellations. (B,L,D)Please note: The itinerary in the Amazon is subject to favorable weather conditions and water levels. When conditions are unfavorable, alternative accommodations and excursions will be provided.
Day 8
PERU'S AMAZON• This morning, take a Naturalist-guided walk into the Tambopata National Reserve and then navigate by dugout canoe around Lake Sandoval, a beautiful oxbow lake. Learn about the reserve’s conservation efforts and the animals that inhabit this lake, such as the endangered giant river otters, blue and yellow macaws, red howler monkeys, and black caimans. • This afternoon, the canopy walkway shows you a different perspective 100 feet above ground. From the treetops, keep an eye out for white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys and the three-toed sloth.• After night falls, your Naturalist introduces you to the nocturnal animals of the Amazon. (B,L,D)
Day 9
PERU'S AMAZON •Visit a botanical garden to discover the medicinal plants of the Amazon and their uses, according to the traditions of the local communities. Then visit the Brazil Nut Cabin, where you will learn about the history, socioeconomic importance and uses of the Brazil nut. • Enjoy a relaxing paddle boat ride in a dugout canoe on the oxbow shaped lagoon, or cocha. Row out onto the clay-colored water to enjoy the scenery and spot hoatzins, fly catchers and graynecked woodrails, perhaps with the sounds of red howler monkeys bellowing in the distance. Admire the remains of the semi-submerged steamboat Fitzcarrald and uncover its captivating history. •This afternoon, you can visit a clay lick to observe wildlife from a blind to witness the normal routine of the fauna without disrupting the environment. (B,L,D)
Day 10
PUERTO MALDONADO–LIMA • Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima and transfer to your hotel upon arrival. (B)
Day 11
LIMA Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Hotel Pullman Miraflores | The Pullman Miraflores hotel combins lifestyle and design for business and leisure. Located in the exclusive Miraflores district, near the Pacific Ocean, this hotel is not far from Larcomar shopping center. With over 236 rooms, Plural lounge restaurant, gym, pool and a spectacular Rooftop Bar the Pullman Miraflores offers an amazing place to stay and relax. | Lima | C. Juan Fanning 515 - 525 | Superior First-Class |
| 2 | Novotel Cusco | Novotel Cusco, located in the historic city center of Cusco, is in the perfect spot for discovering the Inca civilization. The hotel is in a 16th century building, and is an ideal starting point for visiting the cathedral and other hotspots of Cusco. Guests can enjoy international and local cuisine in La Cave Restaurant, or on the heated patio covered with a spectacular glass ceiling. The bar serves a wide variety of drinks and snacks, and you'll enjoy modern en suite furnishings with simple lines and restful amenities. | Cusco | San Augustin 239 - Esquina | |
| 3 | Sonesta Posadas del Inca - Sacred Valley - Yucay | Bursting with character, the Sonesta Posadas del Inca hotel is the leader in boutique hotels in the Sacred Valley. Featuring a rustic ambiance with modern comforts, dynamite local cuisine, and friendly service, it makes for a memorable stay in one of the most remarkable places in the world. The colonial-style former monastery is surrounded by views of the Andes and beautiful gardens - a leisurely and soothing escape. | Sacred Valley | Plaza Manco 11 De Yucay 123 | First-Class |
| 4 | Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel | The Sumaq Hotel is located at the foot of the Machu Picchu ruins and boasts an Andean health spa, bar, restaurant, gift shop, and business center. | Machu Picchu | Av Hermanos Ayar Mz 1 Lote 3 | Moderate Deluxe |
| 5 | Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion | The lodge sits deep within the heart of Peru's Amazon, located between the Tambopata National Reserve and the shores of the Madre de Dios River. The grounds of the lodge cover 819 hectares of mostly primary rainforest, with a natural oxbow lake making it home to diverse ecosystems, tropical plants, and wildlife. The design combines classic rainforest hacienda furniture with modern more casual features to create a comfortable, fresh but stylish environment. Guests will live an Amazonian experience surrounded by an array of wildlife and native flora. | Puerto Maldonado | Tambopata National Park | Best Available |
