Peru

…Soaring mountains, ancient Inca ruins, colonial architecture, cute alpacas, expansive Amazon rainforest…

Visiting Machu Picchu in Peru is a bucket list item.  And you can’t beat reaching it at sunrise after a multi-day trek along the Inca Trail through the Andes Mountains.  Due to the altitude of the hike, it is recommended that you spend at least 3 days in Cusco to acclimitise. Cusco is a wonderful destination in its own right with beautiful sights, great culture, fabulous nearby hikes, and fantastic restaurants.  If you time your visit with the Corpus Christi festival, you can also enjoy the festive atmosphere, parades, and outdoor food stalls.

We were also eager to visit the Peruvian Amazon, which makes up ~60% of the country and is the 4th largest rainforest in the world.  Tambopata National Reserve on the Tambopata River is relatively close to Cusco and so we couldn’t resist adding it on to our itineary.  

Here are highlights (DINK Trip Tips) from our trip...for more details or to help plan your own visit, contact us!

Cusco

• Stroll around Plaza Las Armas, the central square in the old city, and admire the massive Cathedral, the ornate facade of the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, the colonial arcades, and the gardens/fountains.
  
• Explore the church of Santo Domingo, which is built on the ruins of Coricancha, the most sacred temple in Cusco for the Inca Empire.
  
• Enjoy the view of Jesus Blanco on top of the hill during the day and lit up at night.
  
• Take the bus to Písac to explore the extensive craft markets and hike through the Inihuatana ruins.
  
• Walk to Saqsaywaman, a massive fortified complex on the northern outskirts of the city.
  
• Enjoy a chicha morada (fermented corn drink) at one of the bars with a view of the cathedral.
  
• Time your visit around Corpus Christi in late May or June, depending on the year, to enjoy the festival celebrations, including parades and outdoor food stalls.
  

Machu Picchu

• Arrive at Machu Picchu at sunrise via a 4 day trek along the Inca Trail.
  
• Take a guided tour of this famous archaelogical site to explore the collection of temples, terraced hills and plazas that make up this citadel of the ancient Inca empire.
  
• Hike 260 meters up Huayna Picchu, which is directly behind Machu Picchu, and enjoy the fabulous views.  
  

Tambopata

• Experience the amazing biodiversity on guided walks (birds, monkeys, plants) and lookout for caimans on a boat trip around Oxbow lake.
  
• Enjoy the views and birdwatching (macaws, toucans, parrots) from a 30m canopy tower.
  
• Learn more about the research and conservation effort being done at the Tambopata Research Centre.
  
• Stay at the Refugio Amazonas eco-lodge to enjoy the amazing open architecture that allows you to feel conected with the surrounding jungle.