Peru: Roots of the Rainforest in 12 Days
Embrace Peru’s wild side on this 12-day trip from the Amazon to the Andes, with visits to Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lima, and the Sacred Valley.
Peru
12 days / 11 nights
$5,100 /person
$5,100 /person
Your trip at a glance
Top Activities
Watching the vibrant flutter of colorful macaws as they feast on the Amazon’s macaw clay lick
Seeing the Amazon rainforest — and hearing the life within — on a guided nocturnal tour
Uncovering the secrets of the Lost City of the Incas on a visit to Machu Picchu
Becoming a “Citizen Scientist” during your stay at an Amazon eco-lodge
Sleeping under the stars in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
¡Bienvenido a Peru!
Bohemian Barranca and Lima at Leisure
Adventuring Into the Amazon
The Amazing Amazon: Lake Condenado, Rainforest Greenery, and Farm Biodiversity
Macaw Sunrises, Real Brazil Nuts, and Rainforest Remedies
Show All 12 days
Hidden Trails, Mammal Tails, and Nighttime Tales
From The Amazon to the Andes
Exploring the Sacred Valley: Ancient Innovations
Ollantaytambo Hike and the Ancient Culinary Tradition of Pachamanca
Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas
Cusco's Historic Plaza, Temple of the Sun, and San Blas Neighborhood
¡Hasta Luego!
Adventuring Into the Amazon
Overview
Now that you’ve gotten Peruvian culture and city life under your belt, you’ll begin your journey into the jungle. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport, and take a flight to Puerto Maldonado. The rainforest heat will greet you the moment you step off the plane — a true Amazonian welcome! From here, it’s a mix of road and river, as you’ll head through dusty jungle roads. Then, you’ll embark on a cruise down the Tambopata River, passing local communities, thick greenery, and the occasional heron as you go. You’ll disembark at Refugio Amazonas (or similar), your home deep in the jungle. Here, you’ll enjoy a welcome drink and brief orientation to the lodge’s open-air walkways, hammocks, and Amazonian surroundings. After some time to settle in, you’ll stretch your legs on a short afternoon walk, spearheaded by an expert lodge guide. Your eco-hotel doubles as the headquarters of Wired Amazon: the first citizen science project to turn its guests into citizen scientists. You’ll discover what this means during today’s Amazon tour. After this fun introduction to the Amazon, you’ll tuck in to a hearty dinner and embark on a nighttime exploration. Maybe you’ll take a short boat ride in search of caimans that glow red in the dark, or follow a nature guide on a night hike to discover nocturnal frogs. Tonight will offer your first glimpses of Amazon life after sunset — an experience that’s equal parts eerie, exciting, and totally unforgettable. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Highlights
Scenic Boat Ride on the Madre de Dios River
To get to your hotel, you’ll travel by motor canoe along the Madre de Dios River in a ride that doubles as a thrilling immersion into the Amazon rainforest. Surrounded by dense jungle terrain on either side, your boat will glide through the water, its gentle hum blending with the sounds of wildlife. All along the banks, colorful birds, playful monkeys, and sunbathing caimans call the shots, so keep your eyes peeled for your first glimpses of the Amazon’s signature inhabitants. Each bend in the river may reveal a new wonder, rendering every moment a captivating adventure.
Amazon Rainforest Biodiversity
As you’ll find out firsthand today, Puerto Maldonado's rainforest offers an unparalleled biodiversity with a unique ecosystem. It's just one part of the larger Amazon basin, known for an incredible variety of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic to the region. As you venture into the lush jungle, you’ll encounter towering trees, vibrant orchids, and medicinal plants used by indigenous communities. In terms of wildlife, you’ll find giant river otters, ancient turtle species, and colorful macaws — sometimes alongside rare creatures like jaguars and the Amazonian giant centipede.
Nature Hike and Citizen Scientist Status
During your Amazon stroll today, you’ll follow your expert local guide on an Amazonian wildlife-watching hike. Along the way, you’ll embrace your role of citizen scientist. Meaning, you’ll record your own sightings of birds, monkeys, or even insects, not only to have as a personal log but also, importantly, to take part in real conservation research. Every observation you record will help build data real scientists actually use.
Accommodations
Refugio Amazonas Lodge (or similar)
Discover an oasis of wildlife at Refugio Amazonas, deep in the tropical jungle. This ecolodge in the Peruvian Amazon spans 32 rooms and offers a wide variety of scientific and adventure activities. An ideal location for travelers seeking adventures with comforts — and nature lovers short on time — Refugio Amazonas exemplifies how ecotourism can help recover wildlife in the Amazon jungle. It's also the headquarters of the Wired Amazon Program, offering guests opportunities to participate in scientific projects for the conservation of Tambopata.
Location:
Rio Tambopata, Tambopata, Perú
Phone:
+51914712007
Transportation
Your driver will meet you at your hotel for an hour-long transfer to the airport.
Lima
Lima's New Jorge Chávez International Airport
Your nature guide and driver will meet you at the airport with a sign bearing your name. You'll be transferred via small bus before your river cruise.
Puerto Maldonado Airport
Puerto Maldonado
How it works
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What's included
Included in the final price
- Roadbook with local tips and expert recommendations
- 24/7 on-the-ground support
- On-trip concierge service
- Personalized trip crafting
- Professional English-speaking guides for excursions mentioned
- Domestic flights from Lima (LIM) to Puerto Maldonado (PEM) and Puerto Maldonado (PEM) to Cusco (CUS)
- All meals, transport, nature guides, and experiences mentioned in the itinerary
- All entrance tickets included for the sites described in the itinerary
- 11 nights of hotels, with daily breakfast included
- Anything else listed in the itinerary as included
Not included in the final price
- International arrival and departure flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Drinks, tips, and meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Anything listed as optional or not detailed in the itinerary