7:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Sacred Valley Exploration

Your day begins with a guided tour of the Sacred Valley (elevation ranges: 9,000–12,500 ft / 2,743–3,810 m). First stop: Chinchero (12,343 ft / 3,762 m), a traditional village known for its Inca terraces and weaving cooperatives.

Watch artisans use natural dyes (like cochineal insects for red hues) to create alpaca textiles and explore the colonial church built over an Inca temple.

Next, visit Moray (11,483 ft / 3,500 m), a cluster of circular agricultural terraces where the Incas experimented with crops like quinoa and potatoes in microclimates. Then, head to the Maras Salt Mines (11,089 ft / 3,380 m), where 3,000+ salt ponds have been harvested since pre-Inca times—locals still scrape salt by hand using ancestral methods.

Around midday, enjoy a buffet lunch in Urubamba (9,420 ft / 2,871 m), with options like rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers) or ají de gallina (creamy chicken stew). After lunch, explore Ollantaytambo (9,160 ft / 2,792 m), a living Inca town. Climb the fortress’s steep terraces to see how the Incas transported massive stones from quarries 4 miles away. The tour wraps at 4:00 PM at the Ollantaytambo Train Station.

4:36 PM – Evening: Train to Machu Picchu Town

Board the PeruRail or Inca Rail train (included) for a scenic 1.5-hour ride to Machu Picchu Town (6,693 ft / 2,040 m). Hotel staff will greet you and help you check in. At 7:00 PM, meet your guide for a briefing on the next day’s Machu Picchu visit. They’ll confirm pickup times, explain entry rules (passport required), and share tips for beating crowds.

Details about The Super Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu

Included Services & Logistics

• Entrance fees: Sacred Valley sites + Machu Picchu (Day 2)
• Transport: Private van for the Sacred Valley, train ticket (Expedition/Voyager class), and bus to Machu Picchu (Day 2)
• Meals: Buffet lunch in Urubamba (vegetarian options available)
• Hotel: 3-star lodging in Machu Picchu Town (e.g., Taypikala Machu Picchu or similar)
• Guide: Bilingual expert (English/Spanish) with historical insights

Key Tips

• Altitude prep: Chew coca leaves or sip tea to combat fatigue.
• Pack smart: Bring sunscreen, a hat, and cash (small bills) for artisan purchases.
• Train seating: Request left-side seats for river views during the ride.

This tour balances history, culture, and logistics—ideal for travelers wanting to maximize their time in Peru’s Andes. No hidden fees, no rushed stops. Just a well-paced deep dive into Inca ingenuity. 🌄

6:00–7:00 AM: Breakfast & Preparation

Start with breakfast at your hotel in Machu Picchu Town  Pack water, sunscreen, and your passport (required for entry).

7:00 AM: Departure to Machu Picchu Citadel

Meet your guide and group at the hotel lobby. Board the 30-minute shuttle bus to Machu Picchu

8:00–11:00 AM: Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

Your guide will lead a 3-hour walk through the ruins, covering:

• Temple of the Sun: Inca astronomy hub with precise solstice alignments.
• Intihuatana Stone: A ritual granite sundial.
• Agricultural Terraces: Learn how the Incas grew crops at altitude.
• Temple of the Three Windows: Symbolic portals to the Inca worldview.

Note: Your route depends on your ticket type (Circuit 1, 2, 3, or 4).

Optional Add-On: Huayna Picchu Hike

• Cost: $60 (booked months in advance—limited to 400 daily hikers).
• Difficulty: Steep, 45–60-minute climb to the summit (8,835 ft / 2,693 m).

11:30 AM–1:00 PM: Return to Aguas Calientes

Take the shuttle bus back downhill. Use free time to:

• Grab lunch at Café Inkaterra (try the quinoa burger).
• Visit the Machu Picchu Museum (free with citadel ticket).

3:22 PM: Train to Ollantaytambo

Board the Expedition Train (standard class) for a 1.5-hour ride through the Urubamba Valley.

5:00 PM: Private Transfer to Cusco

A driver meets you at Ollantaytambo Station (9,160 ft / 2,792 m) for the 2-hour drive to Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,400 m). Arrive at your hotel by 7:00 PM.

Included Services

• Entrance fees: Machu Picchu + shuttle bus tickets.
• Transport: Shuttle bus, train (Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo), and private van to Cusco.
• Guide: Licensed expert (English/Spanish) for the citadel tour.
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco (e.g., Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza).

Tips for Travelers

• Altitude: Machu Picchu is lower than Cusco—most travelers feel better here.
• Weather: Mornings are often foggy; layers are essential.
• Huayna Picchu: Only attempt if you’re fit—steep, narrow paths with no guardrails.

Why This Itinerary Works

• Efficiency: Maximizes time at the citadel during quieter morning hours.
• Flexibility: Free afternoon to relax or explore Aguas Calientes.
• Safety: All transfers are prearranged—no stress about missing connections.

End of services after hotel drop-off in Cusco. Ready to extend your trip? Ask about Amazon add-ons!

Morning: Transfer from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado

We’ll pick you up from your Cusco hotel (11,152 ft / 3,400 m) at 6:00 AM for a 1.5-hour drive to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport. Flight time to Puerto Maldonado (600 ft / 183 m) is roughly 45 minutes. Upon landing, your bilingual guide—trained in rainforest ecology and certified in first aid—will greet you.

Groups are capped at 8 travelers for personalized attention.

A 10-minute van ride takes you to our office in Puerto Maldonado, where you’ll repack: store bulky luggage securely and use our provided 30L dry bags for essentials like binoculars, rain gear, and medications. Pro tip: Wear quick-dry clothing and pack DEET spray—mosquitoes are relentless here.

Midday: Boat Journey to Sachavacayoc Lodge

From our private dock, board a motorized canoe (with life jackets and sun canopies) for a 2.5-hour ride up the Tambopata River. The boat slows for wildlife sightings: watch for capybaras grazing riverbanks, macaws flying overhead, or caimans basking on logs (sightings depend on weather and luck). Lunch is served onboard: Peruvian-style lomo saltado (beef stir-fry) or vegan quinoa salad, plus fresh fruit. Refill your reusable bottle with filtered water—hydration is key in the humid jungle (85°F avg.).

Afternoon/Evening: Lodge Arrival & Jungle Immersion

Arrive at Sachavacayoc Lodge (656 ft / 200 m) by 3:00 PM. Settle into your raised cabin (mosquito-netted beds, solar-powered lights) and join a 2-hour introductory hike. Your guide points out medicinal plants like una de gato (cat’s claw) and howler monkeys in kapok trees. After dusk, gear up with headlamps for a night walk: spot tarantulas, tree frogs, and fluorescent fungi. Dinner at the lodge includes grilled paiche (Amazon fish) or veggie stew, followed by a safety briefing. Heads up: Trails can be muddy—waterproof boots are a must.

Tips for Travelers

• Included: Flight Cusco–Puerto Maldonado, boat transfers, meals from lunch onward, lodge accommodation.
• Wildlife realism: Animal sightings are unpredictable—patience enhances the experience.
• Nocturnal tour: 70% of Amazon species are active at night; this hike is a trip highlight.

This itinerary balances adventure with practicality, prioritizing safety and deep rainforest immersion.

We will head to the Macaw Clay Lick “El Chuncho,” the largest clay lick globally, where three primary species of macaws and numerous parrot varieties gather. Hundreds of parrots converge to consume clay, a distinctive behavior unique to this region.

Our tour will commence early at 4 a.m., followed by a two-hour boat journey upriver on the Tambopata River. To fully appreciate the display of parrots and macaws, it’s essential to arrive before the birds. During this time, we’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast while observing their natural behavior.

As we travel to the clay lick, we might encounter capybaras, caimans, and, with some luck, jaguars or tapirs. We will spend time at the clay lick watching the macaws consume clay, depending on the season. Following this, we’ll return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation.

In the afternoon, we’ll prepare for a trip to the pristine Lago Condenado, situated an hour from the lodge. At the lake, we may see monkeys, caimans, hoatzins, and macaws, with a chance to spot the elusive anaconda. We’ll arrive, take a canoe to explore the dense jungle, and then return to the lodge for a night walk to search for wildlife or simply experience the jungle’s romantic, intense, silent, and noisy ambiance.

After breakfast, we visit to the stunning Sachavacayoc Lake, situated in the heart of the Tambopata Reserve. The lake is about a two-hour leisurely walk away, offering a chance to immerse ourselves in the natural surroundings.

During our visit to Sachavacayoc Lake, we may encounter wildlife such as spider monkeys, anacondas, giant otters, and possibly even tapirs. For many, this tour provides a remarkable and one-of-a-kind experience.

Upon arrival in the mid-morning, we will board a rowboat to explore the area’s wildlife. To ensure a full day of exploration, we will provide a box lunch. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy additional time at the beautiful farm to relax and take advantage of the available amenities.

As we navigate the river, we will also have the opportunity to spot the magnificent Amazon alligator in the evening before dinner.

Breakfast will be served at the SACHAVACAYOC LODGE before we head back to Puerto Maldonado. Our return journey will take approximately 2 hours, giving us one final chance to observe the flora and fauna along the riverbanks.

Upon arrival at our office in Puerto Maldonado, we will assist you with any final arrangements, whether it’s for your flight, bus, or hotel transfer.

This marks the end of our services.

NOTE: If you’re interested in piranha fishing, you can coordinate with your guide to arrange this activity at the locations where piranhas are found.