Wild Peru Escape: Machu Picchu and the Amazon

Arrive in Lima, Peru’s thriving capital, and transfer to the convenient Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol Lima Airport hotel, located at the airport. Most international flights arrive in the late evening. Opt to arrive early for a Lima pre-voyage extension, staying at the iconic Country Club Lima Hotel. The extension adds just a day to the expedition and gives you a chance to rest, relax and see this UNESCO World Heritage designated city. Arrival Time: Anytime after 12:00 p.m. Arrival City: Lima, Peru

After breakfast, fly via Lima to Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon basin, and continue overland to the riverside village of Nauta, where the ship awaits. Settle into your cabin and gather for a welcome dinner of fine Peruvian cuisine on board. Tonight, step out on deck to gaze at the magnificent Amazon night sky.

Explore the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, a pristine swath of jungle stretching more than five million acres and harboring some of the Amazon’s most fascinating flora and fauna. The reserve is bordered by the Marañón and the Ucayali, two powerful rivers that converge to create the famed Amazon, which floods annually with nutrient-rich waters and is known locally as the Mirrored Forest for the reflections created by its seasonal glassy water. Set out into this remarkable wilderness on daily excursions by skiff, kayak and, when the water level permits, hikes on dry land. Look for sloths and monkeys, including variably colored saddleback tamarins, noisy howlers and shaggy-tailed monk saki monkeys. Watch for an astounding variety of birds, from tanagers and hummingbirds to parrots and scarlet macaws. In the river, look for massive paiche fish, the Amazon’s largest; rare pink dolphins; and the infamous piranhas. One of the unexpected joys of traveling in the Upper Amazon of Peru is interacting with the local ribereños, the traditional people who live on the riverbanks. Visit the local non-profit Minga Peru, including a program of handicraft development, radio broadcasts, women’s health initiatives and efforts in sustainable farming.

Disembark in Nauta, stopping at the Amazon Rescue Center on the drive to Iquitos. Fly to Cusco via Lima, and check into the Palacio del Inka Hotel, where you'll enjoy dinner and relax after a long day of travel.

Drive to Ollantaytambo, where you'll admire the archaeological site and board the scenic train traveling along the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu. Perched at less than 8,000 feet in the “eyebrow of the jungle,” the sanctuary is surrounded by tropical mountain forest with diverse birds and orchids. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the ruins and return to Machu Picchu Pueblo for the train ride back to the Sacred Valley and Tambo del Inka, your hotel for the night. Dinner is served aboard the first-class train.

Departing your hotel, drive through the Sacred Valley to Moray—a visually stunning Inca site with dramatic agricultural terraces. Later, visit Chinchero, a typical Andean village, where National Geographic Grantee Nilda Callañaupa puts on a family-style lunch and a demonstration of Inca weaving traditions with the women in her cooperative. Continue to Cusco and check in at the Palacio del Inka in the historic heart of the city. Dinner is on your own tonight to explore the many options.

This morning, explore Cusco, the center of the Inca universe and a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site. Tour the ornate 17th-century cathedral and Plaza de Armas, as well as the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun. Visit nearby Sacsayhuamán, the emblematic monolithic stone site standing over the city from the northern outskirts. Like Machu Picchu, the ceremonial center was built during the reign of Inka Pacachuti. Opt to return to Cusco downhill on foot, walking through the eclectic San Blas neighborhood. After lunch, the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at your own pace: relax, shop, wander or visit one of Cusco's many churches and museums. Dinner is on your own to delve into the culinary scene in this Andean cultural center.

Fly to Lima and connect to flights home. Ask your expedition specialist about options to extend your stay, including an overnight at the Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol Lima Airport hotel. Departure Time: After 9:00 p.m. local time. Departure City: Lima