8-night Wild Peru Escape – Amazon and Machu Picchu Cruisetour

Lima, "the City of the Kings," became the effective capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, established 1560. Today, a visit to Lima may serve as a unique Peruvian experience that offers a glimpse into the Andean world, Spanish tradition and the country's modern aspect. Visit handsome old buildings and baroque churches that testify to the city's religious background and the Plaza de Armas, shared by the realms of the Catholic church, municipality and national government. The pre-Inca ruins of Pachacamac lie a short distance south of the city. Once a ceremonial site, Pachacamac has been the most important religious center of the Andean world since before the age of Christ. Stop and admire The Temple of the Sun and the Moon, Lima's outstanding museums, and Machu Picchu - a "Jewel in the Mist."

Lima, "the City of the Kings," became the effective capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, established 1560. Today, a visit to Lima may serve as a unique Peruvian experience that offers a glimpse into the Andean world, Spanish tradition and the country's modern aspect. Visit handsome old buildings and baroque churches that testify to the city's religious background and the Plaza de Armas, shared by the realms of the Catholic church, municipality and national government. The pre-Inca ruins of Pachacamac lie a short distance south of the city. Once a ceremonial site, Pachacamac has been the most important religious center of the Andean world since before the age of Christ. Stop and admire The Temple of the Sun and the Moon, Lima's outstanding museums, and Machu Picchu - a "Jewel in the Mist."

The Cuzco (Cusco) region of Peru combines Inca legacy with Spanish colonial architecture in an atmosphere at once provincial and sublime. The chaotic marketplaces where campesinos barter grain or potatoes for multi-colored fabric belie the mute spirituality of the Lost Cities, where Inca stonework conveys order and balance. Such diversity enhances this inspiring nine-day adventure. The blue sky radiates with an intensity achieved only at high altitudes (the city of Cuzco lies 11,150 feet above sea level), while the landscape offers its unique pattern of exacting agricultural grids and tangled jungle masses.

History buffs will get a real kick out of Ollantaytambo, a pretty town about 26 mi/42 km northwest of Cusco. Before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, Ollantaytambo served as the royal estate and ceremonial center of the Inca ruler Pachacuti, who had previously conquered this region.

The town itself still serves as a living example of Inca urban planning, while the surrounding Inca terraces and Temple Hill provide more fine examples of Inca architecture. Ollantaytambo played an important role during the Spanish Conquest. It was here that Manco Inca Yupanqui successfully defended the Inca position against a Spanish expedition following the fall of Cusco, but later retreated to the greater security of Vilcabamba.

Visitors can easily spend a couple of days exploring the nearby archaeological sites and strolling around the town. The higher sites offer spectacular views of the mountains and valleys, while the streets of Ollantaytambo are home to pre-Columbian and colonial architecture, traditional markets and plenty of Andean character.

Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu pueblo, and is located four miles away from Machu Picchu. The city was founded in 1901 as the railroad between Cuzco and Santa Ana was being built, in result, Aguas Calientes became a hub for the railroad’s machinery and home for those who worked it. Today, many people visit the city for its hot springs, or as a great starting point for those headed up to Machu Picchu.

Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu pueblo, and is located four miles away from Machu Picchu. The city was founded in 1901 as the railroad between Cuzco and Santa Ana was being built, in result, Aguas Calientes became a hub for the railroad’s machinery and home for those who worked it. Today, many people visit the city for its hot springs, or as a great starting point for those headed up to Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is a fortress city of the ancient Incas, in a high saddle between two peaks 50 miles NW of Cuzco, Peru. The extraordinary pre-Columbian ruin consists of five sq. miles of terraced stonework link by 3,000 steps; it was virtually intact when discovered by Hiram Bibghan in 1911.

Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu pueblo, and is located four miles away from Machu Picchu. The city was founded in 1901 as the railroad between Cuzco and Santa Ana was being built, in result, Aguas Calientes became a hub for the railroad’s machinery and home for those who worked it. Today, many people visit the city for its hot springs, or as a great starting point for those headed up to Machu Picchu.

History buffs will get a real kick out of Ollantaytambo, a pretty town about 26 mi/42 km northwest of Cusco. Before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, Ollantaytambo served as the royal estate and ceremonial center of the Inca ruler Pachacuti, who had previously conquered this region.

The town itself still serves as a living example of Inca urban planning, while the surrounding Inca terraces and Temple Hill provide more fine examples of Inca architecture. Ollantaytambo played an important role during the Spanish Conquest. It was here that Manco Inca Yupanqui successfully defended the Inca position against a Spanish expedition following the fall of Cusco, but later retreated to the greater security of Vilcabamba.

Visitors can easily spend a couple of days exploring the nearby archaeological sites and strolling around the town. The higher sites offer spectacular views of the mountains and valleys, while the streets of Ollantaytambo are home to pre-Columbian and colonial architecture, traditional markets and plenty of Andean character.

The Cuzco (Cusco) region of Peru combines Inca legacy with Spanish colonial architecture in an atmosphere at once provincial and sublime. The chaotic marketplaces where campesinos barter grain or potatoes for multi-colored fabric belie the mute spirituality of the Lost Cities, where Inca stonework conveys order and balance. Such diversity enhances this inspiring nine-day adventure. The blue sky radiates with an intensity achieved only at high altitudes (the city of Cuzco lies 11,150 feet above sea level), while the landscape offers its unique pattern of exacting agricultural grids and tangled jungle masses.

The Cuzco (Cusco) region of Peru combines Inca legacy with Spanish colonial architecture in an atmosphere at once provincial and sublime. The chaotic marketplaces where campesinos barter grain or potatoes for multi-colored fabric belie the mute spirituality of the Lost Cities, where Inca stonework conveys order and balance. Such diversity enhances this inspiring nine-day adventure. The blue sky radiates with an intensity achieved only at high altitudes (the city of Cuzco lies 11,150 feet above sea level), while the landscape offers its unique pattern of exacting agricultural grids and tangled jungle masses.

Lima, "the City of the Kings," became the effective capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, established 1560. Today, a visit to Lima may serve as a unique Peruvian experience that offers a glimpse into the Andean world, Spanish tradition and the country's modern aspect. Visit handsome old buildings and baroque churches that testify to the city's religious background and the Plaza de Armas, shared by the realms of the Catholic church, municipality and national government. The pre-Inca ruins of Pachacamac lie a short distance south of the city. Once a ceremonial site, Pachacamac has been the most important religious center of the Andean world since before the age of Christ. Stop and admire The Temple of the Sun and the Moon, Lima's outstanding museums, and Machu Picchu - a "Jewel in the Mist."

Iquitos is located in Northeastern Peru on the Amazon river. Right at the crux, the city sits at the point where the Marañón River unites with the Ucayali River to form the mainstream of the Amazon. Founded in 1747 by Jesuit Jose Bahamonde, the city is now a blend of indigenous people and European and Chinese immigrants who populated the area in the mid-1800’s. Surrounded by greenery, the city resonates with the energy of the Amazon. Warm, exotic, romantic and seductive, Iquitos is a city with rustic charm and a unique culture.

Nauta is a bustling small town on the shores of the Maranon river in the Peruvian Amazon. This town is perfect for visitors intersted in nature and small town culture. Visitors can hire a boat from Nauta and experience the majestic forests, mountains and lakes. For the gastronomically inclined, this region of Peru is especially known for its delicious spicy cuisine.

Renowned for its biodiversity, the area could quite possibly be one of the oldest Pleistocene shelters of the South American continent. There is a proven existence of 965 species of wild plants and 59 of cultivated plants, 450 species of birds, 102 species of mammals, over 130 species of reptiles and amphibians and 250 different fish species, but studies and investigation are still far from being exhausted.

National Reserve Pacaya-Samiria is the natural habitat for lots of wild animals and trees, as well as exuberant aquatic life: more than 500 bird species, 102 mammalians, 240 reptiles, 58 amphibians, 256 fishes and 1024 wild and cultivated vegetal species. In the reserve many species are protected: black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), dugongo (Trichechus inunguis), water turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), spider ape (Ateles sp.), giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and grey dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis).

It isn’t difficult to find, year after year, new species of fauna and flora; and still few scientist dedicated to mysterious and variegate world of insects that populate the Reserve.

Renowned for its biodiversity, the area could quite possibly be one of the oldest Pleistocene shelters of the South American continent. There is a proven existence of 965 species of wild plants and 59 of cultivated plants, 450 species of birds, 102 species of mammals, over 130 species of reptiles and amphibians and 250 different fish species, but studies and investigation are still far from being exhausted.

National Reserve Pacaya-Samiria is the natural habitat for lots of wild animals and trees, as well as exuberant aquatic life: more than 500 bird species, 102 mammalians, 240 reptiles, 58 amphibians, 256 fishes and 1024 wild and cultivated vegetal species. In the reserve many species are protected: black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), dugongo (Trichechus inunguis), water turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), spider ape (Ateles sp.), giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and grey dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis).

It isn’t difficult to find, year after year, new species of fauna and flora; and still few scientist dedicated to mysterious and variegate world of insects that populate the Reserve.

Renowned for its biodiversity, the area could quite possibly be one of the oldest Pleistocene shelters of the South American continent. There is a proven existence of 965 species of wild plants and 59 of cultivated plants, 450 species of birds, 102 species of mammals, over 130 species of reptiles and amphibians and 250 different fish species, but studies and investigation are still far from being exhausted.

National Reserve Pacaya-Samiria is the natural habitat for lots of wild animals and trees, as well as exuberant aquatic life: more than 500 bird species, 102 mammalians, 240 reptiles, 58 amphibians, 256 fishes and 1024 wild and cultivated vegetal species. In the reserve many species are protected: black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), dugongo (Trichechus inunguis), water turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), spider ape (Ateles sp.), giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and grey dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis).

It isn’t difficult to find, year after year, new species of fauna and flora; and still few scientist dedicated to mysterious and variegate world of insects that populate the Reserve.

Nauta is a bustling small town on the shores of the Maranon river in the Peruvian Amazon. This town is perfect for visitors intersted in nature and small town culture. Visitors can hire a boat from Nauta and experience the majestic forests, mountains and lakes. For the gastronomically inclined, this region of Peru is especially known for its delicious spicy cuisine.

Iquitos is located in Northeastern Peru on the Amazon river. Right at the crux, the city sits at the point where the Marañón River unites with the Ucayali River to form the mainstream of the Amazon. Founded in 1747 by Jesuit Jose Bahamonde, the city is now a blend of indigenous people and European and Chinese immigrants who populated the area in the mid-1800’s. Surrounded by greenery, the city resonates with the energy of the Amazon. Warm, exotic, romantic and seductive, Iquitos is a city with rustic charm and a unique culture.

Lima, "the City of the Kings," became the effective capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, established 1560. Today, a visit to Lima may serve as a unique Peruvian experience that offers a glimpse into the Andean world, Spanish tradition and the country's modern aspect. Visit handsome old buildings and baroque churches that testify to the city's religious background and the Plaza de Armas, shared by the realms of the Catholic church, municipality and national government. The pre-Inca ruins of Pachacamac lie a short distance south of the city. Once a ceremonial site, Pachacamac has been the most important religious center of the Andean world since before the age of Christ. Stop and admire The Temple of the Sun and the Moon, Lima's outstanding museums, and Machu Picchu - a "Jewel in the Mist."