Machu Picchu + Humantay + Tambopata 06 Days

Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, our team will welcome you and transfer you to the selected hotel in Cusco. This first day will be crucial for altitude acclimatization, as the city is located at 3,399 meters above sea level. You will have free time to rest at your hotel or begin exploring the city at your own pace.

For those who wish to make the most of the day, Lorenzo Expeditions offers an exclusive FREE Walking Tour for our clients. This 2- to 3-hour guided tour will allow you to explore the main attractions of Cusco’s historic center:

• Plaza de Armas: The heart of the city, surrounded by the majestic Cusco Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus, two gems of colonial architecture.
• San Blas Neighborhood: A picturesque neighborhood known for its cobblestone streets, artisan workshops, and panoramic views of the city.
• Hatun Rumiyoc Street: Where you will find the famous Stone of the 12 Angles, a symbol of the advanced architectural knowledge of the Incas.
• San Pedro Market: A vibrant local market where you can learn more about Cusco’s cuisine, try exotic fruits, and see handmade products.

This tour is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with Cusco, its history, and culture. You can coordinate your participation in the free Walking Tour when booking your tour.

Recommendations for this day:

• Drink plenty of water and avoid heavy meals to ease acclimatization.
• Rest enough to prepare for the upcoming days of adventure.
• Wear comfortable clothes and a light jacket, as Cusco experiences temperature changes throughout the day.

This first day is just the beginning of an unforgettable experience in the Andes and the Amazon.

After a nutritious breakfast, we will begin our excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the most impressive routes in Cusco, famous for its scenic beauty, ancestral villages, and important archaeological sites.

Places we will visit:

• Chinchero – Culture and Textile Tradition Our first stop will be in Chinchero, a picturesque village where we will visit textile workshops run by local women. Here, they will show us the traditional Inca weaving process, from obtaining wool from sheep and alpacas to applying natural dyes extracted from Andean plants. We will also explore the Chinchero archaeological site and its colonial church, built on top of an ancient Inca structure.
• Moray – The Inca Agricultural Laboratory We will continue to Moray, an enigmatic archaeological complex made up of concentric terraces that the Incas used as an agricultural laboratory to improve their crops in different microclimates.
• Salineras de Maras – Ancient Salt Mines Next, we will visit the Salineras de Maras, an impressive complex of more than 3,000 salt pools that have been exploited since Inca times. Here, you can admire the incredible white landscape created by these pools and learn about the traditional salt extraction process.
• Urubamba – Buffet Lunch We will stop in Urubamba, the heart of the Sacred Valley, where we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with a selection of typical Peruvian dishes.
• Ollantaytambo – The Living Inca City To finish the afternoon, we will explore the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex, an impressive Inca military, religious, and agricultural center. We will climb its terraces to the Temple of the Sun, where we will have a spectacular panoramic view of the valley.

In the evening, we will board the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the base town for the visit to Machu Picchu. We will settle into the hotel and rest for the big adventure the next day.

Recommendations for this day:

• Wear comfortable and warm clothing, as temperatures vary in the Sacred Valley.
• Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
• Carry cash for purchases in artisan markets.
• Enjoy and capture every moment of this tour filled with history and stunning landscapes.

This day will be an unforgettable experience, combining history, culture, and spectacular landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Our day begins early with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the bus station in Aguas Calientes. The bus ride takes approximately 30 minutes, ascending along a mountain road to the entrance of the Machu Picchu archaeological site, one of the 7 wonders of the modern world and Peru’s most iconic destination.

Entrance to Machu Picchu

Upon arrival, we will pass through the access controls, where you will be required to present your original passport to validate your entry. If you have reserved additional access to Huayna Picchu Mountain (extra $65 USD per person), you will also need to show your ticket. This access is limited and must be reserved at least 6 months in advance.

Important: The entry time and visit circuit will be assigned at the time of booking. The earlier you confirm your tour, the better the available times and assigned circuits will be.

Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

Once inside, we will start a 2-hour tour with our expert guide, who will reveal the mysteries of this enigmatic Inca city. During the visit, we will explore the main structures, such as:

• The Temple of the Sun – A ceremonial site aligned with astronomical events.
• The Sacred Plaza – A central area with temples and terraces.
• The Intihuatana – An Inca sun clock that still holds its mystery.
• The Temple of the Three Windows – One of the most iconic structures of Machu Picchu.

In addition to its impressive architecture, we will discover why this Inca city continues to amaze architects, engineers, and archaeologists with its advanced construction techniques and strategic location among mountains.

Free Time and Return to Cusco

After the tour, you will have free time to take photographs, relax, and contemplate the grandeur of Machu Picchu. Then, we will board the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can choose to have lunch (at your own expense) before taking the train back to Cusco.

Upon arrival in the city, our team will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel so you can rest after a day full of history and unforgettable landscapes.

Recommendations for this day:

• Bring your original passport (required for entry).
• Book in advance to ensure the best visiting time.
• Wear comfortable clothing and proper footwear for walking on uneven terrain.
• Bring sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent.
• Respect the archaeological site rules and do not touch the structures.

This will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable moments of the trip, where you can immerse yourself in Inca history and the unique energy of Machu Picchu.

After an early breakfast at the hotel (7:30 a.m.), we will depart by private transport to Soraypampa (3,900 m above sea level), the starting point of our hike to the stunning Humantay Lake.

Hike to Humantay Lake

The hike lasts approximately 1.5 hours uphill, through a spectacular landscape surrounded by snow-capped mountains. We will go at a slow pace with our guide to enjoy the surroundings and facilitate altitude adaptation.

Upon reaching Humantay Lake (4,200 m above sea level), we will be greeted by turquoise waters surrounded by the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Andes. We will have enough time to take photographs and hear our guide’s explanation about the cultural and natural significance of this sacred place for the Incas.

After enjoying this incredible site, we will begin our descent back to Soraypampa, where our transport will be waiting.

Lunch in Mollepata and Return to Cusco

On the way back, we will stop in the town of Mollepata, where we will enjoy a traditional lunch with local and international options. Then, we will continue our journey back to Cusco, arriving in the afternoon to rest before our next adventure.

Overnight Journey to Puerto Maldonado

In the evening, we will board a luxury sleeper bus with reclining seats, heating, and air conditioning to travel to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve.

Important:

• Due to the altitude of Humantay Lake, our guides will carry an extra oxygen tank for any need.
• Although your body will already be acclimatized after the previous days, it is recommended to stay hydrated and take breaks during the hike.
• Bring warm clothing for the hike and a change of lighter clothes for the overnight journey to the jungle.

This day will allow us to connect with the Andean nature before delving into the incredible biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon. The adventure continues in Puerto Maldonado!

Our day begins with the arrival in Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.

Boat Journey and Arrival at the Lodge

Upon arrival, the Lorenzo Expeditions team will greet us and transfer us to the river port, from where we will board a motorized boat to navigate along the Madre de Dios River toward our jungle lodge, located in the heart of the Tambopata Reserve.

During the boat ride, we will have the chance to observe the lush Amazon vegetation and, with some luck, see species of wildlife such as turtles, monkeys, and exotic birds. Upon arrival at the lodge, we will be greeted with a refreshing jungle drink, and after settling in, we will enjoy an Amazonian lunch with fresh local ingredients.

Exploring the Jungle and Observation Tower

In the afternoon, we will embark on a guided walk through the primary forest, where our expert guide will teach us about the Amazon flora and fauna, including giant trees, medicinal vines, and exotic plants. Along the way, we may spot monkeys, toucans, macaws, and other wildlife.

The highlight of the excursion will be reaching an observation tower over 50 meters tall, where we will have an amazing panoramic view of the forest canopy and the jungle sunset.

Caiman Search at Night

After dinner at the lodge, we will embark on a nighttime boat ride, using flashlights to search for caimans in their natural habitat. With the help of the guide, we will identify these fascinating reptiles and learn more about their nocturnal behavior.

After this exciting activity, we will return to the lodge to rest and prepare for another day of adventure in the Amazon.

Recommendations for the Day:

• Wear light, breathable clothing, but long-sleeved to avoid bites.
• Apply insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Bring binoculars for better wildlife observation.
• Bring a flashlight for the nighttime excursion.

This will be an unforgettable day, where we will experience the magic of the Amazon jungle and discover why Tambopata is a unique natural paradise in the world.

Our last morning in the Amazon rainforest begins early to experience one of the most spectacular activities in the Tambopata National Reserve: macaw sighting at Collpa Chuncho.

Exploring Collpa Chuncho: A Unique Natural Show

At 5:00 a.m., we will depart by motorboat along the Tambopata River, navigating through the natural reserve while enjoying the sunrise in the jungle. Our destination is the famous Collpa Chuncho, a clay formation on the riverbanks where hundreds of macaws and parrots arrive every morning to feed on essential minerals that help them neutralize toxins in their diet.

From a strategic viewpoint, we will witness this incredible natural spectacle as the birds fill the sky with their vibrant colors and their songs echo through the jungle. Here, we will enjoy an outdoor breakfast, amidst the tranquility of the forest.

Return to the Lodge and Journey Back to Puerto Maldonado

After visiting the Collpa, we will sail back to the lodge, where we will have time to rest and enjoy a traditional Amazonian lunch before embarking on the return trip to Puerto Maldonado by boat.

Transfer to the Airport or Bus Terminal

In the afternoon, we will take our transportation back to the city, where we will be transferred to Padre Aldamiz Airport or the bus terminal, depending on our departure itinerary.

Recommendations for this Day:

• Comfortable and light clothing, long-sleeved for protection against insects.
• Sunglasses and a cap for the boat ride.
• Binoculars to better appreciate the birds at Collpa Chuncho.
• Sunblock and insect repellent.

This will be the perfect ending to a trip full of adventure, nature, and history, combining the majesty of the Andes with the richness of the Amazon rainforest. An unforgettable experience in Peru!

Important Note:

Itineraries are flexible and can be adjusted according to the traveler’s preferences and time availability. However, it is essential to consider each person’s physical condition, as some activities include walks on uneven terrain and at high altitudes, such as in Cusco and Laguna Humantay.

It is recommended to:

• Acclimate properly before engaging in high-altitude activities.
• Consult with a doctor in case of pre-existing conditions.
• Bring appropriate clothing and gear for each type of climate and activity.

Your safety and comfort are our priority, and we will provide you with all the necessary information and assistance to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.