Exploring Peru: Machu Picchu and the Amazon

Detailed Itinerary

Day-by-day description of your cruise and cruise activities.

Day 1

Lima, Peru

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.
Arrival City: Lima, Peru

Day 2

Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley

Fly to Cusco this morning and continue by land to Pisac, known for its market and the archaeological site that rises above the town. After lunch, continue through the Sacred Valley and check-in at Tambo del Inka, your hotel for the next two nights.

Day 3

Machu Picchu

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. Linger after daytime visitors have departed, returning to Machu Picchu Pueblo for the train ride back to the Sacred Valley and Tambo del Inka this evening. Dinner is served aboard the first-class train.

Day 4

Sacred Valley / Cusco

Departing your hotel, drive through the Sacred Valley to 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.

Day 5

Cusco

This morning drive the short distance to Sacsayhuamán, the emblematic 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 on foot, walking through the San Blas neighborhood. Tour the ornate 17th-century cathedral and Plaza de Armas, the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun and other treasures of this burgeoning cultural capital and center of the Inca universe, where colonial buildings stand atop Inca foundations. Enjoy lunch in the city center with time to stroll the streets and explore on your own. Dinner is on your own to delve into the culinary scene in this burgeoning cultural center.

Day 6

Cusco / Lima / Iquitos / Nauta / Embark Ship

After breakfast, fly via Lima to Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon basin, and continue overland to the riverside village of Nauta, where the Delfin III 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.

Day 7

Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

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.

Day 8

Nauta / Disembark Ship / Iquitos / Lima

Disembark in Nauta, stopping at the Amazon Rescue Center on the drive to Iquitos. Fly to Lima and connect for 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.

Ship

Your cruise ship

About this ship

Nat. Geo - Delfin III

Experience the Amazon in elevated exclusivity aboard the privately chartered National Geographic Delfin III, Lindblad Expeditions’ most spacious and elegant river vessel in Peru. Reserved solely for a small group of 42 guests, this 170-foot ship offers a boutique-style journey into the heart of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve—one of the most pristine and biodiverse regions on the planet.

The Delfin III features 21 outward-facing suites, including expansive Owner’s, Corner, and Upper Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic river views. Each suite is thoughtfully designed with handcrafted Peruvian accents, luxurious bedding, and modern en-suite bathrooms—offering a tranquil retreat after days spent exploring the rainforest.

Aboard this private charter, guests enjoy an atmosphere of exclusivity and comfort, with refined social spaces that include a beautifully appointed indoor lounge, an open-air sun deck with plunge pool, a spa, and a fitness center. The dining experience is exceptional, with menus highlighting Amazonian flavors and fresh, locally sourced ingredients, served in an elegant dining room with flexible seating.

Daily excursions are led by an expert team of naturalists, cultural specialists, and a National Geographic-certified photo instructor, offering opportunities to spot pink river dolphins, squirrel monkeys, macaws, and sloths, or paddle through narrow jungle waterways by kayak or skiff. Visits to indigenous communities deepen the cultural experience, adding personal connections to the journey.

Book this cruise More About this ship

Deckplans

View full sized image in new tab