Picture-Perfect Peru

If you purchased airline tickets from YMT, a representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel.

Note: Depending on the departure time of your outbound flight, you may depart one day earlier.

Start your journey with a tour of Lima, Peru’s scenic capital. Explore the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s packed with historic buildings. You’ll see the Main Square, a stunning showcase of wealth from the Spanish Empire, the 16th century Church of Santo Domingo, and Casa Aliaga, one of Lima’s finest colonial mansions. In the traditional Pueblo Libre District, you will spend time at the Larco Museum, a pre-Columbian art museum housed in a beautifully restored 18th century mansion. Enjoy lunch on the terrace at the Cafe del Museo Larco (included), in front of the museum’s gardens. (B, L, D)

Hidden from view by the rugged Andes, the Inca sites of Maras and Moray are two of the Sacred Valley’s most unique destinations. Maras is home to Salineras de Maras, ancient, terraced salt ponds. Moray contains circular terraces that were used by Inca leaders as “test gardens” where they could experiment on plants grown across the empire. Continue to Chinchero town, where you will see ruins framed by the snow-capped Chicón and Verónica mountains. (B, L)

Note: Overnight bag will be needed for your journey to Machu Picchu. Due to luggage restrictions aboard the trains to and from Machu Picchu, passengers may only take 1 small bag weighing no more than 11 lbs (5 kg). The next day, the rest of your luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco City. Guests will be able to retrieve their luggage upon their arrival at night on Day 5.

Note: Machu Picchu is nearly 8,000 feet in elevation.

Your tour of this UNESCO designated city starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a Spanish complex built on top of the sacred Inca Coricancha. Then, visit the Cusco Cathedral. Head to the hills to visit Sacsayhuamán, a fortress with panoramic views of the city. Finally, visit Puka Pukara, an Inca military installation perched on one of Cusco’s most prominent hills. After lunch (included), the afternoon is yours to enjoy on your own. (B, L)

After a short flight from Cusco, you will arrive in Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Amazon. Travel down the Madre de Dios River, and after 45 minutes you will arrive at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica.

This property in the thick of the Amazon is the definition of a bucket list resort. Surrounded by a lush emerald canopy, it is rich in biodiversity. Hundreds of bird species, reptiles and amphibians exist alongside mammals such as sloths and monkeys, as well as colorful flowers and butterflies.

The resort’s 35 elegant, palm-thatched cabanas are designed in the fashion of local Ese’ Eja-style huts. They are appointed with comfortable beds swathed in mosquito netting, log chairs, and a writing table, plus umbrellas, lanterns, and a complete set Inkaterra’s own organic toiletries.

Take advantage of a welcome cocktail when you check in, then enjoy some lunch and begin the afternoon excursions. This includes a walk through the trail system to explore the varied vegetation, insects, and birds surrounding the lodge. After an explanation of the importance of the local ecosystem, take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to watch the sunset and observe nocturnal species such as alligators, nightjars and capybaras, as well as some owls. At night, the lodge guides will provide a presentation about the natural surrounds of the area. (B, L, D)

Note: Only medium-size luggage is allowed during your accommodation in the lodges of Puerto Maldonado, The maximum luggage weight allowed in Inkaterra is 10kg (22lb). During your stay, larger luggage will remain stored.

Breakfast starts early at the resort. Enjoy your morning and soak in the views of the river and rainforest from your luxurious wooden cabana. After lunch at the lodge, visit the Inkaterra Canopy, a network of seven 45-meter high suspension bridges. Note the different kinds of trees and orchids, as well as toucans, woodpeckers and monkeys. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you’ll visit the peaceful Mariposario Tambopata Butterfly Farm in Puerto Maldonado to see many of the 3,700 butterflies native to Peru, before catching your flight back to Lima. (B, L)