Nature Quest Peru

15 Day Sample Itinerary

Lima Machu Picchu Andes to Amazon Biotrip Pacific Dry Forest

Experience Peru’s incredible natural diversity and fascinating wildlife on a unique journey from Pacific to Andes to Amazon. Peru has long been lauded for its magnificent Inca ruins and pre-Colombian civilisations yet few visitors appreciate the country’s dizzying wealth of exotic flora and fauna. From penguins to condors, cock-of-the-rock to spectacled bears (Paddingon!), this itinerary navigates mountains, coast and cloud-forest before dropping you into the Amazon via an incredible overland bio-adventure!

Itinerary Highlights

  • Swim with sea-lions & penguins at the Palomino Islands
  • Venture into Machu Picchu’s lush cloud-forest in search of humming birds and orchids
  • Embark on a unique wildlife journey from Andes to Amazon
  • Explore tapir and macaw claylicks at a remote rainforest lodge
  • Experience Peru’s Pacific Dry Forests, home to Paddingon!

What’s included

  • Private tours for most included activities
  • Meet & greet airport service
  • Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
  • Expert naturalist guides in each destination

flexibility

This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.

14

Nights

Price Guide

$POA

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 1

Fly to Lima

plan line
Day 2

Lima – Palomino islands & Colonial Treasures

On arrival into Lima, you will be driven to your hotel for a short stay in Peru’s capital and the chance to recover from the jetlag. The following morning, the trip starts in earnest with a wonderful boat trip out to the natural reserve of the rugged Palomino Islands, home to boobies, frigate birds. sea lions and Humboldt penguins. If you are feeling active, why not take to the water and swim with the sea-lions themselves? Time allowing, you may like to delve into Lima’s colonial treasures – the cathedral, San Francisco Monastery and Casa Aliaga – or explore the fascinating ancient site of Huaca Pucllana.

Day 3-4

Machi Picchu, Orchids & Cloud-forest

Fly to Cusco where you will be met and driven into the picturesque Sacred Valley, the breadbasket of the Inca under the commanding presence of the Vilcabamba mountains. The Sacred Valleys brims with colourful markets, white-washed towns and Inca ruins and stops may include the dazzling salt-flats of Maras, Chinchero town and market as well as Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary, dedicated to the rehabilitation of regional wildlife rescued illegal trafficking. After a visit to the magnificent Ollantaytambo fortress, you will continue by train, skirting the winding Urubamba River to reach Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Focal point of South American tourism, Machu Picchu needs little introduction and is simply extraordinary! You will tour the site with guide and also have the chance to visit the nearby Mandor botanic gardens or venture into the surrounding cloud-forest. Stay at Inkaterra Machu Picchu, and enjoy a guided tour of their stunning orchid garden as humming birds flit around you.

Day 5-6

Cusco & Inca Peru

Return by train to the Inca capital Cusco, a wonderful blend of ancient temples and colonial monuments jampacked with museums, galleries, markets, churches, bars & restaurants. Enjoy a guided tour through the workshops of San Blas or heady scents of San Pedro market before you head up to the towering ramparts of Sacsayhuaman fortress – simply unmissable! In the evening, what better place to enjoy a walking street-food tour to sample Peru’s classic dishes.

Day 7-8

Andes to Amazon Biotrip

Embark on a breathtaking overland journey from Andes to Amazon, traversing diverse ecosystems and countless micro-climates to reach the steamy rainforest and the renowned Manu Wildlife Centre. From the heights of Cusco at 3300m above sea-level, you witness the transition from high-altitude valleys to lush cloud-forests and lowland tropics as you drop down the mountains, encountering an abundance of unique flora and fauna along the way. The first part of your journey has you passing cliffs, waterfalls and peaceful mountain villages to reach elfin forests and a world of towering trees. Soon the lush foliage gives way to rolling hills and coca plantations. On route enjoy guided walks where there is every chance of spotting Brown
Capuchin or Woolly monkeys, toucans, hummingbirds and the iconic cock-of-the-rock.

Day 9-11

Into the Amazon

The journey continues by boat along the Alto Madre de Dios River through the last foothills of the Andes to reach the pristine fringes of the Manu National Park and your lodge, the Manu Wildlife Centre. Set amidst a 40,000-acre rainforest reserve, Manu Wildlife Centre in an untouched natural wonderland where tapirs frequent the mud wallows and vibrant macaws flock to the resident clay licks. Each day, you will head out with your guides to explore the network of trails, ascend the forest canopy tower and discover tranquil ox-bow lakes. Here amidst pristine rainforest, there is every chance of spotting tapirs, giant river otters, ospreys and some of the 12 species of resident monkeys, including the Spider Monkey and Emperor Tamarin.

Day 12-14

Peru’s Pacific Dry Forest & Paddington!

Transfer on by river and road to reach Puerto Maldonado airport for a flight to Cusco and on to Chiclayo. Here, you will be met and driven to the rustic yet charming Chaparri Lodge nestled within a 34,000 hectare reserve of Pacific Dry Forest set against the imposing walls of Mount Chaparri. Sacred to the indigenous Muchik people, Chaparri offers an incredible contrast to the Amazon and is mecca for wildlife lovers especially ornithologists with over 283 recorded species of birds. What’s more, this THE place to observe one of Peru’s most iconic species – the Andean Spectacled Bear both in the wild and also at the nearby rescue centre. During your visit, you will explore the network of trails and enjoy daily nature walks through the arid, cacti ridden scrub where there is every chance of spotting peccaries, foxes and deer amidst the wealth of bird-life. With luck you may even stumble upon an ocelot or even Paddington himself!

Day 15

Return to Lima for Onward Connections

A note on price

The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.

Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).

Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.

Price Guide $POA

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season from April to November when there are bright sunny days and an average temperature of around 20° though dropping to just above zero at night due to the altitude. The Amazon is hot and sticky all year round though marginally more oppressive and wet between the months December and March.

Add on’s

South of Lima, Paracas National Reserve offers desolate beaches, fascinating geoglyphs and incredble wildlife; the jewel in the crown being the Ballestas Islands likened to a mini-Galapagos owing to its rich flora and fauna.

A short flight north, Ecuador and the Galapagos needs little introducton, a mecca for wildlife enthusiasts and a natural add-on to this itinerary. Naturalist cruises depart from San Cristobal and Baltra islands while for more flexiblity, you may prefer an island hopping itinerary. For the ultimate wetland experience and the chance to spot jaguar in the wild, there is only destination – Brazil’s Pantanal!

From Lima, there are also direct flights to the extraordinary national parks and natural divesity of Costa Rica. Here, you can tour the channels of Tortuguero, join sloth spotting trips in Arenal or head off in serach of the iconic Resplendant Quetzal.

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