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Amazon River Expedition and Machu Picchu

Program Overview

Discover the natural wonder of the Amazon River Basin and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu, the “lost city of the Incas.” Your journey begins with one night in Lima and continues with a five-night, guided river cruise through the tributaries of the Peruvian Amazon and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve—the world’s largest wetlands refuge. Our exclusive itinerary then features two nights in the breathtaking Sacred Valley, one night at the incomparable Machu Picchu and two nights in the Inca capital of Cuzco. Enhance your voyage with the Lima Pre-Program Option.

Program Details

October 1 to 13, 2023 (Zafiro)
From $6,995 plus air View Terms & Conditions
  • Custom-designed, 13-day travel program available only through Gohagan & Company in our tradition of innovative programming.
  • Five-night deluxe river expedition boat Zafiro—one of a select number to cruise the upper Amazon and its tributaries within the world’s largest rainforest ecosystem.
  • Expert naturalist guides lead all Amazon expeditions.
  • Nightime excursion in search of nocturnal rainforest animals and a red-bellied piranha fishing expedition.
  • All meals on board the boat and all guided tours are included.
  • Inter-Peru air and ideally located, luxury accommodations in Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cuzco are all included.
  • Tour the amazing Machu Picchu, the "lost city of the Incas," a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and return the next morning to see the sunrise over the ruins.
  • Tour of Cuzco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Temple of the Sun, and the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park. 
  • Tour of colonial Lima and time at leisure in this UNESCO World Heritage Site is offered as a Pre-Program Option.

Day 1 - Depart Home City / Arrive in Lima, Peru

Day 2 - Lima / Fly to Iquitos / Nauta / Embark the Zafiro / Río Amazonas

Day 3 - Río Amazonas / Río Ucayali

Day 4 - Río Amazonas / Río Ucayali / Río Marañón / Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Day 5 - Marañón River / Pucate River / Ucayali River

Day 6 - Marañón River / Nauta

Day 7 - Nauta / Disembark river boat / Iquitos / Fly to Lima / Cuzco / Sacred Valley

Day 8 - Sacred Valley

Day 9 - Urubamba Valley / train to Ollantaytambo / Machu Picchu

Day 10 - Machu Picchu / Scenic train to Ollantaytambo / Cuzco

Day 11 - Cuzco

Day 12 - Cuzco / Fly to Lima / Depart for Home City

Day 13 - Arrive in Home City

View detailed program itinerary >

Zafiro

Exclusively Chartered Expedition Vessel

The deluxe Zafiro, specifically designed to navigate the Upper Amazon River and its tributaries, carries a maximum of 36 guests. This spacious yet intimate river boat offers a unique way to experience this fragile ecosystem of colorful wildlife, abundant flora, and Amazonian culture within the most extraordinary, remote, and untouched rainforest.

Learn more about the Zafiro >

Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel

Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, just five minutes from Urubamba, the colonial-style Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel sits at the foot of the mountains. The large rooms are rustic and sleek with wood floors, stone details, and views of either the mountains or the beautiful, manicured gardens.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Sitting on more than 12 acres of stunningly lush cloud forest—home to 214 species of bird and an astounding collection of orchids—the five-star Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is located right across from the Machu Picchu train station. Built as an intimate Andean Village on terraced hills, this wonderful hotel offers a wide variety of walks on the grounds that explore the native flora and fauna. The beautiful rooms are in a traditional style (think wood beams, vaulted ceilings, tile floors, and Andean tapestries), and include everything you would expect from a hotel of this caliber.

JW Marriott El Convento

This five-star hotel in Cuzco seamlessly combines the feel of historic grandeur with modern luxury. Housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century convent, the hotel is ideally located at the heart of the city’s UNESCO-inscribed historical core and surrounded by quint cobblestone streets. The rooms are plush and feature luxurious marble bathrooms.

Colonial Lima Pre-Program Option

Start your Amazon expedition early with a two-night tour of Peru’s UNESCO-inscribed capital city of Lima, featuring visits to the 16th-century Cathedral of Lima, the 17th-century Church and Convent of San Francisco and Casa de Aliaga. Enjoy accommodations in the ideally located, deluxe JW Marriott Lima Hotel.

The Pre-Program Option is available at additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

Gohagan & Company reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees, promotions and surcharges at any time.

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Program Itinerary

Day 1 Depart U.S. or Canada / Lima, Perú

Arrive in Peru’s cosmopolitan capital of Lima and check into the Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport Hotel.

Day 2 Lima / Fly to Iquitos / Nauta / Embark the Zafiro / Río Amazonas

Fly to Iquitos and embark the Zafiro, where naturalists will share insight into the Amazon Basin's complex ecosystem.

Day 3 Río Amazonas / Río Ucayali

Wake up in the heart of the Amazon Basin, where the jungle teems with the greatest diversity of plant and animal life on Earth. Embark a small excursion boat skiff to visit a Butterfly Farm and Village.

Day 4 Río Amazonas / Río Ucayali / Río Marañón / Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Explore the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, the largest wetlands reserve in the world, to watch for pink and gray river dolphins. After lunch, board a small river skiff in search of exotic wildlife and giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies.

Day 5 Río Marañón / Río Pucate / Río Ucayali

Enjoy a picnic breakfast and participate in a tree-planting ceremony dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of the rainforest. Look for nocturnal creatures on a night excursion to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.  

Day 6 Río Marañón / Nauta

Enter a virtually uninhabited portion of the Amazon and try catching the red-bellied piranha during a fishing expedition. Later that evening, gather on the boat’s upper deck for a festive musical sunset farewell.

Day 7 Nauta / Disembark river boat / Iquitos / Fly to Lima / Cuzco / Sacred Valley

Disembark the river boat and fly from Iquitos via Lima to Cuzco. On arrival, transfer to the Sacred Valley of Urubamba, a scenic stretch of ancient ruins and small towns nestled in the Peruvian Andes. Check into the Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel.

Day 8 Sacred Valley

In Urubamba Valley, visit the village of Chinchero Traditional Textile Center. Then visit the fascinating Urubamba Market and walk to the Pablo Seminario Workshop.

Day 9 Sacred Valley / train to Ollantaytambo / Machu Picchu

Visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress and enjoy a train ride to Machu Picchu for a walking tour of this legendary UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later that afternoon, check into the five-star Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel.

Day 10, Morning Machu Picchu / Scenic train to Ollantaytambo / Cuzco

Explore more of the ruins of Machu Picchu or enjoy some of the natural history activities. After lunch, board the train back to Ollantaytambo and transfer to the deluxe JW Marriott El Convento in historical Cuzco.

Day 11 Cuzco

On the outskirts of the historic Inca capital of Cuzco, explore the ruins of Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park. This stone fortress was built of stones varying in shape and size without the use of mortar. During the city tour of Cuzco, visit Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) as well as the Cuzco Cathedral, built in 1559.

Day 12 and 13 Lima / U.S. or Canada

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and enjoy the use of a day room at the Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport Hotel before your overnight flight back to the U.S. or Canada.