Wander to Peru

Jul 20

Highlights: Arrival day, welcome dinner

Included: Dinner

Upon arrival you’ll be picked up at the airport and taken to our conveniently located hotel. After getting settled and having a good rest, we’ll start off with an evening orientation and group dinner at one of the city’s great restaurants, where we'll enjoy our first Peruvian meal.

Jul 21

Highlights: Amazon Rainforest

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll take a short 1-hour flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to Peru’s Amazon region. After landing we’ll head straight to the river and board a motorized canoe for a 25-minute ride along the Madre de Dios river. As we travel we’ll start getting to know the landscape with the help of our naturalist guide, who will point out the region’s rich plant life and share insights about the forest’s complex ecosystem. Once we arrive at the lodge we’ll settle in and enjoy lunch before heading out for a guided walk through the surrounding forest trails. This is a chance to learn about the differences between primary and secondary rainforest, how humans have shaped parts of the landscape, and why these ecosystems matter far beyond Peru. In the late afternoon we’ll return to the river for an evening boat ride to experience the rainforest at night. As the forest darkens, we’ll learn about the gullies and waterways that make up the nighttime ecosystem, watch for the subtle movements of nocturnal animals, and if skies are clear, take a moment to look up at the constellations of the southern hemisphere.

Jul 22

Highlights: Jungle trails and canopies

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we’ll set out on a morning walk through the rainforest toward Lake Sandoval, located in the Tambopata National Reserve. This oxbow lake is known for its calm waters and rich biodiversity, offering the chance to quietly observe wildlife as we glide across in a wooden canoe. The lake is home to rare and endangered species such as giant river otters, howler monkeys, macaws, turtles, and, if we’re lucky, anacondas. After lunch back at the lodge we’ll head into the treetops on a suspended canopy walkway, stretching nearly a quarter mile through the upper layers of the forest. Connecting a series of observation platforms, the walkway will give us a bird’s-eye view of the jungle and the chance to spot toucans, woodpeckers, monkeys, and sloths moving through the branches.

Jul 23

Highlights: Local communities

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For our last day in the Amazon rainforest we'll visit a local indigenous farm, where we’ll learn about traditional agricultural practices passed down through generations. We’ll see firsthand how local communities grow their crops in the rainforest environment and have a chance to taste some of the produce. From there we’ll continue to a nearby botanical garden to explore the Amazon’s natural pharmacy, a collection of medicinal plants used for centuries to treat everything from fevers to bites and stomach ailments. In the afternoon we’ll head out onto the lodge’s lake by canoe. As we paddle across the calm waters, we’ll take in the peaceful surroundings and try our hand at sustainable catch-and-release fishing. To finish the day we’ll visit the rusting remains of the steamboat Fitzcarraldo, now partially swallowed by the jungle. Our guide will share the dramatic real-life story behind it—and how it inspired Werner Herzog’s film, a tale of obsession and ambition set deep in the Amazon.

Jul 24

Highlights: Flight to Cusco, Sacred Valley

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a full night’s rest we’ll wake up to the deep calls of the howler monkey, a clear reminder that we’re still in the heart of the Amazon. After breakfast we’ll take a final boat ride back to Puerto Maldonado before having an early lunch and catching a quick 1-hour flight to Cusco. From there we'll begin our 2-hour drive into the Andes mountains, making our way to the Sacred Valley, a fertile region located between Cusco and Machu Picchu that was once the agricultural heart of the Inca Empire. With its terraced hillsides, fast-flowing rivers, and traditional villages, it remains one of the most important cultural and historical areas in the Andes. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel and have time to unwind after the day’s journey before heading out for dinner.

Jul 25

Highlights: Full-day tour of the Sacred Valley

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We’ll spend the day exploring the Sacred Valley, starting with a visit to the Urubamba Main Plaza and Market, where locals come to shop, sell fresh produce, and catch up with neighbors. This is a busy but welcoming spot, full of vendors arranging colorful piles of fruits and vegetables, stalls selling handmade goods, and families going about their daily routines. From there we’ll continue to Lamay, a small village where we’ll get a real sense of everyday life in the valley. We’ll visit local homes, see how families raise guinea pigs, stop by a chichería to learn how corn beer is made, and check out the Pichinku natural dye project, where plants and minerals are used to create rich colors for textiles. Afterwards we’ll sit down for lunch before taking a short drive to Calca to explore a special market where we'll meet the caseras, the friendly women who run the stalls, always joking and chatting with visitors like old friends. We’ll meet vendors like Sonia, Lourdes, and Juana, stopping along the way to sample tamales, bread, nuts, and olives while soaking in the energy of the market. After a full day of exploring, we’ll head back to the hotel to relax and unwind.

Jul 26

Highlights: Maras and Moray

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we’ll visit the archaeological site of Moray, an impressive system of circular terraces built by the Incas. These deep, concentric depressions functioned as an agricultural laboratory, allowing the Incas to experiment with different crops and growing conditions at varying temperatures. Standing at the edge we’ll see how each level creates its own microclimate, a testament to their advanced understanding of farming in the Andes. From there we’ll continue to the salt mines of Maras, a network of thousands of shallow pools carved into the mountainside. These terraces have been used for salt production since the time of the Incas, and even today, local families harvest salt using the same techniques passed down for generations. The contrast of the bright white salt against the rugged, green hills makes for a striking scene. After exploring these two amazing sites, we’ll stop at a restaurant for a well-earned lunch before returning to the hotel for the evening. You will have some free time to explore Urubamba, with options such as visiting a craft market, walking along the Urubamba River, or relaxing at the hotel.

Jul 27

Highlights: Food and farming

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today will be all about food and farming in the Sacred Valley, giving us a hands-on look at the region’s agriculture and culinary traditions. We’ll start the day with a drive to the community of Huayllafara in Lamay, where farmers will welcome us and introduce us to their way of life. They will share their knowledge about the Andean agricultural cycle, explaining how crops like potatoes, quinoa, tarwi, and beans have been cultivated for centuries and remain essential to their diet and economy. As we walk through their fields we’ll learn about ancient farming techniques that have been passed down through generations, from terracing the land to using ancestral tools. Along the way we’ll get to sample some of the seasonal produce straight from the fields. We’ll also have the chance to take part in the farming activity of the day, whether it’s harvesting corn, preparing quinoa, or making chicha de jora, a fermented corn drink that has been part of Andean culture for generations. After learning about the fields we’ll join our hosts in the kitchen, helping to prepare a traditional meal using local ingredients and cooking methods that have remained unchanged for centuries. As we cook and eat together, we’ll hear stories about their customs, daily life, and the deep connection between food and community.

Jul 28

Highlights: Machu Picchu

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving our hotel early in the morning, we’ll catch a train through the Sacred Valley to the town of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. The journey, lasting about an hour and 45 minutes, will take us along the Urubamba River, with some of the best views of the Andean mountains. Upon arrival we’ll take a short bus ride up the steep mountain roads to Machu Picchu, where our guide will lead us through this breathtaking 700-year-old Inca site, one of the New Wonders of the World. As we walk through the carefully designed terraces, temples, and plazas, we’ll learn about the advanced engineering techniques the Incas used to build this city on a mountaintop without modern tools. We’ll explore the Temple of the Sun, believed to have been a key site for astronomical observations, the Intihuatana Stone, a carved rock thought to have served as a solar calendar, and the Temple of the Three Windows, an impressive structure that may have held deep spiritual significance. After the tour we’ll enjoy lunch before returning to Aguas Calientes, where we’ll check into our hotel and have the rest of the day to relax. You can take a soak in the town’s natural hot springs, explore the streets lined with cafés and artisan shops, or simply unwind after an unforgettable day.

Jul 29

Highlights: Second visit to Machu Picchu, drive to Cusco

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We’ll start the day with an early morning visit to Machu Picchu, this time with free time to explore the citadel at your own pace. You’ll have the chance to revisit spots you enjoyed most or discover new corners of the site, perhaps walking up to the Sun Gate, visiting the Inca Bridge, or simply sitting quietly to take in the mountain views and atmosphere. After soaking in the views we’ll head back to the hotel for breakfast before making our way to the train station for the scenic ride back to Ollantaytambo. From there we’ll take a 2-hour drive to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and one of the most historically rich cities in Peru. Nestled high in the Andes Mountain Range, Cusco is known for its blend of Inca and colonial architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and vibrant energy. After settling in we’ll head out for a sunset stroll through the city’s streets before enjoying dinner at a traditional restaurant.

Jul 30

Highlights: Peruvian art, farewell dinner

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We’ll start the day with a visit to the workshop of a renowned ceramic artist where we’ll learn about the techniques and designs used by ancient Peruvian cultures and how these traditions are preserved today. His work blends pre-Columbian influences with modern creativity, resulting in large-format pieces that feature traditional Andean symbols and patterns. After exploring the studio and creating our own ceramic piece, we’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy Cusco at your own pace. Options include a visit to Cristo Blanco, a large white statue of Christ that overlooks the city and offers sweeping views of Cusco and the surrounding mountains, or a stop at the ChocoMuseo, where you can learn about the history and cultural importance of cacao in Peru and even try your hand at making your own chocolate. If you prefer something more relaxed, you can spend the afternoon strolling through Cusco’s plazas, visiting small artisan shops, or enjoying a coffee in one of the city’s many cafés. In the evening we’ll gather for our farewell dinner at one of Cusco’s best restaurants.

Jul 31

Departure day

Included: Breakfast

You will be picked up at the hotel by a private driver who will take you to the airport for your departing flight.