Compare Mysteries of the Inca Empire with Peru's Amazon by Cosmos vs The Express Inca Trail by Salkantay Trekking

Day 1: ARRIVE IN LIMA, PERU

Welcome to Lima, where you will be met by a Cosmos representative.

Day 2: LIMA–PUERTO MALDONADO–TAMBOPATA ECO LODGE

Fly to Puerto Maldonado, entry to Peru’s Amazon Jungle. Take a motorboat journey up the Tambopata River to view turtles, caimans, monkeys, and birdlife. Arrive at your Amazon Jungle lodge within Tambopata National Reserve. This afternoon, head out with your Naturalist in search of saddleback tamarins, brown capuchins, agoutis, blue-morpho butterflies, trogons, toucans, and many other species commonly spotted here. As night falls, head out on foot to search for nocturnal wildlife. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 3: TAMBOPATA ECO LODGE

Enjoy a Naturalist-guided canoe ride and walk to see the flora and fauna that thrive in the Amazon. After lunch, head back out with your Naturalist to learn about the endemic plants in this region and spot some more wildlife. This evening, venture back out by canoe with your Naturalist to appreciate the sounds of the jungle at night. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 4: TAMBOPATA ECO LODGE

For more insight into the Amazon, let your Naturalist know what included adventure you would like to take advantage of today—it’s your choice! (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 5: TAMBOPATA ECO LODGE–PUERTO MALDONADO–LIMA

Return to Puerto Maldonado, fly to Lima. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums. (Breakfast)

Day 6: LIMA

Sightseeing today focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. Founded in 1535, Lima was once capital of Spain’s South American Empire. Visit the baroque 11th-century San Francisco Monastery, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and was once the home of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima and conqueror of Peru. Nearby, see the cathedral where Pizarro’s remains are buried. The remainder of your day is free to explore. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 7: LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY

Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop at Awanakancha and learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into precious fibers for ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Continue to Pisac, a charming village with a famous Indian market, where you have plenty of time to browse the many colorful stalls selling handicrafts ranging from alpaca sweaters and blankets to painted vases and sterling silver. Later, arrive at your hotel in the peaceful Sacred Valley. (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 8: SACRED VALLEY

Start the day with a visit to the village of Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins of the same name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the Spanish conquest—the only place ever to resist Spanish attacks. See how the temple area at the top of the terraces was the perfect defensive stronghold, then visit a local home in this Incan town to experience life in a traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved. Next, visit the Seminario ceramics workshop to learn about Peruvian ancient and modern art. End your day at a local chicheria for a taste of a chicha, a typical Inca drink in Peru. (Breakfast)

Day 9: SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU

Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the picturesque Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the quaint town closest to the “Lost City of the Incas.” Ascend the mountainside through tropical forest to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Listen as your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the terraced ruins dating back to the 15th century. Abandoned when the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish, these remarkable ruins remained undiscovered for nearly 400 years. Many mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu remain to this day. (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 10: MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO

Enjoy some free time this morning to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later this afternoon, return to Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire. (Breakfast)

Day 11: CUSCO

Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco that focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epicenter of the Incas until the Spanish toppled it. In fact, Inca foundations can still be found in Cusco, with the Spanish baroque structures built on top. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, where these two forms of architecture are melded together with the temple of both cultures atop one another. Also, see the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, housing a magnificent collection of artwork, including a depiction of The Last Supper that portrays the apostles dining on cuy (guinea pig). Continue to the hillside overlooking Cusco for a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles that took place here, then see the ruins of Kenko and Puca Pucara before returning to Cusco. (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 12: CUSCO–JULIACA–PUNO

Fly to Juliaca, visit the pre-Incan burial grounds of Sillustani en route to Puno. See the above-ground tombs, chullpas, in which the Aymara Indians buried their high priests. Continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Legend says the first Inca, Manco Capac, arose from the waters of the lake by the power of the sun god to found the Inca Empire. (Breakfast)

Day 13: PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA

Experience fascinating Lake Titicaca today as you embark on a motorboat tour of the highest navigable lake in the world and its man-made islands. On Taquile Island, see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past. This is evident by the Spanish peasant dresses made of Andean textiles—the islanders make some of the finest in all of Peru. Continue to the Uros floating islands, a group of approximately 40 artificially made islands. Learn how the Uros Indians construct their islands, homes, boats, and many other resources completely of tortora reed, a centuries-old practice. Enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director this evening. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 14: PUNO–JULIACA–LIMA

Return to Juliaca, where you will be welcomed into a local home for an inside look at life here. Later, a short flight returns you to Lima, where you will transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 15: LIMA

Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Day 1

Cusco - KM 104 - Chachabamba - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate (Inti Punku) - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes

The adventure begins with an early 4:00 am pickup. You’ll travel to the town of Ollantaytambo to take a short but scenic train ride to KM 104, the trek starting point. You’ll start with stunning landscapes over the Urubamba River up to the first site, Chachabamba, a beautiful Inca enclave near the river. Next up is a 3-hour walk to the site of Wiñay Wayna, known for its dramatic terraces overlooking the valley. Here, you’ll explore the site, be enlightened with history, and have lunch nearby with dramatic nature. Continue for 1 hour to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the must-stop for every Inca trail hiker. This is also the spot where you’ll get your first sights over Machu Picchu Citadel. Only a few places on the earth compete with it! With a final stroll down to the Citadel, you’ll close the day with a bus transfer to Aguas Calientes where you’ll have dinner and spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

Meals: Snacks, Box Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking Distance: 9 km / 5.59 miles
Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Starting Elevation: 2,100 m / 6,890 ft
Highest Elevation: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft

Day 2

Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Awake with a fresh coffee or breakfast at the hotel. You'll take one of the first buses to arrive at Machu Picchu before the crowds and see the first sunrise lights as you cross the main gate. The tour with the Guide covers around 2-3 hours of the most remarkable sites in different sections. You'll explore the urban and sacred areas, including the walk up to the observatories, to get different perspectives of the Citadel. Make sure you got any questions, as you'll learn key facts about this city that has been awarded as the world's best cultural destination. If you are up for the extra mile, pick the option to climb Huayna Picchu for mind-blowing views on top. Later, we head down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and continue with the train to Ollantaytambo. For the evening, a private transfer concludes the journey back to your hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast
Difficulty: Easy
Machu Picchu Site Elevation: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Optional Activities: Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountains (2-3 hours of extra hike)