Peru Relais Route

Arrival in Lima. A transportation service and a guide will pick you up from the airport at the scheduled time to transfer you to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes.

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In the morning, start the tour in the Surquillo Market, a space full of color and flavors. Explore the enormous diversity of fruits and vegetables from different regions of the country and try them! Then, tour the districts of Miraflores and Barranco, known for its picturesque streets and bohemian style.

Continue to the Señorio de Sulco restaurant, in the district of Miraflores. Here you will observe the preparation of a typical dish by an experienced chef and learn the recipe of the famous Pisco Sour. Next, have a delicious lunch at the restaurant.

In the afternoon, you visit downtown Lima. While you are in the historic center, take a sightseeing tour through the Main Square, where you can appreciate the buildings around it, like the City Town Hall, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, and the Archbishopric. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel.

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After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will go directly to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

On the way, taking the route to Pisaq, you will visit the Sulca Museum, which exhibits the history and culture of different civilizations of ancient Peru. Upon your arrival at the hotel, you will be assisted with the check-in and accommodation.

Lunch at Casa Hacienda Orihuela, where the Orihuelas, a family of great collectors, will be your hosts. The house has a varied collection of popular and colonial art ceramics, paintings, weapons, photography, ceremonial vessels, and the ceramic bulls of Pucara. The environs include a forest of eucalyptus trees and other native species and here the famous giant white corn is cultivated for export.

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In the morning, you will begin your trip visiting the archaeological vestiges of Maras and Moray. Maras is an impressive salt mine complex. These are huge salt deposits that were exchanged for other products from other parts of the empire. Moray’s archaeological vestiges are composed of mysterious concentric circular terraces which, according to some scholars, would be an agricultural research center. The higher external terraces would be at a higher temperature than the inner terraces and could simulate the different ecological strata of the empire.

You will have free time to enjoy lunch and then continue the trip to the Ollantaytambo Park, stopping at various points of interest along the route.

Ollantaytambo is a typical example of the urban planning of the Incas, whose residents still live in accordance with their old traditions. Pachacútec (1438-1471) conquered the town, destroyed it and built a new one, absorbing it as part of his empire, and it is currently considered one of the most remarkable archaeological complexes of the Inca Empire.

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Transfer from your hotel in Urubamba at the arranged time to the Ollantaytambo train station. 

The PeruRail Vistadome Observatory 83 train travels the route between Cusco and Machu Picchu, giving you a unique travel experience with its exclusive atmosphere and views of the magical landscape thanks to its panoramic windows and observatory car.

An unforgettable journey awaits as you enjoy entertainment on board showcasing Peruvian culture up close through the music and typical dance of the Saqra. Along the route, passengers will be able to move between their panoramic car and the elegant observatory car.

After disembarking your train, this is a short, winding bus ride up to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas and undoubted archaeological highlight of your tour.

It is believed that the archaeological site was built around 1450 by the Inca Pachacútec as his vacation residence. However, a century later, the city was abandoned after the Spanish conquest, saving itself from the destruction that reached other Inca settlements.  

Before your return bus and train ride, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at Cafe Inkaterra on the doorstep of the site.

The PeruRail Vistadome Observatory (504) train departs Machu Picchu at 16:22 and arrival at Ollanta station is scheduled for 18:10 from which you’ll have a private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

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In the morning, enjoy a guided tour of this enchanting city, once the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing walls offer a breathtaking reminder of their architectural mastery.

Walk to the viewpoint of San Cristobal where you will have a spectacular panoramic view of the city. From here, you will start your descent on foot towards the main square of Cusco via its narrow cobbled streets and imposing Inca walls, where more than 500 years of history coexist with modernity among shops and restaurants that are very popular with tourists.

You will go through Siete Borreguitos, a picturesque sloping street known by this name because it was the route used by the locals to travel with their packages and animals, including sheep.

Make a last stop at the Sapantiana Aqueduct in Cusco which was built in colonial times before arriving at the Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the Plaza de Armas.

Finally, visit the Inca temple of Coricancha, one of the most important precincts dedicated to the cult of the sun. Ancient chronicles say that its walls were covered with gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Return to your hotel.

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After breakfast, enjoy a pleasant transfer from your hotel to the airport. A representative will assist you along the way to ensure you safely catch your flight back to Lima.

Arrive at Lima Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Lima.

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AM: At the arranged hour, you’ll be transfered from your hotel to Lima airport. A representative will assist you along the way to take your flight to Iquitos.

Upon arrival in Iquitos, the Delfin I crew members will be expecting you at the airport to transfer you and your fellow passengers all together by comfortable private air-conditioned vehicle to your luxurious riverboat. We will start you off with a lunchbox as we begin the journey to Nauta.

Nauta is a small riverside town on the banks of the Marañon River and was the first city founded in the department of Loreto. Once we reach Nauta, you will enjoy a VIP greeting at the private port along the shores of the Marañon River where the vessel awaits you.

PM: Aboard Delfin, you will be served by our qualified staff who will introduce you to your exquisite and cozy suite, specially equipped with all the amenities for an experienced traveler like yourself. Orthopedic beds, pure cotton sheets, pillows of 100% pure natural latex, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with Spanish-style hot water showers are all framed with a spacious private terrace we are sure you will enjoy to the fullest.

While the Delfin begins its initial navigation, you will enjoy the most fantastic panoramic views from the elegantly outfitted observation area located on our third deck. Your naturalist guide will give you an overview of your journey’s schedule, activities, route, highlights, wildlife, and vegetation to keep your eye out for, geographical and historical background, and other useful details.

We head down into the Marañon River to a location known as Pahuachiro. This lovely spot is an ideal place to spend some time in search of birds and playful monkeys with the help of your naturalist guide. Later the river’s waters are adorned by the vivid colors of the sun’s reflections as you witness your first Amazon Rainforest sunset.

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AM: On your first morning with us, we recommend getting up early to appreciate one of the most important zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Never does nature seem more bountiful than in the tropics, and early rising is always rewarding since wildlife is most abundant and active with the rising of the sun. The early morning hours are the best time of day to watch birds, observe their special displays and listen to their songs. We will jump on the skiffs and head to this area with large trees and old palm trees as well, these components favor the presence of several parrot species. This particular spot also has a great number of other birds of different species. We will look for the famous hoatzins nesting a few feet above the water, and perhaps a sloth or two of the three-toed kind.

You will start cruising through the Yanayacu and Pucate Rivers, peeking into different creeks and lagoons. This is one of the best-preserved and protected zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guide will use his expert eye to pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. If you want to interact directly with the waters of the Amazon, go out on one of our kayaks or paddleboards. You will even have the opportunity to see the famous pink dolphins!

PM: This very unique opportunity, you will get to the only Canopy Walkway in this area, an experience unequaled in the rainforest! At a height of over 25 meters (85 feet) and extending for 500 meters (one-third of a mile), the Canopy Walkway provides a view of the rainforest from the treetops, the best vantage point for observing Amazon wildlife and vegetation.

The Canopy Walkway is accessible to all and requires no special skills or equipment. The suspended walkway is spread between 14 of the area’s largest rainforest trees and is one of the longest canopy walkways in the world. You will enjoy the “Terra Firma” forest of a local ribereño is eye-opening to how far we have come in this day and age and a reflection of how simple yet rewarding life is for others.

After dinner, you will enjoy a Shamanism lecture from our guides.

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AM: You will start cruising through the creeks of Yanayaquillo, peeking into different creeks and lagoons. This is one of the best-preserved and protected zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guide will use his expert eye to pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. This is also a popular dolphin feeding spot so we won ́t be the only ones enjoying our happy meal here. We will also try piranha fishing.

PM: We head down into the Marañon River to a location known as Piraña Caño. We had the option to explore the creek either by kayak or by skiff, and they were both fantastic choices! This lovely creek which leads to a lagoon is an ideal place to spend some time in search of birds and playful monkeys. As your naturalist guide spots various creatures for you, also try to pinpoint some yourself now that you’ve been in the jungle for a few days and have trained your eye a bit! Kayakers will endure the feeling of paddling down the river with only the noises of the forest as your companion. As for the skiff riders, the encounters with wildlife are abundant. The landscape adorned by the usual colors of the sun ́s reflections by whichever mode of transportation is stunning. So sit back and enjoy the beauty of the Amazon forest!

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AM: With heavy hearts, the staff will wish you farewell as you begin your departure. At the port of Nauta, our ground crew will be waiting to take you by our private vehicle back to the city of Iquitos, about 95-kilometer journey by paved road.

On our way from Nauta back to Iquitos airport, you will visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (Amazon Forever) where you will have the chance to meet baby manatees and learn about these wonderful and docile creatures and why they are on the endangered species list.

As well, there are also some other animals cared for by the center that have been rescued from capture for the intention of being turned into pets and other threatening conditions. We welcome you to donate to this ambitious organization and education center as you wish.

Our staff will be on hand to help you with your luggage and check-in at the airport in Iquitos for your return flight to Lima.

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