SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE

ANDEAN WORLD
& GREEN JUNGLE

Where Mountains Give Way to Rainforest.

Discover the extraordinary transition between the Sacred Andes and Peru's vibrant cloud forests. This journey connects ancient civilizations, living traditions, dramatic landscapes, and biodiversity-rich ecosystems, revealing the unique relationship between mountains, jungle, and the communities that call them home.

Highland

Jungle

Small Group

Dedicated Guide

10 Days

Price: 2050 USD

Plan your Journey

Experience Profile

Adventure

Culture

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Positive Trace

Comunities

Chill & Rest

Party & Fun

Phisical
Energy

THE JOURNEY

Three Living Territories. One Purposeful Adventure.

Pacific Horizons

·Lima

Sacred Highlands

· Cusco · Sacred Valley
· Chinchero · Cuyo Chico · Machu Picchu

Wild Amazonia

· Tambopata
· Puerto Maldonado

DAY BY DAY OVERVIEW

Day 1: Cusco, Where Past and Present Intertwine

From the moment you land in Peru's historic capital of Cuscoo, you'll be greeted with the Andean warmth that marks the beginning of an unforgettable journey. Your guide, the first host of this immersive experience, will accompany you to your hotel, where you can feel the ancestral energy emanating from every corner of Cusco.

After a comforting lunch that will introduce you to the region's authentic flavors, we'll delve into the heart of history. Qorikancha, the ancient Temple of the Sun, will reveal the sophisticated Inca worldview and its fascinating encounter with the Catholic faith, whose history is palpable in the imposing Cathedral we'll visit next. The monumentality of Sacsayhuamán will leave you awestruck by the architectural mastery of a legendary civilization.

Finally, a panoramic view of Cusco will offer you a magical perspective of the city, a visual prelude to the treasures still waiting to be discovered in this Andean enclave. This first day is the gateway to a deep connection with the rich heritage of the Andes.

Day 2: Weaving Connections and Shaping Dreams with Andean Communities

Today, after a nourishing breakfast in Cusco, we'll embark on a journey that transcends conventional tourism, immersing ourselves in the authenticity of Andean communities with deeply rooted ancestral customs.

Our first stop will be Ccacacollo, a vibrant Andean community organized and led by entrepreneurial women. They'll welcome us with open arms, proudly showing us how their collective work in ancestral textile art, passed down through generations, not only preserves a millenary tradition but also drives the development and well-being of their Andean village. We'll witness their skill in transforming natural fibers into beautiful creations, an art that is the heart of their economy and ancestral identity.

We'll then continue to Cuyo Chico, where we'll have a timeless experience participating in pottery creation alongside local artisans. We'll mold our own clay pieces, connecting directly with an ancestral practice of profound cultural significance in the Andean world.

After sharing a lunch with authentic flavors, we'll marvel at the unique landscape of the Maras salt mines, where artisanal salt extraction sustains local families, maintaining ancestral practices. Finally, we'll explore the enigmatic Moray terraces, a testament to Inca agricultural wisdom and their deep ancestral connection with the earth.

As the day concludes, we'll return to Cusco, carrying with us the richness of having intimately shared the life, strength, and inspiring organization of the women of Ccacacollo, as well as the ancestral traditions of the Sacred Andean Valley. This experience truly embodies "Traces'" philosophy of connecting travelers with local communities in a meaningful and sustainable way.

The Essence of Peru: An Ancestral Journey Between Peaks and Deep Jungle

Embark on a transformative journey that unites two extraordinary worlds of Peru and will enrich your soul.

Discover the ancient wisdom of the Andes in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. Then, let yourself be enveloped by the untamed exuberance of the Amazon rainforest as you navigate the Tambopata River, which holds countless stories. This is an invitation to experience an authentic connection with communities, landscapes, and wildlife that will leave you breathless.

Day 3: Ollantaytambo, A Portal to the Past and the Antechamber of Wonder

Today, our journey takes us from Cusco to the ancient town of Ollantaytambo, a living Inca city where every cobblestone alley tells stories of remote times. As we walk its pathways, we'll feel the connection to a past that still beats strongly. Then, we'll explore the imposing ruins of Ollantaytambo, understanding their historical significance and the mastery of their builders.

From this historically rich enclave, we'll board the train to Aguas Calientes. The journey along the Urubamba River will offer breathtaking landscapes, anticipating the excitement of the next day. Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, the town nestled at the base of Machu Picchu, we'll have time to rest and prepare for the ultimate experience that awaits us. This day is a fascinating prelude, a journey through time that brings us closer to the heart of the ancient Inca Empire.

Day 4: The Awakening of Wonder, Feeling the Energy of Machu Picchu.

The morning stirs with anticipation. After a light breakfast, the bus ascends winding paths, each curve bringing us closer to the heart of the Andes. And then, it emerges: Machu Picchu, a breathtaking sight. The lost city rises through the morning mist, a whisper of history and mystery.

Alongside our guide, we'll delve into this sacred sanctuary, feeling the ancestral energy emanating from its stones. Each temple, each terrace, will tell us stories of a forgotten empire. The immensity of the landscape will embrace us, connecting us with nature in its purest state.

After hours of exploration and awe, we'll descend to Aguas Calientes, where local flavors will revitalize us. The train journey back to Ollantaytambo will be a gentle return to reality, as the Andean landscapes parade before our eyes. Finally, the bus will bring us back to Cusco, but a part of us will forever remain among the clouds of Machu Picchu. This day isn't just a visit; it's an experience that etches itself onto the soul.

Day 5: The Chromatic Adventure of Vinicunca: An Andean Awakening of Color

The Andean dawn calls us towards the chromatic adventure of Vinicunca (5,025 meters above sea level). A scenic three-hour drive transports us to the base of this natural wonder. We begin a challenging 7 km (round trip) hike from 4,660 meters above sea level, ascending through breathtaking landscapes. Along the way, Andean life manifests in llamas, alpacas, and ancestral communities sharing their connection to the land.

Upon reaching the summit, Vinicunca's palette of colors rewards our effort with an unforgettable view. After this visual immersion, we descend for a well-deserved lunch. We then begin our return to Cusco, carrying with us the vibrant image of the Rainbow Mountain and the authentic spirit of the Andes, an indelible memory of Peru's natural majesty.

Day 6: The Turquoise Jewel of Humantay.

A final morning adventure awaits us in the Andean highlands with an excursion to the breathtaking Humantay Lake, located at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level. Our journey begins early with a transfer to the picturesque village of Soraypampa, situated at 3,800 meters (12,467 feet), which serves as the starting point for our hike.

From there, we'll embark on a scenic trail of approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) round trip, a gradual ascent that allows us to admire the majesty of the surrounding landscape. Upon reaching the lake, we'll be rewarded with a spectacular view: brilliant turquoise waters contrasting with the imposing presence of Mount Humantay, a revered mountain by local communities as a protective spirit.

We'll take time to absorb the serenity and beauty of this magical place, feeling a unique connection with Andean nature. Finally, we'll begin our descent back to Soraypampa, where our transport will be waiting to take us back to the vibrant city of Cusco, filled with the energy and indelible memories of our last encounter with the grandeur of the Peruvian Andes

Day 7: Farewell to Cusco, Carrying the Magic of the Andes

On your last day in the enchanting city of Cusco, you'll have a morning to simply soak up the Andean atmosphere at your own pace. You're free to explore your favorite spots, whether that's revisiting a charming little street, finally getting to that museum you wanted to see, or diving into the vibrant local market, where the colors and aromas of the Andes will awaken your senses. Your local guide will be on hand to offer great recommendations, from the best places to find a special souvenir to amazing restaurants for one last taste of delicious Peruvian food, or even for a cooking class.

Day 9: Deep Exploration in the Heart of Tambopata: Jungle Secrets and Nocturnal Encounters

After waking to the sounds of the jungle and enjoying a breakfast of local flavors at the lodge, we'll delve deeper into the heart of Tambopata on foot. This walk will be a profound immersion into the wildlife, where our senses will sharpen to detect the movements and sounds of the fauna surrounding us. Our local guide, with their ancestral knowledge, will reveal the secrets of the medicinal plants that the jungle generously offers, teaching us about their healing properties and their importance to local communities. If the jungle favors us, we'll have the thrilling opportunity to spot anacondas in their natural habitat, as well as various species of monkeys leaping among the branches.

Later, we'll take a short trip to a hidden lagoon, a mirror of water where the adventure continues with a search for piranhas and observation of the rich birdlife that frequents its shores. As evening falls, we'll return to the comfort of our lodge, carrying with us the images and sounds of an intense day of exploration.

The night will invite us to a new adventure: we'll navigate through the dark waters of the Tambopata River in search of imposing black caimans, whose shining eyes will reflect our flashlights in the darkness. This nocturnal navigation will offer us a different perspective on life in the jungle.

Day 8: Awakening the Senses in the Heart of Tambopata: First Jungle Contact

From the Andean altitude of Cusco, our flight transports us to the vibrant heart of the Amazon in Puerto Maldonado. Upon landing, the humid warmth and unfamiliar aromas will welcome us, along with the enthusiastic reception from our local guides, true guardians of this ecosystem. After a brief organization at their office, where we'll lighten our luggage for the jungle adventure, we'll head by bus to the port that will open the doors to the Tambopata River.

The Tambopata River awaits us, winding through a green symphony where wildlife begins to reveal itself in flashes of color and sound. The navigation to our lodge becomes a first intimate contact with the jungle, an awakening of the senses to the exuberant vegetation and the promise of fascinating encounters. Upon arriving at our jungle home, the environment envelops us in its vital energy. As night falls, we'll venture into a night walk, where mysterious sounds and dancing shadows will guide us through a hidden world. This first day is a deep connection with the untamed soul of Tambopata, a sensory immersion that will leave us amazed by the immensity and magic of the Amazon rainforest.

Day 10: Goodbye Tambopata, Hello Lima: Farewell Night

Waking up in the heart of Tambopata marks our last day in this jungle paradise. After breakfast, we'll navigate back along the Tambopata River and then take ground transport to the Puerto Maldonado airport for our flight to Lima. This evening, we'll have the option to enjoy a farewell dinner together or go dancing to celebrate our incredible adventure before heading home.