Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
including the
Catedral
(where you can see a painting of Christ eating a guinea pig), as
well as the over-the-top ornamentation of the
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
. Then
take a couple of days to explore the city's must-see Inca sights, including the
Qorikancha
, which once harbored the most important Inca temple, and
Sacsaywamán
, the photogen-
ic fortress just above town.
CUZCO AGUAS CALIENTES & MACHU PICCHU
Three hours
Departures from Estación Poroy, east of town.
Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu (
Click here
)
The picturesque train line winds through the
Sacred Valley
, depositing travelers in the
teeming town of Aguas Calientes - base camp for Machu Picchu. Most folks come in for
the day; we recommend sticking around for at least two. For one, Machu Picchu is huge -
and exploring it takes time. Two, being there overnight means you can get in early before
the crowds arrive. Be sure to book your train ride back to Cuzco, as these fill up early.
CUZCO PUERTO MALDONADO
One hour
Multiple daily flights from Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete.
Puerto Maldonado (
Click here
)
A quick flight plunges straight from the Andean highlands into lowland Amazon jungle.
Here, the raffish town of Puerto Maldonado serves as a gateway to this storied rainforest's
most remote jungle lodges. Take a day to acquaint yourself with the area - a good way to
orient yourself is to clamber to the top of the
Obelisco
, a 30m tower that offers a good
overview of the town.
PUERTO MALDONADO RÍO TAMBOPATA
Two hours
There are taxi boats at the Tambopata dock, but your lodge can arrange private transfer.
Río Tambopata (
Click here
)
A tributary of the
Río Madre de Dios
, the Río Tambopata leads into the
Reserva Na-
cional Tambopata
, an important protected area. Here, a string of riverside lodges offer
various levels of accommodations (from jungle rustic to downright luxe) within reach of
countless day hikes and one of the largest macaw clay licks in the country. Expect to see
innumerable birds, frogs, alligators, giant river otters and the unusual spike-haired avian
species known as the jungle chicken (its official name:
hoatzin
). For the best exploring,
