The Andes and Amazon regions in Peru contain two of South America's great treasures—the magnificent Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, and the mighty Amazonia. The former, one of the world's most exciting archaeological sites, is an impressive mountaintop complex located deep in the eastern Andes that was never found by the Spanish, while the latter creates the largest river system in the world, draining a basin approximately the size of the continental US and forming the planet's largest tropical rainforest. This superb journey—our most popular active combination adventure—was designed for travelers who want to experience and explore both of these fascinating, interconnected destinations.

Starting in the Andes, we visit amazing Inca ruins such as the Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman and Pisac near Cusco and explore the Sacred Valley as we acclimate to the 11,150-foot-elevation of the former Inca capital. Then, we don our hiking boots, drive to the trailhead for the world-renowned Inca Trail, and begin our a 4-day, fully supported trek. Our route takes us along the impressive, stone-paved Royal Highway-a pilgrimage route leading past various temples into the Inca’s Sacred City, Machu Picchu. A day and a half to explore this archaeological site and a final night in Cusco conclude the Andean segment of this adventure. Next, a direct flight brings us to Puerto Maldonado, a jungle frontier town located at the confluence of the Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. Here we board a covered, motorized canoe for the journey upriver to the Posada Amazonas, a charming jungle lodge operated by the native community of Ese’eja where we spend the night. The next day we continue to the research center's facility where we dedicate 3 days to observing the activity at the clay lick, exploring the various trails near the lodge and, possibly, watching the tree canopy or macaw nesting sites from special scaffolding towers. Led by resident biologists or naturalist researchers we learn about the complex symbiotic relationships that exist in a primary rainforest, as well as study and observe a variety of plant and wildlife species. We return by river to Puerto Maldonado and then fly to Lima.