Private journey proposal

Machu Picchu, without the altitude

Machu Picchu without ever going above 2,900 m, arriving through the Amazon. Designed for travellers whose doctor advises against going above 3,000 m, and for those who worry about altitude sickness or are prone to it.

Destinations

Amazon Machu Picchu

Duration

15 days

Price

On request

Explore the proposal Request a quote

Your journey begins here

The journey in brief

She had told us: "I can't go to Machu Picchu with my friends because I have a health issue, and my doctor told me I couldn't go above 3,000 m." Fortunately, her friends were flexible. We created an itinerary for them, one you won't find anywhere else, so they could all go together to see the sacred city of the Incas without ascending above 3,000 m, passing through the central Amazon and ascending the river that flows at the foot of Machu Picchu. A beautiful journey that demands real adaptability and great open-mindedness, but which allows one to encounter a different Peru, friendly and welcoming, totally unknown to the general public. Maximum altitude on the entire route: 2,900 m. Whether this journey suits you depends on an individual medical opinion: we recommend discussing it with your doctor before booking.

Private journey

Only you and your travel companions

Spanish- and English-speaking guides

Selected for each itinerary

III

Local accommodations and camps

Village guesthouses, host families, camps

A human pace

Designed for immersion, not for ticking boxes.

The Private Territory

Our Luxury Mobile River Safari

Between the pristine forests of Atalaya and the grand stone gates of Machu Picchu, lies a vast, untouched wilderness where traditional luxury hotels simply do not exist. Rather than compromising your comfort, TERRALBA turns this untamed frontier into the most exclusive chapter of your journey by introducing our Private Mobile River Safari.

We do not merely set up camp; we engineer an ephemeral, private oasis on the banks of the Bajo Urubamba River, created solely for you and your travel companions.

Seamless Wilderness Comfort

Step off your private motorized canoe and directly into a fully prepared, elegant outpost. Your spacious, walk-in canvas safari tents are outfitted not with sleeping bags, but with raised proper beds, premium mattresses, fine cotton linens, and warm Andean wool throws. Each tent features an adjacent private canvas bathroom setup, complete with pressurized hot-water showers, eco-toilets, and organic Peruvian botanicals.

Culinary Theater Under the Stars

With no restaurants in sight, our private expedition chef takes center stage. Every evening, crisp signature sundowner cocktails are served by the crackling campfire as your chef prepares gourmet Amazonian-Andean fusion cuisine—featuring fresh local ingredients, river fish delicately wrapped in forest leaves, and premium wine pairings—all under an unpolluted canopy of stars.

The Luxury of Absolute Disconnection

In a world where true privacy is the rarest commodity, the luxury of this safari lies in its raw exclusivity. You will fall asleep to the deep rhythms of the Amazonian jungle and wake up to the morning mist rising off the river, knowing that you are navigating towards the Andes from the inside out—safely, comfortably, and entirely at peace.

The journey, day by day

Day 1

Lima

Arrival in Lima, the gateway to our adventure. A private transfer takes you to your hotel, with time to rest after your journey. Depending on your arrival, discover the city's Pacific coastline, charming neighborhoods and celebrated cuisine. Tomorrow, we leave familiar routes behind and head toward the vast forests of the Peruvian Amazon.

Day 2

Atalaya

We fly to Atalaya, gateway to the Amazon, before travelling by mototaxi along a dirt road to the Asháninka community of Sapani, hidden deep in the rainforest. Here, surrounded by lush forest, waterfalls and crystal-clear natural pools, we immerse ourselves in Asháninka life. We may join our hosts in fishing or hunting, while our expedition chef prepares delicious meals with fresh Amazonian ingredients. A special encounter awaits us with Amelia, a wise Asháninka shaman, who will lead a purification ceremony to ask permission from the spirits of the forest before we venture deeper into the Amazon. A beautiful introduction to the forest, its people and its spiritual world. Overnight: your private bungalows in Sapani, prepared just for you — fully cleaned and refurbished before your arrival, with immaculate linens, fine mosquito nets, and an elegant glamping setup raised nearby, complete with hot shower and private toilet. The luxury of a camp no other traveller will ever share, deep in the rainforest.

Day 3

Bajo Urubamba

We board a motorized canoe and begin our voyage upstream along the Urubamba, one of the great waterways of the Peruvian Amazon. Along its banks, dense forest alternates with small riverside settlements. Boats carry families, produce and supplies, connecting communities for whom the river is an everyday highway. The hours on the water invite us to slow down, observe and immerse ourselves in a world far removed from the traditional tourist circuits.

Day 4

Bajo Urubamba

Our river adventure continues through the territories of the Bajo Urubamba, surrounded by immense tropical forests and the first distant reliefs of the Andes. Along the way, we encounter riverside communities and discover the rhythms of a region where nature continues to shape everyday life. Depending on river conditions and local arrangements, opportunities arise for short explorations, conversations with our hosts and quiet moments watching the forest unfold.

Day 5

Bajo Urubamba

One of the expedition's most spectacular stages. The Urubamba cuts through the eastern Andean foothills at the Pongo de Mainique, a dramatic gorge where towering walls of forest-clad rock rise above the river. We travel through this remarkable natural passage, where the mighty Amazonian river opens a route into the mountains themselves. Beyond the gorge, the scenery begins to change as we continue toward the warm valleys of La Convención, approaching the region of Quillabamba. It is a remarkable way to enter the Andes: not over the mountains, but through them.

Day 6

Santa Teresa

Following the subtropical valleys toward Santa Teresa, we gradually approach the mountains that shelter Machu Picchu. The scenery is lush: steep green slopes, cultivated terraces, rushing rivers and small Andean settlements. We take time to enjoy the beautiful natural hot springs of Cocalmayo, surrounded by tropical vegetation and mountains. An afternoon of relaxation before the encounter we have been travelling so far to experience.

Day 7

Machu Picchu

Today, we reach Machu Picchu. From the Santa Teresa valley, we connect with the railway leading to Aguas Calientes, the village beneath the ancient Inca sanctuary. A short bus journey carries us up the forested slopes to one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites on Earth. Suddenly, Machu Picchu appears: its stone terraces, temples and ceremonial spaces suspended between mountains and sky. Accompanied by our private guide, we explore the citadel and discover the remarkable achievements of the Inca civilization. For those who believed they might never stand here, this is more than a visit. It is the fulfilment of a dream. In the afternoon, we travel by train toward the Sacred Valley.

Day 8

Sacred Valley

We explore the lower Sacred Valley, where ancient agricultural terraces, traditional villages and centuries-old irrigation systems reveal the ingenuity of the Andean civilizations. Around Ollantaytambo, the Inca past is still part of everyday life. Stone streets, water channels and traditional houses preserve an exceptional living heritage. The day unfolds at a relaxed pace, with opportunities to meet local people and discover the region's agricultural traditions. For travel companions without altitude restrictions, a separate excursion to Cusco may be arranged.

Day 9

Sacred Valley

A day devoted to the landscapes and quiet rhythms of the lower Sacred Valley. Wander through traditional streets, explore the countryside, enjoy the flavors of Andean cuisine or simply relax in the gardens of a charming country retreat. Rather than rushing from monument to monument, we take time to experience the valley as a place where people live, farm and maintain traditions inherited across generations. A gentle pause in the middle of our expedition.

Day 10

Quillabamba

We leave the Sacred Valley, retracing our route toward the warmer landscapes of La Convención. As we descend, the environment transforms. Andean crops give way to coffee plantations, cacao groves, tropical orchards and an exuberant variety of vegetation. We arrive in the region of Quillabamba, a welcoming tropical town surrounded by forested mountains and fertile valleys. Here begins another chapter of our journey, discovering Peru through its landscapes, its people and its flavors.

Day 11

Quillabamba

Today we discover the agricultural richness of this subtropical region. Visit local coffee and cacao producers to learn how these emblematic crops are cultivated, harvested and transformed. Meet the families whose knowledge and work connect these fertile valleys to tables around the world. Depending on your interests, the day may also include forest walks, waterfalls, natural pools or simply time to enjoy the warmth and tranquility of the valley. An immersion into a generous, authentic, and often overlooked corner of Peru.

Day 12

From the Andes to the Amazon

We return to the river that brought us into the Andes and begin our journey back toward the Amazon. Travelling downstream, the landscapes offer a different perspective. The valleys open, the mountain slopes recede and the immense tropical forest gradually takes over again. The river carries us back toward the heart of the Amazonian lowlands, where life continues to unfold along its banks.

Day 13

From the Andes to the Amazon

Another day navigating the Bajo Urubamba, with time to appreciate the communities and landscapes that make this remote region so distinctive. Life on the river has its own rhythm. Fishermen return with their catch, children travel by canoe and small settlements appear between stretches of seemingly endless forest. Our journey creates opportunities for encounters and exchanges, always guided by respect for the communities and the territories we visit.

Day 14

From the Andes to the Amazon

Our final day on the river brings us back toward Atalaya, completing a remarkable circuit through two worlds: the Amazon rainforest and the eastern valleys of the Andes. We have followed a route rarely taken by international visitors, navigated immense waterways, shared moments with local communities and reached Machu Picchu without following the conventional high-altitude approach. Beyond the destination, what remains is the memory of the journey itself: its landscapes, unexpected encounters and the wonderful feeling of having discovered another Peru.

Day 15

Lima

We return by air to Lima, leaving behind the forests and rivers of the Amazon. The adventure comes to an end, but the memories remain: a little-travelled route across Peru, extraordinary encounters, and the unforgettable moment of discovering Machu Picchu. Proof that sometimes, the most rewarding journeys are those that take an entirely different path.

Where you’ll stay