2025 AMAZON CRUISE AND MACHU PICCHU DISCOVERY

As the face of travel continues to evolve, so should the nature and value of enriching travel programs being offered. Peru is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world offering a unique combination of nature, wildlife, archaeology and cultural heritage.

Brand g Vacations is pleased to introduce the 10th year of our popular Amazon and Machu Picchu program again in 2025. The cruise portion is operated aboard the luxurious Delfin III, which offers some of the most spacious accommodations along the Amazon River. This smartly designed, 44-passenger, colonial-style vessel, provides the ultimate in comfort, with five-star amenities.

Our custom designed land program provides authentic, educational, and culturally-enriching encounters daily. Few trips offer as rich an experience of Peru’s diverse natural and cultural treasures.

Begin in the cosmopolitan city of Lima, known for its vibrant food scene. Fly to Iquitos where you will embark a luxury riverboat that takes you deep into the rain forest within the Amazon Basin. Home to a staggering array of wildlife, the Peruvian Amazon boasts nearly a thousand species of birds alone. Enjoy fine wine and famous Peruvian cuisine while enjoying the company of your fellow LGBT + travelers. After disembarkation, we will continue on to the Sacred Valley near the Inca capitol of Cusco. From here, we board the Sacred Valley train for a scenic journey to Machu Picchu, the mystical stone city built by the Incas in the 15th century. Afterwards, return to Cusco, where you’ll enjoy two luxurious nights at the centrally- located Palacio del Inka hotel and guided tours of the most significant Inca sites before departing for your flight home.

It’s the perfect combination of inspiring places and rich history in the comfort of an all-gay environment.

*Luxury Level: ***** Five Star* Activity Level: Moderate to High Guest Count: 44

Highlights

Lima: sightseeing with a local guide; visit Archbishop’s Palace, Government Palace, San Francisco Monastery and Larco Herrara Museum
Iquitos: visit the Manatee Rescue Center
Cruise: 4 night cruise in a deluxe, outside suite cruising the Peruvian Amazon River aboard the Delphin III. Welcome cocktail & dinner; guided sightseeing each day with a local naturalist by skiff boats during the day and evening; native village visit.
Sacred Valley: visit Ollantaytambo with its huge Incan fortress rising from the edge of town
Machu Picchu: board the train for the scenic journey to Aguas Calientes; sightseeing of the ruins with a local guide
Cusco: sightseeing with visits to Santo Domingo Cathedral, Sacsayhuaman fortress and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum

Accommodations

Situated in the heart of Lima, Hilton Miraflores is within walking distance of Ricardo Palma Cultural Center, Kennedy Park, and Calle de las Pizzas. Also nearby are Miraflores Central Park and Larcomar. The air-conditioned guestrooms include minibars and safes. Complimentary wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is available in public areas and a computer station is located on site.

Dates of stay: March 30 – April 1

Additional pre-program nights available upon request. Please contact us for pricing and availability.

Delfin III

Brand g Vacations has chartered the 22-cabin Delfin III. While cruising the Amazon, you will explore one of the largest expanses of tropical rainforest in the world. Smartly designed, this vessel provides the ultimate in comfort, with five-star amenities.

The ship features all suite accommodations with floor-to-ceiling windows with individual climate control, in room safes, hair dryers, and generous closet and under-bed storage. Other amenities include soft, luxurious spa robes and slippers; natural, therapeutic bath amenities; and fine cotton bed linens with pillow menu.

You’ll be pampered by the 29 crew – including expert naturalists to guide you through the rainforest experience – as well as by spa services and gourmet meals prepared with fresh local ingredients. Your stay on the Delfin III includes all meals, plus complimentary coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, local beer and pisco-based cocktails as well as free flowing house wine at dinner.

Your expert naturalists will guide you on twice daily excursions by comfortable skiff boat or short hikes on land. Water resistant boots will be provided for the hikes as will refreshments on longer excursions.

Dates of stay: April 1-5

Tambo del Inka Luxury Hotel

The luxurious Tambo del Inka has one of the top-rated locations in Urubamba. The elegant rooms feature native fabrics and local design, and have private balconies with views of the natural surroundings. All feature an LCD TV, iPod docking station, and exclusive marble bathrooms.
Hawa restaurant serves delicious New Andean cuisine made with organic, homegrown ingredients. Kiri bar and terrace serves light snacks and cocktails, and guests can enjoy a daily breakfast buffet.
Enjoy the pool or get in a workout in the modern gym, and unwind afterwards with a natural massage. Then relax in the cozy lounge, featuring a classic billiards table and a variety of board games.

Dates of stay: April 5-8

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel is a family-owned luxury hotel. Sumaq’s exclusive service is dedicated entirely to allowing its guests to forget all their worries while concentrating on the beautiful landscapes, with lush vegetation, soaring mountains, descending valleys, ancient trails, and an amazing waterfall. In a privileged location in the Machu Picchu historic sanctuary, and on the banks of the Vilcanota River, Sumaq is a 10-minute walk to the Aguas Calientes Train Station.

Dates of stay April 8-9

Palacio del Inka Luxury Collection

Designed to showcase a centuries-old, magical blend of pre-Columbian, Inkan, Spaniard, Colonial, and modern cultures, Palacio del Inka presents a captivating variety of rare opportunities and state-of-the-art amenities that guarantee an enriching and memorable stay in Cusco.
Avenues, centuries-old passageways, cobblestone side streets, and alleys traverse the city, each leading to the Palacio del Inka. Situated in the center of the city, the hotel is encircled by Inka foundations topped with colonial constructions, museums, storied archeological sites, premier restaurants, and vibrant local markets.
Free Wi-Fi in public areas, full service spa and a business center are among the many amenities of the Palacio del Inka.

Please note that due to the fact that Palacio del Inka Hotel was developed in an 16^th century Spanish Palace built on top of an Inca Temple, king size beds may be requested, but cannot be guaranteed.

Dates of stay: April 9-11

Additional post-program nights available upon request. Please contact us for pricing and availability.

Huayna Picchu Climb

$60 per person

****Limited availability, reserve early for your best chance of getting a spot for this adventure. Names are submitted to the government of Peru at the beginning of December 2024. Entries beyond that point will likely not be approved.

For many trekkers, climbing Huayna Picchu is one of the highlights of a visit to Machu Picchu. The views of the Citadel and surrounding landscape are extraordinary from the top and well worth the climbing effort.

From a distance Huayna Picchu looks like a technical climbing endeavor, but is in fact just a steep hike with some sections that will require the use of both hands and feet to scramble upwards, but no technical skills or climbing tools. There are sections that include railings and cables for support.

Anyone with a decent level of fitness and moderate constitution for heights can climb Huayna Picchu (if you are afraid of heights or susceptible to vertigo then this climb is probably not for you). There are areas that are exposed to steep drops, so caution should be taken throughout the climb, keeping a good distance between climbers in front and behind you. This is particularly true if the trail is wet.

The total ascent is just over 1,000 feet (360m) with the summit at a steep angle above the city. As Huayna Picchu is so close to the city complex it provides a fantastic birds-eye view, and the climb itself provides brilliant vistas of the city from various angles. This perspective is very difficult to appreciate whilst walking within the Citadel.

From the summit, the scale and ingenuity of Machu Picchu and its various structures and terraces is fully revealed. The sheer magnitude and complexity of the site provides for a humbling view. There are also terraces and temple remnants that crown the mountain’s summit, and will leave you questioning how the Inca managed to build these structures.

You have an opportunity to participate in this unique once-in-a-lifetime experience on the morning of your second day at Machu Picchu. Only a certain number of permits are issued for this excursion and they fill quickly. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any space until it is officially reserved. If you are interested, we encourage you to sign up early.

DAY AND TIME OF EXCURSION: Your day begins with departure from the hotel at 5:30am and the actual climb will begin at 7:00am, on your second day at Machu Picchu. You will be back down from the mountain by approximately 11:30am.

Inclusions

FROM THE TIME YOU LAND UNTIL YOU LEAVE, NEARLY EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED.

2 nights deluxe hotel accommodations in Lima including welcome reception and daily breakfast
Guided tour of Lima including welcome lunch
Domestic flight from Lima to Iquitos, the gateway to the Amazon
4 night deluxe Amazon cruise including all meals (Guaranteed all-LGBT+ charter)
Cruise includes local pisco-based cocktails, local beers, and local sodas with lunch and dinner as well as house wine with dinner
All excursions during cruise
Domestic flights from Iquitos to Cusco
Transfer to Sacred Valley
3 nights deluxe hotel accommodations in the Sacred Valley including daily breakfast, one lunch and one dinner. Guided tours in the Sacred Valley
Peru Rail Vista Dome Train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu with lunch upon arrival to Machu Picchu Village
2 visits to Machu Picchu
One night hotel accommodation in Machu Picchu village, including breakfast and dinner
Peru Rail Vista Dome train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo and motor coach to Cusco
2 nights deluxe hotel accommodation in Cusco, including breakfast, one dinner and one lunch
Half day city tour of Cusco and half day tour of the the Sacsayhuaman fortress
Lunches and dinners on land include: two glasses of local beer, house wine or soft drinks

DAY 1 - Sunday, March 30, 2025: Lima, Peru.

DAY 2 - Monday, March 31, 2025: Lima, Peru.

DAY 3 - Tuesday, April 1, 2025: Lima/Iquitos/Embark Ship/Ucayali River.

DAY 4 - Wednesday, April 2, 2025: Yanallpa/Dorado River.

DAY 5 - Thursday, April 3, 2025: Pacaya River/Magdelena.

DAY 6 - Friday, April 4, 2025: Yarapa River/Fundo Casual.

DAY 7 - Saturday, April 5, 2025: Disembark/Nauta/Sacred Valley.

DAY 8 - Sunday, April 6, 2025: Sacred valley/Urumbamba.

DAY 9 - Monday, April 7, 2025: Sacred Valley.

DAY 10 - Tuesday, April 8, 2025: Machu Picchu/Sacred Valley/Cusco.

DAY 11 - Machu Picchu/Sacred Valley/Cusco.

DAY 12 - Thursday, April 10, 2025: Cusco.

DAY 13 - Friday, April 11, 2025: Cusco/Departure.

Bookings for 2025 Amazon Cruise and Machu Picchu Discovery tour ranges from $9,399 to $6,999. Please contact us directly at [email protected] or +17132530041 for real-time availability of staterooms and for reservations. You can now book directly for any Brand g trip via this link.