Peru: The Photographer’s Dream

After two decades of traveling all over Europe as a Uniworld Cruise Manager, I couldn’t wait to see what a Uniworld vacation would look like in other parts of the world. I picked the Peruvian Amazon & Machu Picchu Exploration, and I was absolutely blown away.

This trip is a 5-star adventure! Between the rainforest, the wildlife, and Machu Picchu, it's the journey of a lifetime. And you get this amazing adventure while being pampered with Uniworld service on and off the ship.

The Aria Amazon itself was incredible. So elegant and well designed! We had to take a skiff ride over to board, and I remember I was so curious to see and experience the ship. I guess it is the same feeling walking on any new Uniworld ship!

The cabin is spacious, I LOVE that one wall is just one big window! The lounge and restaurant are small, perfect for a maximum number of guests of 32. My favorite place was the jacuzzi on the sundeck. No matter where you are onboard, the views are unbeatable. The colors of the Amazonian sunsets, combined with the noises of the jungle, are magical.

The ship’s crew is amazing and service minded. During the jungle walk, they provided us with rubber boots, this way we would not have to dirty our own shoes. Within 24 hours they knew our names and favorite drinks (mine was the Pisco Sour)!

Being with a jungle expert searching and finding wildlife is exhilarating! I invested in a new camera with a big lens to get some great shots up close! Of all the excursions, the freshly cooked lunch in the middle of the jungle by Chef Diego stands out! Did I mention the bar team came along too? Incredible!

The land portion of this trip is just as impressive. Machu Picchu was definitely on my bucket list—it is one of the Wonders of the World and deserves its place between the Colosseum and the Great Wall of China! Walking up to the view of Machu Picchu took my breath away. I stopped and looked around, just trying to take it all in. It gave me goosebumps.

What I enjoyed most about it is the journey to Machu Picchu itself. We took four days to get to Machu Picchu in total, not because of the distance, but to make sure we experienced the Sacred Valley to the utmost. We enjoyed beautiful scenery and sights, all the while staying at incredible hotels (my favorite was the two-night stay at Tambo del Inka)!

A couple tips I have for Uniworld cruisers looking to experience Peru for themselves:

• Before the trip, check with your local health authorities about what kind of shots you might need for Peru. Bring long-sleeved clothing, a hat and sunglasses. Temperatures are cooler in Cusco, so pack accordingly. Cusco is also located at 14,000ft /3500m above sea level, so you may need altitude pills.
• If you like photography, bring or invest in a good camera, it’s totally worth it!
• Do what I did and fly in a day early. I made reservations four months in advance to dine at Central, which has been voted the best restaurant in the world. It was a great way to start an all-around memorable adventure.

If you want to see more of my travel photography, follow me on Instagram at @Uniworld_Rik!

Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Uniworld itineraries and inclusions are subject to change at any time.