River cruise line AmaWaterways is heading to Peru for the first time. From 2027, passengers finishing its Magic of Colombia sailing can add a six-day land journey to Machu Picchu — and from 2028, the extension will be offered on every departure of that itinerary.
The setup is straightforward: you disembark in Cartagena, fly to Lima (the flight between the two countries is included in the land package price), and work your way towards the famous Inca citadel over six days. The route covers Lima's coastal neighbourhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, then Cusco with its mix of colonial architecture and Inca heritage, the Sacred Valley town of Ollantaytambo, and finally Machu Picchu itself.
Getting to the citadel is part of the selling point. Travellers choose between the Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train — the upscale, all-inclusive option on the Cusco-to-Machu Picchu line — or a first-class seat on Inca Rail, a more affordable but still premium way to ride one of South America's most scenic rail routes.
There's also a hotel decision to make. The Boutique tier includes The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center, plus Tambo del Inka and Palacio del Inka, both Luxury Collection properties. The Iconic tier steps up to Belmond's flagship Peruvian hotels: Miraflores Park in Lima and Monasterio in Cusco, the latter set in a former 16th-century monastery a short walk from Cusco's main square.
AmaWaterways CEO Catherine Powell framed the move as an extension of how the line likes to operate — arriving well, staying well, and meeting local people along the way — with the Peru journey run as private touring rather than big-group coach trips.
Why it matters: river cruise lines have been pushing beyond the water for years, and this is a notable pairing. Colombia's Magdalena River itineraries are still new to most travellers, and combining Cartagena with Machu Picchu in one trip solves two bucket-list items with the logistics handled. It suits travellers who want a guided, higher-end South America experience without planning flights, hotels, train tickets and permits themselves. If you've been eyeing a Colombia cruise, the Peru add-on makes the long-haul flight work harder — and booking 2028 departures means the extension will be a guaranteed option rather than a one-off.
