My girlfriend and I are volunteering in the Lima area this summer and we'll have two weeks built in at the end of the trip to explore the country. On our bucket lists are the Amazon and Machu Picchu. Would it be possible to experience both on a budget, say starting in Lima, trekking to Iquitios (we're fascinated by what we've read of the place) and then working our way south to Cuzco. Is the Amazon accessible from Puerto Maldonado? We've scoured the internet for info. but have found little about an itinerary that includes both the Amazon and Machu Picchu.

(Our budget, including airfare, is around $1400 apiece.)

Any help is appreciated!

Here's some 30 year old advice! My wife and I backpacked the Inca Trail from kilometer 88 in 1981. I guess there is a bridge over the river now, which is one difference from back then. We also went to Iquitos but did it by returning to Lima and then flying direct. Trying to go overland to both places on our 3 week trip was totally impractical at the time.

For what it's worth, if you have to settle on one place or the other, then Machu Picchu get my vote.

To see it all and adjust to altitude on a budget

adventures.worldnomads.com/destination/168/itinerary/23.aspx

Bus up the Gringo Trail www.cruzdelsur.com.pe to Cusco

Tour MP and Manu www.pmexplorers.com or PM www.wasai.com

short stay from there...doable if a bit rushed.

Have fun,

If you use a very broad definition of "Amazon" as "Amazon basin" an not just the river itself, you can access it from Puerto Maldonado, which is a 30-minute flight from Cusco. Even there, you'd still have to fly to get there.

You can look at the various tour agency itineraries..OAT has some for older travelers. For the Amazonas you probably need to budget a lodge in there, but for Cusco MP you can do it self guided and cheaply (other than the actual tickets to MP and the train/bus).