AmaWaterways will sell a six-day Machu Picchu extension on its "Magic of Colombia" river cruises starting April 2027 — and on every departure of that itinerary from 2028. It's the river line's first product in Peru, and it attaches a bucket-list land brand to a Colombia sailing that sellers can now pitch as a two-country luxury trip.

The move matters commercially because extensions are where river cruise margins thicken. A post-cruise add-on lifts per-booking revenue without adding ships, and Machu Picchu is one of the few destination names that reliably converts at premium prices.

CEO Catherine Powell framed the launch as part of a broader strategy shift. "Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic places to visit on earth. It is so exciting to add this highly curated experience to our offerings and reflects how AmaWaterways is evolving its approach to luxury river cruising," she said.

She added: "We have always believed the best and most memorable experiences are those that connect our guests deeply to the places they visit. With our first ever Peruvian journey, we are bringing together exceptional hotels, food and service in an unforgettable location."

Note what's missing: no pricing, no capacity figures, no commission structure. The announcement tells sellers a product exists, not yet what it earns them.

What does the itinerary actually include?

Guests disembark in Cartagena, fly to Lima, and tour the Miraflores and Barranco districts with a local guide before flying on to Cusco. The centerpiece is the rail leg to Machu Picchu aboard either the Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train, or first-class Inca Rail — two of the most recognizable luxury-rail brands in South America.

Land content stacks up quickly:

• Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo
• The Maras salt pans and Moray's agricultural terraces
• Cusco's historic center, the Koricancha temple and the Sacsayhuaman fortress
• Privately guided Machu Picchu visit with a local guide

That density of included touring signals a high package price point, though AmaWaterways hasn't published one.

How are the hotels packaged?

Sellers get two tiers to merchandise. The Boutique option pairs The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center with Tambo del Inka and Palacio del Inka, both Luxury Collection properties. The Iconic option goes upmarket to Miraflores Park and Monasterio, both Belmond hotels.

The Belmond tier effectively bundles LVMH-owned hospitality with the Belmond train — a positioning play against luxury tour operators who already sell Machu Picchu as a standalone.

For agents, the simplest read: from April 2027, a Colombia river cruise becomes a two-country South America itinerary, and by 2028 it does so on every sailing. AmaWaterways hasn't disclosed pricing or allocation, so the real test — whether the extension sells at scale across all departures — won't show until bookings open.