Peru: The Amazon and Machu Picchu
INCLUDED:
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10-night accommodation
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Private roundtrip transfers airport/hotel
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Train ticket to Machu Picchu
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Entrance fees to sites & excursions as specified in Itinerary (shared)
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Daily breakfast
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Meals as indicated (B-breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
NOT INCLUDED:
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International & domestic air tickets and airport taxes
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Meals not specified on the itinerary
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Tips & gratuities
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Personal expenses
ITINERARY
10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS
Day 1: Lima
Arrival in Lima and transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Day 2: Lima (B)
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, we will have a tour through Lima’s streets and plazas. Starting at “Parque del Amor” in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, and then we are heading to the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of the Lima culture, for a panoramic view. After this, we go on to the Main Square where the Government Palace and the Town Hall are located. We will visit the Cathedral and explore the Santo Domingo Convent, along which corridors San Martin de Porres and San Rosa de Lima used to walk around in 17th century, and where their remains rest today. Overnight in Lima .
Day 3: Lima – Puerto Maldonado (B, L, D)
Transfer to the airport and flight to Puerto Maldonado. On arrival, assistance and transfer to the Inkaterra Lounge (Butterfly Garden). Easy and comfortable check-in. Next, we will head to the lodge. On the way, we will see beautiful scenery and our guide will be alert for some animal species when sneaking to show them to you. Arrival and accommodation in the lodge. Enjoy a buffet lunch with organic ingredients and native flavors. We will go on with a hike through the trails known as “Trochas Concepcion”, where we will discover and learn about the primary and secondary rainforest. At dusk, we will go on the excursion “River at Night”. We will sail down the Madre de Dios River to learn about its ecosystem, Amazonian creeks, and behavior of nocturnal fauna. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 4: Puerto Maldonado (B, L, D)
LAKE SANDOVAL / INKATERRA CANOPY / HIDDEN RAINFOREST
We will get ready for a long walk along the National Reserve of Tambopata toward Lake Sandoval. We will learn about the wildlife conservation work of the Reserve and the formation of the lake. We will canoe and watch animals as the giant otter, blue and yellow macaw, howler monkey, black caiman, and one of the world’s largest freshwater fish, the paiche. In the afternoon, we will prepare for the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and Anaconda Hike. We will climb up to one of the two 30-meter-towers and cross 7 suspension bridges connecting the treetops at a 28-meter-height. Enjoy the majestic views and take the opportunity to observe red-billed toucans, hummingbirds, trogons, squirrel monkeys and three-toed sloths. At night, we will make ready for the adventure called “Hidden Rainforest”, where we will explore the Amazon rainforest followed by the nocturnal fauna. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 5: Puerto Maldonado (B, L, D)
NATIVE FARM / BOTANICAL GARDEN / INLAND CLAY LICK
We will go on an excursion to a “chacra nativa” (native farm), where we will learn farming techniques used by the population and taste some of their products. Later, we will visit the Botanical Garden, where we will discover various species of medicinal plants. In the afternoon, we will go for an excursion to Cocha River. Enjoy a canoe ride down the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción oxbow lake. Practice sport fishing while admiring the stunning scenery. Observe animals as hoatzins, a diversity of flycatchers, and grey-necked wood rails or unchalas. At night, we can participate in the adventure called Inland Clay Lick, where we will see various species as well as their nightly routine through observation from our “blinds”. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 6: Puerto Maldonado – Cusco (B)
Transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco. On arrival, meet and greet at airport, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, exclusive city tour that starts at San Cristobal Plaza to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. We will then visit Saint Peter Market, where we will be able to appreciate the local flavors and learn about the local produce in this market where you can find everything and is the main supply center of the city. We will then continue to the Koricancha Temple that will welcome us with its splendor. The Golden Precinct is the meaning of its name in Quechua and we can still feel the sumptuousness of its walls that were once lined in gold sheets. From Saint Blas, the craftsmen’s quarters we will walk down along the Hatun Rumiyoc street, finding midway the Inca Roca Palace, today the Archbishop’s Palace; and we will have time to appreciate the worldwide famous Stone of the Twelve Angles. We will go on to the Main Square to visit the Cathedral that houses invaluable colonial works of art. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 7: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Cusco (B, L)
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is waiting for you. On the way we will stop at Awanacancha, small complex to admire Andean camelids such as alpacas and llamas and learn from local inhabitants about traditional dyeing and knitting techniques. Later we will explore the Pisac Market with enough free time to go around and buy handcrafts and if you feel like tasting something traditional, stop by the wood ovens for a delicious empanada or a piece of bread. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, our tour continues to Ollantaytambo, a small town full of local color and inhabited since Inca times in which we will visit the main temple used as a fortress during the Inca resistance. Breathtaking views for amazing pictures. Overnight stay in Cusco.
Day 8: Cusco – Machu Picchu – Cusco (B, L or BXL)
Option 1: with Vistadome train
Transfer to Poroy sation to board train to Machu Picchu. A train trip away to see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We arrive at the Aguas Calientes station where our staff will assist us on boarding the bus to go up the winding road to Machu Picchu, amid a spectacular view of the Urubamba River and its canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will astonish us with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. Energy is all around us. After a guided visit, we will have a buffet lunch at “Tinkuy” restaurant of Sanctuary Lodge hotel. At the arranged time, we will return to Cusco by train and will be transferred to the hotel.
Option 2: with Hiram Bingham train
Transfer to Poroy station and embark into one of the most spectacular rides on board the exclusive Hiram Bingham deluxe train. The experience on board is purely first class. The train’s incredible classic style goes perfectly with the dining room arrangement, making it easy to taste the delightful dishes carefully prepared for us by experienced chefs. The landscapes are breathtaking and while we follow the Urubamba River course getting closer and closer to the canyon, we’ll arrive at Aguas Calientes. From there, we will take a small bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu. The Lost City of the Incas will astonish us with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and the solar clock or Intihuatana, all this amid a special atmosphere and on a guided tour. At the arranged time, and after a tea time at Sanctuary Lodge, we will take the train back to Cusco. Entertainment and fine gourmet dinner on board. On arrival we will be transferred to the hotel.
Day 9: Cusco – Puno (B, L)
Transfer to bus station and departure on a regular tourist bus to Puno. On the way we’ll stop to visit the attractions this beautiful route has to offer. The first stop: Andahuaylillas for a visit to its beautiful chapel, then its Racchi, Temple of the Wiracocha god where the walls and narrow streets stand out. Then it’s lunch time and the opportunity to see the view at La Raya, natural border between Cusco and Puno. Before our final destination we will visit the in site Pucara Museum and a chance to get one of the local classic bull shaped ceramics. We will arrive in Puno at the end of the afternoon. Overnight in Puno.
Day 10: Puno – Titicaca Lake – Puno (B, L)
A full day tour to explore Lake Titicaca. First we will visit the Uros, the friendly inhabitants of these handmade islands made of totora reeds. Then it’s off to Taquile Island, a place in which the settlers still maintain their ancestral traditions and colorful typical clothes. A great opportunity to explore the island and get the best view of the lake. A typical lunch is provided in the island. Return to the city in the afternoon. Overnight in Puno.
Day 11: Puno – Juliaca – Lima – Out (B)
Visit the pre-Inca cemetery of the Hatun Colla chiefs in Sillustani, on the shore of Lake Umayo. A great trip to see the funerary towers or Chullpas reaching up to six meters high.
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home or to an on-going destination.