19 Day – All Peru and Amazon
Majestic Peru in a tour made for you
INCLUDED:
- Flights from Lima – Cusco. Lima – Puerto Maldonado – Lima. Arequipa – Lima.
- Private ground transportation for all trips in Cusco and to Lake Titicaca / Puno to Colca Canyon / Colca Canyon to Arequipa, Nazca, Paracas, Lima, Puerto Madonado and Lima.
- Hotels for all nights.
- All breakfasts and lunches
- Shaman-trained Guide and expenses.
- Boat in Lake Titicaca, Paracas and Puerto Maldonado
- Entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Nazca, Paracas, and Puerto Maldonado
- Train fares (VISTADOME)
- Airplane for Nazca Lines.
Entrance fees to Nazca Lines - Bottle drinking water every day
- Bread and Hot Chocolate to share with the children.
FLIGHT FROM HOME TO LIMA, PERU
Usually you will arrive in Lima around midnight. Your guide will transfer you to the Hotel for overnight in Lima. Dinner on your own (usually you will have eaten on the plane.) Welcome to Peru.
LIMA
Day in Lima to rest and recuperate from your long flight. Meeting with your guide to exchange money, and learn more about your upcoming adventure. After lunch walk to the HuacaPucllana and Huallamarka Pyramid from the pre Inca Lima culture, build with Adobes. Dinner on your own. (B, L)
LIMA – PARACAS
Good breakfast and late pick up around 11:00 AM from the hotel for a short walk at the plaza. We then board our private transportation to drive for approximately 3 1/2 hour to Paracas (known as a Peruvian Galapagos Island). You will enter the small town of El Carmen were Afro Peruvians live and you will see their customs. Also visit the Hacienda San Jose Chincha, located 200 km south of Lima, which is the home of Afro-Peruvian Culture. This dates back to the 17th century, when rich landowners imported slaves from Africa to help pick cotton and cultivate sugar on their lands. We will pass by the coast, desert towns and beautiful beaches. Early evening walk in town after we check in to your amazing hotel at the ocean front. Note: Paracas is at sea level, which is why we begin here to ease your acclimation to the altitude. For your convenience, we provide water every day. (B, L)
PARACAS – NAZCA
Breakfast starting at 6:00 a.m. Pick up at 7:30 or 9:30 a.m. to walk for 10 minutes to the port for boat transportation. It is approximately 25 minutes to the Peruvian Galapagos Islands, (Ballestas Islands), were we will see Gumball penguins, birds, turtles and more animals. The tour explores this place for about 2 hours. You can take many beautiful photos of the natural arches as well. On the way back from the islands we will see the Candelabro, which is carved on the sand mountain by the ancient cultures that have lived in this region – The Paracas Culture. Back to town for a nice early lunch and to pick up our luggage and drive for About 2 1/2 hours to Nazca Town. On the way we stop at The Casa Museo y Mausoleo of Dra. H.c. MARIA RAICHE, the spearhead of the study of the Nazca Lines. Arrive to the town and for a great night at the Hacienda hotel. (B, L)
NAZCA – ICA – LIMA
Breakfast starting at 7:00 a.m. Pick up and then private transportation to the Aeropodromo for your flight to see all the Nazca Lines. The Nazca Lines are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert of Peru. They have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The high, arid plateau stretches more than 80 kilometres (50 mi) between the towns of Nazca and Palpa on the Pampas de Jumana. Although some local geoglyphs resemble Paracas motifs, scholars believe the Nazca Lines were created by the Nazca culture between 400 and 650 AD. The hundreds of individual figures range in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fish, sharks or orcas, llamas, lizards, etc. The largest figures are over 200 metres (660 ft) across. Visit Museum and Spiritual Ceremony with the last descend of the Nazca People – Felix Quispe Sarmiento After lunch in a local restaurant, drive to visit the Oasis of the Huacachina that is located just 4 miles from Ica City, to our next adventure – the sand buggy on the incredible desert drive and enjoy the sun set and amazing views, just like our ancestors’ eyes saw. Transport back to Lima, where we check into our hotel. (B,L)
LIMA – PUERTO MALDENADO
After a nice breakfast at your hotel, transport to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldenado. Arrive at Puerto Maldenado. You will be greated by your guide and transported by boat to the incredible Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica.
Travelling to Tambopata National Reserve offers a rare opportunity to discover a lively biodiversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and trees. Record-setting numbers of animal species are concentrated within small areas, and the variety of plant life is greater than almost anywhere in the world. To help you experience the wonder of this magic place, we have prepared a suggested itinerary for your stay at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica.
Welcome in Puerto Maldonado. Visit the Butterfly House near the airport and in only 15 minutes, you can get to the boarding wharf. Begin to experience the enchantment of the rainforest, as you take a 45-minute boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to arrive at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica lodge. After a short briefing, settle into your beautiful cabaña and enjoy your lunch in the dining room. Take a nap, followed by a refreshing tea time and get ready for the afternoon excursion. After gathering with your Inkaterra Explorer Guide, choose from the various excursions available at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica. On your first day, we recommend a guided walk along the Trail system, into the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica natural area, where you will discover the Amazon Basin. This trail offers an excellent introduction to the jungle environment, winding past impressive trees such as the Shihuahuaco, and the strangely beautiful strangler fig, offering excellent opportunities for bird watching and observing exotic insects.We also recommend on the first night our Twilight River excursion — a guided afternoon boat ride on the Madre de Dios river. Witness the transformation from a diurnal to a nocturnal world: animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the night. As you enjoy their paradise, you will learn about their habits, while you search for nightjars, owls, capybaras and big caimans.Enjoy the dinner, served in the main dining room from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.After dinner, you may retire early to your own cabaña, or join us to talk about your experience in the rainforest, as you listen to the intriguing sounds of the jungle at night. (B,L,D)TAMBOPATA
Wake up late or rise early — the choice is yours. Breakfast begins at 5:30 a.m., for those who want to avoid the heat and enjoy nature at its fullest. A full buffet breakfast is served from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.This morning you may visit the Lake Sandoval excursion into the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe, across a beautiful, mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica for lunch.After lunch, consider visit the remarkable Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and Anaconda Walk. Ascending the first tower, 29 meters above the forest ground, you begin your encounter with the treetop realm. For more than a quarter of a mile, you will literallywalk through the rainforest canopy on a suspension bridge network linking eight observation platforms. During this hour-and-a-half expedition, be on the lookout for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth. If you wish you may extend your excursion and appreciate the sunset from one of the towers. After your descent from the Canopy, experience the Anaconda Walk for about 30 minutes along the 200-meter wooden bridge over the Aguajales swamps. In this lush eco system, you may observe the various species of amphibians, birds, mammals, abundant flora, trees and there is a possibilityto see snakes of this flooded marshland. The walk finishes by returning to the lodge.Once at the lodge, enjoy the daily nature presentation in the Eco Center.Dinner starts at 7:30 p.m. (B,L,D)
PUERTO MALDONADO – LIMA
Enjoy a full breakfast before departure. A 45-minute return trip by boat on the Madre de Dios River takes you to Puerto Maldonado, where you may visit the Butterfly House. Peru boasts the greatest variety of butterflies in the world, with 3,700 known species. Many of these can be seen at the Butterfly House, a showcase for the variety, beauty and adaptability of these fascinating insects. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima. (B,L)
LIMA – CUSCO
After a good breakfast we have a morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima to connect to Cusco. Fly to the Inca capital city of Cusco. Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel in Sacred Valley. Delicious lunch provided. Rest at the hotel. Dinner on your own. (B,L)
SACRED VALLEY – MORAY AND SALT MINES
After breakfast we begin our day by boarding a private bus and drive for 45 minutes to visit the circular terraces of Moray – the Navel of the Earth. At this sacred site we will feel the connection with the three worlds represented by the sacred animals of the Condor, Puma and Snake. See how our ancestors built an amphitheater-like structure to study different microclimates. We will also visit an amazing salt flats operation en route to Ollantaytambo, and for those who want to stretch their legs and get a little exercise, there is an opportunity to hike down into the valley for a while and meet up with the bus further down the road. Buffet lunch at Tunupa Restaurant at the Sacred Valley. Then, spend the remainder of the day at leisure in this picturesque setting of your magical hotel. Dinner on your own. (B, L)
OLLANTAYTAMBO ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
Breakfast starting at 6:00 a.m. Pickup at your hotel at 9:00.a.m. and walk to the archeological site in Ollantaytambo. Visit the site for approximately 3 hrs. See many temples of pink granite stone and the famous Princess’ Bath. Lunch together at a restaurant in Ollantaytambo. We have some options for this afternoon, hike the Pinkulluna Mountain noted for the storage houses there or spend the afternoon getting ready for Machu Picchu the next day. Dinner on your own. (B, L)
SACRED VALLEY – OLLANTAYTAMBO – MACHU PICCHU
Begin today with a walk to the train station at Ollantaytambo. The train travels along the scenic Urubamba River before gaining elevation and mountain views and passing through a magnificent cloud forest before reaching the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch. Spend the afternoon walking to the Mandor Waterfalls and exploring the Orchid Gardens. Return in the late afternoon to nearby Aguas Calientes for a soak in the hot springs before a delicious dinner of regional cuisine. Spend a restful night at Hatuchay Tower Hotel. (B,L)
For those hiking the Inka Trail, You will be picked up from your accommodation and walk to the train station and leave on the train at 6.10 am from Ollantaytambo. Along the way, the train follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km104 where we´ll begin our trek. You will be able to see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains and the mighty Urubamba River; one of the sources of the Amazon River. At 104km (2000m) we begin our trek, once we´ve made sure you have everything you need. We will provide you with a packed lunch and drinks for energy. We will also take the chance now to have a group photo before visiting our first Inca site together. After an informative tour of the Inca site, we begin gradually ascending as we head for the classic Inca Trail far above. If we have clear weather, we´ll have tremendous views of Macchu Picchu, the Urubamba River and other surrounding Inca sites.
After hiking for 3 hours, we will reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail – Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2600m. This is a wonderful Incan site that many people never get to see. There is an elaborate water fountain, temples, and some agricultural terraces which provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about the way of the Incans. The scenery truly must be seen to be believed! A steep drop off, vertical cliff face, and dramatic mountains surround you. It really demonstrates of the importance of location to the Incas. From Wiñay Wayna we walk to the Sun Gate where we see the picturesque landscape of Machu Picchu below. After taking in the once in a lifetime views and getting your photos, we begin our descent to Machu Picchu for sunset. One of the advantages of this hike is that by the time we reach Machu Picchu, most of the day travelers will have already returned home and you will have it almost to yourself. After taking photos, we’ll take the bus to Aguas Calientes and meet the rest of your party and check-in to your hotel. (B,L)MACHU PICCHU – CHINCHEROS TEXTILE MARKET – CUSCO
The morning is dedicated to exploring extraordinary Machu Picchu for about 4 hours. You have various opportunities for your own exploration, including a climb to the sacred Gate of the Sun. For those looking for the picture perfect view of the ruins, getting up early is essential as sunrise is not to be missed! The afternoon train takes you back to Ollantaytambo, where you will meet your private driver and travel to the Chincheros Market. This traditional weaving community is known for is impressive textile works and artisan products. Here the local artisans will give you an introduction to their handy work including their processes for shearing, dyeing, spooling, and weaving from alpaca. Take advantage of last minute shopping before you are transferred to your Hotel (B, L)
CUSCO CITY TOUR
Morning free to relax. Pick up at the Hotel around 1:00 p.m. First we will see the 12 square stone at Inca Roca Palace in Cusco. We will also visit the Temple of the Sun. Lunch on the main square at a good Peruvian Japanese restaurant. Afternoon visit to Sacsayhuaman Temple, Tambomachay and Qenqo, which are the most famous archaeological sites around Cusco. Return to hotel by 6:00 p.m. to get ready for our next adventure. (B, L)
Note: this day we will visit the Path of the Heart Restaurant for small service and share hot chocolate to the children of the community.CUSCO TO LAKE TITICACA
Breakfast beginning at 6:00 am. Pickup from the hotel at 7:30 am. On the way we visit the site of Racchi also known as the Temple of Wiracocha, the spiritual God of the Incas. Picnic lunch at the site. Stop at various attractions on the way. Dinner on your own in Puno Lake Titicaca is at (12,500 ft.) (B, L)
FLOATING ISLANDS
After breakfast, 7:30 a.m. pick up at the hotel for a boat ride to the floating islands. There are 70 islands where the locals still wear the beautiful costumes of their ancestors’ heritage. You will ride on a reed boat like the ancient people used, seeing a diversity of colorful birds. Your boat will take you to the amazing Island Takile. This is a great location to see the Bolivian side of the lake and their part of the Andean snowcapped mountains. Surface elevation of the lake is 12,507 ft. Climb to an ancient temple (2 miles round trip, 650 ft elevation change); have a lunch of local trout on the island of Takile, which is famous for its food and weavings. Back by boat to your Puno hotel. Dinner on your own. (B, L)
PUNO TO AREQUIPA
Breakfast starting at 6:00 a.m. We will pick you up at 9:00 a.m. from the hotel for your private transportation to Chivay town, Arequipa, passing stop points to see the Sacred Andes in these part of Peru, where the Incas burry their gifs to mother earth (Pachamama). Also we will see the petroglyphs of the Colca Canyon. We will see colorful customs and beautiful native people. We will see the mountain of Ampato, which is a very sacred mountain and the native people used to come from different places of the Inca nation to pay respects here. This is where they have found the Mummy Juanita. Check into our nice hotel which is looking over the Colca canyon and visit the hot springs to relax. Dinner show on your own. (B,L)
COLCA CANYON – CONDOR CROSS – LIMA
Breakfast starting at 5: 00 a.m. Pick up at 6:00 a.m. to drive to the Condor cross, where we will enjoy seeing very close the majestic condor birds from the Andes flying a few feet from us. Here we have the opportunity to take good photos of the second deepest canyon of the world and the native communities. We will be back in Chivay town for a Buffet Lunch with amazing choices from Vegetarian to meat. In the afternoon you will be transfer to Arequipa city for an evening flight to Lima and Hotel.
LIMA TOUR
Breakfast starting at 6:00 am. This exciting tour begins at your hotel at 12:00 a.m. Join the driver for a visit of the historical center of Lima and discover the architectural beauty of its colonial and republican buildings, monuments and then drive to the Plaza de Armas where you will see the Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the City Hall, and the nearby the Presidential palace, known as Pizarro Palace. Also visit the Peruvian Gastronomy Museum. Lunch on your own at the main square with good food available. In the afternoon, visit the Larco Museum http://www.museolarco.org/. This is one of the most important museums in South America, where you will discover the most extraordinary treasures from ancient Peru. This night dinner on your own at the amazing ocean front restaurant La Rosa Nautica. After dinner, the driver will take you to the airport for your flight home. (B)
End of the service
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
WHAT TO BRING:
- Comfortable walking shoes and shoes you can hike in.
- Waterproof jacket
- Wind proof jacket, mostly clothes for mild weather 60-70 degrees F.
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves for high altitude evenings.
- Camera and extra battery and memory card
- Good flash light
- 220/ 110V ( plug) adaptor
- Insect repellent (you can buy it there if needed)
- Sun block, sunglasses, hat
- Some school supplies to share with the children while visiting communities. (Pencils, Pens, notebooks etc.)
- International airfares.
- Most Dinners.
- Extra beverages.
- Tips. (bellmen, waiters, guides, cooks, drivers)
