The latest in our "Peru Guru - Signature Series" that has made TAMBO a leader in designing trips according to the needs, time & interest of the traveler.
Day 1 - depart to Peru - arrive Lima
Upon your arrival into Lima you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Miraflores for your overnight. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Lima - Museum & Colonial City Tour
Morning on your own. Afternoon tours of Colonial Lima visiting the Main Square,
the site of Spanish foundation by Francisco Pizarro. Continue to the Cathedral, built in 1625 of
Spanish baroque style and the Government Palace, with its traditional & colorful changing of the
presidential guard, then to San Francisco Church and Monastery: Lima’s biggest religious complex
with a convent, museum of colonial art, cloisters and catacombs. Later choice of any Museum where
priceless pre-Columbian ceramic, weaving’s, gold, silver & copper artifacts from previous civilizations
like Nazca, Paracas, Wari, Chavin, Moche, Lambayeque, Chimu & Inca can be viewed. Early evening return
to your Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel. ( CB )
Day 3 - Lima - Puerto Maldonado - Wasai Tambopata Lodge
You will be met and transferred to the Lima airport & the local airline flight departing
to Puerto Maldonado. dfd Here the local staff will meet and transfer you by bus to the WASAI
Maldonado Lodge where you will receive a welcoming tropical fruit beverage as well secure
excess baggage. Continue to the Tambopata river where you will embark for a 3 to 4½ hour
motorboat trip up the Tambopata River to WASAI Tambopata Lodge & Research Center.
(box lunch on route). During the trip you enter the primary rainforest where a
variety of plant as well as wildlife can be observed You will have the opportunity to
observe caiman, turtles and numerous amount of bird species that flourish on the rivers edge.
Also the opportunity to see families of Ronsocos, the largest rodents in the world. Upon your
arrival you will take a short rest in your accommodation at the lodge, then proceed for a
introductory walk in the forest nearby to learn basic principles of ecology and hear some
wildlife natural history. Return to the lodge for dinner. After a hearty dinner you will make your
first visit to the forest to observe the nocturnal life of insects, frogs of various colors,
and an occasional encounter with nocturnal mammals. Here you can enjoy the diverse sounds of the
jungle which will accompany our first night in Amazonia. Overnight at the WASAI Tambopata Lodge. ( B/L/D )
Day 4 - Wasai Lodge Tambopata
Early morning wake up early (4:00 am) to drink a coffee or hot drink and leave for the "Collpa".
You will travel up the Tambopata river ("Bahuaja" in the local dialect )for an hour and a half,
before arriving a safe distance for observation one of the greatest spectacles of wildlife.
Known as one of the largest Macaw Licks in the world, almost everyday hundreds of parrots and
macaws of various species, enjoying their diet of mineral salts on the clay wall.
It is an experience that never will be forgotten. Afterwards you will make a stop on the river
bank to have a fruit snack and we will return to the lodge to have breakfast and rest.
After lunch you will enter the verdant jungle on a special trail to observe wild life.
You will then enter the territory of peccaries, deer and others, with the possibility to hear
or see the tracks of them, or discovering a troop of monkeys traveling through the forest
in search of food. Time permitting, you can return to enjoy a relaxing swim in the cascade of the
cat. After dinner we can make another trip through the jungle, search for caimans or relax in our
lodge surrounded by exotic nocturnal sounds. Overnight at the WASAI Tambopata Lodge. ( B/L/D )
Day 5 - Wasai Lodge Tambopata - Wasai Lodge Maldonado
After breakfast, you will depart from the WASAI Lodge proceeding down river by a motorized boat
to the WASAI Maldonado Lodge in Puerto Maldonado. Here, you will get to relax in our bungalows and
enjoy lunch. After lunch, you will leave and travel for twenty minutes on the Madre de Dios River,
to access the trail to Lake Sandoval, a beautiful typical rainforest lake. ( approx. 5 km hike to
the banks of the lake.) There you will board a canoe to paddle around the lake to enjoy the
beautiful landscape. You will also get to observe wildlife, such as kingfishers, herons, hoatzins
(unique pre historic looking birds), monkeys, etc. With some luck, you may get the opportunity to
see a local family of the endangered giant otters which live on the lake. You will as well have
the opportunity to fish for piranhas and swim in the lake. Late afternoon, you can enjoy a spectacular
sunset over Lake Sandoval. You will return back to your lodge by hiking to the Madre de Dios River,
then take a boat to Puerto Maldonado. There you will stay in the modern and comfortable bungalows
of WASAI Maldonado Lodge. After dinner, you are able to rest or go around the city on foot or on
bicycle. You can also enjoy the pool and its cascade surrounded by verdant vegetation. Overnight
at the WASAI Maldonado Lodge. ( B/L/D )
Day 6 - Wasai Lodge - Puerto Maldonado - Cuzco
You will be met and transferred to the Puerto Maldonado airport & the local airline flight
departing to Cuzco. On your arrival our staff will meet and transfer you to the Hotel where you
can use the remainder of the morning to acclimate to the 11,300 ft. altitude in the Inca capital
of Cuzco. Over night at the Hotel. ( BB )
Day 7 - Cuzco - City Tour - Sacsayhauman Park - Cuzco
You will be met and transferred to the Lima airport & the local airline flight departing to Cuzco.
On your arrival our staff will meet and transfer you to the Hotel where you can use the remainder
of the morning to acclimate to the 11,300 ft. altitude in the Inca capital of Cuzco. In the
afternoon (1:45 p.m.), our staff will meet and transfer you by bus for a City tour of Cuzco and
the Colonial and Inca sites of La Cathedral and Santo Domingo Convent, or Q’oricancha,
Tambo Machay, Kenko, Pucapucara, and Sacsayhauman. Early evening return to Cuzco and the
Hotel. (5:45 -6:15 p.m.) Over night at the Hotel. ( BB )
Day 8 - Cuzco - Pisac Market - Ollantaytambo
Our staff will meet and transfer you in the morning ( 8:45 -9:00 a.m.) into the Sacred Valley of the Inca.
This fertile region includes many Inca terraces and farm land. Travel to the town of Pisac and the Ancient
Pisac Market for the annual show where many of the local Indians sell and barter their hand made textiles,
fresh fruits, and vegetables. After an hour or so of mingling with the locals, you will proceed to eat lunch
at a local hacienda restaurant in the Sacred Valley. Afterwards, continue to Ollantaytambo which is
the oldest continuously habituated town of the Inca that contains several important Inca structures.
At the top of the sixteen massive terraces are the ever impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo Fortress.
This is where the Inca fought some of their fiercest and strongest battles. It is unknown how the huge
precisely carved stones were transported down one mountain range to the Ollantaytambo location,
or how they were fitted perfectly to support a strategic fortress that has bared the test of time.
Also found here are “silos” or grain mills that are directly adjacent to the fortress that could
have maintained thousands of pounds of grain for the Inca and its people. Some of the grain was
most likely produced in the surrounding agricultural terracing by the variety of crops that were
grown. Afterwards, remain in the Sacred Valley. (3:45 p.m) Overnight at the Hotel. ( BB/L )
Day 9 - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
You will be assisted to the Ollantaytambo train station for the 8:00 a.m. Vista dome First Class
train. As it winds through the Andean Mountains, you will pass through several small villages where
the local Indian farmers manage their farms and reside just as they have for hundreds of years.
After the scenic ride you arrive at the final stop Aguas Calientes about ( 9:45 a.m. )Here, you
will notice that the weather has changed to a tropical climate. You can now appreciate the
abundance of plants typical for this region and the Amazon basin. Here you will board the tourist
bus and proceed up a incredible winding road that leads to the fabled site of Machu Picchu.
Thousands of people from around the world frequent this magnificent ancient site to pay homage and
grasp the spectacular views of Machu Picchu’s 7,800 ft. plateau. Upon your arrival ( 10:15 a.m. )
your guide will explain the history and the myths that surround this archaeological wonder. After
your tour, you will be transferred by bus to the base of Machu Picchu and the town of Aguas
Calientes. Lunch will be served at the local hotel.( 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.) Remainder of the day on
your own. Ovenight at the hotel.(BB/L)( Note: Overnight at Sanctuary Lodge incl. BB/L/D,
the Pueblo Hotel incl. BB & D )
Day 10 - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Today you will have the full day to explore Machu Picchu and its surroundings on your own.
We suggest to take a picnic basket on a short hike to Wayna Picchu or to the Inti Puku Pass
( Gate of the Sun ) where you can get a birds eye view of this massive site. In the late afternoon
you will depart Machu Picchu with many memories that a picture will never tell.
After your return to Cuzco you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.
( BB ) Note: 2nd day re-entry into Machu Picchu not incl.
Day 11 - Cuzco Free day
Full day on your own in Cuzco to visit for shopping or visiting a local museum.
Overnight at the Hotel. ( BB )
Day 12 - Cuzco - Puno
Morning our staff will transfer you for your departure via a First Class tour bus for the scenic
ride to Puno.(8 hours). On the way you will travel through the Andean mountains passing and making
short visits to the archaeological sites of Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas, Raqchi & La Raya while on
the way to Puno. On your arrival to Puno and the highest navigable lake in the world of Lake
Titicaca, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the evening on your own.
( BB )
Day 13 - Puno - Uros - Amantani ( homestay )
Early morning departure to Lake Titicaca where you will go by boat to the floating Uros Islands.
Here time will be allowed for mingling, shopping or even to barter for a large selection of local
hand made items with the descendants of Uros Indians. After a short time here you will proceed
again by boat to the Island of Amantani where many archaeological sites will be visited with your
guide. There are several temples and a Royal throne "Inkatiana" carved of stone on the shore of
the lake. You as well will visit the impressive points of either Pacha Tata or Pacha Mama for a
magnificent view of Lake Titicaca from the highest point of the island. Later a cultural excursion
to visit up to six different villages that exist on the largest island. Here these humble and simple
Amara Indians descendants have lived on this some what secluded island from the mainland unchanged
in their traditions for hundreds of years. Afterwards you will proceed to a local family home that
is your accommodations for the night. Overnight at a local Indian family home. (CB/D)
Day 14 - Amantani - Taquile - Puno
Morning after breakfast and a last visit in the area proceed to the Island of Taquile where you
can view pre Inca & Inca archaeological ruins & terracing. Mid day depart by boat from Taquille
with a late afternoon arrival into Puno. Here you will be met and transferred to the Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel. (CB)
Day 15 - Puno - Copacabana - Sun Island (BOLIVIA)
You will be met and transferred by Crillon Tours Bus ( 6:00 a.m. )
to the town of Juli located a short distance from Puno. Here you will proceed by Hydrofoil boat to
the Moon Island were you will visit the archaeological sites Unak Uyu and the Virgin of the Sun
Temple. Then to the Island of the Sun and the Pilkokaina Temple and a short Llama trek on the Inca
Trail. Afterwards proceed to the Posada del Inca Hotel for lunch and your accommodations for the
night. Remainder of the day on own. Overnight at the Posada del Inca Hotel on Isla del Sol. (CB/L)
Day 16 - Sun Island - Copacabana - Puno
After your breakfast you will proceed to the Yumani Hydro Harbor to visit the archaeological sited
of the Sacred Fountain and the Inca Steps. Then proceed to the Uma Kollu restaurant where lunch will
be served. Afterwards you will continue by motorized boat to the town of Copacabana to a local cathedral
and the shrine of the "Virgin of Candelaria or "The Black Virgin", said to have brought several miracles
since its arrival in the 16th Century. After a short time for shopping you will depart by Crillon Tours Bus
to Puno where you will proceed to the Hotel. ( 4:30 p.m.) Overnight at the Hotel. (AB)
Day 17 - Puno - Juliaca - Arequipa
After breakfast you will be met and transfer to the Juliaca airport for the departing flight to
Arequipa. On your arrival into the "White City"you will be met and transferred to the Hotel.
Afternoon tours of the Museo de Altura where the noted Inca Ice Princess ( Momia Juanita) is preserved
for the public view. In 1995, American archaeologist Johan Rienhards is credited for discovering this
child mummy of the Inca civilization high above Colca Canyons Mt Ambato ( 20,70 ft. ) Afterwards continue
to the Santa Catalina Convent. Opened to the public in 1970 after four centuries of mysterious isolation
this site is by far the most interesting. At one point there were over 450 nuns that lived in seclusion
from the outside. Contrary to what you would expect from the nuns who take vows of living in poverty.
The convent has been beautifully remodeled with Colonial furniture & paintings from the Cuzco & Arequipa
Schools of Art. The convent itself literaly is a city in it self. With the traditional painted homes,
cobblestone streets & plazas spread throughout, its massivness will amaze. Afterwards return to your Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel. (CB)
Day 18 - Arequipa - Colca Canyon
Early morning departure at 8:00 a.m. by tour bus to the north part of Arequipa passing the town of Yura,
around the Mountain of Chachani. Today you have a chance to see Pampa CaZahuas, the National Vicuna Reserve.
Mid day (12:00 p.m.) arrival into Chivay and the Colca Lodge for lunch. (lunch on own) Afterwards
time permitting you may choose to visit the local hot springs. Return to the lodge for a folk show and dinner.
Overnight at the local lodge. Overnight at the Hotel. ( BB )
Day 19 - Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Morning departure ( 7:00 a.m. ) to "El Mirador de la Cruz del Condor" where the best possibilities
of viewing the fabled Andean condor are available. Later return to Chivay, where you will visit
some pre-Inca tombs as well as several small traditional villages like Pichollo, Maca and Yanque
before returning to Chivay for lunch. Afternoon depart by tour bus from Chivay and return to
Arequipa (8:00 p.m.) and transfer to your Hotel. Over night at your Hotel. ( CB )
Day 20 - Arequipa - Lima - Chiclayo
Morning you will be met and taken for a guided tour to the Museo de Altura where the noted Inca Ice
Princess (Momia Juanita is preserved for the public view. In 1995, American archaeologist Johan Rienhards
is credited for discovering this child mummy of the Inca civilization high above Colca Canyons Mt Ambato
(20,70 ft.) Afterwards continue to the Santa Catalina Convent. Opened to the public in 1970 after four
centuries of mysterious isolation this site is by far the most interesting. At one point there were over
450 nuns that lived in seclusion from the outside. Contrary to what you would expect from the nuns who
take vows of living in poverty. The convent has been beautifully remodeled with Colonial furniture &
paintings from the Cuzco & Arequipa Schools of Art. The convent itself literaly is a city in it self.
With the traditional painted homes, cobblestone streets & plazas spread throughout, its massivness
will amaze. Afterwards return to your hotel before departing for Lima in the afternoon.
Later you will be met & transferred to the Arequipa airport and the departing flight to Lima.
Connect to the departing flight to Chiclayo. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to the Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel. ( CB )(time permitting you can visit Pimentel Bay for the fishermans sunset.)
Day 21 - Chiclayo - Tucume - Sipan Museum
Morning guided tour with Julio Rodriguez to the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan Museum where
numerous artifacts from the Moche civilization including the Lord of Sipan tomb are secure for
public viewing. Continue for tours to the sites of Pampa Grande, Lord of Sipans Tomb & Tucume.
These areas are the most important regions that are least to be explored by the western tourist
and the importance as well as accessibility is far better than that of ANY other tourist region in
Peru. Archaeologically wise this region is the richest in history & financially wise to have been
discovered intact in the last 100 years. New and unknown sites are being excavated every day / year.
This is the cutting edge of the past history from Thor Heyderdahl's discovery of Tucume to Walter
Alvas credits to the Lord of Sipan's site, and is the best of the best. It is noted that the site
of Pampa Grande is the most significant archaeological discovery in the western hemisphere.
Late afternoon return to Chiclayo and the hotel. Later visit to seaside town at Pimentel Bay
where the local fisherman build typical reed boats & you can watch the sunset Afterwards return to
the Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel. ( CB )
Day 22 - Chiclayo - Trujillo
Morning you will depart by private car to Trujillo over the with visits to the Sun & Moon temples
of the Chimu civilization. Mid afternoon arrival into Trujillo where you will transfer to the Hotel.
Later to the El Brujo site and afternoon return to the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.( CB )
Day 23 - Trujillo - Lima
Full day of tours to El Dragon Ruins & Chan Chan. Built by the Chimu Empire approximately 1200 AD,
the citadel of Chan Chan consisted of nine major sub-cities.Each built by a previous leader and at
their height, housed more than 50,000 people. With a span of more than 45 square miles it was the
largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas and the largest mud city in the world. Late afternoon
return to the Libertador Hotel and then transferred to the Trujillo airport for the departing
flight to Lima. You will be met and transferred to the hotel for the remainder of the day on your own.
Overnight at the Hotel.( CB )
Day 24 - Lima - Paracas
You will be met and transferred by Ormeno Bus station and the Royal Class Service departing at
1:30 p.m. on the Pan American Highway to where you will proceed to Paracas. Here you will be met
and assisted upon your arrival at the Hotel Paracas. Over night at the Hotel Paracas.
Overnight at the Hotel.( CB )
Day 25 - Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Nazca
Morning you will be met & transferred to the departure dock where you board the boat to the
Ballestas Islands. A spectacular view of the marine and animal life exists in its natural habitat
similar to that of the Galapagos. You may see: Seals, Sea Otter, Sea Lion, Leatherback and Green
turtles, Lizards or a variety of over 18 regional bird species. Afterwards return to the dock where
travel to the Hotel Paracas. Late afternoon you will continue to Nazca or Ica and the hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel.( CB )
Day 26 - Nazca - Lima
In the morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the local airport for your flight
over the Nazca Lines. Here you will get the ultimate view of one the most controversial archaeological
sights from our ancient ancestors that has ever been discovered the Nazca Lines. These desert drawings
date back somewhere between 200 B.C. & 600 A.D. Here scientists & historians have been unable to explain
the reason for the huge trapezoids, triangles, rectangles & quadrangles that stretch across miles of desert
plain. The theories for these mysterious geo-glyphics left behind by the Nazca Indians range from, the reading
of the constellations to weather forecasting and even ancient landing strips for space ships from some other planet.
Though we may never find the true reason for these incredible pieces of art that are just as mysterious as the
civilization that made them, your abilities to get a birds eye view, such as the ancient visitors may have,
lets you form your own idea on their purpose to the Indians of the Nazca plain. Afternoon tour of the pre-Inca
cemetery of Chauchilla dating back over 2000 years. Mid afternoon depart by Ormeno Royal Class Service at 1:30 p.m.
for your return to Lima at 8:30 p.m. You will be met and transferred to the Lima airport for the International flight
home... ( optional overnight & tours available in Lima )( CB )
Day 27 - Lima - arrive into your home city
| Class |
Rating |
View Hotels in Class |
| Tourist |
 |
|
$5639 |
$4579 |
$4309 |
| First |
|
|
$6259 |
$4979 |
$4669 |
| First |
|
|
$6369 |
$5039 |
$4689 |
| First |
|
|
$6899 |
$5369 |
N/A |
| First |
|
|
$7769 |
$5849 |
$5339 |
| First |
|
|
$8579 |
$6059 |
$5649 |
| Executive |
|
|
$9459 |
$6709 |
N/A |
NOTE : All hotels include either Continental or Buffet breakfast.
Not included : International air, visas, departure taxes, additional meals / incidentals.
Note room type: BV = Best View; CR = Colonial; DR = Deluxe; JS = Junior Suite.
|
