Fri - Day 1 - depart to Peru - arrive Lima
Depart from the home city to Lima where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel located in Lima. Overnight at the Hotel.
Sat - Day 2 - Lima - Cuzco - Cuzco - Arch & Colonial 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 to 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. ) Afterwards ( 7:30 p.m. ) you will meet with your guide for the orientation for the Inca Trail. Over night at the Hotel. ( BB )
Sun - Day 3 - 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, return to Cuzco ( 5:45 p.m. ) OR remain in the Sacred Valley. (3:45 p.m) Overnight at the Hotel. ( BB/L )
Mon - Day 4 - Ollantaytambo - Inca Trail
A mid morning departure by private bus to the starting point at k. 82. in Chilca. After a short hike you will enter into the National Park at Llactapata where you will be registered and the porters will be adjusted for the proper weights of all the equipment. At one time this was used as utilitarian center of large settlement of farming terraces which probably supplied the other Inca trail sites.( All the camping gear is carried by our staff giving you the time to enjoy the beautiful scenic views. Today you will get your first taste of the environment with all the diversity of plants as you hike along the Cusichaca river then on to Huayllabamba which leads into the Amazon basin. All the camping gear is carried by our staff giving you the time to enjoy the beautiful scenic views like the snow capped peak of Mt Veronica that tops out at 19,200 ft. As you make your way through the most intricate pre-Columbian highway system of the Americas (some say the world) you will continue to the village of Huayllabamba, as a steeper climb takes you through part of a mountain forest & up to the point of Llulluchapampa at ( 12,500 ft.) Here you will get your first glimpse of the Vilcabamba range as you settle in for the day and the camp site will be set by the porters at Llulluchapampa. ( Camp ) ( B/L/D ) ( actual campsite locations may vary from day to day due to INC regulations )
Tues - Day 5 - Inca Trail
After a early breakfast the most difficult part climb of this Inca Trail is the (13,776 ft. ) Warmihuanunca Pass, this point is the highest part of the trip and from here the rest of the trip will be a down hill hike. After a brief moment to catch your breath and take some fabulous photos with your heads in the clouds you will descend into a area known as the orchid zone and continue towards the Inca outpost of Pacasmayo. After time is spent for a healthy lunch you will continue climbing a series of Inca steps and proceed towards the and the ruins of Runcuracay. ( 12,172 ft. ) Today’s camp will be set adjacent to a plateau and a small lake where clouds slumber by and time stands still.( Camp) (B/L/D)
Wed - Day 6 - Inca Trail
The day starts by climbing of the Inca steps to and passing the ruins of Runcuracay and the 12,172 ft. pass. As we descend into the rainforest you will notice a change in the vegetation. Here a variety of colorful plant life is abundant as well as temperatures are several degrees warmer from the higher pass. Our hike then leads us to the archaeological site of Sayajmarca and through an Inca tunnel opening at Phuyupatamarca ruins, ( 12,000 ft. ) where our camp will be set. (Camp) ( B/L/D )
Thur - Day 7- Inca Trail - Machu Picchu
After a crisp fresh awakening to the breeze flowing through the mountains we enjoy the prepared breakfast and give respect to the mother earth for the gifts she bares. A rapid descent takes you through the cloud forest where a variety of flowers and tropical vegetation, mosses & tree ferns escort you to the magical ruins of Winay Wayna. Here there are several baths and newly uncovered terraces. In the anticipation of continuing on the trail your hearts may begin to pound from the excitement that awaits your every step and breath as you approach the fabled citadel. Just as you are to make your final turn and approach the trails entry a sigh of relief to know the reward is only a few steps further as you enter into Inti Punku Pass or "The Gate of The Sun." Here you will get your first magnificent view of the forgotten city of Machu Picchu. As you proceed downward into Machu Picchu large rock structures or temples are along the path to which the guide will point out as you make your way into "coliseum" like site. As you arrive your guide will explain the history and the myths that surround this archaeological wonder. Several ideas or possibilities have been noted of this massive archaeological complex of acropolis proportion. Weather this site was a pre Incan, a previous leaders sanctuary for his retirement, maybe a location for the virgins to be separated from the kingdom and used as wives for the Inca rulers or even sacrificial for the gods. It seems that the world will never know. After your tour transfer to the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel or continue by bus to the base of Machu Picchu and the town of Aguas Calientes where a local Hotel will be the accomodations for the night.( 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.) Remainder of the day on your own. Overnight at the Hotel. ( B ) ( based on hotel you stay at some incl. lunch and dinner )
Fri - Day 8 - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Full day on your own in Aguas Calientes where you can take a short hike to visit a local butterfly farm, the orchid trail or bird watch for the many variety of semi tropical birds that are habitants of this area. You may as well choose to re-enter Machu Picchu where you can watch the sunrise, hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, visit the Inti Punku Pass (Gate of the Sun ) or explore and take more photographs of the area. In the late afternoon you will bid farewell to the lost city of Machu Picchu and proceed to the Aguas Calientes train station where you will board the ( 3:00 p.m. ) auto wagon train for your return to Cuzco. After your arrival into the Cuzco train station ( 6:45 -7:00 p.m.) our staff will meet and transfer you to the Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel. ( BB) ( 2nd day Machu Picchu entry fees $25.00 or bus transfers in / out of Machu Picchu $15.00 not incl.)
Sat - Day 9 - Cuzco - Puerto Maldonado - Wasai Lodge Tambopata
Our staff will transfer you to the Cuzco airport for the TANS Airlines flight #237 departing at 10:30 a.m. arriving Puerto Maldonado at 11:00 a.m. 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 theTambopata 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. ( BB/L/D )
Sun - Day 10 - 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 )
Mon - Day 11 - Wasai Lodge Tambopata - Wasai Lodge Maldonado
After breakfast you will depart from the WASAI Lodge proceeding down river to by motorized boat to the WASAI Maldonado Lodge, in Puerto Maldonado where we will relax in our bungalows and enjoy lunch. After lunch you will leave and travel for twenty minutes on the Madre de Dios River, to the access 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 enjoying the beauty of the landscape and observing the wildlife, such as kingfishers, herons, hoatzins (unique pre historic looking birds) , monkeys, etc. With some luck you may have the possibility of viewing a local family of the endangered giant otters which live at the lake. You will as well have the opportunity to fish for piranhas and swim in the lake. Late afternoon enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Lake Sandoval. Continue back by hiking to the Madre de Dios River then by 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 )
Tues - Day 12 - Wasai Lodge - Puerto Maldonado - Lima
Early departure boat/bus to the Puerto Maldonado airport for the departing flight to Lima. Here you can have a short tour of Lima or go to a day room to relax before the international flight home.
Wed - Day 13 - Lima - arrive into your home city
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Trip can start on Friday, Sunday or Tuesday. |
|
Class |
Rating |
Hotels |
sng |
dbl. |
tpl |
|
Tourist |
3 star |
LM - Colon, CZ - Los Andes, SV - Pakaritampu, MP - Hatuchay |
0000 |
0000 |
0000 |
|
First |
4 star |
LM - Colon, CZ - Novotel (CR), SV - Pakaritampu, MP ( AG )- Hatuchay |
0000 |
0000 |
0000 |
|
First |
5 star |
LM - Swissotel, CZ - Libertador, SV - Pakaritampu, MP - Pueblo |
0000 |
0000 |
0000 |
|
First |
5 star |
LM - Swissotel, CZ - Monasterio, SV - Pakaritampu, MP - Sanctuary |
0000 |
0000 |
0000 |
|
LM = Lima, CZ = Cuzco, SV = Sacred Valley, MP = Machu Picchu, LT = Lake Titicaca, AQ = Arequipa, CQ - Colca Canyon, TJ = Trujillo, CL - Chiclayo, PC - Paracas, IC = Ica, NZ - Nazca. Hotels noted are based on the America star system. ( CR = Colonial rooms in Cuzco ) |
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Trip can also be adjusted to suit your needs. |
INCLUDES:
E-Mail Us for customized packages to Peru.