This tour will take you to learn about the wonders both archaeological and natural from Peru. 8 day itineary exploring the wonders of nature as the amazing Amazon Rain Forest, Cusco and Machu Picchu complement of the archaeological part. Duration: 8 days Departure: Any day year round** Visiting: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Tambopata
Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrival to Lima
Arrival to Lima International Airport, Our staff will meet and greet you. Private transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 Lima (H/D Tour)
Guided tour to know the most interesting places of the City of Lima (The capital of the Spanish Viceroy). We will take you to know the Main Square (Plaza Mayor), The Cathedral, The City Hall. Visiting the San Francisco Church, Cloister and Catacombs is our first stop, Then a panoramic view of other important Churches and Mansions surrounding downtown Lima, finally you will visit the modern part of the city like the district of San Isidro and its Olive Grove, to end up in the Lovers Park in the district of Miraflores.
Day 3 Lima – Cusco
Early transfer from your hotel to take the flight to Cusco, “The Lost City of The Inkas”, arrival, meet and greet and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the morning free to get used to the altitude ( 11,000 feet high). In the afternoon city tour and near by ruins like Kenko, Pucapucara, Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman.
Day 4 Cusco – Sacred Valley (Full Day guided tour)
Full day guided excursion to The Sacred Valley and Pisac Market, where highland Indians come to work ship and sell their wares at the Pisac market. Later enjoy lunch and scale the ruins of Ollantaytambo. Overnight in the Valley.
Day 5 Cusco – Machu Picchu – Cusco (Full Day guided tour)
Early pick up from your hotel to take the train, to Machu Picchu (Vistadome service). Arrival to the town of Aguas Calientes, from there a mini bus will drive you up to the Citadel, to walk it’s narrow streets, climb it’s rock strewn stairways and learn the secrets of this ancient civilization. Machu Picchu it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. In the afternoon train ride back to Cusco.
Day 6 Cusco – Puerto Maldonado
AM Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Our staff will welcome you at the airport and drive you through the city to the boat dock on the Tambopata River. Here we board a motorized canoe and head towards the nearby confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios River, the source of the Amazon tributary. Just 30 minutes down river is landing at the port that will lead to Sandoval Lake. We walk a trail of 3 Km (2 mi), stopping to watch birds and butterflies, up to a narrow canal boats. From there, we navigate the flooded forest of palm trees that leads to the open waters of this peaceful lake. Our crew will row the boats across to the lodge (motors are prohibited on the lake). Under the surface of the lake we may see the huge Paiche (an Amazonian fish that can weigh up to 100Kg/220lbs). Or you may hear strange and unsettling screams and see heads peering from the lake surface, which will mark our first encounter with Pteronura brasiliensis, the Giant Otter of the Amazon. After a brief rest, we start again by boat to explore the entire eastern end of the lake, following the sound of hundreds of Blue-and-Yellow and Red-Breasted Macaws as they return to the palm forest for the night. Our view from the boat often allows close and extensive encounters with birds and mammals. In Sandoval Lake the Capuchin Monkey, in particular, has nearly lost its fear of humans. We return to the lodge at dusk for dinner. Afterwards we take the boat again, in search of caimans, which are now extremely rare in the Amazon, but are still common in this protected lake. They grow up to 4m long, and dispute their share of fishing with the otters. On clear nights we go by boat farther into the lake for a view of the vast southern sky, unobstructed, with its magnificent views of constellations and the Milky Way.
Day 7 Sandoval Lake
Just before dawn we will be on the lake for what is often a spectacular sunrise; and hope for an encounter with the Giant Otters that roam the lake in a close-knit family, very active at this time of day. At this time most of the birds that inhabit the lake are also very active. There will be time and tranquility to observe the birds fishing; while they stalk and capture prey. We will also have close-up views of the primitive Shansho (Ophistocumus hoazin) eating leaves. After enjoying a late breakfast, we’ll walk the trail through the cool understory of the impressive primary rainforest that surrounds the lake. We will see the great Chestnut trees that abound here. After lunch we rest for an hour and then explore the west side of the lake where we will have chances to observe different species of monkey; including the most common Capuchin Monkey. Before dinner there is a video presentation on the Peruvian Jungle and after dinner we will have the opportunity to spot caimans in the lake.
Day 8 Sandoval Lake to Puerto Maldonado – Lima
After breakfast we make a final paddle through palm swamps on the west end of the lake. On the clearer mornings a glorious sunrise and its reflection can be seen in the lake. We return to the Madre de Dios River and head towards Puerto Maldonado and from there on to the airport. Arrival to Lima, remaining at the airport to take your international flight.
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