AMAZON & MACHU PICCHU - A FAMILY ADVENTURE

Welcome to Peru!

Kick-start your adventure in the vibrant and friendly city of Lima. On arrival in Lima, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative from &Beyond,  transfer to your hotel (walking distance)

Please meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel who will escort you to Lima Airport for your flight to Iquitos.

Iquitos – Nauta – Embarkation – Marañon River

We will meet at Iquitos International Airport then journey together by air-conditioned vehicle through the Peruvian countryside to arrive at our Nauta Lounge in time for lunch, or we will serve a box lunch en route depending on the flight arrival time. In the afternoon, we will set off on your first skiff excursion to visit the birthplace of the Amazon. At 5:00pm, we will board the ARIA AMAZON. Settle into your generously proportioned suite as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to our naturalist guides, we gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by our Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top ranked dining experiences.

 Yanayacu Pucate River – Marañon River

We commence today’s adventures near the main entrance of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, cruising along Yanayacu Pucate in the comfort of our state-of-the-art skiffs. Kayak, canoe and swim in these unspoiled black waters, keeping eyes peeled for the Amazon’s legendary pink dolphins. In the afternoon, we will visit a remote village along the Marañon River to learn about traditional customs. Focus our hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.

Samiria River – Nauta Caño or PNA (Amazonian Natural Park

We set off by skiffs for an excursion along the Samiria River with optional fishing. Listen carefully to our after-lunch flora and fauna lecture, then venture out for a singularly thrilling jungle walk across the high Amazon rainforest. On our return in the evening, enjoy the jungle symphony and extraordinary stargazing on local boats along the “Enchanted Lake”. This evening before dinner, we will gather to introduce you to some of the crewmembers whom you may not have met, working "behind the scenes" to ensure your countless exceptional experiences aboard the ARIA AMAZON.

Day 4 Monday Nauta Town – Manatee Rescue Centre – Transfer to the Airport

This morning, we will visit the local fresh market with your guides who can identify the day’s catch by the fishermen of Amazonia and the region’s exotic fruits. Return to the ARIA for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, we visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees to rescue, rehabilitate and release them back into the wild. We will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport.

Note: All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.

Transfer to Iquitos Airport for your flight to Cusco via Lima.

On arrival in Cusco your guide will be waiting for you to transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Inca, enjoy a 1.30hours scenic drive.

On the way to your hotel in the Sacred Valley we will make a stop in Awanakancha, a weaving center with the goal to keep alive the traditional textile arts. Here you can see four members of the cameloid family - llama, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos.  Alapacas have thick wool and is the most commonly used while the vicunas are small and delicate with fur considered the finest.

We will continue to  the local village of Pisac, famous for its colorful market which attracts tourists from all over the world to try their hand at bartering for local sweaters, ponchos, wall hangings, jewellery and goods.

Rest of the day will be at your leisure to enjoy of the hotel activities and  an easy acclimatisation to altitud.

Today ´design your day´, you can choose 2 of the following activities:

- River Rafting

- Mountain Biking

- Horseback Riding

- ATVs

- Kayak &  Paddle Board

- Via Ferrata & Zip Line.

Lunch today will be at Wayra Ranch, where you will enjoy of a  traditional Peruvian barbecue and Paso horse demonstration

This morning you will visit Chinchero, a small Andean Indian village located high up on the windswept plains of Anta. The village mainly comprises mud brick (adobe) houses, and locals still go about their business in traditional dress.

There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Its major atraction is its colourful market

We will then continue to Moray. The main feature that impresses is its system of circular agricultural terraces, which are up to 330 feet deep. They are build using retaining walls connected by an irrigation system. Moray can be considered a crop lab– they used the terraces to create micro-climates and grow various products.

After lunch visit Maras, the salt mines, or the famous "salt pools" The salt mines of Maras are still in use today. These days there are thousands of pools, or pocitos, with each pocito yielding around 150 kilograms of salt per month. You can visit the salt mines and explore them along narrow paths. It’s fascinating to watch locals harvest the salt, a process that hasn’t changed in thousands of years.

Please meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel, he will transfer you to the train station to board your train to Machu Picchu.

On arrival at the train station your guide will accompany with a short walk to the buses that leads to the citadel and board the 30-minute ride to Machu Picchu Citadel. (8000 ft. – 2432 m.a.s.l.)

Explore the enigmatic citadel of Machu Picchu accompanied with your guide.  Your expert guide will lead you through the site, providing archaeological and historical information on key areas of interest, including Intihuatana (the Sun Dial), the Sacred Plaza and the Temple of the Sun.

This is an opportunity to revel in the energy and atmosphere of one of the most significant and spectacular archaeological sites on the planet, surrounded by the cloud forest, Wayna Picchu and Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), the entrance to the Machu Picchu Inca trail.

Buffet lunch will be included at Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant.

Afternoon bus transfer to Aguas Calientes train station to board the train to Cusco, depart on the Vistadome train.

On arrival at Poroy Train Station, private transfer to your hotel.

This morning you will embark on a guided city tour of Cusco. Visiting the most important places of the Archaeological Capital of America which was the capital of the Inca's Empire. Observe the mixture of the 3 cultures: the native quechuas Indians, the Spanish conquerors and the actual people. We include the visit of the Main Square, the Cathedral, the church of "La Compañía" and the Santo Domingo Church former Koricancha Temple.

Your morning tour  will end with a visit to the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built overlooking the beautiful city of Cusco.

Afternoon will be at your leisure.

Transfer to Cusco  Airport for your flight to Lima.

On arrival in Lima you will be assisted to connect with your international flight.