Arrive Lima, transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Double Tree El Pardo by Hilton – Junior Suite (Lunch included)
Lima/Cusco
Breakfast at hotel.
The best tour to become familiar with Lima and its history. Our tour gives you the best combination of attractions in Lima from pre-Hispanic, Colonial. A visit to Lima’s historic downtown, including: the Main Plaza and the surrounding monuments: the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, City Hall, the Desamparados train station, and the Moorish-style houses and balconies along Lima’s old streets. After this a visit to the traditional neighbourhood near the San Isidro Golf Club, the Olive Grove park and the modern LarcoMar shopping and entertainment complex, a distinctive landmark of Modern Lima offering a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean.
Then, we will visit the Larco Museum, located in a vice royal mansion of the 18th century, built on top of a pre-Columbian pyramid of the 7th century. It has a Gold and silver collection from ancient Peru and interesting erotic pottery collection. Didactic chronological gallery shows 3,000 years of Peruvian ancient history.
Lunch at Larco Museum restaurant. Return to hotel.
Transfer to the Lima airport to take the flight to Cusco city.
Upon arrival in Cusco, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at Abittare – Classic room (Breakfast included)
Cusco
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning at leisure.
Pm. We will enjoy a guided tour to the nearby Inca ruins including Kenko, the ceremonial bath of Tambomachay and the amazing Sacsayhuaman, a huge fortress of massive stones. We will also take a tour to the city including the Koricancha (temple of the Sun), a nice example of the Inca architecture, the main square and the Cathedral.
Overnight at Abittare – Classic room (Breakfast included)
Cusco/Sacred Valley
Breakfast at hotel.
Today you will be met at your hotel in Sacred Valley to enjoy a full day tour to the Pisac Market, ruins and the Ollantaytambo Ruins. Spanish Pisac, located 32 km from Cusco, was built over an Inca settlement beneath the great terraces of the Inca ruins known as the Citadel. Pisac has an interesting craft market on Tuesdays and Thursdays and really comes alive when the famous Sunday market takes over, attracting traditionally dressed locals from miles around. The colorful market has everyday produce for sale and barter alongside the hordes of craft stalls. After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant in the heart of the Sacred Valley, the tour continues to Ollantaytambo where the Urubamba River flows into a gorge which leads down through the Andes to the Amazon. At this beautiful and strategic spot the Inca Pachacutec built a fortress on the steep cliffs above the terraces. Over 200 steps lead through the terraces to an unfinished Sun Temple with 6 massive monoliths of pink porphyry. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to your hotel in Sacred Valley.
Overnight at Pakaritampu – Standard room (Breakfast and lunch included)
Sacred Valley
Breakfast at hotel.
Enjoy a private guided trip to Chinchero village, Maras salt mines and the circular terraces of Moray. On the way you will see some of the most scenic spots in the Sacred Valley. First, visit a traditional Andean village called Chinchero located in the highlands of Anta. The visit combines Inca archeological sites, typical Andean community, a colonial church, and a colorful market which to date, on its “market day” practice the tradition of “barter” goods.
After Chinchero visit the ancient salt mines near the village of Maras, where salty springs emerge from the hillside and the Incas built terraces to capture the flows and harvest salt. Continue the excursion to Moray, where huge circular agricultural terraces were built by the Incas on limestone sinks served to plant various crops. It is said to have a cosmological significance, however, the Incas used the terraces as an agricultural laboratory to determine the optimum conditions for each species in varying altitudes.
Overnight at Pakaritampu – Standard room (Breakfast and box lunch included)
Begins Discovery Inca Trail: Piskakucho (Km. 82) / Huayllabamba
A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 of the Machu Picchu railroad. After getting acquainted with our trail crew we set out, crossing a footbridge to hike a gentle two hours down the Urubamba canyon, and then visit imposing sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. We then climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Huayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we camp.
Overnight at Campsite – Tent (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Huayllabamba / Pacaymayo
From Huayllabamba we begin a steeper ascent, climbing the Llullucha valley along a stream that rushes through enchanted native unca woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the puna, the treeless grasslands of the high Andes. Here a stretch of open trail climbs beneath mighty crags to our first and highest pass, Warmiwañusca (4,200m/13,776ft). From Warmiwañusca we can look back to the spectacular snowpeaks and valleys of the Huayanay massif, and ahead to a distant view of tomorrow’s trail to the second pass. Descending a stepped stone trail we encounter our campsite in a clearing of the forested Pacamayo valley.
Overnight at Campsite – Tent (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Pacaymayo / Phuyupatamarca
We pick up an Inca stairway and ascend again past the small Inca site of Runkuracay. As we reach the second pass the landscape opens onto spectacular new views to the snowpeaks of the Pumasillo range. We descend again to the ruins of Sayacmarca (Inaccessible Town), an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley. The Inca trail, now a massive buttressed structure of granite paving stones, continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns. At the third pass we camp by pinnacles topped with Inca viewing platforms, overlooking the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town).
Overnight at Campsite – Tent (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Phuyupatamarca / Machu Picchu
We explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways spilling down the mountainside at Phuyupatamarca then begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us finally to the site of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites. In the afternoon we follow the last stretch of trail across a steep mountainside through a lush, humid cloud-forest of giant ferns and broad-leafed trees. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry -a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu.
Overnight at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo – Superior room (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Machu Picchu / Cusco
We return to Machu Picchu by bus and spend the day in both guided and individual exploration, visiting the most fascinating features of this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement. Some will want to take the optional hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu for an amazing overview of the site, while others may want to investigate Machu Picchu’s multitude of hidden nooks and corners. After a full-on experience of this glorious monument to the Inca achievement, we return to Aguas Calientes and board the return train to Cusco. Finally transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Abittare – Classic room (Breakfast and lunch included)
Cusco / Puerto Maldonado
Breakfast at hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to airport to take the flight to Puerto Maldonado city.
Welcome to Puerto Maldonado. Begin to experience the enchantment of the rainforest, as you take the 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 staggeringly tall kapok, and the strangely beautiful strangler fig, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching 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 up to three different caiman species. Enjoy 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 share your experience in the rainforest with other guests and interpreters, as you listen to the intriguing sounds of the jungle at night. Dinner starts at 7:30 p.m.
Overnight at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica – Superior room (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Puerto Maldonado
Breakfast at hotel.
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 the remarkable Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. 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 literally walk 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 colorful toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys, and sloths. If you wish you may extend your excursion and appreciate the sunset from one of the towers. The excursion 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.
Overnight at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica – Superior room (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Puerto Maldonado
Breakfast at hotel.
Enjoy a trip to Gamitana Creek, located 25 minutes by boat from the Inkaterra lodge. For one and a half hours, explore the rainforest along the banks of a winding, dark-water creek that is home to many piranha, caiman, turtles and birds, until the Sanipanga landing point. Navigate your way back downstream, observing the abundant flora and Fauna along the way. You will return to Gamitana Farm to do a short guided tour to see how local farmers grow fruits and vegetables. Return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, walk along the lodge trails to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Rainforest Garden just around the cabanas. This interesting native garden was started by the locals more than ten years ago showcasing native plants, trees and orchids. An in-depth explanation familiarizes you with the traditional use and highly interesting benefits of the plants and trees used for construction including those that were used for building the lodge, as well as native clothing accessories. Then consider the Rainforest by Night excursion through the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve at night for an approximately 2-hour excursion. Biological activity differs greatly between night and day in the Amazonian ecosystem. Venture into the forest and experience the mystery of the animal activity that awakens in the rainforest after dark, enhancing animal resources to create new adaptation mechanisms. Listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot species that only emerge at night. Return to the lodge.
Overnight at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica – Superior room (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Puerto Maldonado
Breakfast at hotel.
Enjoy the trip to Hacienda Concepcion, built in an old cocoa and rubber plantation on the grounds of a place once known as "Fundo Concepción ", a medical center of the Catholic mission in the 50´s. Until 1976, this property also served as a center of ecological research and training for the local community; within 819 ha. of natural forest naturally nestled in an oxbow lake. Hacienda Concepción has diverse ecosystems, tropical plants and wild animals. During this excursion, you will also learn about the history and visit the remains of a ship called Fitzcarrald. Return to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica for lunch. After lunch, you may enjoy a visit to the Wetlands, where you will have the opportunity to visit and interesting ecosystem in the 200-meter boardwalk over the Aguajales rainforest swamps. See the transition of the forest ecosystem from dry to marshlands, and observe the various species of amphibians, reptiles, snakes, birds and mammals. Get to know the lush flora and trees, how they adapt to the wetland ecosystem, their benefits and uses. Return to the lodge.
Overnight at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica – Superior room (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Breakfast at hotel.
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 will 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.
Depart on continuing your adventure, ask us about extension options.
