Epic Peru - Amazon/Sacred Valley/Salkantay/Cusco

On arrival at Lima International Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Overnight - Hotel B - Aposento Room - Dinner and breakfast included (excluding beverages)

This morning you are transferred to Lima Airport and fly through to Iquitos Airport.  

On arrival you are met and transferred by vehicle through the Peruvian countryside to arrive at your Nauta Lounge in time for lunch, or you will serve a box lunch en route depending on the flight arrival time.

In the afternoon, you will set off on your first skiff excursion to visit the birthplace of the Amazon.

6.00 pm - You will board the Aria Amazon and settle into your suites and begin one of life’s greatest adventures.

Following a routine safety drill and introduction to our naturalist guides, you gather for dinner created by Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top ranked dining experiences.  

Overnight - Aria Amazon - Second Deck Design Suite - All meals, selected beverages and all excursions

Yanallpa River / Dorado River

By skiff, you explore the black waters of the Yanallpa River, disembarking to walk deep into the Amazonian rain forest.  Later, you board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife and with extraordinary stargazing. 

Overnight - Aria Amazon - Second Deck Design Suite - All meals, selected beverages and all excursions

Pacaya River / Ucayali River / Tapiche River

The rewards of your early start today are plentiful, including a breakfast picnic accompanied by jungle symphony and fishing along the black waters of the Pacaya River.  After lunch, you venture out by skiffs on the Ucayali River alongside the banana boats transporting their jungle products to the port of Requena, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.  Focus the hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.

Overnight - Aria Amazon - Second Deck Design Suite - All meals, selected beverages and all excursions

Clavero or Yarapa River / Amazon River

This morning you may choose to go jungle walking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming on the black water Yarapa or Clavero River, or visit a remote Amazonia village in the afternoon.

Overnight - Aria Amazon - Second Deck Design Suite - All meals, selected beverages and all excursions

At the Bellavista Nanay morning market along the Nanay River, sample exotic snacks from the Peruvian Amazon like ‘Suri’, Amazon caterpillars that are considered especially appetizing.

You return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up.  Before saying goodbye, you will make one last truly memorable stop at the Manatee Rescue Center, a very special kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees.  You will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport.

A lunch or box lunch will be provided, depending on the departing flight time. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule. 

You fly from Iquitos to Cusco.

Upon arrival in Cusco you are driven to the “Sacred Valley of the Incas”, a succession of picturesque Andean towns, agricultural terraces, and many archaeological sites, as well as the world’s most famous white corn cultivated for export.  The mild climate, the varied and dramatic scenery of snow-capped mountains, flowering meadows, lush green hills and spectacular flora and fauna, make the Valley a prime adventure destination in South America.  At a lower elevation than Cusco, the Valley is a warmer and less physically taxing environment for visiting the many attractions of the region, including Machu Picchu.

On your way to the Sacred Valley you will visit Sacsayhuaman which is the largest and most impressive of four archaeological ruins on the outskirts of Cusco.  Built by the Incas, it served an important military function and was the site of a major battle with the Spanish in 1536.  The complex was constructed out of massive stones, some weighing as much as 300 tons, cut to fit together without the use of mortar.

You arrive at the hotel in the Sacred Valley in the afternoon and have the rest of the day at leisure to slowly acclimatise to the altitude.

Overnight - Sol y Luna - Deluxe - breakfast included 

This morning you visit the circular terraces of Moray, an agricultural “research laboratory” for the Incas, who studied temperature variation from one terrace to another in order to develop different crop varieties.  Later the hardier varieties of seeds were distributed throughout the Inca Empire.  On the other side of the Urubamba Valley you’ll see dramatic snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba and Urubamba Cordilleras (mountain ranges). 

You leave this interesting archaeological site to follow to the town of Maras, which grew in importance in the 17th century because of the exploitation and commercialisation of the “salineras” or saltpans.  You cross the extensive Maras Pampas, where people farm the land and rear cattle and sheep.  The Urubamba mountain range and its snow-capped peaks provide a spectacular background for our visit, which you may choose to do by van or take a gentle hike. 

In the town of Maras you will learn about the facades of the ancient houses, made from finely worked stone, indicative of the economic heights achieved by the town’s population at that time.

After this, you will be transferred to Cusco city. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral.

Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas - Deluxe Studio Suite - breakfast included 

After an early breakfast, your guide and driver will collect you from the hotel.  

Your first stop will be a visit to the Inca ruins of Tarawasi. Next, you will stop in the mountain village of Mollepata and visit El Pedregal, a beautiful farmhouse where you can learn about local agriculture and livestock.

Then, the transfer will take you through a winding mountain road to a site called Challacancha.  Here you begin your hike to Soraypampa along a picturesque path called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path), which is also a good opportunity to acclimate to the higher altitude.

As you round the final turn of the Camino Real, the Salkantay Lodge will come into view.

Overnight - Salkantay Lodge (3,869 m/12,690 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks 

Hike to Lake Humantay

Today presents another opportunity to gauge your altitude-acclimatisation with a half-day hike to Lake Humantay.

After breakfast, you begin an ascent up the slopes that border the plateau behind the Salkantay Lodge.  An hour and a half later, you will be stunned to see the turquoise water of the lake.

Here you have a chance to relax, enjoy a snack, meditate in the tranquility of this magical spot and be part of a traditional offering to “Pachamama” (Mother Earth).  After your descent back to the lodge, the staff will be waiting with a hot lunch.

The second half of the day is spent at leisure.  You may opt to soak in the outdoor jacuzzi, indulge in a relaxing massage or even take a nap.

Overnight - Salkantay Lodge (3,869 m/12,690 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks 

Crossing the Salkantay Pass

After an early start, you hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak.  As you gradually make your way up these mountain trails, you encounter expansive plateaus dotted with boulders of varying sizes, the remnants of a valley that was once bisected by a fast-flowing river.  The final and most challenging part of the ascent is conquering the mountain switchbacks that take you to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point on the trek (4,640 m/15,213 ft).

What follows is a dramatic descent through fields of giant boulders, often shrouded in fog.  After a very welcome hot picnic lunch, you will continue down through rolling hills and marsh-like plateaus as you take the final steps to the Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay.

Overnight - Wayra Lodge (3,906 m/12,812 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks 

Descending into the Cloud Forest

After a leisurely breakfast at the Wayra Lodge, you continue the descent along the banks of the Salkantay River through increasingly verdant scenery. Today you will see more of the local people as the trail takes you past their simple homes and makeshift fences.

At lunch time you will arrive at Colpa Lodge, located on a high promontory at the confluence of three rivers.  You will be greeted by the staff with a Pachamanca lunch, a traditional Peruvian meal cooked in the earth by hot stones that create a natural underground oven.

After lunch, spend the afternoon lounging in the sun or relaxing in the outdoor jacuzzi while taking in the panoramic views of the lush green mountains that surround us.

Optional Activity - at additional cost:

Afternoon bike from Manchayhuaycco to Collpapampa.  You will descend through a beautiful valley in which you will admire the diverse cloud forest vegetation through the slopes of the valley.  Duration: 3hrs approximately / Level: Easy. 

Overnight - Colpa Lodge (2,870 m/9,414 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks 

Following the Santa Teresa River Valley

Today you will hike in the Santa Teresa River valley where you will hop over small streams fed by waterfalls descending from the glaciers and cross through fruit orchards. After breaking for a hot picnic lunch by the river, you will walk for one hour before you meet an MLP vehicle for a short drive to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail” that leads you to Lucma Lodge.

On the way you will visit an organic coffee plantation, one of many in that area that produces some of the best organic coffee in the world. In Lucmabamba, the hot air and increased humidity signal that you are even closer to the edge of the Amazon Jungle.

Optional Activities - at additional cost:

• Zip Line in Santa Teresa: This is a full day activity which replaces the trek. Operated by Cola de Mono. 
• Biking: Option a) Yanama pass – Hornopampa – Lluskamayo. Duration: 5 hrs. approximately. Level: Easy to moderate.  
• Biking Option b) Descent from Hornopampa to Lluskamayo. Duration: 3.5 hrs. approximately. Level: Easy. 

Overnight - Lucma Lodge (2,135 m/7,003 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks 

Exploring Llactapata Pass

During a 2-3 hour climb up a path mostly comprised of original Inca steps, you will get a sense of what hiking through the rainforest is like. The first milestone today will be the top of the peak, the last one before you reach the Aobamaba River valley that connects to Machu Picchu.

When you arrive at the ruins of Llactapata at the Llactapata Pass (2,736 m/8,974 ft), you will be delighted to see a southeast view of the “back” of the Machu Picchu ruins.

You enjoy lunch a bit farther down the trail in a meadow with panoramic views. The final descent takes you through lush bamboo forests, until you end the day’s hike at the Hydroelectrica train station.  A one-hour scenic train ride delivers you to your final stop, the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.

Overnight - Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel -  Junior Suite - Dinner and breakfast included (excluding beverages)

The Sanctuary

Early you begin the journey to Machu Picchu with a short and rollicking uphill bus ride. Prepare to be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among many others. Your imagination will soar as you contemplate the history of Machu Picchu and its mysterious origins.

The additional night at Machu Picchu will allow you to:

• Make the best of your time visiting a World Heritage Site situated on a spectacular mountain ridge.

• Explore areas of the site that are less visited by most travelers, such as climbing Machu Picchu Mountain (special permit to be purchased in advance) or hiking to the Inca Bridge or the Sun Gate.

• Visit the town of Aguas Calientes and shop the local craft markets.

Overnight - Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel - Junior Suite - Dinner and breakfast included (excluding beverages)

Today you enjoy another tour of the Citadel at leisure (unguided). You have lunch and then transfer by a combination of train and vehicle back to Cusco arriving around 8pm in the evening.

Optional Hike - You may even choose a hike to Huayna Picchu, the iconic towering mountain often seen in photographs.  Approx 4 hrs / Challenging  Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability and at additional cost.  Huayna Picchu Mountain is the iconic towering mountain often seen in photographs.  Afterwards you spend some time walking around the Citadel exploring the ruins. You will be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among many others. The history of Machu Picchu and its mysterious origins is fascinating.

You enjoy lunch and may like to explore the town of Aguas Calientes and visit the markets.  You then depart on the Belmond's Hiram Bingham luxury train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then by vehicle back to Cusco arriving around 8.00 pm .

Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas - Deluxe Studio Suite - breakfast included 

For an immersion into the heart of the Andean culture you visit to the charming Amaru community and its wonderful and amazing people. Straight from the hands of local craftspeople, you learn about textiles and the weaving process. The vivid colors of the Amaru villagers’ clothing are derived from natural dyes made from plants and other organic elements with which they decorate wool. Today you learn about the “cochineal” red and the secret properties of some other medicinal plants in the area, as well as about other activities the community runs. Enjoy the time to share with the people of Amaru and learn a little more about their customs and traditions.

Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant in Cusco.

This afternoon visit the legendary Koricancha, the most important temple with walls once plated with sheets of gold and devoted to worshiping the Sun deity. Continue to the Plaza de Armas or main square to visit the Cathedral.

Your tour of Cusco will end with a stop at the Choco Museum, where you have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the amazing cacao fruit and make your own chocolate out of raw chocolate beans, providing an enriching and fascinating activity for both children and adults alike. Peru may be the land of the Incas but is also home to the some of the best cacao and chocolate in the world.

Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas - Deluxe Studio Suite - breakfast included

Today you transfer to Cusco airport and check-in for your homebound flight.

End of Arrangements