Day 01: LIMA
Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel. Complete briefing at the hotel. The afternoon is leisure time for personal activities. Overnight.
Day 02: LIMA – PARACAS / NAZCA LINES / PARACAS – LIMA
After an early breakfast at the proper time reception and transfer to the Bus station. 4:30 Departure from Lima via bus to Paracas. Paracas Arrive at 7:45 AM. Upon arrival at the bus station you will be greeted and transfer to Paracas Bay from where you will board a slider to visit the Ballestas Islands. We begin crossing the sea while we appreciate the enigmatic Chandelier, countless birds various species both local and migratory, sea lions, penguins, dolphins and other species many of which are endangered species. At the proper time, transfer to the local airport for your flight over the Nazca Lines. Transfer from the airport to a local Restaurant, lunch is optional. At the appropriate time, transfer to the bus station to board the bus that takes you to Lima. Upon arrival at the Lima bus reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight.
Day 03: LIMA / CUSCO
After breakfast at the proper time pick up and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, assistance and transfer to the selected Hotel in Cusco. Rest of the morning is free for leisure to rest and get accustomed to the altitude (the City of Cusco is 11,151 ft. above sea level). Afternoon City Tour starts (Shared) where we visit the Cathedral of Cusco. The construction of this monument took 132 years, receiving its final consecration in 1669. Today, it is the icon of the city. This magnificent temple built on 43057 square feet, preserves its 11 chapels, a sacristy, a chapter house, seven altars, a choir under fully carved local cedar, more than 300 paintings and various carvings and sculptures. The high altar entirely covered with plates of silver and silver chariot, sub-mounted template, which is still used for the procession of the magnificent cathedral custody during the religious festival of Corpus Christi. The floor plan is rectangular with crosses which give access to the temples of the Holy Family and El Triunfo, blending the plant as a Latin cross. It has five halls, 28 pillars and 56 arches. Proceeding with our tour we will continue to Koricancha (Sun Temple). Koricancha is an example of the fusion between the Inca and Western culture. Being one of the most important temples of the Inca Empire, its finely polished stone walls served as the foundation for the construction of the Convent of Santo Domingo. The temple, whose walls are sumptuous are said to have been coated with sheets of gold and silver, dedicated to the worshiping of the sun, housing images of thunder and Wiracocha, deities brought from various regions and mummies of rulers. Worship inside the temple was restricted to the highest personalities of the time and representatives of non-Inca populations throughout the empire to pay homage and tribute to the gods of the Inca. Next we will visit the four neighboring archaeological monuments in Cusco, Tambomachay, Quenqo, Puca Pukara, and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Quenqo y Tambomachay: There are two places nearby Cusco distinguished by their architecture which where centers for worship rituals. Qenqo is a huge rocky promontory carved steps, holes and gutters, made sure to deposit the chicha (corn drink) consumed in Inca rituals. Integra this site, a semicircular courtyard defined by a parameter isometric with several large niches surrounding a stone or Wanka, thin enclosed in a compound, is a kind of image within its own chapel. Tambomachay is an outstanding site for fine architecture consisting of platforms, niches that continue to operate pools and runs which dumps water from a spring that exists at the top. In Inca times this was a sacred place of worship of water, one of the temples that made up the system of “ceques in Cusco, a set of imaginary lines that sacred sites and indicated the time and place of the ceremonies. Pukapukara Archaeological Complex It is located 4.35 miles northeast of the city of Cusco. The archaeological complex has numerous facilities, interior squares, aqueducts and roads, would have served as an inn or place of rest and shelter. The story goes that whenever the Inca Tambomachay was about to visit, he was accompanied by a large company which would stay at Pukapukara. It has an appearance of a fortified fortress. Sacsyahuaman. Is located 1.24 miles from the city of Cusco, the archaeological complex covers 33 sites, of which the best known is the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, this would have been in fact a religious structure, but for its location and style was considered by the Spanish chroniclers and military construction, which is seen as an impressive example of Inca military architecture. This fortress was built with large granite blocks to protect the city from attacks by invaders from the east or Antis. Sacsayhuaman (Quechua, ‘satisfied falcon’) consists of three large terraces which overlap in a zigzag formation surrounded by enormous walls of rock up to 985 ft. in length. Because of its elevation and proximity to Cusco and the dimensions of its stones, up to 5 m in height and 350-ton quarry served for certain structures in colonial Cusco. Inside the complex of Sacsyahuaman you will also find the temple of Hanan Qosqo or Upper Cusco, dedicated to Andean cosmology, to the worship of Inti (Sun), Quilla (moon), Chaska (stars), Illapa (Ray) and other deities. It is described as massive for the size of its stones, some of which weigh between 90 and 128 tons. Every June 24 is the scene of the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun. Return to your hotel in Cuzco.
Day 04: CUSCO – THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS – AGUAS CALIENTES
Enjoy your breakfast before your excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in shared Transport . Visit the village of Pisac where you can visit the Indian market and craft fair. Buffet Lunch in the Sacred Valley Restaurant Tunupa: http://www.tunupa.com.pe/restaurantesvalle.htm In the afternoon we will visit Ollantaytambo fortress named in honor of the chief Ollanta that according to oral tradition, fell in love a princess daughter of the Inca Pachacutec and was severely punished for posting in a deity, his eyes mere mortal. In this complex, situated on the hill overlooking the village, includes buildings like the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Hall Mañaraca or the Incahuatana and bathrooms of the princess. At the top there is a consistent strength in a number of carved stone terraces that was built to protect the valley of the potential invasions of wild ethnicities. One of the best preserved areas lying north of the square Hanan Huacaypata a total of 15 blocks of houses built on walls of stone. In Ollantaytambo we will board the train that takes you to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival at the Aguas Calientes train station, 70 miles northwest of the city of Cusco, reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight.
Day 05: MACHU PICCHU (Aguas Calientes) – CUSCO.
After breakfast in Aguas Calientes we take the tourist buses that take us up along the 3.08 miles. road to the Machupicchu Ruins. Machupicchu, is located 44 miles from Cusco and at 7709 f.a.s.l. It is in a sub-tropical area with an average annual temperature of 13ºC during the day. There are two clearly defined season: the rainy season from November to March and the dry season from April to October. Machu Picchu the Inca citadel is impressively set in the mountain. His name translated into Spanish means “Old Mountain.” It has also been called “the Lost City of the Incas” because it was a mystery until it was made known to the Western Culture by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The construction of the citadel would date back to the fifteenth century and is attributed to the Inca Pachacutec. The archaeological site is divided into two sectors covering 20 hectares. With agricultural terraces built on the slopes of the mountains, reaching up to 4 meters in height. The urban sector consists of various buildings and places, among them stand, the Temple of the Sun a semicircular shape, the Intiwatana or solar observatory, the Temple of Three Windows, the Main Temple and the so-called Sector Condor. Likewise, it is an impressive monolith carved, 3 feet high and 7 meters at the base, known as the Sacred Stone.
To build Machu Picchu, they used blocks of stone extracted from the surrounding areas. The finish of the walls has different qualities and skills. One of the best achieved walls is that of the wall of the Main Temple, in which the stones fit together perfectly.
Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary is invaluable not only archaeologically, but is also associated with rich fauna and flora. In 1983 it was declared a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
On July 7, 2007 is declared one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
In the afternoon we will board the train back to Cusco. Upon arrival at the Poroy Railway Station you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight.
Day 06: CUSCO/ PUERTO MALDONADO – TAMBOPATA (POSADA AMAZONAS)
After breakfast reception and transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado.
Upon arrival from Cusco, we will welcome you at the airport and drive you ten minutes to our Puerto Maldonado headquarters. While enjoying your first taste of the forest in our gardens we will ask you to pack only the necessary gear for your next few days, and leave the rest at our safe deposit. This helps us keep the boats and cargo light.
Transfer from Puerto Maldonado Headquarters to Tambopata River Port
Skirting Puerto Maldonado, we drive 7.72 miles to the Tambopata River Port, entering the Native Community of Infierno. The port is a communal business. Boxed Lunch
Transfer Boat – Tambopata River Port to Posada Amazonas
The forty five minute boat ride from the Tambopata Port to Posada Amazonas will take us into the Community´s Primary Forest Private Reserve.
Orientation
Upon arrival, the lodge manager will welcome you and brief you with important navigation and security tips.
Canopy Tower
A twenty minute walk from Posada Amazonas leads to the 30 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A banister staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. From atop you obtain spectacular views of the vast expanses of standing forest cut by the Tambopata River winding through the middle. Now and then toucans, parrots or macaws are seen flying against the horizon, or mixed species canopy flocks land in the treetop next to you. Dinner
Ecotourism Lecture
A daily presentation on the Infierno ecotourism project is available every night from a staff member.
Overnight at Posada Amazonas lodge.
Day 07: POSADA AMAZONAS
Breakfast
Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake
Tres Chimbadas is thirty minutes by boat and forty five minutes hiking from Posada Amazonas. Once there you will paddle around the lake in a catamaran, searching for the resident family of nine giant river otters (seen by 60% of our lake visitors) and other lakeside wildlife such as caiman, hoatzin and horned screamers. Otters are most active from dawn to eight or nine AM.
Parrot Clay Lick
This clay lick is only a twenty minute walk from Posada Amazonas. From a blind located about twenty meters away you will see dozens of parrots and parakeets descend on most clear mornings to ingest the clay on a river bank. Species such as Mealy and Yellow- headed Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot and Dusky headed Parakeet descend at this clay lick. The clay lick is active at dawn, during the late mornings and mid-afternoons. Lunch
Ethno botanical Tour
A twenty minute boat drive downriver leads you to a trail designed by the staff of the Centro Ñape. The Centro Ñape is a communal organization that produces medicines out of forest plants and administers them to patients who choose their little clinic. They have produced a trail which explains the different medicinal (and other) uses of selected plants. Dinner
Night walk
You will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals are active but rarely seen. Much easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories.
Overnight at Posada Amazonas lodge.
Day 08: POSADA AMAZONAS – PUERTO MALDONADO – LIMA (City Tour) – INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
After an early breakfast we retrace our river and road journey back to Puerto Maldonado the airport. Depending on airline schedules, this may require dawn departures
Upon arrival at Lima you will be met and transferred to a Local restaurant (optional). Flight schedule permitting we will visit historical down town of Lima, including “paseo de la republica”, “Plaza San Martin”, the Main Square and the surroundings monuments: ” The government 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.
In the cathedral, the tour guide will show you the sacristy, the side chapels, the impressive Choir seating, and the tomb of Lima’s founder, Francisco Pizarro.
The Next stop is San Francisco convent, with the best exhibition of Colonial art in Latin America. The tour includes the Choir hall, the Monk’s library and the sacristy, featuring collection of Zurbaran and Rivera oil paintings. After visiting the main yard of the cloister to see its fine XVI century Seville styles and Moorish Arches, the tour will proceed to the underground crypts known as the catacombs.
After we will visit the traditional neighbourhood near the San Isidro Golf Club, the olive Grove park and the modern Larco Mar shopping and entertainment complex including the Park of Love where we will finish with a spectacular sight of the Pacific Ocean. Transfer to the airport to take your international flight.