Peru Classic - Amazon & Andes Tour

The Destination background

Lima, known as the city of the Kings was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991 and is home to some of the most beautiful colonial architecture in the whole of South America.

Puerto Maldonado is the gateway to the southern Amazon basin and Peru's Amazon rainforest. A haven for wildlife and innumerable species of flora and fauna, this is a must see for any nature lover.

Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incas is regarded as the oldest inhabited city of the Americas which was subsequently built upon by the Spanish Conquistadores in the 16th century. The invaders erected grand colonial mansions and beautiful cathedrals and churches on the old palaces of the Incas. Considered the most important pre-colonial city in the Americas, Cuzco is also the gateway to Machu Picchu, the new seventh wonder of the world. Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, was a religious centre built on the saddle of a mountain high in the Andes which today is accessed by train or for the more adventurous among you, by a 4 day trek popularly known as the Inca Trail.

Full Itinerary

• Day 1. Lima

  Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to the hotel.

• Day 2. Lima - Puerto Maldonado (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, flight to Puerto Maldonado (not included). Reception and transfer from the airport for the short journey by road to the Madre de Dios River. From here you will travel by motor boat along the river. During the trip, a packed lunch during which time you may see caiman, turtles and waterfowl etc. Arrival at the Amazon Lodge. Settle into your lodge. Night excursions followed by dinner.

• Day 3. Amazon Jungle (B, L & D)

  Wake up and walk to the clay lick to see the amazing spectacle of dozens of parrots and parakeets arriving to eat on special clay necessary for their metabolism. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Free time before visiting the 'Island of Monkeys' by boat. Continue the trip to Lake Sandoval where you will have a picnic lunch at the lake side. Return to the river at night for the chance of seeing nocturnal animals. Dinner and overnight accommodation at your lodge.

• Day 4. Amazon Jungle (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, follow the course of the river for approximately 1,5 hours in order to visit a native community. Occasionally you will see monkeys, river turtles, caiman and various birds in the dense vegetation of the riverbanks. Visit the "Project for the Rescue of Cultural Values" which supports the local native community "Palma Real". This is the largest project of its kind in the Amazon with approximately 200 families of the Ese'eja tribe and is located at Gamitada Island. Circumnavigating the Gamatida Island you can occasionally see animals Return to the lodge for dinner.

• Day 5. Amazon Jungle - Cuzco (B)

  After a very early wake up, boarding of the canoe to return to Puerto. Maldonado. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cuzco (not included). Arrival to Cuzco, reception and transfer to your hotel. Free day at leisure to relax and acclimatise to the high altitude. We advise you to take things easy today. Rest, enjoy light meals, and drink lots of water.

• Day 6. Cuzco (B)

  Free morning. Afternoon guided visit of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca In the afternoon, enjoy a group guided visit of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins continue to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Return to your hotel.

• Day 7. Sacred Valley (B & L)

  Full-day excursion to the Urubamba, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will visit the village of Pisac, founded during Colonial times. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays the Indians barter their products, and artisans from all over the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions and jewellery. On Sundays, it is also the meeting place for the local Mayors of the region, who come dressed in their traditional costumes, to attend morning mass. After a buffet lunch, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which is still inhabited. Explore the ruins above Ollantaytambo before returning to Cuzco via the traditional market town of Chinchero. Return to your hotel.

• Day 8. Machu Picchu (B)

  An early transfer to the railway station in Poroy for the 6.30/7.00 am train to Aguas Calientes. Arrival to Aguas Calientes and transfer to the bus terminal for the short ride (25 minutes) up to Machu Picchu. You will arrive in time for a guided group visit of the most spectacular ancient city in the world. This fabulous city contains houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour, free time to enjoy this spiritual wonder. Opportunity for a guided trek (approx 1 hour) up to the sungate (Intipunku), which is a part of the Inca Trail, for a magical view of the sanctuary or alternatively an unguided climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary (recommended for fit individuals only). Return to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

• Day 9. Machu Picchu - Cuzco (B)

  Opportunity to return to the sanctuary for a more personal appreciation of the Eighth wonder of the world. (Entrance ticket and bus tickets included). Return in the afternoon by train to Cuzco and transfer to the hotel of your choice.

• Day 10. Cuzco - Lima (B)

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima (not included).

End of our services.

Tour Prices

• US$2111.00 - based on two people sharing.
• Single supplement US$750.00

Domestic Flights (Lima - Puerto Maldonado - Cuzco - Lima) per person: US$510.00

Additional days and tours available upon request.

Tour Price Includes:

• Accommodation in double rooms at selected hotels.
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
• Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based on private service with English speaking guides.
• Vistadome train tickets.
• All entrance fees.

Tour Price Does Not Include:

• International flight to Peru and US$31.00 tax for all International air departures.
• All domestic flights require a US$6.00 charge (airport tax).
• Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc,
• Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident etc.
• Baggage porterage and other extras not specified.

Hotels

Lima Hotels

Exclusive Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Sacred Valley Hotels

Pakaritampu Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Cuzco Hotels

Picoaga. (Subject to availability.)

Amazon Lodge

Posada Amazonas Lodge. (Subject to availability.)

Trains

Vistadome train. (Upgrade to Hiram Bingham train subject to availability.)