Lima, Amazon Jungle Lodge & Machu Picchu

Upon arrival to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, pass through Customs, collect your baggage and proceed through the Arrivals exit. Here you will find a local representative holding a sign with your name on it. After meeting this representative, you will be directed to an awaiting vehicle and transferred to your hotel. Approximate transfer time is one hour.

Today you will learn about the two characters of Lima: the modern one, reflected in the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro; and the historic one, encapsulated in its historic center declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Along the tour through different districts of the city, you will see how the old and the modern coexist in buildings such as the Museum of Italian Art, Palace of Justice, Museum of Lima, Plaza San Martín, among others. With your tour guide leading the way and like-minded travellers alongside, you'll explore the center of Lima on foot, with the Main Square as the focal point: a beautiful colonial square worthy of photographs, surrounded by emblematic buildings such as the Government Palace, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. You will also have the opportunity to enter one of the most iconic ecclesiastical spaces in Lima, the Convent of Santo Domingo, also declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and where the relics of three Peruvian saints are found: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres and San Juan Macías. The tour would not be complete without a visit to the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum, one of the most important in the country, exhibiting a valuable collection of almost 45,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic cultures, especially the Mochicas. Marvel at the quality of its pieces of jewelry, textiles and its enigmatic erotic room, dedicated to ceramics alluding to fertility, and after exploring the museum, you will be returned to your hotel. 

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Jorge Chávez International Airport ahead of your domestic flight to Puerto Maldonado (not included; available for purchase). Upon arrival to Puerto Maldonado you will be met by a local representative who will direct you to an awaiting vehicle. Soon after, you will begin the 20 kilometer (12 mile) journey to a nearby pier where you will board a motorize canoe and transfer to your lodge. Following a 45 minute boat ride from Tambopata Port, you will arrive at Posada Amazonas Lodge. After disembarking from the canoe, the lodge manager will welcome you and brief you with important navigation and security tips. A 20 minute walk from Posada Amazonas leads to the 30 meter (roughly 100 foot) scaffolding canopy tower. A bannistered staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. From atop, you can take in 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 and mixed species canopy flocks land in the treetop next to you. A daily presentation on the Infierno ecotourism project is available every night from a staff member.

Over the next two days there are many options to explore the surrounding areas. The activities included during your stay will be dependent on local conditions at the time of your visit, however, typical highlights include the following. Tres Chimbadas, a system of three conjoined lakes and home to a family of Giant Otters is found 30 minutes by boat and then a 45 minute hike from Posada Amazonas. Once there you are welcome paddle around the lake in a catamaran searching for the resident family of nine giant river otters and other lakeside wildlife such as caiman, hoatzin and horned screamers. Also nearby is the famous Macaw clay lick. Here you see dozens of parrots and parakeets descend on most clear days to dine on the clay and salt deposits on the river bank. Species such as Mealy and Yellow- headed Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot and Dusky headed Parakeet descend all make their way to the lick. Watch as the brown clay turns into a cascade of rainbow colors as the Amazonian parrots gorge. The clay lick is most active at dawn and during the late mornings and mid-afternoons. Return to the lodge early evening. After dinner each night you have the option of a night hike when most of the jungle wildlife is active.

A 20 minute boat ride downriver from the lodge is a trail designed by the staff of the Centro nape. The Centro nape is a communal organization that produces medicines from of forest plants and administers them to the locals of the region. The trail highlights all the different medicinal (and other) uses of plants found in the Amazon.

After a final breakfast in the heart of the jungle, you will pack your belongings and begin the return voyage back to Puerto Maldonado via motorized canoe and bus. Upon arrival to Puerto Maldonado, board an aircraft with service to Cusco (not included - available for purchase). Upon arrival to Cusco you will be met by a local representative who will direct you to an awaiting vehicle. You will then be privately transferred from Cusco to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Transferring into the Sacred Valley will help you to more easily adjust to the high altitude, and the afternoon is at leisure to ensure that you're acclimatized by tomorrow and able to fully enjoy the adventures ahead. 

In the Sacred Valley you will find ancient history and living culture. Your first stop of the day is Chinchero, a place where many communities are still organized under the Inca system of ayllus and proudly wear their historic garb. Here you will visit the Parwa cultural center and learn about the textile processes, the products from which the vibrant natural dyes are obtained, and the traditional weaving techniques used to manufacture them. In addition, you will be able to see the work of the artisans live and, if you want to take a souvenir home, purchase some of their pieces (additional cost). Following a short walk, you and your group guide will pass in front of the church of Nuestra Señora de Monserrat to reach the archaeological complex, which during the Tahuantinsuyo was an agricultural and livestock center, with terraces and aqueducts. Soon after, you arrive at the archaeological site of Moray, which during the Tahuantinsuyo functioned as an agricultural research center, something like a laboratory. Its enormous concentric terraces and the variety of microclimates they created allowed the growth of a wide variety of crops. In the valley, enjoy a typical lunch and visit Ollantaytambo, an ancient military, religious and agricultural center of the Incas. Strategically located on a mountain, it offers an unbeatable view of the town, the only one that maintains the original Inca urban design. Following your exploration, you will be returned to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Following breakfast, you will be picked up by a private driver and transfer to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, you will board the Expedition Train with service to Aguas Calientes, the penultimate stop on your way to Machu Picchu. The train cars of the Expedition Train are steeped in the designs of Incan culture, and along the winding route to Aguas Calientes, you will take in spectacular scenery; be sure to have your camera ready as there are seemingly endless opportunities for gorgeous panoramic pictures. As you travel to Aguas Calientes, you are able to purchase a range of food and beverages from the on-board service (additional cost).

Upon arrival, you will meet your local guide as porters bring your small travel bag to your hotel. With your guide at your side, board a local bus heading up the mountain where one of the most important landmarks in the world awaits: Machu Picchu! After a short bus ride from Aguas Calientes you will find yourself in front of one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Here you will explore the ancient ruins with a private guide leading the way, learning about the fascinating history and enduring mysteries of this mystical and impressive mountain citadel. Surrounded by incomparable landscapes, there will be no shortage of spectacular photo opportunities! After exploring Machu Picchu, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes with your guide, and then settle in for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Today, set out at the first signs of light to explore Machu Picchu independently. After exploring Machu Picchu with a private-guide yesterday, this morning you will now have the opportunity to tour the complex with only your thoughts leading the way. You'll begin by boarding the bus in Aguas Calientes for the short ride up the mountain. Once you have arrived at the entrance to Machu Picchu, you'll be admitted and then have a maximum of four hours to wander. Following your independent exploration of the ruins, return to your accommodations in Aguas Calientes to collect your belongings ahead of your onward travels.

At the scheduled time, board the Vistadome Train with service to Cusco. The Vistadome is the ideal train for those who want to see as much of the natural surroundings as possible. Each of the cars feature impressive panoramic windows, offering incomparable scenic views and innumerous opportunities to capture amazing pictures. The Vistadome has air conditioning and heating, adjustable leather seats, and you will also receive a light snack during the journey. In addition to the exceptional views, ambient music plays, and informative audio-narratives occasionally air, and a fashion show featuring baby alpaca wool will take place (with apparel available for purchase at additional cost), en route to Cusco.

After breakfast, pack your belongings and get set for the private transfer to Cusco Airport which will be arranged to coincide with your onward travels.