Day 1: ARRIVAL LIMA
On arrival from your evening international flight, you will be collected by your English-speaking representative and driven to Miraflores Park Hotel*****, a luxury hotel in a high-rise building overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Day 2: FLIGHT TO PUERTO MALDONADO, TAMBOPATA NATIONAL PARK
Experience the biological diversity and richness of life close to the Tambopata reserved zone during this five day trip.
Upon arrival from Lima, you will be met by your private guide who will be sharing experiences with you for the next five days. A 30 minute drive to the Infierno Community, and a 2 ½ hour journey on a motorized canoe will take you to Refugio Amazonas. On the way you may spot many different bird species that inhabit the forest and river banks, such as the Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabiru Stork, Roadside Hawk and several species of kingfisher, swallow and flycatchers.
Refugio Amazonas is a 24 bedroom lodge, located in a 120 hectare private reserve. It is an excellent option for introductory nature tours and the ideal stepping stone for longer explorations to the Tambopata Research Center. It is also ideal for families with a children’s trail (developed with a Peruvian NGO) and a Brazil nut hunt.
Day 3: REFUGIO AMAZONAS TO TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER
In the morning, climb a 25 meters (115ft) tower close to the Lodge to see birds on the forest canopy, including parrots, toucans and macaws.
After breakfast, you will head up the Tambopata River for the four and half hours journey into the pristine heart of the reserve. After the first hour we will leave the final traces of human habitation behind us as we cross the northern boundary of the 700,000 hectare, completely uninhabited nucleus of the Tambopata National Reserve.
Differences in wildlife abundance will be immediately noticed. You may see macaws, herons, kingfishers and cormorants frequently and perhaps capybaras, caiman, storks, ducks and other wildlife. You will have a box lunch in the boat.
You will arrive at Tambopata Reserve Centre in the early afternoon and will be greeted by the “Chicos”, our flock of semi-wild, rescued macaws. This 18 room lodge is set close to the truly incredible sight of the world’s largest known macaw clay lick, located in an uninhabited part of the Reserve Zone.
The Centre is a research and conservation centre, and the idea is that the tourist element complements the very important work done here. Hence, guest accommodation is simple but comfortable, with shared facilities. The key benefit of a stay here is the opportunity to learn from naturalist guides and researchers as they guide you.
Day 4: TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER
Rise at dawn and walk ten minutes to the largest clay lick in the Amazon. You will see an amazing spectacle as hundreds of parrots and macaws from up to 15 species congregate and jostle to get the best positions to eat the clay which detoxifies some of the seeds and nuts they eat. You can expect to see ten to twelve of the following members of the parrot family: Red and Green, Blue and Gold, Scarlet, Red-bellied, Chestnut-fronted and Blue-headed Macaws; Mealy and Yellow-crowed Amazons, Blue-headed, Orange-cheeked and White-bellied Parrots; Dusky-headed, White-eyed, Cobalt-winged and Tui Parakeets and Dusky-billed Parrotlets. The show will continue until the birds sense danger, usually in the form of an eagle, when they will depart simultaneously in a show of color and sound.
This afternoon, you will take a walk with your guide through the pristine rainforest. They will point out plants with medicinal properties, interesting insects and flora.
Day 5: TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER TO REFUGIO AMAZONAS
Today you will make the two and a half hour boat ride back to Refugio Amazonas where you will stay overnight.
After a box lunch you will visit the Condenado Oxbow Lake where you may catch sight of Giant River Otters feeding. The ones you may see belong to a resident family of nine. will also search for Turtles, Hoatzin and wading birds.
Day 6: FLIGHT TO CUSCO, PISAC TOWN & RUINS
This morning you depart for Puerto Maldonado where you will catch your flight back to Cuzco.
Transfer to the airport to take your 1-hour morning flight to Cuzco (3400m/11,220 ft). On arrival into Cuzco, you will be transferred to the Urubamba Valley (1 hour drive), which lies at lower altitude and makes acclimatization easier. The Urubamba river valley is dotted with villages, markets and archaeological sites. On the way to your hotel you will visit the wonderful ruins of Pisac and its famous market. Lunch at a local restaurant. Rest of the afternoon at leisure to acclimatize. Overnight Hotel casa andina in yanahuara.
Day 7: OLLANTAYTAMBO RUINS AND CHINCHERO
You will be collected by your private guide and drive for 30 minutes to visit the village and Inca site of Ollantaytambo, which boasts some of the finest Inca architecture known. Return towards your Hotel and lunch at the lovely Alambra restaurant. In the afternoon you will have the choice of either visiting the colonial village of Chinchero or the Inca site of Moray and the salt pans of Maras. Both are approximately 45 minutes away from the Hacienda. Overnight Hotel Casa andina.
Day 8: MACHU PICCHU BY VISTADOME TRAIN
You will be collected by your guide and driven to Ollantaytambo (30 mins) at approximately 8.00am to take the Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes, the station that serves Machu Picchu. Train ride is approximately 3 hours through wonderful cloudforest scenery. Private guided visit of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas" is one of the world's most celebrated archaeological sites and rightly so. Its location is spectacular. It is nestled in the Andean cloud forest on a high ridge straddling between two mountains...with the Urubamba river curling like a snake below it ... the mountain scenery surrounding it is magnificent. The site itself is also spectacular, with some of the finest and more complex Inca architecture known. Your guide will be with you until 3pm and return to Cuzco. (You can choose to keep your guide for two days as well). Overnight pueblo hotel.
Day 9: MACHU PICCHU, RETURN TO CUZCO
This morning you will be able to enjoy Machu Picchu almost all to yourself, as you will be able to access the site as soon as it opens, and watch the morning unfold. Machu Picchu at this time is pure magic. All day at leisure in Machu Picchu. Afternoon return by Train from Machu Picchu to Cuzco, journey time is approximately 3.45 hours. At the trains station you will be collected and driven to the Hotel Libertador where you will overnight.
Day 10: CUZCO, SACSAYHUAMAN
You will be collected by your guide for your walking tour of the city of Cuzco. Visit the the Cathedral, Korikancha (the Sun Temple) and walk around this wonderful city observing the juxtaposition of Inca and colonial architecture and getting the feel of its wonderful atmosphere. Lunch at MAP café, one of the city's best restaurants. It is located in the outdoor courtyard of this wonderful colonial palace, which is Precolumbian Art Museum. Afternoon visit of Sacsayhuaman and other Inca sites around the city. Overnight Hotel Libertador.
Day 11: CUZCO - PUNO
Drive to Puno via the Highland Route. This route follows the main road but takes a detour onto a secondary road that makes the journey more interesting. Total journey 389 km of which 85 is unpaved. You will have the chance of visiting the highlights of the conventional route such as the wonderful Andahuaylillas Church (Km 45) and the Inca site of Raqchi. Continue on to Puno and overnight Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection Puno.
Day 12: PUNO – SUASI
Early morning departure to Suasi. Shared guide and boat (private boat is also possible please inquire) . You will sail along the Bay of Puno and visit the famous and picturesque if touristy Uros floating reed islands. Continue your journey toward the main section of the lake, and visit Taquile Island, where the indigenous people wear distinctive woven and knitted colourful hats. The Taquilenios are proud people who have organized themselves in cooperatives to receive and accommodate tourists. Arrival at Suasi before lunch. Barbecue lunch at the beach. All day activities or relax at the island. You may go on wonderful relaxing walks, where you will see vicuna, llama and guanaco as well as flora native to the altiplano. You can also kayak around the island, visit the cultural cabin or simply relax and enjoy the setting. Overnight Suasi Lodge.
Day 13: SUASI - JULIACA - LIMA
Departure to Juliaca overland in time to catch your flight to Lima from Juliaca airport. If there is an afternoon flight, you will enjoy a longer time in Suasi. If instead the flight is in the early afternoon, you will leave early in the morning and have a box lunch en route. Time allowing, you may visit the Pre Inca burial towers of Sillustani en route to the airport. On arrival in Lima, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight Miraflores Park Hotel.
Day 14: LIMA VISIT
A.M. City tour in Lima and it will be conducted by one of our experience tour guide. Lunch in downtown Lima. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to catch our evening international flight.