Itinerary #2

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

Assistance on your arrival in Lima, at the international airport "Jorge Chavez", and transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Lima.

Day 2: City tour in Lima

At 9:30 am starts the travel around Lima which provides you a perfect combination (pre-hispanic era, colonial period and modern Lima), and enables the visitor to get acquainted with Lima's complete history. We will visit the "Huaca Pucllana", a magnificent ceremonial and administrative center of Lima culture, built in the 4th century A.C. and considered by the Incas as "Ñaupallaqta" a "Sacred Village". In this travel you will also visit the Historical Center: Paseo de la Republica, San Martin Square, Main Square, Government Palace, Basilica Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, City hall palace, the old streets with colonial mansions and moorish-style balconies. We will also visit them convent and church of San Francisco; which is the greatest monumental assembly of colonial art in America. It also contains the monks' chair and library, the vestry, with painting by Zurbaran and Rivera; main cloister decorated with sevillan tiles from the 16th century; moorish arches and the famous "Catacombs", underground crypts from the colonial times. This Lima travel continues through the more traditional residential areas: el olivar in San Isidro, with olive trees brought from spain in the 17th century; Miraflores Central Park, the park of love, and the famous mall "Larco Mar", a spot of international thematic attractions which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean - Larco Mar has became a distinctive symbol of modern Lima. Overnight at the hotel in Lima.

Day 3: Flight Lima / Arequipa

AM transfer from the hotel to the airport in Lima. AM flight Lima/Arequipa. PM arrival in Arequipa, assistance and transfer from the airport to the hotel. Free afternoon for acclimatation (2300 masl). Overnight at the hotel in Arequipa.

Day 4: City tour in Arequipa

14:00 pm We start a three hour city tour including Santa Catalina Convent (the oldest monastery in South America), the Plaza de Armas, the Jesuit Church of "La Compañia" and its beautifully-painted chapel, the church of San Francisco, San Lazaro's district, Selva Alegre and the typical districts of Cayma and Yanahuara for a magnificent view of the Misti volcano. Overnight at the hotel in Arequipa.

Day 5: Colca Canyon

Early in the morning, after breakfast, departure by bus on your travel to the Colca Valley driving across Pampa Cañahuas at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, habitat of herds of vicuñas and stopping at the Mirador de los Andes, the crater of Chucura, the "Mirador de Chivay", where beautiful pre-columbian terraces still being cultivated by native Collaguas can be observed. Arrival to the town of Chivay at 13:00 pm approx. Transfer to your selected lodge. Lunch. In the afternoon free time to visit thermal and medical baths. Overnight at the hotel or lodge in Chivay.

Day 6: Colca Canyon

Early in the morning departure to the "Condor's cross" from where the great andean bird, "The Condor", may be spotted flying in circles above still farmed green pre-hispanic terraces. Enjoy the impresive panorama of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the wold (3,000 mts.). On the way back to Chivay, visit to the mirador of Chinina, where we will find the famous hanging tombs and the hanging bridge of sifon that joins the town of yanque with Corporaque. At the town of yanque, visit its beautiful church and its characteristic stone streets among other attractions. In order to have spectacular views of the Colca Valley, we will drive to the observation points of Choquetipo and Artahuilque and also to the town of Maca. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the city of Arequipa, arriving at 18:00 pm approx. overnight at the hotel in Arequipa.

Day 7: Bus Arequipa / Puno

(09:00 am) after breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the bus station and departure to Puno. This travel will last 05 hours approximately, where you car observe beautiful landscapes and mountains on the way. (14:00 pm) Arrival in Puno and transfer from the bus station to the hotel In the ofternoon, free time to walk around the city, as well as aclimation to the high altitude. Overnight at the hotel in Puno.

Day 8: Titikaka Lake (Uros / Amantani)

After breakfast, take a two-hour motor boat excursion on the Titicaca Lake waters towards the unique Floating Islands of the Uros, ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe. This Andean natives built their own islands by adding periodically new layers of a unique plant called "totora" (a type of reed), as well as their homes and boats. After that we go in launch to the famous Amantani Island which is inhabited by Quechua speaking natives. In this amazing Island, we’ll visit old ruins, share their customs, their typical meals and we overnight in a native’s house. Overnight in Amantani.

Day 9: Titikaka Lake (Taquile)

After breakfast, time at leisure to stroll by the quaint streets of this colorful island. Late morning, take motor-boat towards the Taquile Island, inhabited by quechua-speaking natives who have developed an efficient and original social systems and a fine hand weaving technique through generations. After lunch at a local posada of Taquile, take a walk through the several hills and archaeological sites of this 6km long island. Afternoon, return to Puno for overnight at a selected hotel.

Day 10: Bus Puno / Cusco

(08:00 am) Transfer from the hotel to the bus station and departure to Cuzco on the first class bus, which besides being very comfortable with reclined seats, tv and toilet, this bus makes some stops on the way, to visit some ruins near by. Also stops in a good restaurant to have a buffet lunch there. (17:00 am) Arrival in Cuzco and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Cuzco.

Day 11: city tour + 04 ruins

In the morning free time to walk around the city and shopping. (14:00 pm) Starts the city tour of Cuzco by bus, visiting the main Square, the cathedral and the Temple Of the Sun or Koricancha; take a pleasant walk in the bohemian district of San Blas, house to the most re-known craftsmen of Cuzco, visiting its beautiful church, that houses an impressive pulpit, a filigree woodcarving bearing the fruits of the region and visit some artisans workshops located in its small main square. Then we contine passing by the Hatunrumiyoc street where you can appreciate the twelve-angled stone. Then drive out of the city to visit the inca sites of kenko, tambomachay, Pucapucara and the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built strategically on a hill overlooking Cuzco; famous for its enormaus carved stones joined with astounding precision to form the outer walls. Some of these stones stand over 9m/3oft.tall, and weight over 350 tons. Overnight at the hotel in Cuzco.

Day 12: Sacred Valley of the Incas

(09:00 am) This travel called "The sacred valley of the incas" is a succession of pictures que towns, agricultural terraces and archaeological sites. We'll have the opportunity to bargain with vendors or stroll at the pisaq's typical indian market, with a catholic mass service on sunday (celebrated in Quechua, the native language). Buffet lunch in a good restaurant in the sacred valley. In the afternoon pass through Calca and Urubamba towns to arrive to the Inca fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo, which was built to guard the entry of this part of the valley and protect it from enemies of the lower jungles; consisting in a series of superimposed terraces of carved stones accessed by long staircases. We will have the opportunity to walk through the quaint streets of the nearby town, religious and agricultural centre during the Inca empire, and get a clear idea of the military strategy against possible invasions. On our way back to Cuzco we will visit the picturesque andean village of Chinchero where the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac INca Yupanqui lies. Admire its well preserved Inca wall at the main square, visit the beautiful colonial temple built on Inca Foundations, with interesting frescoes on the portico. Overnight at the hotel in Cuzco.

Day 13: Machupicchu

(06:00 am) Transfer from the hotel to the train station for a 04 hours train ride to the famous Inca citadel of "Machupicchu", one of the most renowned examples of inca arquitecture, well known as "The lost city of the Incas", get down the train in Aguas Calientes station for a 20 minutes bus drive climbing a 6 KM of winding road to reach the marvelous citadel. Upon arrival, guided tour of the citadel of Machupicchu, visiting the main plaza, the circular tower, the Sacred Sun dial, Intiwatana, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of three windows and various burial grounds. Then time free to stroll by the archaeological site, and have lunch at Aguas Calientes town. Overnight at the hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Day 14: Train Machupicchu / Cusco

(am) Free morning in Aguas Calientes Town to return to Machu Picchu or just to relax in the thermal springs. (15:30 pm) Return to Cusco by train. (19:00 pm) Arrival in Cusco , and transfer to the hotel overnight in Cusco.

Day 15: Free day in Cusco

Free day in Cusco for shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Cusco.

Day 16: Flight Cusco / Puerto Maldonado

AM transfer from the hotel to the airport in Cusco. AM flight Cusco/Puerto Maldonado. Reception at the airport, and transfer to the office to prepare for the river trip and boarding of our motorized dugout canoes. Depending on the hour we will have either a box lunch on the boat or lunch at arrival to the lodge. During the trip we may see caymans, turtles, waterfowl, etc. After approx. 3 hours we will arrive at the lodge where we will be received with a welcome drink. We are now deep inside pristine rainforest and surrounded by its sounds. After a short rest we will have a short hike to a small lagoon and return in time to enjoy a jungle sunset at sunset point. After returning to the lodge we will board again the canoe for a short night ride to spot caymans on the river banks with flashlights. After returning we will have dinner, at which the resident naturalists will be available to answer questions or brief us on the Amazon Rainforest. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 17: Puerto Maldonado reserve

After an early breakfast, guided by one of our resident naturalist, we will start a 3 1/2 miles hike to Cocococha Oxbox lake. On the way we will observe exotic plants and insects, colorful butterflies and birds, monkeys and with luck, perhaps even some of the large mammals. At the lake, canoes will be available for a ride around it watching the wildlife on the shoreline. Return to the lodge for a late lunch. afternoon free for relaxing or independent activities. Then dinner. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 18: Flight Puerto Maldonado / Lima

Very early wake up and breakfast. Boarding of the canoe to return to Puerto Maldonado watching an unforgettable dawn on the Tambopata river. Then transfer to the airport for return flight. AM flight Puerto Maldonado / Lima. PM arrival in Lima. End of our services.