DAY 01 – WELCOME LIMA AIRPORT
Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and provide you with a detailed itinerary, vouchers covering all the services included in your package and additional information on the organization of your Peru experience.
Meals Included: None
DAY 02 – LIMA COLONIAL CITY TOUR
Get ready for a busy morning, starting with a guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the “City of Kings”. The tour includes Lima’s Historical Center, Casa Aliaga, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum, as well as San Francisco Monastery and its famous underground crypts are known as the Catacombs.
Finally, visit the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by the Huaca Pucllana, a Ceremonial and Administrative Center of the Lima Culture built in the II Century A.C. that the Incas considered as “Ñaupallaqta” or Sacred Town.
Also visit the Olive Grove Park with olive trees brought from Spain in the XV Century, the Central Park of Miraflores and El Parque del Amor, or Peruvian Love Park.
This is also the perfect spot for a romantic view of the setting sun in the late afternoon, right in front of you.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 03 – THE JOURNEY BEGINS AT LARCO MUSEUM
Start your day with breakfast it’s a big day ahead.
The Museo Larco is housed in an exquisite 18th century vice-royal mansion, built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The museum’s galleries exhibit the finest and most magnificent gold and jewelry treasures from Ancient Peru and the renowned erotic collection, one of Peru’s most celebrated attractions.
Founded in 1926 and located in Lima, the Museo Larco holds the largest and most important archaeological collection of Ancient Peru in the world. Peru is known worldwide thanks to the legendary Inca Empire on the Andes Mountains; however, few are aware that this society existed only for the last 100 years before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.
The Museo Larco portrays to the visitor an engaging narrative, recounting 5000 years in the development of Peru’s pre-Columbian history; thus becoming the ideal means to understand and enjoy Ancient Peru. On the Museum’s terraces overlooking its vibrant and stunning gardens, find Museo Larco´s Cafe restaurant, where one can savor the best of Peruvian and International cuisine. All in all, it’s accurate to say that to become fascinated by Peruvian history, the journey begins at Museo Larco!
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY O4 – UPON YOUR ARRIVAL IN PUERTO MALDONADO
Peru’s capital of biodiversity, we will welcome you at the airport. Then, we’ll start our program by visiting the city on a bus.
Then, we will go to Puerto Capitanía, the port where our riverboat will be waiting for us. We will sail across Rio Bajo Madre de Dios (Winding River) until arriving at our lodge, 30 km away from Puerto Maldonado City.
On our way, you will be able to observe rural lands destined to agricultural and livestock activities near the city. If the weather is good, you will sight colorful plants like the large-flowered heliconias, and you will have the chance to observe diverse animals such as the capybaras, caimans, water turtles, herons, cormorants, carrion birds and birds of prey.
Upon the arrival in our lodge, you will be welcomed with delicious Amazon tropical fruit nectars and taken to your comfortable room (bungalow) reserved for the occasion. Once you are settled in the room, a hearty lunch will be served for you in our warm, rustically designed dining room.
CAIMAN COCHA
In the afternoon, our specialized guide will take you through an interpretive trail, conveniently signposted, to Caiman Cocha, a little lagoon where you will have the chance to observe the black caiman and the common caiman, as well as efficient predators located at the top of the food chain. They feed on a rich water fauna—mainly represented by fish— that inhabits the pond.
At dusk, you will witness the spectacular sunset over the Amazon region, an experience full of color in overwhelming ranges and intensities.
Back in the lodge, a delicious dinner will await you and you will have free time to share unforgettable moments at the bar, equipped with an excellent game room and all the drinks you can imagine.
The night fauna will lull you to sleep with the melody of a huge number of bird songs and calls.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 05 – THE SINGING BIRDS OF PARADISE WILL WAKE YOU UP RENEWED
A hearty breakfast will provide the energy for a morning full of new experiences.
LAKE APU VICTOR
After breakfast, we will start a hike to the deep forest on conveniently prepared, preserved and signposted trails. On the way, we will cross the riverside to reach high-elevation forests, and then we will descend to floodable forests, to go up again to the hills. During the journey, we will see the widest range of flora and fauna in the wild.
Along the way, we will see diverse species of medicinal plants and fruit trees supporting the animal and human populations in the Amazon forests. Some of the most important are the moriche palm, mahogany, chestnut, catahua, cedar, trumpet-wood, copaiba, and shihuahuaco, among others.
With luck and in silence, you can see bigger mammals, like the Brazilian tapir and the white-lipped peccary; rodents like the giant otter, the capybara, the spotted paca and the armadillo; primates like the coto or howler monkey, the squirrel monkey, the lion monkey and the black-cap capuchin monkey; reptiles like the iguana and the Bothrops atrox; amphibians like the toad and birds like the guan, the partridge, the golden parakeet and the blue, yellow and red macaw.
In the rainy jungle, you will see insects such as butterflies (Lepidoptera), scarabs (Coleoptera), crickets, cicadas, ants, centipedes and millipedes of several species.
We’ll arrive at the majestic Lake Apu Victor surrounded by immense swamps and gigantic trees. Then, we’ll go up to an Amazonian observation deck, from which you’ll get to enjoy a panoramic view on the lake, observe parrots, macaws, toucans, horned screamers, hoatzins, herons and other animals like caimans, turtles, etc.
A wide variety of fishes enters Lake Apu Victor with the flooding of the (heavy) rainy season. In addition, there are other species of fauna associated to the lake, like the yellow-footed tortoise, the mata mata, the twist-necked turtle, the freshwater blenny, the kinkajou, the white-tailed deer, the Central American agoutis and the giant otter of the Amazon rainforest.
Back in the lodge, a refreshing lunch will be waiting for you.
MONKEY ISLAND
In the afternoon, joined with our specialized guide, we will visit the Monkey Island, a few minutes away from the lodge in the center of Madre de Dios River. This island shows an enormous variety of exuberant flora and hosts numerous primate specimens like the black spider monkey, the black-cap capuchin monkey, the squirrel monkey, and the lion monkey. Also other species of little mammals like the ring-tailed coati (nasua nasua), the squirrel and an enormous variety of colored birds.
Finally, we will complete our visit to the island, enjoying a sunset with the most impressive dusk in the jungle. Back in the lodge, you will taste an exquisite dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 06 – MAGIC BEGINS WITH BIRDS SINGING
The magic begins with birds singing from the Amazon paradise, waking up to the howler monkey calls. A hearty breakfast will provide you with the necessary energy for a morning full of new experiences.
LOST COCHA
After breakfast, we will start an adventure in the virgin forest, accompanied by a local guide, we’ll go on a hike in the deep forest: we will cover very well preserved prepared trails of our interpretive tour. On our way, we will cross temporary watercourses called tributaries through very well-kept bridges, and we’ll witness the widest range of flora and fauna in the wild. We’ll identify a great variety of ornamental plants with unparalleled beauty.
En route to the Lost Cocha, we will see diverse species of medicinal plants and fruit trees that support the animal populations in the Amazon forest.
With luck, you’ll get to see bigger mammals, like the jaguar or Peruvian jaguar, the Brazilian tapir and the white-lipped peccary; rodents like the giant otter, the capybara, the spotted paca and the armadillo; primates like the coto or howler monkey and the squirrel monkey; reptiles like the iguana and the bothrops atrox; amphibians like the toad, and birds like the guan, the partridge, the golden parakeet and the scarlet macaw.
The rivers leave behind wetland systems, lakes, ponds, and bends, like the spectacular Lost Cocha.
Wetlands play an ecological role of great importance since they represent a substantial biological source with endemic species. They are shelter of mammals. These swamps comprise 60% of the area protected and restored by Eco Amazonia Lodge.
The presence of moriche palm is very important for Amazonian ethnic groups. It is a mystery plant considered the mother of the forest or the tree of life.
The swamp is home of jealous guardians like the jaguar, feline considered son of the swamp; the anaconda, the world’s biggest snake; the owl that sees everything from its dwelling at the top of the trees, to cure all ills, and the black caiman, guardian that punishes those that dare to steal the female moriche palm fruit. Once in Lost Cocha, we will go up to an enormous observation platform. From this lookout, you will see the enormous surface that this magic place covers and where you can see two types of swamps: thick and mixed.
Then, we will take a pleasant walk around the Lost Cocha and with luck you’ll get to see the “giant otter” or Pteronurabrasiliensis, the biggest in its type and one of the most impressive animals of the Amazon region.
Back in the lodge, you can enjoy an exquisite lunch.
In the afternoon, you have free time to take pictures around the lodge, and you will have the possibility to visit the botanical garden and observe our medicinal plants and fruit trees.
At night, you can enjoy a delicious dinner. If you are not tired, you can enjoy a fun night at the bar and game room.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 07 – FLIGHT FROM PUERTO MALDONADO TO CUSCO
The singing birds of paradise will wake you up and the powerful roar of the howler monkey will warn
you that you are still in its territory and that it is time to leave.
In our dining room, a delicious breakfast will await you before going back to Puerto Maldonado and board your flight to Cusco.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 08 – ARQUEOLOGICAL CUSCO CITY TOUR
This morning you’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco, with your guide to the first ruin site (Tambomachay). As you walk to and visit each archaeological site, your guide will explain the history, architecture, and local traditions. The four sites are Tambomachay, Puca Pucara, Q’enko, and Sacsayhuaman. After exploring the last ruin site you will walk down to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco City. With examples of Inca history and architecture. Visit the city’s most important historical monuments that reveal the influence of different cultures: The Plaza de Armas, the Cathedraldating from Spanish vice-royalty times, built with great slabs of red granite renaissance style in contrast with the baroque style silverwork of its interior and, the Santo Domingo church built upon the foundations of the Inca temple Qorikancha, dedicated to worship the Sun God.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 09 – SEDUCTIVE DAY IN THE SACRED VALLEY
Start your exploration on the way to the Sacred Valley visiting Awanacancha, an Andean textile center whose key objective is to maintain the wealth of Inca textileart and keep their traditions alive. Awanacancha means “the palace of weaving” and as its name announces, it is all about textile production.
Then head to the town of Pisac, famous for its ruins which lie atop a hill at the entrance the valley and separated along the ridge into four groups: Pisac, Inti Watana, Q’allaqasa, and Kinchiraqay. Visit the Inti Watana group which includes the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, water fountains, a ceremonial platform, and an inti Watana – a volcanic ritual stone used as an astronomic clock or Inca calendar to define the change seasons.
Continue to the Pisac Markets, which was the place of reunion for all artisans of the region to get together and exchange or buy and sell their products.
A buffet lunch will be served in a country restaurant.
After lunch, we will travel to the ruins of the Ollantaytambo Fortress to continue the tour. These spectacular ruins were constructed during the time of the Incas. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a few moments you have left in the Town of Ollantaytambo before you take your train to Aguas Calientes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10 – SUNRISE MACHU PICCHU CITADEL EXCURSION
You will leave your hotel after breakfast and board a bus that will take you to the entrance gate of the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu is one of the most-visited sites worldwide. Machu Picchu dazzles all who visit it with its beauty and mystery. You will follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas as you explore this magical citadel along with your local and experimented tour guide.
After the tour, you will stop at a local restaurant for a buffet lunch. Afterward, you will have a little time to explore the town of Aguas Calientes before boarding your train back to Cusco.
Upon arrival at the station, an assistant will be waiting for you to bring you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Buffet Lunch
OPTIONAL
HIKE UP TO HUAYNA PICCHU, the mountain behind Machu Picchu. This hike is strenuous and recommended only for travelers comfortable with heights and who have a good fitness level.
A fair amount of climbing is required. Get fabulous views of Machu Picchu from the top. Total time for this excursion is 2.5 hours. You may want to extend your hike and go to the Moon Temple as well, which is close to Huayna Picchu. This adds an extra hour total to this excursion. Total time for the Huayna Picchu visit, including the Moon Temple, is 3.5 hours. (This hike requires advanced reservations.
DAY 11 – FULL DAY THE ROUTE OF THE SUN TO PUNO
Breakfast will start your day at the hotel, and then we will depart for the City of Puno.
Our journey will take you by the lovely Wacarpay Lake, offering spectacular views of the mountains reflected in its calm waters. Then onward to the beautiful Town of Andahuaylillas, where we will visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, (better known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, due to its (decorated polychrome ceiling).
Next, we will stop in the Town of Raqchi, where we will see a spectacular Incan Sanctuary. Built by the Incan Emperor Pachacutec, and dedicated to the Inca God of Wiracocha. It has a unique central wall with a stone base of fine Incan architecture. Other walls are made of giant adobe bricks.
The structure also has two circular lateral columns. Around the Temple are several buildings once used for housing and storage.
About 34 miles further, we will pass through the Town of La Raya. In this town, we will see herds of vicuñas and llamas while passing through.
Then our next stop, the Town of Ayaviri, an important livestock and textile center. Then we will visit the remarkable Temple of Kalasaya, ruins from the ancient Pucara civilization. Afterward, we will enjoy a buffet lunch in a countryside restaurant, where we can enjoy the delightful culinary art of the region.
Upon arrival in the City of Puno, you will be welcomed by one of our representatives, who will give you a brief introduction to the city and our services while on the way to your hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 12 – FULL DAY UROS & TAQUILE ISLAND
Breakfast will start your day at the hotel, then you will enjoy unforgettable motorboat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique “Floating Islands” of the Uros.
These ancient inhabitants of the Lake, known as “The Water Tribe”, have built their own “Islands” by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed called “totora” (Scirpus totora), vegetable fiber of the Papyrus family. Their homes and boats are also made from the same material.
Continuing our trip to the island of Taquile, known for having the best weavers of ancient Peru. This place has preserved many rituals and the lifestyle of the ancient Incas.
We will walk for about 30 minutes to the center of the island, stay there for 3 amazing hours and have lunch. Then we will descend down a long stairwell of 500 steps!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 13 – PUNO TO COLCA
Breakfast will start your day at the hotel, then between 06:00 to 06:30 am, we depart Puno to Chivay, on the way we will see several lagoons and diverse migratory birds that can be can be seen on the way.
We will also pass through the crater of an extinct volcano (Chucura). Then we will stop at some point to view the volcanoes, which is also the highest part of the road (4,800 m.s.), and view much of the western mountain range.
Arriving in Chivay around 12:35 pm, we will enjoy a delicious lunch. At which time we will check in to our hotel.
Then at 04:00 p.m. We will pick you up from your hotel to go to the (Calera) The hot springs. Then return to your hotel in Chivay.
Then at 07:00 pm, you will be picked up from your hotel to enjoy dinner and a show. Where you will enjoy the typical dance of the area that lasts for an hour and a half approx.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 14 – FULL DAY COLCA TO AREQUIPA
Breakfast will start your day at the hotel; we depart at 06:30 am.
We will head out to the viewpoint of the Cross-of the Condor, a strategic point of observation. On the way, we will stop in the villages of Pinchollo, Maca and Yanque; that have beautiful colonial churches, as well as in the viewpoints of Choquetico and Antahuilque, from where we will observe the impressive Valley of Andenería, Hanging Tombs, and the Hanging Bridge of Sifón that joins the Town of Yanque with Coporaque.
On our return to Chivay, we will have Lunch.
After lunch, we return to Arequipa, stop at the viewpoint of the volcanoes, which is also the highest area of the road, from where you can see much of the western mountain range. Taking the road to Yura, bordering the snowy Chachani.
Finally, at 3:00 pm, we will arrive at Arequipa.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 15 – AREQUIPA CITY TOUR / FLIGHT FROM AREQUIPA TO LIMA / DEPART HOME
Breakfast will start your day at the hotel, We will, then, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, Plaza de Armas, the Jesuit Church “La Compañia”, its cloisters and domes, the Tristan del Pozo House, and the Yanahuara neighborhood (vantage point and Church). This vantage point allows for an amazing view of the typical city of Yanahuara Carmen.
After enjoying a delicious farewell lunch, it’s time to say good-bye.
At the scheduled time, you will be shuttled from the hotel to the airport to board your flight back to Lima, Then to your connecting flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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