Amazon, Incas & Titicaca

Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival at the Lima airport you'll be transferred to our hotel in the popular Miraflores district of the city. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city.

Today we explore the beautiful city of Lima, also known as the 'city of kings', we'll visit the well preserved historical centre. Making our way through Plaza San Martin, we'll also take in Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace and the City Hall. Our tour of the city continues with a visit to the San Francisco Monastery and its famous underground crypts which are home to an estimated 70,000 remains. This bright yellow architectural wonder is also home to an incredible library, holding thousands of antique texts, some of which pre-date the conquest in the 16th century. 

Later we'll head through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by Huaca Pucllana, a clay pyramid that was the ceremonial and administrative centre of the Lima culture and later considered a sacred town by the Inca's. Next up we'll stop at El Olivar park, a peaceful space where we'll find olive trees that were brought to Peru in the 15th century. Our final stop on today's tour of Lima is El Parque del Amor, this romantic spot is situated on the cliffs of Miraflores overlooking the Pacific ocean.

Lima is fast becoming one of the gastronomic capitals of the world and later this afternoon there is the opportunity to join an exciting optional Lima Gourmet Food Tour, combining gastronomic delights with walks around the capital, experiencing the local culture. Please book before you travel. (B)

Transfer to Lima airport this morning and fly to Puerto Maldonado for our two night Amazon adventure! From Puerto Maldonado we take a scenic 40 minute boat ride along the meandering Madre de Dios River to our lodge, nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. As we glide down the river look out for capybaras and other wildlife along the riverbank.

Arriving at the lodge, there's a short briefing by our jungle guide before we settle into our accommodation. After lunch and some time to relax we set out on our first Amazon excursion Taking a trek through the jungle our guide will point out tropical trees, medicinal plants and wildlife in the Brazil net concession. We also visit a shiringuero encampment to see the process of collecting rubber, and how it is used for many products.

Heading back to the lodge there's time to relax by the pool or in the hammocks on the terrace of your bungalow, savour an exotic cocktail at the bar or go down to the riverside to enjoy the breathtaking sunset. Before dinner we take a boat trip to observe caiman and other nocturnal creatures as they appear before experiencing our first night in the jungle!

Please note: Jungle activities and excursions may vary or be modified by your guide. (B/L/D)

We rise early this morning to visit Lake Sandoval, a glassy, ox-bow lake, located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve. A packed breakfast is provided for the excursion. We set off on a 20-minute boat ride on the Madre de Dios River to the Lake Sandoval landing stage. A 3km walk through the sun-dappled rainforest leads us into the Tambopata National Reserve, which is home to many species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles, black caimans and more!

At Lake Sandoval we board small rowboats and paddle serenely around the lake, in search for giant river otters and other wildlife. When our guide finds an opportune spot, we stop to enjoy breakfast in the wild.

Returning to the lodge for lunch, there's free time to relax before we head up one of the lodge's lookout towers with our guide, for incredible panoramic views of the Amazon from its rooftop and a beautiful sunset. The canopy towers are ideal for birdwatching and spotting animals living at this altitude in the canopy. Keep an eye out for bright toucans, macaws and monkeys! We also a visit to a Brazil nut harvesting camp, a vital economic activity in the region. Back at the lodge you can enjoy a refreshing swim before dinner. (B/L/D)

We wake up early to visit a nearby clay lick, where we can observe up to five species of parrots feeding on a unique type of clay essential for their metabolism, creating a colourful and lively spectacle. Heading back to the lodge for breakfast, there's some time to relax before we take the boat back to Puerto Maldonado. Here we stop to visit a local market and see various local products, before being transferred to the airport for our flight to Cusco.

After hotel check-in the rest of the day is free to spend at leisure adjusting to the altitude in Cysco. This beautiful city full of history and intrigue, is located 3,399m above sea level. (B)

Today we enjoy a tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins taking in some of the city's most important landmarks. We'll start at the Plaza de Armas, built on the remains of one of the most important Incan gathering spots, it's one of the most beautiful squares in the country. We'll also visit the Cathedral, the Kenko Amphitheatre and the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Built between 1438 and 1474, Sacsayhuaman Fortress took over 20,000 labourers to build and some of the magnificent stone work measures over 4 metres in height and over 100 tons in weight.

The rest of the day is free for you to independently explore this charming city. (B)

Bidding farewell to Cusco we travel on to the Sacred Valley today. Our first stop is the popular Pisac markets where we will have the chance to see the variety of colourful handicrafts on offer. Originally only held on Sundays, Pisac Market was a place for artisans from across the region to trade in their products. Today the market is a daily occurrence where locals and visitors alike can find some of the finest textiles, jewellery and clothing typical of this area of Peru.

Then we travel on to the remarkable Ollantaytambo fortress which was constructed to guard the entrance to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasions of tribes from the jungle lowlands. One of the best examples of Incan architecture, many of the inhabitants of Ollantaytambo still live according to the customs and traditions they have inherited from generations of ancestors, leading to it being known as a living Inca town. (B)

We have an exciting day ahead, starting with a short drive to the Ollantaytambo train station where we board the train for a scenic journey to Aguas Calientes. Remember to look out the windows as the scenery along the way is utterly breath-taking. In Aguas Calientes we board a bus which takes us along a winding path up the slopes of the great Machu Picchu mountain to the famous Inca citadel.

The incredible lost city of the Incas is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba River, surrounded by tropical forest. Completed in the latter half of 15th Century, archaeologists believe Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Pachacuti, an Incan leader who reigned from 1438 to 1471.

Built in the classical Inca style with polished dry-stone walls and terraces that seem to have been crafted naturally from the rock escarpments, Machu Picchu is a spectacular testament to the greatness of the Inca civilisation. Only a century after its completion however, the citadel was abandoned during the Spanish conquest and only thrust into the spotlight in 1911 when it was discovered by the American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham, who brought it to the world's attention.

We explore Machu Picchu on a guided tour and then return to the spa town of Aguas Calientes where there's time to stroll around before travelling by train back to Cusco. (B)

Enjoy a free day in Cusco to explore the city at your own pace. Alternatively you may wish to join one of the optional excursions on offer. Visit the local Andean market town of Chinchero on a half day tour. Chinchero has one of the most traditional markets in South America, and here you will find locals in colourful traditional dress, buying and selling their produce.

Alternatively, for the fit and active, there's an optional full day excursion to Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain (offered from March to November), with lunch included.

After a scenic 2.5 hr drive through rugged mountain scenery, trek with a guide to the summit of Rainbow Mountain, with its striking bright stripes of mineral deposits.

Note: Optional excursions should be booked prior to departure. (B)

After an early breakfast, we'll travel by bus to Puno (approx. 10 hr journey), passing by the lovely Wacarpay Lake, with spectacular views of the mountains reflected in its calm waters. Along the way we'll make a couple of stops, the first one being in Andahuaylillas to see the Church of San Pedro, which has been given the nickname the Sistine Chapel of the Americas.

Moving along, we pass through herds of llamas and spectacular landscapes until we get to Ayaviri, an important livestock and textile centre. Here, we'll be able to lay eyes on the Temple of Kalasaya, remnants of a Pucara structure. After a stop for lunch at a countryside restaurant, we continue on to Puno, our base for the next two nights.

The following day we take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to see the remarkable floating islands of Uros. These unique islands are made of a certain type of reed called totora, which enables it to float, despite the weight of a civilisation upon it. We'll then move on to Taquile Island, where we can mingle with the Quechua-speaking locals and learn about their efficient and unique social system as well as their fine hand weaving techniques, passed down from generation to generation.

Next we'll be invited into a local home for lunch to enjoy a delicious home cooked meal. After lunch we'll discover more of this remarkable island including some of the islands archaeological sites. Later this afternoon we return to Puno. (Bx2/Lx2)

Today we head to Juliaca Airport for our flight back to Lima, upon arrival in Lima we'll be met and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore the beautiful Peruvian capital of Lima. Why not visit one of the many fantastic museums around the city, showcasing everything from pre-Colombian art to archaeological gems. (B)

Today our amazing tour through Peru comes to an end with a transfer to Lima airport. (B)