Inca Lands to Tambopata Rainforest Reserve

DAY 01: WELCOME TO LIMA, CITY OF KINGS AND THE LARCO MUSEUM OF CULTURES

Arrival to the city of Lima, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.

An exclusive and intense tour of the Historical Center of Lima will take us to know and admire the architectonic relics that are part of the old Lima, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Convent of Santo Domingo is the beginning of this magnificent experience. It was built during the foundation of Lima. The Universidad Mayor de San Marcos (University of San Marcos) was founded on this site, the oldest in America. Inside, the choir with the oldest stalls in the country; and the library, with 25,000 books, some printed in the XV century, has an invaluable historical value. The mortal remains of San Martín de Porres, San Juan Masías and Santa Rosa de Lima lie inside. Crossing the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace and the Municipality, going into the Cathedral, a jewel in the history of Lima, with artworks that will make us feel closer to colonial Lima. Leaving downtown Lima and heading to the Larco Museum, where we will get a clear vision of the cultures that inhabited ancient Peru. We shall admire the gold pieces, textiles and erotic ceramics that are part of the collection which will introduce us to the cosmovision of the ancient Peru. The warehouse of this museum will be open during our visit to appreciate the expressions of art that were reflected in their ceramics.

DAY 02: CUSCO, CAPITAL OF THE EMPIRE

Arrival to the city of Cusco, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon, exclusive stroll in the city that starts with a visit to the Plaza de San Cristóbal (San Cristobal Square) to enjoy a panoramic overview of the city. Afterwards, we will visit the San Pedro Market, where we will absorb the local flavors and learn more about the products of the area in this market that has it all and supplies the entire city. Later, the Qorikancha Temple will welcome us with all its splendor and magnificence, with walls that used to be covered in gold. From San Blas, the artisans’ neighborhood, we will walk down the street Hatun Rumiyoc finding in our way the palace Inca Roca, today´s Archbishops Palace, and we will have time to admire the world famous Twelve Angled Stone. We will continue to the Plaza de Armas to visit The Cathedral that houses colonial works of incredible value.

DAY 03: ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF SACSAYHUAMAN

In the morning, we will leave behind the crowds in order to visit Sacsayhuaman, an impressive citadel full of colossal constructions surrounded by beautiful landscape in total communion with the environment. Afterwards, we continue to the Inca adoratory of Q’enqo, with its surprising altar for sacrifices embedded in the internal part of its rocky formation. Finally, we arrive at the Puca Pucará lookout and Tambomachay, a monument of notable architectonic excellence which is considered one of the pillars of the Andean cosmovision. Free afternoon to enjoy the city.

DAY 04: INCA VILLAGE OF CHINCHERO, TERRACES OF MORAY AND THE INCA VILLAGE OF OLLANTAYTAMBO

This day we shall visit the most outstanding places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will depart towards the Village of Chinchero, the most typical and colorful of the Sacred Valley. This village is famous for its weaving women. Short stop in a textiles center to appreciate the old Inca techniques for the dyeing and spinning using alpaca wool. After visiting the Inca Plaza with its beautiful colonial church, we will continue towards Moray, a beautiful Inca archaeological site made up of concentric agricultural terraces that served as a lab to recreate microclimates. Lunch. Later visit to the last living village of the Incas, Ollantaytambo. Also, a visit to the Temple of the ten windows, the bath of the princess, and the Sun Temple. The postcard pictures that we will take from the heights of Ollantaytambo will close this magical day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Lodging in the area.

DAY 05: MACHU PICCHU, THE LOST CITY

The much-awaited day to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Boarding at the Ollantaytambo station. Departure in the selected train. Arrival at the Machu Picchu station. Assistance, from our staff to board the bus that will ascend a winding road, with a spectacular view of the Urubamba River which forms a deep canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will greet us with its incredible terraces, staircases, ceremonial sites and urban areas. Energy exudes from the whole place. Lunch. At the coordinated time, return by train and transfer to the hotel in Cusco. Lodging.

DAY 06: TAMPOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE

Transfer to the airport. Departure to Puerto Maldonado. Arrival, reception by a naturalist guide and transfer to the boarding dock. Departure in a motorboat sailing by the Tambopata River towards the hostel in the reserve. Along the way you will see the changes in vegetation, from colonized and deforested areas to the virgin forest. Upon arriving, welcome by the hostel staff with a local fruit juice. In the afternoon, a walk through the paths around the hostel to observe the flora and fauna such as the lion monkeys and the brown capuchin monkey or “monkey Martín”; besides the butterflies and many bird species. After dinner, will take place a night walk, where we can encounter nocturnal animals and insects, which can be located by the sparkle in their eyes when using flashlights on them. Lodgings at the hostel.

DAY 07: TAMPOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE

Very early in the morning, we leave for a tour of the surroundings of the hostel to watch some birds. Breakfast. Then we board a motorboat that will take us to a trail from where we start a hike and exploration, followed by an outing on a lake in our paddle canoes. In the lake we find abundant aquatic life, families of giant otters or river wolves that live in the lake and can be seen often. There is an abundance of birds, especially the tabby herons, white herons, tuqui, shanshos, and many others. Lunch. During the afternoon we will explore the nearby hostel trails. As night falls, you and your guide will go out looking for caimans and other nocturnal animals in the motorized canoe. Dinner. Lodging at the hostel.

DÍA 08:  FAREWELL DAY

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Lima and connect with your international flight to your home.