Day 1 | Arrive Lima

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Upon arrival in Lima, you just need to walk for one minute to your airport hotel. This means you need not require a lengthy 40-60 minutes transfer to downtown Lima giving you more time to relax after your international flight. And you will be fresh and ready to start early next morning.

 

Overnight in Lima.

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Day 2 | Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios Boat Ride

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After breakfast at the hotel, you will walk to the Lima Airport to board a flight for Puerto Maldonado. After arriving in Puerto Maldonado, which is coined as the Capital of Biodiversity,  your Amazon adventure begins right away with a 45-minute boat ride along the serpentine Madre de Dios River. You will reach your eco-lodge, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, ensconced in the heart of the rainforest. Settle into your palm-thatched cabaña. After enjoying your lunch, retreat to your rustic-luxury cabin for a nap or a swing in your hammock.  

You can walk along the Trail system for an immersive introduction into the intricate biodiversity of the Amazon basin and the layers of the rainforest. Wind your way through towering trees, like the Shihuahuaco, as your ears tune in to the croaks, rustles and calls of the exotic wildlife inhabiting this rich ecosystem. There are excellent opportunities for birding and observing a cornucopia of flora. Keep your camera ready just in case sloths or monkeys appear dangling from the treetops.

 

In the late afternoon, we recommend taking our gentle Twilight River excursion to witness the jungle transform from a diurnal to a nocturnal world: animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the shadows of the night. You may be able to spot the likes of nightjars, owls, capybaras and big caiman lurking on the riverbanks. Amazonian-inspired dinner is served in the main dining room from 19:00-22:00 where we invite you to enjoy a complimentary Pisco Sour cocktail.

 

Overnight in Puerto Maldonado.

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Day 3 | Lake Sandoval, Inkaterra Canopy Walk

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The sunlight squeezes through the dense trees as jungle inhabitants awake from their slumber. Optionally, join them in the early hours, with buffet breakfast served from 05:00 hrs. Visit Lake Sandoval this morning, a glassy, ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve. Reached via a sun-dappled jungle trail, Inkaterra explorer

guides enjoy regaling visitors with their tales of unexpected encounters with poison frogs and camouflaged creatures. Board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly paddle through mangroves and glide onto Lake Sandoval, flanked by picture-perfect palms. This serene lake is home to thousands of species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in time for enjoying lunch.

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In the afternoon, we recommend climbing the exhilarating Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and navigating the Anaconda Walk. The Inkaterra Canopy Walkway is a sophisticated and safe 344 metre network of seven ecologically constructed hanging suspension bridges, strung between eight treetop observation platforms above the forest floor. This is an unforgettable opportunity to observe the rainforest from the rooftop and gain a sense of its colossal size. Ascend the first vertiginous tower 38 metres above ground, keeping an eye out for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth.

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After descending, enjoy a 30-minute Anaconda walk that follows a 200-meter raised wooden platform over the atmospheric flooded aguajales swamp. In this lush ecosystem you may observe various species of amphibians, birds, mammals, abundant flora and interesting trees – there is even a chance you might spot snakes.

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Back at the lodge, you can opt to enjoy a daily nature presentation in the Eco Centre or book yourself an indulgent spa treatment. À la carte dinner is served from 19:00 hrs.

 

Overnight in Puerto Maldonado.

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Day 4 | Gamitana Farm, Night Excursion in Inkaterra Ecological Reserve

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After your breakfast, journey 25 minutes by boat to Gamitana Farm and Creek to unearth more of the mysteries of the rainforest. The Amazon is an almost endless source of exotic fruits and vegetables, many with healing properties that support local communities living in the remote jungle.

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At Gamitana model farm, engulfed by the sounds and scents of the Amazon, you will get to see how a variety of produce is grown by local farmers and sample some seasonal forest fruits. Follow a dense jungle trail under the virescent canopy to reach Gamitana Creek.

This winding, dark water creek is home to abundant flora and fauna, with many piranhas, caiman, turtles and birds hiding in its murky waters and riverbanks. Enjoy your lunch at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica.

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Later, journey 35 minutes upriver to Inkaterra’s sister lodge Hacienda Concepcion, built on an old cocoa and rubber plantation. This site formerly functioned as a medical centre, set up by Catholic missionaries in the 1950s, as well as a centre for ecological research. With over 200 different plant species found here, see why the rainforest is often considered the world’s largest pharmacy and learn about their uses and benefits up-close in this natural classroom. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing 30-minute canoe trip to look for turtles, sun grebes, nightjars and exotic herons before returning to your lodge.

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After dinner, under the cover of darkness, venture out for two-hours for the Rainforest by Night excursion through Inkaterra’s ecological reserve. Armed with flashlights, duck under tree boughs as your senses heighten to the movements in the undergrowth and nocturnal forest sounds that appear in different directions around you. With your expert Explorer guide, encounter animal activity and spot species that only emerge with the veil of nightfall.

 

Overnight in Puerto Maldonado.

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Day 5 | Butterfly House

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After your breakfast you can be with the staggering roster of wildlife found in and around Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica – 540 bird species have been inventoried in the grounds of the lodge - enjoy your last morning in this unspoilt natural  wonderland as parakeets chatter away in the trees and capybara mammals scurry between vibrant orchid-rich gardens. Check-out is at 10:00 hrs; depending on your departure flight time, lunch can also be arranged today (additional cost applies). Embark your ready-waiting boat for the 45 minutes return trip along the snaking Madre de Dios River. You will make a short visit to a Butterfly House before reaching the airport. Peru boasts the greatest variety of butterflies in the world,

with 3,700 known species. Many of these can be seen at the Butterfly House, which serves to showcase the variety, beauty and adaptability of these fascinating insects. You reach Cusco by flight. From Cusco you will take a private transfer to Sacred Valley.

 

Overnight in Sacred Valley.   

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Day 6 | Full Day Private Sacred Valley Tour, including Lunch

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After breakfast, your day begins with the excursion of Sacred Valley.

Built in huge circular terraces, it is unclear exactly what the purpose of Moray was to the Incas, but it is assumed that it was built for farming purposes. Moray is a fantastic place to explore and walk down to the core of the circular terraces or take a picture from atop surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. A trip to Moray is also a great opportunity to explore the stunning salt flats of Maras, a surprisingly unexplored gem of the Sacred Valley. Local workers at the mine will demonstrate the process of extracting salt. Towards the eastern end of the Sacred Valley is the famous ruin of Ollantaytambo. This impressive and large ruin was one of the last strongholds for the Incas after the invasion of the Spanish nearly 500 years ago. Built into the mountain side and ascending rapidly to the peak of the ruins, Ollantaytambo was almost certainly built as a fortress to protect the eastern end of the Sacred Valley. There will be a halt at Urubamba for enjoying delicious lunch.

 

Overnight in Sacred Valley.

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Day 7 | Private One Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu

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Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Your private transfer will take you to your 1-day Inca trail. The trail is approximately 6 miles and will take you about 6 hours. You will get to carry your box lunch along. Machu Picchu was revealed to the world, when the famous historian, explorer and archeologist Hiram Bingham stumbled upon the site whilst on an expedition in 1911. Initially the importance of the citadel was overlooked, and only when he returned over a year later, the true significance was realized.

 

Perched high up on the edge of a cliff set deep in the high jungle of Southern Peru. Machu Picchu fabled ‘The Lost City of the Incas’ is truly a first-class destination for many world travelers. Invisible from the Urubamba valley below, Machu Picchu lay dormant for more than 4 centuries, nestled neatly at 2,800m (4,000 feet) above sea level. It was considered to have been abandoned by the Incas at the time of the Spanish invasion, and became something of folklore and mystery, until it was re-discovered hidden and preserved in the dense jungle of Vilcabamba. After the hike return back to your hotel for dinner.

 

Overnight in Machu Picchu.

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Day 8 | Privately Guided Tour of Machu Picchu, Expedition Train to Poroy

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Start your day with a wholesome breakfast at the hotel, a shuttle bus will take you to Machu Picchu. There your private tour guide will take you for a two and half hour Machu Picchu tour. This includes Caretakers Hut, Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, Three Windowed Temple, Intihuatana / Solar Clock, and the quarry. After this you will take a shuttle bus to to Aguas Calientes. From there take a train to Poroy. Enjoy the scenes around you during the train ride. From Poroy station you will be taken Cusco by private transfer.

 

Overnight in Cusco.

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Day 9 | Private Tour of Cusco and San Pedro Market

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Relax in the morning, after your breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon, you will be taken on a tour of the Cusco city and the surrounding areas. Cusco, known as the imperial city and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here you will start your tour at the iconic San Pedro market, a local market where you can explore the colors, flavors and traditions of modern Cusco. The visit continues with the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and cult center of the Sun God, above which the order of the Dominicans built a church, which remains standing to this day. You will continue ascending to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive example of Inca military architecture. Afterwards, you will explore Q’enqo archeological site, where important Inca ceremonies took place.  Finally, you will arrive to the Plaza de Armas (main square), where you will visit the Cathedral, the most important temple in the city.

 

Overnight in Cusco.

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Day 10 | Flight to Juliaca, Free evening at Puno

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After your breakfast at the hotel, you will be ready to leave for the airport by private transfer. You will arrive in Puno by afternoon. You have a free evening to relax in Puno.

 

Overnight in Puno.

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Day 11 | Full Day Shared Tour of Lake Titicaca – Taquile, Llachon and Uros

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You will leave for a full day tour on Lake Titicaca after your breakfast. Lake Titicaca is a sacred place among indigenous Andean peoples. In touch with the spirit of Mama Qota, or Sacred Mother, they believe that powerful spirits live in the lake's depths. According to Andean legend, Lake Titicaca was the birthplace of civilization. Viracocha, the creator deity, lightened a dark world by having the sun, moon, and stars rise from the lake to occupy their places in the sky. The Uros islands have a unique civilization of people living on them – there are no trees, and all of their houses and boats, etc. are made of knitted reeds. It is alleged the inhabitants fled from the mainland to escape the Inca in the 13th Century and found refuge on these floating islands, in the middle of the largest navigable lake in the world and South America’s largest freshwater lake. Your trip begins by paddling towards the tip of the Peninsula of Chucuito, here you will witness the great expanse of Lake Titicaca nestled under the high Bolivian snow capped mountains at the other side of the Lake. Enjoying the cool lake breeze, you continue paddling and after about an hour will reach a pristine sandy beach at the community of Karina, another off the beaten track destination. Here you have a much deserved rest and enjoy soaking up the spectacular views. Then we start paddling again back to our base camp at Luquina. Here, the local families will welcome you with some hot drinks and ready lunch. You are welcome to share your cross-cultural experience while enjoying a delicious typical lunch. After lunch the small group continues the trip back to Puno city after an exhilarating day on the lake.

 

Overnight in Puno.

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Day 12 | Flight to Lima, Connecting onward Flight Home

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After breakfast at the hotel, you leave for Juliaca Airport. You arrive at Lima for your flight home. You leave Peru having created wonder memories of the fantastic adventure.

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