Amazon & Incas Day 1 Sat Lima Arrive Lima Outside the baggage claim area our representative will be waiting for you. They will transfer you to our hotel . Day 2 Sun Lima (B) Lima, city of Kings and capital of Peru. This was the principal city of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in early 19th century. You have the morning to explore Lima. A city tour of the Greater Colonial Lima this morning allows you to appreciate the wonderful colonial buildings in downtown Lima such as the Santo Domingo Convent. Drive by the elegant tree-lined avenues of San Isidro and Miraflores. Afternoon at leisure or we suggest a visit to the Gold Museum Day 3 Mon Lima – Puerto Maldonado- Tambopata (B,L,D) Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Puerto Maldonado . Join a 1-hour bus and a 2.5 boat journey to the lodge. Your first taste of the Amazon culinary will be in the river while you leave the city to enjoy the amazing jungle landscapes. As we cross the confluence with the Malinowski River, we will leave the final traces of human habitation behind. Within the 700,000 hectares uninhabited nucleus of the reserve, sightings of capybara, caiman, geese, macaws and other large species will become more frequent. Tambopata Research Center awaits – a spacious boutique eco-lodge, with bar, a massage center, and buffet service in the heart of National Reserve of Tambopata, being the only lodge inside the reserve surrounded by dozens of macaw nests belonging to the Macaw Project. Your stay includes three meals daily, teas, coffee, guided excursions and activities, refreshments upon arriving, and transfers to and from the airport. We assign guides on private small groups of 6:1 There is a choice of excursions each day and the following is a guideline This afternoon join the Overlook A 3 to 5km hike will lead us to overlooks commanding magnificent views of the Tambopata winding its way into the lowlands. The forest on this trail, regenerating on the old bamboo forest, is good for Howler Monkey and Dusky Titi Monkey. You will have the option of hiking out at night when most of the mammals are active but difficult to see. Easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories. Day 4 Tues Tambopata Research Centre (B,L,D) Join a party of colours and sounds On most clear mornings of the year, dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots congregate on this large river bank in a raucous and colorful spectacle that inspired a National Geographic cover story. Discretely located fifty meters from the cliff, we will observe Green-winged, Scarlet, and Blue-and-gold Macaws and several species of smaller parrots descend to ingest clay. Outings are at dawn when the lick is most active. This five-km trail covers the prototypical rain forest with immense trees crisscrossed by creeks and ponds. Amongst the figs, ceibas, and shihuahuacos we will go for a monkey search Squirrel, Brown Capuchin, and Spider Monkeys as well as peccaries. TRC is located within this habitat. Ten minutes upriver from the lodge explore the island where is a tiny pond with a platform in the middle. It is a great place to spot waterfowl such as Muscovy duck, sunbittern and hoatzin along with the woodpeckers, oropendolas, flycatchers, and parakeets that call this pond their home. After dinner scientists will provide a night lecture, an in-depth look at the biology of macaws, their feeding habits, the theories for clay lick use, their breeding and feeding ecology, population fluctuations and the threats to their conservation Day 5 Wed Tambopata Research Centre (B,L,D) On most clear mornings of the year dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots congregate on this large river bank in a raucous and colorful spectacle which inspired a National Geographic cover story. Discretely located fifty meters from the cliff, we will observe Green-winged, Scarlet and Blue-and-gold Macaws and several species of smaller parrots descend to ingest clay. Outings are at dawn when the lick is most active. They arrive in search of minerals and salts and the digestive properties of the clay particles themselves. On average several hundred Macaws and smaller parrots visit the clay-lick daily, including Scarlet, Blue and Yellow, Red and Green, Chestnut-fronted and Blue-headed parrots, among others. This clay-lick is considered one of the largest in the world. Following a late morning hike in the trail system in search of some of the nine species of monkeys present in the area, including Spider monkeys, Squirrel monkeys and Dusky titi monkeys as well as the elusive large mammals like Tapir, White-lipped peccaries and Jaguar. After lunch visit the Pond Platform-10 minutes upriver from the lodge is a tiny pond with a platform in the middle. It is a great place to spot waterfowl such as Muscovy duck, sunbittern and hoatzin along with the woodpeckers, oropendolas, flycatchers and parakeets that call this pond their home.After dinner you will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals are active but rarely seen. Much easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories Day 6 Thurs Tambopata Research Centre (B,L,D) Another outing at dawn when the macaw lick is most active.After breakfast hike the Terra Firme Trail An entirely different habitat characterized by smaller, thinner trees atop hills and slopes is covered by this five kilometer trail. Saddleback tamarins are frequently found here. As we walk near the limits of the swamp we will also keep our eyes open for rare tapir tracks. After lunch enjoy a hike on the Palm Swamp Trail.Growing on the remains of an oxbow lake and providing both arboreal as well as terrestrial mammals with fruits throughout the year, the aguaje palms are one of the most important food sources in the rainforest. Demand for these fruits and great conditions for planting rice, makes the palm swamp also one of the most threatened habitats. Day 7 Fri Puerto Maldonado – Cusco (B) An early start today , transfer to the airport for a short flight to Cusco . Cusco, heart of the Inca Empire, known by the local Quechua Indians as 'Navel of the Universe'. Cusco is an amazing experience. Lying in an exceptionally beautiful countryside 3300 metres above sea level, here you will encounter a fine blend of Spanish and Inca cultures, colourful Quechua Indian markets, Inca temples and massive stone walls which form the foundations of Colonial Cusco, originally part of the impressive monument of Sacsayhuaman, situated above the town. Morning at leisure. Day 8 Sat Cusco (B) This morning enjoy a comprehensive walking tour of this delightful city, including the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, Temple of the Sun Visit Sacsayhuaman -this magnificent Inca fortress, which overlooks the city of Cusco. Sacsayhuaman can be variously translated as 'speckled falcon' or 'speckled head'. The last interpretation refers to the belief that the city of Cusco was set out in the form of a puma whose head was the hill of Sacsayhuaman. The origins are uncertain but the fortress is generally attributed to the period of Inca Pachacuti, the man who essentially founded the Inca empire. We also visit the ruins of Qenko, an area of well - preserved archaeological ruins and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara. Afternoon at leisure Day 9 Sun Cusco – Sacred Valley (B) Leaving Cusco. Continue into the beautiful Sacred valley of the Incas.Drive through stunning scenery to Chinchero, the most colourful and authentic market in Peru. Continue on to Maras Salt Pans. Another fabulous walk today. Discover these amazing salt pans still mined as they were hundreds of years ago, then a beautiful walk back down to the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon relax and enjoy the countryside and visit the Semanario Pottery – it’s hard to resist. Day 10 Mon Sacred Valley Trekkers in group depart for Inca Trail Day 1 (B) Next is Pisaq where you will enjoy a panoramic walk along the original Inca pathways and terracing to the ancient town below. Visit the markets then continue through this lush valley where the towering fortress of Ollantaytambo dominates the surrounding area. Stay overnight in an old monastery (completely restored of course!). Day 11 Tues Train to Aguas Calientes or Day 2 - Inca Trail (B) After breakfast you have an early morning transfer to Ollantaytambo to catch the train to Aguas Calientes, a small railroad town with tons of character – enjoy a soak in the hot pools under the Andean sky or explore the town Day 12 Wed Bus to Machu Picchu- Cuzco or Day 3 – Inca Trail (B) It’s an early start today. This is the best time to enjoy the peace and tranquillity not to mention the magic of Machu Picchu is before the trainload’s of visitors arrive. Machu Picchu, known also as ‘Lost City of the Incas’. It is undoubtedly the best known and most spectacular archaeological site on the continent and is considered a must for all visitors to Peru. You will travel by bus up the zig-zag, the Hiram Bingham highway, to the ruins where your first views will take your breath away. Enjoy a fully guided tour of the ruins, some time to explore on your own, before returning down the mountainside. Time for a snack and then board the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to our hotel in Cusco. Day 13 Thurs Cusco or Day 4 Inca Trail (B) Free day to explore this delightful city – everyone’s favourite. The day is yours to enjoy, all the convents, churches, museums, alpaca and jewellery bargains. * Separate Itinerary available on request for Inca Trail * Day 14 Fri Cusco - Puno (B,L) Bus ride to Puno though the dramatic landscapes of the highland plateau, with occasional views of the tiny Andean villages and herds of llamas and vicunas. We will stop at Andahuaylillas, where there is a beautiful baroque church built at the beginning of the XVIIth cebtury. It is very well know thanks to its beautiful mural paintings. We will make a second stop at Raqchi, where there is an Inca temple built to worship Wiracocha, one of the most important Inca gods. Finally we stop at the archaeological museum of Pukara (200BC - AD300) then we will lunch at a restaurant on route. Arrive Puno late afternoon. Day 15 Sat Visit Floating Reed Islands Lake Titicaca – into Bolivia (B) What an experience! By boat visit the curious floating reed islands and the Uros Indians who live there. Everything is made of these reeds, houses, schools, boats, churches etc. Once you reach the reed islands, you can experience gliding across Lake Titicaca in an authentic reed boat - you can't beat it! Return to Puno. This afternoon continue through lovely scenery, which follows this mighty lake to the Bolivian border. After border formalities continue to the sleepy town of Copacabana. Day 16 Sun Copacabana - La Paz (B) Morning at leisure to explore Copacabana. Or an optional boat trip out on the lake to tranquil Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) where legend has it that the first Inca King rose out of the lake. On this legendary island, visit the Pilkokania Inca Palace and enjoy a short walk to the Gardens, Sacred Stairs and Fountain of Inca. As we ascend to Yumani Village, we have a magnificent view of the lake set to the backdrop of Mount Illampu. Depart Copacabana and continue through even more stunning scenery with snow-capped peaks and the blue lake, to La Paz, capital of Bolivia and highest capital in the world. Known as City of Contrasts, here ancient traditions meet the new millenium of chaotic traffic and towering buildings. Day 17 Mon City Tour and Shopping (B) A Morning tour takes you down to where the air is thicker and the elite live. Visit the witches markets, Calle Jaen with its museums, San Francisco Church, Plaza Murillo, National Congress, Cathedral & presidential Palace, continuing to the very unusual eroded formations of the Moon Valley. The afternoon is free to enjoy the uniqueness of this colourful bustling city and shop for bargains and gifts. Day 18 Tues Explore La Paz (B) Optional tour to Tiwanaku (Pre-Columbian) ruins outside the city or a Mountain Bike down the world’s most spectacular road or spend the day with a little more shopping and people watching. A great city to do that! Optional Overnight Tour to Bolivia's Salt Flats Day 19 Wed La Paz (B) Today you will be transferred to the airport to meet your outbound flight. |
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Dates & Prices: Departures: Friday Weekly Group departures also available Double / Twin 2025 2May,13Jun,8Aug,5 Sep NZ$8890 Independent Departures Friday weekly NZ$8890 Inca Trail Option 4 days : $790, Inca Trail Option 1 day $210 Galapagos Islands Pre Extension : Depart to Quito on Thurs ,1 week earlier for 3 nights in Quito,Otavalo Tour, 7 night Galapagos Islands Cruise,1 night Lima . Cost: NZD$7020(twin/double share, includes additional airfares) , single supplement NZ$400 (except on Cruise) (Itineraries for Galapagos Extension available on request) |
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Cost Includes: ALL flights within South America 4 dinners, 4 lunches ALL transport (boats, buses, taxis, trains etc) ALL accommodation with breakfasts ALL entrance fees as per itinerary ALL camping fees, tents, sleeping mats on the trek ALL national park entrance fees ALL food during Inca Trail ALL sightseeing as per itinerary ALL transfers as per itinerary Services of experienced local guides Inca Trail Services of English speaking local guides Services of porters to carry gear on Inca Trail NB: 4.5kg limit on all treks. rest of gear left at hotel Does not include: Tips allow USD160 per person Insurance - Laundry - Personal Spending - Medical Expenses Accommodation: We use comfortable 3 star hotels throughout . All rooms have your own private bathroom . Hotels are chosen for their location and service and most would have free WIFI Tipping : It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. Personal Spending : We suggest allow for US$35-45 per day to cover incidentals, laundry, meals not included |
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