Wonder of Peru Coast, Andes and Rainforest 13D/12N

On your arrival to the Lima international airport, our staff will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel in the capital.  You will have a free afternoon to explore the city, try out the local cuisine or relax after your international flight.

Check in : 12:00 pm  Check out : 9:00 am

Meals: none

NOTE: If your arrival time is before check-in time, you can use the hotel’s common areas while you wait.

In the morning, we will head out on a tour of down town Lima where we will visit the historical sites in the centre, spanning the 3 historical periods.

MODERN LIMA: We will then make a stop off at the Intihuatana Park, found in Miraflores, with a spectacular backdrop of The Pacific Ocean. We will begin our tour in the modern, residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro. We will be able to see the Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial temple in the form of a pyramid, which managed to survive the urban expansion of the city of Lima. We will then continue to the Olivar Park and the financial centre of San Isidro.

COLONIAL LIMA: Our tour will then take us to the historical center of Lima, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. This was the administrative center of the Spanish Invaders on their arrival in the 16th century and where they built their first buildings in Peru. We will visit the Plaza San Martín, with its stunning balconies and colonial architecture, the Plaza Mayor and its most important buildings such as the Government Palace, The cathedral, The Archbishops palace, The Municipal palace and The Desamparados Train Station, amongst others.

THE SANTO DOMINGO CONVENT : We will then head to one of the most important convents of the 17th Century, where important relics of Peru´s most worshipped Saints are found, Santa Rosa of Lima, San Martin de Porres and San Juan Macías. To finish this remarkable tour of Lima, we can visit the Indian market to buy handicrafts from all parts of Peru, head to Larcomar, or return to your hotel for the evening.

According to your bus schedule, our team will pick you up at the hotel and we will go to bus station in Lima.

You will embark for Paracas on a trip that will take approximately 4 hours and upon your arrival our transportation will be waiting to take you to your chosen hotel.

We recommend that you take only a small backpack, for 02 nights. Your large suitcase will stay at the hotel in Lima, which you will return after your visit to Paracas and Ica. 

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning we will board a boat to the Ballestas Islands , a natural home of dolphins, sea lions, penguins, pelicans and more than 200 types of migratory birds and residents of this archipelago.

In the Ballestas Islands, we will pass through the Candelabro , a giant hieroglyph made with the same technique used in the Nazca Lines, which causes a lot of curiosity for its size and depth.

Next we will visit the Paracas National Reserve , where the National Center for Biological Research and the Museum that contains Skeletons of marine animals, Musical Instruments and Skulls of people over 7,000 years old, found in the desert sands that are located It connects with the Pacific Ocean, forming large rocks facing the sea with its natural attractions.

At dusk, we will take the executive bus to Ica, where our driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

At the agreed time, we will pick you up at your hotel to start the tour.

We will visit the city’s Main Square and we will cross the main streets of Ica Antigua and Moderna . Then we will visit the Regional Museum of Ica where we will appreciate the evolution of the five most representative cultures of the Region such as: Paracas, Wari, Ica, Chincha and Inca.

We will have a tour of an Artisan Winery where we will have a broad explanation of the Wine and Pisco Elaboration with their respective tasting.

Finally, we will visit the Huacachina Lagoon also called “The Oasis of America” where we will appreciate the wonderful desert landscape surrounded by impressive dunes.

According to the schedule of your flight, our driver will pick you up from your hotel to the Lima international airport.

Once in Cusco, our staff will be waiting for you at the Cusco Airport, to take you to your hotel, just let us know your exact arrival time and flight number. Here, you will be welcomed with a hot cup of the famous coca tea. You will have a free afternoon to acclimatize, as the city of Cusco is at an altitude of 3,399 m (11,151 feet)

IMPORTANT ADVICE ON ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

Please be prepared for the fact that the high elevation, will make you feel more tired than normal on your arrival, so we recommend that you take the afternoon easy. If you are feeling fine, then have a cup of coca tea, which will help you acclimatize quicker. It is recommended to take a light walk, maybe to see The Plaza De Armas, to see the incredible colonial buildings, built on top of Inca foundations.

This day you will know the best places in Cusco and the surrounding area.

We will start with the Cathedral , located in the Plaza de Armas, it is the main church of the imperial city, it was built on the palace of the Inca Wiracocha. The Cathedral has more than 300 paintings from the Cusco art school.

Then we will visit the Qoricancha , in the Quechua language means “temple of gold”, it was the first temple built by the Incas, it was formerly covered with large amounts of gold and silver.

We will leave the city of Cusco and arrive at the Saqsayhuaman complex , famous for its huge lithic blocks of more than 150 tons. In the Inca era the temple was considered to lightning, “the god Illapa”.

Today you will discover the incredible Sacred Valley of the Inca, also called the Vilcanota Valley after the river that flows through it. After breakfast, we will first head to the artisan centre of Awanacancha, where we can see up close the famous llamas. You will also have the opportunity to chat with the local craftsmen and learn about the techniques and appreciate the intricacy of their Peruvian textiles and artwork. This is the perfect place to buy souvenirs for your loved ones back home and contribute to local craftspeople and artisans of The Andes, as well as purchase an intricate and authentic piece of fine textile, with an original beauty that can only be found in this region. We will then head to the archaeological site of Pisaq, situated on the mountain top. This magnificent site is composed of many sections of terraces and archaeological structures, built on the hillside of the high mountain. The perfect example of stunning countryside and impressive stonework, which combine to make this spectacular site. We will then head down to the town of Pisaq and its famous handicraft market, where local people sell their variety of handmade products, using techniques dating back to ancestral times. We will then head along the Sacred Valley to the town of Urubamba, where we will stop for lunch and where we will have the opportunity to sample some of the local delicacies, of the Peruvian kitchen including salads, soups, ceviche a variety of main courses and delectable desserts. After lunch, we will visit the impressive archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, quite probably constructed to monitor the entrance into this part of the valley and protect the Incas from possible invasion. We will have the opportunity to walk through its narrow, cobbled streets and gain a better idea about how this site functioned during Inca times, as a strategic military outpost as well as a religious and cultural centre. After the visit, we will then board the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu. On arrival, the hotel representative will be waiting for us to take us to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

In the morning, according to the scheduled time, our guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the bus station where you will climb 400m along a winding path for 20min to reach the incredible wonder of the world “The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu”, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Upon arriving at the Machu Picchu citadel with our guide, we will pass through the entrance and begin the tour of the entire citadel. For around 2h30m we will visit the main places in Machu Picchu.

We return to the town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants (lunch not included). After lunch, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo (depending on train departure time availability). The return will follow the same route as the departure. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, the train representative will be waiting to take you to the bus heading to your hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast

Depending on your flight schedule, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport in Cusco.

AT THE TIME OF PURCHASING YOUR AIRLINE TICKETS, YOUR FLIGHT MUST ARRIVE IN PUERTO MALDONADO NO LATER THAN 13:00. hrs.

First ever private ecological reserve; established by Inkaterra in 1975, to protect this sensitive environment. After lunch, retreat to your rustic-luxury cabin for a nap or a swing in your hammock before choosing from the wide range of å-la-carte guided excursions with your expert Inkaterra Explorer Guide. We recommend walking along the Trail System for an immersive introduction into the intricate biodiversity of the Amazon basin and the layers of the rainforest. Walk along 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 an abundance of flora. Keep your camera ready just in case sloths or monkeys appear on the treetops.

In the late afternoon, we highly recommend taking our gentle Twilight River excursion to witness the jungle transform from a diurnal to a nocturnal world: where daytime animals and birds give way to species specially adapted to the darkness of the night. You may also be able to spot the likes of nightjars, owls, capybaras and caimans lurking on the riverbanks.

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 05:30. Visit Lake Sandoval this morning, a glassy, ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve, reached via a sun-dappled rainforest trail. Board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly paddle through a stream and glide onto Lake Sandoval, flanked by picture-perfect palms. This serene lake is home to many species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles, black caimans amongst others. Return to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, we recommend climbing the exhilarating Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. The Canopy Walkway is a sophisticated and safe network, distributed over 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 size. Ascend the first vertiginous tower 38 metres (124 feet) above ground, keeping an eye out for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth. It’s possible to extend your elevated stay with sunset drinks from atop a tower, – or spend a once-in-a-lifetime night in a specially designed treehouse cabin with surprising comforts (additional cost applies).

After descending, enjoy a 30-minute Anaconda Walk that follows a 200-meter (656 feet) raised wooden platform over a flooded aguajales swamp. In this lush ecosystem you may observe various species of amphibians, birds, mammals, abundant flora and interesting trees.

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

Journey 25-minutes by boat to Gamitana Farm and Creek to unearth more of the wonders 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. 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. Afterwards follow a dense jungle trail under the 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. Return to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica for lunch.

Head 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. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing 30-minute canoe trip to look for turtles, sun grebes, nightjars and herons before returning to your lodge.

Under the cover of darkness, venture out 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 Inkaterra Explorer Guide, encounter animal activity and spot species that only emerge with the veil of nightfall.

With a 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 Agouti mammals scurry between the cabanas. Check-out is at 10:00; depending on your departure flight time lunch can also be arranged today (additional cost applies). Embark your ready-waiting boat for the 45-minute return trip along the snaking Madre de Dios River until arriving at the airport.

Please note that this four-day journey is a suggested itinerary. Activities and excursions can be chosen on an å-la-carte basis on arrival at the lodge and are subject to change depending on weather conditions at the time of your visit.

 Note: Check out time is at 10:00 a.m., it is advisable to buy a return flight from Puerto Maldonado at 5:00 p.m.