DAY
BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Saturday: October 09: Fly to Lima
Fly to Lima. Upon arrival near midnight we will transfer to your deluxe hotel near the Lima Airport.
Day 2: Sunday: October 10: Lima – Urubamba Valley – Sacred Valley
Today we will have a ½ day tour of Lima before our afternoon flight to Urubamba Valley – Sacred Valley. Your tour of colonial modern Lima, includes the cathedral, dating from 1654; the main square, which still houses the original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. Known as the city of the Kings, Lima was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. Lima is one of the very few South American cities that preserved their colonial past. Lima was home to the Spanish Viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonialists. The tour also includes a visit to the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores, stopping at Larco Mar to enjoy a view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean In the afternoon we will by plane to Urubamba Valley. Upon arrival you will transfer to luxury boutique hotel: Aranwa Hotel & Wellness.
Day 3: Monday: October 11: Urubamba Valley – Sacred Valley
Full-day excursion to the Urubamba - the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will visit the village of Pisac, founded during the colonial times and set at the foot of a hill crowned by remains of an Inca city, where we will spend time exploring. We will also visit Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which was not overthrown by the Conquistadores, and explore the ruins which tower above it. This evening we will return to your luxury boutique hotel.
Day 4: Tuesday: October 12: Urubamba Valley – Machu Picchu
Most of the trains to Machu Picchu are back packer trains. We are going by the Vista Dome train that is more comfortable and has glass ceilings to really enjoy the Andes. This Morning we will transfer to the railway station for the early morning departure to Aguas Calentes and then a bus ride up to the spectacular Machu Picchu ruins. This fabulous Machu Picchu city has houses, temples, warehouses and a large central square all connected by narrow roads and steps and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. Plenty of free time to explore the ruins. At the end of the day we will return by train to our luxury boutique hotel in Urubamba Valley.
Day 5: Wednesday: October 13: Urubamba Valley - Cuzco
This morning we will travel up to Cuzco. We will spend a full day touring the many ruins around Cuzco area including the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic alter representing a puma; the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins that continue to the city of Cuzco; the main square, the Catheral and Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. We will also visit an Alpaca Factory. We will then check into your Luxury hotel in a perfect location: Cuzco Libertador Hotel.
Day 6: Thursday: October 14: Cuzco
We will finish our tour this morning of Cuzco and give you a free afternoon to enjoy and explore this wonderful ancient town. Our hotel location makes it easy to walk to everything. You will even enjoy a cultural show today.
Day 7: Friday: October 15: Cuzco – Lake Titicaca
This morning will travel to the airport for our flight to Puno and Lake Titicacca. Our flight will take us to Juliaca high in the Andies. From there we will travel by bus to Puno and Lake Titicacca. We visit ancient ruins on our way. Upon arrival into Puno, we will check into our Luxury hotel Puno Libertador Hotel located on the shores of Lake Titicacca.
Day 8: Saturday: October 16: Lake Titicacca
This will be one of your highlight days! Early transfer to the port for your boat ride on Lake Titicaca. We will first visit the Uros and their floating islands. Made entirely of reeds and inhabited by the Aymara Uros people, these people live in huts built on floating platforms of reeds, about 3 feet thick. We will walk on the floating islands and take a ride on boats, both of which are entirely made from reeds. We will then travel by boat to the island of Taquila. Members of this self supporting Aymara community receive visitors in their colorful national costumes and show them around the island. Taquila is renowned for its fine, decorative weavings. Lunch is included. Return to your 5 star hotel in Puno.
Day 9: Sunday: October 17: Lake Titicacca – Lima – Late night flight home OR Amazon Extension.
For those doing the Amazon Extension, see information on the extension below. For those that are not doing the Amazon Extension, you will have a free morning to explore Puno before transferring to the airport and your late afternoon flight to Lima. Late this evening you will continue on your flight home.
Day 10: Monday: October 18: Arrive Home
This morning you will arrive back into the US and continue back to your home.
4 NIGHT AMAZON EXTENSION ITINERARY
Day 9: Sunday: October 17: Lake Titicacca - Lima – Iquitos on the Amazon River
Today you will say goodbye to Michael Wilcox and the two groups will split and go their separate ways. Those passengers doing the Amazon extension will transfer to the airport this morning in Juliaca for your flight to Lima. You will change planes and fly to Iquitos on the Amazon. Iquitos is located on the Peru side of the Amazon, near the Brazilian Border. Upon arrival you will enjoy a city tour as you are transferred to your hotel, Dorado Plaza Iquitos, a luxury hotel.
Day 10: Monday: October 18: Iquitos – Amazon – Ceiba Tops
This morning we will transfer to Explorama Dock on the Amazon River. We will travel 25 miles down the Amazon by boat to the only 5 star luxury lodges along the Amazon – Ceiba Tops. Here we will spend the next 4 days and 3 nights using Ceiba Tops as a base to explore the Amazon and its rain forest. This afternoon we will walk through the beautiful primary rainforest reserve surrounding Ceiba Tops, which includes many huge trees festooned with epiphytes. After dinner there will be local flute or guitar music and our guides will relate some of the many legends of the Amazon River. Overnight Ceiba Tops.
Day 11: Tuesday: October 19: Jungle Experience and Yagua Indians
Morning boat ride on the Amazon looking for dolphins. We will visit a small village of Yagua Indians where your guide will explain the Yagua Indian culture and how it was affected by the arrival of Europeans. You will have time to see their local crafts and a demonstration of the blow gun that is still used for hunting today. In the afternoon we will visit the small town of Indiana. Originally a Franciscan Mission, Indiana has grown into an Amazon River community with its own market, schools and small hospital. This evening we will return to our 5 star lodges at Ceiba Tops.
Day 12: Wednesday: October 20: The Amazon River.
Full Day Canopy Excursion. We will travel down stream by boat, then hike back into the jungle to the spectacular Canopy Walkway. Spanning over 5 football fields in length, connected by tree platforms and reaching a height of over 115 feet in the air. You can access this without any type of climbing skill or equipment. We will return to our Luxury lodges at Ceiba Tops.
Day 13: Thursday: October 21: Ceiba Tops – Iquitos – Lima and flight home
Your choice of a morning walking or more boating on the Amazon. In the late afternoon we will take the boat back up the Amazon to Iquitos and in the evening fly to Lima to catch our late night flight back to the US and Home.
Day 14: Friday: October 22: Arrive Home
This morning you will arrive back into the US and continue back to your home
