THE BEST OF PERU: AMAZONAS, MACHUPICCHU AND TITIKAKA LAKE

This luxury program will allow you to experience the magic of both machu picchu and amazon districts by taking you to the heart of the incan empire and the amazon jungle. Our excursion will start the beautiful and cosmopolitan city of lima. Then, our trip will continue with a private tour through the sacred valley of the incas where we will explore the mystical incan complex of machu picchu. We will also visit ollantaytambo, the last incan refuge at the top of the mountains which contains important vestiges of the incan empire. Then, we will continue our journey to urubamba where we will have a delicious grilled bbq lunch, prepared by a private chef, while surrounded by stunning views of the mountains and glaciers. Afterwards, we will visit maras and moray where we will enjoy amazing views and enigmatic stories about the salt mines and the unique terraces. You will then discover the beauty of cusco city, the capital of the incan empire. From the andes, we will travel into the amazon jungle to explore its great rivers and lakes in the company of a range of wildlife such as a variety of birds, macaws, otters, monkeys, butterflies and many other types of exotic species.

DAY 1: LIMA

• Arrival in lima and a warm welcome from our staff.
• Airport and hotel assistance with transfer.
• The rest of day to spend at your leisure in lima.
• Overnight in lima.

DAY 2: LIMA , INTO THE PAST LIMA CITY TOUR WITH SPECIALIST GUIDE

• Dazzling city tour of lima.
• Overnight in lima.

DAY 3: LIMA – TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE

• Welcome to the jungle! A trip across Puerto Maldonado to the river port.
• A half day tour of Tambopata.
• Overnight in Tambopata.

DAY 4: TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE

• Activities in the Amazon rainforest
• Activities vary depending on the lodge you choose to stay at

DAY 5: PUERTO MALDONADO – URUBAMBA

• Refugio Amazonas
• Reserva Amazonica:
• Upon arrival at the Cusco
• OVERNIGHT IN SACRED VALLEY

DAY 6: URUBAMBA VALLEY

• Tour in ollantaytambo
• Visit the organic farm
• Overnight in sacred valley

DAY 7: MACHU PICCHU

• luxury train to Aguas Calientes
• Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 8: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

• The summit of your adventure.
• An official UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The famed “Lost City of the Incas”.
• Train journey back to Ollantaytambo.
• Pick up and continue to Cusco by private transportation.
• Overnight in Cusco.

DAY 9: CUSCO

• Walking tour in Cusco
• traditional market of San Pedro
• overnight in Cusco

DAY 10: CUSCO – LAKE TITICACA

• fly to Juliaca
• transfer to Puno
• Overnight in lake Titicaca

DAY 11: LAKE TITICACA

• Travel to the unique Uros Floating Islands and explore the history and culture of their people.
• These islands are solely made from totora reeds and feel springy yet reassuringly sturdy.
• The glistening blue of Lake Titicaca, surrounded by the white, snow-capped Andes Mountains is a place of age-old legends, ancient customs, colourful garments and magnificent floating islands made of reeds.
• Overnight in lake Titicaca

DAY 12: JULIACA – LIMA

• This is the day we say goodbye.
• You will be picked you up from your hotel and driven to the airport.
• Airport assistance before you board your flight to Lima.

DAY 1: LIMA

An English-speaking Inka Rainbow Travel Service representative will be expecting you from your international arrival, will greet you and give you your customized welcome pack with a booklet of your trip itinerary and other useful information before whisking you off to your hotel, assisting you with all check-in procedures.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: LIMA

DAY 2: LIMA , INTO THE PAST LIMA CITY TOUR WITH SPECIALIST GUIDE

One of the main fascinations of Lima is the concentration of ancient history in the area; not only do the origins of the city pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia, its museums are full of the artistic treasures of magnificent pre-Columbian civilizations that flourished throughout the coastal deserts of Peru. Begin to unravel this multifaceted history and discover the complex past of this fascinating city accompanied our specialist guide. Visit an ancient adobe pyramid right in the middle of the city, Huaca Huallamarca, which dates back to around 200 BC. Journey to the Larco Herrera Museum, where thousands of years of complex ancient history will be turned into an easy-to-understand story, for kids and adults alike. Continue on to the colonial area of Lima, featuring the Cathedral, the Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Main Square with its beautiful baroque style buildings. You will also have a chance to visit Casa Aliaga, reportedly the oldest home on the Continent and still family-owned after 17 generations. The sites visited today can be tailored to alternatively include: La Casona de San Marcos; the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs; Huaca Pucllana; and the Museo de la Inquisition. It is also possible to organize cocktails at Casa Aliaga (supplement price applies).

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight:  LIMA

DAY 3:  LIMA – TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE

Fly Lima to Puerto Maldonado. Activities in the Amazon rainforest

An Inka Rainbow Travel Service representative will meet you in the lobby of your hotel, 2 1/2 hours before your flight departure, in order to assist you with checkout, and then escort you to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado.

Upon arrival from Lima, you will be greeted by the staff from your chosen Amazonian Lodge – Refugio Amazonas or Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica. Refugio Amazonas lies deeper in the Amazon for a more authentic experience with slightly better wildlife viewing opportunities, while Reserva Amazonica provides greater creature comforts as you swing in a hammock from your private cabin or indulge in a spa treatment.

To reach Refugio Amazonas transfer by road to their jetty (approx. 45mins ) before the two and a half hour boat ride. To reach Reserva Amazonica, a ten minute road transfer takes you to their jetty for a 45 minute boat ride. You will have time for an afternoon trail walk. Come nightfall, at either property, head out along the river in search of Caiman.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Overnight: TAMBOTAPA NATIONAL RESERVE

DAY 4: TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE

Activities in the Amazon rainforest

Activities vary depending on the lodge you choose to stay at.

Refugio Amazonas:

Head out to an oxbow lake where you will paddle around the lake on a wooden raft, looking for lakeside wildlife such as hoatzin, caiman and horned screamers. With luck, you will also be rewarded with overhead sightings of macaws. A thirty-minute walk from Refugio Amazonas leads to the 25-meter scaffolding canopy tower. Once at the top, enjoy views of toucans, parrots or macaws flying along the horizon. After lunch, head five minutes downriver to a farm owned and managed by charismatic Don Manuel from the neighbouring community of Condenado. He grows a diverse variety of popular and unknown Amazon crops, plants and trees, most of which serve a purpose. Along this trail, you will find a variety of plants and trees that are used by the local population for medicinal purposes. Following dinner, enjoy an informative presentation on conservation threats, opportunities and projects in the Tambopata National Reserve from a Refugio Amazonas staff member.

Reserva Amazonica:

Visit Lake Sandoval in the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe across the beautiful, mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter. In the afternoon see the rainforest from a new perspective, from the canopy walkway. Ascending the first tower, 29 meters above the forest ground, you begin your encounter with the treetop realm. Be on the lookout for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth. Activities at Reserva Amazonica are a la carte. You may opt for the wetlands walk later on. In this lush ecosystem on wooden walkways, you may observe the various species of amphibians, birds, mammals, abundant flora, and trees — and there is a possibility to see serpents of this flooded marshland.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Reserva

DAY 5: PUERTO MALDONADO – URUBAMBA

Fly Puerto Maldonado to Cusco. Transfer to Ollantaytambo

Refugio Amazonas:

Following breakfast, board your boat for your return journey to the river port, where you will be transferred by land to the Puerto Maldonado headquarters to pick up your luggage and ready yourself for your flight to Cusco. Depending on airline schedules, this may require dawn departures.

Reserva Amazonica:

Enjoy a full breakfast before departure. A 45-minute return trip by boat on the Madre de Dios River takes you to Puerto Maldonado. Butterfly House. 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 where you will make a stop, a showcase for the variety, beauty and adaptability of these fascinating insects.

Upon arrival at the Cusco airport, you will be welcomed by an English-speaking Inka Rainbow Travel Service representative, as well as your guide, and will begin an approximate 1.5-hour drive to your Urubamba Valley hotel. Along the way your guide will brief you on the activities you have planned and answer any questions that you may have.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Reserva

DAY 6: URUBAMBA VALLEY

Visit Ollantaytambo archeological site. Farm to Table Lunch at an organic farm. Visit Maras and Moray

Today, visit the fabulous town of Ollantaytambo and its ruins. The town is unique in that it still preserves its original Inca plan, with people living in traditional cancha enclosures once occupied by the Inca elite. The archaeological compound found here is a remarkable spectacle, and a site of great historical significance. It was here that one of the greatest battles of the Conquest was fought, and one of the few where the Incas defeated the Spaniards. Later visit Albergue is located between the terraces of Ollantaytambo, Currently they produce many vegetables, corn, quinoa and potatoes in our garden, our customers are invited to visit it. In this garden one works without the use of synthetic or agrochemical fertilizers, and many of the traditional techniques that have been used for centuries are used: plowing with livestock, crop rotation and use of biological controllers to regulate pests and diseases.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Sacred Valley

DAY 7: MACHU PICCHU

Belmond Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu. Guided visit of Machu Picchu

Today, you will be collected from your hotel and driven by private vehicle approximately 1 hour to the train station in Poroy to begin your journey to Machu Picchu. The Belmond Hiram Bingham Train, which departs from Poroy station, guarantees the highest quality of exquisite, attentive service. Enjoy views of the beautiful mountains and Urubamba River from the comfort of the warm and elegant carriages before arriving in Aguas Calientes, where will then board the bus for a winding uphill journey to your final destination.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: – Aguas Calientes

DAY 8: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Second Day at Machu Picchu. Vistadome train back to Cusco

This morning, take an early bus back for an activity-filled day at the ruins. Depending on your interests, there are a variety of excursions available. Hike to Inti Punku, or “Sun Gate,” the original gateway to Machu Picchu that approaches the site along the Inca trail. Another option is to take a strenuous hike up Huayna Picchu, the mountain behind Machu Picchu, which provides unique and stunning views of the ruins below. From here you may extend your hike to the mysterious Temple of the Moon, an exquisite example of Inca masonry. Alternatively, you may choose to climb to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain, located south of the archaeological site and offering spectacular panoramic views from above.

Following your visit to Machu Picchu, you will take a bus to the town of Aguas Calientes to catch the Vistadome Train back to Ollantaytambo. As the name implies, the Vistadome features spectacular panoramic windows with incredible scenic views, connecting you with the magnificent landscapes and offering you ample opportunities to photograph this amazing journey. Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo train station, you will be welcomed by an Inka Rainbow Travel Service representative and transferred approximately 2 hours to your hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Cusco

DAY 9: CUSCO

Since its narrow alleyways were originally designed by the Incas as a city for walking, start your exploration of Cusco on foot. Begin at the Plaza de Armas, the Main Square, which is marked by the exquisite Spanish Colonial architecture and ornamentation imposed by Spanish colonists to exert religious and political influence. Underneath it all, however, you can clearly see remnants of Inca Cusco in the solid stonework. Visit Koricancha, the most sumptuous “Sun Temple” in the Inca Empire, and the breathtaking Cathedral, a repository for Cusco’s colonial art, as well as many other important archaeological relics and artifacts. You will also stop by the colorful San Pedro market and pass through the charming neighborhood of San Blas. Next, visit Sacsayhuaman, an Inca citadel atop a hill, on the outskirts of the city. Not only are the imposing terraces of masterful stonework a sight to behold, but the vistas overlooking the sienna rooftops of Cusco provide a whole new perspective to the city you traversed.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cusco

DAY 10: CUSCO – LAKE TITICACA

Fly to Juliaca. Transfer to Puno.

This morning you will be met at your Cusco hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Juliaca. Upon your arrival at the Juliaca airport, you will be welcomed by an Inka Rainbow Travel Service representative and will be driven to your chosen hotel by Lake Titicaca.

Lake Titicaca, at nearly 4000 feet above sea level between the Peruvian and Bolivian highlands, is the highest navigable lake in the world. This gentle lake is home to a myriad of communities, each with their own specific customs and traditions and with folklore often considered to be the richest in Peru. With rugged landscapes, gentle lapping water, and the crisp air of the highlands, a visit to Lake Titicaca is both a serene and educational experience, providing a unique look into the cultural variety and native wildlife that exists here.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Lake Titicaca

DAY 11: LAKE TITICACA

Whether staying at Libertador Lake Titicaca (private excursion) or the luxurious Titilaka (shared excursion), today you will explore Lake Titicaca, including the floating reed island of Uros, home to a fishing and hunting community.

If staying at Libertador Lake Titicaca next depart to Llachon island, where the indigenous populations, adorned in their traditional attire, are famous for their weaving techniques. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a local house specially prepared and hosted by the Community of Santa Maria. Located on the Capachica Peninsula and home to some of the most traditional communities in the Altiplano, this lesser-known community consists mainly of subsistence farmers and fishermen and is where you will be able to spend time getting to know the lovely village and its people. Your boat will then collect you and return you to the pier of your hotel.

If staying at Titilaka, next explore Taquile Island’s rich textile tradition. Declared a part of UNESCO’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Taquile’s textiles are emblematic of the local living culture. As the island enjoys a privileged microclimate, you’ll likely see men weaving wonderful textile pieces outdoors. Enjoy a picnic with views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Return to the hotel around 5:30pm and enjoy cocktails starting at 6:30pm before you sit down for your á la carte dinner around 7:30 pm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Lake Titicaca

DAY 12: JULIACA – LIMA

Our representative will take you to the airport for your domestic flight to Lima. In Lima assistance between your domestic and international departure flight is provided.

Meals: Breakfast

End of services

INCLUDED

• 11 nights in Hotel 5*
• All transfers and entrance fees
• A welcome pack on arrival including: a printed booklet packed with insider tips alongside your detailed itinerary and up-to-date recommendations on dining and shopping
• Hand-selected English-speaking guides
• Specialist guides (where noted)
• 24-hour support from our locally based team
• 6 nights in a hand-picked selection of Peru’s finest hotels

NOT INCLUDED

• International flights and airport taxes
• Domestic flights
• Meals not indicated
• Additional expenses, such as laundry, telephone calls, snacks, etc.
• Travel insurance.

PRICING

Please know we will work with you to change or modify these tours however you deem necessary – all Inka Rainbow itineraries are crafted just for you, built to suit your individual interests and schedules. Interested in customizing this particular itinerary?

Please inquire for a custom quote. The price is customized based on final accommodation choices, travel dates, and other custom preferences.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For any inquiries or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us. You can get in touch by our Live Chat Help, or by email at: info@inkarainbow.com

Our experts in travel will be glad to assist you. We are available for you 365 days a year!
All our itineraries are fully customizable, jus ask !