Los Angeles to Lima, Peru

We depart from Los Angeles to Lima on LATAM Airlines, the premier airline of South America.  Our departure is scheduled at 7:00 p.m.

Lima

Morning arrival in Lima. Transfer to Innside Lima Melia for an early check-in. This afternoon we set out to discover the exciting sites and history of Lima, Peru’s capital city. We see Plaza de Armas, the core and center of the city surrounded by the Government Palace, the City Hall and the archbishop’s residence. We continue on to Casa Aliaga, the oldest colonial palace in Peru still inhabited by the direct descendants of Count Aliaga. Co-founder of the city of Lima. It is believed by many to be the oldest in South America. 

Lima to Puerto Maldonado

This morning we transfer to the Lima Airport for a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Amazon and Manu National Park Biosphere and rainforest capital of Peru.  We travel by boat up the Madre de Dios River to our Eco Amazonia lodge considered one of the best accommodations in the primeval jungle.  The diversity of wildlife is due to its location at the confluence of the lowland Amazon forest and three other ecosystems.   This area is home to at least 13 endangered animals, including the jaguar, giant otter, ocelot, harpy eagle, and giant armadillo.  After dinner we enjoy a night walk with local native guides to observe some of the animals that inhabit the jungle.  Overnight in our Amazon jungle lodge.  This really is right out of National Geographic!

Puerto Maldonado

Our excursion today takes us to a lake where we board our boat and explore the region for wildlife in the water, on land, in the trees, and in the sky; including the elusive Hoatzin, a rare tropical bird found in the mangroves, waters and forests in the Amazon.  We also go spotting for caimans, macaws and other endemic species that inhabit the Amazon rainforest.  Upon returning from the oxbow lake we ascend a canopy tower for a complete overview of the area.  Overnight in our Amazon jungle lodge.  Talk about spectacular sunsets!  

Puerto Maldonado

Today, our adventure will take us to fishing, hiking, short and long hikes to view the best of the headwaters of the Amazon. The narrative is a sample of the activities, which could be changed according to weather condition and the desire of those who can do less or more. All activities are optional. You can choose the one that fits your liking. This is simply a spectacular day

Puerto Maldonado to Cuzco

We bid farewell to the Amazon, its flora, fauna, wildlife, and indigenous native people and navigate by boat down the Tambopata River passing indigenous villages and spotting wildlife along the way, returning to the port city of Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the airport for our flight to Cuzco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, located in the Andes Mountains. Time to relax. The Palacio del Inca, a five-star property is a couple of blocks away to the Bajada de San Blas, a street lined with shops specializing in articles made with alpaca wool, he most expensive fiver in South America.

Lunch is on your own. I suggest you have a typical Peruvian lunch at La Cicciolina Restaurant or Pizza at La Bodega Café 138. 

Cuzco

This morning our bilingual guide will introduce us the history on the Incas, who made the capital of the Empire, Cuzco. In Quechua the word Cuzco means, the navel of the world.” We visit the Temple of the Sun, where the Incas worshiped, the 17th century old cathedral, displaying art work done by the natives. Of great important is the large painting of the Last Supper done by a native painter, Marco Zapata, in 1753. 

Cuzco - Inti Raymi Festival

Shortly after breakfast we transfer to the Koricancha Temple where the opening ceremonies start and the re-enacting of the Inti Raymi begins. The Inti Raymi (Quechua from “sun festival”) is a religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of Inti, god of the sun and one of the most venerated deities in Inca religion, and to commemorate the winter solstice.  (In the southern hemisphere, June is a winter month.)  The person representing the Inca Emperor addresses the multitude in the Quechua language.  After the opening remarks, we walk to the main square for the continuation of the colorful ceremonies.  Later our motor coach will take us to Sacsayhuaman, a fortress built on the northern outskirts of the city, where the main ceremonies continue.  We return to our hotel after the festival concludes. This is a one-day and one-day only festival, and we are here! Gourmet box lunch from Ciccolina Restaurant included. Overnight Cuzco.  

NOTE: This evening we will pack a small bag for our train journey to Machu Picchu (on day 9). For all train journeys, each passenger is allowed 1 bag or backpack which must not exceed 5kg/11lbs and/or 157cm/62 inches (length + height + width). Baggage exceeding these measurements is not allowed. We ask that only the absolute necessities are packed.

Cuzco to Machu Picchu

Today we experience the highlight of any journey to Peru: Machu Picchu, the Lost Citadel of the Incas.  We take the morning train to Aguas Calientes, a wonderful and exciting village at the base of the Machu Picchu Mountain. Vans are waiting to ferry us to the top of the mountain and Machu Picchu, perched high atop the Andes Mountains.  An expert guide will introduce us to the history of the city and its mysterious abandonment.  Following the tour and some free time to enjoy the overwhelming majesty of the site.  We will have lunch at Indio Feliz and have the remainder of the day at leisure.  Dinner at the hotel.

Machu Picchu to Sacred Valley

We will have the chance to re-enter the Citadel of Machu Picchu to explore other areas of the ancient ruins. Free time for lunch and stroll around the quaint village of Aguas Calientes.

At 2:30 pm. we board our train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival our driver will take us to the beautiful Casa Andina Hotel, a beautiful property surrounded by flowering gardens. 

Sacred Valley to Cuzco

Our visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, will connect us to the glorious past of the Ollantaytambo fortress and is an area packed with Inca sites, colonial towns, and isolated weaving villages.  Ollantaytambo, a former Inca administrative center and gateway to the Antisuyo (the Amazon corner of the Inca Empire), sits at the northern end of the Sacred Valley.  At the time of the Spanish invasion and conquest of Peru, Ollantaytambo served as the last stronghold for the Inca against the Spanish Conquistador.  We continue to the quaint village of Pisaq and its famous native market, a world renowned market famous for handmade textiles, articles in gold and silver, handicrafts, and ceramics. Overnight in Cuzco. 

Cuzco to Andahuaylillas & Lake Titicaca

Today we drive through the Valley of Cuzco to the Andean village of Andahuaylillas and visit San Pedro Apόstol of Andahuaylillas church.   The Saint Peter Apostol Church is often referred as the “Sistine Chapel of South America”.  The chapel’s ceilings and walls are painted in bright colors and the altar is covered in gold, making this little church an architectural jewel and a UNESCO monument.  The church dates to 1570.  As we continue our journey we explore native villages lost in time where little has changed since colonial days. After visiting Raqchi and the Temple of Wiracocha.we arrive in Puno a town near Lake Titicaca.  Overnight Puno. Today is one of those memorable days so rich in history it’s a step-back-in-time to a world that few ever see due to its remoteness. 

Lake Titicaca & the Floating Islands

After breakfast we journey out for a full-day excursion to the Floating Islands of the Urus Indians.  Our boat will navigate to the island of Taquile, located in Lake Titicaca and some 30 miles from Puno. We visit several floating islands and have opportunity to interact with the locals.  This is a great shopping day with a wide variety of handicrafts made by the Urus available from the natives. Included in this tour is a sailing to the remote island of Taquile, where you can mingle with the natives, listen to their music and dance with them.

This afternoon we transfer to the Juliaca Airport for our flight to Lima.  Upon arrival we connect to our international flight back to Los Angeles.

Lima to Los Angeles

 We arrive in Los Angeles early morning, on time for our connecting flights to final destination.