AMAZON JUNGLE TRIP & MACHU PICCHU TOUR PACKAGE 9 DAYS

ITINERARY

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata Lodge Inn.

Upon your arrival in Puerto Maldonado, we will pick you up from the bus terminal or airport then we will go to our storage to leave some of our belongings and take what you need for the 4 day tour in Peruvian Amazon. We will take our private transport for 1 1/2 hours to the port of Tambopata, where our boat and motorist will be waiting to continue our journey on the Rio Tambopata for 50 minutes. On the journey we will observe different species such as birds, turtles, capybaras, white alligators etc. If we are lucky we may see the king of the jungle (Jaguar) who are sunbathing on the beaches, before arriving to our lodge. We will welcome you with typical refreshment, then be taken to your respective room. In the afternoon we will take a walk in the primary forest full of ancient trees that coexist with many creatures such as insects, spiders, ants, toads, butterflies, monkeys and some mammals, etc.

After dinner we will carry out a night activity with our flashlights to observe alligators, capybaras and perhaps a feline that is near the river for the night they naturally hunt at night. After this activity, return to our accommodation and rest. (Note: that plans may change slightly depending on your arrival to Puerto Maldonado)

• Accomodation: Tambopata Inn Lodge
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2: Macaw Clay Lick-Tambopata National Reserve

We will wake up early and take our boat to travel up the Tambopata river for 1 hour and 20 minutes enjoying a wonderful sunrise, every day is a chance to see the sacred Anaconda on the banks of the Tambopata National Reserve. Travel up the river to the Clay Lick, a mineral wall, where you have the best possible position for to see the show that the Macaws and Parrots will put on. As the sun rises an explosion of life and color will burst before our eyes as hundreds of parrots and dozens of macaws eat clay.

In groups of two and three, Greedy Red Macaws and Scarlet Macaws come flapping their wings, landing in the main part of the trees. The macaws will eventually decide to come down and put on a colorful and noisy display on the bare shores. While they delight in the sodium sediment, we have the unique opportunity to enjoy watching the show (so just relax). Later, we will arrive at the (RESEARCH CENTER,) one of the best in the world to learn about the flora and fauna. Later return to our camp located on the border of the Tambopata National Reserve and the Bahuaja Sonene National Park; After a delicious dinner we will take a walk to see different species that come out at night to look for their food, then we will return to our Lodge to rest.

• Accomodation: Tambopata Inn Lodge
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Tambopata – Puerto Maldonado – Zip Line – Sandoval Lake Reserve

Today after an early breakfast we take our return boat approximately 30 mins down the Tambopata River to the port where our transport awaits to transfer us to the city of Puerto Maldonado. We will go to our hotel and leave our luggage. Then we will go to the Monkey Island and you will be able appreciate a great diversity of flora and fauna as well as many species of animal. Afterwards, enjoy the great Canopy and ziplining in the Peruvian jungle. Later travel to Sandoval Lake reserve, after a boat ride to the lodge and in the evening we will do some caiman spotting.

• Accomodation: Amasisa Basic Lodge
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Sandoval Lake – Puerto Maldonado – Cusco

After breakfast we explore the gorgeous Sandoval lake, the place we will have entirely for ourselves. Once we are done, head back to our lodge to pack. Later, there will be a short hike of 1 ½ hours through lush vegetation, before traveling by boat back to Puerto Maldonado. We will drive you to the airport for your flight out. Our next destination will be Cusco

Upon your arrival to the ancient imperial City of Cusco, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. There, you will receive a short briefing by your local guide.

• Meals included: Breakfast at the lodge
• 3* Accommodations: Maytaq  Wasin Hotel or Rumipunku
• 4* Accommodations: Costa del Sol Ramada or Casa Andina Premium or Novotel Hotels

“Note: The activities may vary due to weather conditions and other considerations. Your Amazon guide will provide details about the activities that you will enjoy each day.”

Day 5: Cusco City Tour – Explore Sacsayhuaman and Cusco City.

In the afternoon, we will introduce you to the Imperial City of Cusco. Cusco’s history lives in its streets, squares, valleys and towns. You will find stunning destinations and examples of fine engineering by Inca stonemasons and living examples of the mix of Andean and Spanish culture. Continuing our journey, we visit the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace, the main worship center of the Sun God. Our discoveries continue at the unmatched and mesmerizing archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman and its military Inca architecture, which dominates the city. Finally, you are introduced to the contrasts of the indigenous ancient sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay, located in the north east of the city. We then head back to your hotel in Cusco by early evening.

• 3* Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
• 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel Hotels

DAY 6: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS (Pisac + Moray + Maras + Salt mines + Ollantaytambo)

We will pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 am with our private van and head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Our first stop is the Manos de la Comunidad, which has a variety of Camelids indigenous to Peru like the llama, alpaca, guanacos and the Vicuna. The Vicuna produces very fine wool and can only be shorn every three years. Here you can pet, feed and take pictures with these animals. Also, in the center are local women dressed in local garments, weaving items using the wool from these animals. As you exit, you will encounter a museum and souvenir shop. The workers are always around to answer any questions, but you never feel pressured to buy anything.

Then, we stop at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy a beautiful overhead view of the Urubamba valley. Next, we head to the Pisac archaeological site, where you can see the biggest Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs lining the mountain side. We learn more about the value of this site in terms of Agriculture. Explore the many Inca farming terraces, food storage warehouses at the top of the hill and the water channels for irrigation purposes.

After lunch, we continue towards the colonial town of Maras and the Pre-Inca salt mines. Enjoy this historical site, that has been mined from pre-Inca times and continues to be the bread and butter for this small community. The salt stream above feeds the thousands of salt pans, once the water has evaporated the salt is collected and sold. The salt mines are one of the few left in the world that produce a natural pink salt and have not adopted any modern techniques for mass salt mining. The locals have full mining rights and all the salt sold on site belongs to the locals. It still supplies Peru with over 90% of its salt. A great place to grab a souvenir.

Next, we visit Moray, which was an experimental farming site built in the form of an amphitheater, which each level naturally with a different temperature to grow different types of crops. These level terraces were carved before the Incas took control of the Sacred Valley and then used by the Incas to research optimal growing conditions for their crops. The Incas brought in different soil samples from other regions, to optimize their research. The locals were still using it for growing their crops, until the 1970s when it was preserved and protected for tourism.

Drive to Ollantaytambo to explore this quaint Inca village and the amazing Inca Ruins on the hilltop above. These ruins are where the Incas fought their last battle with the Spanish conquerors, before they had to retreat and flee into the dense jungle. Most of the structures were unfortunately incomplete. There is a section with a number of boulders that were carved, but didn’t make it to their destination. Another possibility, is that the battle was so intense, it caused a lot of damage to this massive Inca site.

Finally, at around 5:30pm we head to our hotel to spend the night and prepare for the early historical, once in a lifetime hike we are about to embark on.

• Hotel in Ollantaytambo: Tunupa Lodge or similar

DAY 7: OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM104 – WIÑAY HUAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 am to take you to the Ollantaytambo train station, which is very close, to take the 6:10 am Expedition Train. We take the train to KM 104, the starting point of the Inca Trail. After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, you need to show your passport at the checkpoint. There we visit the first Inca site nearby. At this point, we begin our 3-hour trek to Wiñay Wayna archaeological site (2,650/8,747ft) also known as Forever Young in Quechua. The first hour and a half is a gentle hike upward. Along the way, we stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive views of the Urubamba River and pass through several microclimates, including a cloud forest. We are then challenged by a slightly steeper uphill trek and rewarded at the end with a beautiful waterfall to enjoy.

Upon reaching Wiñay Wayna, we will rest, eat your gourmet box lunch and enjoy the dazzling views of this amazing site. Here at Wiñay Wayna we finally intersect with the Classic Inca Trail. These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. Be sure to ask your guide to share about its history.

After having our well-deserved rest, just one last one hour trek before reaching the Sun Gate (2,730m/9,00ft). We know we are close to the Sun Gate when we experience our last challenge with a final set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca. Upon passing through the Sun Gate and taking a turn, we get the first glimpse of the mysterious Machu Picchu Citadel. It is just an hour hike down the flat rock stairs to Machu Picchu. Be sure to have your camera ready to take all of the incredible views of Machu Picchu Citadel along the way.

Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site (Guard House), where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots. Take your time to take in this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Your will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.

• Meals: Box Lunch & Dinner
• 3* Accommodation: Ferre Hotel
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 8: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we are ready to get an early bus at 5:30am up to Machu Picchu just in time to witness the sunrise. It is a truly mystical site and not something you’ll want to miss! After enjoying the sunrise your guide will provide a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes around two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel during your tour.

When they have had their fill of the incredible views of Machu Picchu, take a bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes lunch will be waiting at one of the numerous restaurants (lunch not included). Depending on your train departure time, there may be some time for shopping, or sightseeing.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. In Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private van. You can expect to arrive at your hotel about 7:00pm.

• 3* Accommodations: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
• Meals: breakfast

***IMPORTANT:

After the tour, those people that have booked in advance for the extra hike up Huayna Picchu, this tour will be without a guide.

• On the 2-day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu.
• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $57 USD.
• Early trains can be organized on request and it has to be done at booking.
• The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.

DAY 9: CUSCO – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4 am to begin our incredible Rainbow Mountain Trek! We set out on our 3-hour scenic drive through the South Valley, where you have views of farming Inca terraces, valleys, and rocky mountains.

Once you reach the beginning of the trail, you will have a hot breakfast before beginning our hike alongside a stream. See herds of alpacas and llamas all around you and have views of Ausangate Mountain as we hike through different villages and interact with the indigenous people who still live traditionally.

We reach our destination – the Rainbow Mountains (5,020m /16,466ft) after a 1.5-hour hike, where you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures and savor the environment as we spend approximately 30 minutes at the top.

At this point, we hike for another hour back down the way we came. While you have been hiking, your chef has been preparing your hearty and delicious lunch. Our meal and private van will be waiting for us when we return.

We will begin our scenic 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at the airport for your flight back home.

** An extra night can be organized for an extra fee.

• Meals: hot breakfast & lunch