Authentic Peru and Argentina Adventure and Nature tour

Day 1. Lima

Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer the airport hotel.

Day 2. Lima - Cusco (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport, for your flight to Cuzco. Arrival in Cuzco, reception and transfer to your hotel. Welcome drink of coca tea to help acclimatise to the 3400m setting of Cuzco. Free day at leisure.

Day 3. Cusco (B)

After breakfast, a guided visit of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins continue to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Briefing on the Salkantay trek.

Day 4: Urubamba - Mollepata - Silcaykancha - Soraypampa (All meals)

Early wake up for the 4 1/2 hour, beautiful scenic bus drive to Mollepata after passing through several Andean villages such as Izcuchaca and Limatambo. Mollepata is an attractive village built on a hillside and overlooks the deep citrus producing valley of the Apurimac. On the way to Mollepata we will briefly stop off at the ruins of Tarawasi an Inca temple with one of the finest examples of Inca polygonal masonry in a long retaining wall. On the upper level are 28 tall niches possibly used for displaying the mummies of the Inca nobility. This area was the site of a battle between the Spanish and the Incas. Hernando de Soto and his soldiers were resting here on their way to Cusco when they were attacked by nearly 4,000 Inca warriors; 4 Spaniards were killed and many injured. Arriving at Mollepata, we will walk up hill out of town ascending through valleys filled with flowering shrubs buzzing with hummingbirds and across streams and isolated houses. After a brief stop for lunch at Silcaykancha, where Nevado Humantay (5917m) dominates the view; we will continue towards Soraypampa, for approximately 5 hours. The valley broadens and flattens and the beautiful conical snow-capped peak of Salkantay comes into view. We will camp at the head of the trail at 4000m. With possible cold night time temperatures; this is a unique camp located between two high peaks the Salkantay and the Humantay. Camping on the trail.

Day 5: Soraypampa - Colcapampa (All meals)

Today we trek over a high pass at 4700m with the Salkantay Glacier on our right side and the glaciered peak of Humantay on the other. Once here, we will observe the glaciers of Salkantay and the magnificent Vista of the Caida, one of the many snow avalanches. Then down to camp in the valley below. We trek into a hidden part of the high Andes, where our path is the only access into this remote area. During 4 days, we will be passing through some of the most spectacular sceneries in Peru, trekking over icy passes, across high planes and down into the jungle. We will eventually descend into the cloud forest where the vegetation and wildlife will become abundant. We will camp at Colcapampa at 3300 m.

Day 6. Arranyanniyoc Lluscamayu (All meals)

After an early breakfast, we will continue towards Lluscamayu; where we will have lunch. Today will be unforgettable, because we are going to see how nature changes totally. We will traverse over snow-capped mountains to Andean landscapes with a great variety of flora and fauna endemic of the region. Passing very close to the Andean Community of Arranyanniyoc where we will begin to descend towards the forest, here we will appreciate the thermal water formation in a small valley, soon to follow the course of the Santa Teresa River. This particular area is a good habitat for Orchids, which take the maximum advantage of the warm and humid weather of the region, and because of their colours and variety, they have been catalogued by experts as amongst the most beautiful in the world. We will also find along the way hummingbirds and flocks of parrots, in addition to many waterfalls before arriving at our camp at Lluscamayu. The contrast between this lush area and the peaks we have trekked amongst is very impressive. This afternoon we can swim in pools along the river in "La Playa" where it is also possible to fish. Overnight on the trail.

Day 7. Lluscamayu - Aguas Calientes (B)

After breakfast, we board a rural transport (truck) towards Santa Teresa, where we will start our walk along the forest edge and appreciate a great variety of coffee cultures, fruit trees, and some cultures of coca leaf. During the period of the Incas, coca was grown only in tropical zones such as this. Soon we arrive to La Oroya, and cross the Urubamba River, after which we will board another truck, this time towards the hydroelectric dam where we will have lunch while we wait the train for a short ride to Aguas Calientes. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 8. Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco (B & L)

Early transfer to the bus station for the bus ride up to the spectacular Machu Picchu ruins (25 min.). We will have a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world, built by the Inca Pachacutec and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision that harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a Temple to the Sun, a Fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a Sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, 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. Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. After the tour, free time to enjoy this magical and spiritual wonder. Return to Cuzco by train. Arrival in the evening and transfer to your hotel.

Day 9. Cuzco - Lima - Buenos Aires (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and connecting flight to Buenos Aires.
Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 10. Buenos Aires (B & D)

After breakfast, a morning city tour of perhaps the most cosmopolitan metropolis in South America. The tour will include a visit to the Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada presidential palace with the famous balcony from which Juan and Evita Peron greeted the masses. Enjoy a dinner and tango show in the evening.

Day 11. Buenos Aires - Puerto Madryn (B)

After breakfast, a flight to Trelew. Arrival to Trelew and transfer to your hotel in Peninsula Valdes, the 3 star Bahia Nueva.

Day 12. Valdes Peninsula (B)

Today a full day excursion to the Valdes Peninsula, a site of global significance for the conservation of marine mammals. It is home to an important breeding population of the endangered Southern Right Whale (from June to December)as well as important breeding populations of southern elephant seals, southern sea lions and Magellanic Penguins. The Orcas or killer whales (from September to April) in this area have developed a unique hunting strategy to adapt to local coastal conditions and come very close to beaching themselves whilst hunting for seals. Return to your hotel.

Day 13. Puerto Madryn - Punta Tombo penguin colony (September to March) (B)

A full day excursion to Punta Tombo. Here we shall visit a huge Magellanic Penguin colony. We will see them in their nests and also feeding their offspring. Later, we will visit the Chubut river and the Gaiman and Dolayon towns, both of which are Welsh settlements. Accommodation in Puerto Madryn.

Day 14. Trelew - El Calafate (B)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to El Calafate. Arrival and transfer to your hotel, the 3 star Koiaiken. El Calafate is the site of the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most dramatic glacier sites left on earth.

Day 15. Trekking Perito Moreno Glacier (B & L)

The excursion begins in the embarking pier located in "Bajo de las Sombras" port, about 6 km before the glacier Balconies- where you embark for a 10 minutes navigation across the Rico Arm, enjoying breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno glacier's front walls.
After checking the gear, we get ready, pick up the crampons and walk following the lateral moraine, for an hour and a half, until we reach the access to the glacier. After fitting harnesses and crampons on our footwear we start the ice trekking. There is a breath-taking view of the immense plateau of ice. During the walk you will be introduced to a number of features within the ice., huge moulins, crevasses, caves, and above all the special feeling of exploring the middle of the ice.
Expert bilingual mountain guides will always lead you, looking after your safety and teaching you the "ways of the ice". You will hike for about 3 hours and a half, and spend some time having lunch somewhere on the ice. Back on the moraine we start our descent back to the port, to take the boat and navigate for 20 minutes, very close to the southern wall.

Day 16. Kayaking around Perito Moreno Glacier (B & L)

This is a unique excursion in Perito Moreno, in this highly protected area and with a team of expert guides. The Perito Moreno Kayak Experience is a full day adventure. The trip beings by taking a kayak before going for a ride in front of the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier, at water level, with no engine but silence only broken by the ice calving. It is not necessary to have experience on the activity and the technical equipment is included. After an hour drive to the park we welcome to our lovely dome where our expert guides will explain the techniques of the activity and security measures with a warm up before starting our expedition on the kayaks, surrounded by outstanding landscape and mountains. We paddle in Lago Argentino and across the north side of the glacier, for up to two hours approximately (depending on weather conditions and physical conditions of the group) with the exceptional view of the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Parque Nacional de Los Glaciares. After the kayaking experience, we all return to our dome, where your packed lunch (meat or vegetarian Sandwich + petit four + fruit + beverage) will be provided along with hot drinks and snacks. You will have plenty of time to explore the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site of Perito Moreno Glacier after your excursion and walk the dedicated footbridge for an astonishing view of the site. We reunite at the dome at 17:30 before to head back to town. It will take approximately one and a half hours to drive back to your hotel in El Calafate.

Day 17. El Calafate - Buenos Aires (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Buenos Aires and connecting flight home.