Christmas Machu Picchu and Amazon Cruise Tour

Arrival to Lima. Welcome and transfer to your hotel, the 4 star Jose Antonio.

After breakfast, take the flight to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incas.
Arrival and transfer to your hotel, the Novotel or similar. Free morning to acclimatise to the high altitude setting.
In the afternoon, a group guided tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral, Qoricancha temple, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco, Qenko, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara. Return to your hotel.

Early start this morning with a transfer to Poroy, a short distance from Cuzco. Boarding of the Vistadome train for the 3 ½ hour trip to Aguas Calientes. Arrival to Aguas Calientes, assistance with your luggage and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the El Mapi Hotel.
Boarding of the bus for the short ride up to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel.
Shortly after, a guided private 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, Machu Picchu 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. Accommodation and dinner in Aguas Calientes.

Early opportunity today to return to the site and enjoy a wonderful sunrise over Machu Picchu. Today no guide is provided as we feel that Machu Picchu requires a certain amount of self discovery to be fully understood. Take any of the several paths around various parts of the site (we will provide a map to help you). Let Machu Picchu unfold all its mysteries for you, take in the breathtaking cloud forests and jagged mountains, or marvel at the extraordinary Masonic precision of the ancient Incas. Either way, your day of self discovery will be a day never to be forgotten. Return back down to Aguas Calientes by bus to take the Vistadome train to Cuzco. Transfer back to your hotel for overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, enjoy a visit to the Sacred valley with a visit to Pisaq market. Later, we will visit the Urubamba valley before lunch. Continue the visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above before returning to Cuzco.

Free day at leisure.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and transfer to your hotel, the Jose Antonio.
In the afternoon, enjoy a group guided visit of colonial and modern Lima, including 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. One of the very few South American cities that preserve the colonial past, Lima was home to the Spanish viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonialists. The tour will include a visit to the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores. Free afternoon to explore Lima by yourself.

After breakfast, free morning. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Iquitos.
On arrival into Iquitos Airport you will be met by a crew member for the group transfer by private vehicle to Nauta, 95 kilometres from Iquitos, with a lunchbox provided for you to enjoy on the way. Before departing Iquitos there will be a panoramic tour of this bustling river city, the largest city in the Peruvian Rainforest. During the 20th century, the city attracted many Europeans immigrants who contributed to a period of great wealth, commercial, and social development.
Nauta is a small riverside town on the banks of the Marañon River and was the first city founded in the department of Loreto. It is here that you will board the Delfin II at a private port on the shores of the Marañon River. After a VIP welcome, you will be shown to your suite with time to settle in before the first excursion by skiff to Marayali, an area populated by sloths, iguanas and anteaters as well as yellow-rumped caciques and egrets.
As the Delfin sets sail, you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views from the observation lounges located on the top deck whilst sipping on a cocktail made with regional fruits and Pisco, the national brandy liquor of Peru. Your naturalist guide will give an overview of the journey ahead including activities, route, highlights, wildlife and vegetation, geography and historical background. After dinner on board you can enjoy the stars from the top deck as the Delfin sails deeper into the Amazon.

This morning we walk along the Fundo Casual jungle trail that takes us deep into the rainforest on terra firma (non-flooded forest) where your guide will point out the fascinating wildlife and vegetation of the Amazon. This afternoon we cruise along the black water Yanayacu Pucate River, one of the most spectacular sites of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guide will point out the biodiversity of this region with its myriad of bird species, colourful butterflies and other insects, noisy monkey troops and pink and grey river dolphins. You have the opportunity to paddle board and swim in the river maybe alongside the elusive freshwater pink river dolphins.

Early this morning we cruise through the creeks and lagoons of Yanayaquillo, one of the best preserved and protected zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guide will explain the rich biodiversity of this region. This is also a popular dolphin feeding spot so you may be lucky enough to spot dolphins here.
After lunch the skiffs skim the Samiria River and its tributaries, where an abundance of wildlife hides in the deep rainforest, including blue and yellow macaws, scarlet macaws, toucans, umbrella birds, monkeys, river otters, capybaras and more.

Disembarking at the port of Nauta, Delfin’s ground crew will be waiting to take you by private vehicle back to the city of Iquitos.
On the way from Nauta back to Iquitos Airport, we visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre of River Mammals (ACOBIA) where you will have the chance to meet and feed baby manatees and learn about these wonderful and docile creatures and why they are on the endangered species list. Other animals that have been rescued from capture for the intention of being turned into pets and other threatening conditions are also cared for at the centre. You may like to make a donation to this ambitious organisation and education centre. At Iquitos Airport staff will be on hand to give you your boarding passes and assist with check in ready for your return flight to Lima. Transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, free time until your transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

End of our services.