Peruvian Secrets Tour

Flight to Trujillo, the largest city in Peru after Lima. Located in the northern half of Peru, Trujillo lies close to the Pacific Ocean and is the perfect gateway to many of the pre-Inca cultural sites in the area. Transfer to your hotel, the Libertador. We only recommend this hotel. Enjoy a walking tour of this fascinating colonial city founded in 1534 by Diego de Almagro, a fellow conquistador of Pizarro. Trujillo, named after the birth place of Pizarro is famous for its colonial and republican-era architecture and for its many churches and mansions. We shall visit the Cathedral and several 18th century mansions, including La Casa Mayorazgo and La Casa Urquiaga, which was home to Simon Bolivar during the War of Independence.

A guided visit to the metropolis of Chan-Chan, the ancient capital city of the Chimu Empire. It is the largest pre-Columbian city in South America, built entirely of mud and adobe brick. A stop is made at Huaca Dragon to visit this restored, pyramidal shaped adobe temple consecrated to the rainbow, and with beautiful bas-reliefs, Huaca del Sol y Luna. A visit to the small nearby archaeological museum concludes the tour. Return to your hotel.

After breakfast, continue north along the coast to the archaeological complex of El Brujo, dating back 500 years and one of the finest preserved sites in the area. The name comes from the fact that the site was used by local "brujos" (shaman) -- and even to this day, the region's renowned shaman ward off evil spirits in the area. The site is composed of three Mochica and pre-Mochica huacas and many minor mounds. After lunch, a visit to Paijan, an archaeological complex consisting of outdoor camps, quarries and workshops before we continue to the city of Chiclayo further north. Accommodation at the Casa Andina Chiclayo Hotel. We only recommend this hotel.

Located in the Lambayeque Valley, in archaeological terms, we are now in the richest cultural zone in northern Peru, often referred to as the ‘Egypt’ of South America. A fertile agricultural region that for the last two thousand years have been the centre of ancient pre-Inca cultures, notably the Mochica, with temples, such as Huaca Rajada, the pyramids of Tucume, Batan Grande and others of world-wide importance. After breakfast, we will visit the Bosque de Pomac, where the Batan Grande complex is located. Currently Batan Grande is closed but if it opens by the time of your visit, we shall certainly include it. After we shall visit the Sican National Museum before finally visiting the Royal Tombs of Sipan. Located in the site called Huaca Rajada, it comprises two pyramids and one platform dating back to over one thousand years before the Incas, and where two of the most famous ancient tombs were discovered, intact by Peruvian archaeologist Dr. Walter Alva in 1987 and 1988 -- the tombs of "The Lord of Sipan" and his ancestor, "The Old Lord". The lords ruled the valley during the second and third centuries AD. The treasure of pure gold artefacts discovered in the tombs revealed their culture's surprising command of metallurgy and its exquisite artistry in gold and silver, in addition to its known excellence in ceramics. Return to the hotel.

After breakfast, private transfer to Cajamarca in the northern highlands, taking about 5 hours. Transfer to your hotel, the Costa del Sol. Free afternoon.

A private tour of the town, made famous for in 1532, Pizarro imprisoned and subsequently executed Inca Atahualpa, bringing to an end the Inca Nation. A chance to visit the thermal baths at Banos del Inca and the pre-inca graveyards of Otuzco, carved into the hillside and dating back to over 1000BC.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and connect with your flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. After the one hour flight, reception and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the Novotel. Enjoy a guided tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral, Qoricancha temple, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco, Qenko and Puka Pukara. Return to the hotel.

After breakfast, a private full-day excursion to Urubamba, the sacred valley of the Incas and to the ancient Inca market town of Pisac where you will visit the ruins of Pisaq. If you would also like to visit the local market, you may do so although this has become very touristy over the years. Lunch in Urubamba before a visit will be made to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish and a chance to explore the ruins before returning to Cuzco. Return to your hotel.

Enjoy a good night's sleep before your private transfer to Poroy, a short distance from Cuzco. Boarding of the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. Arrival to Aguas Calientes, assistance with your luggage and check-in to your hotel, the Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel. Boarding of the bus for the short ride up to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel. Shortly after, a private 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, 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. Return to your hotel for dinner and accommodation.

Early opportunity to return to the site and enjoy a wonderful sunrise over Machu Picchu. Time for some private reflection before returning for breakfast. 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. Let Machu Picchu unfold all its mysteries for you, take in the breath-taking cloud forests and jagged mountains, or marvel at the extraordinary Masonic precision of the ancient Incas. Return back down to Aguas Calientes by bus. Some free time to visit the colourful town before boarding the Vistadome train to Cuzco. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the early morning flight to Lima and connecting flight to Iquitos, in the heart of the Amazon jungle. Reception at the luggage claim area of Iquitos airport, where our staff will be waiting for you. Then we will take you to our operative offices in Iquitos where we will give you an orientation of our services with your program. Afterwards, we will take you to the Bellavista Port, where we will use one of our speedboats to take you to the Lodge along the Amazon River. During this boat ride you will have the opportunity to observe the convergence of the brown turbid waters of the Amazon River with the dark waters of the Nanay River. You will enjoy the impressive jungle landscapes with the rustic small houses of the riverside towns. A visit to a native community is also scheduled in this part of the boat ride to the Lodge. In this community we will have the opportunity to hear about their way of life and to see their customs, dances and handcrafts. After the 1:30 hrs boat ride we will arrive to the Lodge where our staff will welcome you with a complimentary and exotic jungle drink. Lunch. In the afternoon we will start with our first excursion: a jungle hike into the Yanamono Reserve, which is a primary rainforest reserve, for approximately 2 hours accompanied by our expert guides. They will be able to identify several botanical species such as heliconia flowers, medicinal plants and giant trees such as the White silk-cotton tree (Ceiba Pentandra) whose dimensions are so big that 25 persons can circle it holding their hands. During this excursion you will also see several birds species such as the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes Aura), Black Fronted Nanbird (Monasa-Atia), etc and with a little luck you will be able to see small monkeys such as marmosets (saguinus fusicollis), the Titi Monkey (Callicebus Mollock Mollock) and the squirrel monkey (Saimiri Boliviense). Return to the lodge for rest. Free time. After observing the Amazon Sunset, we will take a night boat ride to a stream, if the river is high enough, or along the Amazon River where you will enjoy the magical sounds of the jungle, the light of the moon or, if it is a clear night, you will observe the stars and constellations. Dinner.

Early morning birdwatching. We will start very early going by boat to one of the several streams (if the water level allows us). We will be looking for birds such as the Tuki (Jacana Jacana), Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle-Torquata), Black-Collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis), etc. Return to the lodge, where a delicious breakfast will be waiting for you. After a little rest we will take a small fishing trip into small tributaries of the Amazon River. The most daring can try for fishing Piranhas. During this excursion you can also have the opportunity to look for the famous Pink River Dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis). Return to the Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will also be able to see the very impressive giant Victoria Regia plant (Giant Water Lily) on the lakes inside the Yanamono Island (if the water allows us).At night the adventurers can take a hike around the perimeter of the Lodge to look for tarantulas, fire flies, bats and other jungle nocturnal animals. Dinner.

After breakfast, we will visit a native village where we will have the opportunity to hear and see their way of life. During this excursion we can also have again the opportunity to look out for the Pink Amazon River Dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis) and to fish for piranhas. Return to the Lodge and rest. Dinner

After breakfast, we will visit a rustic sugar cane distillery where you can try different exotic beverages made from sugar cane liquor and also you will see how they use horses in the process of obtaining this liquor. Return to the Lodge. After Lunch, transfer to Iquitos City and transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Lima. Transfer to your hotel.

End of our services.