Intriguing Peru

Flight to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. In Cusco, you will be warmly welcomed and assisted with your luggage before your short private drive to your hotel. For 4 star level, we recommend the Novotel/Casa Andina Premium/Picoaga. For 5 star we recommend the El Convento and Palacio del Inka. For luxury, the Monasterio.

Free morning. In the afternoon, a guided tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral, Qoricancha temple, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco, Qenko and Puka Pukara. Cuzco's history extends back to before 1000 BC when the Marcavalle Culture was the dominant power; indeed organized life in the City began practically with them. In the second phase of its history, around 800BC, Cuzco was home to the Chanapata culture and later developed several regional states. What is traditionally known as the Inka civilisation began around 1200 AD in its initial phase, with the first Inka, Manko Capaq and Mama Ocllo. It is also suggested that Pachakuteq, the ninth king, elaborated another foundation in 1438 which is also known as the expansive phase. Inca builders hereafter laid out the city in the form of a puma, with the fortress of Sacsayhuaman as the head.
After the arrival of the Spanish to the city on November 15th 1533, Francisco Pizarro re-founded it for the Spanish King on March 23rd 1534. In 1536 Manko Inka began a long and bloody war against the Spanish invaders with a siege lasting over 8 months over the city. Finally in 1572, after a war that lasted 36 years, Tupaq Amaru I, the last emperor of the Inka dynasty was defeated, captured and executed in the city's main square. The Spanish subsequently destroyed many of the structures in the city or used them as foundations for many of their own churches and buildings.

After breakfast at your hotel, start of a full-day's excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is an exceptionally fertile valley that was and remains the larder of Cuzco. You will visit the village of Pisac, founded during colonial times, and set at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of an ancient Inca city. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will witness Indians bartering their products in the main square and artisans from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc. Visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. You will then return to Cusco after this full day.

Today you will have an early start and enjoy breakfast before your private drive to the railway station in time for the boarding of the *Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. The train will depart at 08.00am for the 3 ½ hour journey before you arrive to Aguas Calientes train station, gateway to the lost city of the Incas.
As you disembark, take the short walk to the bus terminal where the bus will be waiting for the short ride up to Machu Picchu, which will meander through breathtaking mountain scenery up to the ancient Inca citadel. Check-in to your hotel.
We recommend the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel Inkaterra. Upgrade option to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.
Shortly after, enjoy 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. Dinner and accommodation.

Today you will enjoy a free day in Machu Picchu with an opportunity to see the site at sunrise. 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, trek up to Wayna Picchu or walk down to the Inca's bridge. 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 to Cuzco onboard the afternoon train. Welcome and private drive back to your hotel.

Free day at leisure.

Today is a full day and quite challenging. We will pick you up early from your hotel and set out on a drive through the South Valley. The drive to the trailhead at Quesiuno (4,326 m / 14,189 ft) is 3 hours long. Once we reach the Inkintuyoc bridge, we will have breakfast. We then start off on our hike, following a lovely stream with horses as backup transport. You will be immediately surprised by literally herds of alpacas and llamas. We will have consistent views of the Ausangate Mountain. We will hike through villages and interact with the local residents. We will stop for a box lunch along the trail. Back on the trail, you will encounter more of the traditional elements of this trek. This includes potato fields and unique fauna. We have the prospect of seeing chinchillas and vicunas. Vicunas are the only non-domesticated animal of the llama family in Peru. Many red mountains are also a highlight of this portion of the hike. After a total hike of approximately 5 hours, we finally reach our destination, what we came to see the Rainbow Mountains (5,020 m / 16,466 ft). After getting over its beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You will have time to take pictures and enjoy the setting. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. We then hike downhill the way we came. The hike will take 4 to 5 hours. A private van will be waiting for you when we return. We will embark on the 3 hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel. Approximate arrival time is between 8 and 9 PM.

After early breakfast, we bid farewell to Cuzco and take a short drive in a private car to the bus terminal for the tourist bus to Puno (option of first class train on Wednesday and Sundays). This bus trip will begin by ascending gradually out of the Cuzco Valley until arriving at the town of Andahuaylillas where you will visit the "Sistine Chapel of the Andes". This colonial era Chapel features mainly interesting canvasses which illustrate the use of Andean Symbology being incorporated into traditional Catholic images. From here you will travel further to Raqchi which is the tallest set of Incan Ruins. The road from here climbs slightly to La Raya which is the highest point at 4200 m. There will be a brief stop here and there are views across to the snow-capped mountain peak. From here the road gradually descends to Pukara where you will visit the museum and ruins of this pre-incan civilisation. This civilisation was said to be at its peak around the same time as Mesopotamia and Egypt and the leader was known as the "Great Beheader". From this visit you will continue to Puno situated on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Lunch will be buffet at a restaurant during the trip. Lying on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake. Transfer to your hotel. 4 star option include the Casa Andina and Jose Antonio. The 5 star option includes the GHL Hotel.

After breakfast, escort to the port, a short drive from your hotel. Here you will board the motorised yacht to start your full day's excursion to the islands of Uros and Taquile. Your first stop will be to the communal islands of Uros, otherwise known as the reed islands, whose islands are made entirely of tortora reeds and home to a small community dating back to a pre-Inca culture. You will appreciate how these people toil out an existence on such a remote setting complete with its own school.
After the visit, boarding of the yacht as you continue your trip to the Island of Taquile whose inhabitants are more closely related to the Aymara people of Bolivia than the Quechua Incas of Peru. You will enjoy a walk on the islands and visit the main town square where you will have time to enjoy your lunch box whilst appreciating the fine views of Lake Titicaca. After lunch, some free time to enjoy the local ambience before returning to Puno on-board your yacht and return to your hotel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport your return flight back to Lima in time for your connecting flight to Iquitos. Meet and greet and transfer to a motorized canoe for a boat ride up river observing 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 you 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.

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 flight to Lima in time for your connecting flight home.

End of our services.