Orchids of Peru Tour

Arrival to Lima, reception and transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure.

After breakfast, you will meet with Alfredo Manrique, the owner of a Lima orchid nursery, operating since 1974 which was given the first legal Phragmipedium kovachii collection permit in May 2003 by INRENA, the Peruvian Agency for Natural Resources.
After lunch a visit to the centre of Lima, declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991. The tour includes a visit to the cathedral, the main square, San Francisco convent and it catacombs. Return to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Cuzco. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. We recommend that you rest for the remainder of the morning to acclimatise to the high altitude setting of Cuzco. In the afternoon, we shall try to arrange a meeting with Roger Valencia Espinoza, professor, lecturer and orchid specialist and a visit to the Vargas Herbarium of the National University of Cusco. This is subject to availability and other factors.
Roger collects orchids for the Vargas Herbarium of the National University of Cusco, named after the late Julio Cesar Vargas Calderon, Peru's eminent botanist.

Today, you will embark on a sightseeing tour of Cuzco and its nearby archaeological site, Sacsayhuaman. A visit to 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 which continue to the city of Cuzco. Finally a visit to the main square, the cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun.

After breakfast, excursion to the Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the village of Pisac, founded during Colonial times. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays the Indians barter their products, and artisans from all over the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions and jewellery. On Sundays, it is also the meeting place for the local Mayors of the region, who come dressed in their traditional costumes, to attend morning mass. After lunch, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which is still inhabited. Explore the ruins above Ollantaytambo before returning to your accommodation in Cusco.

Early breakfast before transfer to the railway station for the boarding of the train to Aguas Calientes. The train will depart at 08.00am for the 3 ½ hour journey. Arrival to Aguas Calientes train station, gateway to the lost city of the Incas.
As you disembark, you will be assisted with your luggage and welcomed to take the short walk to the hotel, the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Afterwards, walk to the bus terminal for the short ride up to Machu Picchu which will meander through breathtaking mountain scenery up to 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. Dinner and accommodation at your hotel.

After breakfast, a fully private tour of the famous "Orchid Trail" located in the gardens of the hotel which has a catalogue of over 370 species of native orchids, the world's largest diversity of native species set in a natural environment. From the largest orchid flower in the world - the Phragmipedium caudatum, to tiny flowering specimens only appreciated with a magnifying glass, your guide will be delighted to show you around the gardens. After lunch at the hotel, free time before boarding the train to Cusco. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and your return flight home.

End of our services.

Do note that we can extend the tour to other marvellous orchid-rich destinations of Peru including the beautiful valley of Chanchamayo, the Valley of the Orchids in addition to other great locations. Time and comfort factors will determine the Destinations we can include.