2024 Escorted Christmas in Machu Picchu - Option 3

Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to the hotel of your choice.

After breakfast, full city tour of modern and colonial Lima, declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991. The tour includes a visit to the Cathedral, Main Square, San Francisco Convent and its Catacombs, and the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores. Lunch at the Costa Verde Restaurant. Return to your hotel. Free evening.

Meals: B & L

After breakfast, flight to Cuzco, reception and transfer to the hotel of your choice. Free day at leisure to acclimatize to the altitude.

Meals: B

An early start by Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. Guided visit of the most spectacular ancient city in the world. This fabulous city contains houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour, free time to enjoy this spiritual wonder. Opportunity for a guided trek (approx 1 hour) up to the sungate (Intipunku), which is a part of the Inca Trail, for a magical view of the sanctuary or alternatively an unguided climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary (recommended for fit individuals only). Accommodation at the hotel of your choice.

Meals: B

Opportunity to return to the sanctuary for a more personal appreciation of the Eighth wonder of the world. Christmas lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel located in front of Machu Picchu. Return in the afternoon by train to Cuzco and transfer to the hotel of your choice.

Meals: B & L

Today, a guided visit of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city 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. Dinner and folkloric show in the evening.

Meals: B & D

Full-day excursion to 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 buffet lunch at the Tunupa Restaurant, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which is still inhabited. Explore the ruins above Ollantaytambo before returning to Cuzco via the traditional market town of Chinchero. Return

Meals: B & L

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Reception and transfer by bus to the River port for the canoe trip to your jungle lodge. After arrival a short orientation and a complete briefing on the lodge before commencing your jungle lodge programme, which includes the following: visiting a 35 metre scaffolding tower for a spectacular view of the river, depending of your choice of lodge. With an opportunity to observe birds from the canopy including parrots, toucans and macaws. Return to the lodge.

Meals: B, L & D

Early wake at dawn for a visit to the oxbow lake. Here we will take a long, easy canoe ride around the lake looking for giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin, and wading birds. The giant river otters that are seen in the Oxbow Lake belong to a resident family. Return to the lodge for lunch before embarking on your afternoon outing to the community's ethno botanical centre. We will hike the trails around the centre with one of the residents who will explain the everyday uses of forest resources in medicine, construction, food and fibre. Return to your lodge.

Meals: B, L & D

After an early breakfast departure by boat and bus back to the city of Puerto Maldonado, directly to the airport, for your return flight to Lima and connecting flight home.

Meals: B