Superior Peru Tour 1

Arrival to Lima, reception at the airport and transfer by private vehicle to the delightful three star Antigua Hotel, a charming turn of the century mansion house. Accommodation in a colonial room.

Antigua Hotel

After breakfast, a 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. We shall then visit "Casa Aliaga said to be the oldest colonial mansion in South America. The Aliaga House has been owned and occupied by the same family since Francisco Pizarro granted the land to Jerónimo de Aliaga in 1535. An impressive wooden staircase in the tree-shaded courtyard leads up to the elaborate rooms, many of which are decorated with colonial furnishings.
Lunch (not included) before visiting Barranco the Palacio de Osma Museum. The museum focuses on colonial Peruvian art from areas that were among the most distinguished cultural centers of the day, including Cusco, Arequipa, and Ayacucho. Return to your hotel. Free evening.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. After the one hour flight, reception and transfer to the three star Boutique Hotel Casa San Blas.
After a recommended light lunch (not included), a private guided tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral, Qoricancha temple, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco, Qenko and Puka Pukara. A visit to the house of Garcilaso de Vega, the Inca chronicler. Return to your hotel. Free evening.

Hotel Casa San Blas   |  Meals: B

After breakfast, a private full-day excursion to Urubamba, the sacred valley of the Incas and to the ancient Inca market town of Pisac. A visit to the market before exploring the ruins above Pisaq. Enjoy lunch in the Urubamba Valley. After lunch, 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 your hotel at the foot of the citadel, the superior 3* Pakaritampu.

Meals: B & L

Enjoy a good night's sleep before boarding the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. Arrival to Aguas Calientes, assistance with your luggage and check in to the Hatuchay Towers Hotel. You shall then board the bus for the short ride up to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel. A 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. Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. Free time at leisure before returning to your hotel for accommodation. Free evening.

Hatuchay Towers Hotel   |  Meals: B & L

Early opportunity to return to the site and enjoy a wonderful sunrise over Machu Picchu and time for some private reflection. 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), 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 back down to Aguas Calientes by bus. Some free time to visit the colourful town before boarding the return train to Cuzco. Transfer to your hotel, the Casa San Blas Hotel.

Hotel Casa San Blas   |  Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Reception at the airport. Drive to the river port, whilst hearing an introductory talk about the city and surrounding areas, in addition to the characteristics of the Amazon region. We will then embark on a 45-minute boat ride on the Madre de Dios River until we arrive at the Reserva Amazonica. Here you will be assigned to your cabin, an Amazonica Suite. Amazonica Suite
Ese Eja-style wooden cabañas (60 sq. m/ 647 sq ft), with a high roof of thatched fishtail palm, are divided into three integrated areas. In the spacious bedroom, 1 king, 1 queen or 2 twin beds are canopied with mosquito netting and appointed with comfortable all-cotton sheets plus 6 hypoallergenic pillows. Bathrobes and Andean rubber soled slippers are provided for your comfort. The open floor plan bathroom has an independent shower and toilet, plus double basins, hot water, sumptuous towels, and a complete set of ecologically friendly toiletries, including bath salts, shampoo, conditioner, terracotta exfoliates, handmade soaps, and citronella natural repellant. Relax in the screened siesta lounge, with 2 hammocks, 2 comfortable chairs, and a side table. Each suite is also equipped with umbrellas, flashlights, kerosene lamps, central ceiling ventilator, and electric outlet. A personal escort will accompany you from the airport to the lodge.
After a buffet lunch, afternoon excursions including a guided walk along one of the trails close to the lodge. The trails wind past important giant trees of the forest as the kapok and the strangler fig, and you may see superb examples of bird and insect life. We will also take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to see the change in the environment as twilight gives way to darkness. Animals and birds are replaced by special species adapted to the darkness, such as nightjars, owls, capybara, and caiman. You may choose to take the Twilight Rainforest excursion as an alternative.
Cocktails and buffet dinner in the dining room of the lodge's main pavilion. Relax on the porch of your suite before retiring for the night.

Meals: All Meals

Wake up early to observe the sun rise over the Madre de Dios River before a buffet breakfast with eggs, cereals, local fruits, and fresh bread. We will then gather in the Eco-Centre for your morning excursions.
A five-minute boat ride takes you to the Canopy Inkaterra Interpretation Centre where you can ascend the first tower, 45 metres (150 feet) above the forest floor. Spend an hour and a half walking on the bridges that stretch between seven platforms, as you see giant strangler fig trees, orchids, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, and with luck, monkeys or a three-toed sloth.
We will then embark on a 40-minute boat ride that takes you to the Tambopata National Reserve. Spend an hour-and-a-half walking the 3 km. (1.8 mile) trail through the wildlife-rich reserve, and you will arrive at the breathtaking oxbow lake called Lake Sandoval. Here you will have an excellent opportunity to see the endangered giant river otter. Also residing in and around the lake are the rare red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anaconda, point-tailed palm creepers, and side-neck turtles.
Return to the main lodge for cocktails and buffet dinner. Spend the night in your suite.

Meals: All Meals

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and return by boat to Puerto Maldonado, an hour and a half upriver. Visit the city's Butterfly Farm, unique in Peru where you can experience several dozen of the more than 3,800 varieties of butterflies and moths found in Peru. Assistance with your luggage, prior to boarding your flight to Lima and connecting with your return flight home.

Meals: B