Classic Peru 2

8 days Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Amazon

  Day 1 Llima
 Arrive in Lima, Meeting and transfer to the hotel, Overnight in Lima 

  Day 2 Lima - Cusco
  Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Cusco. Meeting and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the morning at leisure to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet). Tour to the city. Visit Main Square and the Koricancha. Continue to the surrounding remains:Sacsayhuaman Fortress: At a walking distance from the centre, it has big walls of monumental stones distributed in zigzag and in three platforms that have an average of 360-m. /1,181 ft. There are stones of as much as 9 m/30 ft long and 5-m/16 ft wide. Tambomachay: Known as the Inca Baths, it is said to have been a sanctuary for water worship.  Clear running water flows through its stairways. Puca Pucara Red Fortress: It is formed by terraces, stairways, turrets, urns, vaulted niches and platforms. Kencco Amphitheatre: Built in rock, it is said to have been an Inca worship site. There are passages, canals, and stairways with stone engravings representing the puma, a sacred animal.
Overnight in Cusco

  Day 3 CUSCO - URUBAMBA - CUSCO (TUESDAY, THURSDAY OR SUNDAY)
  Excursion to Urubamba Valley. Visit the village of Pisac and its authentic and traditional Indian Market, where Indians barter their products. Continue through the Urubamba Valley to Ollantaytambo, favorite residence of the Incas, with its terraces running up the steep slope to the top where a carved stone throne allowed the ruler a magnificent view of his holdings. You will also see the fabulous Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. Drop-off at the hotel in Cusco Overnight in Cusco

  Day 4 CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
  Transfer to the station for a morning train ride to the unparalleled, Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas". It is the most important attraction in the Department of Cusco, recently chosen as one of  "THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD". Machu Picchu shows the knowledge of a culture that was able to build a citadel with gigantic rocks perfectly fitted together and in a site of difficult access. Still today, the attention is drawn on how and from where these people could transport such enormous stones. There are no stone pits in the region nor had the Incas discovered the use of the wheel. It was known in the world after its discovery by Hiram Bingham in 1910. Arrive in Aguas Calientes. Bus up to the Sanctuary. Guided visit. Descend by bus to Aguas Calientes. Return by Vistadome train. Meeting and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Cusco

  Day 5 CUSCO - LIMA
  Transfer to the airport in time to take the flight to Lima. Meeting and transfer to your hotel.PM Guided visit to Colonial and Modern Lima including the old center of the city and the modern sector.
Overnight in Lima

  Day 6 LIMA - IQUITOS - CEIBA TOPS
  Transfer to the airport in time to take the flight to Iquitos. Meeting at the airport, brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. 25 miles journey down the Amazon River to Ceiba Tops. Afternoon hike in the beautiful primary rainforest reserve surrounding the lodge which includes many huge trees festooned with epiphytes. After dinner there may be local flute or guitar music at the El Toucan Bar or the guides are always ready to relate some of the many legends of the Amazon forest. Overnight at CEIBA TOPS 

  Day 7 Mon CEIBA TOPS
  Morning boat ride spotting for dolphins to visit a small village of Yagua Indians where your guide will explain the local Yagua Indian culture and how it was affected by the arrival of Europeans and the passing of time. There will also be an opportunity to see some of the local crafts and for a demonstration of the blowgun which some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting. Afternoon: Walking excursion to the neighboring town of Indiana. Originally a Franciscan mission, Indiana has grown into a large river community with its own market, high school and small hospital.
Overnight at CEIBA TOPS 

  Day 8 CEIBA TOPS - IQUITOS - LIMA - HOME
  Your choice of morning walking or boating excursion to further enjoy the rainforest and Amazon River. Afternoon transfer to Iquitos and to the airport in time to take the flight to Lima. Meeting and assistance to connect with international flight