Amazon & the Lost City

Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival at the Lima airport you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the popular Miraflores district of the city. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city.

Today explore the beautiful city of Lima, also known as the 'city of kings', and visit the well preserved historical centre. Making your way through Plaza San Martin, you'll also take in Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace and the City Hall. The tour of the city continues with a visit to the San Francisco Monastery and it's famous underground crypts which are home to an estimated 70,000 remains. This bright yellow architectural wonder is also home to an incredible library, holding thousands of antique texts, some of which pre-date the conquest in the 16th century. Later, head through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by Huaca Pucllana, a clay pyramid that was the ceremonial and administrative centre of the Lima culture and later considered a sacred town by the Inca's. Next up stop at El Olivar park, a peaceful space where you'll find olive trees that were brought to Peru in the 15th century from Spain. Your final stop on today's tour of Lima is El Parque del Amor, this romantic spot is situated on the cliffs of Miraflores overlooking the Pacific ocean.

Lima is fast becoming one of the gastronomic capitals of the world and later this afternoon there is the opportunity to join an exciting optional Lima Gourmet Food Tour, combining gastronomic delights with walks around the capital, experiencing the local culture. Book before you travel.

Lima - Puerto Maldonado. Transfer to Lima airport this morning and fly to Puerto Maldonado for your two night Amazon adventure! From Puerto Maldonado take a scenic 40 minute boat ride along the meandering Madre de Dios River to your lodge, nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. As you glide down the river look out for capybaras and other wildlife along the riverbank.

Arriving at the lodge, there's a short briefing by your jungle guide before you settle into your accommodation. After lunch and some time to relax, set out on your first Amazon excursion Taking a trek through the jungle your local guide will point out tropical trees, medicinal plants and wildlife in the Brazil net concession. You also visit a shiringuero encampment to see the process of collecting rubber, and how it is used for many products.

Heading back to the lodge there's time to relax by the pool or in the hammocks on the terrace of your bungalow, savour an exotic cocktail at the bar or go down to the riverside to enjoy the breathtaking sunset. Before dinner take a boat trip to observe caiman and other nocturnal creatures as they appear before experiencing your first night in the jungle!

Please note: Jungle activities and excursions may vary or be modified by your guide.

Rise early this morning to visit Lake Sandoval, a glassy, ox-bow lake, located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve. A packed breakfast is provided for the excursion. Set off on a 20-minute boat ride on the Madre de Dios River to the Lake Sandoval landing stage. A 3km walk through the sun-dappled rainforest leads you into the Tambopata National Reserve, which is home to many species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles, black caimans and more! At Lake Sandoval board small rowboats and paddle serenely around the lake, in search for giant river otters and other wildlife. When your local guide finds an opportune spot where you stop to enjoy breakfast in the wild.

Returning to the lodge for lunch, there's free time to relax before heading up a lookout tower with your local guide, for incredible panoramic views of the Amazon from its rooftop and a beautiful sunset. The canopy towers are ideal for birdwatching and spotting animals living at this altitude in the canopy. Keep an eye out for bright toucans, macaws and monkeys! A visit will also be made to a Brazil nut harvesting camp, a vital economic activity in the region. Back at the lodge there's time for a refreshing swim before dinner.

Puerto Maldonado - Cusco. Wake up early to visit a nearby clay lick, and observe up to five species of parrots feeding on a unique type of clay essential for their metabolism, creating a colourful and lively spectacle. Then head back to the lodge for breakfast and there's some time to relax before taking the boat back to Puerto Maldonado. There's a visit to a local market to see various local products before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco.

After hotel check-in the rest of the day is free to spend at leisure adjusting to the altitude in Cysco. This beautiful city full of history and intrigue, is located 3,399m above sea level.

Today enjoy a tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins taking in some of the city's most important landmarks. You'll start at the Plaza de Armas, built on the remains of one of the most important Incan gathering spots, it's one of the most beautiful squares in the country. You'll also visit the Cathedral, the Kenko Amphitheatre and the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Built between 1438 and 1474, Sacsayhuaman Fortress took over 20,000 labourers to build and some of the magnificent stone work measures over 4 metres in height and over 100 tons in weight. The rest of the day is free to independently explore this charming city.

Cusco - The Sacred Valley. Leaving Cusco, you'll set out to explore the Sacred Valley today. First stop is the popular Pisac Market, where artisans from the region get together and exchange or buy and sell their products. Originally only held on Sundays, Pisac Market was a place for artisans from across the region to trade in their products. Today the market is a daily occurrence where locals and visitors alike can find some of the finest textiles, jewellery and clothing typical of this area of Peru. There's plenty of time to explore the market, see the variety of colourful handicrafts and textiles on offer, and barter for souvenirs.

This afternoon visit Ollantaytambo's fortress with its enormous Inca terraces constructed on the side of a steep mountain. One of the best examples of Incan architecture, many of the inhabitants of Ollantaytambo still live according to the customs and traditions they have inherited from generations of ancestors, leading to it being known as a living Inca town. After a tour through the area check into your hotel for the night.

Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu - Cusco. Today is the day you’ve been waiting for as you finally get a chance to witness first hand one of the most fascinating ancient sites in the world. In the morning take a scenic train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and then board the bus to Machu Picchu – remember to look out the windows as the scenery along the way is utterly breathtaking.

Situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba River and surrounded by tropical forest, the Inca city enjoys a truly spectacular setting. When you get there, a guided tour will take you through the citadel. Built in the classical Inca style with polished dry-stone walls and terraces that seem to have been crafted naturally from the rock escarpments, Machu Picchu is a spectacular testament to the greatness of the Inca civilisation. The ruins are divided into the Urban and Agricultural Sectors with features ranging from terraced fields and water fountains to storage buildings, guardhouses and religious temples as well as bridges on the trails leading out of the citadel. After a guided tour of this incredible site you return to the spa town of Aguas Calientes where there's time to stroll around before travelling by train back to Cusco.

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast today. A transfer will take you to Cusco airport for your onward travel.

If you're not departing Cusco until this evening, or you've booked post tour accommodation, you may wish to book an optional excursion. You can visit the local Andean market town of Chinchero on a half day tour. Chinchero has one of the most traditional markets in South America, and here you will find locals in colourful traditional dress, buying and selling their produce.

Alternatively, for the fit and active, there's an optional full day excursion to Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain (offered from March to November), with lunch included. After a scenic 2.5 hr drive through rugged mountain scenery, trek with a local guide to the summit of Rainbow Mountain, with its striking bright stripes of mineral deposits.

Note: Optional excursions should be booked prior to departure.