Tripology

Adventure

Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight accommodations at the new (opened June 2007) Hotel Costa del Sol Ramada Lima, with daily buffet breakfast included. Conveniently close to the airport, this four star hotel features 130 rooms, restaurant, bar, business center, wireless internet, spa, and beauty salon.

Proceed on own to the Lima Airport (located across the street). Check in for your flight to Cuzco.

Airport reception in Cuzco and transfer approximately 90 minutes to Urubamba, located in the Sacred Valley.

Overnight accommodations at the Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley, superior room with daily buffet breakfast included. (B)

Hotel pickup and transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station. Set off on a scenic trip through the Urubamba Valley, followed by a 20-minute bus ride up to the breathtaking "Lost City of the Incas"--Machu Picchu. Set in the saddle of a mountain 1,000 feet above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu escaped ransacking by the Spaniards. Explore the walls, stairways, temples and terraces with your guide. For the more energetic, a moderate 2-mile hike up to the Sun Gate offers fabulous views overlooking this ancient wonder. Overnight at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, or for an additional charge, upgrade to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, located adjacent to the ruins.

Enjoy a full morning visit to the citadel and return to Cuzco in the afternoon. You will be met at the Poroy Station and transferred to your hotel. Overnight accommodations at the centrally-located Posada del Inca Cuzco, breakfast included. All rooms are equipped with private bathroom, television and views of the city of the Incas. 3 nights. (B)

Set off on a half day tour of Cuzco and the nearby Inca ruins. Cuzco, the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent, was the capital of the Inca Empire and is considered by many Quechua peoples to be the spiritual center of the world. Much of colonial Cuzco was built on Inca foundations, and your guide will point out Inca stonework along the many streets. Visit the main square, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church, as well as a first introduction to Inca stonework at the ruins of Puka-Pukara, Qenqo, Tambo Machay, and the renowned fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco and the surrounding valley. (B)

This morning, depart with your guide for a full-day excursion to the village and ruins of Pisac located 20 miles from Cuzco. After exploring the ruins you will visit a colorful Indian market where you'll be able to trade with locals for a variety of handicrafts, including woolen sweaters and ponchos. Lunch will be served in Urubamba, followed by a tour of the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. (B,L)

Fly to Puerto Maldonado and take a 2-hour motorized canoe trip to Posada Amazonas on the Bajo Tambopata River.

Puerto Maldonado is situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers and is a bustling tropical frontier town. Its principal activities are gold mining, collecting Brazil nuts, extracting timber, agriculture and ecotourism. After a brief survey of the town depart on the 2-hour boat trip by motorized canoe to a lodge on the Bajo Tambopata River. During the voyage look out for bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Horned Screamer, Bat Falcon, and several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers.

Posada Amazonas is a comfortable, unobtrusive 23-room lodge owned jointly by Rainforest Expeditions and the Ese'eja native Community of Tambopata. All rooms have private bathrooms with cold water. There is no electricity at the lodge. You will receive a short orientation and a complete briefing of the lodge and the Ese'eja Ecotourism Project over dinner. (B,L,D)

Rise at dawn to view the spectacular show of color at the parrot clay lick downriver. Hike a short trail to Tres Chimbadas lake and take a leisurely canoe ride to spot giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin, and wading birds. In the afternoon walk to a harpy eagle nest found within community territory and ascend a 30 meter tower with an internal wooden staircase for superb observation of a variety of parrots and even toucans. (B,L,D)

After an early breakfast return to Puerto Maldonado for your flight back to Lima.

Upon arrival, proceed on your own to the international terminal. Pay departure tax and check in for flight. (B)