Amazon River
Cruise and Machu Picchu
10 days /9 nights
From $3236 per person, double occupancy for 2008
Romance of a river cruise paired with
a tour of the glorious ruins of Machu Picchu. Travel down
the Amazon River in the comfort and style of the historic
M/V Rio Amazonas. Birds will soar overhead and monkeys play
in the trees above, so bring your binoculars and zoom lens.
On the train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, view the terraced
farms and the villagers along the way. You'll have just
enough time to explore the ruins and take stunning photos
of this archaeological wonder. For those with limited time
and expanded interests, this is a tour that truly maximizes
your time in Peru.
Day 1: LIMA
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel .
Overnight accommodations at the brand 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.
Day 2: LIMA
- CUZCO
Proceed on your own to the Lima Airport domestic terminal
(located across the street). Check-in for flight and pay
Peru's national airport tax (currently $6.05).
Fly to Cuzco this morning (10,750 ft),
the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America
and capital of the Inca Empire. Much of colonial Cuzco
was built on Inca foundations, and your guide will point
out Inca stonework along the many streets. Overnight accommodations
at the centrally located Posada
del Inca Hotel.
After settling in set off on a 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)
Day 3: PISAC
& OLLANTAYTAMBO
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)
Day 4: CUZCO
- MACHU PICCHU
Set off on a scenic four-hour 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. (B,L)
Day 5: MACHU
PICCHU - CUZCO
Enjoy a full morning visit to the citadel and return to
Cuzco in the afternoon. Overnight accommodations at the
Posada
del Inca Cuzco. (B)
Day 6: CUZCO
- LIMA - IQUITOS
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Proceed
to your connecting flight to Iquitos. Airport reception
and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight accommodations at the 5-star
Hotel Plaza Dorado, including American breakfast. Located
on the main square and 20 minutes from the airport, the
Dorado has 65 air-conditioned rooms with private bath,
mini-bar, telephone and TV. The hotel also has restaurant,
bar and grill, coffee shop. (B)
Day 7: AMAZON
RIVER
Hotel pickup and transfer to your cruise ship - the M/V
Rio Amazonas
The M/V Rio Amazonas was built in the late
1800's in Scotland. After following a long career as a
cargo/passenger ship on the Amazon River, it was completely
rebuilt in 1981 to enable the international traveler to
experience the Amazon in basic comfort. It was again refurbished
in 1994. She carries 44 passengers in 21 air-conditioned
cabins on an itinerary which explores life on the Amazon
River and its people.
After settling in, set sail along the main
channel of the Amazon River towards the town of Yanamono.
There will be an afternoon shore excursion to a local
farm and sugarcane still (local liquor). In the evening,
following dinner on board, there will be a group discussion.
Information will be given about the upcoming cruise events.
(B,D)
Day 8: AmAZON
River
Early wake up call for morning bird watching at the Ampiyacu
River. After breakfast, excursion to Pucaurquillo, where
you will have the opportunity to visit Huitoto and Bora
Indian villages. Observe at first hand the way of life
along the Amazon. Watch some native folk dancing and trade
for handicrafts with the locals. Return to the ship for
lunch and a little relaxation while you continue to sail
up the Amazon River. Later, stop at the town of Pevas,
the oldest Peruvian town on the Amazon. In the afternoon,
a jungle hike through the dense rain forest at the Shishita
River with opportunities to view wildlife. After dinner
you depart by small boat for an evening excursion. (B,L,D)
Day 9: AmAZON
RIVER
Morning jungle walk and visit to Paranaquiro village followed
by a piranha fishing expedition on a small black water
lake. In the afternoon a brief visit to the village of
Caballococha. After sunset, cross the lake to look for
the Amazon caiman in the reedy shallows and listen to
the sounds of the rain forest. (B,L,D)
Day 10: IQUITOS
- LIMA
Early morning arrival in Santa Rosa Island, Peru, opposite
the cities of Leticia, Colombia and Tabatinga, Brazil.
You will return to Iquitos by speedboat. Upon arrival,
you will transfer to the Iquitos Airport for your flight
to Lima. (Alternately, you may transfer to an Iquitos
hotel - not included in trip cost.)
You will be assisted to the international
terminal for your departing flight. (B)
Contact
us for a customized itinerary of Peru.
