Itinerary Details
Alexander+Roberts
Machu Picchu + Reserva Amazonica
Day 1: Welcome to Lima
Our 5-star hotel is wonderfully situated in the upscale seaside district of Miraflores overlooking the Pacific, from a striking cliff-top setting.
Day 2: Discover Lima #WHS#
Enjoy a guided stroll through Barranco, a charming city neighborhood that has attracted writers and artists since the early 20th century. Today, it remains a vibrant cultural enclave with thriving studios, galleries and cafes. Then tour the Larco Museum; with its highly-regarded collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, it's a terrific introduction to the Inca sites you'll explore later in our tour. You'll enjoy lunch here at the enchanting Cafe del Museo.In the historic heart of town, stand in the historic Plaza Mayor ; still a popular gathering place for residents and visitors alike, it's home to important landmarks like the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace - easily recognized by its grand wooden balcony. You'll also tour the Basilica of Santo Domingo, an impressive complex with lovely courtyards and Baroque paintings. This evening, enjoy dinner overlooking the sea at a rooftop restaurant in Lima. Meals B+L+D.
Day 3: Into the Amazon
After breakfast, we'll take you to the airport for your included flight Puerto Maldonado, a lively river port and gateway to the Amazon basin. On arrival, you'll be warmly greeted and escorted to the port to embark on the 45-minute journey up the gently-flowing Madre de Dios River. Arriving in the heart of a 42,000-acre private ecological reserve situated deep in the Amazon jungle, you'll check in to the acclaimed Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge, hailed by National Geographic Traveler as one of the best eco-lodges in the world. Settle in to your private accommodations, a spacious wood and thatch cabana inspired by the dwellings of the indigenous Ese' Eja community. During your 3-night stay here, you'll enjoy a choice of included excursions and activities - led by expert naturalists and designed to immerse you in the beauty of the Amazon as you learn about its remarkable flora and fauna. For your first afternoon, a guided nature walk would be a terrific introduction to the unique rainforest environment. Meals B+L+D
Day 4: Exploring the Amazon
Our lodge offers more than a dozen naturalist-guided excursions designed for different interests and abilities. Over the next two days, you can join the ones that best fit your style. From forest trails to ox-bow lakes, there are many ways to observe and learn about the Amazon's eco-systems and its colorful birds and wildlife. Your adventures can take you over land and water - or even high into the forest canopy. Twilight tours are an exciting way to encounter nocturnal species. Here is just a sampling of the excursions that are available: Rainforest Garden: Close to our Lodge is a native garden that was started by local inhabitants more than 10 years ago. Encompassing native plants and trees, this guided discovery walk offers a chance to learn about the indigenous flora - including delicate orchids and medicinal plants that have long been used by indigenous rainforest communities. Twilight River Expedition: Setting out in the late afternoon with an expert naturalist, this guided boat ride offers a chance to experience the jungle as it transitions from a diurnal to a nocturnal environment. Learn about the habits of these diverse jungle denizens as you search for nightjars, owls, capybaras and caimans. As darkness falls, this excursion also offers a chance to observe the constellations of the Southern Sky. Amazon Wetlands: This half-day excursion explores the diversity of the Amazon Basin, from drier forests to rainforest swamps. Covering both jungle trails and a well-maintained system of elevated boardwalks, you'll experience these environmental transitions as you search for and learn about the various species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles that inhabit the various eco-zones. Meals B+L+D
Day 5: Another Day in the Amazon
Our award-winning eco-lodge is set on 42,000 private acres adjacent to the lush Tambopata National Reserve - an extraordinary setting to experience the beauty and natural wonders of the Peruvian Amazon. Today offers another opportunity to tailor your exploration, fun and learning with the included naturalist-guided expeditions of your choice. In addition to the ones noted above, here's another sampling of the many included excursions from which you might choose: Gamitana Creek + Model Farm: This half-day expedition begins with a 90-minute interpretive walk along a rainforest trail that follows a dark-water creek home to piranha, caimans and turtles. The surrounding forest is home to a rich variety of exotic tropical birds. Then embark on a 1-hour canoe expedition along Gamitana Creek to a pioneering model farm that is bringing sustainable farming techniques to local rainforest communities. Enjoy a guided tour of the farm and try your hand at making the plantain flour used by our Lodge for its delightful, fresh-baked breads. Canopy + Wetlands: A short ride in our motorized canoe brings you to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center. Ascend 95 feet above the shadowy forest floor to navigate with your expert naturalist along a network of suspension bridges that connect 8 observation platforms. Walking through the lush forest canopy offers incredible views and a chance to observe tree-top denizens including toucans, woodpeckers, colorful trogons, sloths and monkeys. Back on the ground, explore a nearby wetland ecosystem along an elevated boardwalk that offers a chance to observe various species of amphibians, birds and mammals. Lake Sandoval: This half-day excursion begins as a motorized canoe takes you deep into the Tambopata Nature Reserve. From here, a 90-minute interpretive nature walk brings you to the edge of Lake Sandoval. Gliding silently across the still waters of this ox-bow lake offers a chance to observe the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys and the prehistoric-looking hoatzin. Meals B+L+DPlease Note... Trail, water and weather conditions can affect which expeditions will be offered during your stay at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica.
Day 6: Onward to Cuzco
After breakfast at the Lodge, we'll take you back down the river to Puerto Maldonado for your included flight into the Andes. On arrival in Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca, you'll be warmly greeted by Breytzi Carrion, our expert Andean Trip Leader who will be with you for the next five days. Transfer to our 5-star hotel where A+R guests enjoy guestrooms that are specially oxygenated for their comfort at the city's high altitude. You're staying in the historic heart of Cuzco so it's easy to explore a bit at your own pace before dinner. Meals B+D
Day 7: Ollantaytambo + Rail to Machu Picchu
Descend into the Sacred Valley to visit Ollantaytambo, an ancient community that provides a vivid living illustration of Inca urban planning. Laid out in a simple grid with cobblestone streets, perfectly constructed stone walls and canals, many of the buildings and residence you'll see today date back more than 600 years. Then board the train for the scenic journey through the timeless landscapes of the Sacred Valley - a region of quiet villages and terraced fields that have been cultivated for centuries On arrival in the charming town of Aguas Calientes, you'll have lunch before ascending to Machu Picchu #WHS#. Delight in a guided tour of this mighty citadel as Breytzi sheds light on the Inca and their once-mighty Empire. Descend back to Aguas Calientes for a 2-night stay at the enchanting Inkaterra Pueblo. Meals B+L+D
Day 8: Full Day at the Lost City
Arise early for your second guided tour of the Lost City before the day-visitors from Cuzco and the Sacred Valley have yet to arrive in town. With fewer people and the softer light of morning just breaking over the surrounding mountain peaks, this early-morning visit to Machu Picchu promises to be one of the most memorable travel experiences you will ever have. After lunch at the exclusive Sanctuary Lodge, situated atop the mountain next to Machu Picchu, you can return to the site to explore and hike at your own pace. Then return down the mountain for dinner and another night at our wonderful resort nestled in a cloud forest below the Machu Picchu. Meals B+L+D
Day 9: Return to Cuzco
Journey by rail into the Sacred Valley to visit the rustic Andean town of Chincheros. In the shadow of the mighty peaks of the Vilcabamba Range, this highland town is renowned for the skill of its weavers. Spend some time here as Breytzi offers insight into the enduring traditions of its residents and observe the ancient weaving techniques still used here to create textiles of extraordinary design and quality. Then continue to Cuzco and check in again to the JW Marriott Hotel where oxygenated rooms have been reserved for our guests. Meals B+L
Day 10: Discover Cuzco #WHS#
Begin your sightseeing in the hills outside of town where you'll discover Sacsayhuaman. Built in the 1400's by the Inca Emperor Pachacútec, the massive limestone blocks of this venerated complex were cut with such precision that they fit together without mortar like the interlocking pieces of a jigsaw puzzle! With some individual stones towering more than 10 feet tall and weighing several hundred tons, Sacsayhuaman is a monumental achievement of architecture and masonry. Then by special arrangement, a local Shaman will perform a purification ritual for our group near the rarely-visited Temple of the Moon. Back in the city, you'll continue your sightseeing with the Colonial landmarks that surround the Plaza de Armas - including the Cathedral that was completed in 1654 nearly 100 years after construction began. Then spend some time in the San Pedro Market as Breytzi offers illuminating insight into old Andean traditions that still endure here in Cuzco. You'll have time this afternoon to relax, explore and shop at your own pace. This evening, gather for a Farewell Dinner at Bacco, one of our favorite Cuzco restaurants. Meals B+D
Day 11: Back to Lima
After breakfast, we'll take you to the airport for your included flight to Lima where you can connect to your onward flight. Meals B
