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For those with a taste of adventure! Raft, trek and mountain bike through the wonders of Peru, from Machu Picchu and the Andean Highlands to the biodiversity of the Tambopata rainforest.
![]() Day 1 - Lima Upon arrival in Lima we meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for an overnight stay. Day 2 - Lima to Cusco We return to the airport in the early morning for the one-hour flight to Cusco. We will spend the rest of the morning relaxing in our hotel and acclimatizing to the altitude. In the afternoon we explore Cusco on foot. The central plaza's site has not changed since the city was the capital of the Inca Empire. You can visit fine examples of both Incan and Spanish colonial architecture at Koricancha, the Incan Temple of the Sun, and at the main Cathedral in the central plaza. B Day 3 - Cusco horse riding We head out of Cusco and meet up with our horses for a day of easy horse-riding. For those not keen on horse riding, we can also enjoy the same route on foot - an ideal acclimatization hike. We will visit all the main Inca ruins in the Cusco valley and some lesser known ones as well. We will enjoy a picnic lunch and end with a visit to Sacsayhuaman Inca fortress before returning to Cusco for the night B, L
From Cusco we drive to the upper Urubamba River, the Sacred River of the Incas, for some lively grade III-IV rafting. Full instruction and safety talk are given so no previous experience is necessary, but a reasonable level of fitness and ability to swim is essential. Following the rafting we take a rarely used road along the Urubamba Valley to Pisac where we can visit the local artisan market before heading on to a beautiful Hacienda deep in the Sacred Valley, our base for the next two days of adventure. B, L, D Day 5 - Mountain biking A short transfer up to the town of Chinchero for the start of probably the best one-day mountain bike adventure in Peru. Again largely downhill, we pass Lake Huaypo, famous for its UFO sightings, and enjoy great views of the Vilcanota mountain range. We enjoy an enthralling downhill on old Inca trails to the village of Maras and then the "descent of a lifetime" on donkey trails into the spectacular saltpans. We arrive back at our hacienda for a late BBQ lunch and time to relax in the lovely garden. B, L, D Day 6 - Inca Trail Our Inca Trail guide meets us for a tour of the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, then after lunch we embark on the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The afternoon trek is along the banks of the Urubamba River and we camp for the night at the spectacular ruins of Llactapata. B, L, D
We begin the morning trekking up the Cusichaca Valley to the small hamlet of Huallaybamba, the last inhabited place on the trail. The path continues up a beautiful Inca path, through stunted cloud forest to our camp at Llulluchupampa - a beautiful grassy area with outstanding views down the valley. B, L, D Day 8 - Inca Trail Possibly the most strenuous day of the trek, we rise early and trek to the top of Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's Pass) - at 13,776 the highest point of the trail. We then descend into the Pacasmayo Valley before climbing past the Inca ruins of Runkuracay. Our second pass of the day at 12,628 feet, gives us spectacular views of the Vilcabamba mountain range as we continue hiking on well-preserved Inca pathway to the Sayacmarca ruins, reached by a steep stone staircase and surrounded on three sides by sheer cliff walls. With commanding views of surrounding peaks, we continue to hike through orchid and moss-draped cloud forest to the third pass and arrive at the impressive ruins of Phuyupatamarca (literally, "town in the clouds"), passing by six Inca ritual baths and through an Inca tunnel, to our campsite. B, L, D Day 9 - Inca Trail After an early morning chance to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snow-capped mountains we say farewell to our porters with a traditional song and dance. Our final days hike descends into the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairways to the Inca agricultural terraces and temple of Wiñay Wayna. After an exploration of the ruins we continue on to Intipunku, the Gateway of the Sun, and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We descend into the ruins and catch a bus down to our accommodation in the colorful town of Aguas Calientes. B, L Day 10 - Machu Picchu to Cusco Spend the morning with your guide exploring this majestic mountaintop city with unbelievable vistas and ancient mysteries. You will have an opportunity to better understand the harmonious mixture of architecture and topography so typical of Incan city planning. If you like you can hike up to the top of Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu's close neighbor, for an exhilarating view of the ruins complex below. In the afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cusco. B, L Day 11- Cusco The day is spent at leisure in Cusco to relax and reflect on the activities of the last few days. Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting colonial churches, bargain hunting in Indian markets or just relaxing over a cappuccino in the main square, Cusco has it all! B Day 12 - Cusco to Puerto Maldonado to Sandoval Lake Lodge A short flight over the Andes brings us to Puerto Maldonado in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Here we travel by boat, on foot and by canoe to reach our jungle lodge on the shore of Lake Sandoval, nestled deep in the Tambopata National Reserve. After lunch and a quick siesta we set out to explore the lake with our expert naturalist guides, exploring the lakes edge by canoe in search of monkeys, birds and the rare Giant Otter. B, L, D
Up at dawn we continue our exploration of the lake, and then by foot into the pristine rainforest. Here our resident naturalist guides bring the forest to life as they point out plants with medicinal uses, interesting insects and colorful birds and butterflies. An after lunch siesta and an opportunity for further exploration of the lake awaits you this afternoon. For those still with enough energy there is an after-dinner lake excursion to look for the rare Black Caiman. B, L, D Day 14 - Sandoval Lake Lodge to Lima We transfer back to Puerto Maldonado for the flight to Lima and onward international connections. Depending on the time of the international flight, if additional airport transfers or a day use room in Miraflores are required there will be an additional supplement. B Staying on in Peru? Whether your interest is archaeology, wildlife or culture, in a short extension tour you can experience more of the rich living heritage of this vibrant country. Day trips and adventure trips are also a great way to see Cusco and Lima and their nearby sights. We can even arrange hotels and transportation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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