PERU SACRED TRAVEL PACKAGE 11D/10N
In this 11day tour you’ll see all the great highlights that Peru has to offer. Archeological sites, Museums, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, Puno and the Titicaca Lake, the mythical City of Cusco the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
TOTAL PLACES VISITED: Cusco, city tour, Incas Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, Puno and the Titicaca Lake.
TOUR ITINERARY
• B= Breakfast
• L= Lunch
• D= Dinner
DAY1: CUSCO – CITY TOUR
Early in the morning, at your arrival we will pick up you from the airport and take you to the chosen hotel. We suggest that you get some rest during the remainder of the morning so that you may acclimate yourself to the high altitude, then enjoy lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, we shall take a guided city tour of Cusco visiting the Plaza Mayor (main square), the Catedral, the Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun) or Qorikancha. The trip shall continue onto the outskirts of town to visit the different Incan complexes such as the impressive Fortaleza (fortress) de Sacsayhuamán, which was strategically built on a hill on edge of Cusco and it is famous for its enormous crafted stones that have been pieced together with stunning precision and that conform to the external walls of the complex; some of these stones extend above 9m in height and weigh over 350 metric tons. Next, we will direct ourselves toward the archeological sites of Kenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. By nightfall, we shall enjoy some free time. (B.L)
DAY2: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU
At 9:00am gather of its hotel to make the trip to the Sacred Valley where We will visit the colorful Indian market in Pisac where a mixture of color, tradition will be able appreciated The Valley has a distance of 31 km (19 miles) of Cusco, and one altitude of 2,970 ms (9,700 p), Pisac where we will visit the market, and is located to the entrance of the Sacred Valley followed by Ollantaytambo, the older town continuously occupied of the American continent. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their channels that have not varied from the time Inca, evoke their ancestral inheritance, lunch in a typical restaurant and on the evening we will continue to Aguas Calientes town. his morning we have time to explore the small trail system at the lodge before heading across the river to the tiny airstrip of Boca Manu. On arrival at the strip we board our aircraft for the 35 minute flight to Cusco. First we fly over seemingly endless rainforest and then past snow peaks and glaciers to Cusco, where our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
DAY3: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
At Aguas Calientes you will have to approach the bus towards the Ciudadela de Machu Picchu (15min. trip by bus) will receive tour guided by this Huge Historical Sanctuary follow by some free time in the afternoon, after visit Machu Picchu we will return to Cusco in the evening. (B.BOX LUNCH)
DAY4: CUSCO – MANU NATIONAL PARK – PILCOPATA
We will depart Cusco in a 4WD/minibus vehicle traveling on a small one way road that changes direction by day of week! Along the way, we will see incredible views of the Andean valleys, the snow covered Vilcanota and Urubamba ranges, and the Amazon Basin. Our journey will take us over the Andes Mountains (12,795''pass) and into the cloud forest. On the way we pass pre-Inca burial towers called Chullpas and stop at the historic town of Paucartambo (9,530''). From the high desert we will descend into cloud forest and then the lush rainforest. Overall there is approximately 8 - 10 hours of driving. We will stay the night at our lodge (B.L. D)
DAY5: PILCOPATA – RESERVED ZONE
After eating our breakfast we continue the tour by bus going through the high forest arriving to Atalaya which is found next to Madre de Dios River (700 meters over the sea).we will pass by Alto Madre de Dios river whit its relatively clean waters to enter the clay laden waters of the Manu River. With a brief stop at the park ranger station at Limonal to present our permits we travel for about five hours up the Manu. Beaches, especially in the dry season, are loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name a few. Some beaches will host sunning White and Black Caimans (South American relatives of the Alligators) and breeding Side-necked Turtles. Hundreds of Sand-colored Nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches and there is a chance of encountering a sunning Jaguar - the worlds third largest cat. In 1999 one in three of our trips saw Jaguar in Manu. We will see some species of primate on this river trip, possibly Red Howler Monkeys or the smaller Squirrel Monkeys. After having lunch by the river we arrive at our Safari Camp near the lake of Cocha Salvador. We'll have the afternoon to explore some of the trails through the pristine rainforest in the area. A visit to the lake of Cocha Otorongo is planned, where observation piers and a 20 meter observation tower in the rainforest canopy overlooking the lake are available for observing wildlife. We will also be on the lookout for a large family of Giant Otters that inhabit this lake. Before or after dinner an optional excursion into the forest at night is available with your guide in search of nocturnal creatures. The lakes are full of eye-shine of the large Black Caiman and if we are lucky we may encounter an Olingo Kinkajou or even an Ocelot on the trails. Certainly the night-time noise of tree frogs and insects in the forest is an experience not to be forgotten. Night at Casa Matshiguenka Lodge. (B.L. D)
DAY6: RESERVED ZONE OF MANU NATIONAL PARK
Today we will start with a long walk of some three or four hours, from the banks of Manu River to Otorongo lake, here we will climb a 15m high observation tower, from where birds such as the exuberantly feathered and primitive Shansho (Hoatzin) can be seen, as well as monkeys feeding on fruits and several species of flowers and brightly-colored butterflies. We will then return to our camp by canoe to enjoy a delicious lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to exploring Salvador Oxbow lake and the surrounding area aboard our catamaran, from which will be able to observe the mega diversity attracted by this oxbow lake, including Black Caiman, White Caiman, a family of Giant Otters and waterfowl. Return to the lodge in the evening. (B.L. D)
DAY7: RESERVED ZONE – BOCA MANU
Early in the morning we will have another chance to go for a nature walk or one more visit to the oxbow lake and hear choirs of birds defining their territory in song. As the sun rises, the eastern sky changes to a pale yellow and we will be able to see falcons or other predatory birds patiently searching for prey from the treetops. After lunch we will board our boat again and head downstream towards Boca Manu but this time just floating with out the engine in order to have the opportunity to observe with plenty of time this mighty and diverse environment. Arriving at Boca Manu we will visit the native community of the Matshiguenka and Yine ethnic group; also we will visit their botanical garden of medicinal plants and share their activities. (B.L. D)
DAY8: BOCA MANU – CUSCO
This morning we have time to explore the small trail system at the lodge before heading across the river to the tiny airstrip of Boca Manu. On arrival at the strip we board our aircraft for the 35 minute flight to Cusco. First we fly over seemingly endless rainforest and then past snow peaks and glaciers to Cusco, where our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel. (B.)
DAY9: CUSCO-PUNO
On this day’s journey we shall come across Lake Wacarpay, which offers spectacular views of the mountains’ reflection off the lake’s calm waters. We shall visit the citadel near the pre-Inca town of Pikillacta—Quechua name meaning “town of the fleas”—considered to be one of the most spectacular centers of the Wari culture. These ruins consist of over 700 structures with some walls that stand about 12m tall. From there we shall proceed to the charming city of Andahuaylillas and visit the Saint Peter’s church of Andahuaylillas, better known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas due to its gold-adorned ceiling. Then, we shall stop in Racchi along our way, where we will see a marvelous Inca sanctuary built by Pachacutec the Inca King and dedicated to the great Inca God of Wiracocha. It contains a great main wall with a base made of stone of fine Inca architecture. Other walls are then made of large adobe bricks. The structure also has two large side columns. Around the temple there are a number of buildings once used as shelters and for storage. Then, around 70km further down the road on our journey, we shall come across the “La Raya” ranch where we will be able to spot herds of vicuñas and llamas. We shall then journey along the Plateau of Collao, stopping in the city of Ayaviri—an important center for textiles and cow-herding—to visit the impressive Kalasaya temple, which are ruins of the ancient Pucara culture. By the afternoon, we shall arrive in the city of Puno where we will be spending the night. (B.L)
DAY 10: PUNO- TAQUILE- LOS URUS
After having breakfast we shall proceed to the pier via Chucuito, where we will visit the Templo de los Falos (Temple of Fertility), then continue on to the town of Charcas, which has a traditional market that, still at present day, continues its exchange of goods since the period prior to exploration of the Americas by the Europeans. Thereafter, we shall make our way to the pier where we shall board our boat headed to Taquile Island. There, we shall appreciate the cultural and ethnic values of its inhabitants who, to this day, maintain their ancient customs and cultural traditions. At noon we shall enjoy a traditional meal, then, by afternoon, we shall make our way through the arches and descend the 500 steps of stairs of Taquile to embark on small boats and arrive at the floating islands of Los Uros, which are made of a local type of aquatic reed called Totora. Then, later in the afternoon, we shall return to the city of Puno. (B.L)
DAY 11: PUNO-SILLUSTANI-LIMA
In the morning we shall make our way to the airport of Juliaca to board the flight headed back to Lima. On our way to the airport we shall visit the famous Chullpas de Sillustani, cilindrical mausoleums used by the Aymara indigenous group to bury their high priests. The Umayo Lagoon, located in front of the Chullpas, only adds to the beauty of it all. Here, we will have the chance to spot a great variety of birds. Thereafter, we will head our way to the airport from where we will make our return to the city of Lima, marking the end of a spectacular 22 day trip. (B)
