"Hidden treasures of Peru". 10-day tour

At arranged time – transfer to the airport and flight to Iquitos. 

Arrival in Iquitos. Reception at the luggage claim area of the Iquitos International Airport, where our staff will be waiting for you.

We will go to the Bellavista Port, where we will board one of our speedboats that will take us to the Heliconia Lodge along the Amazon River. 

During this boat ride you will have the opportunity to observe the convergence of the brown turbid waters of the Amazon River with the dark waters of the Nanay River. You will enjoy the impressive jungle landscapes with the rustic small houses of the riverside towns.

Then we will have a short stopover in Monkey Island, a family social enterprise focused on conserving and protecting endangered monkey species in the Northern Amazon. You will learn about the effort to reintegrate monkeys and their survival in the wild. You will see the monkeys free in this reserve, not in cages, their temporary stay here depends on their capability to adapt back to its jungle habitat.

Lunch.

In the afternoon we will start with our first excursion: a jungle hike into the Yanamono Reserve, which is a primary rainforest reserve. The tour takes approximately 2 hours. Our expert guides will identify several botanical species such as heliconia flowers, medicinal plants and giant trees such as the White silk-cotton tree (Ceiba Pentandra) which dimensions are so big that 25 persons can circle it holding their hands. 

During this excursion you will also see several birds species such as the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes Aura), Black Fronted Nanbird (Monasa-Atia), etc., and with a little luck you will be able to see small monkeys such as marmosets (saguinus fusicollis) and the Titi Monkey (Callicebus Mollock Mollock) and the squirrel monkey (Saimiri Boliviense).

Return to the lodge for rest. Free time.

As the evening comes around, during high tide, we will take a boat ride along one of the Amazon River’s tributaries for an exciting evening in the jungle, with no lights, perhaps just some jungle flora and fauna sparkling in the dark. You will have to trust your expert boat guide to take you where you can appreciate and listen to the magical sounds of the jungle. If it is a clear night, you will see the bright magnificent moonlight, as well as observe the stars and constellations. 

Dinner.

INC: breakfast / lunch / dinner

Rise early for the Morning Bird Watching.

In order to see the birds flocked together during their morning feeding time, we will start very early going by boat to one of the several streams (best on high tide) to look out for a number of variety of birds. You will be looking out for birds such as the Tuki (Jacana Jacana), Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle-Torquata), Black-Collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis), among others. Thereafter, we will return to the lodge, for a scrumptious and energizing breakfast.

After a little rest we will set off to a Native Fishing expedition unto one of the small tributaries of the Amazon River. You will learn the local techniques of fishing and for the most daring you can try to fish for Piranhas. During this excursion we will also have the opportunity to look out for the Pink River Dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis). If you have luck with fishing you can have your catch cooked for lunch, when we return to the Lodge.

After lunch, we will board the boat towards a lake in Yanamono island (best on high tide) where we will be able to glimpse the Giant Water Lily, the Victoria Regia, the “Queen of water lilies”. Now renamed Victoria Amazonica, these native flora in the shallow waters of the Amazon River basin are mostly found in oxbow lakes and bayous. You may see some flowers that are white as they bloom on the first night some that have turned pink on the second night after blooming. They can grow to 40 cm in diameter, and are pollinated by scarab beetles. Victoria Amazonica is well known for its huge circular leaves, which are often pictured with a small child sitting at the center of its leaf to display their size and strength.

Then consider the Nature Night Hike. We will go on an enchanting evening trek within the secure periphery of the Lodge and you will witness the entrancing transformation from daytime to a night atmosphere. As we adjust to the dark environment we will appreciate the rainforest takes on a very different character and be aware of the existence and habits of nocturnal jungle animals. It’s the best time to see stunning tree frogs, shy snakes, and other rainforest creatures that only come out at night.

We will discern a range of completely distinctive fauna from the day as we listen to magical sounds of insects, birds, jungle cats and night owls.

Back to the Lodge for Dinner.

INC: breakfast / lunch / dinner

Wake up late or rise early — the choice is yours.

Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m., for those who want to avoid the heat, and enjoy nature at its fullest. After breakfast, we will visit a riverside town to see an indigenous tribe of the Yaguas community where you will have the opportunity to learn and see their way of life in the Amazon River. See their homes, school, church, shops and interact with the people, learn their techniques of fishing and farming. We will observe their customs and tradition and get enlightened by their unaffected and austere way of living. 

Return to the Lodge for lunch and check-out.

After lunch, depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Iquitos City and according to your departure, transfer to the airport.

Arrival in Lima and transfer to the hotel. 

INC: breakfast / lunch

Early in the morning, at 3:15 am, transfer to the bus station where you will take a comfortable bus to Paracas (3:15 hrs ride). 

Transfer from Paracas bus station to Paracas Luxury Collection pier, where at 08:20 we will embark on a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands. The “Chandelier”, a giant figure marked in the sand in the style of the Nazca lines, can also be seen on our way to the islands. 

Ballestas Islands is a place where you can observe the life of penguins, sea lions, and many species of birds. You may see dolphins during boat trips to the islands. If you visit the islands in March you will see female sea lions with babies – large numbers of these animals occupy the sandy beaches near the islands.

There are always people in Ballestas Islands collecting 'guano' (bird droppings), which is the best fertilizer. In 19th century guano was valued more than gold and trading it made Peru a very rich country. When the first guano collectors arrived here these birds had accumulated guano reserves as deep as 20 to 70m (66 to 236 feet)!

Tour duration: approximately 2 hours. 

After the tour to Ballestas you will go to the airport of Pisco for a flight over the Nasca lines. 

First we will fly over the wonderful Ocucaje Valley, where the mountains keep the 150-million year-old marine fossil remains. Then we will continue to Santa Cruz, Palpa, Viscas and Ingenio Valleys, development sites of Paracas and Nazca cultures (800 BC - AD 700). We also will see the peculiar Nasca Lines, recognizing the Monkey, Dog, Condor, Spider, Hummingbird, among others geoglyphs.

Flight duration 1 hour and 40 min.

Airport tax USD 4,19 per person is NOT included and should be paid directly at the airport before boarding.

At the arranged time transfer to the bus station and departure to Lima by Cruz del Sur regular bus (does not include an assistance on board).

Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Lima.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco. On arrival, welcoming reception and transfer to hotel. 

In the afternoon we will climb up the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman, and start our excursion visiting the fortress with the same name, a beautiful place that radiates peace and quiet, where we will be able to admire the huge rocks measuring up to 4 meters high that were used in its construction. We will then head for Q'enqo, and ancient temple of the Puma, where we will be able to appreciate an altar for sacrifices in the inner part of a huge rock, and then Tambomachay, sacred fountains of life and health. On the way we will have a panoramic view from Puca Pucara, a watchtower that controlled the entrance to the city.

Private tour to the Sacred Valley of the incas. 

We will start by visiting Chinchero village – a pictoresque village with an incan archaeological complex.

After that, we will go to Maras, the famous and millenary salt mines from colonial times. The contrast of the white wells and the green valley is awesome and a must for a spectacular snapshot of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Buffet lunch. 

Our next stop is Moray where the view is awesome due to the colossal concentric terraces simulating an amphitheater. It was built to recreate 20 different types of microclimates, a measure that guaranteed the agricultural production of the empire.

In the afternoon, we will visit the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, where we will be able to learn about the technique with which the Incas worked the stones. Return to the hotel in Cusco.

In Ollantaytambo we will take the train to Machu Picchu. In Machu Picchu pueblo a guide will meet us and will accompany us to the hotel.

Dinner.

Overnight stay in Machu Picchu. 

INC: breakfast / lunch / dinner

At the arranged time, meet the guide at lobby and short walk to the station to board shuttle bus to go up the winding road to Machu Picchu, amid a spectacular view of the Urubamba River and its canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will astonish us with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. Energy is all around us. After a guided visit (up to 2.5 hours), we will take the bus back to Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Free time for lunch. 

At the arranged time, we will return to Cusco and will be taken to the selected hotel.

Overnight stay in Cusco.

INC: breakfast

In the morning, private transfer to the bus station. Departure on a tour bus to Puno (up to 10 hours). On the way, we’ll stop to visit the attractions this beautiful route has to offer. Our first stop: the Pucara Museum. It is the village where the local classic bull shaped ceramics comes from. They say it brings luck and prosperity.

The next stop: Racchi, Temple of the Wiracocha god where the walls and narrow streets stand out. Before our destination, we will stop at Andahuaylillas for a visit to its beautiful chapel. We will arrive in Puno at the end of the afternoon. Reception, transfer and accommodation at the selected hotel.

Overnight stay in Puno.

INC: breakfast / lunch

At around 06:45 transfer to the Puno port for a full day tour to explore Lake Titicaca. First we will visit the Uros islands and the friendly inhabitants of these handmade islands made of totora reeds. Then it’s off to Taquile Island, a place in which the settlers still maintain their ancestral traditions and colorful typical clothes. A great opportunity to explore the island and get the best view of the lake. A typical lunch is provided on the island. Return to the city in the afternoon. Total tour duration: approximately 10 hours. 

In the evening transfer to Juliaca airport for a night flight to Lima by LATAM or AVIANCA airlines.

Arrival in Lima and transfer to your international flight. 

An overnight stay in Lima can be added if necessary. 

INC: breakfast / lunch