PERU OVERLAND 2
A Geographical Exploration
12 days / 11 nights
1) Arrival in Cusco and city tour during the morning. Morning: Pick up at the airport and hotel transfer - Afternoon: Pick up at the hotel and private guided city tour - Evening: Hotel
- Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses
2) THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS. Guided tour in a private vehicle in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We visit a famous handicraft market in Pisaq town and the Archaeological site nearby – We cross the whole Sacred Valley to reach Ollantaytambo town – Buffet lunch in a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley – Afternoon: After visiting the Ollantaybambo archeological complex we take the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes – Arrival and transfer to your hotel. – Evening: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Each customer needs to arrange lunch on his/her own expenses.
3) MACHU PICCHU. This day is dedicated to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu considered as one of the 7 Wonders of the modern world. Our guide will escort us to take the bus to reach Machu Picchu - Guided private tour in Machu Picchu: when the tour is finished you can decide to either stay longer in the archaeological site or return to Aguas Calientes - Lunch - Vistadome train to Poroy train station – Pick up at the train station and transfer to your hotel. – Evening: Hotel in Cusco.
- Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
4) CUSCO Pick up at your hotel and half day guided tour with a private vehicle to The Maras Salt Mines and The Circular Terraces in Moray considered as an ancient agricultural laboratory where Inca culture domesticated new types of plant. – Lunch - Free afternoon in case you need to rest more and to complete your acclimatization before you get to the Andean Plateau.
- Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
5) CUSCO-YAURI We board a SUV car at your hotel - We will stop by the monumental Inca Gate – We get on the main road in search of the beautiful landscapes formed by the 4 Lakes – Buffet lunch in Sicuani - In the afternoon we will arrive in the Andean Plateau area and stop at the Inca citadel of Kanamarca - Evening: Hotel in Yauri.
- Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
6) YAURI - PUNO After checking out from your hotel we will visit the astonishing Suykutambo Canyon - Lunch in Yauri - In the afternoon we leave Yauri in the direction of Puno city. We will cross the Vivavilla pass at 4864 masl to get to a beautiful colonial town known as Lampa. Evening: Hotel in Puno city
- Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
7) THE TITIKAKA ISLANDS. The blue water of the Lake Titicaca is the true protagonist of this day! We pick you up at your hotel and start a private guided tour on a fast shared boat. We head in the direction of the floating islands of Uros and Taquile island. The natural views along this trip will be absolutely wonderful - Lunch on Taquile island - We return to Puno city in the evening - Transfer to your hotel - Evening: Hotel in Puno.
- Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
8) PUNO – PUERTO MALDONADO. We leave the hotel in our SUV car and head towards the spectacular archeological Sillustani cemetery. Then you will begin the great journey that will take us to the Amazon jungle. We will reach the Oquepuno pass (at 4873 masl) to start a long descent which will cross all the ecological levels ranging from the glaciers in the Andes to the pure Amazon jungle (the point of arrival - the city of Puerto Maldonado, is located at an altitude of only 200 masl!) - Box lunch - Evening: Hotel in Puerto Maldonado.
- Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
9) TAMBOPATA-INCATERRA NATIONAL NATURAL RESERVA- Pick up at your hotel and and transfer to the harbour master's office where we embark on a boat to navigate through the vast Madre de Dios river. During the trip we will be submerged in a natural environment where we will observe capybaras, caimans, turtles, herons, cormorants among other animals- Arrival in the lodge- In the afternoon we will visit the Island of the monkeys with a specialized guide, in the very heart of Madre de Dios. During the trek we will observe extraordinary landscapes with an exuberant flora which is a shelter for different types of monkeys such as black spider monkeys, pygmy marmosets, common squirrel monkeys or howler monkeys. In addition we will watch a great variety of birds and mammals such as coati and sloths. At the end of our tour we will enjoy a spectacular sunset - Return to the lodge and dinner.
10) TAMBOPATA-INCATERRA NATIONAL NATURAL RESERVE. . After breakfast we will begin an adventure in the virgin jungle accompanied by a local guide - We will go trekking in the deep forest to reach Cocha Perdida (Lost Lake) which is an ecosystem that shelters and feeds a huge variety of animals that still remains intact. This area is formed by a huge swamp and aguajales (moriche palm forest) where we can watch giant otters, caiman, turtles, tapirs, colourful birds, a great variety of fish and the majestic jaguar - We will arrive in the Amazon special vantage point from where we will be able to observe the magical jungle. We also take a pleasant canoe ride around the lake- During the afternoon we offer you the chance to visit the Botanical Garden- Return to the lodge and dinner.
11) TAMBOPATA-INCATERRA NATIONAL NATURAL RESERVE. We will begin another tour through the jungle. We will sail on the Madre de Dios river until we reach the Quebrada Gamitana river, born in the deep jungle and whose extensive snaky waterway net is impressive- We come back to the lodge on a boat and during our journey we can watch turtles, caimans, birds and a great variety of birds. There will be an opportunity to fish and take a dip in the river- Return to the lodge and dinner.
12 PUERTO MALDONADO – LIMA Desayuno y traslado en bote y en carro al aeropuerto de Puerto Maldonado.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1) Regarding our SUV driver. The person responsible for driving and guide knows perfectly all roads and places included in this tour. In days when different vehicles are included for the tours (see 2 and 3) the designated driver can be someone different and will be accompanied by a private guide.
2) Regarding SUV car. Our SUV cars will be used in the main routes of the itinerary presented above such as Cusco -Yauri (day 5 and 6) and Puno-Puerto Maldonado (day 8). The passenger can ask for stops along the route for up to an accumulative time of 45 minutes (per route).
3) Regarding other private cars (including Vans) different from the SUV car mentioned in point 2. They will be used for tours and transfers in local cities visited.
4) Regarding the day in Machu Picchu (day 3). 4The guided tour in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu has a duration of approximately 2 hours but often our passengers ask for more time in the famous citadel. For this reason we indicated that the lunch in Aguas Calientes is optional; you are free to decide. If the passenger may decide to stay more time in Machu Picchu, our guide will provide all the information as to where to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and the way to the train station.
5) Regarding the visit to Suykutambo Canyon (Night 5 and morning day 6). The Suykutambo Canyon and the mining town of Yauri are in a remote area of the Andean Plateau away from the more well-known tourist routes. For this reason it is not possible to offer the same service standards that our customers find in Cusco and other places.
6) Regarding the day in the islands of Lake Titicaca (day 9). The tour will be with a private guide while the boat will be shared with other tourists.
7) Regarding the first day at the Tambopata National Reserve. You will be requested to take just your most important items for the days you spend in the jungle. The rest of your luggage will be kept in a storage room in Puerto Maldonado. We strongly advice you to prepare your luggage in advance.
8) The total distance of the main route of the trip (Cusco-Yauri - Puno-Puerto Maldonado) is approximately 1200 km. We will drive on paved and unpaved roads.
9)Changes in the scheduled route will be possible when unplanned serious events take place such us landslides, strikes, closure of roads for maintenance, etc.
OPTIONS AND EXTENSIONS
It is possible to add more days to your program in order to relax or enhance your experience. Here we offer some interesting options in the places that are considered in the same program.
Cusco has several available options:
1) A half day tour in the South Valley gives the possibility to see important historical and archaeological places and enjoy half day free to explore Cusco city on your own. (Ask for more information about one additional day in Cusco). South Valley.
If you like hiking, we have different available tours of 1 day or more to reach the Andean highlands, the most spectacular views and archaeological sites of outstanding beauty. (Ask for more information about one additional day in Cusco).).
Cusco its elf is a magical place and that is why it is worth an extra day just for this city. Spend a day here for walking, knowing its streets and discovering its walls and balconies. (Ask for more information about one additional day in Cusco).).
Yauri Here we have an opportunity not to miss. A walk of 2 days/1 night to the incredible Wakra Pukara Inca site, a ceremonial center of the Inca imperial period (1450-1533) suspended in an abyss, and with the most impressive view of the Apurimac Canyon. (See more details on our webpage: Trek Wajra Pukara ).
Puno also has several available options.
1) As part of a half-day tour you can enjoy spectacular views of Titikaka Lake and explore Cutimbo hill platform, a complex of ancient funerary towers (chullpas). This complex was built during the Architectural Imperial Inca period. ((Ask for more information about one additional day in Puno).
If this lakeside town is your goal then we offer a half day tour in the villages of July, Pomata and Chucuito. These places are rich in history and baroque architecture. (Ask for more information about one additional day in Puno). ).