FROM THE JUNGLE TO THE ANDES
10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
ITINERARY: Amazon Jungle – Cusco – Machu Picchu – Titikaka Lake
A long journey in Peru that starts in the south and then crosses different ecological levels. Sail on Amazonian rivers, meet the Andean glaciers and the astonishing Inca archeological sites!
DAY 1: Arrival to the Amazon Jungle
Welcome to Puerto Maldonado. Our first point of visit will be at the House of the Butterflies close to Puerto Maldonado airport. After this we take a wonderful 45-minute-boat trip to get to the Incaterra Reserva Amazónica lodge. After your check in and a small break it is time to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with local ingredients. Now it is time for a well-deserved rest and to get ready for our afternoon trip. After a briefing with our Incaterra ranger we will be able to choose among different available trips in Incaterra Reserva Amazónica. We recommend you to take a guided walk inside the Inkaterra natural reserve that leads you along a natural path system in the Amazon Basin. This tour is an excellent introduction to observe the Amazonian ecosystem and a great variety of exotic birds, insects and plants such as shihuahuaco (dipteryx micrantha) and the Strangely beautiful ficus choke.
It would be a good idea to take a boat ride during the night (a guided tour over the course of the Madre de Dios river) that will let you witness the transformation of daytime world into a nocturnal one. Animals well-adapted to the night, like different types of birds, replace the daytime ones. Pay attention to the presence of chotacabras (nightjars), owls, capybaras and three types of caiman. During the evening we will enjoy the dinner between 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
DAY 2: Sandoval Lake and canopy at Inkaterra.
This day we can choose from two options: either we sleep until late or get up early morning. For those who want to enjoy the nature to the maximum breakfast will be served between 5:30 am and 9:30 am. During the morning we will sail on the Sandoval Lake located in The Tambopata National Reserve. Using a wooden boat we will see many endangered species such as the giant otters, the red howler monkeys, the red-bellied macaws, anacondas and side-necked turtles. After this experience we will go back to Incaterra Reserva Amazónica to have lunch.
You may consider to visit Incaterra Canopy after lunch. After climbing the first 29 meter canopy tower we have our first encounter with species that live on the treetops. We literally walk through the tropical forest in a network of bridges that connect eight observation platforms for more than a quarter of a mile. In the two-hour-tour we can see colorful toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and sloth bears among other animals. It is also possible to stay in this area to see the sunset. Once we come back to the lodge we can enjoy a display of the jungle at the Eco Center and the happy hour. Dinner time starts at 7:30 pm.
DAY 3: Gamitana Ravine and Concepcion Hacienda
After taking a broad ride we enjoy a hike in the Gamitana Ravine located 25 minutes from our lodge. We explore and walk along the winding Gamitana ravine to watch piranhas, caimans, turtles and birds. Our walk ends at Sanipanga stop. Afterwards it is time to embark on a boat trip to keep appreciating the exuberant tropical flora and fauna and to reach the Gamitana model growing area where we will learn more about what a model farm is in the Amazon region. Now it is time to return to Incaterra Reserva Amazónica since it
is lunch time. After lunch we enjoy a trip to Hacienda Concepcion and have a unique opportunity to watch more than 200 species of plants and learn about the current uses and benefits of the local flora. After this stop we ride a boat for 30 minutes looking for chotacabras (nightjars), turtles and exotics herons. Our next goal will be a 2-hour-night walk in the jungle through the paths of Reserva Ecológica de Incaterra to get deeper into the secondary forest in order to feel all the mystery behind the nocturnal animal activity which is only possible to experiment after sunset. We return to our lodge after this experience.
DAY 4: Leaving the jungle and flying to Cusco
We enjoy a rich breakfast before we depart. A 45-minute-boat ride on Madre de Dios rives will take us back to Puerto Maldonado to have the chance to visit House of the Butterflies. Peru has the greatest variety of butterflies in the world, with 3700 known species. Many of these are shown in this house. We continue our trip to reach the airport and fly to Cusco, the ancient Inca city.
Pick up at the airport and hotel transfer. During the afternoon we will start our half day City Tour Program. It will allow us to visit the Cathedral of Cusco and the Koricancha Temple. The first one is a fine architectural colonial building full of artistic treasures inside and the latter is the former and greatest temple during the Inca times. Our next stop will be the huge stone fortress known as Sacsayhuaman. It represents one of the greatest architectural Inca achievements. Our last stop will be Qenqo where an impressive ritual rock is located.Our tour finishes with taking you back to your hotel.
DAY 5: The Sacred Valley of the Incas
After enjoying a delicious breakfast we are heading to see the beautiful landscapes in the Sacred Valley. Our first stop will be Chinchero town located at 4000 masl. We visit the historical square and a beautiful colonial church. Also it will be possible to appreciate the beautiful Urubamba snow cape mountain surrounded by big glaciers. Our next destination will be the Salt Mines in Maras and The Circular Terraces in Moray which experts believe functioned as an ancient agricultural laboratory for the Incas to domesticate new types of plants. Now it is time to enjoy a buffet lunch in a restaurant in The Sacred Valley by the majestic Urubamba river. During the afternoon we will visit the town of Ollantaytambo where there are a lot of Inca buildings still in use. The cobbled streets and the archeological remains in the nearby area are good examples of the high quality Inca architecture in urban areas. We will spend this night in Ollantaytambo and next day we will take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes known as the gate to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. In this town we will rest and plan our trip to Machu Picchu next day.
DAY 6: The Inca Citadel of Machupicchu.
This is going to be one of those unforgettable days in your life. Along the years many qualifying terms have been assigned to this wonderful place such as World heritage site, Historic Sanctuary and Wonder of the modern world. At the beginning of this journey our guide will pick you up at your hotel and help you board the bus to reach Machu Picchu´s gate. We will explore this archaeological site in detail and appreciate its beautiful landscapes and understand the meaning it had during the Inca times. In the afternoon of this memorable day we will head to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco city.
DAY 7: The Pisac handicraft market and Pisac archeological site.
After waking up we get ready for a tour full of tradition and colour: we head to Pisac town and its handicraft market but first we will stop at Puka Pukara fortress and Tambomachay ceremonial center. No doubt that Pisaq market is so well known along the Sacred Valley area and symbolizes a triumph of colors and contrast. After lunch we will visit the Pisac archeological site which encloses a large area divided in urban, military and ceremonial sections. We come back to Cusco having some extra free time to go shopping and get some souvenirs for our dear ones.
DAY 8: Crossing The Andean Plateau
After experiencing so many emotions in Cusco we go for another exciting tour. We take a bus in the direction of the blue Titikaka Lake at 3850 masl. During this guided tour we stop at different spots like the Andahuylillas colonial church considered as an architectural jewel of the Andean Baroque style. After that we stop at the famous Wirachocha temple in Raqchi and at the Pukara Lithic Museum. We will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch in the middle of our journey. There will also be a chance to take a short walk in the highest point in the region called La Raya at 4338 masl. We arrive in Puno at sunset and a designated car will take you to your hotel.
DAY 9: The waters of Titikaka Lake and its Islands.
This is a beautiful day to sail on the blue waters of Titikaka Lake in search of its islands and in order to learn about the ancient traditions of the local people. Our first stop will be at the Artificial Floating Islands of Uros, which have been made using wild reed by the aboriginal people who live by the lake and are called Uros since the old times. Our next stop will be a real island named Taquile where you will have fantastic views of the Titikaka Lake. We also get in contact with the local inhabitants in order to learn more about the ancient art of weaving which has been preserved along the years. Then we are sailing back to Puno where a designated car will transfer you to your hotel.
DAY 10: Airport transfer and flying to Lima
We enjoy a rich breakfast before we head to Juliaca airport in order 
to take a flight to the Peruvian capital city, Lima.
SUMMARY
1)Puerto Maldonado Day 1
What is included: Pick up at the airport and lodge transfer in a boat – Tours according our schedule – Lunch and dinner - Hotel
2) Puerto Maldonado Day 2
What is included: Tours according our schedule - Lunch and dinner - Hotel.
3)Puerto Maldonado Day 3
What is included: Tours according our schedule - Lunch and dinner - Hotel.
4)Puerto Maldonado
What is included: Transfer to Puerto Maldonado on a boat and to the airport in a car – Puerto Maldonado / Cusco flight ticket – Hotel transfer in Cusco – Guided city tour in Cusco - Hotel.
Not Included: Lunch and dinner.
5) The Sacred Valley of the Incas tour (ending in Ollantaytambo)
What is included: Private tour in a private car – Buffet lunch –Train ticket – Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
What is not included: Dinner.
6) Machu Picchu citadel
What is included: Guided tour in Machu Picchu – Lunch - Aguas Calientes / Poroy train station ticket - Transfer service from the train station to your hotel in a private car - Hotel in Cusco.
What is not included: Dinner
7) Pisaq (Market and Archeological site)
What is included: Private guided tour in Pisaq market and Pisaq archeological site – Lunch - Hotel in Cusco.
What is not included: Dinner.
8) Cusco to Puno by bus
What is included: Bus transfer and guided shared tour with stops at Pukara, Raqchi and Andahuaylillas – Lunch in Sicuani - Hotel in Puno.
What is not included: Dinner.
9) Titikaka Islands
What is included: Private guided tour in a shared boat to Uros and Taquila Islands – Lunch on Taquile Island and return to Puno city – Hotel in Puno.
What is not included: Dinner.
10) Puno – Lima flight
What is included: Transfer to Juliaca airport in order to take your flight to Lima.
What is not included: Dinner, lunch and hotel.