PERU
ANDES & AMAZON EXPLORER
MACHU PICCHU, LAKE TITICACA & THE AMAZON
Monthly Departures

The Andes & Amazon Tour is a 2-week exploration jam packed with exciting and diverse experiences. Visit the high-altitude pristine Lake Titicaca and cruise to timeless Taquile Island where you enjoy a native homestay. Photograph exotic birds along the margins of an oxbow lake in the Amazon rain forest. Explore Cuzco's wondrous palaces, streets and plazas. Experience Machu Picchu, the unforgettable Lost City of the Incas. And, you can choose to add an optional 2-day extension to fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines. Each day you enjoy unforgettable wonders.

While the program involves no overnight trekking or camping, you have ample opportunity to hike on each day of the trip. Stay in small, delightful hotels, and enjoy an unforgettable night in a native home on Taquile Island in 12,500-foot high Lake Titicaca. Our guides are talented English-speaking Peruvians who contribute enthusiasm and valuable personal insights into the past and present of this astonishing region. Join one of the most adventuresome programs you will find anywhere in South America as you explore our Andean world -- a world of splendid mountain panoramas, astonishingly diverse wildlife, and a rich human canvas spanning thousands of years.

Day 1: Saturday Arrive Lima We meet you on your arrival in Lima and take you to a comfortable hotel for overnight. If you arrive in the morning, you have the afternoon open: you may visit one or more of several excellent museums, or browse and shop for the best variety and quality of goods in all of Peru. (Note: Meals included in land cost are designated as Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 2: Sunday. We fly to Arequipa, an attractive city at 2,380 m./7,806 ft.   We transfer to our hotel overlooking the Chili River, with the classic view of El Misti Volcano just to the west. You have the remainder of the morning free to acclimate.  Arequipa's major sites are within easy walking distance of our hotel, and we spend the afternoon touring the most popular of these:  the Santa Catalina Convent, and the Museo de Santuarios Andinos, better known as the Inca Mummy Museum. B

Day 3: Monday. We travel up into the highlands on a good highway which climbs around the northern flank of Chachani Volcano up to the Pampa Cañahuas, a high plain where we see troops of wild vicuñas, the graceful relative of the llama and alpaca.  The country is relatively dry, and we pass few signs of habitation along our route until we cross a 4,600 metre /15,088 ft pass and descend into the basin of Lake Titicaca.  The highest navigable lake in the world at 3,856 m/12,650 ft, Lake Titicaca is intensively settled around its whole margin.  The deep waters of the lake buffer the cold nights at this elevation, making the basin less harsh for agriculture than many highland zones of lesser elevations.   The huge inland sea is 110 miles in length and some 45 miles in width, and is rimmed on its eastern edge by the impressive snowpeaks of Bolivia's Royal Range.  We visit the famous burial towers at Sillustani, then continue to our hotel overlooking the lake, in the attractive countryside just east of the city.  BL

Day 4: Tuesday. We transfer to the port, and board a launch for the 3½-hour cruise to Taquile Island.  Taquile's rocky terraced slopes rise steeply from the waters in the center of the lake.  Formerly a private hacienda, the Quechua-speaking islanders regained ownership in the mid-twentieth century, and have been receiving tourists into their homes since the early 1980's.  Half a century ago, a trip to the island was an adventure, often an overnight trip in precarious sailboats.  Now cooperatives of island families operate comfortable motor launches to make the trip a delightful immersion into another world.  We spend the afternoon hiking on the island.  Overnight in native homes. BL

Day 5: Wednesday. Taquile Island/Puno We have a second day to explore this entrancingly beautiful and peaceful island. Only four miles long and less than a mile wide, the island has hidden beaches, hilltop shrines, and a gentle and industrious population of Quechua peasants who welcome us wherever we go. We depart by boat in the afternoon, and visit the astonishing floating reed island communities of the Uros Indians. Return to the mainland, overnight in hotel. BL

Day 6: Thursday. La Raya Pass We travel westward across the northern Peruvian Altiplano, with a stop at the pre-Inca fortress at Pucara. The mountains gradually approach as we climb up to spectacular La Raya Pass (4,330 m). Crossing this pass we are in the headwaters of the Vilcanota River, which flows through the Sacred Valley, past Machu Picchu, and then becomes the Urubamba as it flows northward into the Amazon. Our major afternoon visit is the magnificent Viracocha Temple at Raqchi. We continue down into the narrow valley of Cuzco (3,310 m/10,857'). Overnight in hotel. BL

Day 7: Friday. Cuzco. We spend the morning touring the city's fascinating streets, pal¬aces and temples of foot.  Many of the streets retain the stone Incan walls of the former palaces which made up the heart of the city. Highlights include the cathedral and the Santo Domingo church/Koricancha complex. Your afternoon is open to visit museums or to shop.  Cuzco's night life is also full of variety, with strolling musicians contributing traditional Andean music in most of the restaurants. B

Day 8: Saturday. Pisaq/Ollantaytambo We depart Cuzco bound for the Saccred Valley of the Incas, so named for its concentration of Inca temples and palaces. Our first stop is at Saqsayhuaman, the enormous fortified temple overlooking Cuzco. We continue north, crossing a low pass and descending to the valley at the village of Pisaq. We follow the road which switchbacks up above the village, to hike amid the amazing ridge-top terraces and sun temple site, high above the village. Continuing west down this valley, we explore the classic town of Ollantaytambo, with its fortified temple site and extensive irrigation system. Overnight in a comfortable valley hotel. BL

Day 9: Sunday. Chinchero/Machu Picchu We travel up and out of the valley to the traditional village of Chinchero for the colorful Sunday market.  Quechua highland natives bring their produce here to barter for sugar, fruit and many other items supplied by traders from the city.   There is a lively section specializing in weavings, pottery and handicrafts of all types.  We return to Ollantaytambo to catch the mid-afternoon train down the spectacular gorge of the Uru¬bam¬ba River to Machu Picchu.  We spend the night in a comfortable hotel in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes, by the river near the base of the granite ridge on which the ruins perch. B

Day 10: Monday. The famous Lost City of the Incas, one of the world's most memorable archeological sites, is one of the trip highlights. On our full day here we have time for a thorough tour of the central part of the ruins.   Those who wish to photograph sunrise at the site can take the earliest shuttle bus, which departs at 5.30AM so that you're able to enter the site when the main gates open at 6.00AM (the sun clears the eastern ridges around 7.15AM).  We return in the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, and continue by van to Cuzco.  Overnight in our hotel. B

Day 11: Tuesday. Amazon lodge We take a 30-minute flight east over the Andes to Puerto Maldonado, and travel by canoe up the Tambopata River to our rain forest lodge in the Tambopata-Candamo Reserve.  After late lunch, we have a short walk on a nearby trail to introduce you to this habitat.  The lodge's naturalist guides also take us out in the evening to experience the mysteries of the forest at night.   BLD

Day 12: Wednesday. We hike to nearby Lago Condenado, an oxbow lake where you may see a variety of birds along the margin of the lagoon.  The lodge's naturalist guides introduce you to the enormous natural energy and complexity of the world's largest tropical wilderness. In the afternoon you have an opportunity to swim in the clear waters of a stream near the lodge.  BLD

Day 13: Thursday. We take a short canoe ride down the Tambopata River, then hike to a nearby oxbow lake where you may see Giant otters and caimans.   Our excursions afford you an opportunity to experience a variety of rain forest habitats, each with a distinctive, complex community of insects, birds and animals.  You also enjoy time to relax and explore the forest on your own along the network of nature trails near the lodge. BLD

Day 14: Friday Lima. We return to Puerto Maldonado in the morning, and catch an early afternoon flight to Lima.  We transfer to our delightful small hotel in the quiet Miraflores or San Isidro district.  You have the remainder of the afternoon free.  Overnight in hotel. B

Day 15: Saturday. Home or Nazca Extension (see below) Airport transfer is included for passengers on 15-day program who depart today.

Optional Nazca Lines Extension

Fly over Peru's coastal desert to view the mysterious line designs etched on the desert floor. The Nazca Lines are among the most intriguing of the many remnants of civilizations that prospered along the Pacific coast for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. No one knows precisely why or how the inhabitants of these coastal valleys etched thousands of lines plus anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures in the desert some 2,000 years ago. On this tour you fly over the lines in small aircraft, with opportunities for photography as well as to view the immense scale and precision of the figures. In addition you visit an offshore Wildlife Reserve, the Ballestas islands, with thousands of nesting marine birds, penguins, and enormous sea lion colonies. You'll find the coast a fascinating contrast to the highlands and the Amazon.

Day 15: Saturday To Ica

Transfer from your hotel to the bus terminal for the deluxe express bus south along the coast to the desert oasis town of Ica. Overnight in a comfortable hotel with swimming pool.

Day 16: Sunday Ballestas Islands Cruise

After a one-hour drive across the desert, we reach the Paracas Peninsula, and board a speedboat for the cruise out to a wildlife refuge on the the offshore island of Ballestas Islands, a cluster of outcroppings of volcanic rock. You view sea lion colonies, Inca terns, Humboldt penguins, and large flocks of gannets, pelicans and other birds which live off the rich marine resources of the Humboldt current. Return to Ica. Hotel.

Day 17: Monday Nazca Lines Flight

We transfer to the nearby airport and board single-engine planes for the 90-minute circuit over the famous lines during which time you can photograph the most famous images: the condor, the hummingbird, and many more. No-one knows precisely why the inhabitants of these coastal valleys etched lines and figures in the desert some 2,000 years ago. The overflight gives you an inkling of the scale of their achievements. After lunch, you return to Lima by express bus. We transfer you to the airport for your overnight flight home, or to a hotel (optional at additional cost).

2011: 15 Days/$2,275:Mar 20 - Apr. 3, Apr 10-24, May 1-15, June 4-18, July 2-16, Aug 6 - 20, Sept 3-17, Oct 1-15, Nov 5-19, Dec 17- 31

Included in Trip Cost: All land transportation, in private bus or common carrier where trains are used; airport transfers on scheduled arrival and departure days; entrance fees to museums and sites mentioned in itinerary: Santa Catalina Convent, Museo de Santuarios Andinos, Uros Islands, Taquile island,  Raqchi, Cuzco cathedral, Santo Domingo/Koricancha, Saqsayhuaman, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, entrance to, single-day entrance to Machu Picchu citadel; shared twin accommodation in comfortable hotels, one night in homes of islanders on Taquile (single hotel accommodation available at extra cost); meals as indicated; tips for group baggage handling.

Not included: International and internal airfare; airport user fees; beverages with included meals; meals not specified as included in the itinerary; insurance, laundry, and other items of a personal nature; your guide's tip; INRENA visitor fee for the Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone.  Payment for this ticket is collected directly from passengers in Puerto Maldonado by lodge personnel. For lodge programs in lower river: currently US$10.00 (subject to change).
Internal Air approximate cost: $550 (Lima/Arequipa, Cuzco/Puerto Maldonado/Lima) Air rate is subject to change

Single supplement: If you are traveling singly and prefer to share accommodations, we will pair you with another person of the same gender and there will be no supplementary charge.If you prefer to have guaranteed single accommodations, the surcharge is $489.

3 Day Nazca Lines Extension/from $675 (twinshare accommodation)

Included: 2 nights hotel accommodation, 2 Lima transfers, express bus Lima/Ica/Lima, Ballestas tour and Nazca Lines over-flight with local guides

Not included: meals, tips, hotel in Lima. Note: Ballestas Islands and Nazca over-flight pricing is based on a minimum of 2 passengers.

Check out our other Peru Tours:
Empire of the Incas : 15 day hiking tour includes 5 day trek and camping trip on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and Cuzco
Peru Andes & Amazon: 10 day hiking tour (no overnight trekking or camping) includes Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the Amazon
Peru Bike Tour: 13 day biking tour from Lake Titicaca to the Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu includes 3 nights camping, 1 overnight on Taquille Island & 8 nights hotel, hiking tours in the Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu, Pisaq & Cuzco, visits to the local markets in Chinchero and Pisaq.