GATE TO THE INCA EMPIRE

THE IQUITOS AMAZON RAINFOREST WIT EXPLORAMA LODGES – 12 DAYS: LIMA, CUSCO, URUBAMBA, MACHU PICCHU & IQUITOS

Day 01 LIMA

Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Guided tour through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, religious building from the end of the XVI century. Drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Day 02 LIMA – CUSCO

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the morning at leisure to adjust to the high altitude ( 11,000 feet ). Afternoon city tour and nearby ruins. Visit Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo or Koricancha. Includes visits to the Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara fortresses, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko and the water shrine of Tambomachay. (Breakfast).

Day 03 CUSCO-URUBAMBA SACRED VALLEY

Full day bus excursion to the village of Pisac. Visit the authentic and traditional Indian Market, where Indians barter their products. Continue through the Urubamba Valley to Ollantaytambo, favorite residence of the Incas, with its terraces running up the steep slope to the top where a carved stone throne allowed the ruler a magnificent view of his holdings. You will also see the fabulous Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. Lunch included. Overnight at one of the nice countryside hotels in the area. (Breakfast – Lunch).

Day 04 URUBAMBA – MACHU PICCHU

Transfer to the Ollanta station for a morning train ride to the unparalleled, Machu Picchu, the ” Lost City of the Incas”. Machu Picchu was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marches of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stonework of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion, Machu Picchu was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, a privilege restricted to the Inca Royal family and priests. Guided tour. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in Machu Picchu Pueblo. Overnight at one of the hotels in the area.
(Breakfast – Dinner).

Day 05 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Morning at leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. Mid afternoon departure by train to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast).

Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please advise if you go back to the ruins or hike the Wayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability)

Day 06 CUSCO – LIMA

Transfer to the airport in time to take the flight to Lima. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Guided shopping tour taking you to the famous handicraft markets. (Breakfast).

Day 07 LIMA- IQUITOS – EXPLORAMA LODGE

Reception at the airport, brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Fifty mile journey down the Amazon River to Yanamono Stream where Explorama Lodge is located. Afternoon hike along the “Lake Trail” through lowland rainforest which is seasonally flooded. During the high water season, this excursion is done by open boat! After dinner, there is a chance to visit the Lodge’s “Bar Tahuampa” where local musicians often play guitar and flute music or the guides will also be pleased to have you invite them to relate some of the many legends of the Amazon forest. Overnight at Explorama Lodge. (breakfast – Lunch – Dinner).

Day 08 EXPLORAMA LODGE – EXPLORNAPO LODGE

After breakfast, a boat ride down the Amazon and up the Napo River to the ExplorNapo Reserve and ExplorNapo Lodge. Afternoon visit to the ReNuPeRu Ethnobotanical Garden located next to ExplorNapo and tended by a local shaman. This garden is used to show visitors rainforest plants used in modern medicine as well as examples of native plant remedies which science may utilize in the future. Evening excursion by open boat along the Sucusari Stream in search of caiman and to enjoy the night sounds and stars of the Southern sky. Overnight at ExplorNapo Lodge.
(breakfast – Lunch – Dinner).

Day 09 EXPLORNAPO LODGE

Morning hike to the Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge spanning 500 meters (one-third of a mile) connected by tree platforms and reaching a height of over 35 meters ( 115 feet ) above the ground. Here you encounter a “bird’s eye view” of part of the rainforest rarely seen by man but accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. Afternoon boating excursion along one of the many Napo tributaries spotting along the way for birds and sloth. A stop is included for a try at river fishing with cane poles or a chance to swim. Overnight at ExplorNapo Lodge.
(breakfast – Lunch – Dinner).

Day 10 EXPLORNAPO LODGE – EXPLORAMA LODGE

Morning excursion to a black water oxbow lake formed when water from the Napo River became separated from the main flow of the river. These lakes are often covered with giant Victoria Regia water lilies and sometimes offer a glimpse of the elusive Hoatzin bird. Afternoon boat trip back to Explorama Lodge passing the town of Francisco de Orellana, where a statue is erected to the intrepid explorer who became the first European to see the Amazon River in 1542. Overnight at Explorama Lodge. (breakfast – Lunch – Dinner).

Day 11 EXPLORAMA LODGE – IQUITOS – LIMA

Morning walk along a local river trail with stops along the way to visit the “ribereños” or river people, visit a river school, see the local sugar cane rum “factory” or visit our resident American medical doctor in her clinic sponsored by the Rotary Club. Transfer back to Iquitos for your flight to Lima. Breakfast, Lunch (if departure flight permits).

Day 12 LIMA – HOME

Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight or continue on the extension of your choice. (Breakfast).

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