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Amazon & Machu Picchu, A Scenic Tour Which Covers Peru
Duration: 9 days
Cost: $2175/Person
On this scenic Peru tour, immerse yourself in the heart of the Andes and travel through the unparalleled biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest, one of nature's true marvels. Our Peru ecotour takes you through the charming Andean town of Cusco, then on to the magnificent Sacred Valley through the snowcapped mountains of the Inca Empire. Continue to the hidden Inca city of Machu Picchu to explore its famed ancient ruins. Experience the beauty and fascinating history of Peru on this spectacular tour of Machu Picchu and the Amazon.
Private departures can be arranged for the Amazon and Machu Picchu trip. If you're interested, please contact us regarding details and private departure costs.
Amazon & Machu Picchu Tour Itinerary
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Day 1 (Fri) LIMA
View Lima accommodations picture gallery
Transfer to your hotel and settle in. If you arrive early, we can arrange optional museum visits or tours of the city and surrounding sites.
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 (Sat) LIMA - PTO MALDONADO - AMAZON JUNGLE LODGE
Accommodations at Posada Amazonas OR Sandoval Lake Lodge depending on availability.
Your Peru tour begins with a morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Puerto Maldonado. A one-hour motorized canoe ride up Peru's Tambopata River brings you to the lodge to unpack and unwind. Receive a short welcome orientation and a complete briefing about the lodge and the Ecotourism Project before the afternoon's activity, climbing the Canopy Tower. The Canopy Tower is a 115 ft-high scaffolding offering spectacular views of the river and the surrounding forest. (B,L,D)
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Day 3 (Sun) AMAZON JUNGLE LODGE
Accommodations at Posada Amazonas OR Sandoval Lake Lodge depending on availability.
Make an early morning visit to the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. After breakfast, depart from Posada Amazonas by boat and take a brief walk to the lake shore followed by a long, easy canoe ride around the lake where your Peru ecotour may include sightings of giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin and wading birds. Return to the lodge's trails to see a small parakeet clay lick where dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of parakeets congregate on clear days to ingest clay. In the afternoon, visit the community's ethno-botanical center and hike the surrounding trails with a resident guide who will explain the everyday uses of forest resources in medicine, construction, food and fiber. After this educational day on your Peru ecotour, the evening will be spent at the lodge. (B,L,D)
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Day 4 (Mon) PTO MALDONADO - CUSCO
View Cusco accommodations picture gallery
Depart early downriver to the airport of Pto. Maldonado for a short flight to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire. Your Peru travels continue as you are picked up at the airport and taken on a quick tour of the lovely Plaza de Armas on the way to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and becoming accustomed to the altitude (10,856 ft). (B)
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Day 5 (Tue) CUSCO
View Cusco accommodations picture gallery
Start the day on a guided walking tour through the distinctive markets of Cusco, the colonial cathedral, and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After lunching on tasty local cuisine, depart for an afternoon tour of the temples and visit several prominent Inca sights, memorable sights of your Peru tour: the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, with its expansive stone terraces; the carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars of Kenko; the small fortress of Puka Pukara that protected Cusco; and the Tambo Machay water temple. In the late afternoon, you'll return to your hotel to relax or to further explore captivating Cusco. (B)
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Day 6 (Wed) CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY
View Sacred Valley accommodations picture gallery
Embark on a day-long guided excursion through the Andean landscape to the legendary Sacred Valley, passing Inca terracing that climbs the steep valley walls and the ruins of Pisac temples offering panoramic views of granite peaks. In the town of Pisac, enjoy hunting for bargains at one of the best textile markets in the Andes and find many great souvenirs of your Peru travel. After lunch, reach the small town of Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.), where you'll spend the night and visit a famous Inca fortress. (B,L)
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Day 7 (Thu) SACRED VALLEY - OLLANTAYTAMBO - MACHU PICCHU
View Machu Picchu accommodations picture gallery
After a satisfying breakfast at your hotel, begin a walking tour of the Ollantaytambo ruins and town. Midmorning take a leisurely walk from the hotel to the train station at Ollantaytambo. Follow the Urubamba River through a scenic cloud forest, arriving at the station where you will have lunch before boarding a bus that will take you to the hidden citadel of Machu Picchu (7,800 ft.). Spend the day exploring the famous ruins and return in the late afternoon to nearby Aguas Calientes to soak in the local hot springs and dine on Peruvian cuisine. Overnight at a nearby hotel. (B)
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Day 8 (Fri) MACHU PICCHU - CHINCHEROS TEXTILE MARKET - CUSCO
View Cusco accommodations picture gallery
If you choose to get up before dawn, you can see an unforgettable Machu Picchu sunrise with few other visitors. Spend the morning exploring Machu Picchu on your own which could include a climb to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu or a walk through the lush cloud forest to the Temple of the Moon. After lunch in Aguas Calientes, embark on the mid-afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. Meet your private van to travel to the cooperatively run Chincheros Market, home to some of the most remarkable textiles in Peru. Here enjoy an introduction to the way the weavers shear, dye, spin and weave using traditional methods. This is the perfect opportunity for last minute shopping before returning to your Cusco hotel in the evening. (B)
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Day 9 (Sat) CUSCO - LIMA - RETURN HOME
In the morning, transfer to the Cusco airport for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight, ending Southern Explorations' services. Trip extensions to other areas or extra days in Lima and/or Cusco can also be arranged. (B)
Begin Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
Itinerary Map
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT PERU
TOURS AND TRAVEL
CONTACT US
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2008 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Friday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
September
19-27
6 spaces left
October
24-11/1
November
7-15
December
26-1/3/09
6 spaces left
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Friday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
January
9-17
February
01/30-02/07
March
02/27-03/07
April
3-11
May
1-9
June
5-13
July
06/26-07/04
August
1-9
September
08/28-09/05
October
2-10
November
10/30-11/07
December
18-26
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Meals as indicated
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- All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis)
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- All airport/hotel transfers
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- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours and archaeological sites
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- English speaking certified guides
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- Southern Explorations pre departure services
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Excluded in tour cost
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- International round - trip airfare to and from Peru
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- Airfare $395
(Lima/Maldonado/Cusco/Lima)
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- Airport taxes international (around $30) and local (around $5),
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- Tips and gratuities
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- Travel insurance
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- Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary
PHYSICAL RATING
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Moderate
PERU ACCOMMODATION
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Amazon & Machu Picchu Accommodation:
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6 nights hotels
2 nights Amazon Lodge
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $475
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- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount
)
Duration: 9 days)
Accommodations at Posada Amazonas OR Sandoval Lake Lodge depending on availability.
)
After a satisfying breakfast at your hotel, begin a walking tour of the Ollantaytambo ruins and town. Midmorning take a leisurely walk from the hotel to the train station at Ollantaytambo. Follow the Urubamba River through a scenic cloud forest, arriving at the station where you will have lunch before boarding a bus that will take you to the hidden citadel of Machu Picchu (7,800 ft.). Spend the day exploring the famous ruins and return in the late afternoon to nearby Aguas Calientes to soak in the local hot springs and dine on Peruvian cuisine. Overnight at a nearby hotel. (B)
