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Ultimate Peru Chan Chan and Sipan in the north Mysterious Plains of Nazca Arequipa and Colca Canyon Wildlife rich rainforest experience Cuzco, capital of the Inca empire Sacred Valley of the Incas Lost City of the Incas,  Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca's Taquile Island 24 Days

InkaTerra Canopy Walk

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Tuesday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Day 1 - Tuesday - Miami - Lima: Afternoon flight south to Lima, arriving in the evening. Meeting and transfer to Miraflores Park Hotel in fashionable Miraflores for overnight stay.

Day 2 - Wednesday - Lima - Trujillo: Morning visit to the main points of interest in Lima, often called "The City of Kings" and once the seat of the Vice Royalty of Spain, including the Plaza de Armas with government palace and cathedral, the San Francisco or Santo Domingo Convent and the new suburbs of the city. Also visit your choice of either the famed Gold Museum or the Archaeology Museum.  Have lunch en route and then transfer to the airport for your flight north to Trujillo for two night stay at the Hotel Libertador in the heart of the city on the historic Plaza. (B)

Day 3 - Thursday - Trujillo: Spend the day exploring Trujillo, founded in 1534 as one of the main cities in the vice-regency. The old quarter features many fine colonial buildings such as the Cathedral, the El Carmen monastery, churches and mansions which symbolize the beauty and architectural harmony of the city. Then visit Chan Chan, capital of the ancient Chimú kingdom (700-1400 AD). It spans an area of 20 square km and is the largest mud-brick citadel dating back to the pre-Hispanic era. The city was the urban center of a vast regional state which covered half of the Peruvian coast, stretching from Tumbes on the Ecuadorian border down as far south as Lima. All roads branched out from Chan Chan. You'll also visit the village of Huanchaco, famous for its narrow pointed fishing rafts, known as caballitos (little horses), made of tortura reeds and depicted on Mochica, Chimu, Salinar, Gallinazo, Viru and Lambayeque pottery. Enjoy lunch en route today. (B/L)

Day 4 - Friday - Trujillo - Chiclayo:  Morning visit to the nearby  "EL BRUJO" ("The Sorcerer"), an archaeological site dating back to the Moche culture (100 BC-650 AD). It is a badly damaged, stepped pyramid with a central court that was probably used primarily for religious ceremonies. This pyramid is undoubtedly the most impressive Moche site in the Chicama Valley. The currently-visible structure rises about 98 feet above the surrounding desert and covers an area of roughly 330 by 330 feet. The extraordinary, painted reliefs preserved at Huaca Cao Viejo owe their current excellent state of conservation not only to the extremely dry climate of the Pacific coast of Peru, but also to this tradition of building over the older structures. Then begin your drive north along the coast to Chiclayo for two night stay at the Gran Hotel Chiclayo. You'll have lunch en route. (B/L)

Day 5 - Saturday - Chiclayo: Today you will visit the spectacular tombs of the Moche nobility, the renowned "Royal Tombs of Sipan".  This “Lord of Sipan” was buried in a wooden coffin with full regalia, including two necklaces of very fine metalwork, feather ornaments, headdresses and three sets of earspools inlaid with turquoise. Also buried with him were many ceremonial utensils  and six other individuals  including a  9-10-year-old child placed at the head of his coffin, two robust men on the long sides but in opposite orientations, and three 15-25-year-old women at the head and foot of his coffin. In addition to visiting the site of Sipan, you'll also visit the spectacular new museum   “the Royal Tombs of Sipan”,  which contains by far the greatest intact discovery of gold artifacts in the Americas. Another visit will be to Tucume, covering an area of over 540 acres and encompassing 26 major pyramids and platforms, once a major regional center. Lunch is included en route today. (B/L)

Day 6 - Sunday - Chiclayo - Lima - Paracas:  Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Lima.  Meeting upon arrival and immediate departure heading south along the Pan American Highway to Paracas  stopping en route at the ruins of Pachacamac, the largest Inca citadel on the coast when the Spanish Conquistadores arrived. You'll visit the ruins and the museum and then continue driving to Ica, a drive of around three hours total. Check-in at the Libertador Paracas for a two night stay. You'll also visit Ica, a small collection of interesting colonial mansions and churches, and the surprisingly excellent Museo Regional, with some splendid exhibits on the area's rich archaeological finds. (B)

Day 7 - Monday - Ica: This morning you will enjoy a cruise out into the bay to go to the Ballestas Islands, with a variety of sea birds and a large collection of sea lions. In the afternoon you'll visit the Paracas Museum for a continuing look at the cultures of the area.  (B)

Day 8 - Tuesday - Ica - Lima - Arequipa: This morning you will enjoy a fly-over by small aircraft of the famed Nazca Lines. Here, in the arid desert lands near the town of Nazca, are a series of mysterious lines ranging from one to 10 feet in width; four to five miles in length and only a few inches deep. There are geometric and representational figures, always formed by one continuous line, as if drawn by someone unable to lift his pen from the drawing surface. Among the figures are a crocodile or lizard over 600 feet long, a bird with a snake-like neck, a spider over 150 feet long and a fish some 80 feet long. There is one etching of an upright figure that appears to wear an astronaut type helmet. There are many theories as to the origins and purpose of these lines. In the afternoon drive back to Lima's airport for your flight south to Arequipa. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to your hotel, the Casa Andina Private Collection Arequipa for two night stay. (B)

Day 9 - Wednesday - Arequipa: Morning visit to Arequipa, a historic city declared a World Heritage Cultural site by UNESCO and Peru's second most important City, distinguished for its handsome architectures, delicious food and eternally blue sky. Sitting at the foot of impressive Misti volcano, it is often called The White City because of its buildings made of white petrified volcanic ash thrown up by Chancani volcano. Visit the main points of interest in Arequipa and stop by the Museo Santuarios Andinos, with a collection of Inca mummies and archaeological remains, but dominated by one small girl:  "Juanita", the Ice Maiden of Ampato. Juanita was discovered is almost perfect condition in 1995 after the eruption of Ampato melted her icy ritual grave. She is thought to be some 500 years old. In the afternoon visit  the Santa Catalina Convent. Just opened in 1970 after four centuries of mysterious seclusion. The convent is a complete miniature walled colonial town of over two hectares in the middle of Arequipa, where over 450 nuns lived in total seclusion except for their women servants. It has been beautifully restored and is a fascinating look into the past. (B)

Day 10 - Thursday - Arequipa - Colca Canyon:  Morning departure for four hour scenic drive along the lower slopes of Mount Chachani, up across the high plains studded with ichu and yareta (plants used for fuel), with a stop at the new small but excellent museum before dropping down into the valley, an area of breath-taking landscapes surrounded by terracing and snow-capped peaks. Far below, at a depth of 3,400 meters, the Colca River winds along the bottom of the canyon, one of the world's deepest. There are 14 towns based on both riverbanks, towns which were founded in the sixteenth century to settle the Collagua natives who were scattered around the area. Continue through Chivay, the first of the towns along the way, through the valley to your hotel, the Colca Lodge for overnight stay. (B)

Day 11 - Friday - Colca Canyon - Arequipa: Early morning drive to the "mirador" to watch the condors, who nest far down in the canyon, begin their slow circling ascent up the canyon and out into the valley for the day's hunting expedition. It is a majestic site and a morning ritual in the valley. Then visit a few of the villages along your route as you drive back out of the valley and head back to Arequipa for overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection Arequipa. (B)

Day 12 - Saturday - Arequipa - Cuzco - Puerto Maldonado - Reserva Amazonica: Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Cuzco, connecting with the 40 minute flight east northeast to Puerto Maldonado. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the port where you board typical motorized canoe for 30 minute cruise on the Madre de Dios River to the Reserva Amazonica. Check-in, have lunch and in the afternoon begin your explorations of this wildlife rich 40-square-mile private ecological reserve deep in the Amazon rainforest. Walk through the trails inside the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve, while your guide tells you about the primary and secondary rainforest, its components, uses, and transformation by people, and its importance to the world. Tonight you'll make a trip by canoe looking for nocturnal wildlife. (B/L/D)

Day 13 - Sunday - Reserva Amazonica: Morning excursion to Rolín Island, located in the Madre de Dios River in front of Reserva Amazonica. In association with INRENA (Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales), Reserva Amazonica runs a conservation project to protect endangered primates and reintroduce them into their natural habitat. In front of this island is the Rolín Community where Reserva Amazonica promotes education and conservation programs to improve their quality of life. In the afternoon visit the only canopy walk in Southern Peru. A five-minute boat transfer takes guests to the Canopy Inkaterra Interpretation Center, to learn about the tree canopy's construction and about Inkaterra Association's (ITA) conservation projects. Ascend the tower and cross the tree-top bridges that offer a birds-eye view of the dense rainforest.  The canopy walk lasts about 30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute walk to the wetlands, to learn about the floodable ecosystem. (B/L/D)

Day 14 - Monday - Reserva Amazonica: To day you will enjoy an excursion to Lake Sandoval, one of the most beautiful lakes in the area. This excursion through the Tambopata National Reserve begins with a journey by boat and trail (30 minutes and one hour) to Lake Sandoval, for an environmental interpretation of the area. Next, a two-hour walk through the rainforest takes you to Concepción Farm, for interpretation of collpas (clay licks) and jungle, followed by a visit to a botanical garden with more than 200 medicinal plants. Finish by paddling a canoe around the cochas (lagoons), while learning the natural history of the Concepción Farm. Return to the lodge by boat. (B/L/D)

Day 15 - Tuesday - Reserva Amazonica-Puerto Maldonado-Cuzco:  After breakfast transfer back to Puerto Maldonado. Time permitting you'll visit the Butterfly farm before transferring to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca empire and considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Upon arrival, meeting and transfer to the Hotel Monasterio for two night stay. (B)

Day 16 - Wednesday - Cuzco: Morning visit to the main points of interest in Cuzco, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Cuzco was the capital of the ancient Inca empire and is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Cuzco was founded around 1100 A.D. and thought to have been a Holy City, a must pilgrimage for any ranking citizen of the empire. In the afternoon visit the ruins on outskirts of town. Sacsayhuaman has three walls that run parallel for over 360 meters, with 21 bastions and huge rocks of up to 130 tons fitted together in absolute perfection. It was thought to have been a fortress but the layout and architecture suggest a great sanctuary and temple to the sun. Also visit the amphitheater of Kenkko (Qenqo), an excellent example of Inca stone carving; Puka Pukara, possibly an Inca "tambo" where travelers were lodged and goods & animals kept, and Tambo Machay, the spring shrine thought to have been an Inca bath and possibly the site of a water cult. (B)

Day 17 - Thursday - Cuzco - Urubamba: Today you will enjoy a full day exploring the the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Begin your day with a visit to Awanacancha to learn about the Llama, Alpaca, Vicunas and Guanacos, how their wool is harvested, natural dying techniques and have a chance to see native weavers from different areas showing their different weaving styles and dress.  Then continue  to the town of Pisac and then wind uphill to the ruins of Pisac.Your first views are of Kanchiacay agricultural area but around the corner & cascading down the mountain are a military area Q'Allaqasa, palaces of the moon and sun, solstice markers, baths & water channels and even further down the Intihuatana group of temples and Pisaqa with a fine curving wall. Then drive down the mountain and through the valley to the town of Pisac to visit its colorful Indian market. Main market day has traditionally been Sunday but smaller markets are now happening on  Tuesdays and Thursdays. Have lunch and continue driving through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the town of Ollantaytambo where the road is built along the long "Wall of 100 Niches". The archaeological site includes the Bana de le Nusta (bath of the princess),and the small ruins of Inca Misanca, believed to have been a temple or an observatory. There is also a complete irrigation system, including a canal at shoulder level cut out of rock. The flights of terraces leading up above town were successfully defended against Pizarro in 1536 and for those making the climb up to the top spectacular vistas of the valley can be enjoyed. Afternoon drop-off at the Sol y Luna for overnight stay. (B/L)

Day 18 - Friday - Urubamba-Machu Picchu: Early morning transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo for VistaDome rail service to Aguas Calientes for mini-bus 2,000 foot serpentine ascent to the top of the mountain and the entrance to famed Machu Picchu, Lost City of the Incas. Enjoy a guided tour of these spectacular ruins, never found by the Spanish Conquistadores and only re-discovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu was a stunning archeological find - it was the only major Inca site  that escaped 400 years of looting and destruction. Machu Picchu is a complete city strategically perched atop a mountain. Sprawled across the mountainside are staircases. terraces, temples, palace, towers, fountains and the famous Intihuatana, or "Hitching Post to the Sun", possibly a center-point between cardinal alignments or nearby sacred peaks. The Incas worshipped nature: the celestial bodies, mountains, lightning, rainbows, rocks - anything, in fact, was imbued with "huaca", or spiritual power. The spiritual component is important to understanding Machu Picchu, deliberately abandoned for some still undetermined reason. Have lunch and time to explore at your own pace. The ruins remain open until dusk. Overnight at the charming Machu Picchu El Pueblo. (B/L/D)

Day 19 - Saturday - Machu Picchu-Cuzco: Day at leisure to explore at your own pace. In the late afternoon, board the luxury Hiram Bingham train for return trip to Cuzco. While on board you will enjoy cocktails, hors-d'oeuvres, entertainment and a four course dinner.   Meeting upon arrival Cuzco and transfer to your hotel, the Cuzco Monasterio for two night stay. (B/BL)

Day 20 - Sunday - Cuzco:  Morning scenic drive of about 45 minutes to Chincheros with a Sunday local market, down below by the entrance to town. As usual, it is a colorful throng of movement with the comings and goings and bargaining of the Indians. The handicraft market is only on Sunday and is up by the church, an uphill walk via a cobblestone road and steps. The market is not large, and it is spread out in the huge plaza in front of the church. Prices are a bit less than in Pisac and bargaining is expected. It's interesting to see the end of services and the exiting of the Indians in a variety of dress. The church itself is only open on Sundays and is built on Inca walls.   Afternoon at leisure in Cuzco to explore at your own pace. (B)

Day 21 - Monday - Cuzco - Puno: Morning transfer to the train station to board the Titicaca Train for a full day of riding the rails! Cross the scenic Altiplano and pass through many villages, with a scenic stop at La Raya, the highest point of the train journey. Lunch is served on board.  Arrive in Juliaca in the afternoon and transfer to Puno and your hotel on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the Casa Andina Private Collection., for a two night stay. (B/L)

Day 22 - Tuesday - Puno:  Full day excursion on Lake Titicaca, highest navigable lake on earth, to the island of Taquile, said to have been inhabited for over ten thousand years. The interesting part of the island is reached via some 500 steps from the harbor, but the effort is worth it offering spectacular views. Most of the population are weavers and knitters of fine alpaca wool, and they have very distinctive dress. Box lunch included en route.

Day 23 - Wednesday - Puno - Juliaca - Lima: Morning visit to nearby Sillustani's "chullpas",  gargantuan white stone towers up to 30 feet in height in which the Colla tribe, who dominated the region before the Incas, buried their dead. This ancient temple-cum-cemetery consists of a ring of stones more than 500 years old, with two different styles of "chullpas".   Mid-afternoon transfer back to Juliaca's airport for flight to Lima. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to your hotel, the Miraflores Park in fashionable Miraflores. (B)

Day 24 - Thursday - Lima - Miami: Early morning transfer for return flight to Miami. Clear customs and immigrations and make connections to your home city.

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