Exclusive MachuPicchu-Puno-Tambopata 12Days (Peru) - 12 Days / 11 Nights

The Best of Peru (12 Days/11 Nights)
Lima – Tambopata – Sacred Valley of the Incas – Machu Picchu – Cusco – Puno – Lake Titicaca

• Day 1 Arrival to Lima
Welcome to Peru

Assistance at Lima airport and private transfer to your hotel in Miraflores, one of nicest districts in Lima, near the beach and full of restaurants and shops. Approx. 30 – 40 minutes.

• Day 2 Lima – Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata (B, L, D)
Tambopata National Reserve

In the morning you will be transferred to Lima airport to board your internal flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado. From there you will be assisted in your transfer by boat to the Hacienda Concepcion in Tambopata. Tambopata is located between the regions of Puno and Madre de Dios and was established in 1990 to protect the flora and fauna found there. After a brief rest, you will take a guided walk along one of the many beautiful trails, where you see many different examples of bird and insect life. This is a wonderful introduction to the Amazon Rainforest. As the sun starts to set, you will take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River and observe how the environment changes as twilight gives way to darkness.

You also may have the opportunity to see such animals as nightjars (a species of bird), owls, capybaras, and caimans.

• Day 3 Tambopata National Reserve (B, L, D)

In the morning you will take a 35 minutes boat ride to the Canopy Inkaterra Interpretation Center. The center consists of eight observation platforms, located 30 meters up and is linked by suspension bridges. You will spend some time walking on the bridges that stretch between the different platforms, observing the jungle from above and seeing various bird species flying in the canopy or landing nearby. Some of the animals you may see include woodpeckers, toucans, monkeys, and sloths.

After lunch, Canoe ride on the Hacienda Concepción cocha. Flora and fauna sightings. Learn about the ecosystem’s environment and the experience of native fishing and life in the “catch and release” project. Disembark at the remains of Fitzcarrald steam boat, and get to know its history. Return to the lodge.

• Day 4 Tambopata - Puerto Maldonado - Cusco / Sacred Valley of the Incas (B)
Living Museum of Awanakancha

This morning you transfer to Puerto Maldonado and visit the city’s butterfly farm, which contains more than 3,800 varieties of butterflies and moths, making it unique in Peru.

Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport to board your direct internal flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be met and assisted by our Cusco host. You will head straight for the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River. The valley is a tranquil oasis of cultural, historical, and agricultural richness just 45 minutes from Cusco and a few thousand feet lower in elevation. Heading straight to the valley upon arrival will help you with the acclimatization process.

You will make a stop at the Living Museum of Awanakancha, where you can find weavers, Incan agricultural terraces, and the South American camelids, which include the Vicuña, Guanaco, Llama and Alpaca.

After arriving, you will be transferred to the hotel where you can rest for a while, and get used to the altitude. If you prefer, you can roam this old, magical place on your own. We gladly give you information regarding the best places to go for a walk or do some shopping, whatever you prefer.

• Day 5 Sacred Valley of the Incas (B, L)
Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo

Today will be a full day trip exploring the Sacred Valley where the Incas built important cities such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo. They built complex irrigation systems and achieved a high level of agriculture. We will enjoy this impressive Andean landscape during the day. Buffet Lunch at Muña Restaurant.

Before you return to your Hotel, you will visit a home in Yanahuara that dates from the time of the Inca, where you will learn about the preparation of Chicha, and where you will find guinea pigs “cuyes” running freely in the Andean tradition. You will get a chance to hold and observe “cuyes” of all colors, patterns and sizes.

• Day 6 Maras – Moray – Chinchero (B, L)
Maras, Moray and Exclusive visit to an Authentic Village

Another day exploring this fantastic valley, first visiting the archaeological complex of Moray (circular terraces), then continuing to Maras (ancient salt ponds).

Lunch at Casa de Barro in Chinchero.

After lunch, you’ll spend time in an authentic village that dates back to Inca times, whose inhabitants are practicing their traditional lifestyle. It’s including the ancient art of weaving, farming and raising livestock, and rituals and customs of old. Their weaving techniques are some of the oldest in the America dating from the time of the Inca. The more than fifty unique designs used here have spread throughout the region; the weavings are created using the same tools and materials as their ancestors. You will not see tour buses here.

• Day 7 Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu (B, L)
Visit to the New 7 Wonders of the World

In the morning we‘ll go to Machu Picchu by train (approx. 1.5 hours) one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Check in at your hotel in Aguas Calientes. After a buffet lunch, you will take your bus to Machu Picchu citadel. After a short rest, you are going to have a guided tour (approx. 3 hours) around Machu Picchu, allowing time for contemplation of the amazing scenery without being distracted by a large number of other travelers. You will see the Intiwatana (Temple of the Sun), the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of Three Windows, Andean terraces, and other places of interest. You will have time to walk around the archaeological complex, capture these incredible memories on camera, feel and appreciate the energy and peacefulness of this sacred place.

• Day 8 Machu Picchu - Cusco (B)
Open day in Machu Picchu / Return to Cusco

Today is yours to roam and sight see Machu Picchu on your own. Another option is to hike up Huayna Picchu, Young Mountain, or Machu Picchu, Old Mountain. Each of these takes about 1 - 2 hours. Or, if you like, go back to the city of Aguas Calientes and do some shopping at the small stores and markets, or visit the hot spring waters. In the afternoon you will take the train and bus back to your hotel in Cusco (3-4 hours).

(The entrances fee are don’t include on this day)

• Day 9 Cusco (B, D)
Hanan Qosqo - Tour Superior Cusco

In the morning the bus will pick us up at the Hotel and take us around upper Cusco. Here we will see the old Inca temples and pre-Inca constructions, such as Sacsayhuaman and Kenko. After, the tour goes back to explore this Inca city; to visit the Inca Temple of Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the only Peruvian museum dedicated to highlight the art of the old Peruvian cultures Pre-Columbian Museum Art (MAP).

In the afternoon you are free to walk around Cusco.

Dinner with folkloric dance show.

• Day 10 Cusco - Puno (B, L)
Travel to Puno - Highland

Today is a long trip, but don't worry; it will be a beautiful journey with some special stops. You will visit the Church of Andahuaylillas, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” and features a simple façade but keeps one of the most valuable jewels of the colonial art in Peru. You will also visit the archaeological complex of Raqchi, another important Inca city. Surround by very pretty hills you will have a buffet lunch in Sicuani. We will enjoy the view, and see llamas and alpacas grazing, from La Raya pass, 4310 m. -14172 ft. above sea level. Finally you will visit Pucará, a colonial city and known for its pottery. In the afternoon, around 4 - 5 pm we will arrive in the city of Puno, at 3.800 m. – 13.000 ft., where we will spend the night.

• Day 11 Puno - Lake Titicaca (B, L)
Floating Uros Islands / Taquile Island

This morning after a about 30 minutes drive we will be at the port in Puno city, where we take our private boat for a 20 minute ride to the floating islands “Uros”, made entirely of reeds, this community has endured for hundreds of years, thanks to their continual renovation of the island floor with Totora reeds and mud and their harmonious relationship with nature. Then we get back in our boat for a 3 hour ride to “Taquile”, an ancient island completely terraced by the pre-Incas and Incas. Here we will visit some families and eat a traditional meal with them. Afterwards, you have time for your own exploration of the island. In the afternoon we take our boat back to Puno city.

• Day 12 Puno – Lima (B)
Chullpas of Sillustani - Flight Juliaca to Lima / Return Home

Today, after a quiet morning, we are going to the Juliaca Airport (nearby town of Puno). On the way you will visit the Sillustani, a pre-Inca burial ground. The bureal towers are called chullpas and located on the shore of Lake Umayo near Puno. In the afternoon you will take your flight back to Lima, the capital of Peru.

Once you arrive in Lima you will be driven to Miraflores. Then you can enjoy your last dinner in Peru and maybe chat a little bit about your experiences on this trip. We will transfer you to the international airport to catch your flight back home.

• End of the service.