Welcome to Lima, Peru

Boats and Sea Lions (B, L): Lima – Callao
You will be taken to the port of Callao, where you will take a cruiser out onto the Pacific Ocean to the Palomino Islands, which is the habitat of hundreds of sea lions and guano-producing birds. The beauty of the natural landscape of the Palomino Islands is complemented by the immensity of the Peruvian Pacific, which is rich in plankton and a great variety of fish that comprise the food source for the sea lions. Sea lions maintain huge colonies composed of hundreds of animals. Each of the males has his harem of females and young. It is possible to enter the water and swim right up close with these playful animals. On this tour you also might have the opportunity to see the famous Humboldt Penguin, one of the most highly endangered of penguin species along with several other species of birds. Visit the island of San Lorenzo, which was a pre-Hispanic religious center. Charles Darwin carried-out many of his experiments there.
Overnight: Hotel in Lima.

Flight Lima – Puerto Maldonado / Tambopata (B, L, D)
Transfer to the Lima airport for your fight to Puerto Maldonado
In the morning you will be transferred to the Lima airport to board your direct flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado.
Our representative will meet you in the Puerto Maldonado Airport and accompany you as you leave your baggage at the depository. While enjoying your first taste of the forest in some magnificent gardens you will be asked to pack only the necessary gear for the next few days, and leave the rest at the safe deposit. This helps keep the boats and cargo light.
You’ll travel to the Tambopata River Port and, after a boxed lunch, a short boat ride to Posada Amazonas brings you into the Community’s Primary Forest Private Reserve. The lodge manager will welcome you and brief you with important navigation and security tips.
A twenty-minute walk from Posada Amazonas leads to the 30 meter canopy tower. A bannistered staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. From atop you’ll obtain a spectacular view of the vast jungle, with the Tambopata River winding throughout. Now and then toucans, parrots or macaws are seen flying against the horizon, or landing in the treetops nearby. After dinner a presentation on the Infierno ecotourism project is available.
Overnight: Posada Amazonas Lodge

Tambopata (B, L, D): Sachavacayoc Oxbow Lake / Tambopata National Reserve / Fishing at Quebrada Gato
After breakfast, hike for 2 hours to the Sachavacayoc Lake. Paddle around the lake to look for the family of giant river otters (seen by about 30% of lake visitors) and other lakeside wildlife such as caiman, hoatzin and horned screamers. Caiman are a type of South American alligator. Hoatzin and horned screamers, known as Camungo among the locals, are two large avian species. Afterwards, head toward the Quebrada Gato, a twenty minute boat ride from Refugio Amazonas, where you can catch dogfish (a fighter species), large catfish, and others.
After Lunch, visit Don Manuel’s farm, where he grows a variety of popular and unknown Amazon crops -. He has also identified and cultivated many of the medicinal plants used in the region in a little backyard garden. Afterwards, visit the Brazil nut forest and learn about this sustainable rainforest crop.
After Dinner, look for night creatures, including strange and bizarre rainforest frogs.
Overnight: Posada Amazonas Lodge

Tambopata (B, L, D)
Early morning, visit a Parrot clay lick, located twenty minutes on foot from Posada Amazonas. From a blind located twenty meters away, you’ll see dozens of parrots and parakeets descend on most clear mornings to ingest the clay on a river bank. Species such as Mealy and Yellow-headed Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot and Dusky-headed Parakeet descend here. Later you’ll return to the lodge for Breakfast.
You will taka a Ceiba Trail Hike: We leave from the lobby at Posada Amazonas and embark on a two-hour hike crowned by the largest tree in the vicinity: a giant ceiba tree. During the hike we will focus on the natural history of the rain forest and its principal taxonomic groups.
After lunch, you will visit a Farm. A thirty minute boat drive downriver takes us to the most diverse farm in the community of Infierno. The owner grows a variety of popular and unknown Amazon crops. In his garden, nearly every plant and tree serves a purpose.
Overnight: Posada Amazonas Lodge

Flight Puerto Maldonado – Cusco / Transfer to Sacred Valley (B)
In the morning we’ll travel by boat to the Tambopata River Port and from there to Puerto Maldonado. Transfer to the airport of Puerto Maldonado for your flight Puerto Maldonado–Cusco, where you will be met in the airport and assisted as you transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Once you arrive at your hotel you will be welcomed with a cup of “Mate de Coca,” coca leaf tea to help in your acclimatization to the altitude.
The Sacred Valley of the Inkas is located near the historical Inka Capital of Cusco. It is fed by many rivers that descend from adjoining valleys and canyons and is an area of great natural wealth, ideally suited for the production of maize. It stretches alongside the Urubamba River, and includes the countryside between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is replete with ancient ruins and agricultural terraces, some still in use today.
Overnight: Hotel in the Sacred Valley

Rafting in the Sacred Valley of the Inkas / Cooking Class (B, L)
In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to start your rafting adventure. You will be transferred to the river, provided with a life jacket and wetsuit, and given a rafting lesson, where you will be informed about safety techniques and learn the commands that the boat captain will be calling to the team. You’ll climb aboard and start to navigate the river. During the journey you’ll pass by beautiful scenery, interspersed with adrenaline moments of Class II and III white water rapids. Rafting is an excellent sport for the development of teamwork among family members, and it also simply great fun! After about 2.5 hours of rafting you’ll return to your hotel.
Dinner will be special tonight. Everybody, children and grownups will make their own pizzas at the ranch in the hotel, and of course eat them together. A wide array of toppings, many unique to Peru, alongside the more traditional ones, will be available!
Overnight: Hotel in the Sacred Valley

Free day in Sacred Valley (B) - Optional activities: (half day)
Horseback Tour in the Sacred Valley
Morning transfer to the Peruvian Paso Horse Ranch. This breed is known for its unique lateral gait and its calm, even temper. At the Ranch, you’ll meet your horse, and after a briefing about safety and riding methods, mount up. This 2 ½  hour ride will give you the unique experience of riding the smoothest-gaited horse in the world in one of its most fascinating regions, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Tours and horses available for all riding levels.
(Or)
An Umasbamba Experience
You’ll spend half a day in an authentic village in the Sacred Valley, whose inhabitants maintain their traditional lifestyle, including the ancient arts of weaving, farming and raising livestock. Umasbamba is a traditional community of Chinchero that dates back to Inka times. The weaving techniques practiced here are some of the oldest in the Americas. Your half-day tour may include participation in agriculture, assisting with animals, collecting plants and preparing dyes, a hands-on weaving demonstration, a brief horse ride (children), and participation in local customs. 
Overnight: Hotel in the Sacred Valley

Inca Trail: Piskakucho (km. 82) – Wayllabamba (B, L, D)
A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 of the Machu Picchu railroad. After getting acquainted with our trail crew, we set out, crossing a footbridge to hike for a gentle two hours down the Urubamba Canyon, and then visit imposing sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. The Inka were known for their elaborate irrigation systems and their ingenious use of space with the terracing methods they used to make the most out of the limited planting areas available on rocky mountainsides. We then climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Wayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we will set up camp. The camp will be set up for the comfort of families, including a dining tent, bathroom tent, and sleeping tents.
Overnight: Camping

Inca Trail:  Wayllabamba – Pakasmayu (B, L, D)
We climb the steep-sided Llullucha valley past a rushing stream and through enchanted native polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the puna, the treeless grasslands of the high Andes. The trail traverses an open slope opposite mighty mountain crags as we ascend to the first and highest pass, Warmiwañusca (also known as Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,200 meters/13,776 feet). It is said that this pass gets its name from the appearance of the sloping terrain in this area, which is said to resemble a woman lying on her back. Here we encounter spectacular views of the trail as we continue ahead to the second pass. We can observe the sweeping snowy peaks and valleys of the Huayanay Massif. Next, we will descend to the floor of the forested Pakasmayu Valley, where we will set up camp.
Overnight: Camping

Inca Trail: Pakasmayu - Wiñaywayna (B, L, D)
We pick up an Inka stairway and ascend past the small Inca site of Runkuracay. As we reach the second pass, the landscape opens onto spectacular views of the snowy peaks of the Pumasillo range. We descend to the ruins of Sayacmarca (Inaccessible Town), an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley. The Inca trail, now a massive buttressed structure of granite paving stones, continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns. At the third pass, pinnacles topped with Inca viewing platforms overlook the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town). Pausing to explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways that descend down the mountainside here, we begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us to our camp by the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail campsites.
Overnight: Camping

Inca Trail: Wiñaywayna - Machupicchu (B, L)
An early morning hike takes us across a steep mountainside through lush cloud-forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we’ll cross the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry spread below - the magical city of Machupicchu.
We complete the final leg down the royal flagstone walkway into the heart of Machupicchu. Your guided tour will include a lecture about the natural granite rock formations, and the highly stylized temples. Machupicchu is a site considered to possess a special mystical energy.
After a savory lunch in the Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant, you can optionally return to Machupicchu and hike to Wayna Picchu, observing the architecture of the ancient citadel.
Free afternoon in Machupicchu
(Machupicchu Pueblo Hotel –Activities
Children can:
- Make tea at the hotel’s mini tea plantation.
- Visit the spectacled bears, Pepe and Yogi, 3 km away from the hotel
- Learn about birdlife in the cloud forest by taking a specially designed nature walk along the hummingbird trail. - During the walks our guides will delight children with local stories.
Overnight: Hotel in Machupicchu

Machupicchu – Ollantaytambo Train Journey / Ollantaytambo Fortress / Pisac Market / Transfer to Cusco (B, L)
In the morning, you’ll board the train to return to Ollantaytambo (Vistadome Service-First Class) (1.5 hours) where you will be met by our representative in the station.
Visit Ollantaytambo, a Sacred Valley village that conserves the original Inca designs of old, in its double-lintel trapezoidal doors, the canals at the edges of its streets, and its wide patios. Head up an ancient staircase to the Sun Temple, pausing during your climb to view and discuss the agricultural terraces. You will also observe some Qolcas, or ancient storehouses for articles of daily life. Afterwards, descend to the Inka and the Ñusta baths.
Later, visit a home in Ollantaytambo that dates from the time of the Inka, where you will find guinea pigs running freely in the Andean tradition. You will get a chance to handle and observe “cuyes” of all colors, patterns and sizes.
After lunch, visit the Pisac Market, where you can purchase handmade items such as ceramics, silver, costume jewelry, embroidery, tapestries, and textile arts directly from the artist.
Transfer to your hotel in Cusco
Overnight: Hotel in Cusco

City tour of Cusco (B)
In the morning you will take a private tour of the city of Cusco and its surrounding ruins. You’ll head out to Sacsayhuaman (meaning satisfied falcon), which is the head of what the Inkas thought of as the puma-shaped city of Cuzco. This ancient fortress contains Inka stone walls, with stone seats used for observation and steps leading throughout its different sections. Afterwards you’ll visit Qenqo, where you can see the Inka altar that was used for animal sacrifices.
Afterwards, you’ll visit: the Cathedral of Cusco, with its massive stone pillars and elaborate religious works of art, and Koricancha, or the Temple of the Sun, which was the main religious center of the Inkas dedicated to the Sun cult. It has some of the best Inka stonework in the city.
Free afternoon to explore the city of Cusco
Overnight: Hotel in Cusco

:Bus Cusco - Puno (B, L)
After breakfast, you will continue your adventure to the Sierras of Peru by bus. On the way you will visit the following places:

1. The Church of Andahuaylillas, considered the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas,” where you can find a variety of paintings and murals dating from as early as the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
2. Raqchi, a temple dedicated to Wiracocha, supreme god of the Inkas. The temple is built out of sun-dried mud brick walls and stone.
3. Sicuani, a small town, where you will enjoy a Buffet Lunch
4. La Raya, the highest pass on the route with beautiful views and a typical artisans’ market, where you can purchase crafts from the artist that made them
5. Pukara, an ancient archaeological complex, consisting of pyramidal structures. The ruins date from 4000 B.C.

Arrive in Puno, and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Puno

Private Cultural Tour / Uros Islands / the Island of Taquile (B, L)
Today you’ll take a group boat tour to the Floating Islands of Uros, home of the ancient inhabitants of Lake Titicaca. 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. You’ll observe men fishing in totora reed boats.
Afterwards, visit the Island of Taquile, whose inhabitants are known for their friendliness and for their weavings. They design mantas, chullos (earflap hats), and other articles of clothing and daily life. There, you will enjoy a typical lunch prepared by the residents of Taquile. Return by boat to Puno. Transfer to your hotel.
Enjoy a dinner on board the Coya ship, anchored in Huaje, which offers fine dining with great views of the lake. The ship was built in 1892 and began sailing on Lake Titicaca one year later. In 1986, the ship ceased navigating the lake after almost 100 years of service. It now houses an on-board restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel in Puno

Kayaking on Lake Titicaca (B, L)
You and your family will start your kayaking adventure, leaving from Llachon, a community located on the peninsula of Capachica that divides the Bay of Puno (shallow part of the lake) from the Main Lake, or Lago Mayor. The friendly community work together to provide services to travelers who visit their little village. Here, you and your family can spend a half – day in your kayaks on the sparkling waters of the sacred Lake. You will maneuver along the shoreline to reach the point of the Chucuito Peninsula, and head across the water to the Karina beach, where a farming community lives. There are beautiful calcareous rock formations here with underwater views of the shore-line –its rocks, algae and miniature marine life as well as views of local households and small docks. On your return, you and your family will have a typical lunch prepared by the community of Llachon waiting for us before continuing your program.
Overnight: Hotel in Puno

Flight Juliaca – Lima (B)
We will transfer to the airport of Juliaca. On the way to the Juliaca Airport, you’ll visit the Chullpas (Burial Structures) of Sillustani, the most important funerary site on the plain of Collao. Located 34 km from Puno, these imposing round burial structures have been standing for centuries and were used to bury the most important personages of this region. They were constructed by the Aymara-speaking Colla people, who were conquered by the Inka in the fifteenth century. Some of the towers reach 40 meters high. The architecture of the Colla is said to be more complex than that of the Inka, with straight-edged stonework, and no uneven stones cut to fit one another.
After viewing the towers, you will pass through the picturesque countryside, where many potato varieties are cultivated (Potatoes originated in Peru).
You’ll board your flight from Juliaca to Lima. When you arrive at the Lima airport you will be met and assisted as you transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Lima

Return Home / International flight (B)
At the appropriate time you will be taken to the airport for your international flight