U.S.A. to Peru

We will depart Salt Lake City in the morning with a late evening arrival in Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel.  Overnight in Lima.

Lima

Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, enjoy an exclusive city tour that takes you through Lima’s Historic Center, where you can admire and learn about the numerous architectural relics that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin in the magnificent Santo Domingo Convent, which was built during Lima’s foundation, and originally housed the San Marcos University – the oldest university in the Americas. Stepping into the convent is like stepping into the past. The oldest chairs in the country sit in the chorus area, while the library – with its 25,000 books from the Dominicans, some of which were printed in the XV Century – is of incredible historic value. The Santo Domingo Convent was transited by all the major Saints of Lima, and currently houses the remains of San Martín de Porres, San Juan Masías y Santa Rosa de Lima. From here, cross through Lima’s Main Plaza – which contains the Government and Municipal Palaces – as you make your way towards the Lima Cathedral. The Cathedral is containing numerous religious art gems, and is considered an integral part of Lima’s history. The paintings housed within it take us on a visual tour through moments of Lima’s past. Then, make your way to the Larco Museum, located 30 minutes from Lima’s city center. The museum, named one of the Worlds 25 Best Museums by Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards, has many different displays that offer visitors a journey through the beauty and history of Peru’s ancient cultures. Meanwhile, the warehouse contains an impressive number of ceramic pieces that depict faces, objects, fruits, birds, and many other aspects of day-to-day life in ancient Peru.

Lima to Puerto Maldonado

This morning we transfer to the Lima Airport for a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Amazon and Manu National Park Biosphere and rainforest capital of Peru.  We travel by boat up the Madre de Dios River to our Eco Amazonia lodge considered one of the best accommodations in the primeval jungle.  The diversity of wildlife is due to its location at the confluence of the lowland Amazon forest and three other ecosystems. This area is home to at least 13 endangered animals, including the jaguar, giant otter, ocelot, harpy eagle, and giant armadillo.  After dinner we enjoy a night walk with local native guides to observe some of the animals that inhabit the jungle.  Overnight in our Amazon jungle lodge.  This really is right out of National Geographic!

Puerto Maldonado

Our excursion today takes us to a lake where we board our boat and explore the region for wildlife in the water, on land, in the trees, and in the sky; including the elusive Hoatzin, a rare tropical bird found in the mangroves, waters and forests in the Amazon.  We also go spotting for caimans, macaws and other endemic species that inhabit the Amazon rainforest.  Upon returning from the Oxbow Lake, we ascend a canopy tower for a complete overview of the area.  Overnight in our Amazon jungle lodge.  Talk about spectacular sunsets!  

Puerto Maldonado

Today, our adventure will take us to fishing, hiking, short and long hikes to view the best of the headwaters of the Amazon. The narrative is a sample of the activities, which could be changed according to weather condition and the desire of those who can do less or more. All activities are optional. You can choose the one that fits your liking. This is simply a spectacular day.

Puerto Maldonado to Cuzco

We bid farewell to the Amazon, its flora, fauna, wildlife, and indigenous native people and navigate by boat down the Tambopata River passing indigenous villages and spotting wildlife along the way and return to the port city of Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the airport for our flight to Cuzco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, located in the Andes Mountains. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure to acclimatize to the altitude. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight in Cuzco.

NOTE: This evening we will pack a small overnight bag for our train journey to Machu Picchu. For all train journeys, each passenger is allowed 1 bag or backpack which must not exceed 5kg/11lbs and/or 157cm/62 inches (length + height + width). Baggage exceeding these measurements is not allowed. We ask that only the absolute necessities are packed for the next 2 days. Your big luggage will stay at the hotel in Cusco, where you will be returning on Friday, May 17th. Also, prepare a day bag to take with you during the tour of the ruins.  Your overnight bag will be taken to the hotel in Machu Picchu from the train station. 

Cuzco to Machu Picchu

Today we experience the highlight of any journey to Peru: Machu Picchu, the Lost Citadel of the Incas.  You will travel a couple of hours to the Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board the train to Machu Picchu (1 hr. 45 min). Buses are waiting to ferry us to the top of the mountain and Machu Picchu, perched high atop the Andes Mountains.  An expert guide will introduce us to the history of the city and its mysterious abandonment. We will enjoy a buffet lunch.  Rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Machu Picchu. 

Machu Picchu to Sacred Valley

We re-enter the Citadel of Machu Picchu to explore other areas of the ancient ruins. Free time for lunch and stroll around the quaint village of Aguas Calientes. At 2:30 pm. we board our train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival our driver will take us to a beautiful hotel surrounded by flowering gardens. Overnight in the Sacred Valley. 

Sacred Valley to Cuzco

Our visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, will connect us to the glorious past of the Ollantaytambo fortress and is an area packed with Inca sites, colonial towns, and isolated weaving villages.  Ollantaytambo, a former Inca administrative center and gateway to the Antisuyo (the Amazon corner of the Inca Empire), sits at the northern end of the Sacred Valley.  At the time of the Spanish invasion and conquest of Peru, Ollantaytambo served as the last stronghold for the Inca against the Spanish Conquistador.  We continue to the quaint village of Pisaq and its famous native market, a world-renowned market famous for handmade textiles, articles in gold and silver, handicrafts, and ceramics.  Overnight in Cuzco. 

Cuzco to Lima

This morning our bilingual guide will introduce us the history of the Incas, who made the capital of the Empire, Cuzco. In Quechua the word Cuzco means, "the navel of the world.” We visit the Temple of the Sun, where the Incas worshiped. We then visit the 17th century old cathedral, displaying artwork done by the natives. An art piece of great important is the large painting of the Last Supper done by a native painter, Marco Zapata, in 1753. We will also visit the Inca Complex, Sacsayhuaman, constructed with huge stones that were transported over great distances. Afternoon at leisure with late check-out from the hotel. Evening flight back to Lima to connect with your international flight back to the U.S.

Lima to the U.S.

Early departure for your flight home.

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TOUR ID#9224E09

To Book This Tour, Contact:

Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol

CASH DISCOUNT of $75.00 for final payment by check