From Lima we travel to Southeastern Perú in the upper Amazon basin - the most pristine rainforest, spending two nights at one of the lodges in the area - a unique opportunity for a rainforest experience. Our short flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco will let us enjoy this Inca Capital, visit some more remote andean villages and Inca sites - off the beaten track ending with a visit to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary - by way of the door of the Sun - with a one day hike on the famed Inca Trail.

9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS

Day 1 LIMA (Wednesday)
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. On early arrival optional tours available to visit modern and colonial Lima. There are also many museums and private collections. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2/4 LIMA/PUERTO MALDONADO (Thursday/Saturday)
Transfer to airport to board your flight to Puerto Maldonado in the rainforest of South Eastern Peru. Meet and greet at airport and canoe transport to your lodge. There are various options for lodges in the area, according to space availability we will send you to one of three options that we work with, all offering an exceptional rainforest experience. Most entail orientation talks on arrival, walks through trails in the forest led by naturalist guides, night time excursions in dug-out canoes, float rides to watch fauna on the shore line and in the canopy layers. All meals are included as well as transportation in vehicles and canoes. On the third day you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco.

Day 4 CUSCO (Saturday)
On arrival in the course of the morning we will be transferred to our hotel, rest of the morning free to acclimatize, lunch on your own. Afternoon tour of the city and nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay and visit the main sites in the city-Inca temples and colonial churches. Overnight at hotel, dinner at your own.

Day 5 CUSCO/ URCOS/ ANDAHUAYLILLAS/ PIKILLACTA/ TIPON (Sunday)

Early departure for the one-hour drive south to Urcos where a colorful andean market takes place. On the return drive visit the colonial church of Andahuaylillas with its renowned frescoes and the pre-inca Wari site at Pikillacta - rest of the morning to explore the ruins. After lunch visit the Inca ruins at Tipon below Mt. Pachatusan - a series of water - fountains on the terraced hillside characterize this important site. In the late afternoon return to Cusco Dinner on your own.

Day 6 URUBAMBA/ HUILLOC/ OLLANTAYTAMBO/ URUBAMBA (Monday)
From the hotel we drive to the living Inca village of Ollantaytambo, from where a narrow dirt road takes us to the village of Huilloc. Here we will visit family homes and see the Quechua way of life. We'll admire their weavings and observe their methods of agricultural production as we continue on a hike along a ridge overlooking the valley (elevation is approximately 12,500).
We'll head into some remote areas where we may see isolated small herds of llamas and alpacas roaming amid a patchwork of small cultivated fields. Picnic lunch en route. In the afternoon, we'll return to the ruins of Ollantaytambo, one of the few places where the Spanish were defeated in battle during their conquest. Here we can see Inca canchas, enclosures of multi-family living quarters that share just one exit to the street, ingenious stonework, cobbled streets, and an extensive communal water system that survives to this day. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Day 7 OLLANTAYTAMBO/ WIÑAY WAYNA/ MACHU PICCHU (Tuesday)
We connect with the train to Machu Picchu. An ever narrowing gorge brings us to km. 104 where we begin our guided hike on the famed Inca Trail. Past Chachabamba, a three hour ascent through highland grasses and small gullies, brings us to Wiñay Wayna. From here a winding trail through a cloud forest, which cuts across a ridge, brings us finally to the door of the sun, Intipunku with a spectacular view of the citadel of Machu Picchu below. Overnight at a hotel, dinner on your own. (This hike is optional since a direct train and bus ride to the citadel is available upon request.)

Day 8 MACHU PICCHU/ CUSCO (Wednesday)
After a full-day tour of the citadel we will return to Cusco in the afternoon train arriving in the evening. Transfer from the train station to your hotel, dinner on your own.

Day 9 CUSCO/ LIMA/ OUT (Thursday)
After breakfast transfer to the airport and fly to Lima. Transfer to hotel.
Evening transfer to the airport and depart on homeward-bound flight.

NOTE: Approximate cost of airline ticket Lima/Cusco/ Puerto Maldonado/Lima is:
$198. Special small groups discounts available.

SEASON: All Year
DEPARTURES: Every Wednesday
MINIMUM: 2 People
PRICE : From £ 750 per person

SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle, canoes and train, bilingual guides, breakfasts and lunch during full day excursions (hikes or river trips), and during stay at the rainforest lodge, lodging on double basis in comfortable country inns and entry fees to museums or archaeological sites during journey

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service, additional tours, insurance, airline tickets (where applicable), and personal gear.