Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Peru!

Accommodations: TBD

Welcome to Peru! You will arrive in Lima today and will meet your guide at the airport after clearing customs. Your guide will bring you to your hotel in the Miraflores district, which is a popular, upscale tourist area of town. You will have time to rest, relax, and explore at your leisure.

Day 2: Lima to the Amazon jungle

Accommodations: TBD

Take an early flight to the city of Iquitos, in the Amazon jungle. The first stop on the tour will be to the Manatee Rescue Center. You will learn about the work done by biologists and volunteers to preserve these animals, also known as "sea cows." The next stop will be to the town of Nauta, which is the first settlement founded on the Marañón River by the Spaniards. While in Nauta, you will have the chance to observe some native fish and turtle species. We will then travel by boat to the start of the Amazon River. From there, we will continue to our lodge for the overnight stay. We will then enjoy lunch on premise. The afternoon will feature a walking tour to observe the native animal and plant species. Toward evening, we will venture out again in search of colorful poison dart frogs. Finally, unwind while enjoying dinner at the lodge.

Day 3: Pacaya Samiria Park

Accommodations: TBD

Venture to Pacaya Samiria Park today, and begin the day searching for native pink and grey dolphin species that make this part of the river their home. The area is also famous for it's reflective waters, giving it the nickname "forest of mirrors." A hike will be included, where you can look for sloths and other unusual native animal and plant species. Subsitence fishing is also popular in this region. Upon returning to the lodge, have the opportunity to visit a women's craft center (open seasonally). After dinner, there will be an opportunity to learn more about the cultures of the people who are native to this region.

Day 4: Pacaya Samiria Park to Lima

Accommodations: TBD

After breakfast, there will be a jungle hike with the opportunity to spot many of the native birds, and possibly observe some of the other native monkeys and animals. We will visit a quiet camp site with time to rest in provided hammocks. There is an option to swim in the waters of a gorge. Return to the lodge around lunch time to rest and enjoy lunch before returning to Iquitos for the flight to Lima. 

Note:

• Lunch will depend on the time of the connecting flight. If lunch cannot be done in the jungle, you will NOT be reimbursed and lunch will be on your own.

• Due to weather conditions, it might be necessary for the guide to rearrange the order of some of the activities for the best chances to see wildlife so please be aware that the jungle part of the excursion is subject to some small variations day to day.

Day 5: Lima to Cusco

Accommodtions: TBD

Take an early flight from Lima to Cusco this morning. Enjoy learning about the pre-Inca city of Cusco. Start with a tour of the San Blas artist's quarter. After this, we will visit the Inca Museum where you can learn more about this incredible culture. Next, we will tour the Inca temple of Koricancha which is in the heart of Cusco. Koricancha was the temple to the sun, and the most important temple in the Inca empire. After conquering the Incas, the Spaniards ruined a lot of the temple and on top of it built the Church of Santo Domingo. Finally we will finish the day in a lovely handicraft market.

Day 6: Sacred Valley Tour

Accommodations: TBD

After breakfast, we will depart for a tour of the Sacred Valley area. We will enjoy a stop at the city of Pisac (which is famous for it's Sunday market), and then visit the Inca terraces at Maras - Moray. It was believed that these terraces were used by the Incas for agricultural experiments. The day will include a stop at a cultural center in Chinchero where you will learn how alpaca wool goes from being just a heap of wool, through the process of cleaning, dying it with natural ingredients, and using traditional techniques to weave it into beautiful garments.

Day 7: Cusco to Machu Picchu

Accommodations: TBD

This will be a long, early day! We will have breakfast around 4AM, then depart for the train station to ride the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, from where we will take the half hour bus ride to Machu Picchu. There will be a three hour tour of this amazing citadel, constructed in the 1400s. You will also have time to explore on your own and optionally hike Wayna Picchu. Lunch will be at Machu Picchu. We will take the evening train back to Cusco for the night.

Day 8: Quechua Community Visit

Accommodations: TBD

Visit a local Quechua community today in the Sacred Valley. Visit the local school and observe the local classroom. You will have the opportunity to donate items you've brought from home. In particular, warm clothing, as well as children's shoes and boots are especially appreciated and needed.

Day 9: Cusco to Lima to Home

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport at Cusco, where you will then fly to Lima, and then home (or wherever your journey takes you next).