Monograms Peru's Amazon & the Andes Nazca Lines, Arequipa & Colca Canyon(ISJH)
19 Day Package from Lima to Lima
Itinerary (2023)| Day 1 | ARRIVE IN LIMA. | | | Welcome to Lima. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums. | | Day 2 | LIMA–PISCO–PARACAS. | | | Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to Pisco, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for flightseeing over the Nazca plains, which can only be appreciated by air. Your pilot will point out the mysterious markings known as the Nazca Lines, a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil—some up to 1,000 feet long! Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the “astronomical calendar” of the ancient Peruvians. (B) | | Day 3 | PARACAS–BALLESTAS ISLANDS–LIMA. | | | Head north to the Bay of Paracas. Cruise out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, an unexplained candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Later, return to Lima. (B) | | Day 4 | LIMA | | | Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias. (B) | | Day 5 | LIMA–PUERTO MALDONADO | | | Fly to Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios and the entry to Peru’s Amazon Jungle. Embark on a motorboat ride for a journey up the Tambopata River to view turtles, caimans, monkeys, and river birdlife such as capped herons, black skimmers, and kingfishers. Arrive at your unique Amazon Jungle Lodge where you will meet with your expert Naturalist who will help tailor your time in the Amazon with various included activities. At dusk, take a canoe ride to learn about the Amazonia river ecosystems, nocturnal animals’ behavior, and the southern constellation. (B,L,D) | | Day 6 | PUERTO MALDONADO | | | Walk into the Tambopata National Reserve with your Naturalist, then navigate by dugout canoe around Lake Sandoval, a beautiful oxbow lake. Learn about the reserve’s conservation efforts and the animals that inhabit this lake, such as the endangered giant river otters, blue and yellow macaws, red howler monkeys, and black caimans. This afternoon, the canopy walkway shows you a different perspective 100 feet above ground. After night falls, your Naturalist introduces you to the nocturnal animals of the Amazon. (B,L,D) | | Day 7 | PUERTO MALDONADO | | | A short boat ride brings you to a native farm where farmers use ancient methods to grow crops. Learn about local cultivation techniques and taste some of the produce. This afternoon, visit a clay lick to observe wildlife from a blind to observe the normal routine of the fauna without disrupting the environment. (B,L,D) | | Day 8 | PUERTO MALDONADO–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY | | | Fly to Cusco, high in the Andes. Upon arrival, begin your scenic drive into the lush Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas and your home for the next two nights. (B) | | Day 9 | SACRED VALLEY. | | | Today, your private sightseeing of the Sacred Valley begins in the market town of Pisac. Handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry can be bought here at bargain prices. After time in the market, your next visit is the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo. Here, some of the finest examples of Inca masonry can be seen. Enjoy an included lunch before returning to your hotel this afternoon. (B,L) | | Day 10 | SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU | | | Board a train trip bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. On a guided tour, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas. (B,L,D) | | Day 11 | MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO | | | A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your included second entrance to the ruins. Return to Cusco by train trip. (B) | | Day 12 | CUSCO | | | Your guided tour of Cusco visits the Plaza de Armas and its Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Monastery, previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. This afternoon, in your free time, perhaps visit the Inca Museum or wander through the artisan district of San Blas. (B) | | Day 13 | CUSCO–JULIACA–LAKE TITICACA (PUNO) | | | Fly to Juliaca, where you will be transferred to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B) | | Day 14 | PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA. | | | Today, enjoy a full-day sailing on Lake Titicaca and take a motorboat to some of the lake’s more unique islands. Start with Taquile Island, once part of the Inca Empire and one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island, which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating Uros Islands, home to the Uros Indians who were forced to live on the lake as the Incas pushed farther into their territory. These islands are completely made from reeds, which are continually added to as they disintegrate to the bottom of the lake. (B,L) | | Day 15 | PUNO–CHIVAY–COLCA CANYON. | | | Depart for Colca Canyon this morning, visiting Lagunillas en route, a habitat of the Andean Flamingo. Continue to Patapampa, the highest point at 16,000 feet called the volcanoes lookout point where you will be able to see the Misti, Ampato, and Hualcahualca Volcanoes. Keep an eye out for vicuñas, llamas, alpacas and other Andean animals as they are commonly spotted here. Admire beautiful pre-Columbian terraces still being cultivated by native Collaguas. (B,L) | | Day 16 | COLCA CANYON. | | | Today is free for independent exploration. Colca Canyon is an impressive geological formation carved out by the river as it descended between the mountains (made of largely volcanic materials) over millions of years. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world. Observe the spectacular terracing, considered among the most extensive in southern Peru. These terraces, which allow cultivation and meticulously controlled irrigation of the steep slopes of the canyon, were built by Collagua and Cabana ethnic groups between the 9th and 14th centuries. Late this afternoon, relax at La Calera hot springs which are naturally heated hot springs pools surrounded by mountains. (B) | | Day 17 | COLCA CANYON–AREQUIPA. | | | Proceed to Condors’ Cross, an observation point where you can view these majestic Andean birds and enjoy the impressive panorama of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world. Next, visit the towns of Yanque, Maca, Achoma, and Pinchollo. In the afternoon, arrive in Arequipa located in the Chili River Valley and flanked by three snowcapped volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Known as the “white city,” Arequipa definitely does justice to its nickname, as its buildings are made of sillar, a white volcanic rock found throughout the area. The stone embellishes the facades of the city’s homes and churches. (B,L) | | Day 18 | AREQUIPA–LIMA. | | | This morning, a private city tour of Arequipa shows off the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral before visiting the Jesuit church, considered the best example of the mestizo baroque style. Continue to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina, where you enjoy a magnificent view of Arequipa’s countryside and the Mount Misti volcano. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. (B) | | Day 19 | LIMA. | | | Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B) |
Included Monograms Meals Buffet breakfast daily; 8 lunches; 4 three-course dinners
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