Machu Picchu by Train - 9 Days

Visit South America

HIGHLIGHTS:

includes a visit - Lake Sandoval

Day 1, Lima

Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival at the Lima airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel in the popular Miraflores district of the city. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city before our welcome meeting at 6pm this evening where you will meet your tour leader.

No meals included.

Day 2, Lima

Today we explore the beautiful city of Lima , also known as the 'city of kings', we'll visit the well preserved historical centre. Making our way through Plaza San Martin, we'll also take in Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace and the City Hall. Our tour of the city continues with a visit to the San Francisco Monastery and it's famous underground crypts which are home to an estimated 70,000 remains. This bright yellow architectural wonder is also home to an incredible library, holding thousands of antique texts, some of which pre-date the conquest in the 16th century. Later we'll head through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by Huaca Pucllana, a clay pyramid that was the ceremonial and administrative centre of the Lima culture and later considered a sacred town by the Inca's. Next up we'll stop at El Olivar park, a peaceful space where we'll find olive trees that were brought to Peru in the 15th century from Spain. Our final stop on today's tour of Lima is El Parque del Amor, this romantic spot is situated on the cliffs of Miraflores overlooking the Pacific ocean.

Lima is fast becoming one of the gastronomic capitals of the world and later this afternoon there is the opportunity to join an exciting optional Lima Gourmet Food Tour, combining gastronomic delights with walks around the capital, experiencing the local culture. Please book before you travel.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 3-4, Puerto Maldonado and the Amazon

Lima - Puerto Maldonado. Transfer to Lima airport this morning and fly to Puerto Maldonado. From Puerto Maldonado we take a scenic boat ride along the meandering Madre de Dios River to our eco-lodge, nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. As we glide down the river look out for capybaras and caimans on the riverbanks. Arriving at the lodge, there's a short briefing before we settle into our jungle accommodation. Over the next two days enjoy a variety of jungle activities, with the lodge's expert naturalist guides. Delve into the depths of the rainforest on a nature walks, observing an abundance of flora and fauna. Scale the canopy walkway or canopy tower for incredible panoramic views of the Amazon from its rooftop, gaining a sense of its size and keeping an eye out for bright toucans, macaws, monkeys and the three-toed sloth. Enjoy a Twilight River excursion or nightime walk through the rainforest, as nocturnal creatures appear.

Day 4 includes a visit to Lake Sandoval, a glassy, ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve, reached via a sun-dappled rainforest trail. We board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly paddle around the serene lake which is home to many species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles, black caimans amongst others.

Please note: Jungle activities and excursions may vary, depending on the lodge you're staying at and the weather conditions.

2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner included.

Day 5-6, Cusco

Puerto Maldonado - Cusco. We take a canoe ride back to Puerto Maldonado for our flight to Cusco on day 5. After hotel check in spend the rest of the day at leisure adjusting to the altitude. This beautiful city full of history and intrigue, is located 3,399m above sea level.

The following morning we enjoy a tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins taking in some of the city's most important landmarks. We'll start at the Plaza de Armas, built on the remains of one of the most important Incan gathering spots, it's one of the most beautiful squares in the country. We'll also visit the Cathedral, the Kenko Amphitheatre and the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Built between 1438 and 1474, Sacsayhuaman Fortress took over 20,000 labourers to build and some of the magnificent stone work measures over 4 metres in height and over 100 tons in weight. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to do any independent exploring of Cusco.

2 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 7, Sacred Valley

Cusco - The Sacred Valley. Today we enjoy a full day tour of the Sacred Valley. Our first stop is the popular Pisac Markets, where artisans from the region get together and exchange or buy and sell their products. Originally only held on Sundays, Pisac Market was a place for artisans from across the region to trade in their products. Today the market is a daily occurrence where locals and visitors alike can find some of the finest textiles, jewellery and clothing typical of this area of Peru. There's plenty of time to explore the market, see the variety of colourful handicrafts and textiles on offer, and barter for souvenirs.

This afternoon we visit Ollantaytambo's fortress with its enormous Inca terraces constructed on the side of a steep mountain. One of the best examples of Incan architecture, many of the inhabitants of Ollantaytambo still live according to the customs and traditions they have inherited from generations of ancestors, leading to it being known as a living Inca town. After a tour through the area we check into our hotel for the night.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 8, Machu Picchu

Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu - Cusco. Today is the day you’ve been waiting for as you finally get a chance to witness first hand one of the most fascinating ancient sites in the world. In the morning we will take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and then board the bus to Machu Picchu – remember to look out the windows as the scenery along the way is utterly breathtaking.

Situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba River and surrounded by tropical forest, the Inca city enjoys a truly spectacular setting. When we get there, a guided tour will take us through the citadel. Built in the classical Inca style with polished dry-stone walls and terraces that seem to have been crafted naturally from the rock escarpments, Machu Picchu is a spectacular testament to the greatness of the Inca civilisation. The ruins are divided into the Urban and Agricultural Sectors with features ranging from terraced fields and water fountains to storage buildings, guardhouses and religious temples as well as bridges on the trails leading out of the citadel. After the tour we return to the spa town of Aguas Calientes where there's time to stroll around before travelling by train back to Cusco.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 9, Cusco

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. A transfer will take you to Cusco airport for your onward travel.

If you're not departing Cusco until this evening, or you're booking post tour accommodation, you may wish to join one of the optional excursions on offer today. You can visit the local Andean market town of Chinchero on a half day tour. Chinchero has one of the most traditional markets in South America, and here you will find locals in colourful traditional dress, buying and selling their produce.

There's also an optional Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Trek[[|131596]] (offered from March to November), with lunch included. After a scenic 2.5 hr drive through rugged mountain scenery, trek with a guide to the summit of Rainbow Mountain, with its striking bright stripes of mineral deposits. Please note: optional excursions need to be booked prior to departure.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

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