Active Andes and Amazonia
An active exploratory journey; kayak on the world's highest navigable lake and raft white waters through the heart of the Sacred Valley. Discover the mystical citadel of Machu Picchu and finally descend from the Andes to the Amazon basin where we navigate through the dense rainforest in canoes and on foot.
TOUR INFORMATION
KAYAK LAKE TITICACA
From Lima we fly high into the Andes and to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. A magical place, we take to our kayaks and follow the shore passing small fishing villages, where a timeless way of life still continues. Later you may wish to visit the floating islands, home to the Uros Indians. Traversing the mountain plateaus, we head north to the Sacred Valley, the bread basket of old the Inca empire. Walking to the Indian community of Misminay, home to many of the porters who work with us on the Inca trail, we can enjoy lunch with our hosts before continuing on to Moray and then Maras - site of ancient Inca salt pans. We also plan to visit the lively Pisac market followed by cycling and rafting through the Sacred Valley.
MACHU PICCHU & AMAZON RAINFOREST
Boarding our train, we take a fantastic journey following the tumultuous waters of the Urubamba, through rock-cut tunnels to the small town of Aguas Calientes. We visit Machu Picchu and have the option of clambering up Wayna Picchu, the towering pinnacle of rock that overlooks this ancient site. Returning to Cusco, we pause to enjoy this lively town before flying down to our lodge for a 3-night sojourn in the Amazon. Here you can explore the rainforest by dugout canoe and also on foot for close-up views of exotic tropical flora. There's plenty of time to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(MT-6221-P) |
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Flights ( London - Lima - London ) |
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Accomodation ( hotel/hostel/camp) |
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8 Breakfasts |
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7 Lunches |
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3 Dinners |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Tour Payment 330 USD |
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Suitability / Level |
Moderate |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Among the many highlights featured on this tour, we particularly mention:
LAKE TITICACA
Kayaking on the world’s highest navigable lake.
SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
Rafting, cycling and walking.
MACHU PICCHU
by train to the ‘Lost City’ in the mountains.
CUSCO
Chill out in the happening ancient Inca capital
AMAZON
Explore the rainforest by dugout canoe and on foot.
DAY 1. SATURDAY. JOIN TOUR LIMA
Arrive Lima and check-in at hotel.
DAY 2. FLY JULIACA; DRIVE TO PUNO
We fly up to Juliaca on the high Altiplano, then make a short drive to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 3810m, and also the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation. The local Aymara, Quechua and Uros people have larger lungs, hearts and spleens, and blood that is particularly rich in red corpuscles. This has enabled them to adapt to high altitude living. En route to Puno we visit the ‘chullpas’ (funeral towers) of Sillustani, which probably date from the 14th century.
DAY 3. IN PUNO; KAYAKING ON LAKE TITICACA
Heading around the northern tip of Lake Titicaca, we make for Llanchon, our base from which our kayaking trip starts. Paddling along the shoreline, we follow the Capa Chica Peninsula, passing local communities and the small docks where they tie their boats. The best way to appreciate the grandeur of the setting is on the water, and the kayaks allow us to get close to shore and learn something of the timeless existence of the people living here. On our return we have a typical local lunch before heading back to Puno where the rest of the day is free for you to indulge as you wish. An optional trip by boat out to see the Uros Indians is highly recommended.
DAY 4. BUS TO OLLANTAYTAMBO VIA RAQCHI
Today we follow the legendary route taken by the first Inca ruler – Manco Capac – on his way to find Cusco. Driving up to the Northern limit of the Altiplano we cross La Raya pass (4335m) and descend to Cusco visiting the Inca Temple ruins at Raqchi en route. Depending on the time, those who wish may visit the colonial church at Andahuaylillas. The scenery is desolate but magnificent and we may spot flocks of llamas and alpacas grazing on the windswept pastures. From Cusco the road winds down further to the Sacred Valley, which, depending on the time of year, is a blaze of green crops on terraced slopes or rich brown earth freshly ploughed by the ox teams.
DAYS 5 & 6. IN SACRED VALLEY; HIKING AND BIKING
This morning we drive out of Yucay and hike to the Indian community of Misminay. Situated in the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas (El Valle Sagrado), just north of Cusco, the area is rich in Inca sites and Indian villages. A dramatic landscape with the peaks of the Cordillera Urubamba to the north and sacred site of Machu Picchu at its eastern end, the valley is a fertile lush plain, broken up by the wanderings of the Urubamba River. Misminay itself is home to many of the porters who work along the Inca trail and within the Valley itself, and hopefully we will learn a little more about the lives of these descendants of the ancient Inca during our visit. We continue our hike through the Sacred Valley, heading towards the site of Moray, famous for its fascinating Inca terraces.
These terraces were believed to have been carved on different levels by the Incas in order to experiment with their crops, each being carved to different depths in order to try and ascertain the ideal conditions in which to grow them. Once we have had a chance to visit the site we continue towards the saltpans at Maras, where hot springs at the top of the valley have been diverted into terraced saltpans. Originally exploited by the Incas the practice still goes on today, producing salt licks for the local cattle.
On our second full day here we’ll drive to the Inca site sat high above Pisac before heading down to the renowned market. A quiet colonial village most of the time, Pisac shakes off its somnolent feel with the arrival of its lively market, where locals (and tourists) from miles around come to buy, sell and barter in the main square. The ruins, overlooking the village, offer stunning views of the surrounding terraces, with deep spectacular gorges either side. We later cycle back towards Ollantaytambo, through the spectacular Sacred Valley.
DAY 7. RAFTING THE URUBAMBA; TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES
Our final day in the Sacred Valley sees us rise early for an exhilarating morning whitewater rafting on the Urubamba River – no previous experience is necessary and all safety equipment is provided. After an invigorating start to the day and a wholesome lunch, we then board the afternoon train to Aguas Calientes. The train winds slowly down, following the tumultuous waters of the Urubamba through rock cut tunnels before emerging at the small town of Aguas Calientes, amidst the cloud forests.
DAY 8. AT MACHU PICCHU; OPTIONAL ASCENT UP WAYNA PICCHU
Early this morning we travel with our guide up to Machu Picchu – the famous ‘Lost City’ (at 2380m), set in a grandiose landscape that amazes all spectators. The existence of this exquisite masterpiece of ancient civilisation remained unknown to the outside world until it was ‘discovered’ by an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham in 1911.
We explore this mountaintop stronghold – the most spectacular feat of engineering in ancient America, walking through the site. Those who wish to have the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu mountain and admire the site from a different perspective before we return to Aguas Calientes after a long but truly inspiring day. Tonight you may fancy a relaxing dip in the thermal springs (optional).
DAY 9. AM RELAXING IN AGUAS CALIENTES; PM TRAIN AND BUS TO CUSCO
After the long day yesterday, we have a late start this morning before catching our train back to Ollantaytambo. From here we travel by bus back to Cusco where the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to take a stroll around its historic streets and enjoy the renowned nightlife of this quite cosmopolitan city.
DAY 10. IN CUSCO; CITY TOUR AND FREE TIME IN CUSCO
The oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent, imbued with an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur. This is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. The Spanish-style city of today, with its attractive pink tiled roofs, arcaded plazas and steep winding alleyways, stands upon tremendous Inca foundation stones. The interlocking stones, assembled so carefully that a knife blade
cannot be forced between the multi-sided joints, were highly functional as well as beautiful – they are earthquake-proof!
Today there is the option to visit Cusco’s templecitadel, Saqsaywaman. Saqsaywaman broods high above the town, its huge, zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire. Meant to represent the head of a puma, 20,000 conscripted workers toiled for 90 years to finish it and it was the site of one of the most fiercely fought battles of the Spanish conquest, when the Incas made one last–ditch attempt to drive out the Spanish, an attempt that ended in defeat and death for thousands of Incas.
DAY 11. FLY TO PUERTO MALDONADO
This morning we drive to airport and then take a short flight to Puerto Maldonado in the southern Amazon area of Peru. From here we travel by boat along the Madre de Dios or Tambopata river to our jungle lodge. To acclimatise to the new sights, sounds and smells of this dense rainforest we do an orientation walk on arrival and a sunset walk in the evening.
DAYS 12 & 13. IN AMAZON JUNGLE
We have two full days to explore and discover this incredible world, which will include jungle walks where in the deeper parts of the forest, toucans, monkeys, picuros, boars and other jungle animals may be heard or seen. We observe wildlife on the river during an excursion in dugout style canoes.
DAY 14. EARLY MORNING BOAT & FLY TO LIMA
This morning we transfer by boat back along the river to Puerto Maldonado. From here we board our flight to Lima. Founded in 1535 and called the City of Kings, Lima today is both ancient and modern. On arrival there may be time to partake in an optional city tour or alternatively you may just wish to stroll through Plaza San Martin and Bolivar and enter the fascinating Catacombs of the convent of San Francisco, passing through the colonial squares and under the intricate modern balconies of old Lima and seeing some of the city’s best surviving examples of colonial architecture.
DAY 15. SATURDAY. TOUR ENDS LIMA |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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9 nights hotel
2 night hostel
3 nights lodge |
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Holidays
Extras |
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Included
