THE TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE  & MACHU PICCHU Lima, Tambopata National Reserve (Puerto Maldonado), Cusco & Machu Picchu

ITINERARY:

Day 01 LIMA

Arrive in Lima. Meeting and transfer to your hotel. Guided visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Drive through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, a religious building from the end of the XVI century. Continue through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Day 02 LIMA - PUERTO MALDONADO - POSADA AMAZONAS

Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Meeting and transfer to the Tambopata River port and then depart on the two-hour boat trip by motorized canoe to Posada Amazonas. After lunch, guided excursion to a small parakeet clay lick. Dinner and overnight.

Day 03 POSADA AMAZONAS

Early morning visit the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. After breakfast excursion by boat and 30 minute walk through the jungle to the lakeshore. Opportunity for a canoe ride to appreciate the surrounding flora and fauna. Return to the lodge for lunch. Ethnobotanical walk around the lodge with an Ese´eja native, who will explain uses of forest medicine, construction, food and fiber. Dinner and overnight.

Day 04 POSADA AMAZONAS

Second clay lick. Ten-minute walk from the lodge, next to the river. You will see a variety of parrots, green macaws, larger parrots and parakeets. You will also have the opportunity to see other spectacular wildlife active at this time of the day. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon visit a native slash and burn farm. Dinner and overnight.

Day 05 POSADA AMAZONAS - PUERTO MALDONADO - CUSCO

Return to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Balance of morning at leisure to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet). City tour and nearby ruins. Visit Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum, Santo Domingo Church or Koricancha. Includes visits to Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara fortresses, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko and the water shrine of Tambomachay.

Day 06 CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU

Transfer to the station for a morning train ride to the unparalleled, Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas". Machu Picchu was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, which was a privilege restricted to the Inca Royal family and priests. Guided visit. Overnight at one of the hotels in the area.

Day 07 MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Morning free to explore the ruins on own or visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes. Lunch at a local restaurant. Mid afternoon departure by Vistadome train to Cusco. Meeting and transfer to the hotel.

Day 08 CUSCO - LIMA

Transfer to the airport in time to take the flight to Lima. Meeting and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon guided shopping tour.

Day 09 LIMA

Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight or continue on the extension of your choice.