THE AMAZON & MACHU PICCHU Lima, Iquitos, Cusco & Machu Picchu

ITINERARY:

Day 01 LIMA

Arrive in Lima. Meeting and transfer to 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, religious building from the end of the XVI century. Continue through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Day 02 LIMA - IQUITOS - EXPLORAMA LODGE

Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Iquitos. Meeting at the airport, brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Fifty mile journey down the Amazon River to Yanamono Stream where Explorama Lodge is located. Afternoon hike along the "Lake Trail" through lowland rainforest which is seasonally flooded. During the high water season, this excursion is done by open boat! Night walk or open boat ride to enjoy the sounds of the rainforest and stars of the Southern sky.

Day 03 EXPLORAMA LODGE

Morning walk along the "Bushmaster Trail", where scientific studies by the Missouri Botanical Gardens have found one of the world's highest biodiversity of trees per square hectare. Your guide will point out many plants used in medicine today and many that we may use in the future. Afternoon open boat trip along the Amazon in search of either of the two species of freshwater dolphin found in the river and a chance for an afternoon swim.

Day 04 EXPLORAMA LODGE - IQUITOS - LIMA

Morning walk along a local river trail with stops along the way to visit the "ribereños" or river people, visit a river school, see the local sugar cane rum "factory"or visit our resident American medical doctor in her clinic sponsored by the Rotary Club. Transfer back to Iquitos for your departure flight to Lima. Meeting and transfer to your hotel.

Day 05 LIMA - CUSCO

Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Cusco. Meeting and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the morning at leisure to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet). City tour including nearby ruins. Visit Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo 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 in a local restaurant. Return to Cusco by train. Meeting and transfer to your hotel.

Day 08 CUSCO - LIMA

Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Lima. Meeting and transfer to your hotel. Guided shopping tour.

Day 09 LIMA

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