Itinerary

Day 1: USA – LIMA

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Fly from the USA to Lima, Peru. Overnight in Lima.

Accommodation: HOTEL LOS DELFINES (view website)

Day 2: LIMA – CUSCO

Monday, October 27, 2008

This morning, fly to Cusco for a guided tour of this fascinating city, starting with the impressive colonial cathedral. Then explore the Temple of the Sun, the main religious center of the Incas dedicated to the Sun Cult, the walls of which,according to legend were entirely covered with gold. Just outside the city is Sacsayhuamán, famous for its enormous carved rocks.

Accommodation: HOTEL JOSE ANTONIO (view website)

Day 3: CUSCO – COCK-OF-THE-ROCK LODGE

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Today’s journey descends into an inter-montane valley to explore a distinctly different habitat. After a picnic lunch, ascend to the pristine forest of the high eastern slopes where orchids abound and the sounds of tree frogs fill the air. As we cross the last pass before descending into the Amazon basin, we have a good chance of seeing the endangered Andean Condor, one of the world’s largest flying birds with a wingspan as much as 11 feet. Continue to the comfortable Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, at 5,000 feet above sea level.

Accommodation: COCK OF-THE-ROCK LODGE

Day 4: COCK-OF-THE-ROCK LODGE

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Explore the lodge’s trails through the cloud forest to a Cock-of-the-Rock lek where we watch the strange mating dance of an array of spectacular birds. Exploring the 5,000- to 8,000-feet elevation zone we see waterfalls and a wide variety of orchids, always with the sounds of countless species of birds in the background.

Accommodation: COCK-OF-THE-ROCK LODGE

Day 5: COCK-OF-THE-ROCK-LODGE – AMAZONIA LODGE

Thursday, October 30, 2008

After a dawn breakfast with songs of solitaires and Paradise Tanagers in the air, we slowly descend through a rare intact section of the upper tropical zone forest, yet another distinct habitat. Undoubtedly we will see several bird species including beautiful parrots, warblers and tanagers, and there is a chance to see sloths and monkeys. At the Madre de Dios River we travel a short distance by boat, searching the banks for caiman, arriving in time for a refreshing drink and dinner at our lodge.

Accommodation: AMAZONIA LODGE (view website)

Day 6: AMAZONIA LODGE – MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Friday, October 31, 2008

After a leisurely morning board motorized roofed boats with comfortable padded bucket seats for the ride down the Alto Madre de Dios to the Manu River and on to the Manu Wildlife Center. This is a pleasurable six hour introduction to the Amazon Basin. The river banks are lined with trees arching over the water struggling for sunlight. We pass the occasional native village, see macaws and parrots flying overhead and search the banks for otters and caiman. Arrive at the Manu Wildlife Center in time for a refreshing shower and cool drink before dinner.

Accommodation: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER (view website)

Day 7: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Saturday, November 01, 2008

The most diverse forest types in Manu and highest bio-diversity are found right around the lodge. Hike along the extensive trail systems and climb two canopy observation towers in hopes of seeing monkeys and endemic birds. Visit the oxbow lakes and the Blanquillo Macaw lick, where from floating blinds we observe the spectacle of hundreds of parrots and macaws at close quarters. On hikes and boat rides there is a chance of seeing Peccaries, tapirs capybara, sloths, and Giant Anteaters.

Accommodation: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Day 8: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Continue exploring Manu Wildlife Center.

Accommodation: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Day 9: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER – CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO

Monday, November 03, 2008

Traveling upriver in our comfortable boats, we have our last look at the Amazon River Basin, en route to the Boca Manu Aerodrome. Fly to Cusco and continue by bus into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo, set at the foot of some impressive Inca ruins.

Accommodation: HOTEL CASONA DE YUCAY (view website)

Day 10: OLLANTAYTAMBO – MACHU PICCHU

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Board the vista dome car on the train to Machu Picchu this morning. Arrive at the Incan ruins and explore the impressive archeological complex. Built between 1460 and 1470 A.D., the city is at an altitude of 8,000 feet and is high above the Urubamba River canyon cloud forest.

Accommodation: SUMAQ MACHU PICCHU HOTEL (view website)

Day 11: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Return to Machu Picchu this morning for the special opportunity to see the site before the crowds from Cusco arrive. After lunch, return by train to Cusco and gather for a farewell dinner this evening.

Accommodation: HOTEL JOSE ANTONIO

Day 12: CUSCO – LIMA or LAKE TITICACA OPTIONAL EXTENSION: CUSCO - PUNO

Thursday, November 06, 2008

The morning is free to explore the historic city of Cusco. Then board a flight to Lima where day rooms are available for your comfort. Tonight, board a flight back home. OR If joining the extension: After breakfast, board our motor coach and enjoy the beautiful drive from historic Cusco to Lake Titicaca. See the magnificent Andean mountains and deep valleys of the meandering Huatanay River and the transition to the rolling Andean Plains, pastures for vicuña and alpaca. Arrive in Puno, a city founded in 1688, on the shore of the world’s highest navigable lake, at 12,555 feet.

Accommodation: Day rooms at HOTEL LOS DELFINES or HOTEL LIBERTADOR on extension (view website)

Day 13: USA or PUNO

Friday, November 07, 2008

Arrive in USA. OR if joining the extension: Early in the morning, we take an excursion on Lake Titicaca to the unique Floating “Islands” of the Uros. The ancient inhabitants have built their own "islands" by periodically adding new layers of reeds called “Totora.” Their homes and boats are also made from this material. Continue to Taquile Island, inhabitedby Quechua-speakers noted for fine hand weaving techniques. Have lunch in Taquile and explore archaeological sites around the island.

Accommodation: HOTEL LIBERTADOR

Day 14: PUNO – JULIACA – LIMA

Saturday, November 08, 2008

On the way to the airport explore the pre-Colombian funeral towers called Sillustani Chullpas on a beautiful desert peninsula in Lake Ayumaral. The engineering involved in their construction is more complex than anything the Incas built. Then fly to Lima where day rooms are available for your comfort. Tonight, board a flight back home.

Accommodation: Day rooms at HOTEL LOS DELFINES

Day 15: USA

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Arrive in USA.