Classic Peru

On arrival you will be greeted at the airport by our local representative and transferred to our hotel in Lima.
There will be the opportunity to begin to explore Lima this afternoon, taking part in a tour of Peru’s capital, a rich kaleidoscope of colonial architectural jewels, revered pre-Columbian sites, charming residential areas, and vibrant shopping districts perched over the blue Pacific. Not to be missed are the Cathedral and the San Francisco Convent, built in the 17th century. The catacombs - an ancient underground cemetery of Lima - is a highlight of the tour.

Your Big Journey Tour Director will discuss the rest of the trip with you at a welcome dinner together this evening.

We continue on our exploration of Lima this morning, with a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum - always an entertaining an enlightening visit. Walking through the exhibition halls of the Larco Museum, the largest private collection of pre-Columbian art of the World, with our Curator makes the visit an inspiring experience. There is a wealth of information about the collection and the peoples that made the beautiful archaeological objects.

We enjoy lunch together at popular local restaurant before continuing along the city’s lovely Pacific coastline through the enchanting neighbourhoods of San Isidro and Miraflores, departing Lima to head south to Paracas (approx. 4hrs drive).

We enjoy dinner together this evening.

There is an opportunity today to purchase the optional excursion of a flight from Pisco Aerodrome, to pass over the giant, puzzling Nazca Lines.

The rest of the day will be spent at leisure, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the ocean views and the tranquillity of this coastal setting. However you choose to spend your day, we will meet together this evening over dinner.

Together today, we board a boat to the beautiful Ballestas Islands. The uninhabited Ballestas Islands are home to thousands of birds and mammals including penguins, sea lions, Inca terns, pelicans and dolphins. The spectacular Paracas National Reserve is a must for all wildlife lovers and we shall enjoy a guided tour to see and hear more about this very special place.

At the end of the day we return to Lima to prepare for tomorrow’s flights to the Amazon rainforest.

This morning we travel from Lima Airport to Puerto Maldonado.
We begin our rainforest experience as soon as we arrive with a 45 minute boat ride along the Madre de Dios River- what a way to arrive at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica lodge! On arrival at the lodge, we will meet our local guide and you are free to choose from the different included excursions available during our stay.
We recommend a guided walk along the Trail system, into the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica natural area, where you will discover the Amazon Basin. This trail offers an excellent introduction to the forest environment, winding past impressive trees such as the Shihuahuaco, and the strangely beautiful strangler fig. Prepare to be totally absorbed, observing the birdlife and exotic insects.
The Twilight River excursion should not be missed. Witness the transformation from a diurnal to a nocturnal world: animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the night. As you enjoy searching for nightjars, owls, capybaras and big caimans in their paradise, you will learn about their habits and habitat.
We gather for dinner this evening, served in the main dining room from 7.30pm. to 9.30pm. After dinner, you may retire early to your own cabaña, or join us to talk about the experience of life in the rainforest, as you listen to the intriguing sounds of the jungle at night.

Rest in bed or rise early — the choice is yours. Breakfast is served from 5.30am, for those who want to avoid the heat and enjoy nature to its fullest. A full buffet breakfast is served from 7:00am to 9.30am.
This morning we enjoy the Lake Sandoval excursion into the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe across a mirror-like lake, home to the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to the Inkaterra lodge for lunch.
After lunch, consider the remarkable Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and Anaconda Walk. Ascending the first tower, 29 meters above the forest ground, you begin your encounter with the treetop realm. For more than a quarter of a mile, walk through the rainforest canopy on a suspension bridge network linking eight observation platforms. During this hour-and-a-half expedition, be on the lookout for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth. If you wish you may extend your excursion and appreciate the sunset from one of the towers.
After your descent from the Canopy, experience the Anaconda Walk for about 30 minutes along the 200-meter wooden bridge over the Aguajales swamps. In this lush eco system, you may observe the various species of amphibians, birds, mammals, abundant flora, trees and there is a possibility to see serpents of this flooded marshland. The walk finishes by returning to the lodge. Once at the lodge, enjoy the daily nature presentation in the Eco Centre.

After a restful morning, today we bid a fond farewell to the rainforest and are transferred to Puerto Maldonado Airport for our flight to Cusco.
Upon arrival, we will be greeted and transferred to the Sacred Valley. The rest of the day is at leisure before dinner is served at the hotel.

Today we visit Pisac, a picturesque town located 19.8 miles or 32km northeast of Cusco. Colourful fairs take place in Cusco every day. Here merchants offer for sale all sorts of handicrafts, the most interesting of which are the textiles and ceramic goods such as ceremonial goblets called “Q’eros”, plates, ashtrays, necklace and replicas of pre-Hispanic pottery. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Dinner will be enjoyed together at the hotel this evening.

This morning we visit the remarkable Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. A very steep stone staircase leads into the fortress. Inside we find imposing esplanades and monoliths forming the Temple of the Sun. We will be fascinated to learn how the huge blocks were moved and used for building without the use of modern day machinery.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

This afternoon we take a private transfer to Ollantaytambo train station to take the vistadome train to Aguas Calientes and a short walk to the hotel. We have dinner at the hotel this evening.

Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spaniards. For centuries it was buried in the jungle until Hiram Bingham found it in 1911. The Holy City of Machu Picchu was built in stone among the flanks of two hills belonging to the eastern mountain range of the Andes, descending into the Amazonian upper sylvan. There is no doubt that Machu Picchu represents an extraordinary example of architecture and engineering. Today starts early with a short walk to the bus station where the buses will wait to transfer you to the top of the Machu Picchu ruins (30 minutes). A full day guided tour of this iconic World heritage Site gives you some idea of what the city must have looked like in its glory days. Lunch is included.
After lunch, the train takes us back to Cusco. Upon arrival at the station, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Today's tour visits the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a colossal structure built with huge carved rocks jointed with absolute accuracy. This is an astounding sample of Incan military architecture. We also enjoy the best view of the city of Cusco from atop Cerro Pukamoqo (Red Peak), a natural scenic overlook from which the outstretched arms of Cristo Blanco, a massive white statue of Christ, embrace the city in a benevolent gesture. Today we will also visit San Pedro Market, the Qoricancha (the Golden Temple) and Cusco Cathedral.

This evening we will have a farewell dinner together.

Enjoy a full breakfast before transferring to Cusco Airport to meet the departure flights.