Cusco, Machu Picchu and Tambopata Candamo 10 days

Day-by-day itinerary:

Day 1: Transfer to the hotel in Lima

Cusco, the archaeological capital of the Americas and the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent, lies in exceptionally beautiful Andean countryside. It is 3400 metres above sea level and its legacy as the hub of the Inca Empire is readily apparent: Most of the city streets are lined with Inca-built stone walls and crowded with Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas.

The city of Cusco and Sacsaywaman (half day):

We begin our tour with a visit to the cathedral, which was built between 1560 and 1654 on the site of the palace of the Inca Wiracocha. It is a magnificent example of European art made by the indigenous population. Its main altar is completely covered in silver, and the church contains many fine paintings from the Cusco School of religious art. From the cathedral we move on to Qoricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, where we will be able to see some of the finest remaining examples of Inca stonemasonry.
We will explore this ancient Inca sanctuary with its immense monolithic walls built from stones that weigh up to 130 tons each, all joined perfectly together. Sacsaywaman witnessed great events and bloodshed during the siege of Cusco at the time of the conquest. We will then visit the amphitheatre at Qenqo, the fortress of Puka Pukara and the ritual Inca baths at Tambomachay.

Pisaq market:
The colourful markets of the valley are open during the mornings, when you will be able to buy Peruvian crafts, jewellery and textiles, and see the traditional produce market where local people trade. Pisaq market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and Chinchero market is open on Sundays.

Ollantaytambo:

The village of Ollantaytambo retains the original street plan of the Inca town, making it the only surviving example of Inca urban planning. Our tour will include a visit to the agricultural areas around the village, the irrigation system, granaries and the fortress-temple built by Inca Pachacuteq using stonemasons from the Colla culture around Lake Titicaca.

Machu Picchu, the so-called “Lost City of the Incas”, remains intact because it was never discovered by the invading Spanish. Constructed on a high, forested mountain overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu were lost in time and dense foliage until they were discovered in July 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham.
Our guides will carefully explain the history of this unique place and guide us around its terraces, temples, palaces and watercourses.

Day 6: Free Day

Following your early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado from Lima or Cusco, you will be met at the airport by your naturalist guide and transferred to a dugout canoe for the trip up the Tambopata River to the lodge.
Tambopata Candamo National Reserve:

The Tambopata Candamo National Reserve (TNR) covers an area of 678,800 acres adjacent to the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. Together, these two parks form an immense area (3,000,000 acres) of sub-tropical rainforest under the protection of the Peruvian government.

And with the establishment of the Madidi National Park in Bolivia, Tambopata is now part of a cross border park system which is the largest area of protected tropical forest on the South American continent.
The many studies made of the fauna and flora along the Tambopata River reveal an incredible abundance of life forms. The ecosystems in this part of southeast Peru are the most diverse on the planet, meaning that within the territory of the Libertador Tambopata Lodge there are limitless opportunities to observe the tropical rainforest and its wildlife.

A morning’s exploration by foot and paddle canoe of the lake system of Condenado, rich in bird and aquatic life. A family of giant otters lives in the vicinity of the lake and are often observed. Birds abound, especially rufescent tiger-herons, great egrets, wattled jacanas, hoatzin, the noisy donacobius and many others. The afternoon is for exploring the forest close to the lodge (with or without your guide), relaxing and bathing in the Gallucunca, a cool clear stream beside the lodge, or visiting our tree platforms.

Day 9: Hike to Lake Sachavacayoc (Tapir Lake).

Day 10: Departure