Our first stop is Cusco. The city we see today is the magnificent result of both Spanish and Inca cultures. Cusco is not just the cradle of the ancient Inca culture, but also the gateway to the most biodiverse tropical forests in the world in the Amazon basin, and of course the starting point of any journey to the emblematic ruins of Machu Picchu.
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Day-by-day itinerary: |
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Day 1: Transfer to the hotel in Lima
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Day 2: Transfer to airport in Lima and to hotel in Cusco
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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.
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Day 3: The Sacred Valley of the Incas, (full day)
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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.
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Day 4: The Saltpans of Maras and the ruins of Moray (full day)
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The salt mines at Maras consist of 3000 small pools. A number of salt water springsemerge from the hillside and are channelled along canals using the natural gradient. This process is repeated every three days and the water evaporates leaving behind the salt which slowly solidifies. This process takes one month, until a 10 cm layer of salt has formed. The salt is then packed into plastic sacks to be sold in the region’s local markets and exported as far away as Japan.
Moray:
The Incas built a series of agricultural terraces in the form of a circular amphitheatre 150m in diameter. Moray was a centre for agricultural experiments and recent research has shown that the different levels of terraces represent different microclimates in the region and that temperatures between the terraces vary greatly. Using this technology, the Incas used Moray to domesticate and acclimatise the hybrids of wild plants which they created.
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Salkantay / Chillca / Machu Picchu by train (5 days / 4 nights)
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Day 5: Cusco / Mollepata / Soraypampa
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We journey west through the Anta Valley. Descending into the warm and dry Apurimac Valley we visit the Inca temple of Tarawasi. A little further along the road we climb to the village of Mollepata, where our mule drivers will be waiting to load the horses or mules. We will then walk to a nearby valley where we will camp at Soraypampa 3250 m (10,660ft).
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Day 6: Cruz Qasa
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We climb a summit above the Rio Blanco. It is common to see condors along this section of the trail. We continue our steep ascent of the enormous glacier, arriving at the pass at 4825 m (15,826ft) below the south face of Salkantay (6247 m / 20,600ft) the highest peak of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Our path continues down to Cruz Qasa, where we camp at 4490 m / 14,727 ft.
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Day 7: Inca Raqay
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A short hike takes us to Cruz Qasa pass at 4715 m / 15,465 ft. with exceptional views of the Ocobamba (5126 m / 16,813ft). We camp at Inca Raqay (4600 m / 15,088 ft).
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Day 8: Chillca
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Crossing the final pass just 200 m / 656 ft above our camp the trail descends to the narrow Chillca gorge and the most fertile area of the region - the Urubamba Valley - where we camp at 2800 m / 9,184 ft.
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Day 9: Machu Picchu
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Today we leave the camp early and take a short walk to the train station for the ride to Machu Picchu.
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 guide will carefully explain the history of this unique place and guide us around its terraces, temples, palaces and watercourses.
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Day 10: Free day in Machu Picchu
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Tambopata Candamo National Reserve
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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 Candamo 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.
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Day 11: Flight to Puerto Maldonado, and journey to the lodge.
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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.
The Libertador Tambopata Eco-Lodge is situated on the banks of the Tambopata River in the heart of the Tambopata Candamo National Reserve (TNR), the remoteness and tranquillity of our lodge make for a richly rewarding visit to the rainforest. But, with a location of approximately only four hours from Cusco (a half hour commercial flight, transfer to the port, and three hours by boat to the lodge) it is one of the most accessible rainforest destinations in Latin America.
The proximity of the Tambopata Candamo National Reserve to Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lima assures a rewarding visit to excellent rainforest habitat without losing vacation time travelling. In the late afternoonyou set off for an introductory walk into the forest behind the lodge. Frequently seen mammals on this trail are saddle-back tamarinds, brown capuchins and agoutis. After dinner: A night walk to find nocturnal animals or insects by their eye-shine.
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Day 12: Hike to Lake Condenado.
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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.
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Day 13: Hike to Lake Sachavacayoc (Tapir Lake).
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After breakfast a short boat ride downriver to the trail head. Here you embark on a longer trail which leads to a spectacular hidden lake and on the way you are introduced to more aspects of the forest and its animals. At the lake itself it is possible to spot elusive black caiman and giant otters. The afternoon is free for relaxation and bathing.
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Day 14: Departure.
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A dawn start is required for the canoe trip back to Puerto Maldonado, giving memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Look out for the early morning wildlife, which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard, as they stake out their territories. Your guide will take care of you on arrival in Puerto Maldonado and will deal with all the necessities at the airport prior to your departure.
Return flight to Lima. Our services end.
