Peru Wonders

Departs daily. Discover the fascinating culture of Peru! Your Peru Wonders vacation will take you from ancient ruins to the virgin Amazon. Explore the heart of the former Inca Empire, Cusco, then marvel at one of the Seven Wonders, Machu Picchu. Finally, experience the lush ecosystem of Peru's Amazon staying in a comfortable Jungle Lodge.

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

Welcome to Peru! Upon your arrival in Lima, you will be met and given assistance at the airport and transferred to your selected hotel in Lima. Check in and the remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring on your own.

Day 2: Lima

Today you'll enjoy a tour of the "City of the Kings". Panoramic visit to the Huaca Pucllana, archaeological centre that was active between the 5th and 8th centuries A.D. Proceed to San Isidro and enjoy a panoramic view of the Olivar of San Isidro, that stands out among the parks of the hemisphere and symbolizes the virreynal and republican tradition of this district, highlighted by its magnificent olives dating from virreynal times. Continue to the Historical Centre of Lima and see the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. Then on to the San Francisco Monastery, a masterpiece of colonial architecture housing important colonial paintings. At the end of the tour you'll return to your hotel. (B)

Day 3: Lima | Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel a transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Arriving in Cusco you'll me met and offered assistance at the airport and transferred to your selected hotel in Cusco for check-in. Later in the day your discovery of Cusco will begin exploring the magical capital of the Incas on a tour that includes the Santo Domingo monastery, which was built over the Koricancha temple, one of the most important temples dedicated to the worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Stop at San Cristobal for a magnificent view of the city of Cusco, before proceeding to the nearby remarkable Inca ruins in the area: the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the archeological site of Tambomachay, where the god "water" was worshipped. Return to Cusco and stop briefly at Plaza Regocijo and Plaza de Armas, to continue with the visit of the Cathedral, the most important temple of the city which houses the headquarters of the Diocese. At the end of the tour you'll return to your hotel. (B)

Day 4: Cusco

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and a free day to explore on your own. Cusco is a great place to go shopping. In Cusco you can find a great variety of handicrafts, all of which are tempting. There are many shops which sell products made from 100% alpaca wool. Clothes made with "baby alpaca" (the wool from the first shearing) are always natural colours, like coffee, grey, black and white. Beware street vendors bargains as you may be buying "maybe alpaca" as opposed to "baby alpaca". For those who prefer not to shop an optional full-day excursion with lunch to the Sacred Valley is available. (B)

Day 5: Cusco | Machu Picchu | Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel A transfer from your hotel will take you to Ollanta station to board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the route. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes you will take a 25-minute motorcoach ride to "The Lost City of the Incas", which was discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Located on the left bank of the Vilcanota river lies the wonderful old city of Machu Picchu, which in Quechua means "Old Mountain". According to research, Machu Picchu would have been one of the vacation residences of Pachacutec, the first Inca emperor between 1438 and 1470. However, some of its finest buildings and the evident ceremonial purpose of the main access road to the village, prove that it was used as a religious shrine. Machu Picchu is considered both a masterpiece of architecture and engineering because of its unique architectural and landscaping features. Prominent constructions among its buildings are the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds, among others of singular architecture and importance. Your guide will narrate and explain all about this splendid citadel, which is a truly amazing experience. After the guided tour enjoy free time to stroll around the archaeological site. Lunch included. To further enhance your travel experience we suggest you visit the private art gallery: "Machu Pictures - Inspiring Views of the Sanctuary", located within Cafe Inkaterra in Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, nearby the rail station. A privileged access created for you. At the end of the visit, return by train to the Sacred Valley and upon arrival you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cusco. (B.L)

Day 6: Cusco | Puerto Maldonado | Corto Maltes Jungle Lodge

Your Amazon adventure begins today with a transfer from your hotel to the airport to board your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Here your professional guide will await you. He will accompany you during your whole stay. From here you will go to the lodge's office in Puerto Maldonado to obtain the official waterway permits & safely store luggage that you will not require while at the lodge. Meanwhile you can visit the town’s main square and also take some photos of the beautiful scenery overlooking the confluence of the rivers Madre de Dios and Tambopata from Grau square. Embarkation will be at Capitania port, the destination being Corto Maltes Lodge. We will navigate approximately 40 minutes on the Madre de Dios River in a typical Amazonian boat. Welcome drinks on arrival at Corto Maltes Amazonia, and settling into bungalows. Lunch, free time and at about 3:30, first excurtion into the forest, a 2:30 to 3 hour walk, taking in a large variety of medecinal plants, tropicals trees, insects and butterflies. A brief rest stop at a viewpoint to watch toucans and other birds. Returning to the lodge, and immediatlely before dinner we will be going out in the boat for an exciting night-time "Caiman Safari" (B.L.D)

Day 7: Amazonia

An early morning wake up at 5:30 am for a 20 minute walk to the salt lick to see the amazing spectacle of dozens of parrots and parakeets arriving to eat a special clay necessary for their metabolism. Breakfast at 8:00, followed by free time until 10:30 at which time we will be getting back on the boat to visit the "Island of Monkeys" an unforgettable experience, remember your camera re-embarking for another 30-minute journey, we will arrive at magical Lake Sandoval. After a 5 kms hike through tropical jungle, we enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at the lake side. The lake is a special place where numerous species of animals live, including giants otters, large and small birds, such as hoatzins, kingfishers and anhingas, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, the famous piranhas and paiches (the biggest scaled fish in the amazon). All this can be comfortable viewed from a paddle canoe until dusk. Return to the river at night for the chance of seeing nocturnal animals. After a refreshing shower, dinner at 8:00. Followed by a talk on the restaurant terrace, then to bed, not forgetting to say good night to the southern cross.(B.L.D)

Day 8: Amazonia | Lima | Departure

Today you'll have an early breakfast at the lodge before transferring to the airport for your flight to Lima and onwards home. (B)

For More Information Call Our Experts at 1-800-387-0711 xt 238 or email: southamerica@cittours.ca

This Peru Wonders - Machu Picchu & Amazon Tour can be modified to fit your vacation dreams. Stay overnight in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) or extend your stay at Corto Maltes. Perhaps extend your stay in Peru with an extension to the Nazca Lines?