Heights Of Machu Picchu + Amazon Extension

Arrive to Lima and check-in at hotel. The day is left free for you to rest after the long flight, you may wish to explore Lima independently taking a stroll along the coastal path to Miraflores and through the bohemina district of Barranco . Lima, Peru's capital, was founded in 1535 AD by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. It was built on the Pacific coast, by the Rimac River and close to the natural harbour of Callao, on land that had already been inhabited for thousands of years. Today Lima is a modern city, but there are obvious reminders of its ancient and colonial past. The city is also gaining a reputation as a culinary centre, try some ceviche (fish marinated in citrus) or sip on a Pisco sour.

This morning we take a short Lima city tour, passing through the colonial squares and by of the convent of San Francisco. In the early evening we fly up to Juliaca on the high Altiplano after. On arrival we will take a short drive to our hotel in Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 3,860m, and also the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation. The local Aymara, Quechua and Uros people have larger lungs, hearts and spleens, and blood that is particularly rich in red corpuscles, so have adapted to high altitude living.

This morning we drive to the 'chullpas' (funeral towers) of Sillustani, which probably date from the 14th century. They are positoned on a peninsula overlooking a lagoon amongst stunning highland scenery. There is also the opportunity to visit a local farmers house (optional). In the afternoon we explore the small town of Chucuito, visiting the colonial churches, Inca fertilty temple and the Totora Museum.

Today is free to explore the local area. We have the option to take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to explore the floating reed islands, home to the Uros people who live on the lake itself. Their islands are made from totora, a reedlike papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in most aspects of their life, including the construction of their boats and homes. We then continue to the less visited island of Taquile which has preserved much of its Inca and pre-Inca heritage and the islanders still speak the language of the Inca - Runa Simi or Quechua.

Today we follow the legendary route taken by the first Inca ruler - Manco Capac - on his way to find Cusco, passing through a landscape that is both desolate and magnificent, where flocks of llamas and alpacas graze amongst the windswept meadows. Rising early, we head to the public bus terminal where our coach awaits us. During the ten hour bus trip, we make several stops including at the small market town of La Raya, and the Inca ruin of the Temple of Wiracocha in Raqchi. Traversing the northern extremes of the Altiplano, we cross the La Raya pass (4321m) and the continental divide, before beginning the descent towards Cusco along the Rio Vilcanota. We arrive into the fascinating city in the late afternoon and check into our hotel.

Alternatively you may wish to take the classic Titicaca train journey from Puno to Cusco (optional) - one of the great railway journeys of the world, the full day journey covers some spectacular scenery over the high altiplano. This includes a sumptuous meal aboard the train, with perhaps the chance to try some local delicacies before we arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon and head to our hotel.

The old capital of the Inca Empire survives only in its ruins, imbued with an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur. The Spanish-style city of today's Cusco, with its attractive pink tiled roofs, arcaded plazas and steep winding alleyways, stands upon tremendous Inca foundation stones. The interlocking stones, assembled so carefully that a knife blade cannot be forced between the multi-sided joints, were highly functional as well as beautiful - they are earthquake-proof! During our stay, we plan to visit the remarkable market at Pisac, perhaps the most famous indigenous market in Peru. We will also visit Cusco's temple-citadel Sacsayhuaman which broods high above the town, its huge, zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire - It took 20,000 conscripted workers toiling for 90 years to finish this fortress. We also plan a walking tour of the lovely city of Cusco to see important Inca monuments, such as the Inca wall of Hatunrumiyoc with its famous twelve-sided stone. The stone, measuring some 5 feet across, has the typical bevelled joints which create the patterns of light and shadow on Inca walls.

This morning we leave the city of Cusco behind and drive to Ollantaytambo, an original Inca town. Here we have a short walking tour to stretch our legs, visiting a traditional house and our first view of Inca terracing. We continue by bus for another hour to reach KM82, the starting point for the classic Inca Trail. The trail was first explored by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and opened for walkers in 1970. The famous ruins of Machu Picchu are not the only historical remains within the area: many other interesting sites are hidden in places which can only be reached on foot, and have scarcely been explored.

We meet our porters and support staff, beginning our trek after lunch. The route crosses the Urubamba river, following a wide dirt trail alongside the riverbank. The undulating path takes us into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Llaqtapata (2,700m). Here we camp opposite the ruins of Llaqtapata, a spectacular spot with amazing night skies.

Todays six kilometre walk is expected to take around two-and-a-half hours with an ascent of 100 metres.

After a hearty breakfast we cross the river to visit the Llaqtapata Inca ruins before continuing with the trek. Today we follow the course of the Kusichaca river past small communities, crossing it to reach Wayllabamba, a quiet village of Inca origins and the last settlement on the route. After lunch we gradually ascend through the start of the cloud forest to Llulluchapampa (3,800m) which affords stunning views of the snowy peaks of Veronica (5,750m). Here we set up camp for the night; there is a well maintained toilet black at this site.

Todays nine kilometre walk is expected to take around six hours with 1,080 metres ascent.

Today is an earlier start as we trek over the Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's) Pass to 4,200 metres. The two hour ascent is one of the more challenging sections of the trek, we take is slow and steady with many stops to admire the view and sunrise. After a rest and photo opportunity we descend along a stepped path to the valley of the Pacamayo river with its tropical vegetation. Here we break for brunch before beginning the ascent (mainly on steps) to the second pass of the day. We visit the ruins of Runkuraqay and then it's the final ascent to cross the Runkuraqay Pass (3,950m).

After the pass it was a long gradual descent passing into the start of the main cloud forest to reach the bottom of the valley. The Sayacmarca ruins are visible on a rocky outcrop, they command an imposing view and have only one means of access, a narrow granite stairway. We cross the valley to reach the Sayacmarca campsite for a late lunch. From here the trail goes through cloud forest with vines, exotic flowers (among them orchids) and luxuriant trees, with views (if we are lucky) of the snowcapped peaks of Salkantay. We walk through an Inca tunnel and along a ridge above the Urubamba River to our campsite above the Phuyupatamarca ruins (3,579m). The campsite has amazing panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and down the valley towards Machu Picchu mountain.

Todays 10 kilometre walk is expected to take around eight hours with 1,000 metres ascent and 630 metres descent.

Today is our final day walking along the Inca Trail. We say thanks and goodbye to our porters and begin our trek into Machu Picchu. We pass the Puyupatamarca ruins and spend the majority of the morning going down following stone paths and stairways, 80% of which are original Inca architecture. Coming out of the cloud forest we are greeted by the spectacular views down the valley, walking through the impressive Inca terraces at Intipata we reach our lunch stop at Winay-Wayna (2,591m). Those who wish can visit the ruins here, this Inca site is built into the steep hillside and like Machu Picchu, was abandoned for unknown reasons.

Winding our way along the edge of the mountain we follow a wide path adorned with wild flowers and orchids to we take the final steps up to reach Inti Punku - the Gate of the Sun. passing through there is a sudden and fantastic view of the Lost City itself, Machu Picchu, set in a grandiose landscape that amazes all spectators. We walk down through the site and then take the pubic bus down the mountainside to our hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes situated on the valley floor below Machu Picchu.

Todays eight kilometre walk is expected to take around six hours with 1,000 metres descent.

Our final morning is spent at Machu Picchu, probably the most astounding feat of engineering in all of ancient America. Temples, stairways, palaces and gabled stone dwellings are scattered everywhere, testifying to the energy and ingenuity of the builders. We have a guided tour with our Explore Leader then before taking the bus back down to Aquas Calientes.

It is also possible to climb the steep peaks of either Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain to look down on the citadel. Machu Picchu Mountain is a 700m climb from the top of the citadel. There are cobbled stairs all the way up with a few eye-opening drops in some parts, and the round-trip takes about tow and half to three hours. Huayna Picchu Mountain is only 350m, half the size of Machu Picchu Mountain, but much steeper. There are many more sheer drops, and it is definitely not suitable for someone with a fear of heights. For those who fancy doing the one hour climb, you'll be rewarded with world-beating views of Machu Picchu, and the feeling that you're standing on a precipice at the top of the world.

These climbs must be pre-paid at time of booking. If you change your passport between your time of booking and prior to travel please take your original passport with you. Those doing one of the optional climbs will take the first bus back up the Machu Picchu to begin the climb at 7am after which you will meet up with the rest of the group to take the guided tour.

In the afternoon we get the train to Ollantaytambo, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and then return to the historic town of Cusco by bus. Depending on the time of the train, you may have a free afternoon in Aquas Calientes, where there are many restaurants and cafes and a large covered market.

Today is free to relax in Cusco. Alternatively for those interested in archaeology, the Inca sites of Qenko, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay are readily accessible. Or you may wish to go white water rafting (grade 2-3) on the Urubamba river (optional and seasonal). No previous experience is necessary as instruction is given and all safety equipment is provided.

The Heights of Machu Picchu part of the trip ends this morning. Those doing the Amazon extension transfer to Cusco airport for the short flight to Puerto Maldonado, which is located in the Southern Amazon area of Peru. (Your tour leader stays in Cusco). The Amazon Basin covers two fifths of South America and is shared between many countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. Most of the area is covered by rainforest - the largest rainforest and the most bio-diverse environment in the world. Sixty percent of Peru lies within the Amazon Basin, the greatest area of Amazon Rainforest after Brazil.

Today we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, located in the Southern Amazon area of Peru (your Tour Leader stays in Cusco). You can leave your main luggage in Puerto Maldonado and just take with you what you need for the next few days. The Amazon comprises 60% of Peru and the Peruvian Amazon is the second largest section of the Amazon Rainforest after Brazil. The Amazon basin covers two fifths of South America over many countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela and it is the most bio-diverse environment in the world. Most of the basin is covered by the rainforest, which is the largest rainforest in the world.
We travel along the Tambopata River by motorised canoe (approximately 40 minutes) and check into our Amazon lodge. We have a short stop at the lodge for a buffet lunch before our local guide takes us on an exploration of the jungle trails surrounding the Field Station, discovering the tropical trees, medicinal plants, insects, butterflies and other animals we see en route. In the evening, we have a night float along the Madre De Dios River in search of the wildlife that surface during night time such as capybaras, white caimans and nightjars.
The lodge is comfortable but as it is in a remote location, the electricity is provided by a generator and is only available for certain hours of the day.

We spend the morning on the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, which is a 1129ft system of 2 observation towers, 8 platforms and 7 hanging bridges 100ft above the ground. The walkway is designed to perform scientific research of the ecosystems inhabiting the rainforest canopy, and gives us an unobstructed view of the wildlife and birds.
During the afternoon, we take 30 minute boat ride, entering the territory of the Tambopata- Reserve. We will trek 5km through the dense vegetation of the tropical rainforest looking out for snakes, monkeys and birds. Our destination is Sandoval Lake. Numerous species of animals live near the lake, keep your eyes out for kingfishers, cormorants, squirrel monkeys, and capuchin monkeys. At the lake itself we may see giant river otters, black caimans and piranhas. This is also the habitat of the giant arapaima, a fish of more than 2.5m, weighing in at more than 200kg.

This morning, we take a 20 minute boat ride to the river island near our lodge, a large sandbank at the shores of the Madre De Dios River. With our Local Guide, we will walk across the island to explore the floodplains that provides the island an ecosystem with a great diversity of birds such as the Amazonian umbrella bird, one of the Amazon's most sought after species by birdwatchers.
We continue on to visit the Inkaterra Association's Bio Orchard, where organic native goods are cultivated such as palms, vegetables and fruit. We learn the diverse phases of sustainable horticulture, the preparation of recycled compost, sowing and harvesting vegetables, fine herbs and tropical plants, using natural fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. The lodge is working as sustainably as possible, to help local communities protect their surroundings, and using the forest for good.
During the afternoon, our Local Guide will show us the permanent plot area for rainforest restoration and conservation, and we'll learn about the survival mechanisms of the rainforest, exploring the meanings of the 19 native palm species.
We'll take a night walk through the jungle, listening to the sounds of the birds, mammals, insects and amphibians that wander the forest at night, using the expertise of our local guide to try and spot them.

Our Amazon adventure comes to an end today after breakfast and we will travel by motorised canoe back to Puerto Maldonado, before transferring to the airport. If you prefer you can end your trip at the office in Puerto Maldonado and arrange a taxi transfer to the airport yourself at a time that better suits your own itinerary. The office is a short taxi ride from the town, and about 20 minutes by taxi from the airport.