Peru & Iquitos Amazon Cruise - 11 days

Bienvenido a Peru! Welcome to Lima and the beginning of your Peruvian adventure. You’ll be transferred to your hotel to enjoy the rest of today at leisure.

Lima - Iquitos - Nauta. Very early this morning you’ll fly to Iquitos, gateway to the Peruvian Amazon and transfer to the city of Nauta, where you will board the luxurious Zafiro Amazon Cruise ship for the start of a three night jungle cruise. Enjoy a cocktail in the bar or breathtaking views from the indoor and outdoor lounge. After settling sail the naturalist guides will give an overview of the cruise itinerary before you enjoy a delicious welcome dinner.

Early this morning head out on a skiff (small boat) to explore the remarkable Yanalipa area of the Ucayali River in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Look out for Amazonian wildlife including parrots, makaws and saki monkeys. Return to the boat for breakfast and then go in search of more wildlife on the Tapiche River. Back on the boat there's a cooking demonstration before lunch and then a talk about the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. In the afternoon take a skiff through 'the jungle of mirrors', where you can see tall trees reflected in the black water of the Dorado River, fish using local techniques and spot primates and sloths. As darkness falls, enjoy a nighttime outing in search of caimans, tarantulas and other nocturnal species.

After a tasty breakfast set out to explore the Yarapa River where the famous pink and gray river dolphins swim and play in its black waters. Also observe monkeys such as the capuchin and marmoset and birds such as flycatchers, trogons and carpenters. Back on the Zafiro see the confluence of the Ucayali and Maranon rivers, which give rise to the Amazon River and cruise downstream towards Iquitos. After lunch take a skiff out on the Amazon River to visit the Huaysi community, experience local life and learn about their customs. You can also take a dip in the Tahuayo River before heading back to the boat. In the evening enjoy live music on board before a farewell dinner.

Please note: the cruise itinerary is dependent upon the river water level, weather conditions and accessibility to locations so may vary.

Iquitos - Cusco. Disembark after breakfast today and visit the Manatee Rescue Centre - a fantastic facility where orphaned manatees are rescued, rehabilitated and eventually released back into the wild. Discover the important work the centre does and come face to face with this extraordinary creature. Transfer to Iquitos airport for your onward flight to Cusco where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Enjoy a full-day tour of the Sacred Valley today. The tour begins at the famous Inti Watana ruins at Pisac, which include the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, water fountains, a ceremonial platform, and an inti watana - a volcanic ritual stone used as an astronomic clock or Inca calendar to define the change seasons. Continue to the bustling Pisac markets and barter with the local merchants for their colourful textiles and souvenirs.

After a tasty buffet lunch continue on to the famous Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, constructed to protect the entrance of the valley from invading jungle tribes. The archaeological site includes a series of superimposed terraces and stunning finely carved stone blocks located on the upper terrace or Temple of the Sun. Explore the ruins and take a stroll through Ollantaytambo, which is known as a “live Inca town” because inhabitants still live according to customs and traditions inherited from their ancestors.

This morning, take a picturesque train journey through the Andean highlands to the town of Aguas Calientes, before you travel by bus up to Peru’s most famous site, Machu Picchu - the spectacular “Lost City” of the Incas. Peru’s Spanish invaders never discovered the city, and it was forgotten by humanity until its rediscovery in 1911. The Incan builders of this extraordinary place left no written records, and the mystery surrounding the city adds to the beauty of the site. Your guided tour will explore the incredibly preserved Main Plaza, the Sacred Sun Dial and the mysterious Royal Quarters. In the afternoon travel to Cusco by train and transfer to your hotel.

Explore the ancient city of Cusco on a half day guided tour this morning, visiting famous sites including the beautiful Santo Domingo church, the 17th century cathedral and the Plaza de Armas - former heart of the Incan Empire. Then explore the impressive Sacsayhuaman Inca fortress, which offers a wonderful panoramic view of the city. Visit the ruins of the Qenqo Amphitheatre, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Cusco further at leisure. Consider exploring the neighbourhood of San Blas, home to many artists and sculptors or visit the Chocolate Museum to learn about the history of chocolate production in Peru.

Cusco - Puno. Travel aboard the Titicaca train to Puno today, along one of the most beautiful rail routes in the world. The train has an outdoor observatory wagon for you to soak up the spectacular scenery, accompanied by live music and traditional dancing. Upon arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel on the shores of majestic Lake Titicaca - the highest navigable lake in the world.

An early start will be rewarded with an exciting motorboat excursion across the waters of Lake Titicaca to the island of Taquile, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives. The 2,200 inhabitants of this island have developed unique social systems, and you’ll see their fine hand weaving techniques, which have been passed down through the generations. The boat will then take you to the peninsula of Chucuito where you’ll enjoy traditional cuisine at the rural Aymara community of Luquina, on the banks of Lake Titicaca.
The final stop on your full day excursion will be the floating reed islands of the Uros. The ancient inhabitants of these islands have built them almost exclusively from Tortora reeds, which grow only around Lake Titicaca. As well as living on them, the Uros use these reeds to build their homes and their boats, and they even eat them.

Today your Peruvian adventure comes to an end. You will be transferred to Puno's Juliaca airport for your flight back to Lima.