The Lost City of the Incas

The Lost City of the Incas Itinerary: Days 1 to 7 of 15

Tour Length: 15 days / 14 nights.
Activities: Cultural, Archaeological, Ecological, Outdoor
Spots to visit: Lima / Cusco / Inca Trail / Manu Reserved Zone.
Best day Departures: Every Tuesday of 2008 / 2009
Domestic or Int'l flights: Not included.
Min. Paxs: 02 pax, max. 14 pax.

Day 1 LIMA - CUSCO
Arrival, meeting and immediate connection flight to Cusco, arrival and transfer to the selected hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization.

Day 2 CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
Departure to Huambutio where a brief lesson on padding from the crew and then set off on a wet and wild morning for rafting on the Urubamba river. After a picnic lunch, hike to the Pisaq ruins where will visit the best architectonical work of the Incas, late afternoon arrival and overnight at a cozy Inn in Ollantaytambo.

Day 3 CUSCO - INCA TRAIL - KM 82 TO WAYLLABAMBA
Between 8:00-08:30 am we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to Piskacuchu (2700m) which is a small community located 82 along the railroad from Cusco to Machu Picchu (also known simply as km82). Hikers cross the VilcanotaRiver and follow the trail to the right as it climbs steeply up from the river. From parts of this trail there are great views of the Cordillera Urubamba and the snow capped peak of Veronica 5860m. For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the river up to the small village of Wayllabamba (3,000m). The name in Quechua means 'grassy plain'. This is the last place along the trek that you can buy snacks and drinks.

Day 4 WAYLLABAMBA - PACAMAYO
We will wake up at about 6:00 am and after breakfast we will leave Wayllabamba behind and begin the most difficult part of the trek. Following the left bank of the LlulluchayocRiver for about 1 hour brings you to 'Tres Piedras' (three stones) and a small bridge over the Huayruro river. A further three hours trek through steepening woods and increasingly spectacular terrain brings you to the tree line and a meadow known as Llulluchapampa (3,680m).
There is another 1½ hours climb to the highest pass of the trail(Huarmihuañusca Pass) at 4,200m. The 2nd night's campsite is set at Pacamayo (3,600m). There are toilet facilities here.

Day 5 PACAMAYO-WIÑAY WUAYNA
From the campsite at Pacamayo it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay (3800m). These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Pacamayo valley below. Another 45 minute hike will bring you to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you'll feel that you are walking along the trail of the Incas with paving, for the most part, being original. Wiñay Wayna is the last official campsite before Machu Picchu; there is a restaurant where you can purchase drinks and even a well deserved cold beer, as well as hot showers ($1.5) and toilet facilities.

Day 6 WIÑAY WAYNA -MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
Early wake up at 4.15am, have breakfast and set off on the trail again by 5.15am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloudforest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Inti Punku (Sun Gate). From this point you will be able to see sunrise over Machu Picchu which is spread out before, an unforgettable experience. From Inti Punku we will descend for about 40 minutes to Machu Picchu; complete tour of the major sectors. The tour takes about 2 hours so by about 10:30 you'll have free time to explore the ruins alone. The train return to Cusco departs from Aguas Calientes at approximately 16:30 (time can vary) and you'll arrive return in Cusco for about 21:00, return to Cusco. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Day 7 CUSCO - MANU RESERVED ZONE
Early departure from Cusco on one of our vehicles especially equipped for the road, crossing amazing Inter Andean valleys and picturesque peasant communities. At midday, you will visit the pre-Incas tombs of Ninamarca known as "Chullpas" and then Paucartambo, a typical colonial town of great importance those years and that still preserves its essence. Going on with our journey, you will go up to the Valley of Acjanacu at 3,850 m.a.s.l. From here, you will start going down, passing by the Cloud forest, a rich area in endangered species such as the Spectacle Bear and the Cock of the Rocks, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, etc. Finally, you will have our first night at a comfortable campsite.

Aurora Travel

Aurora Travel

Aurora Travel

The Lost City of the Incas Itinerary: Days 7 to 15 of 15

Day 8 MANU - CLOUD FOREST AND ATALAYA
Very early, comfortably installed on an observation platform called "Lek", we will be able to appreciate the flirting dance of the Cock of the Rocks, the national bird of Peru that has showy bright red and orange fur. After having breakfast, we continue our journey on our vehicle (see optional 1 - Mountain biking) crossing the high jungle, towards the town of Pilcopata (see optional 2 - River rafting). After 30 minutes bus ride we will arrive to the Atalaya Port, situated in the shore of Alto Madre de Dios River, at 700 m.a.s.l., where our river equipment is installed. Once the motor boat is loaded with the needed equipment, we will start our way down by Alto Madre de Dios River towards our private reserve of "Erika Lodge" where we will spend the next two nights. Short walk around the lodge.

Day 9 MANU - BOCA MANU
After breakfast, we will have our 4-hour canoe trip by the Alto Madre De Dios River leading to Boca Manu. It is a small village where we can purchase the last cold drinks and food. Immediately after that, we will sail on Manu river, in Reserved Zone, in order to camp in the Checking Point of Limonal, where we will have a short walk through the forest and we will be have a great chance of finding a great diversity of insects, birds, monkeys and other species around there.

Day 10 BOCA MANU - COCHA SALVADOR
After registering on the official visitor book and having breakfast, we will get into a boat towards Salvador Cocha (lagoon), where we will spend the next two nights. During this journey, we can admire lots of birds, caimans and some mammals. We will also be able to have a short night walk around the camp, using the catamaran of Cocha Salvador and helping ourselves with lanterns. We will be able to watch the Black Caiman that goes out looking for its meal.

DAY 11 COCHA SALVADOR - COCHA OTORONGO
We will visit Salvador Cocha in the morning, sailing on the Catamaran again. We can observe some fauna species such as the Giant Otter, the Black Caiman, the Spider Monkey, etc, and some flora species. Then we will return to the camp where the staff will be waiting to offer us an energetic breakfast in order to be prepared to cross the primary forest with the greatest diversity of species in the world. We will arrive after walking to Cocha Otorongo for 4 hours. This is a lagoon where there is a 15 meter watching tower that allows us to admire the landscape of the surrounding forest and more chances to see the family of Giant Otters.

Day 12 COCHA SALVADOR - TAMBO BLANQUILLO
This day you will get on board to sail on the Manu river arriving at Boca Manu: a little village situated in the meeting point of Manu and Alto Madre de Dios rivers. From here the river is called Madre de Dios, becoming into the hydrographical axis of Madre de Dios department. After this journey, in the afternoon, we will arrive to the Private Reserve of Tambo Blanquillo where we will spend one more night involved by the magic atmosphere of the jungle.

Day 13 MANU - MACAW CLAY LICK
Very early, before breakfast, we will go to the Macaw lick on a covered catamaran. The lick is a clay river wall where different parrot and macaw species descend to take the mineral salts they need for their diet balance every morning. The amazon parakeets and blue head parrots begin with an unforgettable show of colourful wildlife, and finally the fantastic macaws join the daily ceremony. At the end of this activity, we will go along Madre de Dios river to spend the night in an appropriate beach for camping.

Day 14 MANU - CUSCO
After an early rising, we will continue along the river towards the small port of Atalaya in order to leave Manu. We will arrive Cusco at night and transfer to the selected hotel for overnight.

Day 15 CUSCO - LIMA
At proper time, transfer to Cusco Airport to board the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, meet and transfer to your hotel for a day use. At proper time transfer to the airport to board your international flight.

Guacamayo

Cocha Salvador

Manu Rainforest

Aurora Travel

Intihuatana Machu Picchu

Sacsayhuaman Fortress Cusco

Aguas Calientes Street

Ollantaytambo Street

Cusco villagers in their Typical Dresses

Paucartambo Fountain

Inclusions

- Rafting and trek to Pisac ruins, Ollantaytambo.
- Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days, 3 nights.
- Manu National Park Expeditions 8 days, 7 nigths.
- 4 nights accommodation.
- Lima Hotel day use.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
- All bilingual guided tours as described in the
- itinerary.
- All entrance fees.
- All transfers and land transportation.

Very Important Remark

We reserve the right to make changes in the itinerary in order to assure the success of the trip, without prior notice due changes in climate conditions, river water levels, flight or bus arrival and departure times or any other reason relevant to the best development of the trip.

Not Included

- Domestic flight or Intn'l flights.
- Airport Taxes
- Alcoholic drinks, soda or bottled mineral water.
- Other Items stocked in the Hotel mini-bars.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips.
- International or National personal telephone calls.
- Laundry.

Rates are per Person

Hotel	2/4	5/9	10/14
First Class *****	3770	3499	3350
Standard ****	2708	2499	2399
Economy ***	1848	1799	1699

We do have the best prices according the level of services. We will meet or beat any internet published rates from companies outside Peru for all package tours. All HOTELS and TOURS are based on US standards.All our programs may be tailored accordingly your requirements, whatever the length of your staying, or any special interests, or specific activities, flight reservations, optional destinations or tours.