Amazon Rainforest and Machu Picchu

Please note that day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, so you may arrive at any time, when you arrive at Lima airport, you will be greeted by a Tierra Viva represantative, who will be holding a placard with your name on it, they shall then accompany you to your hotel.

Fly to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the peruvian jungle, the Amazon. Travel by a motorized canoe through Madre de Dios river to our lodge settled deep in the jungle. On our journey to the lodge, you will have the chance to see species of birds that typically inhabit the river and forest edge.
The jungle lodge is designed in an environmentally friendly way, using ecological materials  and combines native style architecture and design. The lodge rooms are simple and comfortable, mosquito nets are provided for individual beds. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower, though no hot water, and kerosene lamps for lighting, there is no electricity. Local community members make up the majority the lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides.
You shall explore the wonders of the amazon with the knowledgeable local guides.                  On the third day, you will take your flight direct to Cuzco, high in the andes.

Cuzco is considered the mecca of Peru. This gorgeous colonial town offers nearby ruins, cobble-stoned streets, museums, churches and a lively atmosphere.
The city has several good museums, including the Coricancha and the Archaeological Museum, which also house a small art museum, the Regional History Museum and the Religious Art Museum.
For the most adventurous, will find optional activities such as white water rafting in the Urubamba River; horseback riding around archaeological sites (Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay and Puca Pucara) and mountain biking down to the Sacred Valley, Moray-Maras, and perhaps visiting an Inca ruin along the way.

Our local guides will take you through the Sacred Valley to visit the majestic Pisac ruins and its famous local market. Continue to the picturesque town and Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo before preparing for the hike ahead, one of the highlight of the trip.

Ollantaytambo is your first taste of what lies ahead on the Inca Trail. The town and fortress of Ollantaytambo are strategically situated overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River Valley. This major ruin site is known as the best surviving example of Inca urban planning and engineering. It is admired for its huge steep terraces guarding the Inca Fortress and for being one of the few places where the Spanish lost a major battle during the conquest. We spend the night in this small town before heading out to begin the hike the following morning.

Also worth a visit is the colorful local market at San Pedro and the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, full of artists, craftsmen and street vendors, both only minutes from the hotel.

Cuzco has diferents optional adventure, for example: Biking around to the Sacred Valley, horseback riding, rafting in Apurimac river (Level II III IV).

Our representative will accompany you from your hotel to Ollantaytambo train station, from there, we will take the train to the majestic Machu Picchu. During the route you shall appreciate a diversity of natural landscapes which will take you through varying heights. Descending the Valley of Anta, passing by Ollantaytambo, we arrive at Puente Ruinas station, located in the village of Aguas Calientes. Once there you will be transfered to your hotel. Aguas Calientes is a small town at the bottom of the valley next to Machu Picchu, you can explore the village or visit the Inti Punko mountain, from where you can see Machu Picchu.

Early in the morning we take the bus to go up to the Machu Picchu citadel. Take in the beautiful surrounding scenery , the wonder of the Temples, worshipping places, enclosures and steps that connect the different levels on which the constructions rest. All of Machu Picchu is an exaltation to stone, after that we descend to the village of Aguas Calientes where you can have lunch and then return to Cusco.

Today is a realxing day, free time to explore the fascinating imperial city of the Incas, visit its market, buy souvenirs, take optional activities, and get ready  for one last night in the city.

Cuzco was the capital of the Inca Empire (13th century-1532). A widespread belief is  that the city was designed as the shape of a puma, a sacred animal according to the Incas. Under the Inca regimen, the city had two sectors: the urin and hanan. Each was further divided to encompass two of the four provinces, Chinchaysuyo(NW), Antisuyo (NE), Contisuyo (SW) and Qollasuyo (SE). A road led from each of these quarters to the corresponding quarter of the empire. Each local leader was required to build a house in the city and live part of the year in Cuzco, but only in the quarter that corresponded to the quarter of the empire in which he had territory.

Cuzco was the center for the Spanish colonization and spread of Christianity in the Andean world. It became very prosperous thanks to agriculture, cattle raising, and mining, as well as its trade with Spain. The Spanish colonists constructed many churches and convents, as well as a cathedral and university. Just as the Incas built on top of Killke structures, Spanish buildings were formed on the massive stone walls built by the Inca.

End of our tour and a good time to extend your trip!

Return flight to Lima can be arranged on request