THE MAGIC OF PERU
12 DAYS: LIMA, ICA, NASCA, PARACAS, CUSC0, MACHU PICCHU & IQUITOS
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Day 01 LIMA
Arrival in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Guided tour through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, a religious building from the end of the XVI century. Drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.
Day 02 LIMA - ICA - NASCA
Transfer to the bus station, where you will ride by bus to Ica. Upon arrival, visit to the city including the Regional Museum of Ica, housing a great collection of fossils, mummies, Paracas mantles, Nasca ceramics, and Colonial and Republican art pieces, the Lagoon of Huacachina and a winery where you will be able to observe the process of Pisco-making, the typical Peruvian drink and ingredient of the famous Pisco Sour. Afternoon transfer to your hotel in Nasca. Opportunity to visit the Maria Reiche Planetarium.
Day 03 NASCA - PARACAS
Morning flight over the Nasca Lines. It is an area of approximately 500-km/310 ml of Pampa, where the mysterious lines were discovered in 1927. The real dimension of these lines can be fully appreciated by air. They represent diverse animal figures, as a spider, a monkey, a dog, a lizard, a humming bird, and a condor. The dimensions of these figures vary from 15 to 300 m/50 to 1,000 ft. high each. Continue with an Archaeological tour of Nasca including Chauchilla Pre-Inca cemetery . You will also be able to appreciate the process of artisan gold extraction. Transfer to your hotel in Paracas Bay.
Day 04 PARACAS - LIMA
Morning cruise to the Ballestas Islands, where you will see sea lions, penguins, and more than 60 species of sea birds. You will also see the huge "Candelabrum" drawn in a sand slope. Return by bus to Lima and transfer to the hotel.
Day 05 LIMA - CUSCO
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Balance of the morning at leisure to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet). Afternoon city tour and nearby ruins. Visit Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum,the Santo Domingo Church or Koricancha. Includes visits to Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara fortresses, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko and the water shrine of Tambomachay.
Day 06 CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU
Transfer to the station for a morning train ride to the unparalleled, Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas". Machu Picchu was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marches of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stonework of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. Machu Picchu was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, which was a privilege restricted to the Inca Royal family and priests. Guided tour. Overnight at one of the hotels in the area.
Day 07 MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
Morning free to explore the ruins on your own or visit the hot springs of Aguas Calientes. Lunch. Mid afternoon departure by train to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Day 08 CUSCO - LIMA
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival transfer to
the hotel. Afternoon guided shopping tour.
Day 09 LIMA - IQUITOS - HELICONIA LODGE
Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Iquitos. Upon arrival, transfer to the Port of Bellavista , located 2 miles north of Iquitos on the shores of the Nancy River. Our boat ride will start with a visit to the Bora of San Andres tribe on the Momon River, where we will be able to enjoy their dance and handicrafts. We will then navigate down the Amazon River for approximately an hour and fifteen minutes to reach Yanamono (Black Monkey), 50 miles from Iquitos, on to the Heliconia Amazon River Lodge. Reception at the lodge, check-in and welcome drink. After lunch, we will take a 2-hour walk into the rainforest accompanied by expert guides, pointing out botanical species, medicinal plants and impressive trees such as the "lupuna" which is well known for its large dimensions. Return to the lodge and rest. Dinner. In the evening we will be able to appreciate a beautiful Amazon sunset, and then take a night walk by the Quebrada Manco, a subsidiary of the Amazon River to appreciate the stars and the magical sounds of the jungle. With luck, we will be able to see alligators and other amphibians.
Day 10 HELICONIA LODGE
Morning tour to observe birds and to observe the impressive aquatic plants known as "Victoria Regia" in the Quebrada of Caceres, another subsidiary of the Amazon River. We will also climb our 20-foot viewpoint on order to enjoy a beautiful Amazon sunrise. Return to the lodge for breakfast. At 10 am, we will visit the nearby areas including a visit to the "trapiche" where the local liquor known as "aguardiente" is made. We will be able to observe the process of fermentation and distillation, and taste it. Return to the lodge for lunch.
Afternoon fishing tour. The more experienced guests can try their hand at fishing the famous giant piranhas and other unique species of fish. With luck we will be able to see pink dolphins. Return to the lodge. Dinner.
Day 11 HELICONIA LODGE - IQUITOS - LIMA
Breakfast at the lodge and return to Iquitos. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Day 12 LIMA - HOME
Morning at leisure. Afternoon guided shopping tour. Transfer to theairport for your international departure flight or continue on the extension of your choice.
END OF SERVICES
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