CUSCO – PUNO – IQUITOS 09 DAYS

Day 1: Lima – Cusco – city tour

Arrival to Cusco in the morning, reception and transfer to the Hotel.
At 1:30 pm. We will begin by visiting Coricancha, the ancient Incan temple of the Sun. Next we
will visit nearby sites such as Sacsahuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara
(Quechua for red fortress) finishing the city around 5:30 pm. Overnight in Cusco. (B)

Day 2: Sacred Valley – Machupicchu

8:00 am. We will begin the morning as we descend into the Sacred Valley and visit an interesting
animal reserve called Awanacancha then on to the Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo.
After viewing the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo, we will take an afternoon train ride at 3:30 pm
on the Vista dome train that is very comfortable and has glass ceilings to really enjoy the Andes
arriving in Aguas Calientes around 5:00 pm to prepare for our assault on Machu Picchu
tomorrow. Overnight in Aguas Calientes Machupicchu town. (B)

Day 3: Machupicchu

At 8:00 in the morning we will take a 20-minute bus ride to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, then
immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two
hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Wuaynapicchu Mountain, where one
can experience spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround
it, or visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca Bridge
In the afternoon we return to Aguas Calientes. At 3:30 pm we will board the train for our return
trip to Cusco arriving back at the hotel around 8:00 pm. Overnight in Cusco. (B)

Day 4: Puerto Maldonado – Cusco

Tourist bus to the city of Puno passing through and visiting such places as Andahuaylillas
known as the Peruvian Sistine chapel; Urcos- where they celebrate the birth of Inca Huascar, the
last emperor of Cusco; Raqchi- the temple or palace of Wiracocha, the white bearded God;
Sicuani- capital of this province and where we will have lunch; La Raya- Line between the
departments of Cusco and Puno also where the Vilcanota, the sacred river of the Incas begins.
Pucara- remains of an Incan temple and where the sacred bulls of Pucara are crafted. Overnight in
Puno. (B, L)

Day 5: Cusco – city tour

This will be one of your special days of the trip. Early transfer to the port for your boat ride on Lake
Titicaca, the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. We will first visit Los Uros and their
floating islands, which are made of reeds and inhabited by the Uros people, which live on these
islands of reeds, called Totora. We will walk on the floating islands and take a short ride on their
boats, made entirely from these same reeds. After that we will continue on Lake Titicaca to the
island of Taquile on which there are numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins and Inca terracing.

Members of this community receive visitors in their colorful national costumes and show them
around the island. There is a cooperative shop on the island that sells exceptional woolen goods
which are not cheap but of very fine quality. Return to our hotel in Puno. Overnight in Puno. (B,
L)

Day 6: Puno – Lima

On our way to the airport for our flight to Lima and 32 kms from Puno are the Chullpas (pre-
Columbian funeral towers) of Sillustani, beautifully set on a peninsula in Lake Umayo
surrounded by stark altiplano. The Chullpas were built by the Aymara-speaking Collas – a tribe
that dominated the Titicaca region before the Incas. Each tower contained the remains of Colla
nobility accompanied by their riches. Grave robbers have since removed their contents, although
the towers are well preserved and well worth seeing. The engineering involved in their
construction is more complex than anything the Incas built. Two of the towers are unfinished: one
with a ramp still in place to raise blocks; the other with cut stones ready to go on a very ambitions
dome. Transfer at the Juliaca airport to catch your flight to Lima.
Upon arrival to Lima, you will be met and transferred to the hotel Overnight in Lima. (B)

Day 7: Iquitos / Amazonas Sinchicuy Lodge

Transfer at the airport to catch your flight to Iquitos.
Upon arrival to Iquitos, you will be met and greet you at the Iquitos airport from where you will be
transferred to the river dock where you will begin the trip to our lodge.
Along the way you will briefly sightseeing Iquitos, looking at the most important tourist sites of
this representative Peru’s orient city founded in the XIX Century.
Navigate on the greatest world river, the Amazon, aboard comfortable and safe motorboats. The
trip will allow you to see a marvelous panorama in which the magnificence of the Amazon makes
its way through the exuberance of the jungle, where picturesque villages with their particular color
and joy appear on the shores of the river.
Visit the Fundo Pedrito, populated place located in Barrio Florido. Here we can see different
species of flora and fauna. In this place where you can appreciate the paiche, the largest fish in the
Amazon. Also a breeding of lizards and piranhas are waiting for you.
Arrival in the Amazonas Sinchicuy Lodge. Our Lodge built in the native-style is surrounded by
trees, plants and flowers, a true tropical garden where birds and butterflies are abundant. While
your guide explains about the Lodge facilities and the activities to come, our staff will serve you
with a refreshing “welcome drink” made with some exotic fruit. Lunch.
ECO CULTURAL Program (The Sinchicuy Watershed Ecosystem)
It starts with a short walk or canoe ride –according to the rain season- to a Yagua tribe
community, one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Amazon. Whose ancestors were discovered by Francisco de Orellana in his first exploration of the Amazon in 1541. Visiting these friendly people
will let you know their customs see their unique apparel made of palm fibers and even try their
“pucuna” or blowgun. Lunch. Food speciality products in the Amazonas Sinchicuy include fruits
from the river and the field. Filets of Dorado (Brachyplatystoma flavicans) garnished with Cocona
Sauce (Sissiliflorum), fresh palm hearts, beans, fried cassava and banana are a treat. Do not doubt
in asking the chef for the recipe!
In the afternoon you will proceed with ethno botanic tour around the lodge, you will be able to
distinguish certain species of the plant kingdom. Visit to the local naturist who will explain about
the particularities of the regional flora and its applications.
Tour the Santa María del Ojeal farmlands where you will see the artisanal sugar cane squeeze. You
will also visit a fishfarm to observe native ichthyological species and walk around a typical village
on the shores of the Amazon. You may interact with villagers as you pass by their typical houses,
schools, churches and shops; you will also see the community’s sustained development projects
that are possible by ecotourism support.
Evening excursion…/Amazon legends…
At indicated time, evening canoe ride or walk to sense the jungle after dark. Return to the Lodge.
After enjoying a delightful meal, the guide will amuse you with tales and legends from the rich
Amazon myths.
Also, if you desire, our personnel will share with you a time for music and singing. Overnight. (B,
L, D)

Day 8: Amazonas Sinchicuy Lodge / Full day Yanayacu

After breakfast you will board the boat that will take you to the opposite side of the Amazon River
or “huashalado” as it is locally known.
FLORA AND FAUNA Program (The Yanayacu Watershed Ecosystem)
Full day exploring the primary jungle reserve in the Yanayacu River ecosystem. Navigation in open
boats on the Amazon River to spot pink dolphins, main characters of fantastic tales and legends
told by the river people.
Arrival in the Huashalado Village from where you will make a short walk to the Yanayacu River,
where another boat will be waiting to take you in this excursion.
You will enter the “Kingdom of the Giant Trees”, which has been given this name because of the
size reached by some specimens amongst them the “lupuna” or ceiba. This is a favorite site for
birds since it is in the river they find the fish and fruit that grows on its edges; even more, the thick forest offers ideal possibilities for nestling. With a bit of luck, you could also, spot monkeys moving
on the tree tops or maybe a sloth hanging from a branch and thus mimetizing and making it
almost impossible to be seen.
Boxed lunch in the boat or on the edge of the river.
Primary jungle hike by trail or canoe ride –according to the season- in which you will observe
particularities of plants and trees from this ecosystem like the Victoria Regia, which reaches 1.80
m. diameter.
Return to the Amazonas Sinchicuy Lodge. On the way you will have the chance to do native-style
fishing of piranhas and other species.
Arrival in the Amazonas Sinchicuy Lodge. If you wish, there will be an evening canoe ride or if you
decide not to you could comfortably sway on a hammock or enjoy an exotic drink at the
“Clavohuasca Bar”.
Supper. Overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Amazonas Sinchicuy Lodge / Iquitos

Breakfast. Visit the Wildlife Project, recently called as Custody Centre to observe some of the
varieties of wild animals such as sloth bears, monkeys, achunis, macaws, toucans, boas and lizards.
It will be an interesting way to learn to appreciate and respect wildlife typical of our Amazonia.
After our educational tour, we went to the Amazonas Sinchicuy Lodge for lunch sleep. A proper
time we will take our boat to head to Iquitos, where a representative will be waiting to lead us to
our hotel in Iquitos or to the airport. (B, L)