Day 1 – Lima
Upon arrival in Lima, we meet you at the airport and take you to the Costa del Sol Ramada for an overnight stay.

Day 2 – Lima to to Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado you will be met by a representative of Inkanatura Travel and transferred to the port to begin the river journey.

After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center.  Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control.  

After dinner we’ll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active.  Overnight at Heath River Wildlife Center.  Box lunch and dinner included. 
 
Day 3: Heath River
We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat.  Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.  

When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction.  

After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas.  We’ll stay at the Heath River Wildlife Center.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. 

Day 4: Sandoval Lake in the Tambopata National Reserve
We breakfast we gather our belongings for the trip to Sandoval, stopping on the way to visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts.

We then continue by boat, then on foot and by canoe to reach our jungle lodge on the shore of Lake Sandoval, nestled deep in the Tambopata National Reserve. After lunch and a quick siesta we set out to explore the lake with our expert naturalist guides, exploring the lakes edge by canoe in search of monkeys, birds and the rare Giant Otter. Breakfast, Box lunch and dinner included. 

Day 5 – Sandoval Lake Lodge
Up at dawn, we continue our exploration of the lake, and then by foot into the pristine rainforest. Here our resident naturalist guides bring the forest to life as they point out plants with medicinal uses, interesting insects and colorful birds and butterflies. An after lunch siesta and an opportunity for further exploration of the lake awaits you this afternoon. For those still with enough energy there is an after-dinner lake excursion to look for the rare Black Caiman. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6 – Sandoval Lake Lodge to Cusco to Sacred Valley of the Incas
 We return to the airport in the early morning for the one-hour flight to Cusco where we are met and driven to the Urubamba Valley, known as the Sacred Valley to the Incas. An important agricultural zone, this area was once the heart of the Inca Empire, revered for its fertile soil and rich corn fields. We will have the rest of the day at leisure to relax in the beautiful surroundings of your hotel, The Pakaritampu, and acclimatize to the altitude. Breakfast included.

Day 7 – Sacred Valley of the Incas
Today starts with a morning visit to the colorful market in Pisac, famous for it multi-colored beads. You will have plenty of time to browse the displays of jewelry, sweaters, and other local crafts.

After lunch at a restaurant in the valley, visit the ruins at Ollantaytambo. This sprawling Incan temple complex towers over the small town from the surrounding mountains. You'll explore the ruins and get spectacular views across the town and the valley beyond. We'll return to the comfort of our hotel, Casa Andina Plaza or similar, for the night. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 8 – Machu Picchu

In the morning, catch the train from Ollantaytambo to the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. Spend the morning exploring the wonders of Machu Picchu with a guided tour group. If you like, you can hike up to the top of Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu's close neighbor, for an exhilarating view of the ruins complex below. In the late afternoon return to the town of Aguas Calientes, in the valley below Machu Picchu on the Urubamba River, to spend the night. You will stay in the Hatuchay Towers. Breakfast and lunch included

Day 9 – Machu Picchu to Cusco
You'll have a second opportunity to explore the wonders of Machu Picchu and to better understand the harmonious mixture of architecture and topography so typical of Incan city planning. Early risers who catch the first bus to the mountaintop will be rewarded with an ancient city almost free of other visitors. In the afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cusco and stay in Casa Andiana Plaza. Breakfast included.
Day 10 – Cusco
In the morning, explore Cusco and the Inca sites close to Cusco on a guided group tour. The central plaza's site has not changed since the city was the capital of the Inca empire. You can visit fine examples of both Incan and Spanish colonial architecture at Koricancha, the Incan Temple of the Sun, and at the main Cathedral in the central plaza.

Then, visit Inca sites on the outskirts of Cusco, such as the Sacsayhuaman fortress, whose giant boulders are placed to resemble a jaguar with an open mouth, the temple and amphitheater of Qenko with its underground stone alter, and the water shrine of Tambo Machay.

The afternoon is at your leisure, so whether your interest is exploring more Inca ruins, visiting colonial churches, bargain hunting in Indian markets or just relaxing over a cappuccino in the main square, Cusco has it all! You will stay again at the Casa Andiana Plaza. Breakfast included

Day 11 – Cusco to Lima
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Lima. On arrival in Lima you will be transferred to the Hotel Antara. In the afternoon, take a private tour of the city that was once the capital of the Spanish empire in South America. You'll get to know this bustling, metropolitan city, its rugged, Pacific coastline, and see key sites and beautiful colonial architecture of Lima. Return to the hotel for time to relax, repack and get ready for your evening transfer to the Lima airport for your international flight.  Breakfast included.

Staying on in Peru? Whether your interest is archaeology, wildlife or culture, in a short extension tour you can experience more of the rich living heritage of this vibrant country. Day trips and adventure trips are also a great way to see Cusco and Lima and their nearby sights. We can even arrange hotels and transportation.