Day by Day Itinerary
DAY 1: (Tuesday) Arrival in Lima
Upon arrival in Lima International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Costa del Sol Ramada Hotel located at the airport. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and provide you with a detailed itinerary, vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peru trip. You will also receive a contact information sheet with all the hotel details as well as our offices contact information for each city and a 24-hour emergency number. Overnight in Lima.
DAY 2 : (Wednesday) Lima – Sacred Valley: Andean Textures and flavors (B/L/-)
Early in the morning transfer to Lima Airport to board your flight to Cusco (1 hour aprox.) Upon arrival to the capital of the Inca’s Empire transfer with assistance to the hotel in Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the route to the valley you will take a chance to stop at Awanacancha to observe traditional Andean weaving and to see the four types of camel-related Andean animals – llamas, guanacos, alpacas and vicunas. Alpacas have thick wool and is the most commonly used while the vicunas are small and delicate with fur considered the finest. Awanacancha is a weaving center with the goal to keep alive the traditional textile arts. Here you can meet these four types of camelids, learn about the harvesting of the different wools and the natural dying techniques and have a chance to see native weavers from different areas showing their different weaving styles.
Visit the town of Pisac, where the Incas built an observatory to study astronomy as well as an impressive network of cultivated terrace. After this, you will have the opportunity to bargain with vendors at the local handicraft market.
Lunch included at Wayra Restaurant with Paso Horse demonstration: Peruvian Paso Horses, with their elegance and noble spirit, symbolize a centuries-old tradition of cultural fusion and folklore that defines and enriches Peru.
Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
DAY 3 : (Thursday) Exclusive jewels of the Sacred Valle (B/L/-)
Start your day with the Visit of Chinchero Village. An attractive church built during the Colony is the highlight of this village and on the inside hang lovely paintings from the Cusco School. Yet, it is on Sundays that the action really starts to happen when area merchants and farmers assemble at the flea market to buy and sell, using the age old method of bartering for goods. Likewise, you can visit impressive archeological remains in the area.
Continue to Maras and Moray; two still relatively unknown sites for the mainstream traveler, which we definitely recommend visiting during your stay in Cusco. The salt mines of Maras are an arrangement of terraces, where salt is gathered in small pools, which are filled by hot spring waters containing an astonishing percentage of salt.
These springs have been exploited since Inca times. It proves to be an unforgettable experience when you see the sun reflected on the hundreds of white salt pools. Moray is something very different. Four natural depressions in the landscape were used by the Incas to build terraces that served them as a botanical laboratory to improve their harvest. The circular-shaped terraces still remain intact.
After enjoying a delightful lunch at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley, you will visit the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. The site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and evidence of how it was constructed is still visible. After seeing the magnificent past of the spot stroll through the quaint streets of the present town.
Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
DAY 4 : (Friday) Machu Picchu: A place to label your soul (B/L/D)
Your private guide will meet you at your hotel early this morning. You will be driven to the train station to board the Vistadome train, for a dramatic train ride to Machu Picchu (6180 feet), the great mountain-top city abandoned by the Inca Empire, reclaimed by the jungle and lost to humanity until its rediscovery in 1911. The legendary 'Lost City of Machu Picchu' is without a doubt the one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built by the Incas on the summit of "Machu Picchu" (Old Peak), overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba river in a semi-tropical area 120 Km. (75 miles) from the city of Cusco at 7,000 feet above sea level. It sits on a mountain site of extraordinary beauty, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest; Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, with its giant walls, terraces and ramps, which appear as though they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments.
Machu Picchu is also one of the Inca's best kept secrets, since they did not left written records and Spanish chronicles make no mention of the citadel, it remains a mystery. Upon arrival to the ruins, a guided tour of the lost citadel.
Lunch included at Machupicchu Sanctuary Lodge. Dinner included at the hotel.
Overnight in Machupicchu.
DAY 5 : (Saturday) Second chance (B/-/-)
Check out at 10am. Morning at leisure without guide. (2nd entrance fee NOT included)
Excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy with a beautiful sunrise as well as stroll by the Town of Aguas Calientes and visit its hot spring thermal waters. Then, you will have time to perform some of the following activities by your own: Visit the Citadel of Machu Picchu for the second time.
For the most adventurous people, we suggest to go up the Huayna Picchu (if it is not raining) from where you can appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being high and distant. Arriving at the top takes about two hours and a half and it must be before 13:00 hours. It is necessary to register in a office at the beginning of the trail.
In the afternoon, back to Cusco by train, and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.
DAY 6 : (Sunday) Cusco – Lima: Charging an intense energy (B/-/-)
Inca rulers once called Cusco the "Navel of the World". Cusco remains today a city that blends colonial Spanish charm with older, more austere remains of pre-Columbian glory. One can see the foundations of Inca structures on many of its city streets today. You will go on a private escorted half day sightseeing tour of the city of Cuzco, visiting its most important landmarks from both The Inca & the Colonial times: the Korikancha (the ancient temple of the Sun), the Inca street of Loreto, (12 cornered stone) and Ahuajpinta which keep the remains of outstanding palaces from the ancient City and the Colonial monuments of the Cathedral; the Museum of Colonial Art and continue to the archaeological park of Saqsaywaman (the fortress-temple), the nearby shrines of Kenqo (funeral worship) and Tambomachay (cleansing water rituals), besides the ancient Tambo of Pukapukara.
At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon your arrival in Lima you will be assisted and transferred to your selected hotel.
Overnight in Lima.
DAY 7 : (Monday) Lima – Iquitos: Nature explorer´s discovery (B/-/D)
Lima will open its doors for a wonderful tour. Founded by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima was then named the City of Kings by the Spaniards who took the city in name of the Spanish Crown. The most important buildings are located around the Plaza Mayor, the main one being the Government Palace where one can still observe the changing of the guard performed by the Húsares de Junín. But the beautiful Cathedral and the various small palaces and colonial balconies that adorn the capital of the Peruvian Republic play also their part in the beauty of the city. Thanks to its well preserved architecture, Lima was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Also, today you will have the chance to learn about the millennial cultures that precede the Inca´s culture with a visit to the famed Larco Herrera Museum, containing a priceless collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, an ancient pre-Inca erotic pottery, one of South America’s finest.
Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight to Iquitos. Upon arrival to Iquitos, transfer by bus to Nauta where the M/V Delfin is waiting for us to start our Amazon Adventure. Enjoy the Happy Hour on board and continue with an exquisite dinner. Overnight on board.
DAY 8: (Tuesday) Iquitos: Nature explorer´s discovery (B/L/D)
06:00 am. Breakfast – Buffet
Dawn and dusk are ideal times for nature observation, and an early rise is therefore highly recommended. On your first morning, coffee will wake us up, and pancakes will be a delicious choice for this morning of adventure and surprises.
07:00 am. Yanallpa exploration, Belluda Stream or Jungle walks
Rainy Season (Dec – May) Belluda Stream exploration.
Aboard the skiffs, we will explore this black water stream and start learning about the rainforest. You are now in the Pacaya-Samiria national reserve, where you will have the chance to see its amazing wildlife. From the skiff you can easily spot parrots, macaws and monkeys, such as the monk Saki monkey with its gray and black body, naked face and long shaggy tail. You might also see the saddle-back tamarin monkey, whose high chirping notes can easily be confused with those of a flock of birds.
It’s also a good spot to see the beautiful morpho butterfly that flaps lazily along open corridors through forest or along river edges of lowland forest on sunny days. Different species of hawks will also be found and if we are lucky we’ll see the noisy ―laughing falcon,‖ named after its loud falsetto call as it sits solitary in secondary forest and plantations.
11:00 am. Back to the boat
We will continue upstream towards our next destination.
12:30 pm. Lunch
After emerging from the depths of the forest, you’ll be treated to a world-class gourmet meal.
Our young and innovative chef will surprise your sophisticated palates, while introducing you to the pleasures of Peru´s haute cuisine. Our gourmet menu has been designed especially to please you. The menu features glorious fresh fish and other local delicacies, all prepared with an Amazonian flair and our personal touch.
03:30 pm. El Dorado River exploration
We will head for this spectacular spot within the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve In the skiffs, where you will also experience an unforgettable encounter with gray and pink river dolphins. Enjoy a unique opportunity to swim among the dolphins.
On the river you will experience abundant wildlife and nature in all of its exuberance while we search for the Amazon river’s transitional forest specialties such as snail kites, festive parrots, endangered scarlet macaws, olive spotted hummingbirds, Amazonian parrotlets, wood creepers, among others.
Prehistoric looking iguanas laze in the sun while we travel along the shoreline searching for whatever the jungle has to offer us. Squirrel Monkeys are very active at this time of the day, when they move in large noisy troops at mid- to upper-levels of primary and secondary lowland forest.
07:00 pm. Back to the boat
We will continue to navigate towards our next destination
08:00 pm. Dinner
The service continues. Desserts are also a wonderful treat on our menu.
09:30 pm. Relaxation on board
Our staff and guides will be there to answer any question about what we have already seen and visited. While feeling the warm breeze of the Amazon night, fine cigars and after dinner drinks will be available before you fall asleep to the musical sounds of the jungle. Don´t forget to look up at the sky, where the feast continues, with millions of sparkling stars set against the deep black night or perhaps a full moon that lights up the entire river.
DAY 9: (Wednesday) Iquitos: Nature explorer´s discovery (B/L/D)
05:30 am. Wake up call
This morning we will start very early and breakfast on board the skiffs, in order to see as much wildlife as possible in one of the earth´s greatest wilderness.
06:00 am. Rio Pacaya – breakfast on board
We have reached our main goal, the Pacaya River, the very heart of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Peru’s largest protected area with a mean annual rainfall of nearly 3,000mm, by far the largest protected wetland reserve in the world.
Filled with lakes, palm swamps and streams, the reserve becomes a flooded forest in the rainy season and is one of the most beautiful places you have ever visited.
An early rise is very rewarding: you’ll see parrots, macaws, toucans, kingfishers, black collared hawks, southern swallows, white winged swallows, and manikins. Aside from the large variety of birds, you’ll also see troops of squirrel monkeys.
Aboard our comfortable skiffs, we will go in search of magnificent views and wildlife opportunities, experiencing spectacular rainforest wilderness, while searching for different species of monkeys, such as small family groups of red howler monkeys, the largest in the Amazon basin, with its bright rust-colored fur and long prehensile tail.
As the sun starts to heat up, we will continue along the shores of the Pacaya river, spotting huge ceiba or kapok trees, mahogany trees, strangler figs, epiphytes such as bromeliads and orchids, palm trees and woody vines. Breakfast—cold, fresh fruit juice, fresh fruit and light sandwiches with coffee and/or tea—will be served as we float amidst a favored dolphin feeding spot.
After breakfast, you can jump in the water for a very refreshing morning swim, a once in a lifetime experience in the beautiful setting of dark, clean and warm water, deep blue skies, and a light breeze, just a perfect moment to enjoy the wild and unique Amazon rainforest at its best.
11:30 am. Back to the Boat
We will start navigating back down the Puinahua River towards Nauta.
12:30 pm. Lunch
By now, you’ll know the routine; our kitchen staff welcomes you again, surprising you with a very sophisticated meal and a well balanced menu. There’s also time for dessert. Coffee will be served at the bar on the Observation deck.
04:00 pm. Atun Poza expedition
Rainy Season (Dec – May) Atun Poza by skiff: On our adventure this afternoon we will cruise in our skiffs along a lake called Atun Poza, where we will surprise several species of egrets, herons, hawks, long-legged neotropical cormorants fishing for their dinner,
and unusual and loud horned screamers. We will also have a chance to explore other black water lagoons linked to this huge lake, where wattled jacanas compete with a wide variety of spiders, grasshoppers, dragonflies, butterflies, moths, beetles, etc. living along the grassy edges and lily pads of freshwater swamps and marshes. We will have an excellent opportunity of seeing social spiders and how their webs embrace huge parts of a tree.
06:30 pm. Back to the vessel
07:00 pm. Briefing and review
At this time our guides will review all that we have seen and learned, with the help of videos and a slide show on our flat TV. This will give you the chance to see up close the birds, monkeys, reptiles, etc. This is the time to clear up any doubts. We will sail all night long as the Delfin continues its smooth journey downstream.. Coffee and tea are always available.
08:00 pm. Farewell Dinner
Leaving behind the wildlife, you will continue enjoying our service as a world class traveler deserves. Tonight our chef and kitchen staff will treat you to a grilled dinner, including fresh salads, grilled vegetables, magical sauces, and wonderful combinations of different types of meat. Our talented staff will delight you with some live music before you retire.
DAY 10: (Thursday) Another destination or back home (B/-/-)
This is our last breakfast on board. This morning we will explore the Yarapa River to the village of Puerto Miguel where we will have the chance to learn about their culture. We return to the vessel to prepare our bags and have our last lunch before disembarking in Nauta to take the bus that will transfer us to the airport for our flight back to Lima.
Upon arrival to Lima, you will be assisted with your luggage and check-in procedures for your international flight to any other destination or your way back home.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1 (TUE): Arrival in Lima
- Day 2 (WED): Lima - Sacred Valley: Andean Textures and flavors (B/L/-)
- Day 3 (THUR): Exclusive jewels of the Sacred Valley (B/L/-)
- Day 4 (FRI): Machu Picchu: A place to label your soul (B/L/D)
- Day 5 (SAT): Second entrance to Machu Picchu (B/-/-)
- Day 6 (SUN): Cusco / Lima (B/-/-)
- Day 7-10 (MON): Lima / Iquitos: Nature explorer´s discovery aboard M/V Delfin I (B/L/D)
- Day 10 (THUR): Lima/ International departure (B/-/-)
Highlights of the Itinerary
- Lima, Peru's cultural, gastronomic and business center, a city that offers something for everyone.
- The Sacred Valley of the Incas or Urubamba Valley, the place where the Incas developed their agricultural techniques and introduced potatoes to the world.
- Machu Picchu, feel the energy flowing in the lost city of the Incas and be one of the few travelers in the world to enjoy Machu Picchu at dawn.
- Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, known as the archaeological highlight of the Americas.
- Pacaya Samiria Reserve, discover the largest natural reserve in the planet on board of the exclusive DELFIN I
Includes
- Transportation airport / Hotel / airport
- 09 nights’ accommodation in a double room.
- M/V Delfin I Cruise Package includes accommodations, all meals, Amazon sightseeing, naturalists and lecture services, excursions aboard the skiffs and any other activity included in the package.
- Private services with local English-speaking guides.
- Jungle excursions will be provided in shared basis.
- Meals as indicated in itinerary (B/L/D)
- Tickets from entrance to Machu Picchu and archaeological sites mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tickets for round trip bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)
- Round trip tickets on the train service from the Sacred Valley Vistadome.
- Permanent assistance by our offices in each city.
Not Include
- International and domestic air tickets.
- Meals or any other item not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips to guides and hotel staff.
- Local Peruvian Taxes (18% tax is applicable only to Peruvian and foreigners living in Peru, to pay no need to show passport.
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