Day 1 & 2 (30 and 31/JUL): Greece - Madrid - Flight to Lima, city tour
Morning meeting at "Eleftherios Venizelos" airport in Athens and flight to Peru via Madrid, where you will have time to explore the city centre on your own. In the evening we continue with a flight to Lima, where we will arrive at dawn on 31/July. At Lima airport, we will be met by our representative in Peru and escorted to our hotel, giving us the first useful information about the country. Settle directly in our rooms to rest a few hours. Breakfast and we start our tour of the city, known as the City of Kings, where we will focus on its historic centre, which is part of the UNESCO heritage site. We will first head to the free village or Pueblo Libre, to visit the Larco Herrera Museum, housed in a beautifully restored mansion and built on a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum is one of Latin America's leading museums with collections of gold, silver, clay and woven objects. Next visit to the Aliaga residence or casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion given by Francisco Pizarro to one of his generals, Geronimo de Aliaga. We then move to the colonial center, where we will visit the main square or Plaza Mayor, the official center of the city and the original site where Lima was founded. Among other things, we will see the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral, magnificent architectural buildings. Return to the hotel and free afternoon for shopping or a walk in the Miraflores district with a sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Day 3 (1/AY): Lima - Flight to Puerto Maldonado
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport, where we will take our internal flight to Puerto Maldonado. Welcome to the Amazon! Begin experiencing the magic of the rainforest as we take the ferry along the Madre de Dios River to arrive at our tropical lodge, where the journey will take 45 minutes. After a short briefing, we will settle into our beautiful cabaña and enjoy lunch. Relax while sipping a refreshing tea and get ready for our afternoon excursion. On the first day we suggest a tour along the trail, in the natural area of Reserva Amazonica, where you will discover the Amazon Bay. This trail offers an excellent introduction to the jungle environment, where we will see impressive trees, such as the Shihuahuaco, and a range of tropical and subtropical plant species, offering excellent opportunities for bird watching and exotic insect observation. We also recommend the first night's Twilight River excursion - a guided afternoon boat ride on the Madre de Dios River. Witness the transformation from a daytime to a nighttime world, where daytime animals and birds give way to species specially adapted to the night. As we enjoy their paradise, we will learn about their habits while looking for owls, nightjars, capybaras and great caimans. Dinner and rest or enjoy the unique experience of a night in a rainforest as you listen to the exciting sounds of the jungle at night.
*Note: Only medium sized luggage is accepted during your stay in the Amazon. The maximum weight allowed is 10 to 15 kg (depending on the hotel). Larger luggage will be stored at the accommodation office in Puerto Maldonado.
Day 4 (2/AY): Amazon
Wake up late or early - the choice is yours. Breakfast starts at 5:30am, for those who want to avoid the heat and enjoy nature in all its glory. A full breakfast is served in buffet from 5:30 to 9:30. This morning we can visit the excursion to Lake Sandoval in Tambopata National Park. Pull a wooden canoe into a beautiful mirror-like lake that is home to endangered species of otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to Reserva Amazonica. After lunch, we can visit the remarkable Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and the Anaconda Walk. Climbing the first tower, 29 meters above the forest, we begin our encounter with the treetop kingdom. For more than a quarter mile, we'll literally walk through the rainforest on a network of suspension bridges connecting eight observation platforms. During this excursion, be prepared to see toucans, woodpeckers, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and three-toed sloth. If you wish, you can extend your tour and appreciate the sunset on one of the towers. After our descent from the Canopy, experience the Anaconda Walk for about 30 minutes along the 200-meter wooden bridge over the Aguajales marshes. In this rich ecosystem, we can observe the different species of amphibians, birds, mammals, rich flora, trees and there is the possibility of seeing snakes of this marshy area. The walk ends with the return to the lodge. There we will enjoy the daily nature presentation at the Eco Center. Dinner and rest.
Day 5 (3/AY): Amazon - Puerto Maldonado, flight to Cusco
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before transferring again via the Madre de Dios River to Puerto Maldonado, where you can visit the home of the butterflies. Peru has the largest variety in the world, with over 3,700 known species. You will be able to see many of them at this particular site. Transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco. Arrival and transfer to the hotel taking initial information about the area. Free time for a first walk around the old town.
Day 6 (4/AY): Cusco, city tour
Breakfast followed by a guided tour of this charming city, the capital of the Inca Empire. We start with a visit to the Monastery of Santo Domingo, a large complex of Baroque and Renaissance buildings, built on the Coricancha Temple, one of the most important temples dedicated to the worship of the Sun. Its foundations are still visible at the base of the monastery. Ancient texts mention that the sanctuary was covered with gold leaves and golden representations of nature. We continue to Plaza de Armas to visit the cathedral. It has an elaborate Renaissance façade and, like other important monuments in the city, was built on the ruins of an Inca temple. We head towards the hills above Cusco to visit the ruins of the Sacsayhuaman fortress, whose imposing ramparts offer stunning panoramic views of the city of Cusco, the ruins of the temple and the Qenqo amphitheatre, where it is believed that the Incas practiced agricultural rituals. Finally, we will visit Puka Pukara, the "red fortress", a complex of military buildings in a prominent position, where we will see the houses, the squares, the baths, the aqueduct, the walls and the towers that are clearly visible. Return to the hotel. Free afternoon to visit the main museums and sights of the city, with the Cusco tourist pass delivered by our guide the day before. We recommend spending time at the Regional history museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Pachacutec Monument, the Popular Art Museum and the Qosqo Centre with local artifacts. Overnight stay.
Day 7 (5/AY): Cusco - Sacred Valley, Chinchero, Maras, Moray, Ollaytambo
Breakfast. Today we will follow the route to the Sacred Valley, where we will visit the city of Chinchero, one of the most important cities of the Inca Empire and today's center of trade of goods of the surrounding communities, built in a magnificent Andean setting, under the serene beauty of the Chicon and Veronica mountain peaks. Next stop the archaeological sites of Maras and Moray. We will be impressed by the pre-Columbian Maras salt pans, with their incredible numerous cisterns, which supplied the local population with salt, thanks to the highly saline waters of the underground streams. We will then visit the mysterious Moray site with its concentric steps, which according to some researchers was used as a research centre for agricultural work. Then we will visit the local village of Pisak, known for its famous colourful market. This bustling market attracts tourists from all over the world to try their hand at bartering for local sweaters, ponchos, wall hangings, jewelry and goods. Lunch and finally we will visit Ollantaytambo, which was an extremely effective fortress and served as a temple. A beautifully decorated ceremonial centre is located at the top of the terrace. Below the fortress is a complete Inca town, also called Ollantaytambo, still inhabited with its original architecture and layout. Transfer to our hotel in the Sacred Valley and overnight.
Day 8 (6/AY): Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
After check-in and breakfast, we will transfer to the Ollanta train station to board the train to Aquas Calientes and the famous Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World and a Unesco heritage site. Board a bus for a 25-minute transfer to Machu Picchu. There we will have plenty of time to explore the impressive Inca citadel, the lost city of the Incas, accompanied by our guide. We will wander among the ruins of the city and feel its pulse as we visualize the lives of the priests, artisans and servants who inhabited this seemingly uninhabited citadel. Excavations at the site have revealed skeletons, artefacts and woollen clothing, but no gold. The same precision of assembled stones exists here as at other Inca sites. Overlooking the Urubamba River, discovering a hidden tangle of vines and trees at the top of the mountain, the town of Machu Picchu will forever hold the secret of its destruction - the Incas left no written evidence. Lunch at Café Inkaterra. Check in at the hotel and free time to enjoy Aguas Callientes and tour the incredible nature surrounding the top site. Dinner and overnight stay.
*Σημείωση: Παρακαλώ ετοιμάστε μία μικρή αποσκευή με συνολικό βάρος έως 5 κιλά για το διήμερο στο Μάτσου Πίτσου, λόγω του περιορισμού αποσκευών στα τρένα από/προς το Μάτσου Πίτσου.
Day 9 (7/AY): Machu Picchu - Cusco
Breakfast and free day where you can choose
- Second entrance to the citadel of Machu Picchu to relive the archaeological site at your own pace
- Visit to Intipunku or "Gate of the Sun"
- Ascent of Wayna Picchu or "New Mountain" as opposed to Machu Picchu. The climb takes about 1 hour and the highlight is the Temple of the Moon.
In the afternoon, we will board the train back to Ollanta station. Upon arrival, we will transfer by road to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 10 (8/AY): Cusco
Breakfast and free day to discover the museums and the historical centre of Cusco. Alternatively, you can choose the recommended full-day visit to the majestic "rainbow" mountains of Palcoyo or Vincunca, also known as the 7-colour mountains. Enjoy colourful stripes in shades of yellow, red, purple and green, a spectacular natural phenomenon, which was only discovered in 2013 after the ice covering the mountain melted.
*Note: Good physical condition is required to climb the Rainbow mountains, due to the high altitude hiking.
Day 11 (9/AY): Cusco - Puno
Breakfast and departure by tourist bus to Puno and Lake Titicaca, which is our next destination. On the way, we will pass picturesque towns and archaeological sites, such as
Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Sicuani, La Raya and Pukara. Lunch. Afternoon arrival in the lakeside town of Puno. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Settle in the rooms and free time.
Day 12 (10/AY): puneo - Uros Islands - Taquile Island - Lake Titicaca, flight to Lima
Today we will dedicate the day to the excursion to Lake Titicaca, one of the most beautiful and mysterious lakes in the Americas. The lake is located at 3,820m altitude and is a natural border between
between Peru and Bolivia. Because of the high altitude, the air is unusually clean and the blue waters are particularly impressive. The main attractions, are the islands of the Uros and the island of Taquile. First we will visit the Uros, floating islands, built in an artificial form on totora reeds, a huge plant with thin leaves that flourishes in the lake. This material is also used in the construction of all the handicrafts and the boats used by the locals for fishing. Here, they still preserve the costume and the way of cultivation of the Inca poles. We continue to the island of Takile, which brings together the largest variety of local excursions, organized by the natives themselves. The locals welcome tourists into their homes as they used to do in their ancestral customs. Free time to tour the island before lunch. Return back to Puno. Transfer to Jouliaka airport, where we will take a direct flight back to Lima. Arrival in the capital and transfer to the hotel. In the evening you will have time to enjoy a stroll around Miraflores with excellent restaurant options.
13th - 14th day (11-12/AY): Lima - Return flight
Breakfast and morning transfer to the airport to board our return flight via Madrid (where you will again have time to stroll around the city centre and visit its famous museums) to Athens. Arrival late morning the next day.
