Amazon Adventure

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco
• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Manu National Park,  Machu Picchu,  Incan ruins

Dates: From April to December on fixed dates.

Description: This trip gives you the chance to explore two different regions of Peru, the first one is the highlands in Cusco where you will hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. The second one is the Manu rainforest, part of the Amazon jungle close to Cusco, where you will watch the amazing and diverse wildlife that includes river otters, jaguars, macaws, alligators, etc. We highly recommend this expedition to people who are interested in the wildlife, birdwatching and outdoors. Also, to the people who is interested in the history of the Incas and its mysteries.

Highlights: Itinerary:

1st Day: Arrival to Lima.
We will pick you up from the airport upon arrival and take you to the hotel in Lima.

2nd Day: Flight to Cusco.
Transfer to the airport in Lima / Flight to Cusco / Transfer to the hotel in Cusco. You will have the afternoon free to rest and tour the city by yourself.

3rd Day: Cusco City Tour.
In the afternoon (1:30 PM) you will visit the Cathedral. Then, you will tour the amazing Inca sites of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Tambomachay. These archeological sites are the remains of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire.

4th Day: Inca Trail - 1st day (9 Kms / 5.6 miles).
A bus will pick you up from the hotel to take you to the beginning of the Inca Trail (2,720 mts / 9,000 ft); from there you will hike for 2 hours before lunch, and then 2 hours more to reach the campsite. You will see Llactapata ruins and camp at Wayllabamba (2,950 mts / 9,800 ft) with an amazing view of Veronica snow-capped mountain.

5th Day: Inca Trail - 2nd day (12 Kms / 7.5 miles).
This is the toughest day of the trek. After 4 hours hiking, you will reach the Warmiwanuska pass, the highest point of the trail (4,200 meters / 14,000 ft). After rest at the pass, you will descend to the Pacaymayo campsite (3,600 mts / 11,900 ft); there you will lunch and rest.

6th Day: Inca Trail - 3rd day (16 Kms / 10 miles).
This day is the nicest one, the hike starts with a climb to the Runkurakay pass (3,990 meters / 12,960 ft), from there the view of the mountains and the cloud-forest is quite impressive. After the pass, the path is mostly downhill and the sceneries change dramatically. Along the path it are 3 main Inca sites: Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Winay Wayna. You will camp in Winay Wayna campsite at 2,700 meters (8,900 ft).

7th Day: Inca Trail - 4th day (5 Kms / 3.2 miles).
You will wake up early in the morning (4:30 AM) to reach Inti Punku (Sun's Gate) before 6:30 AM to watch the first sun beams over Machu Picchu (2,400 mts / 7,900 ft). Once in there you will have a guided-tour for 2 hours; afterwards, you will have free time to explore by yourself. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Cusco (4 PM).

8th Day: Free day in Cusco.
You will have the day free to do some shopping and to enjoy this lovely city. OPTIONAL: Rafting in the Urubamba river. We will take you to the Urubamba river to have fun on a raft. The level of it is very good, adventurous but safe (rapids class II and III). You will be back in Cusco city in the afternoon (5 PM).

9th Day: Manu Excursion - 1st day.
A private bus will pick you up from the hotel to take you on a 10 hours bus ride from the City of Cusco to Pilcopata. The sceneries change a lot, from rocky mountains into lush tropical forests. At the end of the day, you will arrive to the Madre de Dios river. During the bus ride you will enjoy beautiful views and you will see some wildlife.

10th Day: Manu Excursion - 2nd day.
After breakfast you will travel 45 minutes by bus to Atalaya, there you willl start an 8 hours journey on a 15 meters motorized canoe down the Madre de Dios river. You will see on the rivershores wildlife such as the Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, King Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in the Manu. In the afternoon you will arrive to Blanquillo, your base camp for the following 2 days. Optional night walk before dinner.

11th Day: Manu Excursion - 3rd day.
Early in the morning you will go to the Macay Clay Lick. From a blind spot you will observe flocks of Macaws, Parrots and Parakeets congregating to eat the clay. After breakfast you will climb an observation tower 42 mt (140 ft) high from where you will have an amazing view of the rainforest from above the trees. Later you can explore the trails around the Blanquillo campsite. Optional night walk.

12th Day: Manu Excursion - 4th day.
You will have another chance to observe birds at the Macaw Clay Lick. Afterwards, you will visit the Blanco lake to watch Giant River Otters, monkeys, caimans and different species of exotic birds. In the afternoon you will travel upriver for one hour to get to the Maquisapayoj campsite, there you will spend the night at an elevated platform to observe tapirs and other mammals during the night.

13th Day: Manu Excursion - 5th day.
Early in the morning after breakfast you can explore the trails around the Maquisapayoj campsite to look for monkeys. You will spend the night at the Maquisapayoj campsite or at the Boca Manu village. If you travel as far as Boca Manu you can visit there a lake to observe Gian River Otters.

14th Day: Manu Excursion - 6th day.
You will start the journey back by boat. On the way you will stop at the Diamante tribe of the Piro native people. Along the ride you will see many animals as monkeys, herons and vultures on the trees. You will camp at the Yanayacu campsite.

15th Day: Manu Excursion - 7th day.
You will continue traveling upriver, always searching for wildlife. On the way you will stop for a bath at the hot springs. Then you will continue until Rio de Oro Lodge, close to Atalaya, there you will stay for the night.

16th Day: Manu Excursion - 8th day.
After a short boat ride to Atalaya, a private bus will take you back to Cusco City. You will arrive there at 6 PM.

17th Day: Flight to Lima.
We will take you to the airport in Cusco for your flight to Lima.

Cost in US$: 1580

Extras:
- Single Supplement (single rooms): 70 US dollars
- Flights Lima-Cusco-Lima: 200 US dollars (airports' taxes not included)
- Personal porter to carry your backpack on the Inca trail (4 days): 95 US dollars
- Rafting in the Urubamba river: 35 US dollars (it includes the complete gear and box lunch)
- Extra night in Lima: Single room US$45 / Double US$50 (breakfast included)
- Lima City Tour: 25 US dollars.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Indiana Expedition's Mission Statement: Indiana Expedition is a tour operator based in Peru with loads of experience leading tours to Peru. Our main goal is to show the beauty of this country, the kindness of its people and the riches of its history.

Year Founded: 2000