The Inca Empire and the Amazon River Cruise

Day 1

Depart the USA Today you’ll depart the USA on your overnight flight to Lima, the capital of Peru; the cultural capital of the country and its main business center. This bustling metropolis is also recognized as the Garden City with its many flowing fountains and interesting museums that showcase Peru’s ancient cultures. Your flight arrives late evening and the Mayflower Tours representative will assist you with transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Cusco/The Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu

Following breakfast you’ll board an early morning flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you’ll journey to the Sacred Valley to begin your Peruvian adventure. Lunch is included at a local countryside restaurant. In the afternoon, board the Vistadome train that will take you to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. You will overnight in Aguas Calientes. Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel. Lunch and dinner

Day 3: Machu Picchu Comes to Life

For centuries, Machu Picchu has remained a mystery, holding tight its secrets. Journey to the Lost City of the Incas and uncover the secrets of this ancient citadel, as Machu Picchu wraps its magical spell around you. Perched high on an isolated mountaintop, this citadel in the clouds is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring an intricate complex of stone stairs, ruins and tunnels. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch you will board the train that will take you back to Cusco where you have the evening free. Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Cusco

Enjoy a guided tour and follow the trail of the Incas and take in the panorama of dramatic mountains and spectacular canyons. Cobbled streets and plazas feature both colonial and religious landmarks. You’ll visit the Plaza de Armas and the Santo Domingo Church built on the solid foundations of the Incas. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco sets the stage, taking you back in time to when the glorious Incas ruled. The entire valley is filled with architectural wonders around every vista. Visit Sacsayhuaman, a gigantic walled city overlooking Cusco that served as a royal fortress. The remainder of the day free to enjoy this cultural city. Breakfast

Day 5: Cusco/Iquitos

Following breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for flights to Iquitos. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the embarkation port at the Itaya River where you board your exquisite river ship, the Amazon Discovery, your home for the next six nights. Breakfast at hotel, dinner onboard ship

Day 6: Monkey Island/Momon River

This morning we sail to the Monkey Island Private Reserve a Non-Profit Organization dedicated to save orphaned monkeys who are traded in local markets and are donated to this project to have a semi captivity life. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Native Boras Community at Momon River who are originally from the area of the upper Putumayo at the border of Colombia, attracted by rubber fever, they migrated to the place where they live today. They still maintain their customs and cultural traditions. Festivals and ceremonies are associated with their myths and legends. They paint their bodies for their dances, the usual pattern among men and women being a stylized snake. Meet them at their ̈Maloca ̈ ceremonial place. Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard

Day 7: Tahuayo River/Yarapa River and Creeks

This morning you’ll search for the most elusive and exotic fresh water pink river dolphin, medium sized, long snout and little or no dorsal fin you will see that they are really pink. This afternoon you’ll sail along another tributary of the Amazon River and stroll around its shores and small creeks in search of the typical Amazonian wildlife – small monkeys, birds and iguanas. Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard

Day 8: Amazon Headwaters/San Francisco Village/Jungle Hike

You’ll wake up at this important and historic place, were the Ucayali & Marañon Rivers merge and give birth to the mighty Amazon River with an opportunity to explore by the area by skiff. On your visit to San Francisco Village, you’ll stroll around local people’s homes and see how simple their daily life is. You’ll be greeted by lots of children who take you to their school. This afternoon you’ll hike through this pristine and unique terra firme ecosystem, passing through a classic tropical rainforest and to spot birds such as the bluish-fronted jacamar, collared trogons and red capped cardinals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard

Day 9: Yana Yuca Pucate River/Nauta Cano

This morning you’ll sail Yana Yacu Pucate River, the protected area within the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. This is your opportunity to explore one of the main cores of the National Reserve. On a skiff exploration, you’ll have the chance to get deep into the rainforest and experience its fantastic diversity of flora and fauna. Enjoy some of the myriad bird species, colorful butterflies and other diverse insects, noisy monkey troops and active pink and grey river dolphins along the black river waters discovering this mysterious and bountiful destination. Tonight you’ll explore Nauta Cano, the small creek, its lagoons, and its wonderful dynamic and stunning panoramas. On board your excursion skiff, you’ll head to a beautiful lake for a spectacular fishing spot, for a chance to catch a piranha. Once it is dark, armed with powerful spotlights on your night safari, you’ll search for night herons, pauraques, spectacled owls and fish bats flying over the water scooping up fish. Stargazing at this time is unique while fireflies light up the jungle around you. Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard

Day 10: Santa Ana/Iquitos

This morning in Santa Ana, you’ll enjoy the local village and folklore, and a special dance performance by the local children accompanied by their parents who will make the music. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Iquitos and enjoy dinner at Al frio y al Fuego, one of the most emblematic restaurants of Iquitos, floating in the middle of the Itaya River. You will savor the local cuisine while having stunning views of the city. Breakfast and lunch onboard, plus farewell dinner

Day 11: Iquitos/USA

Bid farewell to the remarkable Inca Empire and the Amazon River and return home filled with memories of the life enriching experiences. Breakfast on board