Peru's Amazon & the Andes with Nazca Lines, Chiclayo & Truijillo

Day 1 : ARRIVE IN LIMA, PERU.

ARRIVE IN LIMA, PERU. Welcome to Lima. Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2 : LIMA–PISCO–NAZCA LINES–PARA...

LIMA–PISCO–NAZCA LINES–PARACAS. Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to Pisco, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for a FLIGHTSEEING over the Nazca plains, which can only be appreciated by air. Your pilot will point out the mysterious markings known as the Nazca Lines, a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil—some up to 1,000 feet long! Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the “astronomical calendar” of the ancient Peruvians. (B)

Day 3 : PARACAS–BALLESTAS ISLANDS–L...

PARACAS–BALLESTAS ISLANDS–LIMA. Head north to the Bay of Paracas. CRUISE out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, an unexplained candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Later, return to Lima. (B)

Day 4 : LIMA.

LIMA. Your included CITY TOUR focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, the SANTO DOMINGO CONVENT to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias. (B)

Day 5 : LIMA–PUERTO MALDONADO

LIMA–PUERTO MALDONADO. Fly to Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios and the entry to Peru’s Amazon Jungle. Embark on a MOTORBOAT RIDE for a journey up the Tambopata River to view turtles, caimans, monkeys, and river birdlife such as capped herons, black skimmers, and kingfishers. Arrive at your unique Amazon Jungle Lodge where you will meet with your expert Naturalist who will help tailor your time in the Amazon with various included activities. At dusk, take a CANOE RIDE to learn about the Amazonia river ecosystems, nocturnal animals’ behavior, and the southern constellation. (B,L,D)

Day 6 : PUERTO MALDONADO.

PUERTO MALDONADO. Walk into the TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE with your Naturalist, then navigate by dugout canoe around LAKE SANDOVAL, a beautiful oxbow lake. Learn about the reserve’s conservation efforts and the animals that inhabit this lake, such as the endangered giant river otters, blue and yellow macaws, red howler monkeys, and black caimans. This afternoon, the CANOPY WALKWAY shows you a different perspective 100 feet above ground. After night falls, your Naturalist introduces you to the nocturnal animals of the Amazon. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : PUERTO MALDONADO.

PUERTO MALDONADO. A short boat ride brings you to a NATIVE FARM where farmers use ancient methods to grow crops. Learn about local cultivation techniques and taste some of the produce. This afternoon, visit a CLAY LICK to observe wildlife from a blind to observe the normal routine of the fauna without disrupting the environment. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : PUERTO MALDONADO–CUSCO–SACR...

PUERTO MALDONADO–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY. Fly to Cusco, high in the Andes. Upon arrival, begin your scenic drive into the lush Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas and your home for the next two nights. (B)

Day 9 : SACRED VALLEY.

SACRED VALLEY. Today, your PRIVATE SIGHTSEEING of the Sacred Valley begins in the market town of PISAC. Handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry can be bought here at bargain prices. After time in the market, your next visit is the Inca Fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO. Here, some of the finest examples of Inca masonry can be seen. Enjoy an included lunch before returning to your hotel this afternoon. (B,L)

Day 10 : SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU.

SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU. Board a TRAIN TRIP bound for MACHU PICCHU and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. On a GUIDED TOUR, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas. (B,L,D)

Day 11 : MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO.

MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO. A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over MACHU PICCHU with your included second entrance to the ruins. Return to Cusco by TRAIN TRIP. (B)

Day 12 : CUSCO.

CUSCO. Your GUIDED TOUR of Cusco visits the Plaza de Armas and its CATHEDRAL and the SANTO DOMINGO MONASTERY, previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. This afternoon, in your free time, perhaps visit the Inca Museum or wander through the artisan district of San Blas. (B)

Day 13 : CUSCO–JULIACA–LAKE TITICACA...

CUSCO–JULIACA–LAKE TITICACA (PUNO). Fly to Juliaca, where you will be transferred to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B)

Day 14 : PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TIT...

PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA. Today, enjoy a full-day sailing on LAKE TITICACA and take a motorboat to some of the lake’s more unique islands. Start with TAQUILE ISLAND, once part of the Inca Empire and one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island, which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating UROS ISLANDS, home to the Uros Indians who were forced to live on the lake as the Incas pushed farther into their territory. These islands are completely made from reeds, which are continually added to as they disintegrate to the bottom of the lake. (B,L)

Day 15 : PUNO–SILLUSTANI–JULIACA–LIMA.

PUNO–SILLUSTANI–JULIACA–LIMA. Depart for Juliaca this morning, visiting the ruins of SILLUSTANI en route. At this pre-Incan burial ground, see where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests in chullpas, above-ground cylinder-shaped tombs dating back to the 1400s. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 16 : LIMA–CHICLAYO.

LIMA–CHICLAYO. Fly to Chiclayo on the Northern coast of Peru. Chiclayo offers visitors a warm and sunny climate, expansive beaches, and beautiful colonial architecture. Upon arrival, you will be met by your Local Host and transferred to your hotel. (B)

Day 17 : CHICLAYO.

CHICLAYO. Begin with a visit to the SIPAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, discovered in 1987 and considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries this century due to the intact tombs found inside. Dating back to around 100 AD during the Moche period, these tombs made from adobe in pyramid shape hold many similarities to those found in Egypt. A visit to the SIPAN MUSEUM shows a reconstruction of the tombs found as well as the artifacts found inside them. Later, visit the TUCUME PYRAMIDS, where ancient mythology and legend envelops these 26 adobe pyramids that once served as a ceremonial complex. Still today, many natives fear the site known locally as “Purgatory.” (B,L)

Day 18 : CHICLAYO–TRUJILLO.

CHICLAYO–TRUJILLO. En route to Trujillo, visit EL BRUJO, a Moche period stepped pyramid believed to be used for religious ceremonies between the 1st and 7th centuries. At the museum, learn about and see the artifacts found in the tombs. (B)

Day 19 : TRUJILLO–LIMA.

TRUJILLO–LIMA. Visit the SUN & MOON PYRAMIDS, the largest pre-Columbian structures in South America, and hear how and why human sacrifice was practiced here. Continue to CHAN CHAN, a well-planned metropolis and ancient capital of the Chimu Empire. This archaeological site is characterized by very tall walls, some of which are 26 feet high, which enclose each of the 11 citadels. After lunch on Huanchaco Beach, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. (B,L)

Day 20 : LIMA.

LIMA. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)