|
Snowy peaks and tropical forests
As the title of this Peru adventure holiday suggests, you'll see the many different sides of Peru on this trip, covering different altitudes and climates. This Peru adventure holiday is more active than our Vamos Peru itinerary - you'll cover all the highlights but also venture into the tropical Amazon rainforest and take a thrilling trek into the Colca Canyon before continuing to Machu Picchu. |
| Duration | 20 days / 19 nights |
Accommodation |
19 nights incl. breakfast. Shared facilities during homestay on Amananti (Titicaca) and on Inca Trail. Comfort level mainly 3 (see accommodation) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Price |
£1598 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
Transport as described. Titicaca (Amantani), Inca Trail and Amazon lodge full board. Tour of Lima with Spanish-speaking driver. Entrance fee Machu Picchu (US$45) and Tambopata (US$10) |
|
Transport |
All transport between cities by plane, bus or train except Ollantaytambo - Cuzco. Transfers: see text |
Excludes |
International flight, entrance fee Cruz del Condor (US$13), lunch at Taquile (Titicaca), airport taxes, other meals, excursions, transfers and entrance fees, transfer Cabanaconde - Arequipa |
Day 1: Lima - arrivalAt the end of your long flight you'll be welcomed in the arrivals hall at Lima airport by our representative and transferred directly to your hotel for the start of your Peru adventure holiday. Most of our travellers choose to stay in Miraflores, about 30 minutes' drive from the airport. Miraflores is a green, leafy suburb on the coast with several hotels, bars and restaurants and a couple of busy shopping streets. It's a nice place to spend the first day or two of your Peru adventure holiday.On day one of your Peru adventure holiday, you'll be staying in one of our posadas, which we've selected based on atmosphere and location: posadas are small-scale traditional Peruvian guesthouses with a garden, patio and breakfast room. In the evening, head to one of the nearby restaurants for dinner. Las Tejas is just a short walk away. The ceviche costs around US$8.50. This local specialty of raw marinated fish is just one of many delicious surprises of Peruvian cooking. |
|
|
Day 2: LimaAround 9.30am you'll be picked up by a taxi and (Spanish-speaking) driver. It's not a real guided tour,your driver will simply hand you a printed route and description of the various places you'll be visiting. We don’t want to show you just the touristy highlights of Lima, but also the areas that most visitors don’t get to see.That way you’ll get to see a very authentic side of the city and learn what it’s like to live here. The driver will take you to the harbour district Callao, the nightlife area Barranco and one of the old working class districts of the city.The tour also includes the major highlights of the city like the Museo Nacional de Antropolgia y Arquelogia and the new Museo de la Nacion with an interesting exhibition of the Peruvian people and cultures throughout the ages. Everything you see in the museum will come back at some point on your Peru adventure holiday and will give you a much better understanding of the many ruins and cultural relics you’ll see on the way. |
|
Finally the tour will take you across the Plaza de Armas, with the presidential palace and the city hall to the Monasterio de San Francisco. The underground catacombs house the remains of 25.000 people, mainly monks, priests and nuns that lived in the monastery. Bizarrely, the bones have been sorted and neatly rearranged in a circular pattern, which actually makes it an even more morbid, if not chilling sight. You can take a guide into the catacombs and the monastery has now been converted into a museum with some impressive works including a Rubens. The driver for your Peru adventure holiday will drop you off here. If you’re feeling peckish by now, there are plenty of little local restaurants around the museum where you can grab a “jamon morteno” sandwich and decide on how you’re going to spend the rest of the afternoon. At the end of the day, take a taxi back to Miraflores or Barranco where a fine choice of international restaurants and lively bars beckon... |
|
|
Day 3: Lima - ArequipaAfter a couple of days relaxing in Lima, your Peru adventure holiday kicks off with a short one-hour flight from Lima to Arequipa. This friendly Peruvian city lies at an altitude of 2300m and, with an average temperature of 20-25C and sunshine all year round, it’s a lovely place to spend a day or two adjusting to the altitude. Arequipa is considerably cleaner and more cosmopolitan than Lima, but still has that distinct Latin-American vibe. The city is full of beautiful Spanish colonial buildings and churches, but the main attraction is the Santa Catalina monastery. Arequipa is surrounded by several volcanoes (Misti 5821m, Chachani 6075m and Pichu Pichu 5425m) and has a wonderful relaxed atmosphere. The best way to get around the city is by taxi. They’re dirt cheap so venturing out of the city to explore the surrounding area won’t cost you much.On arrival at the airport you’ll be picked up by your driver and transferred to your hotel. This pretty colonial posada is a real gem, with classic wrought iron gates and a courtyard filled with flowers. |
|
The posada is just a short walk from the Santa Catalina monastery and, from the patio, there’s an amazing view across the monastery complex and the Mist looming on the horizon. Towards the end of the afternoon, as the sun begins to set, head to the Santa Catalina monastery. As you pass through the gateway it’s like stepping into another world. Hidden behind the walls lies a labyrinth of narrow winding alleyways between high red and blue painted walls. To the left and right, small secluded courtyards decorated with flowerpots and jugs, prayer rooms with dark crannies, stairways leading nowhere and pretty flower gardens lovingly tended by the nuns living in the monastery. It’s a magical place on your Peru adventure holiday. Especially at this time of day when the glow of the setting sun makes the colours pop out and there are virtually no tourists around. Keep an eye on the closing time though, it’s easy to get lost here. |
|
|
Day 4: ArequipaEase into day four of your Peru adventure holiday with a cup of coffee on a balcony cafe overlooking the Plaza de Armas, the central square of Arequipa. From the Plaza de Armas, walk through the historic centre and take a look inside one of the many churches and cathedrals, visit the Santuarios Museum to see the frozen mummy girl Juanita, or take a taxi to one of the suburbs of Arequipa, like Tingo or Yanahuara for a spicy Arequipeño lunch in one of the traditional restaurants with views of the volcanoes surrounding the city. It's all up to you.In the evening it can get quite chilly so bring a warm sweater if you're planning on hitting the town. In the city centre, you’ll find lots of little restaurants that serve Peruvian and international dishes. |
Day 5 Arequipa - CabanacondeEarly in the morning, take a taxi to Arequipa bus terminal where you can buy a cup of coffee and some snacks before you board the 7am bus to Cabanaconde, the next stop on your Peru adventure holiday. The drive across the barren Altiplano and the Salinas National Park to the rural village of Cabanaconde takes about 7 hours.As you cross the Altiplano, you’ll see packs of alpaca and the rare vicuñas grazing in the short grass. Leaving the Salinas national park the bus turns onto a dirt road, slowly climbing to a mountain pass at 4800m, the highest point of the trip before descending into the Colca Valley. When you’ve crossed the pass, the road leads downhill to Chivay, the most important town in the Colca Canyon because of its location on the road from Colca to Arequipa. |
|
|
After a short stop to stretch your legs, you’ll continue your Peru trip on into the canyon. The best views are on the right where you can look out across the ancient Inca terraces. The terraces are still used as farmland today and everywhere you look you’ll see the farmers in their brightly coloured traditional dress working in the terraced fields. The bus will stop in a couple of small villages to pick up and drop off local passengers. Then, 2 hours later, you arrive at the final destination: Cabanaconde. On arrival at Cabanaconde bus terminal, make your own way to your accommodation. It’s not very far. Cabanaconde is a small country village tucked away in the Colca canyon and the perfect base for several trekkings into the canyon. The canyon floor has a subtropical climate, but although it’s nice and warm during the day it can get quite chilly at night. There are thick blankets on the bed, but you can always ask for a hot water bottle at reception! We’ve kept this section of your Peru adventure holiday as flexible as possible which is why we’ve only arranged your accommodation. The rest is up to you. The next day, just take it easy and explore the area close to the hotel or wander around the village. If you’re itching to lace up your hiking boots, you can book a guide at the hotel reception. We don’t recommend venturing deep into the canyon tomorrow on your own. The local guides know the canyon like the back of their hand and know what to do with the unpredictable weather conditions and altitude. |
Day 6: CabanacondeWhether its a relaxing day exploring the area around the hotel or a challenging guided trek into the canyon, you'll be spoilt for choice on day six of your Peru adventure holiday.Hiking can be quite strenuous at this altitude and heat, but you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views across the mountains, gorges and condors soaring in the air right above your head. You’ve got the whole day, so don’t overdo it. One of the most interesting trails in the area leads to the oasis deep down on the canyon floor. There’s a small natural pool where you can soothe your aching feet as you wallow in the water under the palm trees and canyon walls towering above you. Plan a full day for this trek, it’s at least 6 hours there and back and it can get dark here very early. At the end of your hike, you’ll return to your hosteria where you can have a drink and put your feet up, feeling tired but content. |
|
|
Day 7: Cabanaconde - Cruz del Condor - ArequipaIt’s another early start on day seven of your Peru adventure holiday, to catch the 7am bus to Cruz del Condor. Make sure you get there half an hour before the bus leaves because you’ll need to buy the bus tickets yourself. At this time of day, the bus is full of villagers on their way to their fields or other villages in the area to trade their merchandise. At Cruz del Condor, you’ll join several other tourists waiting patiently to catch a glimpse of the condor at the rim of the canyon. The condors have a wing span of 3m, so you can imagine what a majestic sight it is to see them soaring in the air just above your head. Bring your binoculars and a zoom lens if you have them. |
|
Around 9.30am, you’ll take the local bus to Chivay, if it’s not going directly to Arequipa. Our local agent will let you know how to buy your ticket and the best way to travel from Cabanaconde to Arequipa. The popular, somewhat touristic market village of Chivay is a nice place to wander around for a couple of hours. If you’re still feeling a bit sore from yesterday’s hike, then take a taxi to the hot springs at La Calera, a short drive from the village. In Chivay bus terminal, you’ll find the local alternative to McDonalds. Try the original Alpaca burger, a nice filling snack before the long bus ride back to Arequipa. The bus leaves Chivay around 3pm, arriving in Arequipa early evening, for the next stop on your Peru adventure holiday. From the station simply take a taxi back to your hotel. What to bring on your Colca Canyon trip: (You can leave the rest of your baggage at the hotel in Arequipa):
|
|
|
Day 8: Arequipa - Puno overlandThis morning, make your own way (by Daewoo taxi) to Terrapuerto bus station where you can buy a cup of coffee and some snacks before boarding the 8.30am Royal Class bus to Puno. The double decker bus has soft leather seats, an on-board toilet and hot drinks and snacks are available.The bus simply glides along the brand new road, making the 6 hour journey incredibly comfortable. Just sit back and look out the window. The best views are around halfway along the journey. Arriving in Puno the fresh atmosphere is immediately obvious and a welcome relief at this stage of your Peru adventure holiday. |
|
Driving into the city, you’ll have some amazing views across the 175km long, 45 km wide Lake Titicaca, which you'll see later in your Peru adventure holiday. Puno is a popular university town with lots of festivals, markets, restaurants and bars but it’s also incredibly cosy. Instead of cars, you’ll see mainly horse carts and rickshaws that would look more at home in Asia instead of a high-altitude Peruvian student town. On the Plaza de Armas, you'll see street performer doing some tricks, cheered on by a large crowd and the local football team. They’re always top of the league; their opponents get out of breath too quickly at this altitude! |
|
|
If the same goes for you, then a rickshaw is a comfortable and cheap way to get from the bus terminal to your hotel and you'll immediately get a feel of the town centre. You'll be staying in a small family guesthouse in a quiet district about 10 minutes' walk from the shopping street and just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. The guesthouse has been lovingly decorated by the Peruvian owner with lots of wood carvings and traditional details. Rooms have a private bathroom, phone and TV and central heating. |
Day 9: Puno - Uros - AmantaniIn the morning you’ll be picked up at your hotel for the short drive to the busy harbour of Puno. Around 8am, you’ll board the boat with your fellow passengers and sail out onto the wide, open lake. You’ll need to wear a life jacket – well, at least until you’re out of sight of the harbour… The boat goes quite fast so it can get quite chilly in the wind even though it’s nice and sunny, so bring a hat and gloves if you have them.The deep blue water of Lake Titicaca is the stuff of legends, and a real highlight of your Peru adventure holiday. Not Machu Picchu, but Titicaca, is the most important Inca site. According to local legend, this is the birth place of the first Inca, the Sun God Manco Capac who together with his wife - incidentally also his sister - founded what was once the greatest civilization to rule the southern hemisphere; the Inca empire. |
|
|
After about an hour, the boat will moor at the floating reed islands of Uros. The islands are made entirely of totara reed. As the bottom layer slowly rots away, the reed requires permanent maintenance which is why the inhabitants continuously add new layers of reed to the top layer. Houses, boats, watchtowers, the school, they are all made from the reed. If you like, you can add to your Peru adventure holiday by taking a short trip on a reed raft to one of the neighbouring islands. The islands are very unique, but also very commercial. The Indian islanders have adapted to the influx of tourism and offer all kinds of souvenirs and will willingly pose for you in their traditional dress. After about an hour you'll board the boat again and set off for Amantani where you'll be staying of this night of your Peru adventure holiday. |
|
Based on a fair and impartial system, you’ll be placed with one of the island families where you'll stay for the ninth night of your Peru adventure holiday. The proceeds of your stay go towards the development of the island, for example to buy school supplies or farming tools. Usually, you’ll be staying in a small clay hut with a straw mattress and a couple of warm blankets. Around sunset, you’ll go on a walk across the island with a local guide. At the top of a nearby hill, there’s a small Inca ritual site with beautiful views across the island and the lake. Some small gifts for your hosts, like soap, crayons and paper or a toothbrush and toothpaste are greatly appreciated. |
|
|
Day 10: Amantani - Taquile - PunoAfter breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your hosts and head down the long flight of steps to the jetty. As the boat sails off around 8am, you can see the sun coming up across Lake Titicaca. An hour later, you'll step ashore in Taquile, but it's another 45 minutes uphill to the village square. Like Amantani, there are no roads or cars in Taquile. Supplies are shipped in from Puno every day but this island is much steeper than Amantani which means the islanders have to carry the heavy goods up hundreds of steps to the village. Later that morning, you'll take a walk across the fields to a small Inca ruin and enjoy a fresh fish lunch on the other side of the island.With the sun setting across the water, you'll sail back from Taquile to Puno where you'll be dropped off at your hotel 3 hours later. Enjoy this evening of your Peru adventure holiday by trying the local speciality Pollo a la Plancha at one of the many chicken restaurants of Puno. |
Day 11: Puno - CuzcoAfter a good night's sleep and a substantial breakfast, you'll make your own way to the bus station to catch the 9am express bus to Cuzco, the next stop on your Peru adventure holiday. The trip takes about 6 hours. On arrival in Cuzco, around 3pm, you'll be met at the bus station and transferred to your posada. You'll be staying in the authentic San Blas district, an artistic residential area with lots of art galleries and crafts shops. Your posada is a small, traditional Peruvian mid-class guesthouse with a garden, patio and a cosy breakfast room. We picked this hotel primarily for its great atmosphere. Your clean and modern room has a private bathroom with shower and toilet.The sights of Cuzco around the Plaza de Armas are about 10 minutes’ walk downhill from your hotel. When you decide to head back to your hotel, spare yourself the climb and just take a taxi. Remember, the city is at 3300m altitude! |
|
|
Day 12: CuzcoDay 12 of your Peru adventure holiday is yours to explore Cuzco as you wish. The Plaza de Armas is the beating heart of Cuzco and reputedly one of the prettiest squares in the whole of Peru. Find a bench in the sun or have a drink in one of the balcony cafes overlooking the Plaza and just watch the day go by. The little streets around the square are full of interesting shops and restaurants. San Blas is about 5 minutes uphill by taxi from the Plaza de Armas.San Blas is more residential and authentic than the touristy centre. The narrow streets, that barely fit a small Daewoo taxi, suddenly open up to a wonderful view across the city and the surrounding mountains. You’ll find lots of bars and restaurants in the area and because the streets are so tiny you won’t be bothered by roaring traffic. |
Day 13: Cuzco - Winay WaynaIn the morning, leave whatever you won't be needing for the next four days at hotel reception for storage. You'll be dropped off at Cuzco station where your train leaves at 7.30am for the next stage of your Peru adventure holiday.The train runs on a rack railway to get itself up the steep gradient. As soon as it leaves Cuzco, the train starts to wind its way up into the mountains at a snail’s pace. Three hours later, around 11am, you’ll arrive at post 106, the starting point of this two-day ‘Camino Real’ trail. Tell the train driver where you want to get off because there’s no station here and it’s not an official stop; you have about 1 minute to get off the train and you literally jump off the train onto the tracks. Your guide will be waiting for you by the signpost. |
|
|
For the next part of your Peru adventure holiday, you'll get a quick briefing by your guide and your trek to Machu Picchu is about to begin. Setting off at 2300m altitude, you’ll cross a footbridge across the Urubamba river. It’s an easy start, even for novice trekkers. Today's trek takes about 4 hours, climbing up the endless steps of the former Inca trading route from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, passing several small ruins that were once resting points on the route. Around 1pm, you'll stop for lunch and, munching on your packed lunch as you look out across the Andes, you'll realise why the Inca city remained hidden until it was discovered by accident in 1911. Surrounded by the towering mountains and endless green valleys, you feel rather small by comparison. |
|
After lunch, your guide will show you around the ruins of Winay Wayna before continuing on for the last couple of miles to the ‘Sun Gate’ Inti Punco, where you suddenly catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Nothing can prepare you for the magical sight and, no matter how many pictures you’ve seen, it will be even more beautiful in real life. From the viewpoint, it’s another hour downhill to the entrance to the Machu Picchu. The sun is already low in the sky and now’s not the best time to do the whole background talk on the ruins. Instead, your guide will probably hang back a little to let everyone enjoy their first impressions of the majestic ruins. After a while, you’ll head on down to the entrance of the ruins, where you’ll find the bus waiting to take you to Aguas Calientes. After an intense day of your Peru adventure holiday, crawl into the soft comfy bed in your small posada in the centre of town. |
|
|
Day 14: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - OllantaytamboYou’ll need to be up early on day 14 of your Peru adventure holiday, in order to see Machu Picchu in relative quiet before the crowds of tourists arrive. After you’ve handed in your backpack at the entrance, your guide will take you on a two-hour tour past the ruins.Wandering among the remains of what must have been a thriving city you get a good idea of the daily life in this remote Inca complex. The terraces, the temples and houses really show you how sophisticated the Incas were for their time. |
|
The history, the purpose and eventual decline of Machu Picchu still remains a mystery. Scientists and archaeologists maintain different theories on its role in the Inca Empire, none of which have ever been proven. Whatever happened here that eventually turned the city into a deserted ruin, we'll probably never know. Fact remains that the Spaniards never found the city in their conquest of the Latin American continent and it wasn't until 1911 when archaeologist Hiram Bingham stumbled upon the ruins completely by accident that Machu Picchu was finally revealed to the outside world. After the guided tour, there's plenty of time to wander among the endless basalt walls on your own and experience this real highlight of your Peru adventure holiday. When you can tear yourself away from the ruins, pick up your rucksack at the entrance, where you’ll find the bus waiting to take you to Aguas Calientes. |
|
|
Everyone visiting Machu Picchu has to pass through this small town, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. It's a fun little town even though it's swarming with tourists on their way to (or back from) Machu Picchu. Along the train tracks, you'll find several souvenir stalls and plenty of places to grab a quick bite to eat before boarding the train to Cuzco at 3.30pm. The train pulls into Ollanta(ytambo) around 5.30pm. Most travellers will stay on the train and continue on to Cuzco but this traditional Peruvian village is your final destination for day 14 of your Peru adventure holiday. From the station, it's a 10 minute walk to the village. Ollanta lies in the Sacred Valley, halfway between Aguas Calientes and Pisac. The valley gets its name from the many sacred Inca sites found in the area. Most tourists only stop here briefly to visit the fort at Ollanta before travelling on to their next destination, but we can assure you, it is the sleepy atmosphere of this town that makes it so charming. Along the road into the village, you'll find your basic, but very charming posada, with flower garden where you'll be staying tonight. |
Day 15: Ollantaytambo - UrubambaDay 15 of your Peru adventure holiday starts early, as you head early in the morning to the Inca fort for a wonderful view across mountains, terraces and the village as it slowly wakes up. The fort is the only citadel in the area, where the Incas managed to fend off the Spaniards by riddling them with arrows.Once you've finished exploring the fort, head back to the village to see the unique courtyards. The original layout, as designed by the Incas, has remained intact: the village is divided into blocks, each with its own entrance to a central courtyard with houses on all sides. |
|
|
The countryside around Ollanta is particulary scenic. The valley lies in a bowl in between the high mountains, which means it has a mild climate with lots of sunshine and the area is very green and fertile. One of the best ways to see the area is on horseback. The horses are very tame and know the way past waterfalls, playing dogs, llamas, a sports day parade. We came across it all. If you would like to add this experience to your Peru adventure holiday, you can book a two-hour horse ride for around US$7 at the hotel reception. Later in the afternoon, (or earlier if you feel like it), you'll make your way to Urubamba. In the central square of Ollanta you’ll find several ‘collectivos’, minibuses, that leave once they have enough passengers. It’s a fun way to travel with the locals. The road follows the banks of the Urubamba river and, on the right, you can catch a glimpse of the Las Salinas salt pans. The 20 minute drive to Urubamba costs around US$1,- per person. |
|
At Urubamba bus station, take another taxi (4 sol for a 5-minute drive) to your accommodation. Tonight, you’ll be staying in a converted 16th Century Franciscan monastery, just outside the village, surrounded on all sides by snow-capped mountain peaks. The 30 comfortable colonial-style rooms have a private bathroom with shower/toilet, TV and air-conditioning. The monastery has a small chapel, several peaceful courtyards and a real clock tower (which luckily for your sleep is no longer in use) and there's a cosy fireplace in the dining room. The atmosphere here is extremely relaxing and gives you some welcome rest time on your Peru adventure holiday. In the evening, head to restaurant Los Geranios in the village to try the Rocoto Relleno, a local specialty of peppers filled with minced beef and vegetables. Wash it down with an Inca Kola and you’ll feel like a proper local. |
|
|
Day 16: Urubamba - CuzcoUrubamba is a good base for several outdoor activities in the Sacred Valley. You’ve got the whole of day 16 of your Peru adventure holiday to yourself. At 6pm, there are still some local buses that leave Urubamba for Cuzco via Chincheros. The trip takes about 1 ½ hours so you’ll be back in Cuzco after dark.You could plan a cultural day and take the collectivo or local bus to Pisac. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays there's a busy market with lots of stalls selling clothing, pottery, jewellery and various other crafts. There’s also a market on the other days, though a lot smaller.The ruins at Pisac rival Machu Picchu and are open daily, though on non-market days they’re surprisingly quiet. From Pisac main square, collectivos and local buses leave for Cuzco until 6pm (1 hour, US$1 per person) so they’re easy to arrange yourself. |
Day 17: Cuzco - Puerto Maldonado - Tambopata Nature ReserveOn day 17 of your Peru adventure holiday, you'll make your own way to Cuzco airport to catch the flight to Puerto Maldonado (25 minute flight). This lively jungle border town is a popular base for tours into the Amazonian jungle. You’ll be picked up at the air strip and dropped off at the harbour where you'll be served a delicious lunch before stepping into the small motorised canoe and heading up the river into the jungle. On the boat trip, you'll get your first taste of jungle adventure as you spot animals like turtles dozing in the sun and all kinds of tropical birds flying along the river banks.After a while, the canoe slows down as it nears a flight of wooden steps leading down to the water's edge. This is the entrance to your accommodation for the next couple of days of your Peru adventure holiday. |
|
|
The lodge that you stay in for this part of your Peru adventure holiday is run by the local community and all proceeds go directly to the families in the village, for example to build schools, houses or boats. Set on the banks of the river, the lodge was built using only traditional techniques and local materials like wood, clay and reed. The lodge has 15-20 rooms, a reception, bar, large dining room and several covered verandas. The spacious rooms have clay walls to keep the room as cool as possible. The beds are made of (local) wood and have a mosquito net. There’s a private bathroom with shower, toilet, hot water and a fan. In the evening, dinner is served in the large dining room. The menu includes international, as well as traditional Peruvian and vegetarian dishes. After dinner, head back to your veranda and listen to the exotic sounds of the jungle or enjoy the views across the moonlit lake and soak up the atmosphere of this section of your Peru adventure holiday. |
Days 18 & 19: Tambopata Nature ReserveOn day 18 of your Peru adventure holiday, you can make an early start to see the colourful spectacle of “clay picking” parrots. Every day, early in the morning, hundreds of parrots of various species and sizes gather around the 50m high wall to fight over the best spots to pick the river clay, a vital source of their daily diet. The show includes large groups of parakeets and huge aras.In a small group, you’ll head into the dense jungle accompanied by a local guide who can tell you all about the animals and plants of the rainforest. You’ll learn all about the local wildlife, but also about the medicinal properties of the plants and trees; how the locals use the plants to build houses and even make clothing. |
|
|
Back at the lodge, enjoy a relaxing lunch and a short siesta out in the lodge gardens with toucans, aras and humming birds flying overhead. In the afternoon, you'll go on a guided canoe trip on the Tres Chimbasas Lake to spot caimans, giant otters, tortoises and other animals that live in and along the water. Around sunset, a tropical dip in the water is irresistible so bring your swimming gear. On the way back to the lodge, you'll stop off at a local "slash and burn" farm to see how the land here is cultivated. You can spend the evening relaxing at the lodge, but you could also join in the night walk into the jungle in search of snakes, lizards and frogs, and creepy crawlies like tarantulas, crickets and grasshoppers. A great addition to your Peru adventure holiday. |
Day 20: Tambopata - Lima - departureYour Peru adventure holiday is drawing to a close. After an early breakfast it's time to pack your bags and sail back along the Madre de Dios to Puerto Maldonado to catch your flight back to Lima.In Lima, you can leave your bags in storage. You'll probably have a long stopover before your flight back to the UK, which gives you time to visit one of the artesania (crafts) markets in Miraflores for some last-minute souvenir shopping. If you're interested, we can arrange a short market tour for you. You'll be picked up at the airport and taken to one of the best arts and crafts markets in Lima where you can wander among the stalls filled with ceramic pots and bowls, hand-woven blankets, lama slippers, tacky fridge magnets and whatever else takes your fancy. At the end of the day, you'll be picked up again at Larcomar, a large modern shopping mall directly on the beach. Enjoy your last pisco sour or fruit cocktail and the final Peruvian sunset before it's time to say adios Peru and board the plane back home. |
|
Peru adventure holiday accommodation (Click to enlarge)
 |
 |
 | |||
 |
 |
 |
Click here for the quote request form
Build your trip with our bite-sized Peru tours
Build your trip with our bite-sized Peru tours
Follow Rickshaw Travel and be inspired...
