mix of peruvian amazon and rainforest 13 Days 12 nights

DAY 1: LIMA PICK UP
Reception in the Lima airport and transfer to the Hotel located near the airport.

DAY 2: IQUITOS - CEIBA TOPS
You will transfer to the airport where you will have the flight connection to Iquitos (airfare not included). RReception at the airport, brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Twenty-five mile journey down the Amazon River to Ceiba Tops where private rooms with air conditioning and hot water provide all of the comforts of home. Afternoon hike in the beautiful primary rainforest reserve surrounding Ceiba Tops which includes many huge trees festooned with epiphytes. After dinner there may be local flute or guitar music at the El Toucan Bar or the guides are always ready to relate some of the many legends of the Amazon forest. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: CEIBA TOPS
Morning boat ride, spotting for dolphins, to visit a small village of Yagua Indians where your guide will explain the Yagua Indian culture and how it was affected by the arrival of Europeans and the passing of time. There will also be an opportunity to see some of the local crafts and for a demonstration of the blowgun which some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting. Afternoon walking excursion to the neighboring town of Indiana. Originally a Franciscan mission, Indiana has grown into a large river community with its own market, high school and small hospital. (B, L, D)


DAY 4: CEIBA TOPS / CANOPY WALKWAY / CEIBA TOPS
Early morning departure from Ceiba Tops by boat to the narrow motorcar crossing connecting the Amazon and Napo Rivers to continue by boat to ExplorNapo Lodge for breakfast. Hike to the spectacular Canopy Walkway spanning over 500 meters (one-third of a mile), connected by tree platforms, and reaching a height of over 35 meters (115 feet) but accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. After lunch, visit the "ReNuPeRu" Ethnobotanical Garden where over 240 medicinal plants are cultivated by a local shaman who will explain the nature of Amazonian natural healing and the uses of some of the plants. Return to Ceiba Tops in time to enjoy the pool or hammocks before dinner. (B, L, D)


DAY 5: CEIBA TOPS / IQUITOS
Your choice of a morning walking or boating excursion to further enjoy the rainforest and Amazon River or time to relax by the pool until departure time. Afternoon transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Lima (airfare not included). You will stay overnight at hotel in miraflores. (B, Lunch if departure flights permit).

DAY 6: PUERTO MALDONADO / TAMBOPATA / NATIONAL RESERVE
Pick up from your hotel in Lima and transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado (airfare not included) A staff member will await your arrival at the airport and transfer you to Wasai Maldonado Eco Lodge. There you will be welcomed with delicious tropical juice while the guide gives you a brief explanation of the tour and provides some last minute tips for your trip.

You will then be transferred by car to the port to embark in an outboard boat to the Wasai Tambopata Lodge located in the buffer Zone of the Tambopata National Reserve. Depending on the river conditions the journey will take between 3 to 4 hours.

During the journey you may observe different kinds of birds and mammals that inhabit the river banks such as capibaras, caimans, taricayas and oropendolas. Upon your arrival to Tambopata lodge, the staff will help you to settle in to your bungalow accommodations.

Your guide will then give you a brief introduction and provide some tips to maximize your security and comfort during your stay in the Amazon jungle. Then, your guide will introduce you to amazon rainforest ecosystems with a nocturnal walk.
During your night walk you might see some frogs, spiders, moths and exotic animals only seen in this part of the world.

DAY 7: PARROT'S CLAY LICK / AMAZON ADVENTURE
Early in the morning we will walk for about 30 minutes to visit a Parrot’s Clay Lick near the Gato River. There you will see many species of parrots, macaws, and other birds and animals that live in this National Reserve. We will then visit a native community to observe how Amazon people live and use the natural resources of the forest to survive.

After that, we will return to the Lodge for breakfast. Should you decide, we can stop at a nice cascade on the way back where you could swim or just relax.

After a short rest we will take a ride along the Tambopata River on a wooden canoe or individual kayaks. This activity accommodates all physical conditions and ages. During this adventure activity we will enjoy amazing landscapes and watch the birds and wildlife along the river bank. And weather permitting, we will relax and bathe on any of the beaches along the Tambopata River. Lunch

You will start the afternoon with a botanical walk to a remote swamp area and our “Amazon Adventure Site.” Along the way, you will have the opportunity to experience the great biodiversity of our jungle and learn about the hidden medicinal secrets of its plants.

At the “Amazon Adventure Site” you may choose to participate in a range of activities such as climbing along rope bridges, fishing in the swamp, or crossing it with one of our Zip lines which range from 50 to 100m long (160 to 320 feet) and various altitudes. Or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.

When we return from “Amazon Adventure” we will start another exciting excursion by boat searching for Caimans along the Tambopata River. Dinner.(B,L,D)

DAY 8: RIVER JOURNEY TO PUERTO MALDONADO / CUSCO
Breakfast. You will wake up with the beautiful sunrise of the jungle to leave the lodge. During the way back you will again have the opportunity to see wild animals and enjoy the fresh morning of the jungle. We’ll take the flight to Cusco (airfare not included).Reception at Cusco Airport and private transportation to the hotel in the sacred valley (1 1/2hrs approx). We will visit the fortress of Ollantaytambo, an architectural group that in the days of the Tahuantinsuyo empire was a gigantic agricultural, administrative, social, religious and military complex, Ollantaytambo Ruins, and then transfer Travel is in "Backpacker" Class. At 20:43 p.m., you will arrive at the Aguas Calientes Station, from where you will be assisted for the bell boy's hotel with your luggage. Overnight. (B,L)

DAY 9: MACHUPICCHU / CUSCO
Breakfast. We suggest you to visit the Machu Picchu Citadel and hike the Huayna Picchu to receive the cosmic and telluric energy that the Sacred Apu has. The hike to Huayna Picchu starts at the Sacred Rock and passes through a gate that is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. This - one to two - hour walk is steep but the path is in excellent shape, though the last 20 meters include a steep rock slab that is climbed with a ladder and a rope. The Incas built terraces here, and the airy summit offers a perfect view of the entire complex, which spreads out before the summit like a map. You will get excellent photos and the view is unique. Then we have about 2 hours and a half for our guided tour and another hour and a half to explore the ruins individually. You will know the amazing Machu Picchu Citadel and the Intiwatana (Solar Clock). After that, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Lunch in town in a Restaurant. Finally, return to Cusco City at 15:20 p.m. Travel is in "Vistadome" Class. You will arrive at 18.50pm in Cusco. Transfer to your hotel and overnight (B, L)

DAY 10: CUSCO / CLOUD FOREST
After an early breakfast, we will pick you up by bus from your hotel and set off for the Manu cloud forest. We will pass over two Andean chains of almost 13,100 feet elevation through a steppe-like landscape, or Puna. On the way, we will pass stone Chullpas, or burial chambers, of the Pre-Inca Lupaca people and will hope to catch site of some of the bird species of the high Andes, including the Giant Hummingbird and Mountain Caracara. After a delicious boxed lunch at Ajanaco which, if clear, affords views over the cloud forest and the vast sprawling expanse of the lowland rain forest, the road suddenly descends down the eastern slope of the Andes. We will plunge downwards, past remnant patches of elfin forest, through swirling mist and clouds, to emerge in a forest of stunted, evergreen trees, festooned with mosses, lichens, bromeliads and other epiphytes. Nestled in this forest within a 2-minute walk of the road, and within earshot of a rushing mountain stream, lies the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge. If there is time available, we will have a chance to briefly begin our exploration of the surrounding forest before dinner. (Box lunch, D)

DAY 11: CLOUD FOREST
Rising before dawn, we will visit the traditional display ground of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, which has become famous among scientists, tourists and the international press, as there is no other spot in the world where so many of these spectacular blazing red birds can be seen so easily. From our point of observation, which is within 30-feet of the narrow switchback road that runs through the center of the reserve, we will watch as between 6-20 or more male birds interact at a traditional mating ground, 15-feet in front of the point of observation. We will watch as these outrageous birds strut, curve their wings and dip their crested heads in the hope of attracting a mate. Please note that the very best months for viewing Cocks-of-the-Rock are in September, October and November, although the males display every month of the year. Returning for breakfast, the rest of the day will be spent exploring the forest overhanging the single lane road near the lodge, or some of the miles of trails that wind through the valley, to see high elevation cloud forest birds, such as the Golden-headed Trogon, as well as numerous, brightly-colored tanagers and hummingbirds. If you are very lucky you might see a troop of muscular-limbed Woolly Monkeys or Brown Capuchin Monkeys, which regularly forage through the reserve, or perhaps even a Spectacled Bear. Bears are present, but they are shy and hard to see. This mysterious cloud forest harbors species of flora and fauna new to science.
Indeed, in 1995 two Peruvian biology students, sponsored by Selva Sur, carried out basic survey work on orchids, reptiles and amphibians. They recorded two entirely new (previously undescribed) species of orchids, and four new species of reptiles and amphibians for Peru. After an exhilarating exploration of the road and trails, bathe in the cool, clear waters of the San Pedro stream as it flows from the virgin forests of the surrounding mountains toward the rushing Kosñipata River.(B, L, D)

DAY 12: CLOUD FOREST / CUSCO
We will rise again before dawn for another chance to see the displaying Cocks-of-the-Rock. We will return to the lodge for breakfast and then board the bus for the return journey to Cusco, arriving in the early evening for your dinner. (B)

DAY 13: TRANSFERT OUT
In the morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima (airfare not included) in time to get your international flight connection. (B)

END OF SERVICES

PLEASE NOTE
Due to the ever-changing nature of the rainforest, day-by-day activities are subject to change due to weather, trail or river conditions. Bring rain gear and sunscreen as for all Rainforest programs.