Travel to Peru: Andes & Amazon Rainforest Conservation Explorer

Home  >  Destinations  >  South America  >  Peru  >  Andes & Amazon Rainforest Conservation Explorer

Andes & Amazon Rainforest Conservation Explorer

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I define PRICE: $3995 per person * $450 Internal Flights * HIGHLIGHTS: Cusco Urubamba Valley Machu Picchu Amazon Rainforest Conservation Center ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Discover monumental Inca stone temples, fortresses and agricultural terraces, and native Quechua culture in Cusco, Urubamba Valley and Machu Picchu accompanied by guides specialized in archaeology, history and Andean culture. Traveling along the wildlife-rich Las Piedras River we reach the remote Amazon Rainforest Conservation Center (ARCC) situated on the shore of pristine Lake Soledad in the Tambopata region of southeast Peru. The ARCC is an undiscovered gem in nature travel and the focal point for important conservation initiatives in the region with exceptional bio-diversity of rainforest animals and plants. We encounter a spectacle of wildlife here including a resident family of giant river otters, eight species of monkey and hundreds of bird species. Join naturalist guides on hikes in pristine tropical forests and ascend up to the rainforest canopy to observe wildlife from 120 feet up in a huge Ironwood tree overlooking Lake Soledad. We paddle in small canoes around the lake, and stake out macaw licks behind hidden blinds.

Read Audubon Magazine's Feature Story on ARCC

DAY 1 :  LIMA
Arrive in Lima, airport reception and transfer to overnight at the Hotel Antara (or similar) in the modern district of Miraflores.

DAY 2 :  CUSCO
Airport transfer for early morning one hour flight to Cusco. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon half-day guided orientation of ancient Inca temples, Spanish churches and the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. Your guide will also direct you to shops, museums and markets where you can explore on your own. Overnight at the Hotel Novotel in a Colonial-style room (or similar). [Optional upgrade at extra cost to El Monasterio- a restored 400-year old former monastery, or Hotel Libertador, both of which are luxurious colonial-style hotels] [B]

DAY 3 :  URUBAMBA VALLEY
Full day private exploration with an expert guide through the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the village of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit Quechua villages where highland Indians tend their fields and sell handcrafts in outdoor markets. Overnight in the serene Urubamba Valley at the Hotel Sol y Luna (or similar). [BL]

	Explore the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu with a knowledgable guide. photo:Diane Kelsay

DAY 4 :  MACHU PICCHU
Early transfer to the train station and catch the morning train to Machu Picchu. After assisting with your hotel check in, your guide will accompany you on a private walk among the ruins before returning to Cusco leaving you free to photograph and explore on your own time. Includes first-class reserved train tickets, bus tickets up and down the mountain, lunch and one-time entrance fee. Overnight near the ruins at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (or similar). [Or upgrade to the Sanctuary Lodge, next to the site]. [BL]

DAY 5 :  CUSCO
Be among the first this day to arrive at Machu Picchu on the early shuttle bus. Enjoy exploring the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes on your own time wandering through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of the magnificent citadel. Hike up towering Wayna Picchu mountain, or back up the Inca Trail to the Intipunku. Leisurely mid-afternoon return on the Pullman train back to Cusco arriving by evening, and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Novotel in a Colonial-style room or similar. [BL]

Comfortable chalets offer private bathrooms with hot water, electricity and fans.

DAY 6 :  AMAZON RAINFOREST CONSERVATION CENTER [ARCC]
Morning airport transfer for flight to Puerto Maldonado. Meet your rainforest naturalist guide and depart on a 15 minute drive through lush tropical farmland to the mouth of the Las Piedras River. Board a comfortable motorized canoe for a 7-8 hour journey upriver to the Amazon Rainforest Conservation Center. Sit back and relax in reclining seats and enjoy the beautiful Las Piedras scenery of huge cliffs, river beaches, tumbling waterfalls and green walls of pristine rainforest. Watch for spectacular birds such as Horned Screamers, Amazon Kingfishers, Black Skimmers or Red and Green Macaw flying overhead. Monkeys are often seen from the forested banks as are capybaras, caiman and lines of Side-necked turtles basking in the sun. Lunch, snacks and chilled drinks are served on board, arriving at ARCC in the evening. Settle into your comfortable thatched bungalow before dinner. ARCC is a comfortable lodge just steps from Lake Soledad. Guests are accommodated in 8 charming chalets adorned with ceramic tiles and local hardwoods with lights, fans, electrical outlets, a balcony, and private bath with hot water. Enjoy fresh local cuisine in the spacious and airy dining area including fresh fish dishes, exotic fruit juices, and delicious vegetarian options. Relax and refresh at the bar or lounge in hammocks between jungle excursions. [BLD]

	Paddle along the shoreline of Lake Soledad, a classic ox-bow lake rich in wildlife activity.

DAY 7 :  LAKE SOLEDAD
Rise at dawn to the roaring calls of Red-Howler Monkeys. Paddle along the shoreline of Lake Soledad, a classic ox-bow lake rich in wildlife activity. Our stable catamaran is the perfect platform to observe and photograph the resident family of Giant River Otters and monkeys such as Red Howler, Brown Capuchin, Squirrel and the large Black Spider performing acrobatics in the nearby trees. Fishing birds like Capped Heron, Amazon Kingfisher, Anhinga, Sungrebe and Osprey abound and the pre-historic looking Hoatzin birds clamber around overhanging branches while Jacana carefully tread over floating vegetation. In the tree-tops you may spot noisy Cuviers Toucans, Scarlet Macaws and Mealy Parrots or the dazzling Paradise Tanager and equally colorful Purple-throated Cotinga and Blue-crowned Trogan. Return to the lodge for breakfast then join walk the island trail following the inside edge of the forest and lake. Here you can see monkeys and occasional herds of White-lipped Peccaries. The bird diversity within the forest is extensive and sightings may include Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Pied Puffbird, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Motmot or Pale-winged Trumpeter. Track animals in the soft soils which give an indication of the presence of mammal species such as tapir, jaguar, red or grey brocket deer, armadillo and paca. After lunch and a brief siesta we head for the rainforest canopy tower. You are harnessed in and hauled up to a viewing platform 120 ft up in the boughs of an Ironwood tree. From this secure platform you look out to beautiful views of the Amazon rainforest and observe many canopy birds including Blue and Yellow Macaw, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Blue Dacnis, Bat Falcon, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Blue-headed Parrot and Purple Honeycreeper. After dinner take a starlit catamaran tour of Lake Soledad looking for the elusive Black Caiman under a large spotlight. [BLD]

Flocks of macaws congregate along the rivers surrounding the remote ARCC lodge. photo:Diane Kelsay

DAY 8 :  MACAW AND MAMMAL CLAY-LICKS
Early departure at dawn for a 20 minute motor-canoe up river to visit a macaw and parrot clay-lick. Up to hundreds of parrots and macaws congregate in flocks to eat the mineral-rich clay of the river bank which cleanses them of toxins from rain forest seeds they have eaten. Bird activity at the clay lick continues (unless it is raining) until the parrots have had their fill or otherwise sense danger from a raptor at which point they fly off in an explosion of sound and color. After lunch at the lodge we cross the river by boat to a long trail which takes us to a large mammal clay-lick where huge groups of White-lipped Peccaries come to feed on the minerals along with tapirs, monkeys, pacas, deer and birds. Continue walking through the terra firma forest as our guide explains the ecology of this rich flood-plain area. After dinner at the lodge join a night walk to explore the nocturnal world of the tropical rainforest.

The canopy platform provides beautiful views and excellent bird watching.

DAY 9 :  BAMBOO TRAIL
Rise before dawn and ascend to the canopy platform to see the sunrise, or view the sunrise on Lake Soledad if you prefer. This is the best time for viewing colorful canopy birds such as Orange-cheeked Parrot, Spangled Cotinga, Crimson-crested Tanager or Curl-crested Aracari. From this high vantage point you can sometimes see the giant river otters in the lake below and macaws flying by in large numbers on their way to the clay licks. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and then walk the bamboo trail. The hollow Guadua bamboo is a breeding ground for insect larvae which in turn support a number of rare endemic bird species including Peruvian Recurvebill, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, White-lined Antbird and Goeldis Antbird. The dense bamboo forest is also preferred by the reclusive Dusky-Titi Monkey. This afternoon is open to walk trails or take the boat on the river or the lake for your last exploration of ARCC.

DAY 10 :  LAKE TIPISHCA
Return to the lake this morning before breakfast to see the giant otters one last time, or join your guide for optional early morning bird watching if you prefer. After breakfast a native Machiguenga guide will share their traditional bush-craft, hunting and fishing techniques. Or enjoy a relaxing morning at the ARCC lodge, a great place for bird watching and spotting Saddle-backed Tamarin monkeys. Depart ARCC after an early lunch and journey downriver passing a large clay-lick which may still have macaw activity continuing until early afternoon to overnight at Tipishca Camp. This permanent camp is run by a native Piro family who still maintain their strong cultural traditions. If time permits canoe on Lake Tipishca which also has a family of giant otters and walk along lakeside trails looking for a troop of amazing Emperor Tamarin.

DAY 11 :  LIMA
Transfer by boat to Puerto Maldonado airport for a morning flight to Lima. Airport reception and transfer in to Hotel Antigua or similar. Use a day room until evening transfer to the airport for international departure this evening, or overnight and transfer out for next morning departure. [B] Add-on: Lima city and museum tour available on request.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Breanne Stovall 1(800)345-4453