After breakfast proceed to the Ollantaytambo station to board the train headed to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Hikers disembark at km 104 where you begin your one day guided hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After crossing the hanging bridge over the Urubamba River to Chachabamba, pause to explore this Inca site and then begin a three to four hour ascent to the spectacular ruins of Winay Wayna (“Forever Young”), an important spiritual site along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Besides being an area for cultivation of sacred crops such as the coca leaf, it is believed that Winay Wayna was used for cleansing rituals for travelers along the route, prior to their arrival into Machu Picchu. After Winay Wayna, the trail joins the classic route which other trekkers have been hiking over the previous three days. In the afternoon, the trail traverses along the contour of a forested ridge full of orchids and bird life with dramatic views of the Urubamba River below. A steep and dramatic ascent up a final stairway brings you to the Intipunku, or “Gate of the Sun” where you will be rewarded with your first view of Machu Picchu. Proceed down through the site and on to your hotel for the night. This is a great option for families with children who may be too young for an overnight trekking trip in the Andes.

Details about the One Day Inca Trail Hike
Starting elevation: 6259’ at Km. 104
Ending Elevation: 7970’ at Machu Picchu
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2600’
Elevation loss: 890’

Time: 6 – 7 hours (5-6 hours if hikers are in great shape and fast)

Cost Per Person: $200 based upon two people. This includes trekking permits; authorized trail guide; train tickets from Ollantaytambo; entrance fees for Machu Picchu; bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and boxed lunch.

DAY 1: BOARD THE DELFIN I AT NAUTA
Fly to Iquitos via Lima, arriving by 17:00. Airport assistance and air-conditioned vehicle transport along the Amazon River to the town of Nauta on the Marañon River. You’ll be welcomed aboard the Delfin I Amazon river cruiser and shown to your suite with time to relax before enjoying your first cocktail hour and dinner on board – a unique culinary experience with excellent Amazonian-Peruvian cuisine. On the top observation deck, meet your guides and learn about the journey ahead as the moon rises over the rainforest. Overnight on the Delfin I. [BD]

DAY 2: SAN ISIDRO FLOODED FOREST & YANAYACU/PUCATE RIVER
An Amazon sunrise is beautiful to behold, so rise early and take in the splendor from the comfort of your private suite or make your way to the top deck to watch for birds and other wildlife along the river’s edge. After breakfast you explore the flooded jungle of San Isidro. The terra firme forest emerges in the dry season (June-October) and you hike through the epiphytes and palm trees beneath a canopy that reaches over 180’ in height! Biologically, this is one of the richest habitats on earth, supporting the most species of plants and animals per unit of area. Within the forest, you’ll search for the giant kapok tree, identified by the wide, thick trunk. Your guide identifies a wide variety of medicinal plants and points out monkeys, bluish-fronted jacamars and collared trogans in the trees above.

After a delicious lunch on board, explore the river by skiffs and venture deeper into the heart of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Navigate the black waters and keep an eye peeled for the mysterious and active pink river dolphins. Dinner and overnight aboard the Delfin I. [BLD]

DAY 3: CANOPY WALKWAY, NAUTA CAÑO EXPLORATION
A special treat awaits you this morning when you take to the tree tops to gain a bird’s eye view of the forest from an 85’ tall Canopy Walkway. Extending over 1/3 of a mile through the canopy, this walk provides a great opportunity to observe and photograph spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, sloths and a variety of birds at close range. After descending to the forest floor, board canoes and paddle through Tawampa Lake, home to the giant Arapaima freshwater fish, returning to the Delfin I to continue cruising upstream towards the source of the Amazon River.

In the afternoon join your guides for a skiff exploration of wildlife rich creeks and lagoons. When the forest floods the abundance of water triggers many trees to bear fruit, dropping their excessive bounty into the waters below. Piranhas, mistakenly construed as vicious carnivores, find these fruits especially enticing. From your expedition skiff, search for the black, white and red-bellied piranhas swimming between the tree roots and try your hand at fishing for a few. As the stars come out above and the jungle symphony begins, embark on a night safari to search for nocturnal herons, pauraques, spectacled owls, caiman and fish bats that fly low over the water, dipping to scoop up fish mid-flight. Overnight aboard the Delfin I. [BLD]

DAY 4: MEETING OF THE WATERS, SAN FRANCISCO VILLAGE & DEPARTURE
When day breaks you will have arrived at the ‘Meeting of the Waters’, where the Ucayali and Marañon Rivers merge and give birth to the mighty Amazon River. These two powerful tributaries create strong currents with lots of fish, making this an ideal place to spot the Amazon pink river dolphin while they hunt fish in one of their favorite spots. At San Francisco Village, join your guide on a walk through the community to observe what life is like deep in the Amazon. You’ll have a chance to engage with the local villagers, learn about their culture and traditions and perhaps visit the school or join in a game of futbol. In Nauta, your Amazon river cruise comes to an end when you disembark and bid farewell to the staff and crew. En route to the Iquitos airport, you’ll make one more stop, this time at the Rescue and Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals where you can see and help feed young manatees and learn about the dangers these peaceful creatures face. Afternoon arrival at the Iquitos airport in time to make your departing flight to Lima or beyond. [BL]