Day 1: ARRIVAL TO PUERTO MALDONADO. THE CAPITAL OF BIODIVERSITY. CORTO MALTES LODGE.

After your arrival at Puerto Maldonado Airport where your professional guide will await you, we will go to our office to obtain the official waterway permits. Meanwhile you can visit the town main square and also take some photos of the beautiful scenery overlooking the confluence of the rivers Madre de Dios and Tambopata from Grau square.
After a 40 minute boat ride we will arrive at Corto Maltes Amazonia.. After your welcome cocktail you can enjoy the delicious international dishes that the Lodge offers. After that you will have some free time to get comfortable in your bungalow overlooking either the river or the jungle, or simply take a refreshing dip in our pool.
At 3:30pm you will be accompanied by you guide who will show you tropical trees, medicinal plants and the abundance of nature in the 60 ha concession that Corto Maltes Amazonia holds. From our lookout you can observe toucans, macaws and other species of birds before your return for sunset. Duration of this trek is between 2 and 3 hours.
The rest of the afternoon you can relax in the pool or take a nap in the hammocks at the terrace of your bungalow. If you wish you can also go on a nightly boat trip to go caiman spotting before dinner.
At 8pm dinner is served. After dinner you can retire to our bar to have some tropical cocktails, relax in our reclining seats at the central terrace or bathe in the pool underneath the shining Amazon sky.

Meals: L D

Accommodation: lodge bungalow

Day 2: CORTO MALTES LODGE/ SANDOVAL LAKE. / MONKEY ISLAND

At 5:30am we will go on a trek of about 20 min until we arrive at the parrot clay- lick. Here a minimum of five different species feeds on special clay, vital to their metabolism. It’s a truly marvelous, multicolored spectacle.

8am: Breakfast and free time to explore the splendid gardens of Corto Maltes Amazonia. We have dozens of varieties of exotic plants and flowering trees.

10:30am: Again we will navigate the Madre de Dios River. This time on an expedition destined to “Monkey Island” where some species of these interesting and entertaining animals live in freedom. Following another boat ride of 30 min we will enter the territory of the Tambopata- Candamo National Reserve. We will trek 5km through the dense vegetation of the tropical rainforest. Giant trees, snakes, monkeys, birds and sometimes even the illusive jaguar can be observed here

Our destination is heavenly Sandoval Lake. Its privileged settings are shared by numerous species of animals: Birds (in particular Hoatzins, Kingfisher, and Cormorants), different species of monkeys (Squirrel monkeys, Howler monkeys, Capuchin monkeys). At the lake itself we can enjoy the spectacle of Giant River Otters. Black Caimans and Piranhas (sometimes we can even observe anacondas in the areas covered by reed). This is also the habitat of the giant Arapaima, a fish of more than 2,5m, weighing in at +200kg. Traveling by canoe, the sunset in the lake is a spectacular unforgettable sight. On our return to the river we might be able to spot some nocturnal animals.

8pm: The body demands rest and food after an active day in the jungle. You will enjoy the exotic tastes of our meals, especially our desserts. If you still have energy left you can share moments of music and conversation in the bar whilst having a cocktail or enjoy the sounds of the rainforest surrounding you from your hammock.

After a long day full of activity you will enjoy the comfort of you bungalows hammocks. You can also recover with a massage by the lodges’ qualified masseurs.

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: lodge bungalow

Day 3: Gamitana island “Project for the Rescue of Cultural Values”

8am: Breakfast and free time to have a bath in the pool or maybe buy some exclusive Amazon handicrafts and jewelry in our shop.
10am: We will follow the course of the river for approximately 1,5 hours in order to visit a native community. Occasionally we can see monkeys, river turtles, caimans and various birds in the dense vegetation of the riverbanks. We will also see some medicinal plants. (Sangre de Grado, Oje, Capirona)

The “Project for the Rescue of Cultural Values” supports the local native community “Palma Real”. It is the biggest with approximately 200 families of the Ese’eja tribe.

his project, located at Gamitana island works together with two families that will introduce us to the cultural values of their ancestors, their language, their customs, their garments and their dances. In an era where globalization rapidly changes traditional societies this is a great opportunity to have direct contact with this tribe of ancient warriors and hunters. As well as a chance to support them economically with the purchase of some of their handmade products

1pm: Circumnavigating the Gamitana Island we can occasionally see animals escaping the human presence. Afterwards we will visit a chakra (local term for farm). We will get to know a variety of tropical fruits and other local products (Cocoa, bananas, café, cocona). Here we will also have lunch consisting of a typical Amazon dish.

The chacarero (farmer) will also let us taste some of the fruits that will later be taken to the city of Puerto Maldonado for consumption.

Upon return to the lodge you will surely enjoy a bath in our swimming pool; maybe with a cocktail that might also serve as an aperitif for dinner.

8pm: Dinner is served. After dinner you can retire to our bar to have some tropical cocktails, relax chit-chatting in our reclining seats at the central terrace or have a bath in the pool underneath the shining Amazon sky.

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: lodge bungalow

Day 4: Adios Corto Maltes Amazonia. / welcome to CUSCO

After breakfast its time to say goodbye to the setting and staff of Corto Maltes Amazonia. Your guide will accompany you on your way back to the city. We will pass by our office again to recollect the baggage left. Following that we will visit the local market to show you agricultural products of the region; especially fruits of the Amazon. Afterwards our personnel will accompany you to the airport wishing that your stay was as pleasant for you as it was for us to show you this beautiful corner of Peru.

On arrival in the Cusco airport there will be a Marqueses / SAS rep waiting to transfer you to Hotel Marqueses. Rest and acclimatize as you are now at 3,400 m above sea level. If you are feeling up to it... enjoy the 3 plazas that directly surround your hotel and all the cultural activity and beauty they offer without wandering too far on your first day. If you purchase your Cusco tourist ticket today this includes the Cusco Folk Dances and Music at Cusco Art Center in the main Ave el Sol. 10 min slow walk from Hotel Marqueses.

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 5: FREE MORNING TO RELAX !! BEFORE DISCOVERING CUSCO CITY ,

Morning free to wash your jungle clothes!

1.30pm meet at the SAS office or predetermined location for transport. We first visit the central equisite architectural feats of the ancient "Koricancha" Temple, and the Principal Cathedral, in which the first stone was placed in 1560, is a marvel of the religious art possessing approximately 300 paintings from the Cusqueña School.
Then, the tour moves to the arqueological park complex of Saqsayhuamán, majestic place with impressive works in stone, some up to 120 tons. Q'enqo (Labyrinth) a religious center dedicated to the adoration of the Earth. Puca Pucara (reddish place) that was used as a military control center, and a mandatory stop for all travelers of the Inca era.
Tambomachay (Temple of the Water) a center of adoration and worship of water

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 6: SACRED VALLEY, CUSCO, PISAC, URUBAMBA, OLLANTAYTAMBO, AGUAS CALIENTES.

Sacred Valley Cusco Pisac Urubamba Ollantaytambo Aguas Calientes
At 8.20am meet at SAS Travel office or transfer from your hotel at earlier time if coordinated. In a tourist bus we travel over the mountains and then we drop 1500 feet to the valley floor of the sacred Urubamba river and the village of Pisac where we will visit a traditional market and you can buy some local souveniers. We then drive up to explore the extensive ruins of Pisac with stunning views over the valley. For those who would prefer to spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, advise your guide so he can organise a time and place to pick you up when they return through the market. We continue on to Urubamba where we stop for you to have lunch. A further 30 mins drive takes us to Ollantaytambo surrounded by the sacred mountains, where we will again discover the magnificence of the Incan constructions and the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress.
You will then be escorted to the train station to board the valle train. This is a 1.5 hr journey to Aguas Calientes where the representative from Hotel Viajeros will meet you and settle you into your accommodation. You have free time to visit the hot springs if you like and then dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Meals: BL

Accommodation: Hotel Viajeros

Day 7: MACHUPICCHU- OLLANTA- CUSCO

After breakfast we take the bus at approx 05.30am and arrive at the ruins at 06.00am when the gates open.
An early morning guided tour of Machupicchu “The Old Sacred Mountain” before the crowds arrive takes approx 2 hrs and leads you through all the most important arqueological sites with the insights of very capable guides. Then you have plenty of free time for more exploring, photos or optional hikes.
eg climb Huayna Picchu mountain (2,700 m, 90min, steep gradient)
Walk to the Temple of the moon (3-4 Hr)
Walk to "Intipunku" the Sun`s Gate where end classic Inca Trail, ; ( 1.5 hr )
Walk to the Inca bridge located at south from Machupicchu( 1 hr )
All these walks are without a guide, are clearly signed and easy to find.

Optional for those who would like to walk up earlier from 4.30am in peak season, please let us know of your interest. We recommend in low season using the bus up to conserve your energy for your 2 hour group tour exploring Machu Picchu (2,400 m) and optional hikes to follow. However in high season June to Oct people who want to climb Huayna Picchu mountain within the Machu Picchu site almost need to walk up to be first in the long line of people who arrive before the buses to get one of the limited Huayna Picchu permits. If you definitely want to climb Huayna Picchu mountain please let us know in the Cusco office at you checkin.
Your guide will advise you of where and when to use your bus ticket for the journey back down to Aguas Calientes to collect your luggage from the Viajeros hostel.
He will also provide you with the necessary details for the afternoon train return to Ollantaytambo with private transport on to Cusco, arriving 9:30 pm approx.

Day 8: ADIOS CUSCO.

Transfer to the airport for your checkin