Esperanza Lodge
|
From the magical town of Cusco nestled in the high Andes, to the Citadel
of Machu Picchu in it’s tropical climate to the Pongo de Mainiqui
and the rich jungle. This holiday takes you to all these places and gives
a stunning impression of Peru. For photographers this is a dream location
that will leave you wanting more.
Day 1. Arrival Jorge Chavez International Airport, Lima, Peru. Here
we will be met by our representative and transferred to our hotel.
Day 2. Buffet breakfast at our hotel and transfer to the airport for
our one-hour flight to Cusco. We will be collected and transferred to
our centrally located 3* hotel to unpack and receive our briefing. After
a light lunch we will rejoin to enjoy a leisurely walk from the ruins
of Tambomachay to Saqsaywaman, taking in other sites of interest on the
way. This downhill walk is a fantastic introduction to Cusco and provides
an insight into life of the Inca’s. We have the evening free to
relax and enjoy Cusco.
Day 3. Today we have our first experience of the Urubamba River. The
river that is going to guide us on our trip through the department of
Cusco. White water rafting on the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Class
II to III rapids. Passing through the Inca terraces to the town of Ollantytambo
where we will have lunch.
After lunch we will have the opportunity to visit the town itself which
is the only Inca settlement still inhabited in Peru, and the ruins of
Ollantytambo that overlook the small town. We have the night free.
Sunset over Cusco
|
Day 4. An early rise for our 6am train to Aguas Calientes and the spiritual
and beautiful ruins of Machu Picchu. As we arrive earlier than most others
we have more opportunity to enjoy our guided tour through the ruins,
and then the opportunity to explore, to see, learn and make our own judgements
about the Incas and their way of life. We will have the rest of the afternoon
free in Machu Picchu to take photographs to sit, to enjoy the spectacular
view of the Andes falling into the jungle before we board our train for
the return trip to Urubamba.
Day 5. Today we begin our descent down into the jungle. Taking our private
transport we head out of the valley, north to the town of Quillabamba.
Driving over the Abra de Malaga at 4300m down into high jungle with its
coffee and banana plantations to our rest place for the night, the small
market town of Quillabamba.
Day 6. Breakfast and we continue further north following the mighty
Urubamba River that meanders through the department of Cusco. Our guide
will always be on hand to teach us about the area, the spectacular flora
and fauna, the birds and the fruit in this vibrant area in Cusco, Peru.
Tonight we will sleep and eat under the stars.
Day 7. Passing through small jungle towns with their magical atmosphere
we make our way to the port of Ivochote. Here we will board our motorized
canoe for the climax of our journey the mesmerising Pongo de Mainique,
where we will have the opportunity to admire the beauty of this truly
spiritual area.
On leaving the Pongo we continue our journey up river to the Esperanza
Lodge our home for the next few days.
Jungle Retreat
|
Day 8. An incredibly early rise so that we may visit a Cock of the Rock
feeding area that is situated near the lodge. On our return we will have
breakfast and a guided tour of the coffee and cocoa plantations that
make up our jungle centre. For those that want we will take to the jungle
trails to see the incredible scenery, to learn about the indigenous plants
and animals in the area. If you are staying at the lodge you can relax
in a hammock and watch the world go by. All meals will be served at the
lodge.
Day 9. Today gives us the perfect chance to do whatever we want, if
we want to walk in the jungle our guide is available to escort us, if
we want to try our hand at fishing that is another option or maybe just
relax. We also have a fantastic opportunity to go to the Pongo de Mainique
for a few hours, swim in the waterfalls and bask on a rock. All meals
will be served at the lodge.
Day 10. We continue our journey today, returning to the town of Kiteni.
Passing upwards slowly through the jungle that has been our home. Our
guide will explain the life of the people here that live a very simple
life dedicated to the production of coffee and fruit. Camping just outside
Kiteni.
Day 11. Today the scenery changes dramatically as we climb from Kiteni
at an altitude 596m up through the Yanitile Valley to the town of Lares
(3200m). Here we will set up camp and have the opportunity to enjoy the
open air hot springs that are situated on the outskirts of the town.
Abra de Malaga
|
Day 12. We have the morning to enjoy the hot springs one last time.
From here we begin our return journey to Cusco. Passing over the Lares
Pass (4440m) through the llama and alpaca pastures. This is a fantastic
opportunity to see real life in the Andes of Peru. We return to Cusco
around 4pm and have the night free.
Day 13. Today we have a free day to enjoy the town of Cusco. Walk through
its cobbled streets with its mix of Inca and Colonial architecture.
At night we will meet to go to eat typical buffet and enjoy a traditional
Peruvian dancing show.
Day 14. Breakfast and transfer to Cusco airport for your flight to Lima
and onward connections.
Inclus:
- Meals as stated.
- Hotels as stated.
- Entrance fees.
- Transport.
- High quality English and Spanish
speaking guides.
- Internal flights.
- Zip Lock Bags.
- Biodegradable soap and shampoo.
- Ashtray tins for smokers.
|
Non inclus:
- Meals not stated.
- Tips and other gratuities.
- International flights.
|
Pongo Overland
| Jour |
Activité |
Repas |
Logement |
Notes |
| 1. |
Arrive Lima, transfer to hotel |
No |
Lima |
Optional City Tour of Lima |
| 2. |
Transfer to Cusco, walking tour in afternoon |
B,L |
Cusco |
|
| 3. |
Rafting on the Urubamba River. |
B,L |
Urubamba |
|
| 4. |
Vistadome to MP for day |
B,L |
Urubamba |
|
| 5. |
Urubamba to Quillabamba |
B,L,D |
Quillabamba |
|
| 6. |
Quillabamba to Kiteni |
B,L,D |
Camping |
|
| 7. |
Kiteni to Pongo |
B,L,D |
Lodge |
|
| 8. |
Lodge, Clay Lick and Walking |
B,L,D |
Lodge |
|
| 9. |
Lodge, fishing |
B,L,D |
Lodge |
|
| 10. |
Pongo to Kiteni |
B,L,D |
Camping |
|
| 11. |
Kiteni to Lares night at hot springs |
B,L,D |
Camping |
|
| 12. |
Morning in hot springs, transfer to Cusco |
B,L |
Cusco |
|
| 13. |
Freeday, goodbye dinner at night |
B,D |
Cusco |
|
| 14. |
Transfer Cusco to Lima |
B |
No |
|
|