Peru, Naturally

 

Lima	Arawi Miraflores	2 nights
Amazon	Reserva Amazónica	3 nights
Sacred Valley	Hacienda Urubamba	2 nights
Machu Picchu	Inkaterra Pueblo	1 night
Cusco	La Casona	3 nights

Click on the name of the hotel or lodge for details.

 

12 days from £2800

Flights NOT included - see below

 

PERU HOLIDAYS FACTFILE

 

Explore the Amazon Rainforest and Marvel at the Legacy of the Incas

This 12 day holiday is an excellent blend of nature and history that enables you to experience the wildlife of the Amazon and the unforgettable monuments to an ancient culture in the Andes.

Highlights

• Accessible only by canoe, the Reserva Amazónica is located on the remote Madre de Dios River.  With 540 bird species, an extensive Canopy Walkway and many conservation initiatives, this is one of the world's megadiversity hotspots
• Stay at Inkaterra's award-winning Hacienda Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, voted one of the 'Best New Hotels on the Planet' in 2016 by Travel & Leisure Magazine
• In the old Inca capital of Cusco your accommodation is in a converted 16th century colonial manor house which is also the first Relais & Chateau property in Peru - the perfect place to sample the country's fabulous cuisine

Recommended flight from London: British Airways from London Gatwick (see below).  If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

 

 

OUTLINE ITINERARY

For a detailed day-by-day description, with a summary of what's included, please click on the PDF (above right)

DAY 1 – Arrival in Lima.

DAY 2 - Lima sightseeing.  (B)

DAY 3 - Fly to Puerto Maldonado in the Peruvian Amazon.  Boat transfer to the Reserva Amazonica.  (B,D)

DAY 4 - Puerto Maldonado.  (B,L,D)

DAY 5 - Puerto Maldonado.  (B,L,D)

DAY 6 - Return by boat to Puerto Maldonado.  Fly to Cusco.  Transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.  (B)

DAY 7 - Sacred Valley of the Incas.  (B)

DAY 8 - Transfer to Ollantaytambo Station for the train journey (see note below) to Machu Picchu.  Visit the ruins.  Overnight in the town of Aguas Calientes just below the ruins.  (B,D)

DAY 9 - Optional return visit to Machu Picchu (supplementary cost) with the opportunity to climb to the summit of Huayna Picchu.  Afternoon train to Sacred Valley and then by road to Cusco.  (B,L)

DAY 10 -  Cusco, including a visit to the fortress of Sacsayhuaman.  (B)

DAY 11 - Cusco.  (B)

DAY 12 - Fly back to Lima.  Depart.  (B)

RECOMMENDED DAY OF DEPARTURE FROM LONDON GATWICK - Wednesday

 

PLEASE ASK FOR A QUOTATION
Prices from £2800 to around £3000 per person, according to the time of year.  This itinerary is not recommended between December and March due to weather conditions. The price we quote you at the time of booking is guaranteed.

TRANSIT ACCOMMODATION IN LIMA

Depending on the timings of your flights back to Lima on DAY 11, you may require day room accommodation in Lima prior to your flight home.  We are happy to book this for you; please ask for details.

 

 

 

 

International Flights from the UK.

British Airways provide the only direct services to Peru - twice a week from London Gatwick (Wednesday and Sunday) throughout the year, with an additional Friday service from April to October. Current timings from London Heathrow (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Gatwick/Lima. Depart at 13.10; arrive Lima at 19.45
Lima/Gatwick. Depart at 21.15; arrive Gatwick at 15.35 (next day)

You can book the flights yourself on the easy-to-use British Airways website.  Alternatively World Discovery can book the flights for you (we levy a service charge of £25 per person for this service).

If your itinerary doesn't fit in with the British Airways schedule, the best choice is KLM via Amsterdam, or alternatively LAN or Air Europa via Madrid.
Flights within Peru
We can also book your Lima/Puerto Maldonado/Cusco/Lima flights and include them on your invoice.  If you are flying with another airline, such as LAN via Madrid, it is sometimes less expensive to include these flights in your international ticket. We are happy to discuss the various options with you and offer further guidance.

  BIRDWATCHING AT MACHU PICCHU

The main focus at Machu Picchu Picchu is naturally the ruins.  But the valley below is an excellent place for birders to experience some of the most colourful birds of the tropics, including the Andean Cock-of-the-rock (pictured), which is plentiful in this area.  Also commonly seen are Blue-banded Toucanets, Highland Motmots, Golden-headed Quetzals, Vericoloured Barbets, parrots, various colourful tropical tanagers, and jewel-like hummingbirds.

 

THE TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU

There are three different trains you can choose from for this fantastic journey, starting with Peru Rail's Expedition Class.  You may choose to upgrade for a small supplement to the Vistadome Train or, for the ultimate in luxury rail travel, to the Hiram Bingham Train operated by Belmond Hotels.  Please click on the links for details.