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 Discover a wonderful and magical side of South America's top country, Peru. Absorb a melting pot of culture, history, tradition and smiling faces. The Amazon Rainforest, colourful markets, fascinating ruins, spectacular scenery along the Inca Trail, and buzzing Amazon ecosystems provide the perfect insight into this spectacular destination. This tour finishes in the wonderful city of Cuzco.
 • Accommodation:
* 3 nights in hotels (4 star) centrally located hotels,
* 3 nights in jungle bungalows (with pool),
* 4 nights camping on the Inca Trail
• Meals:
* 10 breakfasts,
* 8 lunches,
* 8 dinners
• Excursions:
* All excursions mentioned as per the itinerary
• Transport:
* Private car, flight, private air-conditioned coach, taxi, on foot, boat
• Group Size: Maximum 20
• Staff: Yellow Brick Road Tours tour leader, local guides
• Flight to the Amazon Rainforest return
• Jungle 3 day excursion
• Inca Trail Permit (worth over US$500.00)
• International flights and departure taxes
• Domestic flight taxes if applicable
• Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items
• Pre & post tour accommodation
• Departure transfers
• Spending money allow approximately US$30 - $40 per day to cover snacks, meals not included, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, tips etc
• Optional Excursions
Day 1 - Saturday, May 12, 2012
 • The first day of your tour is an arrival day with no organised activities. You will be met at the airport, provided you have given us your up to date flight details, and transferred to the hotel. You will find upon arriving a welcome letter and list of excursions to do should you want to head out and begin exploring. • There is a welcome meeting today at 18:00 where you meet with the tour leader and fellow travellers before heading out for a welcome dinner and to explore the gay nightlife of Lima for those interested. • Should you want to spend additional time in Lima please contact us.
 Lima was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535 after he eradicated the Incas and made the city his capital. Due to this colonisation, Lima has many beautiful colonial buildings and some of the best museums in South America including the Gold Museum, Museum of the Inquisition and the Catacombs below the San Francisco Church, well worth a look.
Peru's capital has many sights on offer, including the city's two main squares - the Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, which are within easy walking distance. The Plaza de Armas houses the Cathedral, Municipal Palace and Presidential Palace where the changing of the guard can be seen every day at midday. There are also many markets in Lima, possibly the best being in the district of "La Marina".
Day 2 - Sunday, May 13, 2012
 • We transfer to the airport for our flight to the jungle community of Heliconia Amazon River Lodge, in the Yanamono Rainforest, 50 miles away from the city of Equitos. The lodge is built with all natural materials and has modern conveniences to help you enjoy your visit to the Amazon rainforest.
• Upon arriving in Iquitos, we have a chance to buy any last minute drinks or snacks in the busy markets and shops. • To get to our Amazon River Lodge, we travel in speed boats for 1.5 hours to get to Heliconia Lodge. The boats are very safe and lifejackets are supplied.  • Arriving at the lodge located on the river's edge, you will be allocated a bungalow, all of which are built from local indigenous materials. All windows in each room are sealed by meshed netting to keep out mosquitoes and other insects. All rooms have basic private bathroom facilities and hot water. Due to the remoteness of the lodge all drinking water should be purchased. There is also limited electricity so please charge any electrical equipment prior to your arrival. In the evening, the lodge and walkways are lit by lamps. Other facilities include a welcoming reception area, dining room and bar facilities.
All excursions are led by English speaking local guides providing plenty of opportunity to enjoy marvellous jungle landscapes and rich diversity of flora and fauna.  The lodge is surrounded by the finest exotic collection of brilliant flowers such as heliconias, bromelias, and orchids, as well as being close to islands, streams and lagoons full of wildlife.
• After an early breakfast, we will set off on a trek through the rainforest along wooden walk ways. On the way, our guide will stop to show you various species of bird and explain the medicinal plants and delicate ecological systems of the Amazon Jungle. The scenery is extremely varied incorporating dense jungle as well as marsh areas. • After lunch, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Why not try a spot of Piranha fishing, visit one of the river communities, or a night hike to look for nocturnal animals like tarantulas, birds and others?
Day 3 - Monday, May 14, 2012
 • Today, we wake to the sounds of birds calling, and the peaceful hum of the Amazon.
• After breakfast, we take a boat ride along the many tributary rivers of the Amazon River. We have the chance to view Pink and Grey River dolphins and also swim in the Amazon tributaries during low levels. • We arrive on land with a two hour walking tour of the primary jungle areas looking out for all forms of wildlife, birdlife, sloth and anacondas. • We finish the day with a boat trip to the most beautiful beach for sundowners and to watch a spectacular sunset before returning to camp.  • The remaining time you can laze by the Amazon watching wildlife, relax in the hammocks, or join any of the excursions offered by the lodge.
• In the evening, armed with torches, we head out in boats for a spot of Caiman hunting at night, to see their eyes glowing from the banks of the river.
Day 4 - Tuesday, May 15, 2012
 • On the final day we awake to the sounds of the jungle before departing this wild haven and returning to Iquitos for our flight on to Cuzco, where after freshening up we have a two hour walking tour of Cuzco.
• The rest of the day is free time to explore this fascinating ancient capital. Cuzco, which means 'navel of the earth' in the Inca language of Quechua, has a mostly indigenous population of around 300,000 and is centered around the Plaza de Armas, which is dominated by the Cathedral and La Compania de Jesus Church. Its cloistered arcades house many fine restaurants, bars and shops.
Day 5 - Wednesday, May 16, 2012
 • A full day is spent visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Firstly, we visit the Pisac ruins, perched on a hilltop with incredible views of the snow-capped mountains. We then go down to the famous traditional Indian market of the same name, which is full of colour and atmosphere. A great place for souvenirs!
• After lunch, we continue along the valley to the temple/fortress of Ollantaytambo with its enormous Inca terracing constructed on the side of a steep mountain.  Those who are trekking to Machu Picchu on the traditional Inca Trail Trek will have a briefing to prepare for the next few days and an early departure the following morning.
Please note, if you have opted not to climb the Inca Trail and would prefer to stay in Cuzco there will be no refund for any unused services. However, we are happy to arrange for you to transfer to Aguas Calientas where you can travel by coach to meet us at the site of Machu Picchu and enjoy this wonderful site as a group at no extra cost.
Day 6 - 9 - Thursday, May 17 - Sunday, May 20, 2012
 • During your hike of the Inca Trail you will cross spectacular passes and visit more Inca ruins en-route to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
• A local guide will lead this expedition and there will be cooks and porters to carry the main equipment, leaving you with just a small daypack. • The trek begins after a short bus journey and the first day is a relatively easy 4.5 hour, 13 kilometre walk which will get you limbered up for the highest pass at Warmiwanusca (4,200 metres) which you will reach before lunchtime on Day Two (and which translates to "Dead Woman's Pass"!).  • During Day Two, you will cover approximately nine kilometres in about 5-7 hours and after the high pass it's all downhill as the trail winds its way along old Inca stairs to our campsite.
• On Day Three, we pass the ruins of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca, walking approximately 15 kilometres in seven hours. • The last morning, after an overnight stop at Winay-Wayna, you will rise early for the final walk to Machu Picchu and greet daybreak over the famous "Sun Gate". • There will then be time to explore on your own or simply take in the magnificence of the place after your guided tour.
The Lost City of Machu Picchu was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs.  Located high above the fast flowing Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation that will simply take your breath away.
The ruins were only discovered by the outside world in 1911, when American explorer Hiram Bingham found them while looking for another "lost city" called Vilcabamba. Due to their isolation many of the buildings are still quite intact and you can't help but admire Huayna Picchu ("Young Mountain"), which towers above the ruins. It is a hard climb to the top of the mountain (it takes about 50 minutes) but you are rewarded with spectacular views over the whole site. After spending most of the day at Machu Picchu you have the chance to soak your tired muscles in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes or meander through the markets before returning to Cuzco by train.
 If you have decided against trekking the Inca Trail and choose to remain in Cuzco, travelling up for the day, make the most of your free days in Cuzco to explore it's amazing churches, colonial buildings and picturesque streets, many of which have Inca walls, arches and doorways. On a hill overlooking the city stands the ceremonial fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where some of the most spectacular Inca walls can be found, including a massive 130 tonne stone.
There are also many optional excursions and activities available such as white water rafting, horse riding, mountain biking and canoeing on offer.
Day 10 - Monday, May 21, 2012
 • Today is a completely free day for you to explore. Feel free to speak to either the local guide or tour leader about excursions.
• Although you may want to simply relax, or sit in a cafe and watch the world go by after your trek.
• Tonight, we dine at the optional restaurant called The Fallen Angel, a gay owned and run restaurant with great music and even better food (and cocktails).
Day 11 - Tuesday, May 22, 2012
• Your tour comes to an end after breakfast although you may wish to extend your stay in Cuzco, book on a white water rafting trip, or heading over to Bolivia? Please contact us to book this.
We hope you had a great trip and hope to see you again.
Happy travelling!
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Peru Explored
