Peru

Starting Price:	$3,738.00
Trip Length:	11 days
Includes airfare allowance from Miami (US)

Heath River

The Lodge

Clay Lick

Lima, Cuzco and Machu Picchu with Sandoval Lake Lodge and Heath River Wildlife Center

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

Leaving Peru’s popular destinations; Lima, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu, this Yampu tour will bring you to two remarkable Amazonian lodges. During your 4 nights in the Amazon you will have the opportunity to learn about the daily life in the rainforest with the local Ese’ Eja people and view the exotic wildlife that includes giant otters, caimans, and six species of monkeys.

Only four hours by river From Puerto Maldonado, the Heath River Wildlife Center is the best located lodge in the world’s largest pristine rainforest. Within easy reach are a macaw clay lick, capybaras, oxbow lakes with giant otters, 480 bird species, six monkey species and healthy populations of tapirs and Jaguars.

Heath offers the world’s only large macaw clay lick reachable in less than a half a day from a jetport. Visitors have seen up to 260 macaws there at one time, making it one of the top five of the world’s 100 known licks. Travelers view the spectacle from a roomy blind floating only 100 ft away. A trail grid with mapped fruiting trees allows our guides to take you straight to the wildlife.

At the end of one trail, the rainforest suddenly melts away, offering a startling, open vista reminiscent of East Africa – the only lowland pampas accessible from Peru. Downriver is the Ese’ Eja Indian village of Sonene, where you can learn about tribal traditions and life in the rainforest. Everyone in Sonene speaks their native language, with Spanish reserved for school and for trading handicrafts with outsiders, including you.

Recently, following UNESCO recommendations, Peruvian authorities have placed restrictions on the visitation of Machu Picchu, the lost Incan ruins. Currently, no more than 2,500 people daily will be allowed to visit the ruins. While these new restrictions are great for the preservation of the ruins, they may cause some difficulties in your ability to visit them, so we recommend booking with plenty of notice.

This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3, 4, 5-star and deluxe hotels. The Deluxe option comes with the following Orient Express hotels: the Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu, Monasterio in Cuzco and the Park Plaza in Lima. You may also choose to upgrade to the luxury Hiram Bingham train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu.

This tour includes airfare allowance from Miami (US), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via Miami; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Visited Cities:
Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Cuzco, Machu Picchu

Day 1

Overnight flight to Lima.

Day 2

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Lima—always one of the most important cities in South America since its founding in 1535. Journey through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martín and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, and visit San Francisco Convent, religious building from the late 16th century, and its catacombs. Also drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. Note: check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed).

Day 3

Lima – Puerto Maldonado – Heath River Wildlife Center Transfer to the airport. Take the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, transfer to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately five hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control. After dinner we will explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active.

Day 4

Heath River Wildlife Center We will rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment, so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual. When we return to the lodge, the guide lead us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction. After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas.

Day 5

Heath River - Sandoval Lake We will eat breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. We return to the lodge to pack, and then it's back on the Madre de Dios River, box lunch in hand, for the trip to Sandoval Lake Lodge, located on the banks of one of the most beautiful lakes in Peruvian Amazon. During the river trip back downstream, families of capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world. On the journey to Sandoval Lake Lodge, we will also visit the Ese' Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts. We embark at the trail head to Sandoval Lake Lodge and walk for 45 minutes on a wide, flat trail through the forest, stopping to look at birds, butterflies and towering trees. At the end of the trail, we board dugout canoes or catamarans, and paddle across the lake in the golden afternoon light. We drift through as they roost in treetops for the night. We arrive at the lodge around nightfall, and walk up the torch-lit path to dinner in the dining hall.

Day 6

Sandoval Lake Lodge After an early breakfast, explore the western end of the lake in the catamaran or canoe. We might see giant otters that live on the lake, or encounter a black caiman lazily crossing the water, or see the huge splash of the Paichi, a 10 foot-long Amazonian fish, as it rises to the surface of the water to gulp down bubbles of air. Later that morning, your naturalist guide will lead a hike through the forest, pointing out plants with medicinal uses, interesting insects and colorful birds and butterflies. Following lunch and a short siesta, in the late afternoon we once again board the catamaran or canoe and set off to explore the eastern end of the lake. Capuchin, squirrel and titi monkeys often forage along the lake's edge, and energetic guests can take another hike through the forest on the other side of the lake. After dinner, we go out on the lake to search again for the black caiman since they are most abundant on the lake at night when they forage. Floating in the middle of the lake, the brilliant stars light up the sky as the night sounds of the rainforest surround you.

Day 7

Sandoval Lake – Cuzco After a dawn breakfast, we paddle across the lake, perhaps encountering a family of macaws leaving their roost to forage or a troupe of monkeys greeting the day. We hike back out to the river and return to Puerto Maldonado for the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco, visit the Korikancha Temple or Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral and its Art Museum. After your visits, you will continue to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), the amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress. After the tour, return to your hotel.
Note: Because of the altitude in Cuzco, we recommend that this tour be done privately at your own pace, at an additional cost of $28 per person, based on two people.

Day 8

Morning transfer to the train station. The train takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, we will board a bus to Machu Picchu. We will then have a guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marshes of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cuzco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca royal family and priests. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in Aguas Calientes.

Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice so we may confirm your entrance to the ruins.

Day 9

Day at leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. In the afternoon, we will board the train to return to Cuzco. Upon arrival, train station reception and transfer to your hotel.

Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please contact your Yampu travel consultant if you think you would like to go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability).

Day 10

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon shopping tour of Lima, taking you to the famous handicraft markets accompanied by our guides.

Day 11

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home, or overlap with the add-on of your choice.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Lima
3-star	Casa Andina, Allpa, or similar.
4-star	San Agustin Exclusive, Antigua Miraflores or similar.
5-star	Casa Andina PC, Radisson Decapolis or similar.
Airport	Ramada Costa del Sol airport hotel.
Deluxe	Miraflores Park Plaza (Orient Express), JW Marriott, Lima Country Club or similar.
Puerto Maldonado
Lodge	Wasai Maldonado Lodge, Sandoval Lake Lodge, Reserva Amazonica or Refugio Amazonas.
Cuzco
3-star	Casa Andina Classic, San Agustin El Dorado, Rumi Punku or similar.
4-star	Costa del Sol Picoaga, Novotel, Casa Andina Private Collection (oxygen available) or similar.
5-star	Inkaterra La Casona, Libertador, or Suite at the Casa Andina Private Collection inc. oxygen, matrimonial beds only, or similar.
Deluxe	Monasterio (Orient Express), Casa Cartagena or similar.
Machu Picchu
3-star	El MaPi or similar.
4-star	Sumaq Machu Picchu (this is a free upgrade to all 4 star clients). Yampu guests enjoy special benefits: welcome drink, tea time, dinner and cooking lessons.
5-star	Sumaq Machu Picchu (see above for special benefits) OR Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Yampu guests enjoy dinner and a choice of a 25 min massage, a wine bottle or chocolate truffles
Deluxe	Sanctuary Lodge (Orient Express - includes all meals), or Junior Suite at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

11 days , from $3738

Occupancy Type	3-Star	4-Star	5-Star	Deluxe
Double	$3738	$4158	$4629	$5725
Single	$4827	$5539	$6340	$8454

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Price includes:
Air transportation from Miami to Lima in economy class (surcharge applicable from other cities)
Air transportation from Lima to Puerto Maldonado to Cuzco to Lima
Hotel accommodation including continental or buffet breakfast
Lodging in the Amazon including all meals
All transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling
Guided tours in English including all entrance fees
Meals where specified
Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote)

Note: Cost includes Expedition train for 3-star category, and Vistadome train for 4-star category and above. Expedition train features comfortable seats, fixed tables, backpack storage, panoramic windows as well as heating and air conditioning. Vistadome is ideal for travelers who want a personalized immersion of Andean culture with traditional dances and music along the way. This train features panoramic windows, leather seats, new table design as well as heating and air conditioning. Upgrades available from Expedition to Vistadome; please add $46 per person.

Deluxe service Hiram Bingham train features an observation wagon with a bar and two dining cars. In addition, this train includes a gourmet brunch on board, exclusive bus return to Machu Picchu, entrance to Machu Picchu as well as a guided tour. Afternoon tea in the Sanctuary Lodge, pre-dinner cocktails and a 4-course, a la carte dinner is also included. Does not operate on Sundays. Upgrades available from Vistadome to Hiram Bingham Deluxe; please add $575 per person.

Note: Macaw and Parrot licks in southern Peru are less active in May, June and early July than in other months.

Note: The Heath River Wildlife Center is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control.

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