Itinerary

Day 1 - Starting: Lima & Finishing: Lima

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.

Instructions

Please note: if you booked the Culinary Theme Pack it does not include extra time in Lima – booking pre-trip accommodation is highly recommended. You will be picked up from your hotel at approximately 10:00 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to the hotel around 13:00. Hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.

Day 2 - Starting: Lima & Finishing: Cusco

Travel to the airport for the early morning flight to Cusco. Spend the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city. Our best advice for exploring Cusco is to wear a comfortable pair of shoes. Arm yourself with a city map and set out to explore.

Instructions

Please note: if you booked the Culinary Theme Pack you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.

Day 3 - Starting: Cusco & Finishing: Ollantaytambo

Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs directly from the women who made them. Take a guided tour of the impressive Pisac ruins, the colourful artisan market (on market days only), and the small indigenous village of Huchuy Qosco. Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant. Learn about the project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds from the meal go directly back into the remote community. Continue on to the town of Ollantaytambo. Go for a guided tour of the large ruin site adjacent to the town. Ollantaytambo is the first taste of what lies ahead in Machu Picchu.

Day 4 - Starting: Ollantaytambo & Finishing: Aguas Calientes

Board a morning train that winds through the spectacular Urubamba Valley to the end of the line: the village of Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled in the hills beneath Machu Picchu. Enjoy the rest of the day taking advantage of the hikes and hot springs in the area.

Day 5 - Starting: Aguas Calientes & Finishing: Cusco

Start early to catch the sunrise at the top. Take the bus up to the historic spiritual centre of the Incas, the 'Lost City' of Machu Picchu. Tour the ruins with an expert guide then explore on your own. Later, return by train to Ollantaytambo and meet a private vehicle to head back to Cusco.

Day 6 - Starting: Cusco & Finishing: Cusco

Enjoy a free day in Cusco. Active options include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Instructions

If you pre-booked the Peru Culinary Theme Pack, your Cusco cooking class will be today.

Day 7 - Starting: Cusco & Finishing: Lima

Head to the airport and fly back to Lima.

Day 8 - Starting: Lima & Finishing: Lima

Enjoy the day exploring the city.

Day 9 - Starting: Lima & Finishing: Río Marañon

The day begins very early to catch our flight to Iquitos and transfer to the Amazon Riverboat, our privately chartered home for the next seven days. Once on board the ship, relax and soak in the natural beauty of the wild rainforest. Step out on deck to watch the riverbanks go by, and keep eyes peeled for wildlife such as gray and pink dolphins. The ship casts off and wends its way to the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers. It is generally (but not universally!) considered that the Amazon River begins here, at least in name. Over the next five days, explore the wonders of the Amazon Rainforest. Expert guides will lead jungle walks, give lectures, and point out unique species of bird and marine life as you explore the smaller tributaries of the river.

Day 10 - Starting: Río Marañon & Finishing: Río Ucayali

Over the course of the next few days, the skiff and land excursions will be in the morning and late afternoon, when wildlife is at its liveliest. During the hotter hours of midday, expedition staff will present enthralling lectures on everything from the history and culture of the region to the Amazon’s prolific flora and fauna. There will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy the comfort of Amatista's observation deck.

Day 11 - Starting: Río Ucayali & Finishing: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Rise early to visit the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Once back on board, gather for breakfast followed by a presentation on the life, history, and culture of the Amazon's main tribes. After lunch, listen to an introductory discussion about shamanism to help understand the traditions of the people living in the rainforest. Touch upon the spirit realm, paying a visit to a local shaman. Shamanism is practiced around the globe, and is universally distinguished by a trance state called shamanic ecstasy. In these "out of body" travels, the shaman enlists denizens of the spirit world to help him with a variety of duties, from healing the sick to assisting a deceased person's soul into the afterworld — all the while, the shaman remains conscious. Gain rare insight into the complexities of this phenomenon when you meet an actual practicing shaman in a river village. He'll introduce the group to his spiritual healing craft and talk about rainforest plants that indigenous peoples have, for untold centuries, held to possess curative properties.

Day 12 - Starting: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve & Finishing: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Continue to explore the Amazon. Be sure to relax this afternoon, and rest up for a late-night excursion to discover the wildlife that comes out at night in the jungle.

Day 13 - Starting: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve & Finishing: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

After the excursion, return to the riverboat to relax and opt to enjoy a video about the flooded forest. Take another chance to witness the nocturnal life of the rainforest after dinner this evening, and venture out in small boats onto the Marañon River.

Day 14 - Starting: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve & Finishing: Iquitos

During the day, the ship returns to its home port of Iquitos. Before docking, there are a few more unique experiences to look forward to. In the morning, call on the town of Nauta, where the Ucayali and the Marañon — the major headstreams of the Amazon — join together. During the evening, celebrate with a farewell dinner and party, complete with live music, aboard the ship.

Day 15 - Starting: Iquitos & Finishing: Lima

Once arriving in Lima, you will be met by a G Adventures representative and transfer to the hotel. Spend a final night in the City of Kings and enjoy a Pisco Sour or try some Peruvian ceviche!

Day 16 - Starting: Lima & Finishing: Lima

Depart at any time.

More Information

What’s Included

Arrival transfer. Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo ruins guided tour with visit to a G Adventures-supported women’s weaving project (full-day). Lunch at the G Adventures-supported Sacred Valley Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. Train to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu guided tour. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities. 6 nts aboard the Amatista Amazon Riverboat. Orientation tour of Iquitos. Launches and land excursions with our expert naturalist team.

Highlights

Venture to Machu Picchu by train, Walk along the coast in Lima, Cruise in the Amazon, Learn about Peruvian wildlife and ingenious cultures

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Group Size Notes

Max 16, Avg 12

Transport

Amazon riverboat, plane, public bus, train

Solo Travellers

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Accommodation

Aboard the Amatista Amazon riverboat (6 nts), hotels (9 nts)

Joining Hotel

For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.

Joining Instructions

An arrival transfer is included on this trip. When you arrive on Day 1, or when you arrive up to three days prior to the tour, provided that you have booked your pre-accommodation through G Adventures in our joining hotel. Due to customer experience and quality considerations, all services related to the tour must be continuous.

Jorge Chavez International Airport in Callao Lima, is approximately a 45-minute drive from the Miraflores district, where our joining hotel is located. The easiest way to get there is via taxi. Immediately after the customs and immigration area, as you head to the exits, you will find an official taxi stand. You can pay for the car at set (approximately $27 USD) rates and won’t need to worry about sorting out a ride outside the airport facilities, where the situation tends to get more chaotic, with many drivers vying for few clients. There are exchange facilities in the Arrivals area open 24 hours.

An arrival transfer is included in this tour, someone will be at the airport to meet you. Upon leaving the baggage claim area you will see a large open area with sign boards all around. Look for a G Adventures sign board with your name. As there are many people and signs in this area it may be difficult for you to spot the sign immediately. Please take your time in doing so and if at that stage you do not see a G Adventures sign board with your name go to the customer service area to wait. In the event that your driver does not arrive within 20 minutes please ask the information desk to arrange an official taxi for you which should cost approximately $27 USD and this money will be reimbursed by your CEO or G Adventures representative.

FINDING YOUR TRANSFER – As you walk out of the airport there will be many drivers holding signs with agency or passenger names as well as taxi drivers asking you if you require their services. These are NOT our drivers and you should not accept their services. Please wait for our designated transfer person with a G Adventures sign board.

Arrival Complications

We don’t expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier and contact us as soon as possible. If you have a pre-booked transfer, and you have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

AIRPORT TRANSFER
If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures or if an arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour, please note that:

Your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, we will do our best to rearrange your arrival transfer however we cannot guarantee this. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please take a taxi to your start point hotel.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
G Adventures Office Lima, Peru.
During office hours (Weekdays, 9-6pm Local Time): +51 1 241 1650 or 01 241 1650 (from mobile within Peru) or 241 1650 (from payphone within Peru)
After hours Emergency number: +51 99 758 2712,

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• Cash in USD
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Any G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information or trip details
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• Camera, memory cards, batteries and chargers
• Reading/writing material
• Cover for backpack (suggested)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Binoculars
• Windproof/waterproof jacket
• Swim wear
• Rain poncho
• Sun hat
• Shorts/skirts
• Loose-fitting, light coloured long-sleeved shirts
• Loose-fitting, light coloured hiking pants
• T-shirts
• Walking boots/sturdy shoes
• Socks
• Flip flops/sandals
• Sunblock
• Bug repellent with DEET
• Toiletries (biodegradable)
• Watch/alarm clock
• Water bottle (water available for refills)
• Antibacterial wipes/gel
• Ear plugs
• Plastic bags
• First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking.)

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an ’emergency’ fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Optional Activities

Lima City Tour $39 (Minimum 2): Tour colonial and contemporary Lima. – Approx 3 Hrs

Pachacamac $35
Visit the Lost Inca Citadel of Lima. – Approx 3 Hrs

Culinary Tour $55
Visit a local market. Learn how to make Ceviche and Pisco Sours like the experts. – Approx 3 Hrs

Ballestas Islands with Huacachina From $180
Enjoy wildlife and history, have lunch in a winery and visit the Huacachina Oasis. – Full day

Nasca Lines $300
Flight over the mysterious Nasca Lines. Services start and end in Lima. – Full day

City Contrasts $25
Visit the other face of Lima, the shanty towns or Pueblos Jovenes. – Approx 3 Hrs

Lima at Night $55
Visit the Magic Circuit of Water, walk through the centre of Lima and savour an included dinner. – Approx 3 Hrs

Palomina Islands $55
Visit the port area of Lima. Spot wildlife and swim with the sea lions. – Approx 5 Hrs (minimum 2)

Puno:
Sillustani archaeological site $12

Cusco:
Boleto Turistico (tourist ticket) $25 (half ticket) $46 (full ticket)
City tour $15-20
Museo Inka $3.5 entrance
Museo de Historia Regional entrance with Boleto Turistico

All prices are per person in US dollars
(unless stated otherwise), and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.

Safety and Security

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelery at home – you won’t need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it deemed necessary, due to safety concerns. Your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy and explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards), have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).

Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk. Read more about travel safety for ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling.

Medical Form

Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that an average level of fitness and mobility is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day’s activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.

Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at www.gadventures.com/medical-form.

A Couple of Rules

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. G Adventures can provide you with the appropriate coverage. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation

Planeterra is G Adventures’ non-profit foundation created to make a positive difference in the communities where G Adventures takes travellers. Planeterra supports sustainable social and environmental solutions in destinations travellers love to visit.

As travellers, it’s natural to want to give back to the places we’ve come to love. But to truly impact poverty, we work to build self-sufficiency, not dependency.

Planeterra partners with grassroots organizations with firsthand knowledge of local culture and true community needs. This ensures that solutions come from the people we support. Then G Adventures brings travellers to visit, fuelling sustainable local income in these communities. This model is helping many rural and marginalized communities on their way to self-sufficiency because they are harnessing the power of the tourism industry as a force for good. G Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration costs, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit planeterra.org.

MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT
Fifty percent of our planet lives on less than $2/day. For the price of a coffee, you can make every day of your trip count by giving back to the communities you visit through Planeterra.

To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your G Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking).

Feedback

After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we’ll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at customerservice@gadventures.com and we will send it on to you.

Newsletter

Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G Adventures, subscribe at www.gadventures.com/newsletters/

Stay current on how our company invests in our global community through our foundation – Planeterra. Sign up for Planeterra’s monthly news to learn more about how to give back and support the people and places we love to visit.

Travel Forum – The Watering Hole

Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you’re interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gadventures.com.

Max Pax

16

Group Leader

G Representatives in Lima and Cusco, specialist Inca Trail CEO for Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, 2 Certified Amazon Reserve naturalist guide and support staff aboard the Amazon riverboat.

Meal Budget

Allow USD355-465 for meals not included.

Meals Included

14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners

Day 2 Optional Activities

• Cusco City Tour -
• Cusco Cathedral Visit -
• Cooking Class -

Day 4 Optional Activities

• 1-day Inca Trail Hike -
• Hot Springs Visit -

Day 5 Optional Activities

• Inca Bridge Visit -

Day 6 Optional Activities

• Horseback Riding -
• Whitewater Rafting Urubamba -
• Mountain Biking -

Day 8 Optional Activities

• Lima City Tour -
• Lima Paragliding -

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