Enquire About This Tour Code PJI Jungle & Inca Trail
Duration: 11 Days Route: Lima to Lima Style: Adventure Tours Price: $2,560.00
Peru
Experience the exotic ancient ruins and geographical diversity that characterises Peru. Stay in the lush, steamy Amazon Jungle, enjoy a fascinating trek along ancient Inca pathways and uncover the mysteries and traditions that manifest throughout the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
15% Late-Space Special available on 26 May 12, 09 Jun 12, 23 Jun 12, 07 Jul 12, 14 Jul 12, 21 Jul 12 departure(s)
Tour Dossier Introduction
- Dossier Last Updated: 21-05-2012
- Tour Code: PJI
- Duration: 10 nights / 11 days
- Joining City: Lima
- Departure City: Lima
- Nearest Joining International Airport: Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM)
- Nearest Departing International Airport: Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM)
This dossier is designed for this particular tour and should be read in conjunction with the country dossier(s), regional pre-departure booklet and optional excursions guides relevant to your itinerary. You will also receive a joining letter in advance of your journey with further information, while last minute updates may be posted in the Latest News section of our website.
Tour Documents
Inclusions
- Accommodation: 7 night(s) in hotel(s), hostel(s) & guesthouse(s), 3 night(s) trekking
- Meals: 5 breakfast(s), 4 lunch(es), 5 dinner(s)
- Excursions: Amazon Jungle, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu
- Transport: Local public bus, train, boat, taxi, on foot, 3 flight(s)
- Age: 18-60, max. 70 (recommended)
- Group: Average 8-12
- Staff: Tucan Travel tour leader, local guides
Exclusions
International flights and departure taxes
Domestic flight taxes if applicable (approximately US$5 each)
Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items
Pre & post tour accommodation
Airport transfers
Spending money – allow approximately US$25-$30 per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
Optional excursions - Please see our optional excursions guide on the dossier page for a comprehensive list of optional activities and excursions available on this tour.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Lima
The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre tour accommodation. On arrival please ask at the reception for information on when the pre departure meeting will be held.
Lima was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535 after he eradicated the Incas and made the city his capital. Lima has many fine 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. Peru's capital has much to offer and many of the sights, including the city's two main squares the Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, 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 12 noon. There are also many markets in Lima, possibly the best being in the central district.
Day 2 to 4 - Amazon Jungle (or free time) – Cuzco
Our Tucan Travel rep will transfer you to the airport for your flight to the jungle community of Puerto Maldonado, the starting point for our visit to the Amazon rainforest. If you choose not to visit the Amazon Jungle you will have free time in Cuzco and a portion of your tour cost will be deducted (see our brochure for prices).
In Puerto Maldonado you can pick up any last minute drinks or snacks in the busy markets and shops. The first leg of our journey is by bus followed by motorised canoe, a 35 kilometre journey along the river (approx two hours total). The canoes 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. Each room is sealed by meshed netting to keep out mosquitoes and other insects. All rooms have basic private bathroom facilities. Due to the remoteness of the lodge there is no hot water and 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 oil 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 marvelous jungle landscapes and rich diversity of flora and fauna.
After lunch we take a short boat trip across the Madre de Dios River to Monkey Island. On the way over you may spot caiman from the boat. Once on the island it is possible to see a great variety of monkeys such as the ‘maquisapa’, black and white ‘Martins’, ‘Leoncito de la Selva’ (Little Lions), ‘Frailes’ (Friars), ‘Achuñis’, ‘Ronsocos’ as well as an array of birdlife. In the evenings it is often possible to enjoy the wonderful sunset, one of the most impressive sights of the forest (weather permitting). We then return to the lodge for dinner.
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. You will see incredibly big trees, several metres in diameter and around 450 years old. There is an opportunity to take a canoe ride drifting along one of the small lakes hidden away in the jungle, observing caiman and the abundant bird life. We may also catch a glimpse of the rare giant otter.
Afterwards we will enjoy the view of the lake from our viewing point/observation platform, where you can experience the canopy wildlife such as parrots, guacamayos, toucans, camungos, shanshos, herons, turtles and caiman. We will return to the lodge for a well deserved lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Gamitana River where you can try fishing or take a dip. (All excursions are weather permitting and itineraries may be changed slightly due to local conditions).
On the final day we awake to the sounds of the jungle before departing this jungle haven and returning to Puerto Maldonado for our flight on to Cuzco, where you have the rest of the day free to explore this fascinating ancient capital.
Day 5 to 10 - Cuzco – Inca Trail Trek (or free time) – Cuzco – Lima
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 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 either following the traditional Inca Trail Trek or the Lares Trek will have a briefing to prepare for the next few days and an early departure the following morning. More information on the treks can be found on our website under the highlights section.
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 4½ hour 13 kilometre walk which will get you limbered up for the highest pass at Warmiwañusca (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 down hill 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 Wiñay-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 are not participating in either trek then you will visit Machu Picchu by train and have plenty of free time to enjoy the activities available in and around Cuzco.
Our Tucan Travel rep will transfer you to Cuzco airport for your flight to Lima, also known as the "City of the Kings". Here you will be met by another of our Tucan Travel reps and transferred to our hotel for one more night. You then have a free afternoon for last minute sightseeing and shopping.
Day 11 to 11 - Depart Lima
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today, please confirm with the reception the check out time. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
The itinerary listed above is to be used as a guide only. Occasionally we may need to update this document and it may be different to the information printed in our current brochure. Tour leaders may need to make adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances during the tour. It is very important that you visit our website and review a copy of this dossier as close as possible to your departure date in case of changes that may affect your plans. Any last minute changes may also be posted in the latest news section of our website.
About Adventure Tours
Adventure Tours are designed to suit travellers who love being able to travel on many different forms of transport and who prefer to stay in comfortable but basic accommodation. Visit the Adventure Tours dossier page for further information on the type of transport and accommodation provided on this style of travel, as well as group size, staff, meals, degree of difficulty and recommended age.
Don’t forget that Tucan Travel also offers Tailored Travel tours as well as other Group Travel tour styles.
Pre-departure Information
Once you have booked your tour, your travel consultant will provide you with our pre departure information booklet to help you prepare for your adventure (if you do not receive this, please ask your agent for a copy or you can download it from our website). It is very important that you read this document before you travel for valuable information on travel documents, insurance, health, money, budgeting, packing list, joining your tour, life on the road, accommodation, transportation, staff and meals.
Country Dossiers
This tour dossier is designed to be read in conjunction with the country dossiers which you can download from the website or obtain from your travel agent. The country dossiers contain essential information about visas, arrival transfers, spending money, taxes, tips, climate and local food.
Pre-departure Meeting
The address of your joining hotel can be found on the joining letter and tour voucher. On arrival you should look for a Tucan Travel information sheet and welcome note on the hotel notice board where you will find details of the pre-departure meeting. The tour leader or the Tucan Travel representative will normally hold the pre-departure meeting early in the evening of day one (assuming that all clients have arrived by then). You will be briefed about the tour, given an outline itinerary for the next few days and any questions will be answered. The tour leader will collect the local fund (Budget Expeditions only). After the meeting there is usually an option for everyone to go out for dinner and drinks to start to get to know one another.
Please note that you will need to bring the following items to the pre departure meeting:
1. The original copy and a photocopy of your passport
2. Vaccination certificates (if required)
3. Travel voucher
4. Details of your travel insurance policy number and their 24hr emergency contact number
5. Local fund in US dollars cash (Budget Expeditions only)
What You Need to Bring
You must be prepared to carry your own bags at all times. We therefore strongly urge you to use a backpack (or similar soft luggage) and limit your luggage to a maximum of 15-17 kilograms. Please see the relevant country dossiers for further information about luggage requirements and a full list of suggested equipment can be found in the pre-departure information booklet.
Optional Excursions
During your tour there will be free time to enjoy a range of optional excursions which are listed in the optional excursions guide. Your tour leader will be able to make recommendations and bookings in advance for most of these activities so you have more flexibility and control over your itinerary. Please note that you may not have time to do all of the optional excursions listed.
Extra Services – pre & post tour accommodation and airport transfers
Very little time is spent in each of the starting and finishing cities and you will need to allow a few days at the beginning or end of your tour if you want to explore them further. Airport transfers in joining and departing cities are not included in the tour price but can be booked through Tucan Travel at an additional cost. For details about how to book pre & post accommodation please refer to the Extra Services information page in our website. Price information can be found on the price page of each tour. If you would prefer to make your own way to and from your hotel, you can find further details on the joining letter for this tour.
Single Supplements
This package may offer single supplements that enable clients to stay in a single room. This single supplement must be paid prior to departure and applies to the whole tour for nights where single rooms can be made available. If there is no offer for a single room this is usually because you will be on an overnight train or bus, or camping.
In the day-by-day grid below an 'S' will indicate in which destinations single rooms are available to those who have purchased a single supplement.
The Inca Trail Trek (or free time)
This tour allows time to complete the famous Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu. Permits are strictly limited and sell out months in advance and in addition the trail is closed every year for the month of February in order to carry out maintenance work. If permits are unavailable or the trail is closed then the Inca Trail Trek will be replaced by the Lares Trek. If you choose not to participate in either trek a discount will be taken from your tour price (listed on the tour price page) and the trek will be replaced with a train journey to Machu Picchu.
Please read the important information carefully:
Inca Trail Trek overview, booking and itinerary pages
Lares Trek overview, booking and itinerary pages
Important information about getting to Machu Picchu
Amazon Jungle (or free time)
This tour includes a two day excursion into the Amazon staying in an eco lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve. If you choose not to participate in this included excursion a discount will be taken from your tour price (listed on the tour price page) and you will have additional free time in Cuzco.
Visit the Amazon Jungle Peru information page for further information.
Day by Day Itinerary
| Day | Activity | Country | Meals | Single Room |
| Day 1 | Lima | Peru | S | |
| Day 2 | Amazon Jungle (or free time) | D | ||
| Day 3 | Amazon Jungle (or free time) | BLD | ||
| Day 4 | Cuzco | B | S | |
| Day 5 | Cuzco | S | ||
| Day 6 | Inca Trail Trek (or free time) | LD | ||
| Day 7 | Inca Trail Trek (or free time) | BLD | ||
| Day 8 | Inca Trail Trek (or free time) | BLD | ||
| Day 9 | Cuzco | B | S | |
| Day 10 | Lima | S | ||
| Day 11 | Lima |
(B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner included)
Please note the day to day itinerary above is given as a GUIDELINE ONLY.
Responsible Travel Tips
At Tucan Travel we are serious about our responsibility to care for the environment and people that we visit. Here are a few tips to help you to enjoy your tour while minimising your impact and enhancing your travelling experience. Visit the Responsible Travel Policy page to learn more.
- Offset a portion of the carbon of your Tucan Travel tour. Visit our Carbon Offset Scheme page to learn more about how your contributions make a difference.
- You could bring your own metal water bottle and fill it up at restaurants or treat your own water on tour instead of buying lots of plastic bottles. Bear in mind that there may not be recycling facilities available at some destinations.
- Cut out plastic – remove and recycle the packaging of new travel gear before you pack, and bring a light cotton or string bag for your shopping, so you can politely refuse plastic bags at shops and markets.
- Please don’t offer gifts to children as it encourages begging and promotes a culture of dependency. If possible, contribute money or supplies to a local school or charity organisation – talk to your tour leader about the options available.
- Learn a bit of the local language before you travel. Being able to say even a few words like hello, please and thank you will help you to connect with people in a positive way. Bring a phrase book on tour and keep practicing to improve your confidence.
Feedback
At the end of your tour we would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to complete a questionnaire about your experiences. The tour leader will give you a paper copy and you can find a PDF version of the questionnaires on our website. We take feedback very seriously as it allows us to maintain and improve the very high standards we expect from our staff, local operators, hotels, transportation and excursion providers. We also use this information to improve our itineraries and optional excursions on offer.
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