12 DAY AMAZON LUXURY AND MACHU PICCHU

Combine some of the best sights in Peru with all the creature comforts on the 12-day Amazon Luxury and Machu Picchu Tour by Va Expeditions. Natural beauty is on display everywhere you look on this 12-day voyage through the Pacaya Samiria National Park, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, a dreamy realm of majestic rivers, lush forests, impressive mountains, delectable cuisine, and vibrant cultures. In the headwaters of the Amazon River, you will encounter rare pink dolphins, sloths, howler monkeys, giant lily pads, and an astounding variety of birdlife, and you will glide into the Amazonian backwaters by kayak or boat for an up-close look at the intricacies of this rainforest ecosystem. Sail the mighty Amazon River on board a luxury cruise and stay at the best hotels across the country; this will be a Trip of a Lifetime, an experience never to forget. The contrasts couldn’t be more extreme as you make the seamless step up to the highlands and ascend to Machu Picchu. Your first sight of the famed ruins perched among the tall mountains will give you the shivers just like you knew it would on this memorable journey. Explore the extraordinary Inca ruins near Cusco, such as Sacsayhuaman, made of massive limestone blocks, once a religious site, and experience the lively life in the Sacred Valley along with its impressive Inca ruins. Get immersed in Peruvian culture on some traditional community visits. Finally, last but not least, your guide will be a native Quechua speaker who’ll make you as comfortable in Cusco and Amazon jungle as you’ll be among mountain or jungle villagers and Andean weavers. 

 

Amazon Tree Frog

 

The Amazon

The itinerary of Delfin III comprehends a precise balance of water activities and land excursions, as well as visits to local communities and wildlife rescue centers. The luxurious Delfin III offers passengers an illuminating journey that will immerse them in the mysterious and fascinating wonders of nature as they discover the delights of the Peruvian Amazon. During the following days, you will experience an ideal combination of natural phenomena, dramatic scenery, indigenous cultural history, and a relaxed self-contained way to explore the rainforest while sightseeing nature at its best. Explore the Amazon jungle from boats or on foot and submerge in the spectacular views of the Amazon Rainforest with local experts and naturalist guides. Navigate the Amazon River and marvel at its exotic and diverse wildlife: multi-colored fish, toucans, caimans, river turtles and many more fascinating species.

 

 

Piranha Fishing

The Sacred Valley

 

Ccaccaccollo Community.

The weaving techniques have been passed down from one woman to another for centuries, and today Ccaccaccollo produces some of the most amazing textiles in Peru. During your visit, you’ll be able to attend a talk and see a demonstration about how these textiles are made, learning all about the ancient techniques that are still used today.  One of the Quechua-speaking weavers will tell us (through a translator) about the secrets of the traditional iconography used in their designs and will show you the entire manufacturing process, from the shearing of the wool to spinning the washing of the wool with natural soap. You’ll also learn about the plants and flowers collected to use as dyes.  

 

Natural Wool Dyes

 

 

Pisaq 

The view from the archaeological site at Pisaq is spectacular, but that’s not even all of it. Once you’ve climbed to the very top of the mountain, you’re overwhelmed by the extraordinary architecture of the Incas, who managed to build a city on the side of the canyon in Pisaq. You’ll hike along a trail that connects houses, temples and military posts – ruins that seem never to end. Down in the town, the cobblestone streets play host to photogenic glimmers of traditional rural life and costume, Incan architecture, and one of the most popular markets in the south of Peru. 

 

Pisaq Ruins

Ollantaytambo

The picturesque town of Ollantaytambo in the Peruvian Andes is home to Ollantaytambo ruins. For many travelers, it is the last stop before visiting Machu Picchu. The city is home to incredible Inca ruins, but most importantly, it has rail connections to Aguas Calientes, the base for visiting Machu Picchu.

 

Ollantaytambo

Maras and Moray

Moray's “Inca agricultural laboratory” boasts three amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. These terraces, carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape, were thought to be used to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops. When we finish exploring Moray, we will continue and visit the salt mines of Maras, which is about 2 miles away.  This village is known as a former salt-producing center that is thought to date back to pre-Inca times. There are over 3000 salt pools all carved into the mountainside; the highly salty water emerges at a spring, a natural outlet of the underground stream. The flow is directed into an intricate system of tiny channels constructed so that the water runs gradually down onto the several hundred ancient terraced ponds. The water, which is exposed to the sun, leaves salt on the land.  

 

Moray

 

Ccorcco Community

Afterward, visit the village of Ccorcco (Chinchero) northwest of Cusco. This picturesque village was an important Inca center and is known for the traditional Andean weaving techniques still used by its people & eating a delicious Pachamanca lunch. 

 

Ccorcco Weavers

 

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the most memorable experiences of your lifetime.  Enjoy this incredible Incan masterwork that was built centuries ago. Some recommended sites are the House of the Guardian, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Sacred Plaza. Soak up some of the atmospheres of this magical citadel, and enjoy the buffet Lunch at the famous Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, which is right next to the Citadel; soon, it will be time to go back down to Aguas Calientes and catch your train back to Cusco. Your train ride to Cusco will be aboard the exclusive and luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham. Enjoy the sophisticated dining car as well as the bar car. There will be unique Peruvian cocktails and live music in the bar car. 

 

Machu Picchu

Cusco

Head to the beautiful Koricancha, next door to Santo Domingo Church. The Koricancha was the most sacred and important temple in the Inca Empire. Its walls were covered with gold, and life-size statues of plants and animals – all pure gold and silver – decorated its rooms and hallways. Sadly, this wealth was stripped out by the Spanish conquistadors. Cusco Cathedral, located on the Plaza de Armas, was built between 1560 and 1654 on top of the foundations of an existing Inca temple, this spectacular cathedral houses many works of art by the Cusco School of painters, and its main altar and pulpit are covered in gold and silver relief work. Look carefully, and you’ll also see elements of indigenous religious symbolism incorporated into the church by the native people who worked on its construction, such as the carved head of a jaguar on the doors.  Next is the Inca fortress of Saqsayhuaman, which sits on a hill above Cusco. Here you will see some of the finest examples of Inca stonework and construction, including massive rocks that were carefully cut and perfectly fitted together to form the walls. From here, you’ll also have beautiful panoramic views of Cusco.  

 

Cusco By Night

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