Day 1: Lima - Puerto Maldonado

8-9 AM. Fly 2 hours from Lima to small jungle airport where the local guide will be waiting. It's a short drive to the local office where you store excess luggage before making your way to the docks in the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado, Here you board motorized canoes for the trip to your lodge. On the way you will see the vegetation change from colonized deforested areas to virgin rainforest. Continue about 2 hours by motorized canoe to your temporary home in the jungle, where you settle in to your lodge. The naturalist guide will escort you to explore the trails in the surrounding forest. Frequently seen wildlife may include saddle-back tamarinds, brown capuchins, agoutis, blue- morpho butterflies, trogons, toucans and other bird species. After dinner we will take a night walk in search of nocturnal rainforest species. All lodges have private bathroom with hot water. Not even luxury lodges have AC or fans. Generators are available for short periods in the morning and evening to recharge your cameras and devices. Canoes have padded seats with back support, sun canopy and motors.  Local staff will assist with transfer of bags.

Day 2: Forest Trails and Wetlands

After breakfast in the dining hall, your first full day in the rainforest will be spent on the trail system leading to Lake Condenado. We'll board one of our canoes and paddle out on the lake in search of local birdlife and other native wildlife. Forest lake systems are the best places to spot birds and other wildlife. The key to spotting untamed animals in their native habitat is dependent on the skills of the guide. They use their knowledge of seasonal food sources and habitat locations as well as their expertise in spotting animals who are usually trying to hide. All meals are prepared and served in the lodge dining room. 

Day 3: Deep Forest Exploration

The final full day we will go much further into the forest to visit the wetland system around Lake Sachavacayoc. The forests around this beautiful lake teem with birdlife, and the waters are home to black caiman and endangered giant river otters. Back at the Ecolodge in the afternoon, you will have time to relax in a hammock or explore our clearly marked trail system independently.

Day 4: Puerto Maldonado - Cusco

Retrace your steps by boat back to the airport for 45 min flight to Cusco.  Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Guided, walking tour of Cusco with introduction to Andes Mountain culture.  Overnight in Cusco

Day 5: Cusco - Sacred Valley of the Inkas - Aguas Calientes

You try to absorb the stunning vistas only seen in the Andes as we tour the small towns of the Sacred Valley, including  Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.  Each town offers its unique interpretation of ancient customs and traditional life.  Chinchero is known for hand-dying and weaving fabric; Ollantaytambo is the oldest occupied Incan town.  Board the train for 1.5 hour ride to Aguas Calientes for dinner and overnight. 

Day 6: Aguas Calientes -  Machu Picchu

We connect with the bus for our final approach to the national park and the ruins of Machupicchu. Your guide conducts a private tour of the ruins, after which we return by train and private vehicle to Cusco for the night.

Day 7: Cusco - Lima

Self - transfer to airport at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure.

Get an up close glimpse of leaf-cutter ants in the Amazon jungle. We mean close! Why do they cut leaves? You won't believe it.