Eco-Zone Explorers

This Costa Rica vacation not only visits beautiful locations from cloudforest to pacific ocean, but also offers wedding services at a small private chapel in the pristine countryside. This program features two upscale, intimate, boutique resorts with spa facilities as well as many other natural amenities and activities. The program can also be altered to suit your needs.

Chapel for Weddings

Day 1: Today you’ll be met at the airport by our representative and made welcome to Costa Rica.

Day 2 – 3: Today you will be transferred to the lovely villa Blanca Cloud Forest Lodge. Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Spa is nestled serenely within 75 acres of gardens, pastures and cloud forest property. Weddings are performed in the pretty on-site chapel, a remnant of the bygone era when the hacienda was a fully functional, self sufficient community in its own right. On the main hilltop is the Hacienda House, the centerpiece of the hotel, where you check-in and where all the dining facilities are located. You can enjoy freshbaked breads and pastries at El Cafe del Bosque and fine dining on authentic Costa Rican cuisine at restaurant El Sendero, all the while savoring the awe-inspiring views of majestic Arenal Volcano.

If you are coming to Costa Rica for romance, this the right choice. The hotel spa facilities are world-class. And the beauty of the Los Angeles Cloud Forest Private Reserve that surrounds the property provides the perfect setting for inner peace and tranquility. Spa features several a la carte services like Costa Rican lava rock massage, aromatherapy, exfoliation, and more. There are many locally guided tours available as well.(B)

Days 4-6: Today your driver will meet you at Villa Blanca and take you across to the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific ocean. Here you will spend 3 glorious and relaxed nights at the Harmony Hotel. The graceful simplicity of earth tones and crisp whites creates rooms that are rooted in nature and beach life at the Harmony. All 24 accommodations reside on a path that meanders through a tropical garden overflowing with native vegetation. The path ends nearby at the warm, inviting Pacific Ocean on Playa Guiones, Nosara. Closest to the pool, each Cocos Room opens onto its own private, enclosed back patio equipped with a heated shower and seating area. An overhang allows you to enjoying the outdoors in the shade. At the Harmony, comfort meets effortless sustainability. Here guests can enjoy the rare luxury of knowing that the beauty they see is rooted in ecologically sound practices. (B)

Day 7: Today you will be transferred back to San Jose by semi-private surface transfer. (B)

Day 8: This morning you will be taken to the airport for the flight out of Costa Rica. (B – if restaurant is open in time for your flight.)

Daily Year Round Includes 7 nights accommodation, all transfers, all tours as described, meals as noted (BLD = breakfast, lunch, dinner), all local taxes.

Optional tours from lodges not included. You can either prepay or decide when you are there. Please enquire if you are interested.

Day 1 IN / BOGOTA
Arrival and reception by our team in Bogotá.
Transfer to the hotel
Night at the hotel

Juan Valdez in Bogata is as Common as Starbucks in Vancouver

Day 2 BOGOTA
Breakfast Buffet
In the morning City Tour is a three-hour excursion that visits the colonial area of “ La Candelaria “, the historical center of the city. It is the oldest part of the Capital, where we find museums, restaurants and cultural institutions. Then, we visit the Bolivar Square, the heart of the city, surrounded by buildings of various styles and periods, such as the Cathedral, the Chapel of El Sagrario, the Cardinal’s Palace and the Capitolio or Congress Building. Behind the latter, is the Nariño Palace, home of the Presidency. The majority of the most representative colonial buildings, with their typical balconies, are located to the east. We continue on to the Gold Museum that boasts a collection of more than 25,000 pieces of pre-Columbian manufacture, a unique display of its kind in the world. Then ascent in Cable car or Funicular to the Sanctuary of Monserrate.

Day 3  BOGOTA/ZIPAQUIRA / VILLA DE LEYVA
Breakfast Buffet
Morning departure from Bogotá toward Zipaquira. The town is primarily known for its Salt Cathedral, an underground church built inside a salt deposit in a tunnel made as result of the exploitation of the salinas (salt mines). Zipaquirá has a very interesting architecture, and the old city centre is a touristic attraction. Its main square is surrounded by old buildings in the Spanish Colonial style.
Lunch not included
Continue on to the province of Boyaca and the city of Tunja. This present day collge town is still intersteing due to its remants of colonial Spain and it is considered to be one a festival city in Colombia. We continue further to the Villa of Leyva. The town is located some 40 km west of Tunja and has a population of about 4,000 people.
Villa de Leyva is considered one of the finest colonial villages of Colombia, and was declared a National Monument in December 17, 1954 to preserve its architecture. It is located in a high altitude valley at 2,144 m altitude where fossils from the Mesozoic and the Cretaceous abound. It was founded in June 12, 1572 by Hernán Suarez de Villalobos and named alter the first president of the New Kingdom of Granada, Andrés Díaz Venero de Leyva.
Night at the hotel hotel EL DURUELO**** or Similar

Day 4 VILLA DE LEYVA/BOGOTA
American Breakfast
Deaprt to Village of Ráquira. Ráquira is famous in Colombia for its colony of artisans, who produce traditional northern Andean pottery & hand-woven goods. One can find dinnerware, mate cups, figurines and the well-known “chivas,” which are little cars decorated with animals and fruits that are very typical of our country. Nearby the Candelaria desert is has a beautiful Augustinian monastery, perhaps the oldest that is preserved in the center of the country, founded in l.602.
Return to Bogotá.
Night in the hotel

Day 5 BOGOTA /ARMENIA
Breakfast Buffet
This morning you transfer to the airport to take the flight toward Armenia, one of the three coffee growing centres of Colombia. Upon arrival you will take a trip to Salento and the magnificent Cocora valley, and whose municipality of Salento is a top touristic destination famous for its guadua crafts and furniture (the strong native bamboo cane), its art galleries and its fame for being the bohemian centre of regional artists. Tourists and hikers walk from here to reach the spectacular views of the Nevados peaks, the crystalline waters of the river Quindio, channels of rocks tinged with the vegetation and cradle of the Wax palm Colombia’s “National Tree. From here we head to the Finca EL DELIRIO (coffee farm) or Similar
Night in the Farm

Day 6ARMENIA / NATIONAL PARK OF THE COFFEE/ARMENIA
Typical breakfast of the Region
Today we leave for Montenegro and the National Park of the Coffee, a kind of coffee theme park. You will have a full day here day to enjoy the attractions like National Museum of the Coffee, the bamboo forest, an indigenous cemetery, a gondola ride, the coffee train, an animatronic show of the orchids, mountain scenery and more.
Lunch not included
In the afternoon return to the farm hotel
Night in the farm

Day 7  ARMENIA /BOGOTA
Typical breakfast of the Region
A hour suitable transfer to the airport to take the flight toward Bogotá, transfer to hotel. Balance of day free.

Day 8  ARMENIA /BOGOTA
American breakfast
At the appropriate time transfer to the airport to take the flight from Bogotá.

The beautiful “White City” of Arequipa and the nearby Colca Canyon is the perfect place to start or finish a trip to Peru and is ideal for acclimatising oneself to the rarefied air of the Andes or for relaxing in Hot-springs following your Amazonas Explorer adventure. The road to Puno has now improved sufficiently to make the overland journey to Puno and Lake Titicaca a viable extension.

DAY 1: Arriving in Arequipa, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Arequipa is known locally as “The White City”. You have the rest of the day free and we recommend you visit the Santa Catalina Monastery. First opened to the public in 1970, it is a maze of intricate architecture and a photographer’s paradise. You can also take in Juanita – the Inca ice maiden, the impressive Plaza de Armas with its earthquake damaged Cathedral and sample the delights of local cuisine in a typical ‘Picantaria’.

DAY 2: Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and then, by private minibus you head inland to the Colca Canyon, climbing high into the Andes, hopefully spotting vicunas, flamingos and other rare wildlife, before descending to Chivay. You stay the night in a charming lodge, built in traditional Colca style with near-by perfect temperature hot-springs. (B/L/D)

DAY 3: Early this morning you head to the very rim of the Colca Canyon, Cruz del Condor where, if you are lucky, you can see condors soaring in the thermals created by the deep gorge. From here you return to your Lodge including several stops to visit local towns and many beautiful photo opportunities. From the lodge you can visit pre-Inca ruins, an ancient cemetery and explore the surrounding hills, or simply relax in near-by hot-springs. (B/L/D)

DAY 4: Today you drive back to Arequipa. On arrival in Arequipa you are transferred to your hotel with free time for sightseeing and shopping. Arequipa is famous for its reasonably priced, high quality, Alpaca and Vicuna garments. (B/L)
Alternatively you could drive to Puno for a lake Titicaca Extension.

DAY 5: Transfer to Arequipa airport for your on-going connection.  (B)

INCLUDED:  Airport transfers in Arequipa, two nights in 3 Star Hotel in Arequipa, private minibus with guide to Lodge, two night in Lodge, minibus to Cruz del Condor and return to Arequipa, meals where indicated. Entrance to Colca National Park ($12). Local English speaking guide

NOT INCLUDED: Internal flights to and from Arequipa, meals where not indicated, tips and personal expenses.

This semi-independent vacation not only visits beautiful locations from cloudforest to pacific beaches, but also has three of the best Green Hotels in Costa Rica. Two of them have spa facilities as well as many other natural amenities and activities.

Wood fired stove in your cozy room.

Day 1: Today you’ll be met at the airport by our representative and made welcome to Costa Rica.

Day 2 – 3: Today you will be transferred to the lovely villa Blanca Cloud Forest Lodge. Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Spa is nestled serenely within 75 acres of gardens, pastures and cloud forest property. On the main hilltop is the Hacienda House, the centerpiece of the hotel. Here you can enjoy freshbaked breads and pastries at El Cafe del Bosque. You will dine on authentic Costa Rican cuisine at restaurant El Sendero while savoring the awe-inspiring views of majestic Arenal Volcano. If you are coming to Costa Rica for relaxation, this the right choice. The hotel spa facilities are world-class. And the beauty of the Los Angeles Cloud Forest Private Reserve that surrounds the property provides the perfect setting for inner peace and tranquility. Spa features several a la carte services like Costa Rican lava rock massage, aromatherapy, exfoliation, and more. There are many locally guided tours available as well.(B)

Days 4-6: Today your driver will meet you at Villa Blanca and take you across to the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific ocean. Here you will spend 3 glorious and relaxed nights at the Harmony Hotel. The graceful simplicity of earth tones and crisp whites creates rooms that are rooted in nature and beach life at the Harmony. All 24 accommodations reside on a path that meanders through a tropical garden overflowing with native vegetation. The path ends nearby at the warm, inviting Pacific Ocean on Playa Guiones, Nosara. Closest to the pool, each Cocos Room opens onto its own private, enclosed back patio equipped with a heated shower and seating area. An overhang allows you to enjoying the outdoors in the shade. At the Harmony, comfort meets effortless sustainability. Here guests can enjoy the rare luxury of knowing that the beauty they see is rooted in ecologically sound practices. (B)

Day 7: Today you will be transferred back to San Jose by semi-private surface transfer. (B)

Day 8: This morning you will be taken to the airport for the flight out to Canada. (B – if restaurant is open in time for your flight.)

Daily Year Round Includes 7 nights accommodation, all transfers, all tours as described, meals as noted (BLD = breakfast, lunch, dinner), all local taxes.
Optional tours from lodges not included. You can either prepay or decide when you are there. Please enquire if you are interested.

Why did the Inca believe that the long valleys  in the Andes were sacred? This tour explores many fascinating ruins and developments of the ancient Inca and their modern descendants. You begin the journey with a visit to the Larco Museum in Lima which chronicals 3000 years of civilisation in Peru. You then fly to Cusco and the Sacred Valley to continue the exploration seeing some less visited sites as well as the amazing citadel of Machu Picchu. Your visit will also be directly helping local people in protecting cultural heritage and biological diveristy.

Day 1: Arrival in Peru
You will arrive at the airport and be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel in Miraflores.

Day 2: Larco Museum
Mid-morning your guide will take you to the Larco Museum.  This private museum opened in 1926 and features the finest gold and silver collection from Ancient Peru and the famous erotic archaeological collection. After a visit here you will be taken back to the hotel for some free time.(B)

Day 3: Flight to Cuzco and  City Walking Tour
According to the legend, the city was built by Inca Pachacuti, who transformed Cuzco from a sleepy city-state into the vast empire of Tahuantinsuyu. The first Spaniards arrived in 1533, and undertook the construction of a new city on the foundations of the old Inca city, replacing temples with churches and palaces with mansions for the conquerors. Your guided walking tour will include:
1. KORIKANCHA or Temple of the Sun. As Cuzco was the center of the Tahuantinsuyo (Inca Empire), this is one of the most important of Inca temples.
2. CUZCO CATHEDRAL:  The Cathedral was finished in 1664, more than one century lafter constuction began on the site of and Inca palace. Balance of day is free. (B)

Day 4: Urubamba
Today we will have a full-day tour of Urubamba and the Sacred Valley to see two of the Inca’s most generous gifts to the world: beautiful hand made weavings and potatoes. We will start with Andean Weaving Village. Textile production has profound historic and cultural significance in the Andes, and this community is part of a highly successful National Geographic Society-supported project to rescue and revive this way of life. Women are the owners and drivers of this activity, and we will see how their gregarious processes of spinning, the gathering and use of natural dyes, the setting up of looms and the creation of designs, are fundamental to the family and social bonds of these highland communities. Next you’ll visit the Potato Park Indigenous Bio-cultural Heritage Area: The Potato Park focuses on protecting and preserving the   indigenous bio-cultural heritage by showcasing  sustainable use of agro-biodiversity. Lunch included at the Potato Park. We then continue to the town of Ollantaytambo for the night.
B, L

Day 5: Machu Picchu
This morning you will embark on one of the most exciting journeys in the world – the train to Machu Picchu. Not known to exist by the Spaniards, Hiram Bingham brought Machu Picchu to world attention in 1911, when he was searching for the last Incan stronghold of Vilacamba. You will have the balance of the day to explore the citadel of Machu Picchu after your guided tour. Late in the afternoon you board the last train to Ollanatytambo.(B,L)

Day 6: Ollantaytambo, Maras and Moray.  By now it will be clear why the Inca called this area the Sacred Valley. The ability to grow crops was a gift from Pachamama and the Inca used this gift in the most ingenious ways. Ollantaytambo is called a fortress, but its not. Its an agricultural terrace and the structures at this site outlast the ones built by the Spanish. At Maras and Moray you’ll more ingenuity. The first site is a series of concentric terraces that grow vegetables and crops in varying elevations and microclimatic conditions. By carefully noting the crop maturity in the terraces Inca farmers were able to predict the harvesting times of similar crops planted elsewhere in the valley. The second site is a salinera where a series of terraced evaporation ponds extract salt from the trickling water as it makes its way through the system.  After here you will be overnight in Cusco.(B,L)

Day 7: Tipon
This morning you will see the great water fountains and canals of Tipon. During the rainy season, these fantastic structures really show how clever the ancient Inca were at adapting their environment. In fact there have been research projects done to understand just how the managed this. Return to Cusco for the balance of the day. B,L

Day 8: Transfer to Aiport and flights out. (Note that many international flights leave Lima very late in the evening.)

INCLUDED: Accommodation in Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu town. Private English- speaking, registered guide, private transport, the vistadome train & bus transfers to Machu Picchu. Entrance to all Cusco & Sacred Valley Inca Sites, Korikancha, Cathedral,  and Machu Picchu. Meals only as indicated: B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner.

We offer a slower paced in more depth tour of the Sacred Valley to allow you a relaxed and intimate visit to this truly remarkable area. Hotels are generally boutique style locally owned, moderate level.

Day 1: Lima   You will arrive at the airport and be met by our local representative and transferred to a comfortable hotel in Lima.

Day 2: Cuzco   A morning flight will take you to Cuzco. A leisurely day in town where you will be escorted by your guide on a walking orientation tour of the areas near your hotel. You can relax today in the ancient Inca capital and adjust to the high elevation. (B)

Day 3: Cuzco    Today will be the day for exploring ruins with a visit to the Koricancha, Tambomachay with their water fountains; Kenko, the religious center; Puca-Pucara, the red fortress, and finally the fortress of Sacsaywaman. All thes sites are important and fascinating developments that the pre-columbian Inca people designed and built. (BL)

Day 4: Sacred Valley   Full day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Inas  us visit the Indian Market and ruins of Pisac in the morning and Ollantaytambo fortress in the afternoon. This site, including the village at it’s base, exemplifies the best of Incan engineering showing in stark contrast the advantage of the Incan building technology over the later Spanish. Overnight at Ollantaytambo.(B,L)

Day 5: Sacred Valley   Full day tour to visit Chinchero, Maras and Moray. Famous for its salts and exploited from Inca times until today Maras is a fascinating visit due to the wonderful show of hundreds of salt ponds.  Moray is located 9 Km away from Maras and has elliptical irrigation terraces that were used as an ingenious Inca agricultural center.  This is a lovely day of mild walking around sites.(BL)

Day 6: Machu Picchu    Today you will embark on one of the most exciting journeys in the world – the train to Machu Picchu. Not known to exist by the Spaniards, Hiram Bingham brought Maccu Picchu to world attention in 1911 when he was searching for the last Incan stronghold of Vilacamba. Your guide will accompany you on the train and provide a guided tour at Machu Picchu. Late in the afternoon, the guide will return to Cuzco as tomorrow is a free day.(B)

Day 7: Machu Picchu – Cuzco    Today will be a chance revisit Machu Picchu on your own before the morning trains come in with the tourists (second day entrance fee is not included) There are local hikes you may take and about mid-day you will be able to return all the way to Cuzco by train where we will be meeting you again for a transfer to your Cuzco hotel. This evening you will have a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.(B)

Day 8: Transfer and flight back to Lima and onward flight home.

Daily Year Round Includes: 7 nights accommodation, Guided walks and tours as described. all transfers, meals as noted (BLD = breakfast, lunch, dinner), all local taxes. Can be modified to suit your time and interests. Airfares not included.

The largest, and least known country in Central America is also the safest according to the Nicaraguan tourist board. A beautiful country awaits you with friendly smiles and few tourists.

Day 1
Arrival at Managua Airport and welcoming by local guide. Transfer to a local hotel in the city centre.

Day 2
After a liesurely breakfast a city tour of historic sites of Managua, then a private transfer to Hotel La Gran Francia in romantic Granada, where you will be welcomed with a cocktail on the balcony. (B)

Day 3
This morning a private city tour by horse drawn carriage, followed by a visit to the Isletas (little islands) de Granada, where you will enjoy lunch. The tour takes you by boat amongst a small archipelago of tropical islands dotting the freshwater Lake Cocibolca. (B,L)

Day 4
This morning visit to Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve and its tropical cloud forest. Explore the nature trail around one of the craters, with incredible views to Granada , Lake Nicaragua & the “Isletas”. This afternoon to explore the amazing artisan workshops and markets available in the nearby towns.  (B)

Day 5
Private transfer to coastal region of San Juan del Sur and the amazing Morgan’s Rock Ecoresort. Morgan’s Rock is part of a 1,000-hectare tree farming and reforestation project as well as an 800-hectare private nature reserve which is actually one of the last, large natural sanctuaries along the Pacific Coast of Central America. The conservation of this area is crucial for maintaining the habitat of the animals living in this region. These reforested lands, together with the nature reserve and the estuary, host a variety of forest animals such as howler monkeys, sloths, white tipped deer and many birds native to the subtropical region. The beach is a nesting ground for giant sea turtles and during your stay. This entire property is yours to enjoy and explore with onsite guides. (B,L,D)

Days 6
Each morning you may take one of the several tours available such as kayaking a nearby estuary, guided hikes in the forest. After this you may want to take one of the other many activities (optional, book on site at extra cost) or just enjoy the time on your own. (B,L,D)

Day 7
Morning trip to Masaya market. Afternoon drop-off in Managua. (B)

Day 8
Transfer to airport.

Included
- Lodging at hotels as mentioned or similar.
- breakfasts and meals as noted (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
- all overland transportation with private transfers.
- driver / local guide (bilingual) where mentioned
- touring as described
- entrance fees National Park
- Isletas tour on day 02.
- information package with a detailed itinerary.
- services of local agent (English / Spanish spoken).

Not Included
- other meals.
- customs and immigration fees .
- airfair expenses.
- personal expenses.
- optional touring.

Costa Rica has an amazing variety of habitats from lowland humid forests to misty cool cloud forests. This program designed by one of Costa Rica’s top ornithologists, Leo Chavez, covers the top birding sites in Costa Rica, including the Costa Rican Birding Route.

Day 1: San Jose
Meet driver at the airport and then transfer & overnight Don Carlos Hotel in San Jose.

Day 2: Cerro de la Muerte
You will meet your driver this morning for your transfer to Savegre Lodge. Savegre Mountain Lodge’s Private Biological Reserve is located in the environs of the Cerro de la Muerte in the Talamanca Mountain Range. It consists of Cloud Forest with elevations varying between 1,220 and 2,560 metres above sea level. The area is frequently visited by eco-tourists from around the world who come to enjoy the large diversity of plant life, including oak and laurel trees, orchids and bromelias. This animal life includes more than 170 species of birds – including the magnificent Quetzal – as well as numerous mammals, amphibians, and insects. (B)

Day 3:  Birding Tour
This morning you’ll meet your guide for a 5 hour birding tour.  You then transfer to the Caribbean foothills.  Rancho Naturalista is considered to be one of the finest birding lodges in Central America. Rancho is known for its peaceful forest surroundings, comfortable well-kept rooms, excellent meals, family style atmosphere, knowledgeable resident bird guide(s), extensive trail system in pre-montane rainforest, banana and hummingbird feeders for the birds, bird bathing pools, and a bird list for the area of over 400 species. (BD)

Day 4: Full day birdwatching with a local resident guide. Overnight at Rancho Naturalista (BLD)

Day 5: La Selva de Sarapiqui
Free morning and transfer to Sarapiqui area. La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge, as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rain forest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site.  La Selva’s juxtaposition of protected ecosystems and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities is unique in the world’s wet tropics. An extensive trail system of more than 50 kilometers provides access to a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Thousands of arthropod species are being currently recorded at La Selva, and more than 400 species of resident and migratory birds have been sighted in the reserve, representing almost half of Costa Rica’s bird species.(BLD)

Fday 6:
Full day birdwatching at La Selva with resident guide. Overnight OTS La Selva Biological Station (BLD)

Day 7: Transfer to Maquenque Lodge
Located on the Northern Territory of San Carlos near the Nicaraguan border this reserve, along with La Selva, forms part of the Costa Rican Birding Route.  The Costa Rican Bird Route is the first of its kind in Central America. Located in the northeastern region of Costa Rica, this eco-tourism project offers a variety of bird watching and nature tourism opportunities. The Bird Route consists nature reserves within 12 official sites, specifically chosen for their high avian diversity. This region also supports the last remaining habitat of the endangered Great Green Macaw (Ara ambigua), and the Costa Rican Bird Route offers the greatest viewing opportunities on the planet of this rare species as well as Scarlet Macaws. Excellent bungalow style  accommodations, surrounded by tropical rainforests, and bordering the Majestic San Carlos River, it has become famous for being a unique region for ecology, wildlife observation, unique birding tours. (B)

Day 8: Birdwatching Tour
Morning birdwatching tour. Free afternoon for optional tours: Overnight at Maquenque (B)

Day 9: San Jose
Free morning by the afternoon transfer back to San Jose. Overnight at Hotel Don Carlos. (B)

Day 10:
Departure transfer (B)

This is a full service semi-private tour program using local lodge  based guides and drivers . There may be other guests sharing the rides from time to time. Accommodation is in a variety of small, specialised lodges. OTS La Selva is the most basic being a research station, however meals are very good and the chance to meet students and scientists makes the stay well worth it for anyone interested in birds.

Price includes: 9 nights accommodation and taxes, meals as noted (BLD), all transfers, all guided tours as noted.

Get to know local people, and their customs and traditions.  Join in the world of the Alpaca and Llama herders, and wander in the same space where the Andean culture originated

INTRODUCTION
Two indigenous Andean communities in conjunction with a Cusco tour outfitter have designed a hiking-route with four mountain lodges to satisfy travelers from all over the world in search of a challenge with comfort and style.

The “Camino del Apu Ausangate” provides a unique trekking experience, off the beaten path, in the Cordillera Vilcanota, a remote and unspoiled high mountain paradise in the Andes department of Cusco.  It offers a rare opportunity to enjoy a few days in harmony with nature and isolated Andean shepherds, combined with the comfort of cozy, eco-friendly Andean Lodges. After a catch up day in Cusco, a spectacular rail tour to Machu Picchu.

Day 1: You will arrive at the airport and be met by our local representative and transferred to a hotel in Lima.

Day 2: An early morning flight will take you to Cuzco. A leisurely day in town, where you can buy souvenirs and adjust to the high elevation. (B)

Day 3: Today will be the day for exploring ruins with a visit to the Koricancha, Tambomachay with their water fountains; Kenko, the religious center; Puca-Pucara, the red fortress, and finally the fortress of Sacsaywaman. (B, L)

Day 4: Full day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the Indian Market of Pisac in the morning and Ollantaytambo fortress in the afternoon. This site, including the village at it’s base, exemplifies the best of Incan engineering. (B,L)

Day 5: We start in city of Cusco, with an interesting bus-ride along the Vilcanota Valley, on the paved main-road from Cusco to Puno (Lake Titicaca).  After a stop at the town of Checacupe and a visit to its beautiful colonial church, we ascend the Japura Valley that leads to the communities of Osefina and Chillca, the final stop of the bus-journey, where the groups are received by the locals.  From there it’s only a 20 minute walk to the first lodge, the Chillca Tambo (4,300 m / 14,000 ft).  Upon arrival, have time to explore the surroundings, or just to relax, enjoying the beautiful views and sceneries.  In the evening people from the village will entertain our groups with traditional music.

Day  6, 7, 8 : The actual trekking begins early in the morning after breakfast. The distances on the trail vary from around 6 to 11 miles/10 to 16 km per Day. The lodges are all within daily walking distances, easily reachable in six to seven hours, considering regular hiking-speed and plenty of stops for taking pictures and enjoying the landscapes.
While on the trail, hikers will need to carry a day pack (camera equipment, water bottle, extra layers, rain gear, and other accessories they might need on the trail). The hike itself is rather demanding, mostly due to the altitude, ranging from 14,000 to 16,700 ft/4,300 to 5,100 m at the highest pass. There are also some significant changes of altitude during the course of the day. (BLD)

Day 9: When we reach the road halfway between Chillca and Checacupe.  It ends with a picnic lunch, before boarding the bus back to Cusco, on the above mentioned road. (BL)

Day 10:  Today is a free day to relax back n the city. (B)

Day 11: Today you will embark on one of the most exciting journeys in the world – the train to Machu Picchu. Not known to exist by the Spaniards, Hiram Bingham brought Maccu Picchu to world attention in 1911, when he was searching for the last Incan stronghold of Vilacamba. (B)

Day 12: Today will be your return trip to Cuzco by train with time to revisit Machu Picchu on your own if you wish (the second day entrance fee is not included). (B)

Day 13: Transfer and flight back to Lima and onward flight home.

Besides the llamas, that carry a large part of the clients luggage, our groups are also followed by horses.  Weary participants have the option to continue the trip on horseback. AN option exists to ride horse the whole trip at a small extra cost of US$250 pp. This is to pay for the extra horse guide.

Tour Includes: 12 nights accommodation, all local airfares, and transfers from airport, fully guided, breakfasts daily and all meals while trekking.

This expedition voyage explores some of the most untouched rainforest in all of the Amazon. It is an 8 day trip where we travel by riverboat far up the Rio Negro to an area very rarely visited, exploring the mysterious life of the wilderness that stirs in the forest and in the heart of wild nature. We visit quite remote forest that has very few settles so the flora and fauna is very little disturbed.

Sailings Every Second Monday Year Round, 8 days/7Nights

Day 1 This morning all guests board the vessel the Motor Yacht TUCANO and depart upstream on the Rio Negro. Through the morning we will cruise through the world’s largest river island system, the Anavilhanas Archipelago. From the observation deck we scan the magnificent tangle of vegetation at the water’s edge. By mid-afternoon the vessel has gone beyond the frontier of settlement and entered a wilderness area. Both shores are covered by dense rainforest. Though we never know what we will see, we have a good chance of observing pink river dolphins and a large collection of exotic birds. Most certainly we will be treated to magnificent forest vistas and the spectacular trees themselves. In the late afternoon we embark in the launches and hunt for wildlife. We may also go for a swim in some of the world’s most clean and refreshing water. (LD)
Day 2 Early this morning we explore the rainforest along the waters edge in our launches. We should hear and perhaps see howler monkeys along with a morning serenade of toucans. After breakfast we go for a walk in the forest where we will get a good start on understanding Amazon ecology. Around midday we return for lunch and the vessel will get underway, perhaps stopping at a place to swim. In the late afternoon we will explore the forest in our launches and listen to the sunset chorus of birds and frogs. (BLD)

Day 3 This morning there will be an early exploration of the waking forest. We will keep our eyes open for monkeys- on most trips we see them often. We return for breakfast followed by either a walk in the forest or an excursion in the launches. TUCANO will travel during the middle of the day and we stop in the afternoon for an excursion. Tonight the vessel may travel a bit more as we marvel at the night sky crowded with stars. (BLD)

Day 4 After our two morning excursions TUCANO will navigate along the heavily forested shore, scouting for wildlife. We may stop for a visit at a settler’s home carved out of the forest. In the early afternoon we will be near an extraordinary river called the Rio Jauaperi. Here we will see a kind of forest known as the varzea. We will scout along the shoreline for some of the extraordinary creatures found only in this unique environment. Weather permitting we will do a night excursion to observe nocturnal creatures. (BLD)

Days 5 Today we depart the Rio Jauaperi and for the next two days proceed downstream on the Rio Negro exploring a new collection of rainforest habitats. In the daytime we will continue to scout in our launches, walk in the forest, and at night hunt for nocturnal wildlife. (BLD)

Day 6 After a walk in the forest we cross to the West bank of the Rio Negro, exploring as we go. We will stop at the substantial boat building village of Novo Airão. As we walk through the streets we’ll marvel at how the 19th Century thrives in this remote corner of the globe. Tonight TUCANO goes downstream to arrive at daybreak near the confluence with the Amazon River. As we glide through the starry darkness this is a good night to sip the national drink of Brazil, the “Caipirinha”. (BLD)

Day 7 This morning we explore the Lago Janauari Ecological Park where seasonally the thick brown water of the Amazon flows swiftly through the forest. This area is usually a very good place to observe wildlife. Around midday the vessel will travel to the “Encontra das Aguas” a stark several mile long line where the world’s two largest rivers, the Amazon and the Negro, join in a turbulent maelstrom. Here the dark water of the Negro runs beside the opaque brown water of the Amazon. In the afternoon we scout one of the hidden streams in the area to try to see more of the Amazon’s beautiful and bizarre creatures. Tonight there will be one last excursion looking for nocturnal life. (BLD)

Day 8 In the morning all guests disembark from TUCANO. Some guests will participate in an optional tour of the city of Manaus before transferring to the airport. (B)

Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner/ Please note that the day to day schedule must be considered approximate. The exact order of the days and specific features may be altered due to navigational consideration