Peru Photography Expedition: Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Amazon Rainforest

Upon arrival into Lima, transfer to the hotel. Check-in is available at 2 pm. Since today is a travel day, no meals are included.

After breakfast and a program orientation, spend the morning exploring Lima's historical city center on foot, with stops at the grand Plaza de Armas, Casa de Aliaga, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco. Next, attend a cooking demonstration, followed by a traditional Peruvian lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Larco Museum, which holds one of the world's largest collections of Peruvian pre-Columbian artifacts and showcases pieces from the Inca Empire as well as lesser-known cultures like the Moche, Chimú, and Nazca. This evening, enjoy dinner overlooking the Huaca Pucllana ruins.

After breakfast, fly to Cusco and then continue by vehicle to the Sacred Valley. Stop en route at the Awanakancha Center to learn about South American camelids and witness traditional and modern techniques for dyeing, spinning, and weaving textiles. Also stop at the colonial town of Pisaq, where a popular handicraft fair takes place with wares displayed on vividly colored and patterned textiles. After lunch, head to the hotel to check in and enjoy some time to relax. Have dinner at the hotel this evening.

This morning, visit the ruins at Ollantaytambo to experience the engineering genius of the Inca. The town has original buildings of Inca construction where the Inca retreated for their last stand in the highlands against the Spanish conquistadors. Learn about the area's ancient heritage while walking the narrow streets; running water still flows through the aqueducts, terraces are still farmed, and the pinnacle above the town is a burial ground. Have lunch near the site and then enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Take a morning scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes. Please note there is a weight limit of 11 pounds for luggage on the train. Your excess luggage can be stored at the hotel. Upon arrival head up to Machu Picchu for lunch and a guided tour. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, is arguably the best-known and most spectacular archaeological site on the continent. The quality of the stonework and abundance of ornamental sites indicate that Machu Picchu was an important ceremonial center, but archaeologists are still uncovering details. After exploring the ruins, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel located in the mists of the cloud forest.

This morning, go birding on the grounds of the hotel or take an optional tour back to Machu Picchu or to climb Huayna Picchu (this must be arranged in advance with Holbrook). The grounds of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo contain several miles of trails that loop through the forest. Over 200 species of birds, 111 species of butterflies, and 372 native orchid species may be seen. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax, explore on your own, or participate in optional activities offered by the lodge.

This morning you will have free time to go birding again or explore the area on your own. After lunch at the hotel take the train back to Ollantaytambo.

Drive to Chinchero to visit a local weaving community and learn about the ancient traditions still practiced by modern-day descendants of the Incas. Then make stops at the Moray archaeological site and the salt mines of Maras. Have a traditional lunch with members of a local family before returning to Cusco.

This morning, take a walking tour of Cusco. The center of Cusco is a history lesson: Modern and colonial buildings are built on top of Inca foundations, and colonial churches dominate the central square. Koricancha is an important Inca temple located in downtown Cusco. Built in honor of the sun god Inti, the site was once an important religious center. Conquistadors reported that the temple originally held a statue of the sun that was made of gold, weighing approximately two tons and inlaid with gems. The structure was built with enormous boulders and is considered one of the most outstanding examples of this type of Inca construction. Unfortunately, very little remains of this architectural wonder since the Spanish did their best to destroy it during their conquest of Cusco. The grand, Baroque church known as Santo Domingo was built on Koricancha's foundations and came to be viewed by the Spanish as a symbol of Christian triumph over heathen religion. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. This evening, enjoy an Andean music demonstration.

Today transfer to the airport for your flight to Iquitos. Receive a reception at the airport, brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Twenty-five mile journey down the Amazon River to Ceiba Tops, where rooms with air conditioning and private bathrooms provide the comforts of home in the rainforest. Afternoon hike in the beautiful primary rainforest reserve surrounding the lodge which includes many huge trees festooned with epiphytes. After dinner your guide will take you on a short walk to a small lake where caiman can be spotted at night and where you can find some of the insects and frogs that produce the cacophony of sounds that begin after dark.

Morning boat ride, spotting for dolphins, to visit a small village of Yagua Indians where your guide will explain the Yagua Indian culture and how it was affected by the arrival of Europeans and the passing of time. There will also be an opportunity to see some of the local crafts and for a demonstration of the blowgun which some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting. Afternoon walking excursion to the neighboring town of Indiana. Originally a Franciscan mission, Indiana has grown into a large river community with its own market, high school and small hospital.

Early morning departure from Ceiba Tops by boat to the narrow motorcar crossing connecting the Amazon and Napo Rivers to continue by boat to ExplorNapo Lodge for breakfast. Hike to the spectacular Canopy Walkway spanning over 500 meters (one-third of a mile), connected by tree platforms, and reaching a height of over 35 meters (115 feet) but accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. After lunch, visit the "ReNuPeRu" Ethnobotanical Garden where over 240 medicinal plants are cultivated by a local shaman who will explain the nature of Amazonian natural healing and the uses of some of the plants. Return to Ceiba Tops in time to enjoy the pool or hammocks before dinner.

Your choice of a morning walking or boating excursion to further enjoy the rainforest and Amazon River or time to relax by the pool until departure time. Afternoon transfer to Iquitos and to the airport for your flight back to Lima and then home.