Andes to Amazon Raft Expedition

1. 1–2

   Days 1–2

   Depart UK & fly to Peru

   Meals included: lunch and dinner

   On arrival in Lima, we connect to Cusco where we are met and transferred to our hotel. Later, we are introduced to the city with the "Locals' guide to Cusco". This short walking tour is a great way to get our bearings and get used to the altitude. The beautiful historic centre was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 with Inca and colonial architecture evident all around.

2. 3

   Day 3

   Cusco Ruins

   All meals included

   This walking tour is a superb introduction into the Inca heritage of Peru. First, we visit the impressive site of Sacsayhuaman. Huge stone ramparts surround a beautiful grass amphitheatre which now hosts the recreation of traditional Inca ceremonies such as Inti Raymi and Warachikuy. Next is the Inca water temple of Tambo Machay lying at 3700m (12,000 feet) and the Red fort of Puca Pucara followed by a picnic lunch nearby. From here, an optional hike following an ancient Inca trail takes us downhill to Cusco.

3. 4

   Day 4

   Urubamba White Water Rafting

   All meals included

   This introductory day of white-water rafting takes us down a beautiful section of the Urubamba River. We usually run the class III-IV Chuquicahuana section located above Cusco, where the river is cleaner and more fun. It takes one and a half hours to drive to the river and on arrival we inflate the rafts and provide a full safety briefing and instruction in the art of white-water rafting. We then have two hours of fun rafting, making the most of the gentle start to practice our technique. The river flows through a beautiful canyon, filled with fun rapids, torrent ducks and views of the surrounding peaks. We end with a full picnic lunch before returning to our hotel mid to late afternoon.

4. 5

   Day 5

   Cusco

   All meals included

   Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting colonial churches, bargain hunting in artisan markets or just relaxing over a cappuccino on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has it all.

5. 6–10

   Days 6–10

   Lares trek & reforestation project

   All meals included

   A scenic two-hour drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to the start of our trek. We follow an ancient Inca trail into a narrow canyon, where Inca tombs perch in the cliffs. Emerging from the canyon we pass through tiny rural communities before re-joining our bus for a short transfer to the hot springs of Lares where we camp for the night (3200m/10,500ft). Over the coming days, we walk up the valley to Cuncani, before heading over two passes at 4200m and 4600m. Dropping down past a beautiful lake and native forest, we reach our camp near the tiny community of Mantanay. Here we start our work with the local villagers to plant native trees. The reforestation project aims to help preserve the water of the area, which the trees help to stabilise, and to maintain habitat for rare, endangered birds. Eventually, we make our way down to the Sacred Valley before catching the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo and an evening free to explore the extensive artisan market and restaurants.

6. 11

   Day 11

   Machu Picchu Tour

   Today we explore the pinnacle of Inca engineering - Machu Picchu. For years it was lost to the jungle. Rediscovered in 1911 by the Yale professor Hiram Bingham, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations. This astounding site lies in an even more astonishing location. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop it is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba River. We arrive early, allowing time to explore the ruins in the company of our guide, before it gets too busy. The tour takes around two hours leaving a few hours free to wander amongst the old Inca walls or just sit and take in the scale of the place on our own. Eventually the time comes to catch the bus down to Machu Picchu Pueblo and board our train back along the Urubamba River to Cusco.

7. 12

   Day 12

   Transfer Cusco to Puno

   All meals included

   We transfer from Cusco to Puno and can choose to make stops at the sites of Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Abra La Raya, Pukara museum along the way. The journey takes 7 - 10 hours and the scenery is truly spectacular as we wind our way through the high altiplano.

8. 13–14

   Days 13–14

   Private Amantani overnight tour on Lake Titicaca

   All meals included

   We board a shared tourist boat for a cruise on Lake Titicaca where the guide explains the local history, traditions and agricultural methods of the amazing floating reed islands of Uros. We head to Amantani Island for lunch where we are allocated our homestays and, once settled in, we can attempt a tough climb to the top of the island, being rewarded by spectacular views of Lake Titicaca and an amazing sunset. We return to our families for dinner. Whilst the accommodation is fairly basic, the experience of staying with a family is truly amazing and a great chance for a unique cultural exchange. From Amantani we take the boat to Taquile Island, famous for its beautiful weavings, friendly people and great hiking opportunities. We return to Puno and our hotel.

9. 15–16

   Days 15–16

   Drive to Tambopata River

   All meals included

   Today, we drive overland, high into the Andes, passing llama herds, glaciers and spectacular mountain ranges. As we cut through the Andes, we begin to descend through Inca terraces to the cloud forest. We descend as far as we can before setting up our camp on the roadside. The road from here to our launch site, on the banks of the Rio Tambopata, becomes more challenging as we drop deeper into the jungle and finally to Putina Punku. Depending on water levels / road conditions we will either start rafting here or continue on the road a little further to a small village called Curva Alegre. We inflate the rafts and securely pack all our gear and supplies. Following a full safety briefing and instruction, we don life jackets and helmets and head out on a classic expedition into the Amazon rainforest.

10. 17–21

    Days 17–21

    Rafting the Tambopata River

    All meals included

    Leaving all traces of civilisation behind, we raft exciting rapids by day and at night camp on pristine sandy beaches. The first days are full of class II-III rapids, starting small and technical, giving us plenty of time to practice the necessary skills required to negotiate the harder rapids to come. As tributary after tributary joins the main channel, the river increases in volume creating exciting and challenging class IV rapids. We will allow plenty of time for scouting and photographing the harder rapids. On day 19 we enter the ‘canyon of rapids’ where forty-seven individual rapids have been counted! In low water these are fun drops, in big water they can be very exciting indeed, but our expert guides will take us carefully through this incredible place. Eventually the river relaxes and for the last few days, our rafts float silently through the calmer stretches, giving us unequalled opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife. We can also get out the Stand-Up Paddle boards for some amazing wildlife spotting. Now that the Andes have given way to the Amazon, we hope to see families of capybaras - the world's largest rodent, and herds of peccaries. Lone tapirs have also been known to walk through the campsite at night and monkeys watch us pass from their tree top hideaways. Jaguars, jaguarondis, caiman, anteaters and giant river otters have also been spotted as well as countless species of rare birds and butterflies. Time is spent exploring beautiful side creeks and, if you wish, fishing for the delicious but elusive Paiche. Where the Tambopata meets the Rio Tavara, the river becomes flat and thus hard work. So, we camp and meet our re-supply boat.

11. 22–23

    Days 22–23

    Raft Rio Tavara, Macaw Clay Lick

    All meals included

    Today the motorboat transfers us a few hours down river to camp near the world-famous macaw clay lick. On day 23 we rise just before dawn to see the truly extraordinary spectacle of hundreds of macaws, parrots, and parakeets feasting on the minerals contained in the cliff wall. After breakfast, the motorboat transfers us further downstream, passing groups of gold miners and finally to the frontier town of Puerto Maldonado and a well-earned night in a hotel. We celebrate our achievement with a big dinner.

12. 24–25

    Days 24–25

    Journey Home, Depart Lima and Fly back to the UK

    Meal included: breakfast

    With our adventure behind us, we transfer to the airport in time for our flight back to Lima and the civilised world, connecting onward for our flight to the UK, arriving day 25.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.