Luxury Christmas in Machu Picchu - Option 3

December 20: Lima
Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer by private vehicle to the deluxe five star Miraflores Park Hotel.

December 21: Lima (B & L)
After breakfast, full city tour of modern and colonial Lima, declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991. Tour in an air conditioned bus with a bilingual guide. The tour includes a visit to the Cathedral, Main Square, San Francisco Convent and its Catacombs, and the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores. Lunch at the internationally acclaimed Rosa Nautica seafood restaurant, strategically located on a pier and extending into the Pacific Ocean. After lunch, a visit to the GoldMuseum. Originally from a private collection, the museum houses numerous gold, silver and copper artefacts from several pre-Hispanic cultures. The most precious piece in the collection is the solid gold Tumi (ceremonial knife) belonging to the Lambayeque culture (350AD). Return to your hotel. Free evening.

December 22: Lima – Cuzco - Sacred Valley (B & L)
After breakfast, flight to Cuzco, reception and transferto the wonderful five star Monasterio hotel. Full-day excursion to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the village of Pisac, founded during Colonial times. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays the Indians barter their products, and artisans from all over the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions and jewellery. On Sundays, it is also the meeting place for the local Mayors of the region, who come dressed in their traditional costumes, to attend morning mass. After a buffet lunch, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which is still inhabited. Explore the ruins above Ollantaytambo before returning to Cuzco via the traditional market town of Chinchero. Return to your hotel.

December 23: Cuzco (B & D)
Afternoon guided visit of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins continue to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun.  Dinner and folkloric show in the evening. 

December 24: Machu Picchu (B, D)
An early start by Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. Guided visit of the most spectacular ancient city in the world. This fabulous city contains houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour, free time to enjoy this spiritual wonder. Opportunity for a guided trek (approx 1 hour) up to the sungate (Intipunku), which is a part of the Inca Trail, for a magical view of the sanctuary or alternatively an unguided climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary (recommended for fit individuals only). Accommodation at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.  

December 25: Machu Picchu (B & L)
Opportunity to return to the sanctuary for a more personal appreciation of the Eighth wonder of the world. Christmas lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel located in front of Machu Picchu. Return in the afternoon by train to Cuzco and transfer to Monasterio hotel.
 

December 26: Cuzco – Puerto Maldonado  (B, L & D)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Arrival to Puerto Maldonado, reception at the airport where you will have a personal escort to assist with your luggage. We will then be driven to the river port, whilst hearing an introductory talk about the city and surrounding areas, in addition to the characteristics of the Amazon region.  We will then embark on a 45-minute boat ride on the Madre de Dios River until we arrive at the Reserva Amazonica. Here you will be assigned to your cabin, a  suite, complete with a private terrace, 2 sunbathing chairs and an outside shower with a private service entrance and complete with hot water showers.
After a buffet lunch, afternoon excursions including a guided walk along one of the trails close to the lodge. The trails wind past important giant trees of the forest as the kapok and the strangler fig, and you may see superb examples of bird and insect life.
We will also take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to see the change in the environment as twilight gives way to darkness. Animals and birds are replaced by special species adapted to the darkness, such as nightjars, owls, capybara, and caiman. You may choose to take the Twilight Rainforest excursion as an alternative.
Cocktails and buffet dinner in the dining room of the lodge’s main pavilion. Relax on the porch of your suite before retiring for the night.
 

December 27: Jungle Lodge  (B, L & D)
Wake up early to observe the sun rise over the Madre de Dios River before a buffet breakfast with eggs, cereals, local fruits, and fresh bread.
We will then gather in the Eco–Centre for your morning excursions.
A five-minute boat ride takes you to the Canopy Inkaterra Interpretation Centre where you can ascend the first tower, 45 metres (150 feet) above the forest floor.  Spend an hour and a half walking on the bridges that stretch between seven platforms, as you see giant strangler fig trees, orchids, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, and with luck, monkeys or a three-toed sloth
We will then embark on a 40-minute boat ride that takes you to the Tambopata National Reserve. Spend an hour-and-a-half walking the 3 km. (1.8 mile) trail through the wildlife-rich reserve, and you will arrive at the breathtaking oxbow lake called Lake Sandoval. Here you will have an excellent opportunity to see the endangered giant river otter. Also residing in and around the lake are the rare red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anaconda, point-tailed palm creepers, and side-neck turtles.
Return to the main lodge for cocktails and buffet dinner. Spend the night in your suite.
 

December 28:  Jungle Lodge - Lima (B & L)
After breakfast,  check out of the lodge and return by boat to Puerto Maldonado, an hour and a half upriver. Visit the city’s Butterfly Farm, unique in Peru where you can experience several dozen of the more than 3,800 varieties of butterflies and moths found in Peru. Assistance with your luggage, prior to boarding your flight to Lima. Arrival and connection for your international flight.

OUR PRICE INCLUDES:
Accommodation in luxury double rooms/suites at selected, historical hotels Meals as per the itinerary.
Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based in private service with English speaking guides.
All internal flight tickets.
Train Tickets: Vistadome Class.
All entrance fees.

OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
US$29.00 tax for all international air departures All domestic flights, require a US$6.05 charge (airport tax)
Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.
Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident etc.
Tips, baggage porterage and other extras not specified.