Inkas & Rainforest

Call (800) 626-8785 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7417923

Tour Operator

Tara Tours

Offer

Offer valid through 12/31/2008

Duration

9 Days

Escorted

Escorted - No

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Depart USA	MIAMI-LIMA : Depart USA for Lima, Peru. After going through customs and immigration, you will be met and taken to hotel FARAONA.
Day 2	Cuzco	LIMA-CUZCO : Transfer to Lima airport for flight to Cuzco where you will be taken to hotel DON CARLOS. Morning best to rest and get used to the high altitude. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Cuzco -the center of the universe for the Inca civilization- visiting the Temple of Koricancha or Sun God, the Cathedral and the ruins nearby such as Sacsayhuaman, Kenko,Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay. (B)
Day 3	Machu Picchu	CUZCO-MACHU PICCHU : Full day excursion by train to the most mysterious and energetic place of the Inka civilization. Early morning your tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to the train station for your 3 1/2 hour trip -with spectacular views of the the Urubamba River and the Andean mountain range, to Machu Picchu. Temples, palaces, towers and staircases are built into the side of the mountain. Here your tour guide will take you from site to site explaining the advanced world of the Incas. Overnight at Hotel MACHU PICCHU INN located in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu. (B)
Day 4	Cuzco	MACHU PICCHU-CUZCO : Day at leisure to explore the "Lost City " of Machu Picchu on your own. You can walk for 2 miles towards the Intipunko (main entrance of M.Picchu in Inca times), or take a back trail to see the old Inca bridge carved on the side of the mountain, or just relax, take pictures and absorbe the powerful energy of the place. Mid-afternoon return to Cuzco by train and bus.(B)
Day 5	Puerto Maldanado	CUZCO-PUERTO MALDONADO-Heath River Wildlife Center : We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately four hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control. (B,L,D)
Day 6	Heath River Wildlife Center	Heath River Wildlife Center : We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual. When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction. After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. (B, L, D)
Day 7	Heath River Wildlife Center	Heath River Wildlife Center : We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. Then we return to the lodge to explore some trails. After lunch we could visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts or explore the trails. After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. (B,L,D)
Day 8	Lima	Heath River-PUERTO MALDONADO-LIMA : Early morning departure to Puerto Maldonado. During the river trip back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world. If time permits If time permits we will also Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Lima. Arrive and transfer to hotel FARAONA. (B)
Day 9	Return USA	LIMA-USA : Transfer to the airport for flight to Miami, New York or Los Angeles. (B)

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

*From Jan.02 to Apr.16 and Jun.15 to Aug.15 add $100 p.p
From Dec.10 to 31 -please add $250 per person.
AIRFARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME

ADD-ONS VIA AMERICAN AIRLINES: For same package.....
Add $300 from LAX, SFO, DEN, LAS and Zone 5; Add $160 from ATL, ORL, SJU, TPA & ZONE 1; Add $200 from DFW, HOU & ZONE 2; Add $280 from BDL, BOS, BWI, CHI, EWR, NYC, WAS, ZONE 3; Add $340 from ZONE 4. Add $350 from JAC, PDX, SEA.(See below Zone Chart). RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.

INSURANCE: Tara Tours Inc. strongly recommends that you purchased travel insurance. Insured America has designed a policy for Tara Tours clients. Cost for this program is $125-194 per person (see inclusions in our web site www.taratours.com -Insurance section).

DEPOSITS: US$150.00 at the time of booking.

FINAL PAYMENT: 45 days before departure.

CANCELLATIONS: At any time $100 per person. Prior to departure: 45 to 30 days $150 penalty fee; 29 to 15 days 50% penalty fee; 14 days or less -No Refunds.