Cusco & the Amazon for Adventurous Souls – Delfin I Cruise

Welcome to Lima, the 'City of Kings'. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and privately escorted to your hotel.

Afternoon flight to Iquitos.
Arrive to the Amazon city of Iquitos:
Our crew will be expecting your arrival at the airport, then transfer all together in our comfortable private vehicle. We will start you off with a lunchbox as we begin the journey to Nauta.
Arrive to Nauta port:
Nauta is a small riverside town on the banks of the Marañon River and was the first city founded in the department of Loreto. Once we reach Nauta, you will enjoy a VIP greeting at our private port along the shores of the Marañon River where the vessel awaits you.
Embarkation:
Aboard Delfin, you will be served by our qualified staff who will introduce you to your exquisite and cozy suite, specially equipped with all the amenities for the experienced traveler as yourself.
Orthopedic beds, pure cotton sheets, pillows of 100% pure natural latex, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning, and private bathroom with Spanish style hot water showers are all framed with a spacious private terrace we are sure you will enjoy to the fullest.
Happy Hour and orientation:
While the Delfin begins its initial navigation, you will enjoy the most fantastic panoramic views from the elegantly outfitted observation area located on our third deck. Our bartender will be waiting to serve you with an exotic cocktail made with regional fruits and pisco, the beloved national brandy liquor of Peru. Then, your naturalist guide will give you an overview of your journey’s schedule, activities, route, highlights, wildlife and vegetation to keep your eye out for, geographical and historical background, and other useful details.
The third deck features an entertainment center which offers use for film presentations, as well as extensive literature about the area (fauna, flora, etc.) There is also a completely equipped bar so you can test any combination of regional and international liquors and aromas that the bartender will be happy to provide for you to enjoy under the spell of the beautiful Amazonian afternoons and night, and the sweet breeze of the rainforest. Moreover, should you have any doubts or questions, our guides are always fully at your service.

Fundo Casual:
On your first morning with us, we recommend getting up early to appreciate one of the most important zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Never does nature seem more bountiful than in the tropics, and early rising is always rewarding since wildlife is most abundant and active
with the rising of the sun. The walk at Fundo Casual jungle trail will take you deep into the rainforest on “terra firma” (non-flooded forest) where your guide will point out the dynamic creatures and vegetation of the Amazon. Be sure to keep an attentive eye open for spotting surprises!
Nauta Caño:
After a delicious lunch we will visit Nauta Caño Creek where you will have the chance to do some kayaking. Also, go fishing for the famous piranha, a delightful and challenging experience you won’t forget! As night approaches, your guide will take you on a night safari in search of caiman alligators and night birds.

Amazon Park:
This is a unique opportunity; you will get to the only Canopy Walkway in this area, an experience unequaled in the rainforest! At a height of over 25 meters (85 feet) and extending for 500 meters (one-third of a mile), the Canopy Walkway provides a view of the rainforest from the treetops, the best vantage point for observing Amazon wildlife and vegetation. The Canopy Walkway is accessible to all and requires no special skills or equipment. The suspended walkway is spread between 14 of the area’s largest rainforest trees and is one of the longest canopy walkways in the world. You will enjoy “Terra Firma” forest and you will be able to see the differences between your previous hike and this one.
PM: Yanayacu Pucate:
This is one of the best preserved and protected zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guide will use his expert eye to pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. If you want to interact directly with the waters of the Amazon, go out on one of our paddle boards. You will even have the opportunity to swim in the jungle river along with the famous pink dolphins!

Amazonas:
This village of 500 people, although not very many miles from the bigger town of Nauta in miles, is still quite removed when you have to go by canoe from place to place. On your visit to this community we will be welcomed by smiling faces and friendly people. Around the community, people who are happy to show you the process of peeling and grating cassava, while another may invite you in for a look at the tools he uses to process the rice (grown locally). A day in the life of a local ribereño is eye- opening to how far we have come in this day and age and a reflection of how simple yet rewarding life is for others.
Yarapa River:
Along the Yarapa River, you will get to explore this tributary intimately. Listen closely for the sounds from within the mysterious jungle. We travel down river to this wide creek that leads to an attractive hidden lagoon. As we absorb the beauty of the landscape, we will have the chance to reflect on the wildlife. Hawks, terns, herons and monkeys which are part of our everyday excursions are readily close by; in this area we will notice many more inhabitants of the Amazon, the rivereños. People being an important part of this complex bionetwork only reinforce the fact that we are part of their lives and how our presence here and now could make a difference to the future of this magical land of the Incas. Look out for specific types of Monkeys like the pygmy marmoset, squirrel monkey, and our first Monk Saki. This medium-sized monkey with the thick fur and bushy tail looks more like he is dressed for the Arctic than the Amazon.

Disembarkation:
With heavy hearts, the staff will wish you farewell as you begin your departure. At the port of Nauta, our ground crew will be waiting to take you by our private vehicle back to the city of Iquitos, about 95 kilometers journey by paved road.
The Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (ACOBIA): On our way from Nauta back to Iquitos airport, you will visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (ACOBIA) where you will have the chance to meet baby manatees and learn about these wonderful and docile creatures and why they are on the endangered species list. As well, there are also some other animals cared for by the center that have been rescued from capture for the intention of being turned into pets and other threatening conditions. We welcome you to donate to this ambitious organization and education center as you wish. Our land personnel will wait for you at the airport and give your boarding passes and help you check in.

Airport departure:
Our staff will be on hand to help you with your luggage and check in at Crnl. FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport in Iquitos. The return flight will take you directly to the city of Cusco. At the security gate, your guide and Delfin crew will say goodbye. We truly hope that you enjoyed your stay and Amazon travel experience with us!

Upon arrival to Cusco, you are welcomed by your friendly host who will drives you to your hotel. On route, your host are going to give you a briefing about Cusco and your complete itinerary.
Afternoon at leisure to acclimatize and get ready for the adventure.

Overnight in Cusco.

We will get away from the crowds to visit Sacsayhuaman, an impressive fortress full of colossal structures surrounded by beautiful landscapes in complete communion with nature. We will then continue to the Inca shrine of Qenqo, with its awesome altar for sacrifices embedded in the side of the rock.
Finally, we wiil reach the Puca Pucara watchtower and Tambomachay, a monument of noticeable architectural excellence, considered one of the pillars of the Andean view of the world.

After visited all this amazing and historical inca sites, we will return to the City and on the way we will stop at San Cristobal to enjoy a panoramic view of the city delighting us with a small toast and then we will enjoy a traditional and delicious lunch in one of the best restaurant of the City.

After having lunch, our city tour continues visit San Blas Neighborhood, a bohemian place where the most important and representative artisans and painters was born. From here, we will walk down along the Hatun Rumiyoc Street, finding midway the Inca Roca Palace, today the Archbishop’s Palace; and where we can appreciate the worldwide famous Twelve Angles Stone. Arriving to the Main Square, we will visit the Cathedral that houses invaluable colonial works of art and then we will have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful and impressive museums in Peru, The Inka Museum that has a complete collection of our heritage, culture and history.

After visit all these beautiful and impressive places, we will go to San Pedro Market, where we will be able to appreciate the local flavors and learn about the local produce in this market where you can find everything and is the main supply center of the city. Finally, we will then continue to the Koricancha Temple that will welcome us with its splendor. The Sun Temple is the meaning of its name in Quechua and we can still feel the sumptuousness of its walls that were once lined in gold sheets and where worship was offered to the Sun God, the most important deity of the Incas.

Overnight in Cusco.
breakfast/lunch

Pick up from your Hotel in Cusco for our 40 minutes ride to the village of Chinchero where we start our ride. Passing the lagoon of Huaypo we will arrive at the Archaeological Site of Moray, where we stay for more or less 20 minutes to enjoy the beauty of nature and archaeology. This part of the tour is very attractive because of its permanent ups and downs. Continuing our trip, we arrive at Maras where a tasty picnic lunch will be waiting for us. After a 1-hour downhill ride, lets us feel the peace of the Andean countryside, enjoy your freedom. After a great lunch, go on riding to the terraces of salt below Maras and then again a downhill 40 minutes approx., arriving in the Sacred Valley (Pichingoto, Tarabamba), where we end our magnificent bike tour at approximately. 4:30pm

Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
breakfast/Picnic lunch

We leave from your Hotel in the Sacred Valley towards Ollantaytambo. From there, a dirt road takes us up the Patacancha side Valley (1 hour) until reaching the community of Pallata. Here you can observe the native way of Quechua life, where crops and weavings are worked with simple hand tools that have been in use for centuries. A steep ascent to the road head will bring us to the small archaeological complex at Pumamarca, a small Inca settlement overlooking the Patacancha valley that managed the irrigation system of the Inca terracing below.

After visiting this site, we will begin hiking along and through the terracing complex of Choquecancha, with great views of the surrounding landscape. A three-hour descent through these farmed terraced areas will bring us to the outskirts of Ollantaytambo Village, where we will arrive for lunch. After lunch, we will visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, one of the few Inca towns that have survived much as the Incas designed it several hundred years ago. Here we can see Inca canchas, enclosures of multi-
family living quarters that share just one exit to the street, ingenious stonework, cobbled streets, and an extensive communal water system that survives to this day.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
breakfast/Box lunch

Transfer to the train station at Ollantaytambo for an early departure to KM104, the start of the Inca Trail Express. We will cross the hanging bridge to the Chachabamba site and after a brief visit we begin the 3-hour ascent to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, an important spiritual site. The Inca Trail cuts across the ridge above Machu Picchu to finally reach Intipunku (the Sun Gate) from where we will have an amazing first view of Machupicchu and where the trail winds downhill.
This day we will have a box lunch on route.

The classic view from the Sun Gate to the citadel is a truly unique experience, an unforgettable way for your first view of this magical site. After arriving to Machupicchu, we will descend by bus to< Machupicchu Town (Aguas Calientes) and overnight at your chosen hotel with dinner included.

Overnight in Machupicchu.
breakfast/box lunch/dinner

Early departure from your hotel for your guided visit of Machu Picchu which takes around 3 hours.
Walking through the different sectors of the hill-top citadel and learning about different aspects of Inca life and history as you admire the mist cloaked mountains.
After our visit to this beautiful Citadel, we will return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and then transfer to your hotel.
*This day and depend of the availability, we will have the option to visit Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain.

Overnight in Cusco.
breakfast/lunch

You have the day at leisure to recover the energies and walking around the city for your own.

Overnight in Cusco.

Our adventure begins very early, at 03:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., starting to pick up their respective hotels.
Later we leave in our transport units towards Cerro Colorado or Rainbow Mountain. Along the way we will observe multicolored landscapes and crops that are mixed between the mysterious mountains and snowy, Andean animals like llamas, alpacas, sheep, and vicuñas. After 3 hours we will arrive to the community of PITUMARCA there we will take our exquisite breakfast.
After our breakfast, we head to the community of Qesoyuno place where our adventure begins. The hike to the mountain is approximately 3 hrs up the mountain.
Starting the walk we will pass a path that gradually changes the panorama between mountains of intense colors and small streams of ice water that feed and give life to this beautiful place, as we go walking we will observe how the colors around us will change by the climate, until reaching the skirts of the Cerro Vinincunca. We will ascend to a height more than 5033 m.s.n.m. Top of the magic Mountain of Colors or Rainbow Mountain.
This is the point where we will have enough time to take selfies, photographs, videos, etc. At the same time will be the place where we will enjoy our refreshment while we appreciate the magic and energy that keeps this majestic place, behind its veil of clouds, and snowy peaks. After such an exquisite experience we will undertake the return trek for approximately 3 hours to the town of PITUMARCA, where our mobile unit awaits us, we return to our restaurant to have lunch.
Finally we return to Cusco, arriving in the city of Cusco at 18:30 pm where we Will transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.
breakfast/lunch

At the proper time, we will pick you up from your hotel for the flight to your next destination.