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Tambopata macaw clay lick and Sandoval lake 9 days - Orange Nation Peru

Best Customize Amazon Trip & Tour to Machu Picchu 9 days

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From $687

OVERVIEW

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Service Level: Standard-Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.
Travel Style: Hiking, trekking, cultural, adventure
Group Size: Small group experience; Max 8, Avg 5.

MAP

map packages 9 day to machu picchu

ITINERARY

To kick of the trip of a lifetime, we will pick you up from the Tambopata bus terminal or airport as your preferred method of transportation arrives. We head immediately to our main office where you can drop off a few things before starting the adventure.

Our 5 day tour begins at 8:30am, when we travel for 2 hours to the port of Tambopata. Here, our boat will be waiting. We head off on a 50 minute boat trip to the lodge.

Keep your eyes peeled for any wildlife you might see. From different species of birds to turtles, capybaras, caimans, and if we’re really lucky, a white jaguar.

Before you know it we will arrive at the lodge, where you will be welcomed with a typical Amazonian refreshment before being shown to your room. Take a little time to relax and unwind before meeting back up with the group for lunch.

In the afternoon we take the opportunity to stretch out legs through the jungle. We will see ancient trees and the animals that call them home. From insects and ants, to butterflies and spiders, and larger mammals too, including different species of monkeys.

We head back to the lodge for a delicious dinner, and afterwards we don our torches ready for a night walk. We’re on the hunt for nocturnal animals, be it alligators, capybaras, and jaguars, as the night time is their favorite time to hunt. We head back to the lodge and go to bed, ready for the following day.

We rise bright and early to make the most of the day, heading out on a boat trip right away. We travel upstream for an hour and 20 minutes as the sun creeps over the horizon. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous anaconda on the banks.

Sooner than you think, we will be mooring up and disembarking from the boat. From here it’s just a short walk to the famous Macaw Clay Lick. Once the sun is up, the clay lick explodes with life. Hundreds of macaws and parrots cover the clay, feeding happily and socializing.

As the birds feast on their clay, so we too indulge in a delicious picnic breakfast, giving us a chance to sit back, relax, and revel in the proximity of these incredible wild birds.

All too soon, we will be heading back to our lodge, and continuing our journey to the Tambopata Research Center. This is the best place to learn about all things Amazonian. Monkeys, wild pigs, tapirs, trees, medicinal plants, you name it, they have the info on it.

We head back to the lodge to enjoy dinner together before venturing out on another night walk and eventually settling into bed.

After breakfast we pack up our things and jump back in the boat, traveling for around 2 hours before getting back into our private transport and transferring back to the city of Puerto Maldonado, where we visit the office to drop anything that we don’t need for the following days.

We head to the port Capitanía, where we will board a boat, traveling for 50 minutes downstream. We take a little time for some adrenalin filled fun- both a canopy walk and a zipline are available if you choose.

We then head over to Sandoval Lake, found inside the Tambopata Reserve. It’s a 3km walk from the port to the lake, and in the rainy season be prepared to get a little muddy. At the end of the 3km, there is a port with canoes.

We row through the thick undergrowth for around half an hour before arriving at the Sandoval Lake Resort Lodge- our home for the night. Our arrival is greeted with fresh local juices and a brief explanation about the lodge before being shown to your room.

We head out on another night walk, but with a new section of jungle, so is an opportunity to see new animals. From the night monkey (Musmuqui), to frogs, snakes and insects, there is plenty to see at night. We head back to the Lodge for dinner and to rest for the evening.

Shortly after breakfast, we head out for some of the most exciting experiences of the trip. We head right to Monkey Island, where there is plenty of interesting flora and fauna, and perhaps unsurprisingly, lots of monkeys.

The monkeys are wild, but they are used to humans and may accept an offering of some fruit if you bring it. You will see plenty of different species running through the canopy, and if you’re lucky, they’ll come a little closer.

After the Monkey Island we visit another canopy tower and have another shot at a different zipline- after all, the view from the tree tops is something entirely unique and really quite special.

Later in the afternoon we head back to our boat and eventually arrive to our lodge in Puerto Maldonado.

Wasai Lodge.

We have a free morning today, so choose your own adventure. If you would like to explore the town of Puerto Maldonado, head out onto the streets. Or perhaps you are just in the mood to relax in your hostel.

Whatever activity you prefer, you have the entire morning to enjoy doing it. In the afternoon you will be picked up and taken to the airport for your flight to Cusco, the capital city of the Incas.

Once you arrive in Cusco, be sure to stay hydrated to fight off any hints of altitude sickness, and get an early night ready for the days to come.

We will pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 am with our private van and head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Our first stop is the Manos de la Comunidad, an artisanal weaving center, which is home to a variety of Camelids indigenous to Peru like the llama, alpaca, guanacos and the vicuña.

The vicuña in particular produces very fine wool, and it is only possible to shear them every three years. We visit this farm to pet, feed and take pictures with these animals.

We will be shown around the center by local woman, dressed in traditional outfits. They will show us how to process the wool from the animals, and how to weave it. There is a chance to buy some souvenirs from here on our way out.

We continue driving into the Sacred Valley, making a quick stop to the Mirador of Taray. This is an incredible viewpoint of the Sacred Valley and its surrounding mountains. Grab some pictures, and we continue our journey to Pisac.

Pisac’s archeological site is an extremely interesting place to explore. High above the town, there is the largest known Inca cemetery, with over 2000 tombs lining the mountain side. There are also farming terraces, food storages warehouses, and water channels.

Our guide will share plenty of information about each area, and you will have a little time to explore by yourself. We will then drive through rural farming towns to Urubamba where we stop for a buffet lunch (not included).

After lunch, we continue towards the colonial town of Maras, to where we will find Pre-Inca salt mines. This historical site has been mined since pre-Inca times and continues to be the bread and butter for this small community.

The salt stream above feeds the thousands of salt pans, once the water has evaporated the salt is collected and sold. The salt mines are one of the few left in the world that produce a natural pink salt and have not adopted any modern techniques for mass salt mining.

The locals have full mining rights and all the salt sold on site belongs to the locals. These mines still supply Peru with over 90% of its salt. A great place to grab another souvenir.

Next, we visit Moray, which was an experimental farming site built in the form of an amphitheater. Each level has a different temperature to grow different types of crops. These terraces were carved before the Incas took control of the Sacred Valley and then used by the Incas to research optimal growing conditions for their crops.

The Incas brought in different soil samples from other regions, to optimize their research. The locals were still using it for growing their crops, until the 1970s when it was preserved and protected for tourism.

Then, we drive to Ollantaytambo to explore this quaint Inca village and the amazing Inca Ruins on the hilltop above. These ruins are where the Incas fought their last battle with the Spanish conquerors, before they had to retreat and flee into the dense jungle.

Most of the structures were unfortunately incomplete. There is a section with a number of boulders that were carved, but didn’t make it to their destination. Another possibility, is that the battle was so intense, it caused a lot of damage to this massive Inca site.

Finally, at around 5:30pm we head to our hotel to spend the night, preparing for the once in a lifetime hike we are about to embark on.

Hotel in Ollantaytambo: Tunupa Lodge or similar

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 am to take you to the Ollantaytambo train station, which is very close to the hotel. We get on the 6:10 am Expedition Train. We take the train to KM 104, the starting point of the Inca Trail.

After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, you need to show your passport at the checkpoint. There we visit the first Inca site, just a few steps from the checkpoint.

At this point, we begin our 3-hour trek to Wiñay Wayna archaeological site (2,650/8,747ft) also known as Forever Young in Quechua. The first hour and a half is a gentle hike upward.

Along the way, we stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River and pass through several microclimates, including a cloud forest. We are then challenged by a slightly steeper uphill trek and rewarded at the end by a beautiful waterfall to enjoy.

Upon reaching Wiñay Wayna, we will rest, eat your gourmet box lunch and enjoy the dazzling views of this amazing site. Here at Wiñay Wayna we finally intersect with the Classic Inca Trail. These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. Be sure to ask your guide to share about its history.

We stop by Wiñay Wayna for lunch, to enjoy the scenery, and to rest our legs after an intense morning of walking. There’s just one hour left of the uphill of our hike, before we arrive to the famous Sun Gate (2,730m/9,00ft).

We know we are close to the Sun Gate when we experience our last challenge with a final set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca Trail, sometimes known as the Gringo Killer Steps.

As we pass through the Sun Gate, we get the first glimpse of the mysterious Machu Picchu Citadel. It is just an hour hike down the flat rock stairs to Machu Picchu. Be sure to have your camera ready to take pictures of all of the incredible views of Machu Picchu Citadel along the way.

Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site (Guard House), where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu.

We will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots.

Take your time to take in this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Your will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.

  • Meals: Box Lunch & Dinner
  • 3* Accommodation: Ferre Hotel
  • Difficulty: Moderate

We have an early start today, so grab some breakfast in your hotel and get ready to catch the 5:30am bus up to Machu Picchu. This gives you time to watch the sunrise in the magical citadel- the perfect way to start your Machu Picchu tour.

If you have an advanced booking for one of the peaks in the citadel (either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain) you will have time to complete the hike after the conclusion of your guided tour. Once you have had your fill of the citadel (either up the mountains or on the ground) you are free to head back down to Aguas Calientes using the shuttle bus.

Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes you are free to explore as you wish, grab some lunch at one of the many restaurants (not included), visit the market for some souvenirs, or if there’s time, take a dip in the natural hot springs that gave the town its name.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm. Be sure to watch the mountains and the Urubamba river from out the window. When you arrive in Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private van. You can expect to arrive at your hotel about 7:00pm.

  • 3* Accommodations: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
  • Meals: breakfast

***IMPORTANT:

  • On the 2-day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu.
  • You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $57 USD.
  • Early trains can be organized on request and it has to be done at booking.
  • The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike is subject to availability. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Our final day of the adventure starts bright and early to make the most of the day. Your guide will be waiting for you in your hotel lobby at 4am, ready for the 3 hour drive to the famous Rainbow Mountain.

When we are getting close to the mountain, we will stop for breakfast in a local restaurant before continuing on to the start of the trail. Almost immediately after our arrival to the trail, we will see herds of llamas and alpacas and the Ausangate Mountain in the distance.

The hike to Rainbow Mountain (5,020m /16,466ft) takes around an hour and a half. Here, we have a some free time for you to take pictures, hang out with the alpacas, or buy some souvenirs from the local women at the top.

The hike back down is slightly shorter, as the route is downhill instead of up, so we will arrive back to the car after an hour, and make our way back to the local restaurant to enjoy lunch together.

Then we head back to Cusco. With the sun fully up now, you can enjoy the beautiful rural scenery as it flies by the window. We will arrive back to Cusco between 5 and 6pm.

  • Meals: hot breakfast & lunch

Prices

Inclusions

What’s included for the Best Customized Amazon Trip & Tour to Machu Picchu?

  • Naturist, conservationist and bilingual guide for the trip to the jungle
  • Meals (we accommodate a majority of special dietary needs) 3 lunches, 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts
  • Transportation pick up and return to the airport or land terminal
  • 2 nights at Sandoval lake reserve
  • 1 night in Tambopata
  • 1 night in Puerto Maldonado
  • First aid kit for trips to the jungle
  • Rubber boots in case of rain in the jungle
  • Entrance to the Sandoval Lake Reserve
  • Sacred Valley Tour
  • Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Day trek to Rainbow Mountain and The Red Valley
  • Entrances to the Inca cities and archeological sites
  • Professional guide for nine days
  • Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Three nights hotel accommodation with private room, bathroom and breakfast included
  • Three nights accommodation in an eco-jungle lodge
  • 1 night in hotel  in Puerto Maldonado
  • Meals as indicated on the itinerary
  • Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu -Aguas Calientes
  • Personal assistance

Does not include in the Tambopata Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval lake Tour:

  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Airport taxes
  • Tips
  • Flights
  • Travel Insurance (highly recommended)

What do you need to bring for the Tambopata Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval lake Tour?

  • Mosquito repellent (DEET 35 recommended minimum!)
  • Original passport
  • Small backpack
  • Long-sleeved cotton shirts
  • Long cotton pants
  • Long cotton socks
  • Comfortable walking shoes,
  • Sandals or light shoes,
  • Rain gear (eg rain poncho)
  • Swimwear;
  • Binoculars (Can be  rented from Orange Nation)
  • Camera and charger and extra batteries (Some days will be long without access to electricity or charging ports)
  • Plastic bags used for clothing and a camera
  • The hat as protection against the sun or rain
  • Small towel
  • Toilet paper
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • 1 Bottle of water (1 liter minimum)
  • Pocket money (Soles) to buy drinks, snacks and for tips

*** we recommend wearing clothes that are light-colored, breathable and loose-fitting.  

Best Customize Amazon Trip & Tour to Machu Picchu 9 days
From USD $687

Why travel with Orange Nation Peru?

We have become the leaders in small group adventure travel over the past three decades by consistently listening to our travelers and delivering what they desire: adaptable itineraries, the freedom to explore, smaller group sizes, safety and peace of mind, and knowledgeable local guides who provide unique insights into the destination that would be missed through any other means of travel.

Learn more

EXPERT GUIDES : Our expedition staff are experienced, enthusiastic and among the best in the industry - they are our secret to success

SMALL GROUPS: Travelling with us will always feel like going with friends and not with a group of strangers in an organized tour.

OUR EXPERIENCE: With fifteen years’ experience and over 25 Packages to Machu Picchu alone, our team knows how to deliver a successful expedition.

ENVIRONMENTAL: Education and conservation are our passion. We aim to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of all wilderness areas.

Travelers' Choice Awards 2023
Excellent based on 360 reviews
Triadvisor

Letty C

Excellent worker

Jun. 2023

Joaquín excellent 👍 Very Caballero helped me with my 🎒 offered me oxygen does very well His work ⁇ in singing to Subme to the 🐎 And what a beautiful mountain it cost me to Climb but with the Joaquín's help I did!

Mariana D

A great adventure!

May. 2023

We made 4D / 3N of the Inka Trail. The experience was challenging, but it was worth it. Chef Fortunato's meals and explanations of Jony and David's places were very complete. Tmb the patience to make sure we all get there on time.

malala08

Fast and friendly service

Dec. 2022

We did not get to specify the service due to the political situation in the country, however the company quickly and carefully proceeded with the return. Very good service and when the situation calms down we will resume service with them.

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