Day 1

Flight into Lima. Pick-up at airport and transfer to the CEPROF Project. Dinner (if your flight gets in before 7 p.m.) and overnight at CEPROF, a Home for girls, ages 6 to 18, who have been abandoned or who are in physical and psychological danger.

Day 2

Morning flight to Puerto Maldonado. Pick-up at the airport, where our official guide will welcome us to the Amazon. From there, we’ll go to Puerto Maldonado’s river port, where a motor boat will be waiting to take us down the Tambopata River to our lodge, the Posada Amazonas. During the trip, we’ll eat a box lunch as we watch the native birds: black skimmers, sandpipers, herons, wood storks, hawks and various species of kingfishers, swallows and “fly-trapper” birds.

Upon arrival at the lodge, we’ll have some time to rest and settle in. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a 100-foot tower with a spectacular view of the Tambopata River and see other kinds of birds, such as toucans and parrots. After dinner, we’ll see a presentation of the Inferno Community ecotourism project.

Day 3

We’ll get up at dawn to visit the Tres Chimbadas Lake. In a catamaran, we’ll sail around in absolute silence, in order to appreciate the lake’s wildlife at its most active. If we’re lucky, we’ll see black caimans, birds, monkeys, the prehistoric-looking shansho birds and giant nutrias (beaver-like animals). Around midday, we’ll go back to the lodge. After lunch, we’ll visit the Ñape Center, a community-run organization that grows medicinal plants and makes use of their natural extracts. Walking along the different trails, we’ll get to know these plants, used not only for medicinal purposes but also for transport and construction. We’ll walk through the jungle again at night, when the mammals are most active yet most difficult to see. The easiest to note are the bizarre shapes and sounds of the frogs.

Day 4

The Parrot Collpa is only twenty minutes from the lodge. From a blind twenty yards away, we’ll be able to see dozens of parrots that come every morning to eat the clay of the muddy river walls. The ccolpa should be visited in the early morning, late morning or evening, when there’s the most activity. Back to the lodge for breakfast.

Later in the morning, we’ll go on a two-hour hike that will take us to the largest tree in the area: a giant ceiba. Back to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a boat to visit a unique chacra (cultivated field) in the Inferno Community, where the owner grows a large variety of both popular and unknown plants. Back to the lodge for dinner.

Day 5

After breakfast, we’ll go back to Puerto Maldonado. Flight to Cusco and free afternoon. Night in hotel.

Day 6

Around 9:30 a.m., after breakfast, trip via private transportation to San Pedro Market, where we’ll be surrounded by Andean tastes, colors and smells. This is a real glimpse into local life and is thus the perfect starting point for a visit to Cusco. Next, we’ll go visit the Incan ruins on the outskirts of the city: Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.

For lunch, we’ll go to the Larapa neighborhood, where we’ll eat with the children and teenagers of the Hogar de las Estrellas, a wonderful project that supports differently-abled children.

In the afternoon, we will go back into town, and you will choose one of the following places to visit (entrance fees not included): the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas; the beautiful MAP (Museum of Pre-Columbian Art); Qoricancha or the Temple of the Sun; the striking neighborhood of San Blas with the Coca Shop (where they use coca leaves to make infusions, chocolates, cakes, ice creams, etc.); an artisan market where you can buy presents. Night in Hotel.

Day 7

Around 9.30 am, with private transport, we’ll go and discover the Sacred Valley. We’ll visit: Chincheros andt the Rainbow Temple, Moray, ancient Inca laboratory and Maras with its impressive salt mines, landscapes that will let us speechless. Successively we’ll head for Urumbamba where the children of Mosoq Runa will be waiting for us for lunch. Back to the hotel in late afternoon.

Day 8

After breakfast, at 8.30am, once more we’ll head for the Sacred Valley. We’ll visit Pisaq with its imposing ruins and its unique colourful handicraft market, where colours and flavours are merged with the colonial architecture. Subsequently we’ll go to Ollantaytambo, the Inca wonder with its fortress and village perfectly well-preserved. And finally, we’ll catch the train to Aguas Calientes to start the adventure “Machu Picchu”. Night in hotel.

Day 9

At dawn, we’ll take the bus to go to Machu Picchu (it’s advisable to wake up at 5.00am, have an abundant breakfast and take one of the first buses). We’ll be able to visit the incredible archaeological complex (and also the Wayna Picchu) till 2.00 pm. Then in the afternoon we’ll catch our train back to Cusco (Ollantaytambo). We’ll arrive at Cusco in late evening. Pick-up and night in hotel.

Day 10

Public bus option: We’ll come pick you up at 7 a.m. and take you to the bus terminal; the bus leaves at 7:30 for Puno. The “First Class” tourist bus (with heating, air conditioning, chemical toilet, DVDs, service on board and buffet lunch in Sicuani included) will make a series of stops along the way: Andahuaylilla, Rajchi and Pukara. Pick-up at the Puno bus terminal. In the evening - between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. - meeting in the Hotel with a representative of the community of Huayllano. Night in Hotel.

Private minibus option: After breakfast, around 9:30 a.m., we’ll start our journey towards Puno. We can make stops when we like along the way. Lunch in Sicuani (not included). In the evening - between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. - meeting in the Hotel with a representative of the community of Huayllano. Night in Hotel.

Days 11 & 12

Early wake-up call and breakfast. At 7:30 a.m., we’ll go to the harbor and get in a private boat to explore Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

First, we’ll visit the floating Uros Islands, north of Puno bay. Next, we’ll head to Taquile, the lake’s biggest island, and dock on the north side of the island. From there, we’ll go to the small harbor of Huayllano. The Huayllano families will show us the island’s ancestral traditions; as their guests, we’ll eat their typical dishes and, for a night, live like locals.

In the evening, we’ll have dinner with our host family. Night in the host family’s home.

The next day, after breakfast, we’ll have time to explore the bay’s surroundings, the beach and some archeological ruins. Then, we’ll walk to Taquile town, where we’ll have lunch. Eventually, we’ll walk down to the harbor and return to Puno, arriving around 6 p.m. Night in hotel.

Day 13

Public bus option: Free morning in Puno. Departure at 2 p.m. and arrival in Arequipa around 7 p.m. Pick-up at the bus terminal and night in hotel.

Private minibus option: Morning departure; arrival in Arequipa after approximately 5 hours. Free afternoon. Night in hotel.

Day 14 & 15

Around 7:30 a.m., after breakfast, we’ll get on a bus (10-17 seats) with other travelers to go to the Colca Canyon. During the 4 hour ride, we’ll cross the magnificent altiplano, admiring its views and animals (alpacas, llamas, vicunas, guanacos, vizcachas, etc.). In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at the hotel, and those who want to can bathe in the valley’s renowned hot springs.

The next day, we’ll leave at dawn to get to the Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor, a perfect viewpoint for observing these majestic birds, who will fly close by us. Then, we’ll start the return journey to Arequipa, stopping in some of the valley’s villages along the way. Arrival in Arequipa around 6 p.m. Night in hotel.

Day 16

Free day in Arequipa, the "white city." Don't miss: the Santa Catalina Convent, the Museum of Juanita the Mummy and the delicious local cuisine. By night we’ll come pick you up at the hotel to take you to the bus terminal, where we’ll take a comfortable, fully-equipped bus (heating, air conditioning, chemical toilet, DVDs, service on board), arriving in Lima (15 hours) at afternoon the next day.

Day 17

Pick-up at bus terminal and transfer to the CEPROF Project.

Day 18

If your flight out of Lima leaves in the evening, we’ll do an alternative Lima city tour. Transfer CEPROF-airport. Flight out of Lima.

If the length of your vacation isn’t the same as the length of our tour, write us! Together, we’ll draw up an itinerary that suits you. Remember that our tours don’t have fixed departure dates; you decide when to travel!

Please note the following:

During visits to the Children’s Homes, we are guests. Please always ask permission to take photographs. In addition, it is expressly forbidden to give gifts or candy to the children. All donations can be given directly to the project director or representative.

If the Sacred Valley tour of Moray/Maras/Mosoq Runa/Chinchero falls on a Sunday, the Mosoq Runa children are not there, as they go home to their families. In this case, the itinerary will be modified so as to guarantee a visit to the project (by pushing ahead the visit to Machu Picchu).

Private tours: Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca.

Tours with other travelers: Colca Canyon.

On Taquile, the houses are very simple and the services basic.

The project contribution will go to the projects Mosoq Runa, Hogar de las Estrellas and CEPROF. You will also be supporting the Hogar de las Estrellas and Mosoq Runa through the lunches you eat there and CEPROF through the dinners you eat and the nights you spend there.

This tour includes:

Flight Lima-Puerto Maldonado and Puerto Maldonado-Cusco (economy class).

All transfers airport-hotel and vice versa.

All bus and train trips listed in the itinerary, whatever means of transportation you choose (public bus or private minibus).

When applicable, lodging in a family-run, three-star hotel, in double or twin rooms with a private bathroom and breakfast included.

Two nights at CEPROF (22 beds divided into 6 rooms with both private and shared bathrooms).

One night on Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca in a Huayllano family home.

All meals during the two days on Taquile.

Lunch in Sicuani during the trip from Cusco to Puno (only for those who choose the public bus option).

Dinner at CEPROF upon arrival in Lima (if your flight gets in before 7 p.m.) and coming back from Paracas.

All excursions listed in the itinerary, with a Spanish and English-speaking guide.

Private, English-speaking guide at Machu Picchu (for about two and a half hours).

Entrance fees for museums and archeological sites during guided visits (except those included in the BTC (Boleto Turistico del Cusco – Cusco Tourism Ticket)).

Private minibus option: private minibus with driver Cusco-Puno and Puno-Arequipa.

Public bus option: fully-equipped public bus Cusco-Puno, Puno-Arequipa and Arequipa-Lima.

This tour does not include:

International flight to and from Peru.

Project contribution (US$120 per person). The contributions will be given in full to the three Children’s Homes, so they may finance their own projects planned for 2010. For more information, please go to the PeruEtico Italia Association website.

Travel insurance policy (mandatory) that covers: emergency assistance, medical, baggage, ground transport.

Airport taxes (around US$6 for domestic flights).

Lunches and dinners (except those specifically listed above).

Entrance fees for archeological sites along the Cusco-Puno route.

BTC (Boleto Turistico del Cusco – Cusco Tourism Ticket).

Lunches at the Hogar de las Estrellas and Mosoq Runa. Each lunch costs US$15 per person (total US$30).

Lima city tour on last day.

Suggested packing list:

Both light and heavy clothing

Windbreaker

Rain jacket

Hiking boots

Swimming suit

Insect repellent

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

US Dollars (best conversion rates into Nuevo Soles)