Fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the lowlands of the Amazon jungle. Travel by motorized canoe to our lodge in the Tambopata rainforest area, which holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area. During the voyage, take the opportunity to see bird species typical of the river or forest edge, such as black skimmers, pied lapwings, capped herons, Jabiru storks, roadside hawks, and several species of kingfishers, swallows, and flycatchers. Depending on flight arrival times, enjoy either a boxed lunch aboard the boat or lunch upon arrival at the lodge. Rubber boots are provided at the lodge. The lodge itself combines native architectural style and materials with low-impact, eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, showers (no hot water), and kerosene lamps for lighting (no electricity). Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn from them about the area’s rich flora and fauna, and their extensive practical uses for medicinal plants and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques for building, fishing, and hunting. Approximate travel time: 2.5 hrs by flight, 2-3 hrs by motorized canoe Accommodation: Tambopata Lodge (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Enjoy visits to oxbow lakes and small clay licks to learn about the jungle and its inhabitants. Be introduced to the area’s rich flora and fauna by expert naturalist guides, who can teach extensive uses for medicinal and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques. Be prepared to go early morning or evening to avoid the heat of midday. Enjoy a leisurely pace – the trip requires some walking, but nothing too strenuous. Accommodation: Tambopata Lodge (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

This morning, transfer by boat and then fly to Cusco, where you will spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city, and – most importantly – getting used to the altitude. Please take it easy on your first day as strenuous activity can exacerbate symptoms of altitude sickness. This vibrant city has endless streets, monuments, and markets to discover that will fire the imagination and capture the heart. You will be returning to Cusco for a full free day later on in the trip, which will give you more time to explore. Approximate travel time: 3 hrs by motorized canoe, 1-1.5 hrs by flight, Accommodation: Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

Today we will travel from Cusco, through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes. The group will be picked up in the morning by a private vehicle at the hotel in Aguas Calientes. The first stop is the small village of Caccaccollo and the Planeterra Women's Weaving co-op. Your group will visit a community center built with support from GEEO and G Adventures travelers. Here, your family can meet the women of the weaving co-op and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing techniques. Discover how the co-op has impacted both the community and its visitors, and enjoy the opportunity to purchase handmade souvenirs directly from the artisans. Next, we travel to Ollantaytambo, a town with an Incan fortress strategically situated overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River valley. This major ruin site is known as the best surviving example of Inca urban planning and engineering. It is admired for its huge steep terraces guarding the Inca Fortress and for being one of the few places where the Spanish lost a major battle during the conquest. We will board a scenic train to get to Aguas Calientes village, passing by through the Urubamba Valley. There we will check into our hotel with some time left over for exploring. Approximate travel time: 2 hrs by private vehicle, 1.5 hrs by train, Accommodation: Hotel Taypikala Machupicchu (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

Machu Picchu is both the most magnificent and the least understood of the Inca ruins. It is not mentioned in any of the chronicles of the Spanish conquistadors, and archaeologists today can do no more than speculate on its function. The local Quechua farmers in the area knew of Machu Picchu for centuries, but it was not until an 11-year-old boy led the American historian Hiram Bingham (who was in search of Vilcabamba) to the site on July 24, 1911, that the rest of the world became aware of its existence. At that time, the site was covered in thick vegetation, and Bingham and his team returned in 1912 and 1915 to clear the growth. Over the years, much work has been done on excavating and studying the site. Despite these efforts, many unanswered questions remain. Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll. After touring the ruins, you'll have the opportunity to soak in the nearby thermal baths at our lunch stop. We'll then return by train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and then transfer by van to Cusco, where we will check into our hotel. Approximate travel time: 1.5-2 hrs by train; 1.5-2 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

We'll start the day with an included visit to the Chocolate Museum in Cusco to learn about the history of chocolate, the process of making it, and the story of the truffle. Then try your hand at creating your own truffles with a cooking lesson. After preparing these delicious treats you'll be able to enjoy them and take some with you to snack on later. Every year, Cusco attracts thousands of travellers who come to delve into its noble but tragic past. There are many impressive Incan sites to visit as well as museums. We recommend taking an optional guided tour of the city and getting a tourist ticket. Accommodation: Taypikala Hotel Cusco (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

Today we have some more time to see the sites of Cusco before flying to Lima. The evening is the last chance for a dinner with our group. Peruvian food is now becoming world-renowned. Opt to try some delicious ceviche, juicy lomo saltado, or perhaps guinea pig. Approximate travel time: 1.5-2 hrs by plane Accommodation: Hotel Antigua Miraflores (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

There are no planned activities today, so you may depart Lima at any time. If you wish to extend your stay in Lima, consider booking post-tour accommodation with us. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is usually mid-morning, but luggage storage services are available at the reception desk. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO programs in the same school year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off of the lesser value program(s) (up to 3 programs per year). If you would like to extend your time abroad but don't see another GEEO program that interests you, let us know. We can work with you to find a trip from our tour operator’s much larger catalog. Their tours are open to the general public and not designed specifically for educators, but we can still offer you and your travel companions a discounted educator price on any additional tours that you book. Meals included: Breakfast