Amazon Expedition Cruise, Colonial Cities & Inca Empire Heritage

Friday, 09 June 2023

Departure from UK

Take a daytime flight to Quito, arriving the same evening, where you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel for two nights. This is also the opportunity for our guide to provide you advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have. 

Saturday, 10 June 2023

City tour of Quito

Enjoy an afternoon tour of central Quito, including the beautiful old part of the city, San Francisco main square and the Presidential Palace. Visit some of South America's most impressive churches and colonial architecture and pay a visit to the renowned Gold Museum.

Sunday, 11 June 2023

Fly to Coca and embark

Fly to Coca and transfer on the river to join the Manatee Amazon Explorer for your 7-night cruise on a full board basis including daily excursions. After dinner, we experience the thrill of a night-time walk in the forest. 

Monday, 12 June 2023

Napo River

Sail downstream on the Napo River, where we have the chance to observe pink river dolphins, black caiman and anakonda. We may also spot the primitive hoatzin. Afternoon explore the rainforest by canoe. 

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Canoeing, wildlife and a local village

Today we explore the Panayacu River Delta, where we take a canoe trip on the flooded backwaters and lake. This area is home to nine species of primates, 500 species of birds and is the perfect habitat for piranhas, water monkey fish and the white caiman. We also visit a local village. 

Wednesday, 14 June 2023

Clay licks and local community

A fascinating morning spent at a parrot clay licks, one of the most fascinating sights in the Western Amazon. You will see large numbers of parrots, parakeets and macaws. Later, we visit a local community of the Napo River. 

Thursday, 15 June 2023

Rainforest trails

Explore the Yasuni National Park to walk a trail in virgin rainforest, with a dense tree canopy. 

Friday, 16 June 2023

Local family visit and canoeing

Visit a local family to discover their way of life on the river. Afternoon exploring a blackwater lake by canoe, home to giant otters. 

Saturday, 17 June 2023

Rainforest observation tower

Morning to enjoy the passing pristine rainforest scenery of Yasuni National Park from the Manatee Explorer's observation deck as the ship cruises on the mighty Napo River. We go ashore after lunch and visit an observation tower, where you will gain an extra-ordinary 360-degree view high in the rainforest canopy. 

Sunday, 18 June 2023

Overnight in Lima

Disembark after breakfast and transfer by river to Coca from where we fly to Lima via Quito. On arrival you will be met be a Veloso Tours representative and transferred to your hotel near the airport, staying overnight.

You may wish to stay an extra night, allowing you time to enjoy a tour of Lima and sample some of its world class restaurant scene. Please indicate to your Travel Consultant should you wish to do so.

Monday, 19 June 2023

Fly to Cusco

Board a morning flight to Cusco, where you will be met on arrival by our guide - your host for the next few days. We will take a short introductory walk to get you orientated in the city. We stay in Cusco for 3 nights.

Tuesday, 20 June 2023

Sacred Valley of the Incas

Enjoy a full day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is at Chinchero to visit the local colourful and authentic market where indigenous people from the surrounding communities congregate to trade their goods, not only trading in money, but in goods as well. The Chinchero Market is also well-known for its woven handcrafts typical of the region. You will also visit a workshop where you can see the artisans of the region working in their place. From here we drive to the Moray ruins, used by the Incas as a type of open-air crop laboratory.

Our next stop is Maras pre-Inca salt mines located on a wide-open hill above the Urubamba Valley. From here we will continue down to the Urubamba River and stop to admire the beautiful views of the valley. Lunch. We cross a small bridge and arrive at a beautiful Spanish Hacienda, overlooking the Urubamba River.

We visit the huge fortress of Ollantaytambo, the archaeological complex believed to have been a gigantic agricultural, administrative, social, religious and military centre. The town itself is geometrically perfect; with straight streets, trapezoidal doors, and Inca drainage systems.

We continue to Pisac a small colonial village built by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo on the ruins of an Inca citadel, standing at the entrance to the immensely fertile Urubamba River valley which was called the "Sacred Valley of the Incas" for the agricultural produce and wealth it brought as the base of the Inca Empire. There is a tourist market with numerous shops full of handicrafts and weaving and also a food market for local people, particularly on Sunday when some women and children dress in their traditional costumes. We drive up the mountain above the town for a short to visit to the Pisac ruins. Entrance fees and lunch are included.

Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Cusco & Inca Ruins Tour

Departure from your hotel for a visit to the cathedral in the main square of Cusco and the Koricancha, the Spanish church built on Inca stone foundations. The Cathedral, believed to be built on the foundations of the Palace of Viracocha, stands proudly in the main square and houses an interesting picture of the last supper where Jesus and his disciples are about to tuck into a guinea pig, a Peruvian delicacy.

We drive to the mountains above Cusco to visit the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman and Kenko. The largest complex and most famous of the ruins surrounding Cusco is Sacsayhuaman, a mighty fortress, built using massive stones some of which weigh over 100 tons, and somehow fitted together so neatly that even now, after so many years and earthquakes, one can still not slip a knife blade between the pieces of this huge jigsaw puzzle.

We will also explore Tambomachay ruins, which may have served as a military outpost or a spa resort for the Incan political elite; as well as the Puca Pucara site, a red granite huge fortress. On the return we stop at a vantage point above Cusco for a superb view of the city and the surrounding mountains, before returning to your hotel. Entrance fees are included.

Thursday, 22 June 2023

Vistadome train to Machu Picchu

Depart on the Vistadome train along the banks of the Urubamba River, leading to Machu Picchu, dubbed the 'Lost City of the Incas' when it was re-discovered in 1911. We take a guided tour of the archaeological site, a city of aqueducts with crystal clear waters, of liturgical fountains and of walkways once home to priests, craftsmen, peasants and servants. Lunch and afternoon to explore. We overnight at a hotel in town.

Friday, 23 June 2023

Return to Cusco

The morning is free to explore. You may wish to climb Huayna Picchu, a steep climb but well worth it for the fantastic views of the valley and a different perspective of Machu Picchu. Alternatively, there is a gentle climb, back along the Inca Trail, to Intipunku: the Gate of the Sun, and the first sight one has of the complex if walking the Inca Trail. In the afternoon, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and then return on the Vistadome train to Cusco, where we stay overnight.

Saturday, 24 June 2023

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to the airport for flight to Lima, connecting with your overnight flight back to the UK.

Sunday, 25 June 2023

Arrive in the UK

Arrive in the UK in the morning.