Road Scholar : Peru: Exploring the Inca’s Sacred Empire and the Amazon Region - Peru/Ecuador

Peru: Exploring the Inca’s Sacred Empire and the Amazon Region

Program Number:

15476RJ

Start and End Dates:


	11/8/2012 - 11/22/2012; 9/25/2013 - 10/10/2013; 10/30/2013 - 11/14/2013; 1/22/2014 - 2/6/2014; 2/12/2014 - 2/27/2014; 3/5/2014 - 3/20/2014; 4/23/2014 - 5/8/2014;

Duration:

14 nights

Location:

Peru/Ecuador

Price starting at:

$4,738.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; River Boats

Activity Level:

t (see description)

Meals:

40; 14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 13 Dinners

Meal Options:

Low Fat

Join a team of naturalists on a six-night expedition through Ecuador's Amazon Region. Spot river dolphins, giant river otters, parrots, monkeys, poison frogs, hoatzins, and other creatures. Visit the Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and venture into hidden tributaries on small boat excursions, head ashore for rainforest hikes and a night safari, and meet indigenous peoples to gain a remarkable perspective of life along the river. Then, journey to the highlands of Peru and the mountain fortress of Machu Picchu to explore one of the world’s most extraordinary ancient cities, forgotten for centuries among the mist-covered Andean peaks.

Activity Particulars

Walking 1-2 miles per day, some uneven terrain and steps without railings. Elevations up to 12,400 feet.

Itinerary At-a-Glance

Quito (Ecuador), 2 nights; aboard ship, 6 nights; Lima (Peru), 1 night; Sacred Valley (Yucay), 2 nights; Machu Picchu, 1 night; Cusco, 2 nights; Lima, 1 night; departure.

Days 1-2:

Arrival Quito (Ecuador):

Begin your study of Andean civilizations with a visit to the Casa del Alabado museum, learn about the plight of the Latin American people at Capilla del Hombre, and explore Quito's colonial streets.
Lodging: Centrally located hotel.

Days 3-8:

Flight to Coca and boat transfer/embark Manatee Amazon Explorer:

Naturalists highlight the ecology, cultures and 21st-century challenges of Amazonia. Spot river dolphins, monkeys, giant river otters, parrots, hoatzins, and other creatures. Venture into hidden tributaries on small boat excursions and head ashore for rainforest hikes and a night safari.

Days 9-11:

Disembark and boat transfer to Coca/flight, via Quito, to Lima (Peru)/coach to Sacred Valley (Yucay):

Discover the agricultural genius of the Incas while in the Sacred Valley, between Cusco and Machu Picchu, and visit the Ollantaytambo Ruins. An in-depth discussion highlights their spiritual significance.
Airport hotel and comfortable country lodge.

Day 12:

Train and coach to Machu Picchu:

Absorb spectacular views of the Andes en route to Aguas Calientes, then spend the afternoon on an expert-led excursion through the ruins of the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
Comfortable hotel near the ruins.

Days 13-14:

Train and coach to Cusco:

Explore the mysterious walled Inca complex of Sacsayhuaman and the historic city of Cusco, then enjoy an authentic Andean dinner and a musical presentation.
Centrally located hotel.

Days 15-16:

Flight to Lima / departure / flight to the U.S.A.

Centrally located hotel.

MV Jungle Discovery

This modern river vessel was built in 2005 and is able to carry up to 30 passengers in its 15 comfortable air conditioned cabins. Social areas include an air conditioned dining room, bar with satellite TV, panoramic terrace, and sundeck.

Accommodations
Comfortable, centrally located hotels, double-occupancy bedrooms, private baths.

Meals and Lodgings
	Casa Andina Select
		Lima, Peru	2 nights
	Ceiba Tops Lodge
		Amazonia, Peru	5 nights
	Hotel El Dorado Plaza
		Iquitos, Peru	1 night
	Posada del Inca
		Yucay, Peru	2 nights
	El Mapi Hotel
		Aguas Calientes, Peru	1 night
	Casa Andina Private Collection – Cusco
		Cusco, Peru	2 nights
	Casa Andina Select
		Lima, Peru	1 night

Casa Andina Select
	Type:	Hotel
	Description:	The Casa Andina Select hotel is located in Lima's trendy Miraflores neighborhood, within easy access to restaurants and local attractions. The newly constructed hotel has 155 rooms with modern installations and various amenities meant to satisfy the needs of both leisure and business travelers.
	Contact info:	Calle Schell 452 Miraflores, Lima, Peru phone: +51-1-2139739 web: www.casa-andina.com
	Room amenities:	Comfortable rooms with private baths, hair dryer, AC, safety deposit box, minibar, soundproof windows, direct dial phone, and cable TV.
	Facility amenities:	Restaurant, Spa, gym, sun terrace with Jacuzzi, conference rooms, business center, high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access, laundry service, valet service, currency exchange, 24 hr front desk, luggage storage, and souvenir shop.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights prior:	Subject to availability. Please contact the Program Coordinator, Holbrook Travel, at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com for information on availability and rates.
	Additional nights after:	Subject to availability. Please contact the Program Coordinator, Holbrook Travel, at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com for information on availability and rates.

Ceiba Tops Lodge
	Type:	Lodge
	Description:	Attractive Amazonian river lodge located approximately 25 miles from Iquitos. Like other rainforest lodges in the region, Ceiba Tops Lodge provides its guests with access to the natural wonders of the Amazonian rainforest and its indigenous communities. However, unlike most lodges of its kind, Ceiba Tops offers some extra creature comforts such as air conditioning and Internet access.
	Contact info:	On Banks of the Amazon River, 25 miles from Iquitos Amazonia, Peru phone: +00000000000000000 web: www.explorama.us
	Room amenities:	Air conditioning, tiled floors, and private bathroom.
	Facility amenities:	WiFi Internet in public areas, swimming pool, gardens, hammock house, and lounge/dining room.
	Smoking allowed:	No

Hotel El Dorado Plaza
	Type:	Five-Star Hotel
	Description:	The Hotel El Dorado Plaza is located in front of Iquito's main square, within walking distance of the City Hall, the main church and Gustav Eiffel's Iron House.
	Contact info:	Jr. Napo 258 Iquitos, Peru phone: +5165-222555 web: www.grupo-dorado.com/doradoplaza/lan/eng/index.php
	Room amenities:	Air conditioning, DVD player, mini bar, direct dial phones, in-room safe, voice mail, WiFi, and hair dryer.
	Facility amenities:	Restaurant, bar, lounger, pool, jacuzzi, a Spa and fitness center, computers with Internet access, meeting rooms, money exchange, 24 hr room service, laundry services, tour desk, safe at front desk, and airport shuttle services.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes

Posada del Inca
	Type:	Hotel
	Description:	Country lodge built on the site of a 350 year old monastery.
	Ship Information:	0
	Contact info:	Plaza Manco II de Yucay 123 Yucay, 0000 Peru phone: +51-84-201107 web: www.sonesta.com
	Room amenities:	Heating, direct dial telephones, and in-room safe.
	Facility amenities:	Restaurant, bar, business center, meeting room, gift shop, and luggage storage.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes

El Mapi Hotel
	Type:	Hotel
	Description:	El Mapi (formerly Machu Picchu Inn) provides a wonderful location from which you can admire the quaint and folksy town known as Aguas Calientes.
	Contact info:	109 Pachacutec Ave. Machu Picchu Pueblo Aguas Calientes, Peru phone: +51-84-211011 web: www.elmapihotel.com/
	Room amenities:	Each room is equipped with blackout curtains, 100% cotton sheets, down duvets, hypoallergenic pillows, cotton bath robes, natural herbal amenities, 32" flat screen TVs and tight-focus reading lights.
	Facility amenities:	Assistance between Machu Picchu train station and the hotel, luggage storage, wake up calls, 24 hr reception desk, restaurant, DirecTv, Wi-fi, turndown services between 6pm- 8pm, self-guided fern walk, oxygen upon request, hot water pool, gift shop, and computer room.
	Smoking allowed:	No

Casa Andina Private Collection – Cusco
	Type:	Four-Star Hotel
	Description:	Converted from an 18th century colonial house, the hotel is located 3 blocks away from Cusco’s main square.
	Contact info:	Plazoleta de Limacpampa Chico 473 Cusco, Peru phone: +51-84-232610 web: www.casa-andina.com
	Room amenities:	100 rooms with heat, cable television, safe deposit box, direct-dial telephone, coffee making facility and private bathroom with hairdryer. Oxygen available upon request.
	Facility amenities:	Restaurant and bar, Wi-Fi Internet access, PC with internet access, laundry service, room service, medical assistance and currency exchange.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes

Travel Details
	Start of Program: All-day arrivals at the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru. Hotel check-in begins at 3 p.m. You will be staying at Casa Andina Select that night.
	End of Program: Departures from the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru. Hotel check-out by 12 p.m. You will be staying at Casa Andina Select the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. A yellow fever certificate is necessary for those visiting the Amazon region of Peru.
	Required innoculations: Yes: A yellow fever certificate is required when visiting the Amazon region of Peru. You will be traveling in an endemic area for yellow fever. Please contact the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for health information specific to Peru (800) CDC-INFO or www.cdc.gov.
	Parking availability: N/A

Transportation		(For Independent Travelers)

	Train or bus availability:	N/A

	To Start of Program
	Location:	Lima
	Transportation to site:	Taxi services are available at the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. Participants who wish to use a taxi should consider selecting one of the official airport taxi companies (e.g., Taxis Green) with desks located in the arrivals hall of the airport. The services are payable in nuevo soles or American dollars.

	From End of Program
	Location:	Lima
	Transportation from site:	Taxi transportation is available from the hotel to the international airport in Lima. Please ask for assistance at the hotel's front desk.
		(Additional transportation information same as above)

Required innoculations:

Yes: A yellow fever certificate is required when visiting the Amazon region of Peru. You will be traveling in an endemic area for yellow fever. Please contact the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for health information specific to Peru (800) CDC-INFO or www.cdc.gov.

Elevation Note: Cusco 11,000 ft/Chincheros 12,330 ft

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Arrivals in Lima, Peru
(Thursday, November 8)

Arrive To:

Arrive in Lima. Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. The Road Scholar representative will be waiting outside the exit door with a Road Scholar sign (only applies to Road Scholar group flights).

Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Please note that this is an international travel day; no meals or program activities are scheduled on this day. Hotel check-in usually begins at 3 p.m.

Accommodations:

Casa Andina Select

Day 2:

Lima -
Exploring Colonial Lima
(Friday, November 9)

Breakfast:	At hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Program orientation session. Lecture: Overview & Diversity of Peru. Field trip to the Archaeological Museum. This is Peru's oldest and largest state museum. It is housed in an old colonial mansion on Plaza Bolivar, in the Pueblo Libre District of Lima. The museum displays a large collection of ceramics, textiles, sculptures, and ancient Peruvian metals dating back to pre-Hispanic times. Some notable pieces in this collection are the Raimondi Stela and Tello Obelisk. Another portion of the exhibits focuses on the country's colonial and Republican periods.
Lunch:	At local restaurant.
Afternoon:	Walking orientation through Lima including the Cathedral. The most important church in any town in Peru is usually called La Catedral (Cathedral). In the case of Lima, La Catedral is also the most important church in all of Peru. This beautiful colonial building in the Plaza de las Armas presumably houses the remains of Francisco Pizarro--whether the bones are authentic or not is a matter of conjecture.
Dinner:	Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodations:	Casa Andina Select
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:

Amazonia -
Flight to Iquitos/City Orientation/Boat Ride to Lodge/Rainforest Walk.
(Saturday, November 10)

Breakfast:	At the hotel.
Morning:	Transfer to the airport to board a flight to Iquitos. Arrive in Iquitos. After a brief city orientation, transfer to the Explorama dock. Boat transfer to the lodge.
Lunch:	Boxed lunch.
Afternoon:	Arrive at the lodge and check-in. Enjoy an introductory walk in the primary rainforest reserve surrounding the lodge. Look out for agile tamarins as they travel through the forest canopy and stop to admire the clusters of brightly colored epiphytes clinging to tree limbs. Return to the lodge.
Dinner:	At the lodge.
Evening:	After dinner, enjoy music at the bar.

Accommodations:	Ceiba Tops Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Amazonia -
Visits to Local Communities and Market/Monkey Island Reserve/Nighttime Nature Walk.
(Sunday, November 11)

Breakfast:	At the lodge.
Morning:	Boat and motorized rickshaw transfer to the Mazan Market. The river village of Mazan hosts a morning market that attracts locals from surrounding areas. The market supplies goods from the rainforest as well as from Iquitos. Local farmers get to sell their produce and purchase much needed supplies. After leaving Mazan we will travel to the small town of Indiana, the political capital of the lower Amazon and upper Napo regions. Enjoy an orientation to the town. Indiana has grown over the years into a sizeable community. It has its own market, high school, and even a small hospital.
Lunch:	Boxed lunch.
Afternoon:	This afternoon, enjoy a boat ride to the Monkey Island private reserve. As the name of the site implies, it is a prime locale for spotting primates. Search for and learn about the more than five species of tropical primates that inhabit the reserve including saki, uakari, titi, large woolly monkeys, and small tamarins. Return to the lodge.
Dinner:	At the lodge.
Evening:	Cap the day with a nighttime walk to a neighboring lake to search for nocturnal animal species and revel in the rhythmic music of the forest.

Accommodations:	Ceiba Tops Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Amazonia -
Canopy Walkway/Ethnobotanical Garden Visit/A Look at Local Medicinal Practices.
(Monday, November 12)

Breakfast:	Early morning boat ride to ExplorNapo Lodge. Breakfast at the ExplorNapo Lodge.
Morning:	After breakfast, walk to the lodge's Canopy Walkway for scenic views of the rainforest canopy and its wildlife. The walkway spans more than a third of a mile and is connected by tree platforms. Get a bird's eye view of the rainforest from a platform raised more than 115 feet off the ground! Walk back to the lodge in time for lunch.
Lunch:	At the ExplorNapo Lodge.
Afternoon:	Spend time with a local shaman during an exploratory walk through the lodge's Ethnobotanical Garden. Learn about indigenous healing traditions and the medicinal properties of plants found in the rainforest. Boat ride back to the lodge. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure to take a dip in the pool or lounge in the hammocks before dinner.
Dinner:	At the lodge.

Accommodations:	Ceiba Tops Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

Amazonia -
Early Morning Birding/Village Visit/Fishing for Piranhas/Fokloric Dance Presentation.
(Tuesday, November 13)

Breakfast:	Optional early morning birding. At the lodge.
Morning:	After breakfast, take a boat ride to a local village. Learn about the uncluttered, simple way of life of the Amazonian people known locally as "ribereños" (river people). If the local school is in session, we might be able to meet some of the local children and get a firsthand look at rural schools in the region. Return to the lodge.
Lunch:	At the lodge.
Afternoon:	This afternoon you'll be able to practice your fishing skills with a simple cane fishing pole. Try your hand at catching piranhas and other Amazonian fish. Successful anglers will be able to try their fish at dinner! While at the river's edge, we will also take the opportunity to look for sloths in the surrounding cecropia trees and hope to see some freshwater river dolphins (pink or grey) found in the region. Enjoy a final sunset on the river before dinner.
Dinner:	Dinner and folkloric dance presentation at the lodge.

Accommodations:	Ceiba Tops Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:

Amazonia -
Early Morning Bird Watching/Jungle Hike and Yagua Village Visit/Local Learning Center.
(Wednesday, November 14)

Breakfast:	Optional early morning bird watching excursion. Breakfast at the lodge.
Morning:	Board a boat and navigate down the Amazon River to the Explorama Lodge. Hike the "Bushmaster Trail" to view the incredible diversity of tree species found in the area. Visit a small community of Yagua Indians. Learn about their culture, traditions, and the effects of outside influences on their way of life. Watch a blowgun demonstration, still used by Yagua elders for hunting.
Lunch:	Boxed lunch.
Afternoon:	Enjoy a guided walk to a ribereño's house, corner store and sugar cane rum factory. On the way back to the lodge, stop at a local learning center, the CONAPAC Amazon Library.
Dinner:	At the lodge.

Accommodations:	Ceiba Tops Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8:

Amazonia and Iquitos -
Forest Hike to the Giant Ceiba Tree/Transfer to Iquitos.
(Thursday, November 15)

Breakfast:	At the lodge.
Morning:	Enjoy a guided forest walk through the lodge's reserve to view a giant ceiba or kapok tree which served as inspiration for the lodge's name. Return to the lodge and free time to relax or finish packing before leaving for Iquitos.
Lunch:	At the lodge.
Afternoon:	Board a boat to Iquitos. Upon arrival, transfer by bus to the hotel. The hotel is centrally located, near various town attractions. Participants will have some free time to explore the town before dinner if they wish.
Dinner:	At a local restaurant.

Accommodations:	Hotel El Dorado Plaza
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9:

Flight to Cusco/Scenic Drive to Sacred Valley
Pisac Market/Introduction to Machu Picchu
(Friday, November 16)

Breakfast:	At the hotel.
Morning:	Early morning transfer to the Iquitos airport.Morning flight to Cusco (via Lima). Traditional Inca welcome with coca tea upon arrival at the Cusco airport. Visit the Pisac Market and watch local artisans at work. The Pisac Market dates back to the ancient Peruvian days when people in the highlands depended on trade. The traditional produce market is held on Sundays, when natives come to trade vegetables, herbs and potatoes for other goods like matches, oranges and medicines. During other days of the week, the town hosts a handicrafts market where all nature of locally made crafts can be seen on display.
Lunch:	Box lunch en route.
Afternoon:	Arrive at the hotel and check-in. Lecture: Late afternoon tea with an expert on the Machu Picchu Ruins who will discuss the spiritual and mystical significance of the Inca sites.
Dinner:	At the hotel.

Accommodations:	Posada del Inca
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:

Sacred Valley of the Incas -
Chincheros Town/Andean Agriculture/ Ollantaytambo Ruins
(Saturday, November 17)

Breakfast:	At the hotel.
Morning:	Morning visit to Chincheros town including a visit to a weaving cooperative, where you will meet with locals and learn about the weaving styles and techniques. Weaving is a way of life in Chincheros, as important for preserving ancient traditions as it is for earning a livelihood. Located in the Peruvian Andes on the Inca road between Cusco and Machu Picchu, Chincheros was an early Inca center built by emperor Tupa Inca as his country estate. During Inca reign, textiles were woven and offered to mark special occasions, from peace treaties and sacrifices to marriage ceremonies and puberty rites. In Chincheros, children grow up playing with their mother's spindle and loom. By age six or seven, most children learn to weave by watching their elders. They begin by weaving jakimas, or narrow ribbons, before moving on to more complicated pieces. Learn about Andean agricultural techniques during visits to local farms. Lecture: The Agriculture of the Incas.
Lunch:	At the hotel.
Afternoon:	Field trip to Ollantaytambo Ruins with a local guide who will highlight the engineering genius of the Inca. The Ollantaytambo Ruins are not ruins in the traditional sense. Ollantaytambo is a town with original buildings of Inca construction where the Inca retreated to make their last stand in the highlands against the Spanish. Running water still flows through the town in aqueducts. The terraces above the town still are farmed. The pinnacle above the town is a small burial ground.
Dinner:	At the hotel.

Accommodations:	Posada del Inca
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11:

Machu Picchu Ruins / Scenic Train Ride
(Sunday, November 18)

Breakfast:	At the hotel.
Morning:	Train to Machu Picchu following the Urubamba River with spectacular views of the Andes. Upon arrival, continue with a bus transfer to the Machu Picchu Ruins
Lunch:	Lunch at local restaurant near the ruins.
Afternoon:	Full afternoon guided field trip in and around Machu Picchu Ruins, including site lecture. This ancient Inca city was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, a Yale graduate and U.S. senator fascinated with Inca archaeology. Bingham found Machu Picchu, with the help of a local farmer who knew about the ruins, while searching for Vilcabamba and Vitcos. He hypothesized that the site was a "citadel," existing for strategic and defense purposes. He also speculated that the site was a refuge for Cusco's Virgins of the Sun, based upon the finding of skulls there, although not scientifically classified as female. Breakthroughs in archaeology since 1985 have, taken as a whole, supported the emerging view of Machu Picchu as a ceremonial and administrative center for a very populous region. Machu Picchu was built, flourished, and fell into demise within a period of 100 years.
Dinner:	At the hotel.

Accommodations:	El Mapi Hotel
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12:

Exploring Aguas Calientes/Transfer to Cusco
(Monday, November 19)

Breakfast:	At the hotel.
Morning:	Guided excursion around the town of Aguas Calientes with a visit to the local market.
Lunch:	At the hotel.
Afternoon:	Transfer to train station Early afternoon train to Ollantaytambo station and bus transfer to Cusco Arrive at hotel and check-in. Time at leisure.
Dinner:	At the hotel.

Accommodations:	Casa Andina Private Collection – Cusco
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13:

Cusco -
Sacsayhuaman Ruins/Colonial Architecture/ Andean Music
(Tuesday, November 20)

Breakfast:	At the hotel.
Morning:	Feld trip to the Sacsayhuaman Ruins The fortress of Sacsayhuaman forms the head of the Puma design of old Cusco. It is a wonder of technical achievement and a testament to human will. It is a mystery how it was constructed, since the stones are not found in the region, and most of the blocks weigh more than a ton. The largest rock weighs more than 300 tons. Sacsayhuaman is constructed of huge polygonal blocks which interlock with one another. The stones are so precisely placed that a knife blade cannot be inserted between them. Excursion through the city of Cusco. The center of Cusco is a history lesson. Modern and colonial buildings are built on top of Inca foundations, and colonial churches dominate the central square.
Lunch:	Lunch at a café in the main plaza where you can enjoy the colonial architecture of the city.
Afternoon:	Afternoon at leisure Pre dinner presentation by expert on the history of Inca and Andean musical instruments.
Dinner:	Enjoy traditional Andean cuisine at a local restaurant.

Accommodations:	Casa Andina Private Collection – Cusco
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14:

Cusco/Lima -
Flight to Lima/A Look at Peruvian Cuisine
(Wednesday, November 21)

Breakfast:	At the hotel.
Morning:	Transfer to the airport. Mid-morning flight to Lima. Arrive in Lima and transfer to the hotel.
Lunch:	Enjoy a presentation on Peruvian cuisine at a local restaurant, followed by a farewell lunch.
Afternoon:	Afternoon at leisure to explore Lima, finish packing, or rest at your hotel.
Dinner:	Light dinner at the hotel.
Evening:	Depending on the flight schedules, some participants might need to leave for the international airport this night. These participants will not miss any program activities.

Accommodations:	Casa Andina Select
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15:

Departures / Arrive in the U.S.
(Thursday, November 22)

Depart From:	Transfer to the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima for flight back to the U.S. Note: Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Except for breakfast, all other meals are on your own on this day.
Breakfast:	Breakfast (dependent on flight times) at the hotel.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: A Field Guide

Author: Louise H. Emmons & François Feer

Description: This beautifully illustrated field guide contains all you need to know about rainforest mammals in Central and South America. It has color plates, range maps and detailed descriptions of each animal, including information about their biology, behavior and natural habitats.

Insight Guide: Amazon Wildlife

Author: Hans-Ulrich Bernard

Description: This colorful guidebook provides readers with an overview of the Amazon Valley; from popular tourist sites to more remote areas and villages. It also features interesting information about local cultures and history.

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Peru

Author: Clive Byers

Description: A handy shirt pocket guide.

Archaeological Map of Machu Picchu

Author: Wright Water Engineers

Description: Ken Wright's full color site plan shows monuments, topography and physical features of the Inca sanctuary in exquisite detail.

Birds of Peru

Author: Tom Schulenberg, Dan Stotz, John O'Neill, Dan Lane

Description: Gorgeously illustrated, this authoritative guide covers nearly 20% of the world's birds.

Insight Guide Peru

Author: Insight Guides

Description: Panoramic in scope, this illustrated overview brings Peru to life in hundreds of color photographs and vivid essays by a team of experts writing on history, archaeology and culture.

Peru, Birds of the Forest

Author: Rainforest Publications

Description: A handy, double-sided laminated card depicting 100 commonly encountered par-rots, motmots, hummingbirds and other forest birds of Peru.

The Inca Trail, Cuzco & Machu Picchu

Author: Richard Danbury

Description: Not just for those hiking the Inca Trail, this compact guide is an excellent overview of the culture and history and attractions of Cuzco and the Sacred Valley. With a chapter on Lima, good maps, travel information and photographs.

The Incas and their Ancestors, The Archaeology of Peru

Author: Michael Moseley

Description: An outstanding illustrated survey of the archaeology of the Inca, Moche and Nasca civilizations. With hundreds of color illustrations and line drawings, it's an in-depth look at the ancient cultures and history of Peru. A great general introduction.

The Incas, People of the Sun

Author: Carmen Bernard, Paul Bahn (translator)

Description: Featuring hundreds of drawings and photographs, a chronology and long excerpts from the journals of early explorers, this is a colorful pocket encyclopedia of Inca history and archaeology.

The Peru Reader, History, Culture, Politic

Author: Orin Starn

Description: Lively and literate, this meaty anthology ranges from historical accounts to modern analysis.

Tropical Nature

Author: Adrian Forsyth, Ken Miyata

Description: A lively, lucid portrait of the tropics as seen by two uncommonly observant and thoughtful field biologists. Its 17 marvelous essays introduce the habitats, ecology, plants and animals of the Central and South American rainforest

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

14 nights accommodations
40 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 6
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Field trips: 20
Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.
Hands-on experiences: 1
Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.
Performances: 2
Performances

A performance can range from a night at the opera to a visit from a local performer at your hotel.
Flights during the program: 3
Flights during the program

Flights during the program that are included in the program price for all participants.

Plus these special experiences...

Learn about local traditions and rituals during cultural interactions with indigenous communities in Peru's remote Amazon region.
View the ancient mountaintop city of Machu Picchu, study its history and admire breathtaking views of the Urubamba River Valley.
Explore Amazonia's lakes, estuaries and forest trails in search of its abundant plant and animal life.

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And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes