Terra Incognita ECOTOURS promotes unique ecotours and travel experiences that make a difference to you and the places we visit. Visit unknown areas, in search of wildlife and adventure. Gorilla/chimp treks, horseback riding, white water rafting, safari camps, eco-lodges and more, supporting community-based ecotourism.

“From the Amazon to the Andes”
A two-week trip that includes the headwaters of the Amazon River, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, with five-days trekking in the High Andes

A truly unique adventure — that travels from the Amazon River up into the High Andes — with several days in the Sacred Valley and includes a visit to the World renowned ruins of Machu Picchu. We begin our exploration in the Refugio Amazonas on the Rio Tambopata, where we will visit the famous clay lick where Macaws congregate in the hundreds. From the headwaters of the mighty Amazon River we travel up to Cuzco and the Sacred Valley of the Inca, where we will visit the stunning site of Machu Picchu, and begin our acclimatization to the high altitude. From Machu Picchu and Cuzco we head up to the climax of our trip, five days trekking in the High Andes, with llamas carrying our gear, we travel around the sacred mountain of Ausangate and stop each night in one of the strategically located lodges along the route. An authentic and totally unique glimpse into the life of the indigenous people, people who still continue to live in this stunning, remote and harsh mountain landscape.

Day 01: Saturday 19th September. Flight to Lima
Arrival at Jorge Chavez International Airport and transfer to our beautiful Hotel in Lima.
Overnight in Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima

Day 02: Sunday 20th September. Lima to the Amazon River (Refugio Amazonas and Rio Tambopata)
We transfer back to the airport for our flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival drive ten minutes to our Puerto Maldonado headquarters. While enjoying your first taste of the forest in our gardens we will ask you to pack only the necessary gear for your next few days, and leave the rest at our safe deposit. This helps us keep the boats and cargo light. Then we drive 20 kilometers from Puerto Maldonado Headquarters to the Tambopata River Port, entering the Amazon headwaters at the Native Community of Infierno. Our private boat transfer from Tambopata River Port to the Refugio Amazonas will take two and a half hours, deep into this 1.3 million hectare conservation unit.

After dinner at the Lodge we will embark on a "Caiman Search" from the river's edge at night, we scan the shores with headlamps and flashlights to catch the red gleams of reflection from caiman eyes
Overnight at Refugio Amazonas. (B, BL, D)

Day 03: Monday 21st September. Refugio Amazonas and Tambopata Research Center
After breakfast we will visit the Canopy Tower — a thirty minute walk from Refugio Amazonas leads to the 25 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. The tower has been built upon high ground, therefore increasing your horizon of the continuous primary forest extending out towards the Tambopata National Reserve. From here views of mixed species canopy flocks as well as toucans, macaws and raptors are likely.

After the canopy tower, we travel by boat from Refugio Amazonas to the Tambopata Research Center in the pristine heart of the reserve, a four hour journey upstream through mile after mile of rainforest habitat. One and half hours into our boat journey, as we cross the confluence with the Malinowski River, we will leave the final traces of human habitation behind. Within the 700,000 hectare uninhabited nucleus of the reserve, sightings of capybara, caiman, geese, macaws and other large species will become more frequent. Enjoy a boxed lunch on the journey.

Upon arrival we visit the "Overlook Trail" — a three to five kilometer hike that leads to overlooks commanding magnificent views of the Tambopata winding its way into the lowlands. The forest on this trail, regenerating on old bamboo forest, is good for Howler Monkey and Dusky Titi Monkey.

After dinner tonight we go on a night walk — when most of the mammals are active but rarely seen. Much easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories.
Overnight at Tambopata Research Center. (B, BL, D)

Day 04: Tuesday 22nd September. Tambopata Research Center - Macaw Clay Lick
On most clear mornings of the year dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots congregate on this large river bank in a raucous and colorful spectacle which inspired a National Geographic cover story. Discretely located fifty meters from the cliff, we will observe Green-winged, Scarlet and Blue-and-gold Macaws and several species of smaller parrots descend to ingest clay. Outings are at dawn when the lick is most active.

Return to the Tambopata Research Center for a hearty breakfast, and after breakfast we explore the "Floodplain Trail" — this five kilometer trail covers the prototypical rain forest with immense trees criss-crossed by creeks and ponds. Amongst the figs, ceibas and shihuahuacos we will look for Squirrel, Brown Capuchin, and Spider Monkeys as well as peccaries.

Lunch is at the Center and then we visit the "Palm Swamp" — a thirty minute hike from TRC brings us to the palm swamp. Dead aguaje palms serve as nests to Red-bellied and Blue-and-gold macaws. An elevated boardwalk and scaffolding tower allow for eye level observation of the macaws as they fly in and out of their nests.

After dinner scientists will provide an in depth look at the biology of macaws, their feeding habits, the theories for clay lick use, their breeding and feeding ecology, population fluctuations and the threats to their conservation
Overnight at Tambopata Research Center. (B,L,D)

Day 05: Wednesday 23rd September. Flight to Cusco and Southern Valley of Cusco
After breakfast we transfer by private boat from tambopata back to Puerto Maldonado Headquarters and the airport for our flight to Cusco.

Upon arrival in Cusco we will immediately drop down in altitude to the Sacred Valley (Cusco is at 12,000 feet above sea level) and drive along the Southern Valley of Cusco, geologically the Valley was once a large lake, the small lagune of Huacarpay is a remnant of it, our fist stop will be to visit the Chapel of Andahuaylillas, where the original decoration of wall paintings made in the XVI and XVII centuries, was followed by oil on canvas, work of Indian painters enhanced by magnificent baroque stile wooden gilded frames of the XVIII century, the quality of the work has made this church one of the best examples of Cusco Colonial art. Then we drive to San Salvador, where a group of weavers of the Chawaytire community will demonstrate their art using traditional back strap looms.

After a delicious picnic lunch we continue to Urubamba and to our charming hotel.
Overnight in Hotel Sol y Luna, Urubamba. (B, BL, D)

Day 06: Thursday 24th September. Maras — Moray and Ollantaytambo
In the morning, we travel across a high rolling plain with magnificent views of Andean snow peaks to visit the famous salt ponds of Maras, an incredible scenario out of one of the fantastic De Lucas films. The local people have been processing and harvesting salt for over 1000 years. Before we return to the hotel, we will drive to check out the spectacular temple-fortress and village of Ollantaytambo, a site that has changed little from the days of the Incas. Massive stones were carried over 16 kms to the site, the building ramps are still visible here. Dinner is on your own tonight to explore other restaurants in town.
Overnight in Hotel Sol y Luna, Urubamba. (B,L)

Day 07: Friday 25th September. Machu Picchu
An early 7:00am departure from the hotel to Ollantaytambo train station to board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. This rail journey is one of the most spectacular in the world. The rail line follows the Urabamba River through the spectacular Canyon of Vilcanota to the Lost City of the Incas.

We will have a 25 minute drive to visit the Sacred Center. Our expert guide will share with us the most current information and personal insights of Machu Picchu.

Dinner is on your own again to explore one of the many dining options by the Hotel.
Overnight in Pueblo Hotel, Machupicchu (B,L)

Day 08: Saturday 26th September. Machupicchu/Cusco
Morning, optional hikes to the Sun Gate, Huaynapicchu, The temple of the Moon, or to the mountain of Machupijchu, they vary in their length and difficulty, but certainly are a great option to enjoy the nature around this unique site. At 3:30pm. We board the train back to Poroy train station and transfer to Cusco where our high altitude adventures begin.
Overnight in Monasterio Hotel, Cusco (B,L,D)

Day 09: Sunday 27th September. Sacsayhuaman — City Tour
In the morning we will drive to visit Sacsayhuaman, which literally translates to mean "Decorated head of the Puma." This was the ruling palace of the Inca that contained a temple where the living god directed his people. It was called a fortress by the Europeans due to the immense stone pieces that were used in its construction, oral Cusco tradition claims that around 70,000 people worked on the palace for 50 years.

In the afternoon we will walk along the streets and marvel at the flawless Incan stonework and picture a time and place when the Incas once had a massive empire. We start our visit with a walk around the colonial Plaza de Armas, visiting the Cathedral, which contains one of the city’s greatest repositories of colonial art. Following the Cathedral we will be admitted to view the archbishop’s private collection of interesting local colonial and Indian pieces of art.
Overnight in Monasterio Hotel, Cusco (B, D)

Day 10: Monday 28th September. Camino del Ausangate
Now we begin a transforming experience! Enjoy five breathtaking days of trekking in the Andes — in close proximity to the Sacred Mountain of Ausangate. The Ausangate is the bearer of life, and guardian of one of the most pristine mountain ecosystems in the world. Our travels will be accompanied by Llamas that carry our gear, as well as the shepherds of the Chillca community partners in this venture, who are proud to share their land, and the Spirit of this inspiring world, to complete the experience outstanding Andean meals are prepared by our famous chef. As for entertainment, vernacular music will accompany some of our nights in the lodges.

This program is offered only after the 4 day acclimatization period, that Machu Picchu and Cusco represent. We will be hiking in altitudes between 13,000 and 16,000 ft.

An early morning departure from Cusco towards the Chapel of Checacupe decorated with all paintings of the XVI and XVII centuries in the XVIII century, baroque style, gilded frames were used for the magnificent oil on canvas work of the Indian painters. Then we start ascending the Pitumarca valley along the spectacular gorge to Japura — to Chilca. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by the community of Chilca. It is a short walk to the first lodge. Once at the lodge we can relax and enjoy music provided by the locals of Chilca.
(B) aloft

Day 11: Tuesday 29th September. Machuraccay
We start our hike in the wide valley of Upis. Impressive glaciated mountains loom above the valley offering majestic views. As we make our way towards the waterfalls descending from the Santa Catalina mountains the trail narrows. These paths are mostly used by the wondering Llamas of the area. Once we reach the small Paloma Lagoon, the countryside will be dotted with Llamas and Alpacas. After hiking along a second lagoon and crossing a long series of moraines well reach Machuraccay Tambo.
Overnight at Machuraccay Tambo (B,L,D)

Day 12: Wednesday 30th September. Anantapata
After a demanding ascent of the Palomani pass at an elevation of 17,200 ft., we will descend to Ausangatecocha. Tremendous views of the glaciated south face of Apu will inspire us as we continue towards the red sandstone formations of the Nevado del Inca.
Overnight at Astanapata Tambo (B,L,D)

Day 13: Thursday 1st October. Huampococha
A spectacular part of the trail finds us hiking in the middle of red, ochre, and blue strata. This section offers a glimpse of marvelous wonder. Be sure to keep a look out for vicuñas and deer as they are often spotted. We will spend the night in Huampococha near a lagoon under rock formations where the Huallatas, Andean geese, make their nests.
Overnight at Huampococha Tambo (B,L,D)

Day 14: Friday 2nd October. Congomire to Cusco
After the last climb over the Anta pass, we will gradually make our descent. In this section, the first crops and houses come into view. The landscape changes quickly as the red sandstone formations are followed by the carstic erosion of Limestone, forming a one of a kind stone forest. As we make our arrival to the valley floor, our vehicle will be waiting for us to drive back to Cusco
Overnight in Monasterio Hotel, Cusco (B,L,D)

Day 15: Saturday 3rd October. Cusco to home.
This morning we take the flight back to Lima and enjoy a city tour. We visit the colonial part of Lima that includes the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Franciscan Monastery. Then we drive to visit the Larco Herrera Museum founded in 1926 this museum has a chronological exhibition of artifacts from Peru's 3000 years of pre-Columbian history. The museum possesses the finest collection of Peruvian gold and silver pre-Inca period as well as a famous collection of erotic pottery. This evening we transfer to the International Airport and flights home.
(B,L)

Cost per person is $6,399 (U.K.£3,249)
(single supplement is $1,500 (£799) / International Airfare is NOT included)
(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)

Thanks for choosing Peru with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.

What you need to have with you on your trip:
Passport: If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.

It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

Visas: If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen (who get visas upon entry), please consult the Peru consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter Peru. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.

Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child’s surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child’s birth certificate.

Security: There are currently no security problems in Peru. Please feel free to check with the US State Department for any updates or change in conditions.

Currency: Rates effective April 2006. The currency of Peru is the Peru Nuevos Soles (PEN) and 1 USD = 4.15 PEN

Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, some restaurants and larger stores. U.S. dollars are of course widely accepted in Peru, so we suggest you carry U.S. currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.

Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.

Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician or a travel clinic specialist for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.

Swimming: There may be one or two opportunities to swim during the ecotour. You should bring a swimsuit if you intend to swim, and for added protection from the sun you may wish to wear a T-shirt while swimming.

Time Difference: Peru is one hour behind Eastern Standard Time, but during Daylight Savings Time (March - November) the time difference can be reduced by one hour.

Weather: Peru is located close to the Equator so the weather on most of this ecotour can be expected to be warm and humid, with temperatures slightly cooler at night, indeed the average temperature for most of the country lies between 75 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However when we are trekking in the High Andes the weather can be unpredictable and can range from warm and sunny to quite cold (close to freezing) and wet. Please remember that the sun's rays are more vertical than you may be used to, so you can sunburn more easily. Be careful of the midday sun. Also in Quito and Machu Picchu, due to the high altitudes you will be visiting, the mornings and evenings are cooler and nights can be cold.

There are technically two seasons in the Peruvian Amazon: April to October is the drier season with daily temperatures averaging 80 - 88 degrees Fahrenheit, although it can still rain at any time in this time period. This is perhaps the best time to visit the Amazon as there are fewer mosquitoes and the rivers are low, exposing the beaches. November to March is wetter, and you can expect rain at anytime, but the temperature is the same.

Your travel wardrobe should be informal, comfortable and carefree. Clothing which can be layered is the most suitable, for example, a T-shirt, sweater or sweatshirt, and windbreaker or jacket. The emphasis is on casual attire.

Good binoculars and their proper use can add immeasurably to enjoying wildlife. Each traveler with Terra Incognita Ecotours should decide well before a trip begins whether the binoculars you own are adequate and, if not, what kind of binoculars should be acquired.

Recommendation
Binoculars are rated with two numbers, e.g. 7 x 35. The first number is the magnification and the second is the diameter of the objective (the larger ones) lenses in millimeters. The first tells how much an object is enlarged and the second number is a measure of how much light-gathering power a lens has. As the second number increases so usually does the weight of a pair of binoculars. If one divides the first number into the second, the closer the result is to 5 the better the balance between weight, magnification and resolution.

Binoculars that are rated at 7x35, 8x40 or 10x40, are among the best for wildlife viewing. Binoculars with a center focus are much preferable over ones in which you have to focus each eyepiece separately. For some, image stabilized binoculars are an asset. Now it is a matter to decide on price and style.

The following is a checklist of things to do to make sure that you have the best binoculars and know how to use them.

Binocular cups
Binoculars usually are constructed so that you can raise and lower the cups that surround the eyepieces. If you are going to wear eyeglasses when using binoculars, roll or push the cups down. This will bring the lenses of the eyepiece the proper distance from your eye. If you do not use glasses then leave the cups unrolled or the eyepiece frames elevated.

Distance between eyepieces
All binoculars can be adjusted so that the distance between the eyepieces varies. You should move the eyepieces apart as far as they go, look through the eyepieces and gradually move the eyepieces together until you see a single image.

Adjusting each lens to your eyes
Binoculars usually have two focus adjustments, one that is a center focus that moves both lenses at the same time and one, called the diopter, that adjusts only one lens, usually the right one. To adjust the lenses to your eyes look through the binoculars with your right eye closed. With the center focus wheel, focus on an object 20-40 feet away. Then, with the left eye closed, focus the eyepiece on the right eye while looking at the same object. Now using the center focus make sure you see a sharp image. Most diopters have a numerical scale so that after you have made the adjustment it can be easily reset if it is accidentally altered.

Practice
When viewing wildlife it is helpful if when you raise your binoculars that they are pointed at what you are looking at with your naked eyes. If you cannot do that consistently a little practice would be helpful. Try looking at a flying bird, without taking your eyes off it, raise your binoculars and look through them. If you see the bird immediately, good, if not, bring your binoculars down and put them back up again after re-spotting the bird. Do this enough so that you can immediately see in your binoculars what you were seeing without them.

Wearing binoculars
If the weight of binoculars around your neck is bothersome, there are two things you might consider. One is to buy a neck strap, made of a spongy material at least an inch or more wide. The second is to buy a harness that fits over the shoulders and distributes the weight more evenly.

For many of us, photography is a natural and fun part of travel. No matter what your level of interest, or what kind of equipment you use, the following may help you prepare.

Flash photography is NOT allowed when viewing the Mountain Gorillas, please be sure you can turn-off or disable the flash feature, or you will not be able to take pictures.

Equipment: Regardless of what camera you use - film or digital - be sure to check that it is working properly before you leave home. If you purchase a new camera, or have an old one that has not been used for a long time, try shooting some pictures and examine the results. Also, be sure read your camera manual and bring it with you to help address any unexpected problems you might encounter.

Batteries: Modern cameras will not operate without a functioning battery. For this reason, please bring extra camera batteries with you, even if the one in your camera is new. For digital cameras, and many film cameras as well, rechargeable batteries are a great option. Digital cameras can use up batteries fairly quickly, depending on the camera make and model and how often you review images in-camera. Bring at least one extra rechargeable battery - or battery set. Look for chargers with a fast recharge time. Peru operates on 220V.

Film: How much film should you bring? Consider bringing at least twice as much film as you expect to need, as stores are few and far between. And be forewarned - enthusiastic photographers sometimes shoot up to 5 rolls per day! Film speed (ASA or ISO) is also an important consideration - the higher the ISO the faster the film, meaning the more sensitive it is to light. For most situations, 200 ISO film is a good all-around choice. You may also want to bring along a supply of 400 ISO for overcast days and low-light situations. Professional photographers generally use 100 ISO because of its fine grain (good for making big enlargements and publishing), but the slow speed requires extra care and use of a tripod.

Digital Memory Cards: Memory cards are the digital equivalent of film and, like film, they come in different types (e.g., compact flash, smart media, memory stick) and sizes (e.g., 128MB, 256MB, 512MB). Be sure you know what kind of memory card your camera requires and bring as many memory cards as needed to hold all your images from your expedition. If you are new to digital, consult your camera manual to learn the different image resolution and JPEG compression settings on your camera. This will determine how many photos will fit on your memory cards and what quality of image is required for your end use (e.g., the higher the resolution the larger the print you can make). You might consider bringing a digital storage device for downloading images from your memory cards (see below).

Digital Storage Devices: Many digital photographers travel with a laptop computer or a specific type of portable digital storage device designed for downloading images from digital cameras. A laptop has the advantage of letting you view, edit, store, and share your images while you travel and many even have a built-in CD burner for backing up your image files. Options for smaller devices that do not require a laptop include portable digital storage hard drives, some available with viewing screens, and portable CD burners that work directly from the memory card. Whatever hardware you choose be sure to learn the workflow for downloading and storing your images before leaving home.

Digital Camera Cables: One of the greatest advantages of shooting digital is the ability to review and share your daily images with others. It is important to remember to bring along the cables that will allow your camera to connect with a computer (USB), or storage device.

Tripods: Many photographers use a tripod because they help keep the camera steady in low-light situations, however they are discouraged as they can alarm the gorillas.