Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu & the Peruvian Amazon Peru / April 18-30, 2009

Painstakingly developed for OTHGI’s first foray into the Amazon, and for a spectacular OTHGI return to Machu Picchu, we hope you’ll join us for this magnificent trip to experience the best of the Peruvian Andes and the upper reaches of the Amazon Basin, where we’ll encounter abundant wildlife deep in the primeval jungle!

After collecting everyone in Lima, we begin our Amazon adventure with a cruise on the riverboat Arca from Iquitos, the largest town in the Peruvian Amazon, and 7 days of hiking, canoeing, bird-watching and generally enjoying the lush scenery of this wonder of the world. Lodging on board will be in comfortable air-conditioned cabins with twin or double beds and private bath. The air conditioned dining room has magnificent viewpoints out either side to the resplendent canopy of the rain forest passing by. There’s also room to hang out, relax and catch a few breezes on the top deck in the hammock hall.

Leaving the Amazon for the splendor of the Inca capital of Cusco, we enjoy the 5-star splendor of the Hotel Monasterio. Originally a monastery built in 1592, now an Orient Express hotel, the Hotel Monasterio has 126 rooms many of them with charming views of the city, the colorful rooftops of Cusco or the beautiful inner courtyards of the hotel. The decoration and furnishings combine the best of modern and traditional Spanish colonial style. Magnificent examples of religious art adorn the walls. The presence of the past is ever present, even as you are pampered with every luxury and modern comfort.

In the morning we head off by train to Machu Picchu and its breathtaking scenery, which we fortunate few of the OTHGI will luxuriate in from the 5-star comfort at the Sanctuary Lodge, right in the heart of Machu Picchu. The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located adjacent to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. One of the world's major heritage sites, this is a sacred and magical place of spectacular sunrises and mystical moonlit nights. Reflecting the casual, intimate atmosphere of a home away from home, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge has two suites and twenty-nine rooms, twelve of them with an amazing view of the mountains.

After a morning hike in the citadel of Machu Picchu, we will return after lunch by train to Cusco, back to the wonder of the Hotel Monasterio and a glorious farewell dinner.

We fly back to Lima the next morning after breakfast, full of memories of this wondrous trip into some of the most magnificent places the world has to offer.

We hope you’ll join us for this one-of-a-kind trip to South America!