Explore Coast, Andes & Amazon on a Grand Traverse of Peru's Varied Ecosystems
From Andean plateaus where condors soar and wild vicuna graze to tropical rain forest home to monkeys and macaws, from wildlife-rich islands off the desert coast to the shadowy recesses of the world’s deepest canyon, Peru offers a stunning variety of natural habitats. This new adventure, crafted in tandem with World Wildlife Fund, provides an unusually broad survey of Peru's natural wonders, as well as cultural highlights spanning millennia. A WWF expert joins us throughout this exclusive conservation-focused journey, as well as local researchers and scientists along the way. Learn about WWF's intensive work supporting sustainable fisheries, indigenous peoples and tropical forest management. Stay at chic hotels and remote ecolodges, including two outposts within Tambopata National Reserve, a 3.6-million-acre protected area of Amazon rain forest and tropical savanna where roads have never existed and rivers are the only means of access.
A Peerless Peru Adventure with a Distinctive WWF Conservation Focus
Peru is a popular destination for adventure travel. But what makes this meticulously crafted trip stand out is its concerted focus on conservation and exclusive access to WWF experts made possible through Nat Hab's special partnership with World Wildlife Fund. You won't find this itinerary offered by anyone else—because it's ours alone.
Travel with a WWF Conservation Expert
In addition to the naturalist expertise and impeccable service of top Nat Hab Expedition Leader Francis Casapino, a Cusco native with a vast amount of experience and knowledge of Peru, you'll also be joined by WWF's Keila Hand, for frontline insight and perspective exclusive to this one-time trip offering.
Five Percent of Your Trip Fee Goes Directly to WWF's Work in Peru
This special trip also makes a special contribution to the conservation work of WWF in Peru. Five percent of your program fee will directly benefit the programs you will observe and learn about during your trip, as well as other WWF-Peru priorities.
Explore Three Distinctly Different Natural Regions of Peru
Peru comprises some remarkably varied terrain, and few visitors sample all three of its major bio-regions on one itinerary. But you will, on this unique itinerary. We begin on the coast, travel inland to the Andean highlands, then drop down again into the upper Amazon basin, learning about WWF's priorities in each location, and the conservation challenges faced in each ecosystem.
Learn from Local WWF Representatives & Scientists
At each of our three main nature destinations we are joined by a local WWF expert or researcher who will share information about current projects. Topics we will learn about include sustainable fisheries, marine wildlife conservation, Amazon forestry practices, protecting indigenous cultures, and the impacts of climate change on tropical glaciers and mountain ecosystems.
Visit the Ballestas Islands—Peru's "Mini Galapagos"
We take a private boat cruise from Paracas to the Ballestas Islands, part of the coastal Paracas Nature Reserve. Often compared to the Galapagos for its similar wildlife, we'll expect to see sea lions, penguins and a host of other seabirds while learning about marine life conservation and efforts to promote sustainable fishing.
Visit the Ballestas Islands—Peru's "Mini Galapagos"
We take a private boat cruise from Paracas to the Ballestas Islands, part of the coastal Paracas Nature Reserve. Often compared to the Galapagos for its similar wildlife, we'll expect to see sea lions, penguins and a host of other seabirds while learning about marine life conservation and efforts to promote sustainable fishing.
See Endangered Andean Condors at Colca Canyon
No better place exists to observe the legendary Andean condor than the Cruz de Condor viewpoint over Colca Canyon, where these magnificent birds soar on thermal updrafts that rise from the canyon floor far below. The condor is the focus of international conservation efforts, and we learn about efforts to protect its habitat and breeding. Colca Canyon itself is a thrill, too—more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, the river at the bottom lies two miles below the rim.
Stay at Two Different Amazon Ecolodges
We don't just skim the Amazon rain forest, we plumb its depths during stays at two ecolodges located in the vast Tambopata National Reserve: Refugio Amazonas and Tambopata Research Center. We travel first to Refugio Amazonas from Puerto Maldonado via a 2.5-hour boat ride, then continue upriver another 4.5 hours to secluded Tambopata Research Center for an even more immersive look at the natural wonders of the Amazon.
Study Rain Forest Conservation at Tambopata Research Center
Our itinerary includes a 2-night stay at this isolated research outpost located in one of the most remote jungle regions of South America. Lying within a vast tract of uninhabited forest—some 1.7 million acres—that shelters incredible amounts of wildlife, TRC is the ideal base to learn about rain forest research and the discovery of new and rare species. Few travelers ever get this far into the Amazon wilderness.
Complement Your Nature Adventure with Cultural Highlights
While our focus is Peru's natural history, we'd be remiss not to point out the extensive cultural riches our itinerary also features, including numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From pre-Incan archaeological ruins to the gilded baroque treasures of colonial Arequipa, from sophisticated Lima and its culinary renaissance to remote Amazon villages where indigenous people live traditional subsistence lifestyles, the human dimension of Peru is as interesting as its natural side.
We Make it Easy to Extend Your Trip to Machu Picchu & Cusco
No need to do your own research or wrestle with logistics in order to add Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley to your itinerary: We have a well-designed extension already set up. Fly to Cusco from Puerto Maldonado at the conclusion of your trip to continue your fully guided adventure. You'll travel down the Urubamba River Valley to Aguas Calientes and the spectacular Lost City of the Incas, enjoying an expertly guided tour of the ruins that's far better than anything you're likely to set up on your own.
Physical Requirements
Moderate to Difficult
The journey begins with exploration around Lima and Paracas at sea level. On Day 4 of the trip, we will fly from Lima to Arequipa at 7,700 feet, where will have several hours of sightseeing and spend the night as we adjust to the elevation. The Arequipa/Colca portion of this trip takes place at elevations mostly between 8,000 and 11,000 feet, and guests should be prepared for possible challenges in adjusting to high altitudes. Guests will drive over a mountain pass exceeding 16,000 feet on the way from Arequipa to Colca. The relative lack of oxygen at these elevations may manifest in altitude-sickness symptoms that can include headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting during the first few hours or days of our time in the Andes. Hydration and rest usually help symptoms to resolve, though participants may wish to talk with their doctor about taking along a prescription for a medication such as Diamox to better manage potential physical reactions to high altitude.
The trip also visits Tambopata Research Center which can only be accessed by boat, requiring a 7-hour transfer on arrival (split over 2 days). While not high in elevation, the Amazon can be very hot and humid. Accommodations are quite basic given the remoteness so guests should be prepared for shared bathrooms, no air conditioning and light cane fencing between rooms. Some excursions involve walking on nature trails through the rain forest or ascending 30-foot canopy towers. Guests must be able to walk in high humidity over uneven ground with overgrown roots in order to participate in all excursions. Walking on muddy trails or through standing water may be necessary at times. While walking options of varying lengths are provided, guests should be able to comfortably walk 1-2 miles or at least one hour in such conditions. They must also be able to get in and out of vehicles with ease. We do not recommend this trip for travelers with heart or respiratory ailments or those with bad ankles, knees or hips. All activities on this trip are optional, though minimum mobility levels must be met in order to participate.
The tour fare for your adventure includes airport transfers; round-trip train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; all accommodations; all meals from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 9, except dinner on Day 2; soft drinks (soda, coffee & tea) and juice with meals only; safe drinking water; beer with meals on the Delfin II; services of NHA Expedition Leader and boat crew; gratuities for all drivers, baggage porterage and meals served as part of the tour (but not on additional beverages); use of boots in the Amazon for wet/muddy conditions; and all permits, park fees and service charges (except applicable baggage fees).
The tour fare does not include round-trip transportation from your home city to Lima, Peru; internal flights within Peru (these have been added to your invoice and will be handled by NHA); dinner on Day 2; alcoholic beverages (except those described above); items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, etc.); gratuities for NHA Expedition Leader, local guides and boat crew; passport and visa fees; optional activities; airline baggage fees, and optional travel insurance.
Adventure Travel
Discover Amazon & Machu Picchu
Peru
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