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November 2–12, 2015
Delfin Amazon Cruises Delfin II
11-day Peruvian adventure including an Amazon River cruise and culminating with a comprehensive Machu Picchu experience. It's the perfect combination of inspiring places and rich history in the comfort of an all-gay environment
As the face of travel continues to evolve, so should the nature and value of enriching travel programs being offered. Peru is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world offering a unique combination of nature, wildlife, archeology and cultural heritage.
Brand g Vacations is pleased to introduce our 2015 Amazon Discovery Expedition travel program. Operated aboard the luxurious Delfin II, our land/cruise program offers some of the most spacious accommodations along the Amazon River. A smartly designed, 32-passenger, colonial-style vessel, The Delfin II provides the ultimate in comfort, with five-star amenities. Our custom designed shore excursion program provides authentic, educational, and culturally-enriching encounters daily.
Few trips offer as rich an experience of Peru's diverse natural and cultural treasures. Our luxury riverboat takes you deep into the rain forest within the Amazon Basin. Home to a staggering array of wildlife, the Peruvian Amazon boasts nearly a thousand species of birds alone. After disembarkation, we will continue on to the Sacred Valley near the Inca capitol of Cusco. From here, we board a train for a scenic journey to Machu Picchu, the mystical stone city built by the Incas in the 15th century.
It's the perfect combination of inspiring places and rich history in the comfort of an all-gay environment. Fantastic rates starting at just $3,995!
The Ship
Brand g Vacations has chartered the 16-cabin Delfin II. While cruising the Amazon, you will explore one of the largest expanses of tropical rainforest in the wolrd. Smartly designed, this vessel provides the ultimate in comfort, with five-star amenities.
Amenities
• Spacious vessel offering accommodations from 161 to 230 Square Feet • Luxury, all cotton, spa quality robes • All-natural, spa quality, bath amenities • Nightly turndown service • In-room electronic safe • Individual climate control• Luxury Peruvian cotton linens, with duvet • Premium mattresses • Convertible bed configuration (not applicable to Amazonia Suites) • Bottled water, replenished daily • Welcome flower arrangement and fresh fruit upon arrival • Make-up mirror • Generous closet space and under-bed storage • Hair dryer
Complimentary Excursion Amenities
• Comprehensive shore excursion program with local guides • Shoe cleaning after excursions • Welcome drink and cold towel following excursion • Individual listening devices throughout cruise shore excursion program
Dining & Entertainment
• Expertly trained staff providing buffet breakfast, seated lunch and dinner • Complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks and local beer throughout the day • Complimentary red and white house wines with dinner service • Spacious air-conditioned lounge with nightly entertainment • Series of cultural performances, educational talks, and cooking classes
Accommodations
Accommodations aboard the Delfin II provides all the comforts and conveniences of a 5-star hotel, while preserving a spirit of casual and refined elegance. Spacious, well-appointed staterooms and suites offer individual climate control, daily housekeeping, fine bed lines, premium mattresses and duvets, spa quality robes, slippers, and all-natural bath amenities.
Travel Itinerary
Day 1 - Monday, November 2, 2015
Arrive in Lima, Peru
Arrive the Jorge Chavez International Airport, where you will be greeted by a Brand G representative and transferred to the centrally located Hotel Estelar Miraflores.
 Day 2 - Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Lima, Peru
Enjoy a panoramic drive through Miraflores and San Isidro and to see the sites of "Parque de los Enamorados" (Lover's Park), and enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Continue to the historic center of Lima, a UNESCO world heritage site, where you will see the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, and City Hall. Visit the Church and Convent of the San Francisco Monastery, the most significant religious site in Lima, which provides insight into life during Spanish colonial times, and the catacombs, which served as a burial ground until 1808. Continue to the Cathedral which houses the remains of Francisco Pizarro, the founder of Lima. After an included lunch, enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Meals included: B, L
Day 3 - Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Lima / Iquitos / Embark Ship
 After breakfast, fly from Lima to Iquitos, where you will be met by our local guides and transported to Nauta, the oldest city in the department of Loreto, which lies between Iquitos and the Marañon River. Here, with the help of our experienced crew, you will embark the Delfin II, your home for the next four nights.
Meals included: B, L, D, Welcome Reception
Day 4 - Thursday, November 5, 2015
Belluda Caño - Dorado River
 Aboard the skiffs, we will explore this black water stream and begin our rainforest education in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, where amazing wildlife thrives. From the skiff you can easily spot parrots, macaws and monkeys, including the amazing Monk Saki monkey with its gray and black body, naked face, and long shaggy tail.
Meals included: B, L, D
Day 5 - Friday, November 6, 2015
Atun Poza Lake - Rio Pacaya
 This morning we cruise in our skiffs along a lake called Atun Poza, where we will surprise several species of egrets, herons, hawks, neo-tropical cormorants and loud horned screamers. We will also explore other black water lagoons linked to this huge lake, where wattled jacanas can be found, along with a wide variety of spiders, grasshoppers, dragonflies, butterflies, moths, beetles, etc., living along the grassy edges and lily pads of freshwater swamps and marshes.
Meals included: B, L, D
Day 6 - Saturday, November 7, 2015
Caro Curahuayte Lagoon - Jungle Hike
 Visit a riverside community and experience the local villagers' unique way of life. This is the time to bring along any presents you would like to give to the villagers (paper, books, pencils, pens, markers, crayons, t-shirts, etc.). You may take this opportunity to learn about the endemic fruit trees and how they harvest them. Following our visit, we will continue down the Puinahua River towards the Ucayali River.
Meals included: B, L, D, Farewell Reception
Day 7 - Sunday, November 8, 2015
Amazon River - Yarapa River - Disembarkation - Sacred Valley
 Following breakfast, we will disembark at our port in Nauta, where a motorcoach will be waiting to return you to Iquitos. En route, we will make a short stop at the Manatee Rescue Center in Iquitos. After our visit, you will transfer to the airport for your flights to Cusco and transfer to the tranquil Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel.
Meals included: B, L, D
Day 8 - Monday, November 9, 2015
Sacred Valley (Urubamba)
 Urubamba Valley is located in the Andes close to the Inca capital of Cusco, and below the ancient sacred city of Machu Picchu. Begin the day with a drive through the town of Maras to the Saltpans, which have existed since Pre-Incan times. Continue to the town of Ollantaytambo with its huge Incan fortress rising from the edge of town. After lunch continue to Urubamba for a visit to the Pablo Seminario Ceramic workshop. Pablo and his wife have developed a technique of ceramics which reflects the ancient Peruvian culture. Pablo has exhibits of his artwork in the Pre Columbian museum in Cusco and also the Field Museum in Chicago.
Meals included: B, L
Day 9 - Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu
 After breakfast, board the train in Ollantaytambo for the scenic journey to Aguas Calientes, the starting point for the tour of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas." A local expert will guide you through the marvelous citadel, the main plaza, the royal quarters, and the Temple of Three Windows before checking into the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel.
Meals included: B, L, D
Day 10 - Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Machu Picchu / Cusco
 Your morning is free to explore Machu Picchu on your own. This afternoon, return to Ollantaytambo by train, and transfer to Cusco. Arrive at Cusco's Plaza de Armas central square for a visit to the Cathedral, one of the most imposing structures in the city. The Cathedral houses an important collection of gold and silver work from the colonial period as well as a beautiful collection of oil on canvas. Continue with a visit to the Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo. The Convent was built on the Koricancha (site of gold) the most important temple dedicated to the worship of the sun by the ancient Incans. At the end of the afternoon, check-in to the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel in Cusco and enjoy your evening at leisure.
Meals included: B, L
Day 11 - Thursday, November 12, 2015
Cusco / Departure
After a morning at leisure to explore the city, enjoy a Farewell Lunch before your return flights home.
Meals included: B, L
Land Accommodations
Lima, Peru
Estelar Miraflores Hotel
 Situated in the heart of Lima, Hotel Estelar Miraflores is within walking distance of Ricardo Palma Cultural Center, Kennedy Park, and Calle de las Pizzas. Also nearby are Miraflores Central Park and Larcomar. The 151 air-conditioned guestrooms include minibars and safes. Complimentary wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is available in public areas and a computer station is located on site.
Cusco, Peru
Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco Hotel
Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco is a beautiful, refurbished, eighteenth-century mansion, with five majestic, colonial patios, located four blocks from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. The design expresses the local flavor of Cusco, while offering the amenities, facilities, and services of a first class hotel. This 93-room hotel's location is ideal for guests wanting to discover the charms of the city of Cusco. Free Wi-Fi, a massage room, and an ATM on site are among the amenities of the Casa Andina Cusco.
Urubamba, Peru
Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel
Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness is built on a seventeenth century colonial hacienda by the Vilcanota River, just one hour away from the city of Cusco and 30 minutes from Ollantaytambo train station; on the route to Machu Picchu. The hotel offers rooms decorated in colonial style as well as other modern minimalist decor. It is the magical meeting of two eras: ancients Inca culture and colonial brilliance in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Peru
Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel is a family-owned, luxury hotel. Sumaq's exclusive service is dedicated entirely to allowing its guests to forget all their worries while concentrating on the beautiful landscapes, with lush vegetation, soaring mountains, descending valleys, ancient trails, and an amazing waterfall. In a privileged location in the Machu Picchu historic sanctuary, and on the banks of the Vilcanota River, Sumaq is a 10-minute walk to the Aguas Calientes Train Station.
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