Day 1 Overnight Flight
Day 2 Doubletree El Pardo, Lima
Day 3-4 Sonesta Posada del Inca or Casa Andina Private Collection,
Sacred Valley
Day 5 Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, Aguas Calientes
Day 6-7 Sonesta Posada del Inca or Casa Andina Private Collection,
Cusco
Day 8-9 Sonesta Posada del Inca, Puno
Day 10-11 Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel & Resort, Paracas
Day 12 Doubletree El Pardo, Lima
Day 13 In flight
Day 1: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
Day 2: ARRIVE LIMA, PERU
Arrive this morning in the ‘City of Kings’, Lima, Peru, where
a day room is reserved for you to use on arrival. This afternoon, enjoy a fascinating
city tour through the historical centre of Lima, a UNESCOWorld Heritage site.
View the Government Centre, the Plaza de Armas’s elegant Cathedral, an
abundance of colonial architecture, and the fashionable suburbs of San Isidro
and Miraflores for insight into the daily life of the Limeños.
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY:Discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will
experience on your tour. Learn key words and phrases that will
help enhance your experience. This evening, join your fellow travellers for
a welcome dinner showcasing Peru’s delicious cuisine and local entertainment.
Today dinner will be included.
Day 3: LIMA - CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
Fly to Cusco, in the heart of the Inca civilisation. Board your coach to descend
through the Andes to the majestic SacredValley of the Incas, the agricultural
centre for the Incas. Learn the centuries old methods of spinning, dyeing, and
weaving Andean traditional textiles during a visit to Awana Kancha, a living
museum of the Peruvian Andes. Stop in Pisac village to visit a colourful handicraft
market. A visit to Pablo Seminario Ceramic Studio teaches you about this internationally
renowned artist's techniques and designs, inspired by ancient Peruvian cultures.
Settle in this evening at your hotel nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 4: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS - OLLANTAYTAMBO- SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
Experience the lifestyle of the modern Andean people and delve into their
culture when you travel to a nearby community and interact with the locals.
This afternoon, visit the spectacular Ollantaytambo ruins, the only Inca settlement
that has been continually inhabited since its inception. A unique terraced complex
topped with carved stone panels, these ruins reflect ancient Incan architecture
and heritage. Do as the locals do and enjoy a tasting of ‘chicha’,
a unique regional drink made from maize, at a local pub.
Today breakfast will be included.
Day 5: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS - MACHU PICCHU
Climb aboard the ‘Vistadome’ train for a breathtaking ride through
the Andes to the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Hidden by mountains and
semitropical jungle,Machu Picchu is considered the most spectacular sight in
South America. Spend the afternoon with your guide uncovering the mysteries
of these majestic ruins. Tonight, stay at the base of Machu Picchu, for chance
to further soak up its atmosphere. Enjoy an exclusive culinary demonstration
before dinner.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 6: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
With leisure time this morning, you may return to Machu Picchu on your own
or explore the local markets. Return by train to Cusco, a city that blends Inca
culture and Spanish colonial influence. Enjoy a visit to a local orphanage sponsored
by the Collette Foundation and learn about their efforts to help the children
of the region. Relax and become acclimated to the altitude this evening.
Today breakfast will be included.
Day 7: CUSCO
Explore this former capital of the Inca Empire during a colonial city tour,
experiencing the architectural legacy visible in the Cathedral, Santo Domingo
and the Plaza de Armas. Discover the important sacred Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman
Fortress and Qenko Temple. This evening, enjoy a dinner and performance of traditional
Andean folkloric music and dance.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 8: CUSCO - PUNO
Join your tour guide this morning for a visit to the Centro Artesanal Cuzco
market,where you can browse colourful displays of textiles, pottery
and jewellery. Or enjoy leisure time to explore the San Blas artisans quarter
or visit one of the many impressive museums. Then fly to Puno, hugging the shores
of Lake Titicaca. Known as the birthplace of the Inca Empire, ancient legends
say that life began here. Relax this evening at your lakeside hotel.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 9: UROS FLOATING ISLANDS - LAS CHULLPAS DE SILLUSTANI - LAKE TITICACA
The Titicaca area, steeped in tradition and folklore, is the centre of Incan
legends. Enjoy a morning cruise to the floating islands of the Uros
people of Lake Titicaca. Experience walking on the spongy surface,made from
compacted beds of tortora reeds, and meet the locals, learning about
their history and lifestyle. In the afternoon, visit mystical Chullpas de Sillustani,
an archaeological area boasting 13th Century funerary monuments. Participate
in a local home visit to gain insight into daily life.
Today breakfast will be included.
Day 10: PUNO - LIMA - PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
This morning fly to Lima; continue south to the Paracas National Reserve,
Peru’s only coastal wildlife sanctuary. En route, travel through the
region of Pisco, known for wine and ‘pisco’ (Peru’s national
drink) production. Visit a local bodega for a tour and tasting of pisco.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 11: PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
Today is yours to spend at leisure at your ecologically-designed seaside resort.
Try spotting the dolphins in the bay! Or, join an optional day tour to Nazca
to see the enigmatic Nazca Lines.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 12: PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE - LIMA
This morning, cruise out to the Ballestas Islands - the ‘Galapagos of
Peru’. These islands are home to thousands of sea birds including Humboldt
penguins, boobies and pelicans, who share their home with hundreds of playful
sea lions. Watch for them swimming around your boat and for a glimpse of the
elusive condor. Travel north and return to Lima, taking in views of the Peruvian
Pacific coast. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Lima’s
finest restaurants.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 13: LIMA - DEPART FOR HOME
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore independently or for any last-minute
sightseeing or shopping.
Today breakfast will be included.
Day 14: ARRIVE HOME
OPTIONAL PERUVIAN AMAZON POST TOUR EXTENSION
Price: £609 - £679 per person
10 Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Day 13: LIMA - PUERTO MALDONADO - PERUVIAN AMAZON BASIN
Fly from Lima, arriving at the Puerto Maldonado airport where you meet your
naturalist guide for the canoe transfer up the Tambopata River to the Libertador
Tambopata Lodge. A box lunch is provided. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink
followed by a late afternoon introductory walk into the "terra firme"
forest, dominated by giant Brazil nut and Dipteryx trees.
Frequently seen mammals on this trail are saddle-back tamarinds, brown capuchins,
agoutis, pacas, bluemorpho butterflies, trogons, toucans and many other species
of birds. After dinner, a night walk in search of nocturnal animals and insects
is planned. Approximately 50% of rain forest animals are nocturnal.
Today lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 14: HIKE TO LAKE CONDENADO
After an early breakfast, join your naturalist guide on foot and paddle canoe
adventure exploring the lake system of Lake Condenado. Known for its abundance
of bird and aquatic life, during your excursion you may observe giant otters
and many species of birds including the tiger-herons, great egrets, wattled
jacanas, hoatzin, and the noisy donacobius. Lunch is included at the lodge and
is followed by an afternoon of exploring the nearby forest.
You may also choose to relax and swim nearby in the Gallucunca stream or climb
the tree platforms (extra cost) for a bird's eye view of the forest, arboreal
orchids and the many other species of plants and animals that are never seen
near the ground. Dinner is followed by a Tambopata River motorized canoe excursion
in search of caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal animals.
Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 15: HIKE TO LAKE SACHAVACAYOC (TAPIR LAKE)
An early breakfast is followed by a boat excursion to a spectacular hidden
lake. Your naturalist guide leads you on a fascinating walk viewing giant Lupuna
trees (kings of the jungle), the elusive black caiman, giant otters and many
more aspects of the forest and its animals. Return to the lodge in time for
lunch followed by an afternoon of relaxation or independent exploration.
Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 16: PUERTO MALDONADO - LIMA
Depart at dawn for the canoe trip back to Puerto Maldonado. En route, enjoy
memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Be on the lookout for the early
morning wildlife activity, including the sounds of the howler monkeys as they
stake out their territories. Your guide will take care of you on arrival in
Puerto Maldonado and will deal with all the necessities at the airport prior
to your departure to Lima. The remainder of the day is at leisure to shop, relax
or visit one of Lima's many fine museums.
Today breakfast will be included.
Day 17: LIMA – DEPART FOR HOME
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Today breakfast will be included.
Day 18: ARRIVE U.K.
Departure Dates:
2010 - February 9, March 16, April 20, June 15, July 13, August 31, September
28, October 26, November 9
2011 - February 15, March 22 |
