About your tour
Wonder at the magical, awe-inspiring Inca sites of the Andes with its spectacular scenic vistas, then delight in the Spanish colonial architecture of Peru's major cities.
Holiday highlights
Lima City sightseeing
Arequipa City sightseeing
Colca Canyon
Chivay
Puno
Lake Titicaca Uros island
Chimu and Chucuito Visit
Orient Express Andean Explorer Rail Journey Puno - Cuzco
Cuzco City sightseeing, Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay, Kenko and Puca Pucara
Sacred Valley of the Incas Pisac Indian market
Yucay
Machu Picchu Guided sightseeing
Your Price Includes
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Flights: UK - Lima - Arequipa; Cuzco - Lima - UK
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Accommodation on tour in twin room with private facilities
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Local guides in each centre
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Porterage at hotels during tour (for one suitcase per person)
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Transfers between overseas airports and hotels
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All local and airport taxes/service charges (excluding personal departure tax of $30.00)
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Meals on tour 12 breakfasts (B) 2 lunches (L) 1 dinner (D)
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Travel on tour by coach or minibus
Extend Your Holiday
The Amazon Rainforest
Your holiday in Peru would not be complete without experiencing the spectacular Amazon Basin, which covers more than half of the country. Your accommodation in the Amazon is at the stunning Ceiba Tops Lodge, in private rooms with bathrooms and air-conditioning.
DAY 13 (Sun): Lima - Iquitos. In the early morning (appox. 3:30am) transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Iquitos. A brief orientation tour of Iquitos is followed by a 25 mile boat ride to Ceiba Tops Lodge. In the afternoon explore the beautiful primary rainforest reserve with its many huge trees festooned with epiphytes. After dinner enjoy an evening of local music or listen to the many legends told by the Amazon guide. (B,L,D)
Note: Luggage allowance on the boat to Ceiba Tops Lodge is 5 Kg. The main luggage can be stored in Lima.
DAY 14 (Mon): Iquitos. The day starts with a boat expedition in search of Amazon dolphins to the small village of the Yaqua Indians. Learn about their culture, how it was affected by the arrival of Europeans, see some of the local crafts and enjoy a demonstration of the blowgun, which is still used for hunting. In the afternoon enjoy a walking tour to the riverside town of Indiana, built up around a Franciscan mission, and stop along the way to see the immense Ceiba tree, after which the lodge is named. (B,L,D)
DAY 15 (Tue): Iquitos - Lima. There is a choice of morning activities before a boat ride to Iquitos for your flight to Lima and an overnight stay. (B)
DAY 16 (Wed): Lima - UK. Transfer to Lima airport for your overnight flight to the UK. (B)
DAY 17 (Thu): Home landing in the UK.
Note: This extension is based on the Standard accommodation.
Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are located in the Nazca Desert, that stretches 53 miles between the towns of Nazca and Palpa on the Pampas de Jumana. They were created by the Nazca Culture, between 200 BC and 600 AD. Among the ancient cuttings there are hundreds of individual figures, ranging in complexity from simple lines to animal drawings: a lama, a monkey, a flower, a snake, a spider (45 metre long) and a condor (with a 130 metre wingspan). They were conceived on such a scale that they can only be appreciated from the air.
DAY 13 (Sun): Lima - Ica. Today we travel to Ica by a scheduled Royal Class Service bus (without guide). In the afternoon transfer to the small airport for your unforgettable flight over the Nazca Lines. (B)
Note: Flight over the Nazca Lines is subject to favourable weather conditions. When unfavourable conditions exist an alternative programme will be offered.
DAY 14 (Mon): Ica - Paracas - Lima. After breakfast transfer to Paracas village for the boat excursion to the spectacular Ballestas Islands that are eroded into numerous arches and caves, which provide shelter for thousands of seabirds and sea lions. In the afternoon we return to Lima (without guide) for your overnight stay. (B)
DAY 15 (Tue): Lima - UK. Transfer to Lima airport for your overnight flight to the UK. (B)
DAY 16 (Wed): Home landing in the UK.
Note: This extension is based on the Standard accommodation.
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Your itinerary
Day 1: UK - Lima.
Fly to Lima where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for a two night stay.
Day 2: Lima. Included sightseeing.
Immerse yourself in this fascinating city on a morning tour of Lima's historic downtown, with visits to the splendid baroque monasteries of San Francisco and the beautiful Plaza de Armas and San Martin, before exploring the residential district of San Isidro and garden district of Miraflores. The afternoon is free to seek out further sights and perhaps hunt for bargains in the elegant Miraflores shopping district.
(B)
Day 3: Lima - Arequipa. Included sightseeing.
The day begins with an early morning flight to Peru's second largest city, situated in an exquisite valley in the lee of a snow-capped volcano. Bursting with fantastic 17th and 18th-century architecture, Arequipa casts up many delights, which we are going to see on today's sightseeing tour. See Arequipa's cathedral and Plaza de Armas square, old neighbourhoods of San Lazaro and Yanahuara and the delightful Jesuit church of La Compania with its own exquisitely painted interior known as the 'Sistine Chapel of America'. Afterwards we head to the famous 17th-century Santa Catalina Convent.
(B)
Day 4: Arequipa - Colca Canyon - Chivay.
An early morning start taking the Yura Highway past the snow capped volcanoes of Chachani, Ampatao and Misti en route to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world (10,725 ft). The canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and is home to the great Andean condor. Before we arrive in Chivay, the gateway to the canyon we visit the Amphitheatre of Ocolle and the hot springs of La Calera.
(B)
(L)
(D)
Day 5: Chivay - Colca Canyon - Puno.
A highlight of today's trip is a chance to see the great Andean condor that inhabits the Colca Canyon. We travel to the Cruz del Condor observation point which is a popular stop to view the condors, as they soar gracefully on the rising thermals occurring as the air warms. Our next stop is Puno, beautifully located on the famous Lake Titicaca and the greatest centre of Peruvian folklore.
(B)
Day 6: Puno. Excursion to Uros island by boat and Chimu/Chucuito visit.
Relax in the atmosphere of stunning Lake Titicaca, one of the world's highest navigable lakes. After visiting the much-photographed Uros Indian community, who live on floating reed islands in the Lake, we continue to the town of Chimu, where the locals make beds, boats, roofs and houses from 'totora' (Cyprus Escrypus). We end the day with a visit to the historical town of Chucuito where you can see the pre-Inca ruins.
(B)
Day 7: Puno - Cuzco. Andean Explorer railway journey.
Experience a mesmerising train journey through the spectacular Andes aboard the Orient Express (Andean Explorer service) to Cuzco, climbing to altitudes of 14,108 ft on the way.
(B)
(L)
Day 8: Cuzco. Included sightseeing.
Cuzco was once the capital of the mighty Incan Empire and is surrounded by fascinating Inca ruins and sites. It is also home to many beautiful Spanish colonial buildings. A tour of this fine city includes visits to the historic Plaza de Armas - the ceremonial square of the Incan Empire, and cathedral with its adjacent churches and former residential buildings of the old town. Before heading out of town gaze at some of the superb Inca ruins in the surrounding scenic countryside, including Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay and Kenko, a giant rock covered in strange carvings.
(B)
Day 9: Cuzco.
A free day to soak up the unique atmosphere of Cuzco. How about exploring its baroque churches, museums and shops before dining in the splendid surroundings of a converted Conquistador's palace?
(B)
Day 10: Cuzco - Sacred Valley of the Incas and Pisac Market - Yucay.
A half day's sightseeing in the Sacred Valley of the Incas begins with a visit to the colourful Pisac Indian Market. All varieties of Peruvian handicrafts are attractively displayed here, ranging from practical hand-woven sweaters to highly decorative jewellery and sculpture. Looking down on the town from a great height stands an impressively located Inca fortress. After strolling around the market, continue via some of the world's loveliest mountain scenery to the town of Yucay, located in the Urubamba Valley. Afternoon is free or you can join our optional excursion to the former fortified Inca town and citadel of Ollantaytambo.
(B)
Day 11: Yucay - Machu Picchu. Included sightseeing.
A once in a lifetime trip to legendary Machu Picchu. The day starts with a train ride that climbs through narrow ravines up to Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu, where we take the bus to the top of this stupendous mountain to marvel at its magical archaeological ruins. Machu Picchu is one of the great archaeological treasures of the world, whose purpose is still a mystery. There'll be plenty of time to enjoy the site and its awe-inspiring views before returning to Yucay for the night.
(B)
Day 12: Yucay - Cuzco - Lima.
Today we journey to Cuzco for your flight to Lima and an overnight stay.
(B)
Day 13: Lima - UK.
Transfer to Lima airport for your overnight flight to the UK.
(B)
Day 14: Home landing in the UK.
Maximum elevation on this tour is 14,108ft.
Hotels On Tour
Standard Hotels
Lima: Hotel Boulevard; Arequipa: Casa Andina Arequipa; Colca Canyon: Casa Andina Colca; Puno: Sonesta Posada del Inca; Cuzco: Los Andes de America; Yucay: Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay.
De-Luxe Hotels
Lima: Posada del Inca El Olivar; Arequipa: Libertador Arequipa; Colca Canyon: Colca Lodge; Puno: Libertador Isla Esteves; Cuzco: Hotel Novotel; Yucay: Casa Andina Private Valle Sagrado.
Note: Tour hotels will be as specified or alternatives of a similar standard.
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