STANDARD TOUR PROGRAM #007
Peru Explorer
19 Days / 18 Nights (Departures: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.)
Lima-Arequipa-Colca Canyon-Puno-Cuzco-Sacred Valley-Short Inca Trail-Machu Picchu-Cuzco-Manu Wildlife Center-Cuzco-Lima-Ica-Paracas-Lima
Day 01 - Lima
Upon arrival, you will be met at the Lima airport and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 2 - Lima
Free morning to relax. During the afternoon, tour of Lima including pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern sites. Includes a guided tour of Huaca Pucllana, a magnificent ceremonial and administrative site, the historic colonial downtown, the Cathedral and the modern areas of San Isidro and Miraflores. Overnight at selected hotel. (B)
Day 3 - Lima/Arequipa
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. On arrival in Arequipa, transfer to selected hotel. Know as the “White City”, Arequipa is located in southern Peru at an elevation of approximately 7,500 feet and is surrounded by the towering peaks of El Misti, Chachani, and Picchu Picchu. Afternoon guided tour to visit the 16th century Santa Catalina Convent. We include the Plaza de Armas, one of the most beautiful in all Peru, the Cathedral and San Francisco churches. Overnight. (B)
Day 4 - Arequipa/Colca Canyon
Early morning depart to Colca Canyon, reputedly the world's deepest canyon. Drive through the nature reserve of Pampas de Canihuas where it is possible to encounter Alpacas and Llamas. We will arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon we will explore the canyon and visit the town of Yanque. Overnight at selected hotel. (B)
Day 5 - Colca Canyon
Early wake up call for a visit to Cruz del Condor, a lookout point with a magnificent view of Mt. Misti and the swiftly flowing river far below. It is here that the Andean Condors are most often sighted. After lunch we will explore other towns of Colca Canyon and the thermal baths. Overnight at selected hotel. (B)
Day 6 - Colca/Puno
Morning departure to Puno by motor coach. Box Lunch on the way. Arrival in Puno and transfer to the selected hotel. Overnight. (B,L)
Day 7 - Puno
Early in the morning, boat excursion on Lake Titicaca to visit the Uros Indians, who build their homes on “floating islands” of totora reeds and are known for their boats made of the same material. Then continue to the Island of Taquile. Members of this self-supporting Aymara community receive visitors, showing them their traditional dress and escort them around the island. Taquile is renowned for its fine decorative weavings. Return to Puno. Overnight at the selected hotel. (B,L)
Day 8 - Puno/Cusco
Transfer to the bus station for the trip to Cusco. Enjoy the colorful natural landscapes of the Peruvian plateau with small towns and farms. On the way we will visit Pucara, the temple of Raqchi, power center per excellence constructed in honor to the God Wiracocha, and the colonial town of Andahuaylillas that has a chapel called the Sistine Chapel of the Andes. Lunch included. Arrival to Cusco and transfer to your Hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel. (B,L)
Day 9 - Cusco/Sacred Valley
Full day tour, including visits to the colorful Pisac Indian Market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress located in the Urubamba Valley - Sacred Valley of the Incas. This area was intensively cultivated with terraces increasing its harvest several fold. Small villages lined the valley floor, while the stone fortresses of Ollantaytambo and Pisac served the dual purpose of providing protection and serving as religious centers. PLEASE NOTE THE PISAC MARKET ONLY TAKES PLACES ON TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS AND SUNDAYS. Overnight at the selected hotel in the Sacred Valley. (B,L)
Day 10 - Sacred Valley/Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
We take the train from Ollantaytambo, following the Urubamba river to Km.104 of the railroad, where we alight and cross a footbridge to begin our hike at the Inca site of Chachabamba. After a brief visit to this lovely ruin with its water channels and fountains, we start the four-hour ascent that will take us past spectacular overlooks above the great valley, then below a lovely waterfall near the delightful site of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). We ascend through this largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites, passing its chain of ritual baths and elegantly curved terracing, and then joining the main Inca trail. We follow it across a steep mountainside and up narrow stairways through lush, humid cloud-forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry –a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu. We walk the last half-hour or so down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings and through the heart of Machu Picchu, taking a bus to the small town of Aguas Calientes where we overnight in a local hotel. (B,L)
Day 11 - Machu Picchu/Cusco
We enjoy an early morning visit to the fabled ruins, spending the day in both guided and individual exploration. After we visit the most fascinating features of this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement, some will want to take the optional hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu for an amazing overview of the site, while others may prefer to investigate Machu Picchu’s multitude of hidden nooks and corners. After a full-on experience of this glorious monument to the Inca achievement, we return to Aguas Calientes and board the return train to Cusco. Arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at selected Hotel in Cusco. (B,L)
Day 12 - Cusco
Morning guided tour of the city and its highlights like the Cathedral, the Main Plaza, narrow streets, etc. Then continue to the nearby ruins including Kenko, the ceremonial bath of Tambomachay, and the amazing Sacsayhuaman fortress. Free afternoon. Overnight at the selected hotel. (B)
Day 13 - Cusco/Manu Wildlife Center
Early morning our representative will pick you up from your hotel to transfer to Cusco airport. A thirty-five minute flight in a radar-equipped plane takes you to Boca Manu. Here you take a motorized canoe for the 90 minutes journey down the Madre de Dios River to Manu Wildlife Center to arrive for lunch. The afternoon will be spent exploring some of the 30 miles of clean forest trails that surround the lodge. On these trails you have an excellent chance to encounter some of the 12 species of monkeys, which include the Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin, which inhabit the surrounding forest. After dinner you will have a short night excursion to explore nocturnal life in the rainforest. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Manu Wildlife Center
Rising before dawn; we take a 25 minute boat journey downstream to the only large parrot and macaw clay lick in the Manu area. From a blind we are afforded excellent views and photo opportunities of hundreds of medium-sized and large parrots arriving first at the lick, followed by the large Red-and-Green Macaws arriving to eat the clay.
Please note that the clay lick activity reaches its best from August to October and decreases during the months of May and June After lunch at the Center we continue to explore the forest trails surrounding the lodge, and plan to spend the late afternoon up a 34 meter (112 feet) canopy platform. Here, we watch the last frantic activity in the rainforest canopy, or rush hour, before night settles. We can return for dinner back at the Center, or pack our meal for the leisurely hike about 60-75 minutes through the night forest to the Amazon’s largest known Tapir clay lick. Here we climb a 17 by 17 foot observation platform perched almost 20 feet above the lick itself where we wait for the lumbering Tapirs to arrive. Then, using powerful flashlights we hope to observe and photograph them in action. Our scientific reports reveal that tapirs usually visit the clay lick between 9:00 pm and midnight; however, their activity continues until dawn. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - Manu Wildlife Center
After another early morning departure by boat and short hike from the river, you have what promises to be an exciting visit to Blanco Oxbow Lake. This lake has populations of a variety of aquatic life and water birds, including the prehistoric-looking hoatzin and the possibility to see the resident family of giant otters.
After returning for lunch at the Center your guide is available to further explore the forest trails for more wildlife encounters. Alternatively, time is available to independently practice your abilities and experience this expanse of rainforest habitats on your own.
This evening, from the late afternoon until after Dinner, we offer an opportunity to search for caiman and other nocturnal life along the riverbank by boat. (B,L,D)
Day 16 - Manu/Cusco
After early breakfast, we leave near dawn by motor canoe for the two hour return trip to the Manu landing strip, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here you fly to Cusco, where your jungle adventure ends. Arrival at Cusco Airport, reception and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Day 17 - Cusco/Lima/Ica
Early morning flight to Lima and drive south to Ica to fly over the Nazca lines, that represents geometric figures, animals, etc. and that were elaborated by the old settlers of this zone of Peru. Afternoon visit to the Archaeological Museum. Overnight at selected Ica hotel. (B)
Day 18 - Ica/Paracas/Lima
Morning transfer to the National Reserve of Paracas to make a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands in the passage we will pass by the Bay, the Port of San Martín observed "the Candelabrum" gigantic figure, at the Ballestas Islands a great marine wildlife will be admired. Fauna includes different kind of birds, penguins of Humbolt, marine lions, etc. After lunch return to Lima by private car. Overnight at the selected hotel.
Day 19 - Lima
Morning transfer to the airport for your international flight. (B)
| Peru Explorer 2011 19 Days / 18 Nights |
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| Departures: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. | ||||||
| Private Service with Shared Service Short Inca Trail | ||||||
| Price per person | ||||||
| Class of Hotels | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5/6 | SINGLE SUPP |
| Luxury Premiun | $ 15310 | $ 8838 | $ 8145 | $ 7786 | $ 7629 | $ 4263 |
| Luxury | $ 10325 | $ 6150 | $ 5457 | $ 5098 | $ 4941 | $ 1966 |
| First Class | $ 9562 | $ 5765 | $ 5072 | $ 4713 | $ 4556 | $ 1588 |
| Superior Tourist | $ 7571 | $ 4775 | $ 4187 | $ 3882 | $ 3736 | $ 1000 |
| Tourist | $ 7162 | $ 4550 | $ 3962 | $ 3657 | $ 3511 | $ 730 |
| Flight from Cusco/Boca Manu/Cusco: Add $390 per person. Add $70 per person for Inca Trail Permit fee. Fee subject to change. Add $70 per person for Cuzco Permit fee. Fee subject to change. |
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| See Itinerary Hotels by Class | ||||||
NOTE: Day 8 - Puno/Cusco
Luxury Premiun, Luxury, First Class services: Private Transfer this day from Puno to Cusco with a Guide/Escort.
Superior Tourist, Tourist services: Tourist Bus this day from Puno to Cusco.
What's Included:
- Airport transfers.
- Guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary.
- Ground transportation (bus and train).
- River transportation according to the itinerary.
- Accommodation at selected hotels with breakfast.
- Meals according to the itinerary.
- Accommodation at Manu Wildlife Center with full board.
What’s Not Included:
- Flights.
- Meals not noted in itinerary.
- Optional tipping to guides and local staff.
- Airport departure taxes.
- Items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).