ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival in Lima
Reception at Jorge Chavez International Airport, assistance and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 Lima
Mid morning at your hotel we will introduce our company and present a tour briefing. In the afternoon we join a guided tour of modern and downtown Lima. You will visit the attractive main square (Plaza Mayor), Plaza San Martin and finally the San Francisco Convent with its famous Catacombs and rich architecture from the XVI Century. A visit to The Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology concludes the days’ programme that we hope prepares you for the tour ahead.
Day 3 Lima to Nasca via Ballestas Islands
At first light we will head out of Lima along the Pan American Highway. Our first stop will be the fishing village of Chaco in Paracas, the starting point for our excursion to the Ballestas Islands. Approaching the islands we can observe Sea lions and Penguins, Peruvian Boobies, Pelicans, Inca Turns and other marine birds. Back on the mainland we continue our journey south to Nasca stopping for lunch at the attractive oasis of Huacachina. After lunch there will be time to scale the adjoining sand dunes rewarding us with astounding views of the surrounding desert landscape. This harsh environment we now journey through en route to Nasca
On arrival into Nasca we will make available an introductory documentary covering the ancient people of the Nasca Valley with explanations as to how the Nasca lines were made and importantly suggestions as to their possible meanings
Drive times:
Lima to Paracas
Paracas to Huacachina
Huacachina to Nasca
|
3½ hours
1½ hours
2½ hours |
Day 4 Nazca to Arequipa - drive time 8 hours
Weather permitting, you will have the opportunity of a 30-minute flight over the enigmatic Nasca Lines. These enormous lineal drawings of animals, birds and geometric figures, remain etched in the desert and can only be fully appreciated from the air. If time allows we can also visit local ceramists who replicate clay pots found in local burial sites dating from around 200 years BC. We now depart for the White city of Arequipa along the desert and coastal valleys.
Day 5 Arequipa
Arequipa (2380 masl / 7854 fasl) exhibits a delightful colonial past most apparent in its magnificent architecture. Situated under the shadow of volcano El Misti (5822 masl / 19213 fasl), you will be able to stroll around the white city appreciating the beautiful buildings made from the locally mined white volcanic rock, sillar. Your guide will meet you in the morning and conduct a tour of the Santa Catalina Monastery followed by a visit to the Museo Santuarios Andinos where “Juanita” the frozen mummy of the Inca is preserved along with other fascinating artifacts from the nearby Snowcapped peak of Volcano Ampato standing proud at 6288masl / 20750fasl. The remainder of the day is free.
Day 6 Arequipa to Chivay – drive time 4 1/2 hours
We now head for the hills – destination Chivay. This is indeed a tough traveling day but the rewards are high. Llama, Alpaca and Vicuna should be appreciated as well as the Vizcacha along with Andean ducks, Ibis and birds of prey, notably the Black Chested Buzzard Eagle. Climbing steadily toward the skies, we reach the highest point of the tour – a breathless 4900 meters above sea level or rather 16170 feet in altitude! From here we will be entertained by spectacular panoramic views comprising the recently active volcano Ubinas, the staggering volcano Ampato and straight ahead of us, the source of the Amazon, Mt.Mismi. Moving on from this viewpoint, we will descend to a more favorable 3600masl where it is possible to enjoy an afternoon in the hot springs of La Calera, Chivay - highly recommended.
Day 7 Colca Canyon to Arequipa
WAt 0500hrs we will give you a wake up call followed by breakfast and then a challenging drive out to the world’s deepest Canyon – Colca. Immediately on depature from the village of Chivay we will be introduced to pre Inca terracing possibly dating back some 2000 years or more. Important burial chambers will also be noted, along with indicative rock carving, decidedly Inca instruction. For most, the day’s main attraction will be the flight of the condor. Watching this magnificent bird in flight is poignant to say the least – time to reflect on this as we now head back to Arequipa.
Drive times:
Chivay to Canyon
Canyon to Chivay
Chivay to Arequipa
|
1½ hours
2 hours allowing for photographs
4 hours |
Day 8 Fly from Arequipa to Juliaca then onto Puno visiting Sillustani en route
In the morning we transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Juliaca and then onward by mini bus to Puno (3855masl / 12722fasl). En route to Puno we will visit the pre Columbian funeral towers of Sillustani situated on a peninsula some 45 minutes north of the town. This site deserves some time and your guide will offer a complete explanation of its history, up to and including the arrival of the Incas.
Drive time: 1 hour, 30 mins.
Day 9 Lake Titicaca - Uros and Taquile Islands
We now board our launch bound for the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians. Having encountered life on a floating island, we will then continue our journey to Taquile Island. On arrival we climb the 500 steps to the main plaza where the colorful Taquileños will greet us. The Taquileño speak their native Indian tongue of Ayamara and are very well known by their great weaving skills, this activity only conducted by the men of the community. In the afternoon we continue walking around the island to rejoin your boat back to Puno.
Day 10 Puno to Cusco
In the morning we transfer you to the train station in time to embark upon one of the great train journeys of the world. This train journey will take you along the Altiplano climbing to the high pass of La Raya at 4350masl / 14335fasl. Then, having passed this watershed and in stark contrast, we ‘race’ down to 3300masl / 10890fasl weaving through the most idyllic of Andean landscapes to the Inca capital Cusco.
Journey time 10 hours.
Day 11 Cusco
This is a free day to enjoy the beauty of the city with its Cathedral and the convent of Santo Domingo or Q´oricancha (Temple of the sun). You can also visit the surrounding archeological sites namely the imposing fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachy and the renowned terraces of Pisac with stupendous views along the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The Inca streets are well stocked for the shopper and here you will be able to find souvenirs for the most discerning of tastes. If you prefer to get out of the city then a visit to the town of Maras, the nearby earthworks of Moray along with the neighboring salt pans makes for a great escape rounded off with traditional foods in the heart of the Sacred Valley, Urubamba. Today you will also meet your trekking guide who will present a full briefing on the following days trek.
Day 12 Cusco to Soyrococha
Depart the city of Cusco by private vehicle to the village of Mollepata (2800masl) passing through the valley of Limatambo located in the region of Apurimac. From Mollepata we then drive a further hour until the trailhead of Sayllapata (3200masl) where we will meet our Horsemen (arrieros) and trekking crew.
After some 2½ hours trekking through the traditional Andean communities of Cruzpata and Challacancha, we arrive at Soraypampa (3750masl) where we will have lunch. In the afternoon we continue our trekking and after 4 hours will arrive at our first campsite Soyrococha.
Drive time 4 hrs
Trekking time 7hrs
Sleeping altitude (meters above sea level) 4200.
Day 13 Soyrococha to Colpapampa
Today we will ascend for about 3 hours to our highest point of the trek, the pass of Salcantay at approximately 4600 masl. Allowing time to catch the thin Andean air, we should be graced with spectacular views of Mount Salcantay standing proud at 6271masl. We will be able to appreciate views of other imposing mountains such as Humantay and Huayanay along with small lakes and moraines before arriving at our lunch site, Huayraqmachay (3700mts). Fully refreshed, 5 hours should see us into our second campsite located at Colpabamba (2600 masl).
Trekking time 8hrs
Sleeping altitude 2600masl.
Day 14 Colpapampa to Playa
An easier day and well earned - 6 hours downhill to the high jungle or Ceja de Selva. In this area we will see coffee plantations, coca and fruits such as pineapple, banana and papaya. During the day we will have time to stop at a waterfall and take a chilly shower from the glacial waters and later look out for Peru’s national bird "Gallito de las Rocas". Lunch will be served at La Playa after which the afternoon is free to relax.
Trekking time 6 hrs
Sleeping altitude 2250masl.
Day 15 Playa to Aguas Calientes
After a short journey by bus (1hr) we'll arrive at the Santa Teresa Bridge. Here we will cross the Urubamba river using an oroya (cable and basket system) followed by 2 hours on foot to our lunch stop at Hidroelectrica. In the afternoon we take a 1 hour train journey to the town Aguas Calientes where we check into our hostal. The town of Aguas Calientes, love it or hate it, does have a “frontier” feel about it with restaurants crammed along the side of the rail track. Worth the effort is the climb of Mt. Putucusi offering views of Machu Picchu.
Sleeping altitude 1908masl
Train 1 hour
Drive time 1 hour
Trekking time 2 hours.
Day 16 Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu then onto Cusco
Early walk or bus to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, guided tour for 3 hours and plenty of free time to explore by yourself. Optional time to Climb the mountain Huayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon, or trek up to the Sun gate.
In the afternoon return by train to the city of Cusco.
Day 17 Cusco
Free day to enjoy the city.
Day 18 Cusco to Lima
In the morning, private transfer to the airport. 50 minute flight back to Lima where our staff will meet you at the airport and assist you with onward travel plans.
End of our services
Price per person in US Dollars 1535.00 (valid through March 31st 2008)
Single Supplement available on request
Inclusions
- All transport and transfers where noted in the programme
- English - Spanish speaking guide
- Camping equipment (tents, roll matt, dinning tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings, first aid kit and oxygen bottle).
- Cook
- Horsemen
- Horses for equipment
- 1 horse for emergency (Depending on group size)
- Entry/excursions:
- Lima city tour
- Ballestas Islands
- Santa Catalina Monestry
- Santuarios Andinos
- Colca Canyon
- Sillustani
- Lake Titicaca
- Machu Picchu
Not Included
- Gratuities per person USD 20.00
- Nasca Lines flight and tax USD 60.00
- International airport tax USD 33.00
- Domestic airport tax Arequipa USD 3.57
- Cusco USD 4.28
- Cusco tourist ticket USD 22.00
Food: The choice of restaurants available is diverse as the country itself. We suggest you budget between USD350 to USD500 to cover all your eating needs and these figures do include beverages.
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