Golden Peru Program 18 days

Code:	TE-146
Difficulty:	Easy moderate, Moderately difficult, Very difficult
Activities:	Hiking, Cultural, Archaeological, Ecological, Camping
Departures:	** (Minimum: 2 Passengers)
Locations:	Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco Region

 

Introduction

This programme aims to let you know besides of the unique and varied beautiness from our country, the origins that gave shape to this nation mixed as well in idiosyncrasy as in cultural wealth with the western style that came from Europe to form a real newly and alluring country. The most important thing to TOP EXPEDITIONS (Ttraveling Outdoor Peru Expeditions) is that we hope all our guest have a really good time as they experience this historical journey amongst the Inca civilization and the Machu Picchu, which is seen as one of the new 7th wonders of the world.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Lima Airport - Hotel.

In arriving at the airport a host will welcome you and help you in registering at your chosen hotel.

Day 2: Lima / Pisco.

In the morning a representative from Top Expeditions will tell all guests about the 21 day tour and offer advice and information about their stay in Peru.
On this day the tour will start at 8:00 am and all guests will be taken to downtown Lima where they will visit the Gold Museum and the Miraflores area.
Later that afternoon we will start to go further into Peru and our next stop will be Pisco town, the drive time from Lima to Pisco will take approximately 4 hours, on this route there will be some interesting views of the coast line town and valleys. Then finally when we reach Pisco we shall stop at the hotel.

Day 3: Pisco / Ballestas Island tour / Nazca town.

After breakfast, we start the Ballestas Islands tours, which includes transfer from the Hotel to Pisco port. At the port the guide will help with any information you have about the next tour, which will take around 2 hours. On this tour we will visit the Milenarium Candelabra (a large figure sculptured into a rocky sand wall).
The Ballestas complex Islands is a natural habitat for Sea Lions, Penguins, and home to many species of sea Birds, also within these sometimes still water you may see the occasional Dolphin. When we return to Pisco Port we will have a Peruvian seafood lunch followed by Pisco Sour a drink that is drunk as part of Peruvian tradition, it is also served as a delicacy. After lunch we will go by bus to Nazca town which will take 4 hours.

Day 4: Nazca Lines flight / Arequipa.

In the morning, we will drive to the local airport and take a flight over the Nazca Lines to view the plains of San Jose, which consist of a collection of mysterious geoglyls and straight lines that were etched into the desert around A.D 600. After this exciting flying tour we will visit the pre-Inca cemetery of Chauchilla; at this cemetery we will see mummies that have been kept almost completely intact for centuries by the dry desert. Later that evening we will take Our bus to Arequipa.

Day 5: Arequipa city tour. 

The bus from Nazca will arrive at the bus station in the morning; there all passengers will be transferred onto a shuttle bus to the hotel.
Later that afternoon the tour will starts again at around 14:00 hrs, then all guests will be driven to Santa Catalina Monastery, We also visit the Yanahuara square where we will be able to take some excellent pictures of the Misti Volcano.
At the hotel passengers will be presented with information about Colca Canyon and told about tour starting times. There will also be a Top Expeditions Tour guide available at the hotel that can help if you need more information about the next tour location.

Day 6: Arequipa / Colca Canyon tour.

The Colca Canyon tour will start in the morning and guests will be driven to the next location . The tourist bus will take guests to Chivay town in the Colca Valley area. On this day we will drive through a pass of approximately 4800 m.a.s.l., and from the bus we will be able to see South American Lamar’s (Lamas, Alpacas, etc) and different types of Andean birds. Prior us being 4800m.a.s.l we will also be able to see the plains of the Andes known as the Altiplano and different snow covered peaks in the region. These peaks range from over 6000 meters high. Later on that afternoon we will enjoy a warm soak in the thermal baths of Chivay.

Day 7: Colca Canyon / Puno.

In the morning we will visit the Mirador del Condor, this is a lookout point, and from here all guests will be able to observe Condor ascending into the canyon as they look for food. Afterward we will take a short work along the canyon to visit a small village to hear about the Inca and previous Inca civilization and informed how they use the canyon for its laboratorial purposes and farming.
Early that afternoon a tourist bus will transfer guests to Puno city, driving time will take up to about 7 hours. On this journey we will be able to observe Andean birds, llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. When we reach Puno bus station we will change buses again, and then drive to the hotel.
Puno City is 3800 meters over sea level, and it is considered the folklore capital of Peru.

Day 8: Puno / Titicaca Lake (2 days tour- Night in Amantani Island.)

The Titicaca tour includes transfer from the hotel by bus to the port in Puno. When we arrive at Puno port we will sail by boat through the Titicaca Lake. This lake is the most highest navigate able lake in the world at (3,821 masl). Our first stop is the floating islands of Uros made of reeds and mace, on this Island we shall mingle with the local Uros peoples.
After we have visited the Uros community we sail onwards to Amantani Island. When we arrive at Amantani Island all guest will be offered to overnight in local family homes where each family have capacity for 2-3 guest accommodation. An evening meal and Breakfast will also be provided by the individual families. There will be a late afternoon tour to the top of the Island for visiting a local archeological site and view the Sunset over the Titicaca Lake.

Day 9: Amantani Island /Taquile Island / Puno.

In the morning we will leave Amantani Island and sail to Taquile Main Island. When we reach Taquile, we will take a short walk to Taquile village. On this peaceful Island we will look at some unusual tiered platforms. Afterwards we will admire the beautiful textiles and garments worn by some of the local natives, they will also give us demonstration on how the materials are made using a special weaving machine. At lunch we will be served fresh trout in one of the local restaurants on the Island. After lunch we will sail back to Puno.
This Tour of Titicaca Includes:
Bus journey to location
Bilingual guide,
Boat trip that seats 20 people
Visit to the Uros floating Islands and a visit to the Taquile Island
Pick up and drop off at the hotel and Lunch is included.

Day 10: Puno / Cusco.

On this day we will take Our bus to Cusco. The bus ride will take 9 hours; however, we will be stopping off at different tourist attractions along the way. Some of the tour attractions are Pukara ans its local pre-Inca museum, la Raya pass which is the highest point between Cusco and Puno (4335 m.o.s.l.) and it is also an excellent point for pictures, Temple of God Wiracocha, here we have a half an hour guided tour, and finally before Cusco we visit Andahuaylillas townand its Baroque-Colonial style Church. We will arrive to the Cusco and Our hotel in the afternoon. At the hotel a representative of Top Expeditions will welcome all Passengers and give information about Cusco city and to answer any questions you may have about any of the remaining tours/activities.

Day 11: Cusco free day

This day is free of activities; however we suggest visiting in Cusco places like the famous Triunfo Street with its stones of the twelve angles, the Church of La Merced with its famous Indian-colonial paintings. There is also the Witches market of Cusco, or if you fancy learning more about the schooling system in Cusco we can arrange a visit one of the village schools outside Cusco, this need to be advice with 2 weeks time before visit day.

Day 12: Cusco City Tour.

This is a free morning considering the tight schedule we have had over the last couple of days. The tour to Cusco city will start at around 14:00 hrs,We will visit the Cusco Cathedral, Koricancha temple where we can view architecture from the past and present world; we will also visit the fortress of Sacsayhuaman (Satisfied Hawk). Afterward we pass the ruins of Quenco, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay. This tour in total takes around 4 and half hours and all entrances are included. After the tour a bus will take all guests back to Cusco Main square.

Day 13: Cusco / Sacred Valley tour / Cusco.

On this day we will tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This tour start at 8:00 am, We will visit to Pisac ruins and the market (which is only open 3 day a week). Afterwards we will have a buffet lunch at Urubamba town in a restaurant that serves both typical and international food.
After having lunch the tour get along towards the enchanting village of Ollantaytambo for visitingt the amazing Inca fortress. After the tour in Ollantaytambo we will return to Cusco main square.

Day 14: Inca trail to Machu Picchu

(Day 1: Cusco / Km 82 / Wayllabamba)
Between 7:00 and 7:30 am, we pick you up at your hotel in our own private bus. We then drive to Piskacuchu, a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco –Machu Picchu railroad. Starting at this point, we cross the bridge and walk along the left shore of the Urubamba River as it flows north-west along the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay, to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the Inca city of Patallacta . All along the way we will see spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5832 meters above sea level.

Day 15: Inca trail to Machu Picchu

(Day 2: Wayllabamba / Warmiwañuska / Pacaymayu)
A steeper climb takes us through on the area of the rain forest and up to Llulluchapampa and the valley. There are some very good views on the way to the Warmiwañusca pass (4 200 m. s .n .m.) (13 700 ft.) That hikes take 5 hours approximately. After the pass we steep down again into the valley of Pacaymayu.

Day 16: Inca trail to Machu Picchu

(Day 3: Pacaymayo / Chaqicocha / Wiñaywayna)
This day is the longest but also the most impressive and the most interesting, due the number of archaeological sites that we visit and learn about from our guide. From Pacaymayo we climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3970 masl). Half way up, we visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800 masl.After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud-forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624 masl). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2700 masl). The last camp

Day 17: Inca trail to Machu Picchu

(Day 4: Wiñaywayna / Machu Picchu / Cusco )
After an early breakfast, we begin the final leg of the trek to the lost city of Machu Picchu. First, we will hike to Inti Punku ("Sun Gate"), where we will take in an inspiring and panoramic view of the Machu Picchu citadel. After a short hike down to Machu Picchu, we will register and then enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the sanctuary-city. After the tour of Machu Picchu, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where we will enjoy before returning to Cusco by train.

Day 18: Flight from Cusco / Lima.

On this day we will take a midday flight from Cusco to Lima, arriving to Lima passengers will be transfered to the International Airport area for check in flight home.
End of Service.
 

*This program can be extendes one more day. In this case, passengers arriving to Lima airport will be transfered back to the hotel.

What is included:

• Accommodation at selected hotels with breakfast
• Meals as described in the itinerary, not including alcoholic beverages.
• Permanent Tour Leader.
• Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary with English speaking guides.
• All internal flight tickets.
• All entrance fees.

What is not included:

• International flight to Peru and US$31.00 tax for all international air departures.
• All domestic flights, require a US$5.00 charge (airport tax).
• Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.
• Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident etc.
• Baggage porterage and other extras not specified. 
   

PRICE PER TRAVELER

 Private Service 2010: **   

Sun Festival 6 days Sacred Cusco 7 days Unique Peru 9 Days Classic Peru 9 Days Extreme Peru Bolivia 11 Days Ecological Cusco 16 Days