Peru

Peru - "The Land of the Incas"

Peru boasts an almost unrivalled wealth of culture and heritage – ancient Inca ruins, colonial cities, snow-capped mountains, colourful markets and the magical Machu Picchu. Sail across Lake Titicaca or walk amongst ancient ruins in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Peru Highlights:

Cusco

At an altitude of 3000 metres, Cusco is the most captivating town in the Peruvian Andes. Capital of the Inca Empire, the town was later built upon and expanded by the Spanish. Every street and every square has its own charm and its own piece of history waiting to be discovered. Many of the winding cobbled lanes are still flanked by their original Inca high stone walls. The walls were created with incredible precision by cutting blocks of stone into various sizes and shapes, all of which would then link in perfectly with each other requiring no adhesive to bond them together. Inca ruins are scattered all over town and religious and ceremonial sites are easy to find on the outskirts.

The Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley stretches along the Urubamba River, a beautiful region of rolling countryside where there are many preserved Inca sites. Pisac is renowned for its colourful market held weekly in the main plaza, above the town are the remains of a large Inca fortress – you can still see the original Inca terracing, temples, tombs and ceremonial baths. Ollantaytambo, a small village, is one the oldest recorded settlements in the Americas. Inca water channels still cut through the cobbled streets, the fortress that looms high above the town witnessed one of the few Inca victories over the Spanish.

Machu Picchu

The location, high up and hidden away amongst dense vegetation, combined with the scale and mysticism of the site make Machu Picchu a magical must-see destination. Machu Picchu can be reached by train from Cusco, or by foot following the original Inca pathways – the famous "Inca Trail". Much of the architecture of the "lost city", re-discovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, remains today –wander around the site to see temples, sundials, towers and palaces.

Lima

Lima, the capital of Peru, is a busy and lively city. Modern architecture has replaced much of the traditional design; however several fine colonial buildings do remain. The fashionable areas of San Isidro and Miraflores are relaxing places to stay; there are a number of excellent museums.

The Amazon

The Amazon Rainforest covers nearly two-thirds of the landmass of Peru. Fly from Lima or Cusco to the southern jungle town of Puerto Maldonado, travel further into the rainforest by motorised canoe before alighting at your chosen jungle lodge. Your experienced guide will help you spot Howler Monkeys swinging from the trees and piranha fish in the rivers. To experience more of the mighty Amazon River, fly north to Iquitos and stay at a riverside lodge, or board a cruiser and spend time sailing along this unique piece of water.

Lake Titicaca

Straddling the Peruvian and Bolivian borders, Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America and highest navigable anywhere in the world. Revered by the Incas, the brilliant blue waters of the lake are home to a number of small island communities. Closest to shore, the Uros Islands are constructed from reeds and actually float on the water, making walking on the islands a surreal experience

Arequipa & the Colca Canyon

Located in a fertile valley and surrounded by beautiful snow capped volcanoes, the ‘White City’ of Arequipa is Peru’s second largest town. Set at an altitude of 2350 metres and with a perfect year round climate, Arequipa retains an air of its colonial past. There is a fine cathedral, a grand central plaza, several small churches and the unique Santa Catalina Monastery. Home to over 400 nuns and with cobbled streets and brightly painted buildings, Santa Catalina was once a thriving village within the town. North-west of Arequipa is the dramatic and scenic Colca Valley. Original Inca terracing is still in use, as are many of the valley’s simple colonial churches. The Colca River has formed the world’s second deepest canyon, the head of which is one of the best places in South America to view condors gliding on the morning thermals.

Suggested itineraries, from £1895.00 per person

Day 1 – Depart from the UK, flying via Madrid, on arrival in Lima, a private transfer will take you to your hotel, the Posada del Inca, located in the Miraflores district
Day 2 – Morning city tour of Lima
Day 3 – Private transfer to Lima airport, onward flight to Cusco and arrival at your Cusco hotel
Day 4 – Half day city tour of Cusco and the surrounding ruins
Day 5 – Pick up at your hotel for a full day guided tour of the Sacred Valley, overnight stay at the Hotel Poseda del Inca Yucay, originally an 18th century monastery, surrounded by lovely gardens
Day 6 – Transfer to the station at Ollantaytambo to meet the train at Aguas Calientes. On arrival you will be met and taken on a guided tour of the ruins at Machu Picchu. Overnight at the Hotel Pueblo, a low level hotel set in expansive tropical gardens, the 83 whitewashed guest houses nestle amongst the world’s largest collection of native orchids and boast over 150 species of birds in their 13 acre grounds.
Day 7 – Your guide will meet you at your hotel at 6am to take you to the ruins for a second time. Arriving at this time means avoiding the crowds and if the sky is clear the sunrise can be spectacular. In the afternoon return by train to Cusco
Day 8 – Take the train from Cusco across the altiplano to Juliaca, taking between 10 and 12 hours. On arrival, transfer to the lakeside town of Puno, 2 nights at the Hotel Libertador Esteves
Day 9 – Transfer to Puno harbour to board your boat for your day excursion on Lake Titicaca.
Day 10 – Transfer to Puno airport to meet you flight to Lima; connect to your international flight to arrive back in the UK on Day 11.

The above itinerary includes:

International flights in economy class with Iberia Airlines
Internal flights in economy class
Private transfers
Hotel accommodation
Daily breakfasts
Excursions as listed in the UK

Lima, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu

Day 1: Depart UK, Lima for 2-nights.
Day 2: Sightseeing of Lima, to include the Gold Museum.
Day 3: Morning flight to Arequipa, afternoon city tour. Arequipa for 1-night.
Day 4: Transfer to the Colca Canyon for 1-night.
Day 5: Excursion to Condor’s Cross, return to Arequipa for 1-night.
Day 6: Fly to Puno, afternoon sightseeing. Puno for 1-night.
Day 7: Sail to the island of Taquile for 1-night.
Day 8: Return to Puno via the Uros Islands. Puno for 1-night.
Day 9: Train ride across the altiplano to Cusco for 3-nights.
Day 10: Sightseeing of Cusco and surrounding ruins.
Day 11: Excursion to Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
Day 12: Morning train to Machu Picchu, afternoon sightseeing of the ruins. Machu Picchu for 1-night.
Day 13: Morning sightseeing of the ruins, return by train to Cusco for 1-night.
Day 14: Morning flight to Lima, afternoon at leisure. Lima for 1-night.
Day 15: Depart Peru.
Day 16: Arrive home.

Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, The Amazon, Lake Titicaca, La Paz

Day 1: Depart UK. Overnight Lima for 1-night.
Day 2: Morning flight to Cusco, afternoon at leisure. Overnight Cusco for 3-nights.
Day 3: Sightseeing of Cusco and the surrounding sites.
Day 4: Excursion to Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
Day 5: Morning train to Machu Picchu, afternoon sightseeing. Machu Picchu for 1-night.
Day 6: Morning sightseeing of the ruins, return by train to Cusco for 1-night.
Day 7: Fly to Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon Rainforest; transfer by road and by canoe to your jungle lodge for 3-nights.
Days 8–9: Daily exploration of the Amazon Rainforest.
Day 10: Fly back to Cusco, free afternoon. Cusco for 1-night.
Day 11: Train across the altiplano to Juliaca, transfer to Puno for 1-night.
Day 12: Catamaran across Lake Titicaca, calling at several islands en-route. On arrival in Bolivia transfer to La Paz for 3-nights.
Day 13: Morning sightseeing of La Paz.
Day 14: Excursion to Tiahuanaco and Valley of the Moon.
Day 15: Depart Bolivia.
Day 16: Arrive home.

Weather

Average temperatures and rainfall for Peru (Lima)
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp (°C)	26	27	26	25	22	20	19	19	20	22	24	24
Rainfall (inches)	0	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	1

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