Tour Duration: 12 days Tour Code: SP2012 Tour Type: Panorama Prices From: A$3378 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
ARRIVE IN LIMA, PERU. Arrive in Lima, where you will be met by your Tour Director.
2
LIMA This morning, your Local Guide focuses on the city's colonial heritage during a walking TOUR. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and the Cathedral. From here, stroll to the venerable SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. This evening, meet your Tour Director and enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow traveling companions. (B,D)
3
LIMA-ICA. NAZCA LINES. Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to the town of Ica, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for a FLIGHT over the Nazca plains, which can only be appreciated by air. Your pilot will point out the mysterious markings known as the NAZCA LINES, a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil - some up to (300m)1,000 feet long! Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the "astronomical calendar" of the ancient Peruvians. Enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel. (B,D)
4
ICA-BALLESTAS ISLANDS CRUISE-LIMA. Head north to the Bay of Paracas. CRUISE out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, a candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Board your motorcoach and arrive in Lima by late afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by an ANDEAN FOLKLORIC SHOW. (B,D)
5
LIMA-CUSCO-SACRED VALLEY. Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Spend the day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a visit to the semi-circular KENKO Amphitheater with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages. See the ancient site of PUCA PUCARA before reaching the TEMPLE OF SACSAYHUA MAN, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones-with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons-was built. Next, visit PISAC, an old mountain village where you will have free time to shop for local wares such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases. Later, visit the Inca Fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO followed by the opportunity to visit a home, meet some of the locals, and experience their way of life. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)
6
SACRED VALLEY-MACHU PICCHU. This morning, board a TRAIN for a short journey through the lush Urubamba Valley. Then, transfer to a motorcoach for the ascent to legendary MACHU PICCHU, "The Lost City of the Incas," high above the steep valley overlaid with dense tropical jungle. Your Local Guide will bring you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land. Tonight, stay at a nearby hotel. (B,L,D)
7
MACHU PICCHU-CUSCO. Your entrance to MACHU PICCHU is included for a second day. Enjoy the tranquility of the morning with free time to wander the ruins at your own pace and experience the magic that is Machu Picchu. After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by train and continue on to Cusco. (B,L)
8
CUSCO. This morning, learn more about the Incas and their struggle against invading Spaniards on your Cusco city TOUR with visits to the imposing CATHEDRAL and the SANTO DOMINGO MONASTERY . The remainder of your day is free to explore at your leisure. (B,D)
9
CUSCO-JULIACA-PUNO (LAKE TITICACA). Board a flight to Juliaca, where you will continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B,D)
10
PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA. Today, take a motor boat trip to some of the more unique islands of LAKE TITICACA. Start with TAQUILE ISLAND, which was once part of the Inca Empire and was one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating UROS ISLANDS, home to the Uros Indians who were forced to live on the lake as the Inca Indians pushed farther into their territory. These islands are completely made by reeds and are continually added to as they disintegrate to the bottom of the lake. Later, your Tour Director hosts a memorable farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
11
PUNO-SILLUSTANI-JULIACA-LIMA. Depart for Juliaca this morning, visiting the ruins of SILLUSTANI en route. At this pre-Incan burial ground, see where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests in chullpas, above-ground cylinder shaped tombs dating back to the 1400s. Fly from Juliaca to Lima this afternoon. (B,D)
12
LIMA. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
LIMA; Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit San Francisco Monastery; welcome dinner; dinner with Andean Folkloric Show; farewell dinner
ICA: Fly over the Nazca Lines; cruise to the Ballestas Islands
SACRED VALLEY: Visit the Kenko Amphitheater, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac
MACHU PICCHU:Take a train through the Urubamba Valley; sightseeing with Local Guide and a second entrance to the ruins on your second day in Machu Picchu
CUSCO: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Monastery
LAKE TITICACA: Guided sightseeing to Taquile and Uros Islands
SILLUSTANI:Visit the ruins
MEALS: American breakfast daily (B), 4 lunches (L), and 9 threecourse dinners (D) including a welcome dinner, a dinner with Andean music, and a farewell dinner in Puno.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
All Intra-Tour Flights
Meals Breakfast - 11 Lunch - 3 Dinner - 10
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Optional Excursions
