Sacred Peru
Escorted Tour
13 Days From £1825
This 13 day tour offers a fantastic taste of the best Peru has to offer. Starting and finishing in the capital city of Lima, you will journey through colonial cities, ancient ruins and snow-capped mountains whilst experiencing the region's traditional culture and stunning scenery.
Including...
- Fully Escorted Tour with local English Speaking Guides throughout
- Scheduled Flights from the UK.
- All internal travel including air-conditioned/heated transportation.
- Accommodation, meals as specified and entry fees to all sights.
- All airport taxes and security charges.
16 Day Itinerary:
Day 1: UK to LimaDepart London on your scheduled flight to Lima, via Sao Paulo, Brazil. |
Day 2: LimaOn arrival in Lima, you will be met by your local representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. |
Day 3: Lima to ArequipaKnown as the 'City of the Kings', today's tour combines the culture of historic downtown Lima with the modern district of Miraflores. You will first visit the main square to see the Cathedral, Government Palace and City Hall. Next see one of the best preserved monasteries in Lima, the beautiful Santo Domingo Convent and then on to Miraflores, a bustling shopping area with stupendous views of the Pacific Ocean. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa to spend the night.
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Day 4: ArequipaWith its large traditional square and colonial buildings, Peru's second largest city Arequipa has a very Spanish feel. Known as the 'Cuidad Blanca' (White City) and set against the backdrop of the misty volcano, Arequipa offers some truly wonderful cultural and historic sites including the Church of the Society of Jesus, the frescoes of America's Sistine Chapel at the San Ignacio Dome and the labyrinth Santa Catalina Convent. The tour ends with a relaxed walk around the local areas of Cayma and Yanahuara. The rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.
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Day 5: Arequipa & Colca CanyonToday the tour moves on to the open plains of the Pampa Canaguas and Salinas where you will see llamas, alpacas, and guanacos roaming in the wild. The wetlands are teeming with different species of birdlife, and Patapampa, a high point offers stunning vistas of volcanoes. After about a five hour drive you arrive at Chivay, your base for the night where dinner is included.
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Day 6: Colca Canyon to PunoAn early start from Chivay sets you up for a spectacular scenic tour of the Colca Canyon with its terraced fields, hanging tombs and deep gorges, all culminating with a chance to see the majestic condors as they rise deep from within the canyon. You will then make your way back to the hotel and after lunch, commence your journey to Puno, arriving in the evening where dinner at your hotel is included.
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Day 7: PunoToday's highlight is a trip to Lake Titicaca, the highest and largest navigable lake on earth. The views from Taquile Island that, on a clear day, can stretch to Bolivia are stunning and well worth the hour or so walk to the top from the port. Have a 'coca tea' break half way up before lunch is taken in a simple restaurant that overlooks the lake. Later you will walk back down to the port and board a boat for a brief visit to one of the floating reed islands to visit a local family home. Overnight is in Puno.
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Day 8: Puno to CuscoThis morning you will travel from Puno to Cusco and be able to appreciate the surrounding valleys' wonderful landscapes en route. The journey includes a stop at La Raya pass, 4,300 metres above sea level, from where you will be able to take in some amazing vistas of the Andean snow-capped mountains. You will also stop at the Raqchi ruins, known as the Temple of the God Wiracocha, and Andahuaylillas village where there is a beautiful church from the 17th century. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before arriving in Cusco and transferring to your hotel.
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Day 9: Cusco to The Sacred ValleyToday the tour heads for Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where one of the highlights is a visit to the imposing Inca Fortress at Ollantaytambo. En route you will visit a camelid compound to see these unique animals at close quarters as well as the colourful Pisac market where local Indians display and sell their handmade artefacts. Lunch is in a comfortable restaurant then the journey continues to reach your hotel for an overnight stay in the valley.
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Day 10: The Sacred Valley to CuscoMachu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and this morning you will be taken to the station to board the Vistadome train to start your adventure to this incredible site. The train will take you to the city of Aguas Calientes where you disembark and board a bus to the archaeological site. Constructed on a saddle between two Andean peaks, Machu Picchu was one of the greatest achievements of South American civilisation. After a guided tour of this 550 year old citadel, there is some free time for you to explore and absorb the awe-inspiring atmosphere. You will then descend back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then catch the train back to Ollantaytambo and return to Cusco by coach.
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Day 11: CuscoThis morning's city tour of Cusco will introduce you to this amazing colonial city built on the foundation of Inca palaces. Visit the 'Temple of the Sun' where you can appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodworks, altars and paintings. Later you will drive to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, then to the underground cave and temple of Kenko - one of the largest wak'as (holy places) in the region. Experience a panoramic view of Puca Pucara and, finally, stop at the living art workshop, 'Inka's Expression' to admire how the local artisans create wonderful silver pieces, paintings and wood carvings.
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Day 12: Cusco to LimaTransfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Lima. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.
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Day 13: Lima to the UKTransfer to Lima airport for your flight to the UK via Madrid, Spain.
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Your Meals
- Breakfast will always be served at your accommodation each morning during the tour.
- Lunch and Dinner, where included, will be served in local restaurants or at your accommodation.
Sacred Peru
13 days from
£1825 per person
Prices subject to availability & change
Important Information
Visas
No visa is required for this tour of Peru.
Payment
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Flight Information
In 2015 all flights are operated by LAN TAM Airlines. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage & hand luggage not exceeding 55cm x 40cm x 20cm in size. Flight times are for guidance only & subject to change.
In 2016 your flight is to Lima Airport with Avianca (AV), departing from London Heathrow Terminal 2.
Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus one item of hand luggage providing the exterior dimensions (height length width) do not exceed 115cm and 10kg in weight. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your e-ticket receipt. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Heathrow Airport advises that check-in should be three hours before your flight departure time.
Health and Vaccinations
We recommend that you consult your local GP for advice on vaccinations and travel health before your departure.
Physical Accessibility
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
Group Size
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 30. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
Tour Guide
A Tour Leader will be with you on your trip starting in Arequipa on Day 3, ending in Puno on Day 12. Day 1, Day 2, Day 11 and Day 12 in Lima do not include a tour leader however transfers will be provided by a local English speaking guide.
Currency Information
The currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol, the symbol is S/. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you depart US Dollars are widely accepted in Peru should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. Cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.
Personal Expenses
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any lunches and dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£400 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!