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Peru
Peru
has a lush tropical coastline, magnificent high Sierra
and Amazonian jungle, together with a diverse range
of climates, landscapes and ecosystems. It is also
the heart of the great South American civilisations.
Encapsulating a meeting place of different races,
cultures, art and music, the Mestiza tradition has
resulted, charged with mysticism and colour.
THE TREASURES OF PERUOur
tour introduces the full diversity and uniqueness
of this fascinating country visiting Lima, the beautiful
Colca Valley, the sacred Lake Titikaka, and the beautiful
city of Cusco. The highlight of the tour will be awe-inspiring
Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas.
Tour
Highlights Hiking in the Colca
Valley • Lake Titikaka • Sacred Sights
of Cusco • Machu Picchu • Exploring the
Sacred Valley of the Incas
DAY
1 LONDON TO LIMA
Fly to Lima. You will be met by your guide and transferred
to your hotel.
DAY
2 LIMA
Our local guide will take us on a sightseeing tour
of Peru's capital to include the Gold Museum with
its priceless collections of Inca works.
DAY
3 LIMA - AREQUIPA
This morning we fly to Arequipa, the second largest
city in Peru. We will visit the Monastery of Santa
Catalina, which still retains the flavour of the Spanish
era. We shall also pay a visit to the local museum
where we will be able to view "Juanita",
the perfectly preserved Indian mummy.
DAY
4 AREQUIPA - COLCA VALLEY
Today we will explore the Colca Valley, one of the
deepest in the world. This remote region of stunning
beauty remains almost the same as in Inca times.
DAY
5 AREQUIPA - PUNO
A short flight will take us to Juliaca, high up in
the "Altiplano". Puno, the capital of the
"Altiplano", is also considered the folklore
capital of Peru, situated as it is by the legendary
Lake Titikaka, the highest lake in the world.
DAY
6 PUNO
Today we will spend a full day discovering Lake Titikaka
and its shores including the floating islands of Uros.
These islands are inhabited by the descendents of
the Aymara people, who still lead a primitive life.
This afternoon we will visit some well-preserved burial
sites from ancient pre-Inca civilisation.
DAY
7 PUNO - CUSCO
This morning we begin our tour of the highlands stopping
to explore the isolated villages. This area is generally
known as "The Real Peru", never having been
touched by Spanish influence. In Cusco we will take
an orientation walk.
DAY
8 CUSCO
We will take a guided tour of Cusco. The home of The
Plaza de Armas, the Temple of the Sun, and the ruins
of Sacsaywaman and Quenco, it is the very centre of
the Inca universe.
DAY
9 CUSCO - AGUAS CALIENTES
This morning we will board the train to the tiny town
of Aguas Calientes. From there we will take the bus
to the most famous archaeological site in the whole
of South America - Machu Picchu. Our local guide will
bring history to life on a tour of this lost city
of the Incas, which was only discovered in the 20th
century.
DAY
10 AGUAS CALIENTES -CUSCO
Before our train journey back to Cusco there will
be time to return to the ruins of Machu Picchu, this
time by means of a comfortable guided hike to The
Sun's Gate, the last section of this popular Inca
trail.
DAY
11 CUSCO
The city of Cusco will be our base for today's exploration
of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Urubamba River
crosses the valley and gives life to tiny villages,
guarded by Inca terraces and ruins.
DAY
12 CUSCO - LIMA - PISCO - PARACAS
A flight to Lima will put us on the road to Paracas,
where we will spend a relaxing evening.
DAY
13 PARACAS - LIMA
Today, whilst we enjoy an exhilarating boat trip along
the Pacific coast, we will be able to spot penguins,
sea lions, seals and a myriad of sea birds. In striking
contrast we will see the barren coasts, the setting
for many pre-Inca civilisations, commemorated by such
monuments as the giant Paracas Candelabrum. In the
afternoon we will drive back to Lima.
DAY
14 DEPART LIMA
We transfer to the airport for the return flight home.
DAY
15 ARRIVE LONDON
Your flight arrives back in the UK early this morning.
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