Peru - Archaeology, History, Biodiversity

Suggested Tour Itineraries:   6 days LIMA, CUZCO & MACHU PICCHU 3 days PUNO & LAKE TITICACA EXTENSION 3 days COASTAL TOUR TO NAZCA LINES & PARACAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY 5 days AMAZON RAINFOREST RESERVE     LIMA, CUZCO & MACHU PICCHU ITINERARY:   DAY 1 ARRIVE LIMA On arrival at Lima International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Lima.

DAY 2 LIMA - CUSCO  Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Cusco, an Adean community and former ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival in Cusco, you are met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the morning is left free to relax and acclimatize, as you are now at an altitude of 3400 meters. We recommend minimal activity and the local remedy of coca tea, (which is in plentiful supply) for those who are susceptible. Afternoon city tour of Cusco and its ruins. Visit the Cathedral of the Plaza de Armas; the beautiful church - La Compania housing fine carvings with gold leaf which took nearly 100 years to complete. Continue to the ruins of Sacayhuaman, a testimonial to the Inca architectural skills, compiled of massive stones (one weighs 125 tons!). Also visit Qenqo (“The Labyrinth”) and Inca shrine dedicated to the Earth Mother; the small fortress of Puka Pukar and Tambomachay, a sacred bathing place. Overnight in Cusco.

DAY 3 CUSCO - URUBAMBA Check out of the hotel and depart for the Urubamba Valley and to the local village of Pisac, known for its famous colourful market. After Lunch, continue on to the massive fortress of Ollantaytambo, a formidable stone structure that climbs massive terraces to the top of a peak. It was the valley’s main defense against the Antis and was the site of the Incas’ greatest victory against the Spanish during the wars of conquest. Overnight in Yucay. [B,L] DAY 4 CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO  Board the train bound for Machu Picchu, and after 1.15 hours a late morning arrival gives you time to begin your explorations of this breathtaking Incan citadel. Accompanied by your guide, explore the city’s ruins, and feel its pulse as you visualize the lives of the priests, craftsmen, and servants who inhabited this seemingly uninhabitable citadel. Excavations at the site have revealed skeletons, artifacts and woolen clothing, but no gold. Optional overnight in Machu Picchu or return to Cusco. [B,L]

DAY 5 CUSCO - LIMA Transfer to Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel. Rest of the morning will be at leasure. This afternoon you embark on a city tour beginning with a visit to Plaza Mayor, the official center of the city and the original site on which Lima was founded. Continue on to the historic Cathedral, built in 1534 and an architectural marvel. From the Cathedral, walk past the Presidential Palace where the soldiers guarding the palace offer an excellent photo opportunity, then onto the church of San Francisco and its library collection of fine paintings and frescoes. Overnight in Lima [B]

DAY 6 DEPART LIMA Transfer to the airport.

TOURPRICE from C$1060 per person / Single room supplement C$240

INCLUDED:

• Return airfare from Lima to Cuzco
• Accommodation in superior tourist class hotels, based on twin sharing 
• (upgrades to first class and deluxe hotels available on request)
• All tours as per itinerary
• Return Transfers between airports, train stations and hotels
• Meals as mentioned B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner
• Entrance fees
• Professional English speaking tour guides

NOT INCLUDED:

• Departure taxes & fuel surcharge
• Travel Insurance
• Meals and Tours not mentioned
• Items of a personal nature, such as gratuities, laundry, telephone, etc.

For more information e-mail Chris Boecker

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PUNO & LAKE TITICACA EXTENSION: DAY 1 CUSCO - PUNO Transfer to the station in Cusco to board your bus to Puno. Along the regular bus trip you will see the incredible view of the herds of alpaca and llamas grazing on these highland pampas, interspersed with small villages and the majestic backdrop of the Andes. Lunch included. On arrival in Puno, transfer to your hotel. [L] DAY 2 LAKE TITICACA Visit by boat, the floating islands of the Uros Indians on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Tour to Sillustani, circular stone towers used as graves for nobles in historic times. Overnight in Puno. [B,L] DAY 3 PUNO - LIMA Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Lima. [B]   TOURPRICE from C$410 per person / Single room supplement C$140

For more information e-mail Chris Boecker

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COASTAL TOUR TO NAZCA LINES & PARACAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY:

DAY 1 ARRIVE LIMA You will be met by our representative at Lima International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Lima.

DAY 2 LIMA - ICA - NAZCA LINES Transfer to the station to board the Ormeno Royal Class bus. Travel 180 miles along the coast by bus. On arrival in Ica board a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines, see drawings of animals, geometric figures and birds scratched onto the arid crust of the desert and preserved for about 2,000 years. Overnight in Las Dunas Hotel. [B] DAY 3 PARACAS - LIMA Early transfer to Paracas Bay for a 2 hour boat ride to visit the Ballestas Islands situated off the coast of the Paracas Reserve, Peru’s largest coastal wildlife sanctuary. The Ballestas islands are home to thousands of  migratory sea birds such as pelicans, boobies, cormorants and gulls who share their habitat with colonies of sea lions. On the way you will also see one of the mysterious drawings etched on the desert face, the Candlestick. Board the bus and return to Lima. [B]   TOURPRICE from C$830 per person / Single room supplement C$145   For more information e-mail Chris Boecker   .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.   AMAZON RAINFOREST RESERVE: 5 Days / 4 Nights Explorama Features Five Lodges & Resorts in Privately Protected Primary Amazon Rainforest Reserves. Accommodations range from air-conditioned suites with private bathrooms, hot water and electric lights, to individual palm thatched shelters for the more adventurous. Activities include the world’s longest Canopy Walkway; an extensive ethno botanical medicinal plant garden; gallery forest trails, black water streams in dugout canoes, local schools and villages, fishing and birding expeditions. DAY 1 ARRIVE IQUITOS - EXPLORAMA LODGE Reception at the airport, brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Embark on a fifty mile journey down the Amazon River to Yanamono Stream, where the Explorama Lodge is located. Afternoon hike along the “Lake Trail” through lowland rainforest, which is seasonally flooded. During the high water season, this excursion is done by open boat. After dinner, there is a chance to visit the Lodge’s “Bar Tahuampa”, where local musicians often play guitar and flute music and your guides will be pleased to relate some of the many legends of the Amazon forest. Overnight at Explorama Lodge. [L,D] DAY 2 EXPLORAMA LODGE - EXPLORNAPO After breakfast, a boat ride down the Amazon and up the Napo River to the ExplorNapo Reserve and ExplorNapo Lodge. Afternoon visit to the ReNuPeRu Ethnobotanical Garden located next to ExplorNapo and tended by a local shaman. This garden is used to show visitors rainforest plants used in modern medicine as well as examples of native plant remedies, which science may utilize in the future. Evening excursion by open boat along the Sucusari Stream in search of caiman and to enjoy the night sounds and stars of the Southern sky. Overnight at ExplorNapo Lodge. [B,L,D] DAY 3 EXPLORNAPO Morning hike to the Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge spanning 500 meters,  connected by tree platforms and reaching a height of over 35 meters above the ground. Here you encounter a “bird’s eye view” of part of the rainforest rarely seen by man. Afternoon boating excursion along one of the many Napo tributaries spotting birds and sloth. A stop is included for river fishing with cane poles and a chance to swim. Overnight at ExplorNapo Lodge. [B,L,D] DAY 4 EXPLORNAPO - EXPLORAMA LODGE Morning excursion to a black water oxbow lake formed when water from the Napo River became separated from the main flow of the river. These lakes are often covered with giant Victoria Regia water lilies and sometimes offer a glimpse of the elusive Hoatzin bird. Afternoon boat trip back to Explorama Lodge passing the town of Francisco de Orellana, where a statue was erected to the intrepid explorer who became the first European to see the Amazon River in 1542. Overnight at Explorama Lodge. [B,L,D] DAY 5 EXPLORAMA LODGE - IQUITOS Morning walk along a local river trail, visiting the “ribereños” or river people, a river school,  the local sugar cane rum “factory” or visit a resident American medical doctor in her clinic sponsored by the Rotary Club. Transfer back to Iquitos for your departure flight to Lima. Breakfast, Lunch (if departure flight permits) [B,L] Due to the ever-changing nature of the rainforest, day-by-day activities are subject to change due to weather, trail or river conditions.   TOURPRICE from C$1135 per person / Single room supplement C$110   For more information e-mail Chris Boecker

Peru Travelogue

GENERAL INFORMATION – PERU

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