South America: The Amazon, Machu Picchu, & Peru Highlights – March 20-29, 2012 – SOLD OUT
Get ready to see the South America highlights of Peru that attract tourists from around the globe. Come float through the Amazon, explore an ancient city at Machu Picchu, and see the sites of the lost Incan empire.
Itinerary:
Tuesday, March 20 – LOS ANGELES-LIMA
Fly from your departure city to Los Angeles where we meet and board our international overnight flight to Lima, Peru.
Wednesday, March 21 - LIMA-CUSCO
Upon arrival in Lima we will clear Peruvian immigrations and transfer to our domestic flight. It is on to beautiful Cusco, high in the Andes Mountains. We will be met by our local guide and transported to our hotel to rest and relax. The remainder of the day is free.
Thursday, March 22 - CUSCO
Today we will be introduced to this lovely Incan city. During our Cusco tour we’ll visit the Temple of the Sun, Koricancha, where you will appreciate the incredible masonry work of the Incas. We continue to the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodwork, alters of silver and gold, and Inca paintings, then drive out to the Inca fortress of Sacsahuaman, on to the underground cave and temple of Kenko, and finally to Tambomachy, known as the Baths of the Inca. Overnight Cusco. (B, L)
Friday, March 23 - CUSCO-MACHU PICCHU-SACRED VALLEY
This morning we transfer to the Cusco train station where we board the Vistadome Train for Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival we are transported by motor coach to the top of the mountain to view one of the truly magnificent wonders of the world, Machu-Picchu. Here we will see one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture, surrounded by lush rain forest. Lost in history, Machu-Picchu was not discovered until 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham. After our guided tour, lunch and free time at this fascinating site, we will travel back down to the station where we meet another motor coach which will take us to our hotel in the Sacred Valley. (B, L)
Saturday, March 24 - SACRED VALLEY
Following breakfast we depart for the town of Chinchero which lies on the foundations of an important Inca site built in the late 1400s. Brightly dressed, the people of Chinchero gather in the main plaza to barter foodstuffs and offer visitors an array of crafts from the region against scenery of breathtaking beauty. We then visit the huge circular agricultural terraces at Moray, built by the Incas in natural sinkholes on a plateau overlooking the Urubamba valley. It has been suggested they have a cosmological meaning, but other than agricultural, their function remains a mystery. Nearby, old terraced salt mines and ponds sit below the colonial town of Maras. Overnight Sacred Valley (B, L)
Sunday, March 25 - PISAC-OLLANTAYTAMBO-CUSCO
The famous Sunday market at Pisac is considered one of the most exciting of any in Peru. We begin our day here seeing the vegetables, fruits and typical handicrafts full of color and tradition as locals come from all over the area to do their trading. In the afternoon we travel to Ollantaytambo, an Inca vestige that was a military, religious and agricultural center. Here the fortress, located on the highest part of the mountain, protected the valley from invaders. The view of the valley below is overwhelming. We return to Cusco where we are free to enjoy the evening. Overnight Cusco (B, L)
Monday, March 26 - CUSCO-IQUITOS-AMAZON RAIN FOREST
The morning is free for exploring Cusco and any last minute shopping. In the afternoon we fly to Iquitos on the banks of the Amazon where we will begin our 25-mile boat ride down the river to the Ceiba Topps resort. Here air conditioned private rooms in a jungle setting provide adventure in luxury. Our local guide will begin to familiarize us with some of the plants and animals in the rain forest surrounding the hotel. Enjoy a swim in the pool or relax with a drink and Peruvian flute/guitar music. Overnight Ceiba Topps (B, D)
Tuesday, March 27 - AMAZON RAIN FOREST
We take the morning boat excursion to “Monkey Island”, a private reserve where more than five species of tropical primates, including small tamarins, saki, titi and large woolly monkeys are protected. The afternoon boat excursion explores for sloth, found in Cecropia trees at the water’s edge, and the two species of freshwater river dolphin that live in the Amazon – pink and grey. We will also be given a chance to catch piranha and watch for other wildlife. Weather permitting; enjoy a beautiful Amazonian sunset on the river. Overnight Ceiba Topps (B, L, D)
Wednesday, March 28 - AMAZON RAIN FOREST – IQUITOS
An early “bird” excursion will be offered to those looking to see exotic species with colorful plumage and song. After breakfast we board boats and continue down the Amazon River to the rustic Explorama Lodge and hike the “Bushmaster Trail” where scientific studies by the Missouri Botanical Gardens have found the world’s highest biodiversity of trees per square hectare. We continue on to visit the small village of Yagua Indians where our guide will explain their culture and how it has been affected by the passing of time. There will be an opportunity to trade for or purchase some of their local crafts. We will also be treated to a demonstration of the use of the blowgun which some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting today. In the afternoon we walk along the local Amazon River trail stopping at a “riberenos” house, corner store and sugar cane rum factory before returning to our hotel. After collecting our belongings we return to Iquitos by boat and transfer to the airport for our night flight home. (B, L, D)
Thursday, March 29 - IQUITOS-LIMA-LOS ANGELES- HOME
In Lima we board our international flight back to United States with memories of our amazing experiences in Peru.
OPTIONAL PRE-TOUR TO HIKE INCA TRAIL – (Limited space • Good physical condition required)
Friday, March 16 – Fly from your departure city to Los Angeles for your afternoon flight to Lima, Peru. Overnight in Lima.
Saturday, March 17 – Morning flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to hotel, freshen up, and spend some time exploring the city. Today we will be introduced to this lovely Incan city. During our Cusco tour we’ll visit the Temple of the Sun, Koricancha, where you will appreciate the incredible masonry work of the Incas. We continue to the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodwork, alters of silver and gold, and Inca paintings, then drive out to the Inca fortress of Sacsahuaman, on to the underground cave and temple of Kenko, and finally to Tambomachy, known as the Baths of the Inca. Overnight Cusco. (B, L)
Sunday, March 18 – Enjoy a free day while we acclimate to the elevation and explore the magical city of Cusco. There is an option of attending church services on your own. Overnight Cusco (B)
Monday, March 19 – This will be another free day in Cusco to acclimatize and soak in the Andean culture. Overnight Cusco (B)
Tuesday, March 20 – Early morning bus drive to the head of our trail at Km 82 from where we continue along the Urubamba River to the first archaeological site “Llaqtapata”. Here we enjoy lunch in a beautiful setting. After a rest we continue into the side valley starting to gain altitude until we get to the last village Huayllabamba where we camp for today. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, March 21 - After a healthy breakfast we start climbing up to the first pass “Warmiwañusca” (4200 Mt/ 14’200 Ft). The climb will take us most of the morning. From here we descend for about 2 hours into the valley to our next camp “Pacaymayo”. (B,L,D)
Thursday, March 22 - Today is going to be the most diverse day. We start in the morning with the ascent of the second pass “Runcuracay” (3900 Mt/ 13’800 Ft) and descend on the other side for about 2 hours to the beautiful archaeological site “Sayacmarca”. After having explored this unique place we continue on the original stone path of the Incas through semi-tropical cloud forest onto the third pass “Phuyupatamarca” (3800 Mt/ 13’600 Ft). With good weather we have spectacular views of the surrounding snow peaks and the valley below. From here it is all downhill to our camp at “Wiñaywayna” (one of the most beautiful sites in the area for its construction and setting). (B,L,D)
Friday, March 23 - Early after a tasty breakfast we hike another 2 hours through cloud forest to the famous sun gate “Intipunku” from where we have the first breathtaking view and best panorama of the mysterious “Machupicchu”. A short walk brings us down to the site. After refreshing a little we will visit “the lost city of the Incas” in a guided tour. WE WILL MEET UP WITH THE MAIN GROUP AT THIS TIME AND FOLLOW THE REST OF THE ITINERARY AS OUTLINED ABOVE.(B,L)
***FOR THOSE ON THE HIKE: Porters will help carry gear, the porters can carry until 7 kilos. Passengers will carry just their small backpack and their water.
Your Host: Ted Winder
With more than 39 years in the travel industry, Ted has directed groups in more than 60 countries worldwide. A geographer at heart, his favorite saying is by the Prophet Mohammed – “Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me where you have traveled.” He is a Certified Travel Counselor and Life Member of the Travel Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He currently serves as a member of the board for the Utah Tour Guide Association and is one of its founding members. Ted’s friendliness, attention to detail and years of travel experience have made him a favorite among travelers. He and his wife JaNae now make their home in beautiful Torrey, Utah.
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Full Tour with Airfare from Los Angeles -Double Occupancy – SOLD OUT
Full Tour with Airfare from Los Angeles -Single Occupancy - SOLD OUT
Taxes – SOLD OUT
Optional Pre-Tour to hike Inca Trail – $599
Credit Card Fee - $70 (only applies to final payment-pay by check to avoid it)
Deposit - $600
Be prepared for Peru airport taxes during your tour – cannot be prepaid – approx. $40-$50
Not included: Passports, gratuities for local guides and drivers
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*Trip cancellation and emergency insurance available *Passports are required *Full payment due 90 days before departure. *Cancellation charges: non-refundable after deposit and final payment is made Click Here for Current Airline Baggage Fees Click Here For Terms and Conditions