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General Information:
This journey will offer to you within 11 days a view on the most fascinating natural and cultural attractions of this fantastic country. It is for everyone, who is interested in seeing and experiencing the most beautiful of this country. And there are no restrictions or limits, since everything is perfectly organized. The only possible incommodity could be the height in Puno. Therefore you have also a day off there - to rest and to get used to the height peacefully. Our advice would be that you eat lightly on beforehand. Well digestible food and a lot of coca tea is a tip, which almost always helps.
We begin our route with the excursion to the great city Lima, which was created 1535 on the bank of the Rio Rimac and which is also known as the city of the kings. Today it is a modern, liberal-minded city. Even the shopping district with its steal- and glass sky scrapers retain themselves somewhat from their origins and are a contrast to the traditional areas, like La Victoria or the traditional and lively Barranco district with its bridges and symbols.
After a short flight we arrive in Arequipa. Situated on a height of 2.359 m and on the foot of the volcano El Misty, this city is called as well the white city because of its Spanish and Andalusia influences. Arequipa offers inside as well as outside the city a lot of interesting sights. She is as well the base station for longer tours, like the ones to Colca Canyon. The road to Colca Canyon can be in not such a good condition; she leads anyways through a fantastic, untouched landscape. From the as "Condor crossing" indicated viewpoint you can see lamas, alpacas, vicuñas and the impressive condor. The giant birds of prey you will see every morning when they gracefully make circles in the air. The warm up currents, which pull up from the deep valley, enable the condors to rise up to great heights without any big efforts. They use the advantage of this natural phenomenon to track down easily their preys in the unter them situated regions. To be able to see this spectacle is without doubt an unforgettable experience for every beholder.
After that our journey continues with a flight to Puno. This city in the Peruvian Altiplano, which is situated on the shores of the Titicaca lakes, lies 3.827 m above sea level. The as "High Peru" indicated area, which includes Bolivia as well, was the city of birth of the Tiahuanaco empire, the biggest Pre-Inca culture. The Tiahuanaco empire was indeed the precursor of the Incas and became later the capital of the Colla kingdom. We sail then also over a part of the Titicaca lakes (the city of birth of the Inca dynasty and guardian of legends and treasures) around the islands to visit and let their music, dances, meals and handicrafts dawn on us.
Following we arrive in the holy city Cusco, the capital of Tahuantisuyo, the empire of the four regions. Today it is formed from Colombia, Argentina, Chile and from complete in each case Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. We visit the most interesting objects of interest of the city and its suburbs. They will see colourful manual work markets, walk through cobblestone streets and become acquainted with the people and their traditions. Cusco revives in the evening with a special Bohemian magic. The Inca stones are lit, manual work in the roads is sold, music sounds from open doors and residents artist and ex-travellers meets and discusses the Quechua culture.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival In Lima
Arrival in Lima. We are fetched and brought in the Hotel Jose Antonio Miraflores, where a welcome cocktail and a short preliminary talk expect us.
Day 02: Lima - Old city and interesting sights
Our city tour begins at 9:00. First we visit the old part of town of Lima, the most important objects of interest as well as beautiful examples of colonial architecture: The central place with the president palace, the basilica and the city hall. Then we continue by foot, through the old Desamparados railway station, along the old roads with the Viceroy's Mansions and the balconies in the Moori style. In addition we visit the San Francisco complex, the monasteries, the museum for colonial art and the catacombs. After the tour in the old part of town we drive by the most traditional living and trade routes of the area. There you will see structures, which belong to the pre-Columbian era (beginning of the Christian era). We terminate the route approximately at 13:00 with a fantastic view on the Pacific Ocean and the coastal region. Then you have a free hour for lunch. We begin the trip to the gold museum approximately at 14:00. The gold museum saves an astonishing and unique collection of gold ornaments of different pre-Spanish Andes cultures. You will see priceless articles and jewels, which were made by goldsmiths, whose works are seen in the whole world. Furthermore there are important materials from the Pre-Inca time are exhibited and a large and interesting collection of weapons from the whole world. This tour ends around 17:30.
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Day 03: Lima - Arequipa - Selva Alegre - El Misti
Transfer to the airport. We arrive in Arequipa (2.350 m) early in the morning, are being fetched from the airport and are brought to the Hotel Cabildo. The rest of the morning is free, for example to change money or to get used to the height. In the afternoon we make an excursion to the beautiful Santa Catalina monastery, the most important and most interesting religious building in Arequipa. Following we visit the cathedral, the monastery of Compania, the religious building San Franciscos, the cultural building Chavez de la Rosa, the traditional surroundings of San Lorenzo, Selva Alegre and Yanahuara. From there on we can view El Misti, the volcano that looks over Arequipa, in all its beauty.
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Day 04: Arequipa - Colca Canyon - Toqra - Chucura - Chivay
We are picked up from the hotel at 8:30 and our two-day tour to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world start here. Our route takes us along the Jura main street, which leads around the snow-covered Chachani in the direction of the Canahuas Pampa (national reservation from Aguanda Blanca and Salinas) were the vicuña lives. The vicuña is a very beautiful relative of the camel family and its wool is one of the finest of the world. Apart from that, we will also have the possibility to be inspired and enchanted by the Puruna stone forest with its wonderful shapes, which is developed by the influences of rain and wind. Furthermore we visit the Bofedales de Toqra, whose swamp area attracts next to flamingos also numerous migratory birds. We will pass on the Chucara, an extinct volcano crater and on the vantage point, which lies on the highest point of the main street (4.800 m); we have a stop for a spectacular view on the giant part of the Volcanic del Sur. At around 15:00 we arrive in the village Chivay, were we will check into the Libertador Colca Lodge, which is situated in a magical place in the Canyon, with own swimming pool, which is filled with water from medicinal springs.
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Day 05: Chivay - Cruz Del Condor - Pueblos - Arequipa
At around 7:00 we head towards Cruz del Condor vantage point, a spot from where you have an extremely good view on the and from where you can observe best the spectacular flight of the condors. On the way back we stop in the villages Pinchollo, Maca and Yanque, which have wonderful colonial churches. Furthermore we make a stop on the vantage point from Antahuique and Choquetico, from where we can overlook the graves and the erdhugel from the Pre-Inca time, as well as the wonderful landscape of Colca with its terraces from the Pre-Inca time. Because we also want to face the other site of the Colca-Canyons we cross the ravine with help of the Cervantes Bridge. Here we will see the Colcas, the warehouses from the Pre-Inca time. These will be very well visible from the Cininea vantage point and the Sifon Bridge. After that we have a look at the area of the agricultural terraces, which have a really characteristic phenotype, and therefore are named "Amphitheatre". At 18:00 we arrive in Arequipa and are brought to the Hotel Cabildo.
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Day 06: Arequipa - Juliaca - Puno
In the morning we are brought early to Lima airport and fly to Juliaca. Arrival in Puno (3,827 meters) and transfer into the hotel. Since we are dependent on the flight reservation, we will break up either in the late morning or in the early afternoon. In the latter case it is not possible to accomplish the route Sillustani Necropolis; is it possible, those who want can participate voluntarily for USD 16, - per person.
Necropolis tour:
We are fetched at 14:00 from the hotel. The Sillustani Necropolis consists of cylindrical graves, which are 10 to 13 meters high and strategically thought-out situated on the bank of the Lago Umayo, a place of outstanding beauty. Archaeological studies resulted in that these graves were established with the order to burry there the members of the higher social class of the Collas - an Aymara group from the Pre-Inca time. Their architectural forms are contrary to all rules of the statics, since the graves have a narrower diameter down at the soil, as above. We return around about 18:00 and are brought to the Hotel Posada del Inca Puno.
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Day 07: Puno - Titicaca Lake - Amantani Islands
At 8:00 we are fetched and drive to the Titicaca Lake, where we start our excursion and as the first goal, we have the swimming island Uros. This island was built from binsen and from Totora reed. One speaks of the fact that the today's inhabitants descend from the oldest peoples of South America. Our trip leads us further to the Amantani Island, which lies in the Titicaca Lake and where we also stay overnight. The inhabitants of this island are the Aymara. They are from ethnical criteria of great importance, since they retained their ancient customs, which serve again as models for the Inca society. Since there are no hotels here we spend the night in the houses of the island inhabitants. Although the furnishing is appropriate for the basic needs only, nevertheless they are sufficient for the requirements of the tourists. Although breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price, we recommend carrying a small lunch in case you do not like the food. In addition we ask you to bring small gifts (sweets, pens etc.) for the children, who function here as tourist guides.
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Lake 08: Titicaca Lake - islands - Puno
Early in the morning we make a boat tour on the Titicaca Lake and investigate the area between the islands Amantani and Taquile. We make then another guided excursion to Taquile and have the remainder of the morning free. You can still enjoy the local customs and habits of the people, as well as the beautiful view of the Andes. For the lunch we return to Puno.
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Day 09: Puno - Andes train - Cusco
Transfer to the railway station into the "Tren de los Andes", for a spectacular train ride through the Altiplano. Trips to Cusco leave only Tuesday, Thursday and on weekends. Another possibility is to be driven by bus to Cusco. That is not only faster, but also much more comfortable and you can make a stop at archaeologically interesting places for a short excursion. At Cusco (3,399 meters) we arrive approximately at 18:00. Transfer to the Hotel Jose Antonio Cusco.
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Day 10: Cusco - Q'oricancha - fortresses - Tambomachay
Today's morning is for relaxing without program, you can use it to exchange money or for a cosy city stroll. At 14:00 we begin our city tour, in which we visit the sun temple (Q'Oricancha) and Q'enqo, an archaeological place that is dedicated to death. We go through the separate passages and see carved ceremonies in rock. Then we visit the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which was established from enormous monoliths and also possesses stairs and doors. Afterwards the fortress of Puca Pucara, with its platforms, stairs, courses and towers and Tambomachay the centre of the admiration of the water. We return to the hotel approximately at 18:00.
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Day 11: Cusco - holy valley of the Incas - Pisac - Ollantaytambo
Around 8:30 we are fetched and visit the holy valley of the Incas and the Urubamba valley. The route starts with the excursion to the city and the market of Pisac, before we drive then through the valley. The landscape is fantastic here. After the lunch we visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo. We spend the night in the Ollantaytambo at the Posada del Inca Yucay.
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Day 12: Ollantaytambo - Machuc Picchu - Inca ruins - Cusco
We are brought to Ollanta around approximately 07:30 to the railway station and take the train to the Machu Picchu. We arrive against 09:40 and make a guided tour to Machu Pichu Inca Citadel. The arrival in Cusco will be in the late evening. Transfer to the Hotel Jose Antonio Cusco.
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Day 13: Cusco - San Blas
Free time to enjoy Cusco, to walk through the surrounding streets still remaining from the Inca time, to take pictures or to visit the traditional bohemian area of Santa Blas, which is full of handicraftsmen, painters and sculptors.
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Day 14: Cusco - Lima
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima. Arrived at Lima you are brought to the Hotel Jose Antonio Miraflores. Final dinner in a typical restaurant in the area of Barranco.
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Day 15: Lima Transfer Out
Transfer to the international airport for the return flight to the homeland or the beginning of a connecting program, for example a jungle tour, mountain climbing, trekking, etc.
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Prices 2008:
From USD 2.750.- per person
Single room supplement USD 550.-
Airfare Prices:
Lima - Juliaca: USD 95.-
Arequipa - Juliaca: USD 95.-
Cuzco - Lima: USD 95.-
The price can change and depends on the disponibility.
In the price included:
Transfers from and to the hotels mentioned, to the airport and train stations, flights Lima/Arequipa/Juliaca-Cusco/Lima, 1st class train tickets, entrance fees to all archaeological sites, the tours to all areas which are private property are led by registered guides who have knowledge of the place who speaks fluent English and on request of the tourists also other languages, central, tourist class, 3 star hotels with private bathroom and hot water, safe deposit, meals according to program (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch or box Lunch; D: Dinner).
Not in the price included:
International flight airport tax (USD 41.- per person), taxes, tips, excess luggage, personal expenditures, travel insurance and all not indicated.
If you need any additional information please write us:
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