Peru adventure holiday, festivals & culture
| country: | Peru |
| departures: | 2010: 8 Apr, 22 Apr, 27 May, 9 Jul |
| price: | From US $3090 - US $4085 (10 -14 days) excluding flights, based on double occupancy. Single supplement US $245 - US $585. We also offer tailor made depatures for groups of 4 or more |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Peru adventure holiday, festivals & culture
Honoured by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of 50 Tours of a Lifetime (2006)
For two weeks immerse yourself in the living traditions of Peru: from the Coast to the Andes, the Altiplano to the Amazon. Meet artists, chefs and other local friends who invite us inside their country and their homes, giving us a unique access into the wonderful, cultural heart of Peru. Of course no trip to Peru would be complete without spending time meandering through the cobbled streets of Cusco, exploring the splendid Sacred Valley and of course a pilgrimage to the breathtaking Inca sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Our extension to Lake Titicaca is highly recommended. The days we spend there not only expose us to the stunning beauty of the highest navigable lake in the world, but also to its residents and their weaving, ceramic and mask-making traditions. Last, but not least, our friend Anita invites us to her alpaca ranch for a home-cooked meal and some optional outdoor activities in an unrivalled natural surrounding.
Signature ExperiencesGrains & Grapes with Gabriel. Explore local produce markets with a professor of culinary arts in Cusco. Delve into a hands-on workshop and prepare fresh Andean cuisine and delectable, Pisco-infused drinks. Chicha & Sapito. Play sapito - a game using heavy coins, a wooden box and a metal toad - with the locals at a chichería, a pub serving the fermented corn drink chichi. Community Bonds. Stay a night hosted by a local family on Amantaní island Alpaca in the Altiplano. Visit to a friend’s private alpaca ranch and enjoy a home-cooked lunch with unbeatable view of the surrounding altiplano Magical Machu Picchu. Explore the mysterious Inca citadel, with an option to approach it via a one-day hike along the Inca Trail.
We offer a choice of two Peru holidays: Weavers Awards holiday (departing in June) Virgen del Carmen festival holiday (departing in July) Organic Revival. Visit Lima’s weekly farmers market & talk with those leading the city’s growing organic revival. Weavers Awards. Created in 2005 to honor the indigenous textile artists of the Sacred Valley, hundreds of weavers from nine Andean communities compete for pride and prizes. Dozens are honored with medals, certificates of achievement and a share of a prize pool which has grown to more than $3,000 annually. Chosicani School. Meet the headmaster of the Chosicani school and some of his 60+ students. Learn about education in the high altiplano while making a positive impact through the contribution of school supplies. (Titicaca extension) Artisan Workshops. Visit traditional artisans at their workshops in Cusco and Puno
Virgen del Carmen festival holiday includes: ‘Virgen del Carmen’ festival in Paucartambo. Participate in one of Latin America’s most vibrant fiestas. Join local friends for a traditional breakfast then join one of the festivals’ dance groups for lunch. Andean Textile Traditions. Nilda Callañaupa shows us how the 2,000 year old Peruvian textile art is woven into daily Andean life, rituals and festivals. Picnic to Puno. Enjoy al fresco dining en route to Puno with priceless views. Festival Masks. Visit the mask-making workshop of an artist friend in Puno. Intimate Group Size. Limited to 12 travelers to promote interaction and encourage exchange between our clients and the many local friends we meet during our journey.
Itinerary 2:
For two weeks immerse yourself in the living traditions of Peru: from the Coast to the Andes, the Altiplano to the Amazon. Meet artists, chefs and other local friends who invite us inside their country and their homes, giving us a unique access into the wonderful, cultural heart of Peru. Of course no trip to Peru would be complete without spending time meandering through the cobbled streets of Cusco, exploring the splendid Sacred Valley and of course a pilgrimage to the breathtaking Inca sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Our extension to Lake Titicaca is highly recommended. The days we spend there not only expose us to the stunning beauty of the highest navigable lake in the world, but also to its residents and their weaving, ceramic and mask-making traditions. Last, but not least, our friend Anita invites us to her alpaca ranch for a home-cooked meal and some optional outdoor activities in an unrivalled natural surrounding.
Signature Experiences
We offer a choice of two Peru holidays:
choice of two Peru adventure holidays
Weavers Awards holiday includes: | Day 1: | Arrive Lima. |
| Day 2: | Farmers’ Market, the Larco & Huaca Pucllana |
| Day 3: | Fly to Cusco - Chinchero Market, Church & Inca Ruins |
| Day 4: | Crop Circles, Salt Flats & Hidden Haciendas |
| Day 5: | Inca Trail or Ollantaytambo |
| Day 6: | Magical Machu Picchu |
| Day 7: | Cusco Unveiled + Pottery Artisan Workshop Visit |
| Day 8: | Market to Table + Chicheria & “Sapito” |
| Day 9: | Weavers Awards |
| Day 10: | Fly to Lima & Homeward Bound |
| Day 10-13: | Optional Titicaca post trip extension: |
| Day 10-12: | Optional Amazon post trip extension: |
Virgen del Carmen festival holiday includes:
Itinerary 2:
| Day 1: | Arrive Lima |
| Day 2: | The Larco & Huaca Pucllana |
| Day 3: | Fly to Cusco & Textile Traditions |
| Day 4: | Chinchero Market, Crop Circles & Salt Flats |
| Day 5: | Inca Trail or Ollantaytambo |
| Day 6: | Magic Machu Picchu |
| Day 7: | Cusco Unveiled |
| Day 8: | Virgen del Carmen Festival |
| Day 9: | Grains & Grapes with Gabriel |
| Day 10-13: | Optional Titicaca Extension |
| Day 10-12: | Optional Amazon Extension |
traveller reviews for Peru adventure holiday, festivals & culture
My vacation with this operator was definitely 5 star plus. The trip could not have been better organized and conducted. My companions and I are experienced travellers and all agreed that the service, quality of the experience were excellent. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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We insist on being not only responsible travelers, but on making a positive impact on the communities with which we come into contact. We work hand-inhand with local leaders in the destination we visit to spend time as well as money in their communities, to ask questions and share views and to support the living traditions that make these destinations unique.
 To that end, we created the Weavers Awards, an annual awards celebration honoring the indigenous weavers of the Sacred Valley. Now in its 5th year, over 500 weavers from nine participating communities compete for pride and prizes. Nearly 30 are honored with medals, certificates of achievement and a share a prize pool which has reached $3,000 per yearWe make a positive impact in the community of Yanoaca, where donations from a number of sources, including our travelers, have facilitated the construction a school kitchen and other infrastructure projects at Chosicani elementary in Yanoaca. Thanks to this broad-based collaboration, 60+ students now receive nutritional, hot meals while attending school. We aim to travel responsibly in other ways as well, working only with local, bi-lingual trip leaders as well as specialist guides and day leaders. Not only is this sustainable economic policy, it is by far the best way to learn about the local people and culture. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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