Peru adventure holiday
| country: | Peru |
| location: | Inca Trail |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2009: 19 Dec 2010: 6 Mar, 3 Apr, 24 Apr, 8 May, 22 May, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 6 Nov, 18 Dec 2011: 5 Mar, 2 Apr, 23 Apr, 7 May, 21 May, 11 Jun, 25 Jun, 9 Jul, 23 Jul, 6 Aug, 20 Aug |
| price: | From £2249 - £2799 (18 days) including flights from the UK. From £1299 - £1479 excluding flights. Local payment $350 USD. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Uncover a land of mystifying contrasts: coastal desert, high plateau, snow-capped mountain, fertile valleys, rushing rivers and dense Amazon rainforest. From historic Arequipa to the depths of the Colca Canyon with its high-flying condors you begin to get an understanding of the country. As your journey continues into the Peruvian Andes to scenic Lake Titicaca and the fortress of Machu Picchu you cover all the elements of Peru's culture and natural history.
Colca Canyon & Lake Titicaca
Starting in colonial Arequipa you’ll discover the walled enclosure of Santa Catalina Convent before heading over the high altiplano to the impressive Colca Canyon - where condors soar on the rising thermals. Another spectacular drive takes you to the curious stone burial towers of Sillustani on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Exploring by boat you’ll travel to see the Uros Indians on their floating reed islands.
Machu Picchu & Cusco
Next stop is Cusco, once the capital of the Inca empire. After visiting the vast fortress of Sacsayhuaman you head out to Pisac market and soak up the warm atmosphere of the Sacred Valley. Finally board the fabled train ride to the lost city of Machu Picchu to fully explore the labyrinth of Inca temples and houses perched high in the Andes.
Colca Canyon & Lake Titicaca
Starting in colonial Arequipa you’ll discover the walled enclosure of Santa Catalina Convent before heading over the high altiplano to the impressive Colca Canyon - where condors soar on the rising thermals. Another spectacular drive takes you to the curious stone burial towers of Sillustani on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Exploring by boat you’ll travel to see the Uros Indians on their floating reed islands.
Machu Picchu & Cusco
Next stop is Cusco, once the capital of the Inca empire. After visiting the vast fortress of Sacsayhuaman you head out to Pisac market and soak up the warm atmosphere of the Sacred Valley. Finally board the fabled train ride to the lost city of Machu Picchu to fully explore the labyrinth of Inca temples and houses perched high in the Andes.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly To Lima After your flight to Lima, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation to check in. Hotel - 1 night |
| Day 2: | Lima; Arequipa Discovered in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, Lima was the principal city of Spanish South America for 300 years until the wave of independence swept the continent. This morning your local guide will show you something of the bustling old city, with its impressive colonial architecture. The Presidential Palace stands, like the cathedral, on the great central square of the Plaza de Armas, on the site of Pizarro, the conquistador’s house. Peru’s conqueror was assassinated here; it is said that he drew a cross in his own blood and kissed it before he died. Later you visit the archaeological museum for a fascinating overview of the cultures that flourished in Peru long before the arrival of the Spanish. You then continue to the airport for a one-hour flight to the city of Arequipa transferring straight to your hotel on arrival. Hotel – 2 nights (B) |
| Day 3: | Arequipa The colonial city of Arequipa stands in a warm and sunny climate overlooked by the perfect, snow-draped cone of El Misti (5882m). Its fine buildings, constructed in distinctive local stone are single-storied to resist the ever-present threat of earthquake. At the city’s heart is the walled enclosure of the Convento de Santa Catalina - a miniature town occupying an entire block and which remained isolated from the rest of the city until 1970. Nowadays it provides a fascinating record of ecclesiastical life in bygone days, which you'll experience this morning. On the same road is the highly recommended museum of Andean Sanctuaries which houses the ice mummies found on top of Arequipa’s numerous volcanoes, you'll have the option to visit the museum this afternoon. (B) |
| Day 4: | Chivay Today you make the four-hour drive to Chivay near the Colca Canyon. The mountains to the south west are dominated by the glaciers of Ampato and Hualca. Sabancaya volcano can often be seen smoking in the distance. The scenes of pre-Inca terracing and Andean peasants tending huge herds of llamas are simply unmissable. Many of the hamlets through which you pass are extraordinarily grand and have Baroque-facade churches, underlining the importance of this region’s silver mines to the Spanish during the 17th and 18th centuries. In the National Reserve of Pampa Canahuas you can see groups of vicunas, the rarest and most timid of the American cameloids. By late afternoon, you reach your hotel in the village of Chivay (3600m), where there will be time to relax in the nearby thermal springs of La Calera. Hotel – 2 nights (B) |
| Day 5: | Colca Canyon Leaving Chivay early you travel to the Colca Canyon (1½ hours drive). Here you find the perfect spot to look down 1200m into the canyon at Mirador Cruz del Condor. It’s here that the legendary condor can be seen rising and circling on the morning thermals, silhouetted against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery. Passing back through the valley, the vastness and sheer beauty of the area is astounding. The canyon is of mythical proportions; controversy still rages over whether or not this is the world’s deepest canyon! In some parts it is more than one kilometre from cliff edge to river bottom. During your return journey to Chivay you visit the picturesque villages of Maca and Yanque with their Baroque-fronted churches overlooking quiet village squares, and marvel at the extensive series of agricultural terraces that dominate the hillsides, and which are still used today by the Colca people. After lunch in Chivay, there is the opportunity to try a two hour walk on the lesser visited northern rim of the canyon, close to the village of Coporaque, enjoying distinct views of the canyon and visiting remote hamlets and the Huari ruins of Ullo Ullo. (B) |
| Day 6: | Puno You rise early today for a literally breathtaking drive over the high pass of Patapampa (4900m) which offers spectacular views of the volcanoes of Ampato, Hualca-Hualca and the smoking Sabancaya. Travelling over the high plains, or altiplano, of southern Peru, you see yet more herds of llamas and alpacas before arriving at the eerie ruins of Sillustani (about six hours driving). Curious stone burial towers of the 15th century Colla tribe overlook the primeval landscape in brooding, sinister fashion. After exploring this site you reach the town of Puno (about 30 minutes drive), on the shores of Lake Titicaca. At this altitude the sun is very hot in the daytime but temperatures at night can drop below freezing in the winter months of June, July and August. If you’re feeling the cold, it’s possible to buy thick alpaca sweaters from the town’s market. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 7: | Puno: Uros Islands Today you take a boat to the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians. The life of the Uros is based on the totora reed, which grows in the lake and is used to construct their houses and boats, thereby fostering the theory which led to Thor Heyerdahl’s Pacific journey with Ra. It is said that the Uros began their floating existence by constructing the islands to isolate themselves from the belligerent Collas and Incas. On reaching Lake Titicaca it’s clear that they are no longer as secluded as they once were, but they are still a unique sight. Once back in Puno you have a relaxing afternoon either shopping for handicrafts or visiting the town’s fine colonial cathedral. You can visit the iron ship Yaviri, moored close to the city. It was built in Scotland by James Watt & Co in 1862 and was shipped in boxes to the coast of Chile, where it then took seven years to carry on llamas and mules to its current home at Lake Titicaca. (B) |
| Day 8: | Cusco An early start today as your bus takes you across the dusty altiplano, dotted with llama, alpaca and the simple adobe dwellings of local herders. Once over the pass at La Raya (4321m)the scenery changes. The fertile valleys are still worked by beast or groups of industrious villagers; their timeless agricultural methods prove the value of the knowledge of long ago. You have the opportunity to stop at several places of interest along the way including La Raya pass and the Inca ruins of Racchi and Pucara (about six hours drive). Alternatively you may prefer the option of making this classic journey by rail (additional cost) taking you through the same spectacular scenery in the comfort of Orient Express carriages. In the evening you arrive in Cusco, the seat of Inca rule for some 500 years. Hotel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 9: | The Sacred Valley The local Sunday market at Pisac fills the main plaza with bustle and brightly-coloured costume. Then you travel via Urubamba to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, a traditional Inca village laid out on a grid plan (one of only four surviving examples) overlooked by the magnificent fortress of Ollantay, the only Inca stronghold ever to have resisted persistent Spanish attacks. This is the very heartland of the Inca Empire; you have plenty of time here to appreciate its quiet rural charm. The combination of benign climate and fertile soil creates a rich agricultural region - unusual in the high Andes. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 10: | The Sacred Valley You spend a full day enjoying this beautiful region. You can choose to take a hike to the Salt Pans of Maras which cling to the hillside like hundreds of white cubist houses. Alternatively get the adrenalin surging with some white-water rafting or take to mountain bikes (all optional). (B) |
| Day 11: | Machu Picchu You leave your hotel early this morning and take a spectacular train ride (1½ hrs) to arrive at the stunning ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu - the most dramatic and enchanting of Inca citadels, constructed from white granite in an extravagantly-terraced saddle between two towering peaks. No description of this mythical place can do it justice. It was rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer, Hiram Bingham, who believed it to be the lost city of Vilcabamba. In the 1940’s archaeologists decided that the city was conceived and built in the middle of the 15th century by Pachacuti, the first Inca emperor to expand beyond the Sacred Valley towards the forested gold-lands. Basic Hotel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 12: | Machu Picchu/Cusco In the early morning you head back up to Machu Picchu to explore it further. The best way to explore the ruins is simply to wander around with a guide, or alone with a map to absorb the grandeur. Machu Picchu feels like it was built in the heavens, on dizzying slopes overlooking a bend in the Rio Urubamba. More than 100 flights of steep, stone steps connect its palaces, temples, storehouses and terraces, and command outstanding views not only of the valley below but also the snow-capped peaks around Salkantay (6271m). Wherever you stand, spectacular terraces appear to be suspended from steep cliffs, transforming the mountain into garden. You can explore or climb the nearby peaks before heading back to Cusco by train in the afternoon. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 13: | Cusco Cusco, once the imperial capital, is laid out in the rough shape of a puma. Today, its orderly streets bear witness to the extraordinary skill of Inca stonemasons. Many are still lined with precisely interlocked stonework, which serves as the foundation for later buildings from the colonial era, creating an atmospheric pastiche of contrasting architectural styles. This morning you visit the fortress of Sacsayhuaman located just outside Cusco city. The skilfully constructed outer walls consist of massive blocks of stone (the largest weighing over 350 tonnes) which must have been difficult to manoeuvre, let alone to cut and dress with such precision. The tour continues on foot in the city centre and reveals more of Cusco’s historical and archaeological treasures. The rest of the day is free to relax. (B) |
| Day 14-15: | Lima/Fly to London You catch a morning flight back down to Lima on the coast. The remainder of the day is free for further exploration and shopping before the trip ends for Land Only clients and those on group flights to the UK catch your evening flight to London. Hotel (day use only) (B) |
| Day 15-18: | Optional Amazon Jungle Extension Day 1-13 As per main itinerary Day 14 A short flight brings you to Puerto Maldonado, in the jungle on a tributary of the Amazon. You transfer to motorised launch for the hour long trip up the Tambopata River to your lodge. There is a short introductory jungle walk of about 50 minutes to reach an ox-bow lake before crossing it to arrive at the lodge. After sunset you board your canoe once again for a short night ride to spot cayman by torchlight. Lodge - 3 nights (BLD) Please note: Due to availability we may use alternative Amazon lodges, whilst the nature of activities will be roughly the same the journey times may vary. Day 15/16 Over the next two days you are accompanied by resident naturalist guides on a number of fascinating excursions. Exploring by foot and in canoes you quickly become aware of how extraordinarily diverse the rainforest ecosystem is - well over 500 birds and 1000 butterflies have been recorded, in addition to the rich plant and mammalian life. A network of well-marked trails extend from the lodge and the oxbow lake itself, home to giant otters, gives the opportunity to paddle its tranquil waters by canoe in order to quietly observe wildlife on the shore. The lodge itself comprises several thatched roof bungalows around a central dining area and is co-owned by the local community and a conservation organisation. Each room has en suite facilities and electricity. (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2) Day 17 Bidding farewell to the jungle, you return to Puerto Maldonado by riverboat in the early morning to catch a flight back to Lima. On arrival you transfer to your hotel, after which the remainder of the day is free. The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those with our onward flights will transfer to the airport to catch your late evening flight. Hotel (day use only) (B) Day 18 Arrive London |
| Day 15-22: | Optional Galapagos Extension Day 1-13 As per main itinerary Day 14 Lima You will transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the airport and fly to Lima. Discovered in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, Lima was the principal city of Spanish South America for 300 years until the wave of independence swept the continent. You'll have this afternoon free to relax or explore. Hotel – 1 night (B) Day 15 Lima - Quito Today you will take a flight to Quito in Ecuador. You’ll head out with a local guide to explore the colonial heart of the city. Quito has spread along a valley sandwiched in by volcanoes. The old colonial section has some fantastic buildings and churches, and from the foot of the angel on top of the Panecillo hill you get a fantastic view across the city. You continue to the Mitad del Mundo (centre of the earth) monument which marks the spot that in 1736 Charles-Marie de la Condamine declared to be the equator, according to his measurements. It is possible to see how water drains clockwise on one side of the equator and anti-clockwise on the other. Later you head back into Quito where the rest of the day is left free to further explore the city or to relax. Hotel - 1 night (B) Day 16 - Galapagos Cruise - Las Bachas You will be transferred to the airport for your flights to Baltra in the Galapaogs. In the arrivals hall you’ll be met by your naturalist guide and then bussed to the Itabaca Canal. Crossing this narrow canal to Santa Cruz Island we then continue south across the Island to the small town of Puerto Ayora. The town is the economic centre of the archipelago and is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here we come face to face with the giant Galapagos tortoise, which gave its name to the islands. There is time to visit the station and observe the research and breeding programs. In the late afternoon you’ll board your boat, anchored in the harbour. Once on board you’ll be assigned your cabin before you set sail. Twin berth cabin – 3 nights (BLD) Day 17 - Rabida - Santiago Rabida is one of the most volcanically varied islands in the chain. The volcanic rocks are covered with palo santo trees, opuntia cacti and low, scrubby bushes. Sea lions abound on the red sand beach and nearby is a flamingo lagoon. There are also several species of Darwin finches to be seen. At Puerto Egas on Santiago you’ll see amazing tidal pools formed from ancient lava flow, home to sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles and fish. The beach is also the breeding ground for large numbers of marine iguanas. On a walk you’ll also see a variety of shore birds including American oystercatcher and ruddy turnstone. Sugarloaf Mountain offers a magical backdrop to the area and a natural bridge leads to the inlets, where endemic fur seals are found. (BLD) Day 18 - Bartolome - Sombrero Chino This morning a climb along the Summit Trail brings you to the top of Bartolome and to one of the most stunning, panoramic views of the Galapagos. Bartolome is a relatively new island in the chain and evidence of its volcanic past can be seen everywhere. The lunar-like landscape here is amazing. During World War II Pinnacle Rock was used for target practice, thus giving it its pinnacle-like formation. The tiny island of Sombrero Chino is approached via a beautiful crescent-shaped, sandy beach and is home to sea lions and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Here along the trails you’ll discover the island’s volcanic origin, which is more evident here than on the other islands. It is a miniature volcano that is shaped like a Chinese hat (hence its Spanish name – Sombrero Chino). Tonight will be your last night on board the boat. (BLD) Day 19 - North Seymour - Baltra - Quito North Seymour is probably one of the Galapagos’ most visited islands. A short loop takes one along the sandy beach with good views of Daphne Major and Minor. The trail takes you inland into a palo santo forest and low, bushy vegetation. Enjoyable for both its wildlife and views from the beach, the island is also the nesting ground for the magnificent frigate bird. Also look out for blue-footed booby, sea lion and marine iguana. You’ll then cruise back to Baltra, where you say goodbye to the amazing Galapagos Islands and take your return flight to Quito. Hotel – 1 night (BL) Day 20 – Depart Quito; Fly to London Day 21 – Arrive UK |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
|
On this trip: Our groups will be led by a professional local Group Leader and we use local guides at the various sites visited on the itinerary. This not only provides vital local employment, but also gives our travellers a real, genuine insight into local tradition, history and culture. In turn, it shows local people the importance of tourism to the region’s economy and encourages the preservation of archaeological sites and local traditions. Throughout this trip we stay in locally owned hotels and support the economy of the areas we are travelling through by dining in small, independent restaurants and buying supplies from local traders. Groups will also visit Pisac Market – a great place to buy souvenirs while directly supporting local trade.
Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International, donating £5 to Plan for every client travelling with us to Peru. We will also match donations (up to £10 per person) made to Plan International by clients travelling with us to Peru. Plan is a humanitarian charity that works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Other charities that we work closely with include Born Free Foundation and The Travel Foundation, a UK charity that has been established to promote responsible travel practices throughout the whole of the travel industry. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
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. |