Classic tour to Peru
| country: | Peru |
| location: | Inca Trail, Machu Picchu |
| trip type: | Moderate walking holiday |
| departures: | 2010: 29 Mar, 12 Apr, 26 Apr, 10 May, 24 May, 7 Jun, 21 Jun, 5 Jul, 19 Jul, 2 Aug, 16 Aug, 30 Aug, 13 Sep, 27 Sep, 11 Oct, 25 Oct, 8 Nov, 29 Nov, 20 Dec 2011: 10 Jan, 31 Jan, 21 Feb, 14 Mar, 28 Mar, 11 Apr, 25 Apr, 9 May, 23 May, 6 Jun |
| price: | From £1095 (10 days) excluding flights. Domestic flights £230. We can arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Classic tour to Peru
In the 15th century Peru was the heartland of the Inca Empire with Cusco as its capital. But with the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors, the conquest of the region was completed in just a few short years. Today, Peru is rich in both Inca and Spanish colonial culture and we 'conquer' it in just a few days (minus the destruction and savagery). Lima, the sprawling capital, is built on the coastal desert strip nestled between the mountains and the sea and has many excellent museums and buildings dating from the Spanish colonial period. Just a short flight away, over towering, snow-capped Andean peaks, is Cusco, a living, cultural treasure house built on the foundations and walls of the old Inca capital. The city is centred on the Plaza de Armas and dominated by the great cathedral, with the narrow, cobblestone streets radiating outwards, packed with ancient houses, shops and some excellent restaurants. Overlooking the main town is the massive temple complex of Sacsayhuaman and further out in the Sacred Valley is the colourful market-trading town of Pisac. A highlight for many who visit Peru is a camping trek along ancient Inca pathways, culminating in a visit to the magnificent mountaintop site of Machu Picchu.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | (Mon) Arrive in Lima and transfer to hotel. City tour of colonial centre. |
| Day 3-4: | Morning flight to Cusco. Afternoon walking tour. Day excursion to Sacred Valley and Pisac. |
| Day 5-7: | Inca Trail camping trek reaching a height of 4200 metres. |
| Day 8: | Early morning exploration of Machu Picchu. Afternoon in Aguas Calientes and then train to Cusco. |
| Day 9: | Free day in Cusco with time for optional activities. |
| Day 10: | Fly to Lima where trip ends on arrival (Wed). |
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. highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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See Peru through the eyes of a local, as your Peruvian tour leader gives you a first-hand insight into the exotic and colourful tapestry that makes up his or her homeland. Wandering around historic colonial towns and cities, discovering magnificent archaeological sites, exploring valleys and mountains and uncovering secluded villages impart to travellers an awareness of these valuable natural and historical gems and the importance of them being preserved and protected, so that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations. The people living in the various regions also have rich and enduring cultures, which are unveiled on this trip.
Equally important, your local tour leaders help you to understand the traditions of these proud people, ensuring you don’t commit any cultural ‘faux pas’. To support tour programs in this part of the world this operator is training their tour leaders on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This not only assists in the conduct of a tour but also provides leaders with important life skills. By only employing tour leaders born and bred in the regions they visit, they are supporting local economies. This operator prefers to give their patronage to small owner-managed hotels rather than those from international chains, as they feel these places offer quality and character and also directly benefit local people. Through offering employment and steady revenue, tourism can ultimately make a real positive difference to local communities. |
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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