Peru Tours & Travel 15 Days / 14 Nights

Tour Highlights

• Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals.
• Stroll the cobbled streets of Arequipa and marvel at the superb examples of Spanish colonial architecture
• Travel to the dramatic Colca Canyon, thought to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and view the flight of rare Andean condors
• Boat excursion to the fascinating floating Uros Islands where the indigenous people of the area – the Uros – live on tiny islands that dot the lake
• Stand in awe at the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, the last stand of the Incas in their defense against the Spanish conquistadors
• Discover the crowning achievement of Inca ingenuity at the astonishing ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas”
• Discover the fantastic and energetic nazca lines

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Lima.

Arrival into Lima airport, our Escorted Peru Tours manager will meet you at the airport and will be holding a sign with your Last Name. Transfer you to the hotel in exclusive zone of Lima in Miraflores and You’ll meet your tour leader and the other members of your group for a pre-tour briefing.

This Afternoon your leader will take you on a walking tour of downtown Lima, including the city’s historical centre. Flanked by streets of ornate mansions, palaces and churches, Plaza Mayor is the best place to start any exploration of Lima.

Take a walk through the old streets to get a feel for colonial life. On one side of the plaza is the Cathedral of Lima, which houses the remains of Lima’s founder, Francisco Pizarro. Visit the nearby San Francisco Monastery.

Tip! Do not accept the services nor engage with a representative that does not hold proper identification that matches the company name on your vouchers.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected

 Day 2: Lima – Paracas.

After breakfast, we have a brief orientation before start our escorted Peru Tours. Today we have our private transportation to some three hours south of Lima to Paracas. Arrival and overnight at the hotel selected.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast
• Entrance Ticket to Paracas National Reserve: Not Included – PEN 25.00

Optional Activities:

At the afternoon you can take the excursion to the Paracas National Reserve, Here we will visit several museums showing the natural history of Paracas and also the ancient Paracas culture – PEN 70.00.

Day 3: Ballestas Islands – Nazca.

After breakfast, transfer to the port for the boat to the Ballestas islands. These spectacular islands, eroded into many caves and arches, provide shelter for thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea-lions. Although the islands fall just outside the Paracas National Reserve they are protected by separate legislation.

The islands are home to over 150 species of marine bird including the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, boobies and pelicans. On the shores can be seen large numbers of sea-lions and in the sea it is possible to encounter dolphins and even whales. And then we are back to the port of Paracas city and then we ride our car to Ica city and arriving to Huccachina desert where we have some nice fun like riding the cars sanders and do some sandboard and then we go to Nasca place for the overnight in hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast

 Optional Activities:

• Huacachina – Sandboard – PEN60

 Day 4: Nazca Lines – Arequipa.

Flight tour over the enigmatic Nazca Lines; The Nazca lines are geoglyphs and geometric line clearings in the Peruvian desert. They were made by the Nazca people, who flourished between 200 BCE and 600 CE along rivers and streams that flow from the Andes. The area of the Nazca art is called the Pampa Colorada (Red Plain).

It is 15 miles wide and runs some 37 miles parallel to the Andes and the sea. Dark red surface stones and soil have been cleared away, exposing the lighter-colored subsoil, creating the “lines”. There is no sand in this desert. From the air, the “lines” include not only lines and geometric shapes, but also depictions of animals and plants in stylized forms.

Some of the forms, including images of humans, grace the steep hillsides at the edge of the desert. Lunch and bus night to Arequipa. Arrival late night and overnight at the hotel selected.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast

Optional Activities:

• Nazca – Flight Over the Nazca Lines – USD100

Day 5: Arequipa City Tour.

Free morning. Afternoon city tour visiting the Chilina valley and the old San Lazaro district. General view of the city from the Yanahuara Belvedere, the Plaza de Armas and its Cathedral, the cloisters of La Compania Church, the Church and Square of San Francisco and the extraordinary Santa Catalina convent which is built from volcanic lava and dates from the 16th century. Return to Hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast

Day 6: Arequipa – Colca Canyon.

Departure from Arequipa, passing near the thermal baths of Yura and climbing up towards the National Reserve of Pampa de Canahuas which is situated at 3,800m.

The colors and scenery are spectacular as we pass endangered grazing Vicunas and ponds with Andean Geese. We can see many snow peaks and volcanoes from here. Winding down into the Colca, we stay at the hotel selected. (Breakfast).

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast
• Entrance Ticket to Colca Canyon: Included

Day 7: Colca Valley – Puno.

After breakfast, early departure to reach the Cruz Del Condor viewpoint, a few kilometers before Cabanaconde, where the Colca Canyon starts. Here Andean Condors and other Birds of Prey, roost on inaccessible ledges and once hot air thermals have developed, produced by the burning Andean Sun, they circle out gaining height and provide stunning photographic opportunities. The Condors are big and one cannot help but be amazed by these creatures. Here we will see a fine view of the flight of the condors as well as of the depth of the mighty canyon. In the afternoon journey to Puno.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast
• Entrance Ticket to Colca Canyon: Included

 Day 8: Lake Titicaca.

After breakfast, a tour by boat to the islands of Uros and Taquile on Lake Titicaca. Our first stop are the floating reed islands of the Uros indigenous group who maintain houses and evens schools on these floating reed islands continuing to Taquile, where members of this self-supporting island will welcome you and offer a glimpse into their ancient traditions and customs. Box Lunch on the island and an opportunity for some spectacular views over the haunting beauty of Lake Titicaca. Returm to our Hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast and lunch.
• Entrance Ticket to Titicaca Lake: Included

Day 9: Puno – Cusco.

Early breakfast and transfer to the Bus Station to take the Tourist Bus to Cusco (Luxury Orient Express Train available – Not Incluide), a long the way we will have stops and guided tours to the Incas sites of Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, and Pikillaqta. We have lunch at the restaurant in Sicuani. After our arrival into Cusco we stay at Hotel for overnight.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast and Lunch.
• Entrance Ticket: Included

Day 10: Cusco – City Tour.

Morning City tour of Cusco, and include: The Cathedral, Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun, the most important of Inca ceremonial sites). Later we will continue to the most important site of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Qenqo and Puca Pucara. We return to our Hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast
• Entrance Ticket: Included

Day 11: Sacred Valley Tour.

After breakfast private vehicle through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Later on, we will have the opportunity of visiting the lively local Ancient Pisac market where many of the local Indians sell their hand made textiles.

For lunch we will have the chance to eat a buffet lunch at the local hacienda restaurant with traditional Andean foods and music. We continue to Ollantaytambo the major Inca fortress. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro’s defeat by Manco Inca in 1536. Constructed of finely cut polygonal stones and rhyolite blocks, the fortress and nearby town represent the best of Inca architecture and construction.

Large worked blocks, some weighting as much as 100 tons were quarried from a site more than a thousand vertical feet above the valley floor using a technique of pecking with hammer stones, then skidded down and across the Urubamba river several kilometers to the temple site. Inclined ramps were built to raise the blocks several hundred feet up hill to the construction area. Back to the hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast / Buffet Lunch
• Entrance Ticket: Included

Day 12: Cusco – Machu Picchu Town.

Early in the morning after breakfast we aboard the Expedition class train to Machu Picchu for one of the world’s great railway journeys. We’ll descend 1300 meters through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and follow the Urubamba river until the final stop at Aguas Calientes. Hotel in the Town of Aguas Calientes.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast
• Entrance Ticket: Included

Day 13: Machu Picchu Inca Site – Cusco.

It is said that Machu Picchu is a place of great spirituality, and the best time of the day to sense this is at sunrise. Early risers may walk through Machu Picchu in the mist to explore the ruins without crowds. We’ll take the 20 minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu, perched 600 meters above the river.

Our guide will explain the history and the myths that surround this archeological wonder. Machu Picchu, the famous lost city of the Inca is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Stand 2,430m above sea-level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. Constructed from precisely sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, the site may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world. We take the bus for our return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Train back to Cusco. Reception and transfer to our Hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast / Lunch
• Entrance Ticket: Included

 Day 14: Cusco Free Day.

Leisurely day with plenty of opportunity for shopping. If you are planning to stroll down the streets of Cusco, doing some shopping in the city, or simply going at your own pace, please keep in mind that Lunch has not been included in your Escorted Peru tour group Series.

To the contrary, if you decided to book a Full Day optional tours. This is our last group activity, as we get ready to leave Peru, our farewell dinner will include a folkloric show of about 1 ½ hours duration, a great selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Drinks are not included though. Round trip Hotel transportation is provided. Enjoy the music, dances and a very nice local atmosphere while we say our good byes to the wonderful Land of the Incas, its people, its history and its culture.

• Accommodation: Hotel Selected
• Meal Include: Breakfast / Dinner
• Entrance Ticket: None

Day 15: Transfer To Airport To Lima.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight back to Lima. Arrival and check your international flight details to back home.

• Meal Include: Breakfast

The Program includes:

• The services of Cusco Journeys & Adventure expert English-speaking local leader throughout the tour, and local guides at some sites.
• Domestic flight from Cuzco to Lima
• All Airport Transfers
• 01 night of hotel Accommodation in Lima
• 01 night of hotel Accommodation in Paracas
• 01 night of Hotel Accomodation in Nazca
• 3 nights of Hotel Accomodation in Arequipa and Colca Valley
• 5 nights of Hotel Accomodation in Cusco
• 1 night of hotel Accommodation in Machu Picchu
• 2 nights of hotel Accommodation in Puno
• Meals listed on Escorted Peru Tours program
• All entrance fees according the itinerary for all tours during Escorted Peru Tours
• Visit Ballestas Island, Nazca Lines, Arequipa, Colca Valley, Lake Titicaca and Cusco.
• Daily breakfast in all hotels
• Full Escorted and guided tours
• Train Ticket To machu Picchu Town
• Bus from Nazca to Arequipa
• Dinner show on last night
• All taxes

Not Included:

• Entrance ticket to the Colca Canyon (70 Soles)
• Entrance ticket to the hot springs of La Calera (15 Soles)
• Tourist ticket for visit the inca sites around to Cusco. (Big ticket S/130 / Partial S/70)
• International flights
• Airport departure tax
• Visas where required
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Insurance
• Tips to the villagers on the Floating Islands of the Uros, and on Taquile
• Any optional tours or activities during free time
• Items of a personal nature
• Damages which the client causes at the hotels
• Tips for your Tour Leader
• Tipping for personal

Recommended things to take:

We recommend bringing as little as possible but do bring what you need. Don’t worry, if you forget something, you can probably buy it in Lima or Cusco once you arrive. Tourist shops abound and sell a whole range of items from water bottles and first aid kits to hiking gear. You can also rent hiking equipment in Cusco, which can be a good option if you don’t want to travel to Peru with a whole lot of heavy hiking and camping gear.

Peru Tours Packing List:

After spending a lot of time travelling around Peru Tours we have come up with our definitive list of what to pack for a trip to Peru Tours.

• Worn in hiking boots or walking shoes
• Light weight rain poncho
• Down or thermal jacket and fleece
• Sun protection; sunscreen and providing hat
• Layerable clothing: t- shirts, heavy shirts and jackets, thermals, hiking pants, shorts
• Toiletries pack with toilet paper, tissues and a lightweight towell
• Day pack
• Reusable water bottle to help reduce plastic waste
• Personal first aid kit with prescriptions, pain relievers, antihistamine & stomach aids
• Spare prescription glasses, contacts & lens solution plus a copy of prescription
• Small flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
• Warm hat, scarf & gloves (these are abundant in Cusco if you’d prefer to purchase here
• Extra zip lock bags of various sizes always come in handy
• Insect repellent
• Camera with extra batteries and SD cards
• Combination locks to protect luggage, useful while traveling & in hotel rooms
• Required & Useful Documents for Peru
• Valid passport with at least six months remaining
• Photocopies of important documents like passport, tickets and prescriptions
• Travel insurance, we recommend World Nomads or Travel Guard
• Blood donor/type card

Required & Useful Documents for Peru:

• Valid passport with at least six months remaining
• Photocopies of important documents like passport, tickets and prescriptions
• Travel insurance, we recommend World Nomads or Travel Guard
• Blood donor/type card

Prices per person:

Double Occupancy

Budget	3 Star	4 Star	5 Star
$ 2559	$ 3059	$ 4019	$ 5269

Single Occupancy

Budget	3 Star	4 Star	5 Star
$ 3979	$ 4779	$ 5359	$ 5789

Important note about Cusco Journeys service categories:

1. Budget:All tours ie. City Tours, Sacred Valley, Maras/Moray, Machu Picchu etc. are group tours with transportation to Machu Picchu aboard the Expedition class train.
2. 3 Star:All tours ie. City Tours, Sacred Valley, Maras/Moray, Machu Picchu etc. are group tours with transportation to Machu Picchu aboard the Expedition class train.
3. 4 Star:All tours ie. City Tours, Sacred Valley, Maras/Moray, Machu Picchu etc. are private tours with transportation to Machu Picchu aboard the Vistadome (panoramic view) train.
4. Luxury or 5 Star:All tours ie. City Tours, Sacred Valley, Maras/Moray, Machu Picchu etc. are private tours with transportation to Machu Picchu aboard the Hiram Bingham luxury service train.

By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

Booking:

1. Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
2. You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
3. You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
4. The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.

Cancellations:

1. Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:

ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.

Cancellation By	Terms
91 days or more before departure	we will retain 50% of your deposit.
90 – 30 days before departure	we will retain 75% of the total tour cost.
29 – 0 days before departure	we will retain 100% of the total tour cost.

Inca Trail Tours:

1. Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
2. In extreme cases when the “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
3. Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.

Medical Information:

1. You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
2. You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
3. Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
4. Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
5. It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.

Tours and Treks:

1. All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
   You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
2. All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
3. If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
4. Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
5. Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
6. Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
7. Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
8. All tours are done in English.

Delays:

1. Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.

Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!