Cultural Explorations of Peru

Stay in the colonial cities of Lima, Arequipa and Cusco as you explore the surrounding stunning landscapes and world-class historical sites.

Visit the colonial highlights of Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco. Explore the Colca Canyon and its pre-incan terraced villages, unique landscapes and handicrafts. Opportunity to watch condors soar up the canyon at the Cruz del Condor, and to see the famous monastery and museums of Arequipa.

Then continue to Cusco, where you’ll explore all of the "must-visit" sites of the center of the Incan empire-including one night at the famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu. You'll also tour Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and have a free day to enjoy Cusco at your own pace.

2009 Departure dates: Daily

• Special rates apply for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays departures, which allow for a group visit to the Pisac market and Ollantaytambo.

2009 rates for 3-4 star/MODERATE HOTELS: (such as the Faraona Grand in Lima, Posada del Inca in Arequipa, Casa Andina in Cusco, Pakaritampu in Urubamba, Andina Luxury in Machu Picchu-or similar)

Mon, Wed or Fri departures

• $1850 per person based on double occupancy

Departures other days and/or for a private tour to Pisac market and Ollantaytambo:

• $1935 per person based on double occupancy

2009 rates for 4-5 star/DELUXE HOTELS: (such as the Casa Andina Private Collection in Lima, Casa Andina Private Collection in Arequipa; Libertador in Cusco, Sol y Luna or Casa Andina Private Collection in Urubamba, El Pueblo in Machu Picchu-or similar)

Note--in this category we recommend upgrade to private tour of Colca-add $179 p/p double occupancy.

Mon, Wed or Fri departures

• $2650 per person based on double occupancy

Departures other days and/or for a private tour to Pisac market and Ollantaytambo:

• $2735 per person based on double occupancy

Note: This tour is a suggested, customized itinerary that is very flexible. We can make changes in hotels, excursions and destinations to suit your travel dates, style and budget.

Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Lima. You will need to clear customs and immigration before exiting the airport. Our local representative will meet you outside, and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2: Breakfast is included at your hotel. Today you will enjoy a half-day tour of the city of Lima, including a visit to the Archaeological Museum. (B)

Day 3:You’ll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the Lima airport for your flights to Arequipa. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you’ll enjoy half day guided city tour & visit to Santa Catalina Monastery and the Museo Sanctuarios Andinos. with the famous mummy of “Juanita” (closed Mondays). Free time to explore the city historic sites, restaurants & shops on your own. (B)

Day 4:Leaving the city behind we slowly ascend to the highland Savannah or Puna with  a close-up view of Mt. Chachani and Misti and other surrounding volcanoes.  On this high altitude desert a chance to see small herds of vicuña, an endangered species of camelids and an impressive landscape with the back-drop of the Sabancaya volcano.  Descend   into the upper Colca Canyon at Chivay and overnight in local lodge in the Colca Valley.  Picnic lunch included. (B, L)

Day 5: An early departure to Cruz del Condor, the viewpoint over the deepest part of this world-famous canyon will let you see Condors at their best as they leave their rocky sanctuary with the morning warm air currents, to slowly ascend over the horizon.  From here we drive back to Arequipa. Picnic lunch included. Arrival back in Arequipa in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel with the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

Day 6:Based on your flight schedule, you will have the morning free to explore Arequipa on your own. Transfer to the Arequipa airport at the pre-arranged time for your short flight to Cusco. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You have some free time to rest and acclimatize to the 11,600' elevation. Later this afternoon, you will have a group tour of the highlights of the city of Cusco, and several of the surrounding archaeological sites. Remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. Note: if your flight schedule to Cusco arrives later than 12:00 PM, you will have this tour on day 7. (B)

Day 7: Today you will have a full day group tour to the Sacred Valley. First, explore the Pisac market, with its bright stalls full of local textiles and other handicrafts. Continue through the valley to a local hacienda for lunch. In the afternoon, tour the ruins of Ollantaytambo. You will be dropped off at your selected hotel, where you will spend the night. (B, L)

Day 8: You will be transferred by local taxi to the train station at Ollantaytambo, where you will meet the tourist train as it travels from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Meet your guide on board. Transfer to ruins + entrance fee + guided tour + lunch are all included. Be sure to note the time for the last bus down to Aguas Calientes, which is usually around 5:00 PM. Spend the night in this town, conveniently located to restaurants & the bus stop for Machu Picchu, and the train station back to Cusco. (B, L) (D if staying at El Pueblo/deluxe option)

Day 9:Entrance fee to ruins, transportation and breakfast are included to use at your leisure. Late afternoon return by train/vehicle to Cusco. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you stay for the next two nights. (B)

Day 10: Day at leisure to enjoy Cusco’s markets, shops, restaurants and museums. (B)

Day 11: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your return flights to Lima. On arrival in Lima, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure. Optional tours can be arranged on request. (B)

Day 12: You will be transferred to the airport for your return flights to the US. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Trip Notes:

• You can easily add a 3 nt/4 day Amazon extension at the end of this trip. See our “Taste of the Amazon” itinerary. Prices start at just $450 per person.

• Alternate hotels in similar price range may be substituted based on availability

• Specific hotels, or private tours may be substituted at applicable costs at client request

• Airline tickets for flights Lima-Arequipa-Cusco-Lima are required for this itinerary, and are not included in the above prices. Rates currently range from approximately $500-$550 for the three flights. We will confirm your space on these flights, and the exact price once you place a deposit on your trip.

• This trip begins and ends in Lima, Peru, which can be reach by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines.

• Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted international airfares from most US cities, local airpasses, and complete land packages through-out Latin America. Peru offers excellent Amazon rainforest, and also combines well with a trip to the Galapagos Islands in nearby Ecuador

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Note Special restrictions apply to Peru departures:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.