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Overview of the Pearls of Peru

 

 

Peru is a land of geographical complexity and striking beauty, with the marked contrast between the Andes Mountains, the arid Atacama Desert in the east, and the lush forests of the Amazon.

 

This 21 day tour takes you from the high lakes of northern Peru to the Amazon jungles, the mysterious Nazca Lines and Chachillia Cemeteries, not to mention the stunning Inca Trail, which follows the ancient Inca Paths through to the complex of Machu Picchu. Any reasonably fit person should be able to cover the route. However, the second day of the trek is quite challenging as one heads up to an altitude of 4200m to the top of Dead Woman's Pass.

 

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1. Arrival in Lima, Peru

 

Day 2. Fly Lima to Cuzco. Day at leisure

 

Day 3. Cuzco and surrounds

Free morning. Afternoon visit to the main ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, followed by a city tour of Cuzco.

 

Day 4: Sacred Valley - Ollyantaytambo (BL)

Full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Inca and then a visit to Ollantaytambo

 

INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU STARTS

 

Day 5: Cuzco to Wayllabamba (BLD)

The Inca Trail trek starts at Km82 by the Vilcanota River. We then trek up past Llactapata and Patallacta ruins, arriving at camp arriving around 17h00.

 

Day 6: Wayllabamba- Pacaymayu (BLD)

The Inca trail then heads up Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 m/13,750 feet. We pass through 3 ecological areas such as the Yunga, Quechua and Puna. Today camp and dinner near Pacaymayu.

 

Day 7. Pacaymayu - Winayhuayna (BLD)

Today we trek up the second pass of the Inca trail to the archaeological sites of Runquraqay and then down to the site of Sayaqmarka and on to Phuyupatamarka for lunch. We descend to Winaywayna.

 

Day 8. Winayhuayna - Machu Picchu - Cuzco (B)
We leave early for the ruins of Machu Picchu to arrival at sunrise. After a guided tour, transfer to Aguas Calientes and onto the train station for your return train to Cuzco

 

Day 9. Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado (BLD)

Fly to Puerto Maldonado Peru. Depart on a 1 hour ride, followed by a 30 minute boat journey by motorized canoe to Posada Amazonas. During your voyage you may see bird such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabiru Stork, Roadside Hawk, and several species of kingfishers. A short orientation and a complete briefing on the lodge and the Ecotourism Project before your afternoon activity, the canopy tower. Here, you will visit a 35 metre scaffolding tower that is only15 minutes walk from the lodge. Return to the lodge.

 

Day 10. Posada Amazonas (BLD)

Early wake at dawn for a visit to Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. From here you will take a long, easy canoe ride around the lake looking for giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin, and wading birds. The giant river otters that are seen in Tres Chimbadas belong to a resident family of nine. Afternoon visit to the community’s ethnobotanical center. Return to Peru Posada Amazonas for overnight.

 

Day 11. Posada Amazonas - Cuzco (B)

Depart by boat back to the city and fly back to Cuzco. Transfer to your hotel

 

Day 12. Cuzco to Puno

Transfer to the bus station for the tourist bus to Puno. The journey will take you across the altiplano. It is a long bus journey but with lovely sites on route. Arrival in Puno and transfer to your hotel.   

 

Day 13. Puno to Lake Titicaca (B) Transfer to the port for the boat journey on Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros. Made entirely of reeds and inhabited by the Aymara Uros people. Short hike on the islands, then the boat trip continues as far as the island of Taquile. Lunch before your return to Puno in the early afternoon.   

 

Day 14. Puno to Juliaca to Lima (B) Transfer to Juliaca airport for the flight back to Lima. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Free day.   

 

Day 15. Lima to Huaraz (B) Journey along the northern coast and then east and through the Andes. The town of Huaraz, set amongst the giant snow peaks of the Andes is the most beautifully situated town in the whole of Peru. Transfer to your lodge.   

 

Day 16. Llanganuco Lake (B) Trip to the north along the Callejón de Huaylas from Huaraz. Stop at Yungay, the village that was totally destroyed in the 1970 earthquake, and Ranrahirca. Llanganuco is a beautiful, turquoise coloured glacial lake of the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in the world. Return to Huaraz.   

 

Day 17. Paracas reserve - Huaraz (Breakfast and boxed lunch)

The trip includes a visit to a museum showing the natural history of the Paracas Reserve in addition to the pre-inca Paracas culture. A visit to the beautiful natural rock formation known as the cathedral before taking lunch’  Return to Huaraz before taking the night bus to Lima.

 

Day 18. Lima - Pisco (B) Arrival and transfer to your hotel for a day-in-use. Transfer to Paracas by first class bus through the Atacama desert. Transfer to Pisco, known for its production of wine and the famous Pisco Sour.   

 

Day 19. Paracas - Ballestas - Nazca (B) Guided tour by boat of the Ballestas islands, known as the "little Galapagos", with its concentration of sea birds and sea lions in their natural habitat. Return to the mainland and a trip to the Paracas National Reserve. Transfer to Nazca by Bus inland to the town of Nazca and accommodation at the Hotel.   

 

Day 20. Nazca - Lima (B) Early flight over the Nazca Lines; gigantic drawings and geometrical figures engraved in the desert of Peru dating back to 250 AD. With representations of animals, such as a spider, a monkey and several birds, they are believed to be an enormous astronomical calendar or possibly an offering to the gods. Optional Chauchillia Cemetery visit. Return by bus to Lima. Transfer to hotel.   

 

Day 21. Depart Lima, Peru (B)   Prices are available on request with discounts for large groups. We can also tailor make a tour to suit your needs. Optional add on tours in Lima as well as extra night accommodation.

 

End of services

 

 

 

Dates/Prices

 

Trekking dates are arranged to suit you or on one of our fixed departures.
We can accommodate you at any time of year.

 

OUR PRICE INCLUDES:

12 night’s accommodation in twin rooms at recommended hotels with private bathroom including breakfast and service taxes and 3 nights camping on the Inca Trail.

2 nights jungle lodge full board

All transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based on shared services with other passengers with local English speaking guides (unless it is a private tour)

All meals as per itinerary.

Flight tickets: Lima – Cuzco - Puerto Maldonado - Cuzco – Lima.

Nazca Lines overflight

Train tickets: Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) - Cuzco.

 

OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

International air tickets and associated taxes.

Meals not specified on the itinerary.

All domestic flights require a US$5.00 charge (airport tax), payable at the airport.

Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.

Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident.

Tips, baggage porterage and other extras not specified.

 

 

 

 

Photo's

   

 

Inca Trail

Lake Llanganuco

Machu Picchu

Lima

Sacsayhuaman

Lake Titicaca

Chauchillia

Parrot Lines Nazca

 

 

Grade - 1c FP

 

A combination of long days with steep paths and some mountain scrambling. The route follows reasonable paths through thick vegetation, up hillsides, slippery shale surfaces.  Snow and or ice may be encountered along the route. There is no need for technical climbing equipment. Altitude levels up to and around  to 4200m. Medium risk of altitude sickness.

 

Good cardio vascular fitness is needed with weight and circuit training and running. Lots of hill walking. Backpacks will weight about 4-5kg and contain water, camera and essentials. Trek weight loss in the region of 4kg.

 

Fully Portered

 

Peru Tours

Inca Trail - 10 Days, 9 Nights
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Amazon - 12 Days, 11 Nights
Mountain Biking Peru and Inca Trail - 11 Days, 10 Nights
   
Machu Picchu Ruins - 7 Days, 6 Nights
Sacred Ayahuaska Ceremony - Peru - 11 Days, 10 Nights
Peru Highlands Tour - 13 Days, 12 Nights
Gems of Peru Tour - 14 Days, 13 Nights
Classic Peru Tour - 14 Days, 13 Nights
Ancient Peru Tour - 15 Days, 14 Nights
Peru Explorer Tour - 15 Days, 14 Nights
Pearls of Peru Tour - 21 Days, 20 Nights
Peru Tour Extensions - modular based

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pearls of Peru Tour Overview

Trip Duration

21 Days, 20 Nights

Altitude

4,200m

Destination

Peru

Activities

Trekking, Sightseeing

Travel times

All Year except February when the trail is closed.

Best months

Mid March and November.

Minimum Numbers

1

Accommodation

Tents, Hotels, Lodge

Trip Grade

IC FP

Back to Peru Tours

 

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

 

 

Inca Trail Route Profile

 

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