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OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Choose from the following optional add on tours to tailor your tour:
- Amazon
Jungle – Puerto Maldonado
- Amazon
Jungle – Iquitos
- Nazca
Lines
- Chachillia
Cemeteries
-
Lake
Titicaca
- Arequipa and the Colca
Canyons
- Kuelap
– Northern Ruins
- Huaraz
- Lima City Tour
AMAZON
JUNGLE PUERTO MALDONADO (Ex Cuzco)
Duration: 3 Days
Day
1.
CUZCO–PUERTO MALDONADO (Breakfast,
lunch and dinner)
Transfer
to the airport for the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Reception and transfer
to the
Day
2.
POSADA AMAZONAS (Breakfast,
lunch and dinner)
Early wake at dawn for a visit to the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. After an early breakfast, departure fifteen minutes from Posada Amazonas by boat followed by a 30 minute walk to the lake shore. 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. Return to the lodge for lunch before embarking on your afternoon outing to the community’s ethnobotanical center. From this little shop, the community has been registering the uses of medicinal plants from elders and planting, producing and distributing them for over ten years. You will hike the trails around the centre with one of the residents who will explain the everyday uses of forest resources in medicine, construction, food and fiber. Return to Posada Amazonas for dinner and overnight. Optional night walk to look for amphibians and insects
Day
3
POSADA
AMAZONAS - LIMA (Breakfast)
After
an early breakfast, depart by boat back to the city of Puerto Maldonado , directly to the airport, for your
return flight back to Lima . Transfer
to your hotel.
IQUITOS
JUNGLE Ex
Day
1.
LIMA - IQUITOS (Lunch
& dinner)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Iquitos , in
the heart of the Amazon jungle. Reception at the airport, followed by a
brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Fifty mile
journey down the Amazon River
to
Yanamono Stream where Explorama Lodge is located. Afternoon hike along the
" Lake
trail" through lowland rainforest which is seasonally flooded. During the high water season, this excursion is done by open boat! Night walk or open boat ride to enjoy the sounds of the rainforest and stars of the southern sky.
Day
2. –
EXPLORAMA LODGE
(Breakfast,
lunch & dinner)
Early morning birding excursion. Morning walk along the "Bushmaster
Trail’, where scientific studies by the Missouri Botanical Gardens have
found the world's highest biodiversity of trees per square hectare.
Continue on to visit a small village of where your guide will explain their culture and how it has been affected by the passing of time. There will be an opportunity to trade for or purchase some of their local crafts and for a demonstration of the use of the blowgun which some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting. Afternoon boating excursion in search of sloth, found in Cecropia trees at the water’s edge, and the two species of freshwater river dolphin, pink and grey, found in Amazonian waters.
Day
3.
EXPLORAMA LODGE / CANOPY WALKWAY (Breakfast,
lunch & dinner)
Early morning departure from the Lodge by boat to the mouth of the Napo River where
in 1542, the intrepid explorer Francisco de Orellano, became the first
European to discover the Amazon River
.
Continue on the Napo River to
ExplorNapo Lodge for breakfast. Hike to the spectacular Canopy Walkway
spanning over 500 meters
(one-third of a mile), connected by tree platforms, and reaching a height
of over 35 meters
( 115 feet
) but
accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. After lunch,
visit the "ReNuPeRu" Ethnobotanical Garden where over 240 medicinal plants are cultivated by a local shaman who will explain the nature of Amazonian natural healing and the uses of some of the plants. Return to Explorama Lodge in time to relax in the hammock house or at the Tahuampa Bar before dinner.
Day
4. EXPLORAMA
LODGE – IQUITOS –
LIMA (Breakfast)
Morning walk along a local
NAZCA
AND
Duration: 4 Days
Day
1. LIMA
- PARACAS (Breakfast)
After
breakfast, transfer to the
airport for the return flight to Transfer
to the Paracas hotel in Paracas.
Day 2.
PARACAS AND ISLANDS
- NAZCA (Breakfast)
After
breakfast, transfer to the port for a guided tour in boat of the Ballestas
islands. Commonly referred to as the "little Galapagos", here
you will see an amazing concentration of sea birds and sea lions in their
natural habitat. Return to the mainland and a trip to the Paracas National
Reserve, the only Protected Coastal Reserve in Peru
. 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 the hotel. Transfer to Nazca and accommodation at the Maisson Suisse hotel.
Day
3. NAZCA - LIMA (Breakfast)
Before
breakfast, a tour flight over the enigmatic Nazca Lines; gigantic drawings
and geometrical figures engraved in the driest of and dating back to 250 AD.
Drawn throughout over 1000 Km2 of desert on the Pampas of San Jose
in , and due to their enormous size and largely unknown
origin, leaves an indelible impression on all who visit this most
mysterious archaeological site. 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. First
discovered in 1550 it was not until the advent of flight, in the 1920’s,
that the lines were first realised for their significance. The drawings
are not in actual desert sand but on small rock debris, varying in length
from 150m to 300m and with a depth of 20cm. After breakfast, return
journey to Lima . Transfer to your hotel.
Day
4.
LIMA (Breakfast)
Morning
transfer to the airport for your return flight to and onward for your return flight home.
CHAUCHILLIA CEMETARIES Ex Nazca
This tour can be used as an add-on for those wanting to spend an extra day at Nazca, or for those doing a pre-dawn flight over the Nazca lines. However, please note that if the weather s unfavourable for an early flight, Nazca flight may be delayed in which case, you will not have time to complete this tour. Anyone decided to opt for this tour post Nazca flight, must accept that no refunds will be given if the tour cannot be
under taken due to delayed flights over the lines, for whatever reason.
After
your pre-breakfast flight over the Nazca lines, we depart for the
Chauchillia cemetery, the only archaeological site in Peru
, in which ancient mummies are seen in their original
graves, along with ancient artefacts, dating back to about 1000 AD. Sadly,
over the years, many of the graves were looted by huaqueros (grave robbers).
However,
the mummies are still beautifully preserved along with sherds of broken
pottery, bones, scraps of fabric, preserved within the dryness of the
Nazca sands. The mummies remain, with clothing
and long hair intact in several mummy bundles.
Not far from the Chauchillia cemetery, is the site of the Cantollac
Aqueducts, built about 2000 years ago, in pre-Inca times. These aqueducts
were used to develop a system of underground aqueducts to irrigate dry
lands that lacked surface water. The result was the development of a
unique system in both Peru
and the world. Despite the aridness of the Nazca
desert, some farmers still make use of these aqueducts, in the farming of
cotton, corn and beans.
LAKE
TITICACA Ex
Duration: 4 Days
Day
1.
CUZCO - PUNO (Breakfast
& lunch)
Transfer
to the railway station for the first class (andean explorer) scenic train
to Puno (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays only or alternatively a tourist
bus may be taken). The journey will take you across the imposing altiplano
region of Peru
affording us views
of the majestic snow peaks of the in total luxury
aboard the “Orient Express of the Andes ”. A 3-course
lunch is included. Along the route, we shall also have plenty of
opportunity to see alpacas and vicuñas in their natural habitat. A brief
stop will be made at the highest point of the journey, La Raya pass (4319m). Arrival in Puno and transfer to your hotel.
Day
2. PUNO – TITIKAKA LAKE (Breakfast
& lunch)
Early
transfer to the port for the boat journey on
to the floating islands of Uros. Made entirely of
reeds and inhabited by the Aymara Uros people, they live in huts built on
platforms of reeds, not more than 30-40 cms/1foot thick. Short hike on the
islands, then the boat trip continues as far as the of . Members of this self supporting Aymara community
receive visitors in their colourful national costume and show them around
the island. Taquile is also renowned for its fine, decorative weavings. Lunch
before returning to Puno.
Day
3.
PUNO - JULIACA-LIMA (Breakfast)
After breakfast, journey to
the pre-Inca Sillustani funeral towers next to the . The towers form part of one of the largest and most
important necropolis in the world. Used by both the Altiplano civilisation
and the Incas and their wives “Collas” to honour their dead and in
preparation for the after-life. It was abandoned when the first Spanish
arrived. With over ninety chulpas (tombs), all built from volcanic rock,
those for the Incas can be easily recognised by their finer detail.
Transfer to Juliaca airport for the flight back to Lima and transfer to your hotel.
Day
4.
LIMA (Breakfast)
Morning
transfer to the airport for your return flight to and onward for your return flight home.
AREQUIPA COLCA CANYONS
Duration: 4 Days
Day 1: Peru
. City tour of the "white city", including the 16th century convent which is built entirely of volcanic lava. The Misti Volcano stands as a sentinel behind this colonial city. Overnight accommodation.
Day 2. –
COLCA CANYON (Breakfast)
After
breakfast, early
departure, passing the thermal baths of Yura and climbing up towards the
National Reserve of Pampa de Cañahuas at 3800m. Here groups of alpacas,
vicuñas and sometimes guanacos can be seen. After driving several hours
more, the descent to the
Day 3.
–
AREQUIPA (Breakfast)
After
breakfast
an early departure to descend into the valley to visit some of the
villages, all of which have beautiful, colonial-style churches. You shall
also see the Inca terraces, some of which are still in use and can be seen
all along the valley. Start the ascent up to the Cruz del Condor, a few
kilometres before Cabanaconde. Here one can appreciate a fine view of the
flight of the condors as well as of the depth of the canyon. A stop for
lunch before returning to your hotel in
Day 4: –
LIMA (Breakfast)
Return flight to and transfer to
your hotel. Last night’s accommodation in Peru
.
KUELAP
AND THE RUINS OF THE NORTH
Day
1 – ARRIVE LIMA
Arrive
, transfer to your hotel.
Day
2 –
CHICLAYO
Transfer to the airport for
the flight to Chiclayo . Reception and transfer to your hotel, for a day in
use. If time permits, visit to the Lord of Sipan archaeoloigcal site
including the Sipan museum.
The discovery of Sipan was the most important twentieth century
archaeological find in Peru
. The tombs were intact with many artefacts of silver,
gold and copper dating back to 350AD.
Return to your hotel to collect
your luggage before transfer to
the bus terminal for the
Day
3. CHACHAPOYAS
(Breakfast)
Arrival early morning to Chachapoyas the capital of the Amazonas department. Arrival and transfer to your hotel the 3* Gran Vilaya. Free day.
Day
4. LAMUD (Breakfast & lunch)
A full day's tour starting in
the of heading towards the of . From here, at a distance, you can see the standing
mud coffins of Lamud decorated with anthropomorphic relief’s and with
feline paws and human heads. The Sachapuyans, after placing the coffins in
these strategic locations on the cliffs, destroyed the paths which led to
them thus avoiding any disturbance of their dead. After lunch, return to
Chachapoyas.
Day 5. KUELAP - CHACHAPOYAS – CHICLAYO (Breakfast)
Early departure from
Chachapoyas to Tingo. Ascent to the ruins of Kuelap (approximately an
hour), the huge fortress dominating the skyline above the Amazonas
landscape and hailed as the Machu Picchu of Northern Peru. To get a good
view of the whole complex, a climb to the Kuelap watch-tower, where the
gigantic outer walls and the whole extension of this former fortress can
be fully appreciated. In the afternoon, return to Tingo and then to
Chachapoyas. Transfer to the
bus terminal for the
Day 6. CHICLAYO –
LIMA (Breakfast)
Arrival early morning. Reception and
transfer to your hotel in Afternoon transfer to the
airport for the 16h25 return flight to Lima.
HUARAZ
Day
1.
LIMA – HUARAZ
Transfer to the bus terminal
for the bus journey to Huaraz. The journey will take you along
the northern coast of the
Peru
. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 2. LLANGANUCO LAKE
(Breakfast)
Day 3.
PASTORURI GLACIER – HUARAZ
(Breakfast
and boxed lunch)
With
an early departure, pass through the towns of Recuay and Catac and then
head east towards the of .
A visit to several prehistoric wall paintings, the seven coloured well and
natural mineral springs. This is the habitat of the Puya Raymondi,
the largest flowering plant in the world. The Puya takes 29 years to grow
to maturity, has thousands of flowers
and towers over 12m high. Upon reaching the base of Pastoruri, option of
either going up to the glacier on horseback or a gentle hike, of about one
hour’s duration. Return to Huaraz before taking the night bus to Lima .
LIMA CITY TOUR
A
guided visit of colonial and modern
Prices
are available on request
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TO PERU
Tailor Make
your own Tour and e-mail us with your request, number of
people and approximate dates |
