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PERU & MACHU PICCHU - 14 day itinerary Peru, the archaeological and cultural jewel of South America, with intriguing remains of the fabled Inca empire. This tour includes the capital, Lima, with its beautiful colonial buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sacred Valley of the Incas with its many Inca sites, the lovely colonial city of Cusco, with its surrounding archaeological gems and the hidden and mysterious Inca mountain fortress of Machu Picchu, undoubtedly the greatest archaeological discovery of modern times, the Nazca lines and Lake Titicaca. The Peruvian winter (May – September) is the driest season and therefore the best time of year to travel, especially if you are planning to visit Cusco, the Sacred Valley area and Machu Picchu.

Day 1: ARRIVE LIMA Transfer Lima Airport / Hotel (private)

Upon arrival at Lima International Airport, you will be met by our representative and private driver and will be transferred to your hotel. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and provide you with a detailed itinerary, vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peru trip. You will also receive a contact information sheet with all the hotel details as well as our operator’s offices contact information for each city and a 24-hour emergency number. Overnight in Lima CASA ANDINA SELECT MIRAFLORES or similar. Spend 2 nights here. Day 2: LIMA Breakfast, Lunch

Morning at leisure for recovering after your long flights. Afternoon Half day Lima City tour & Larco Museum (private) Enjoy a half day guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". Visit Lima's Historical Center, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum (closed on Sunday and Saturday pm; Santo Domingo Convent is provided instead on these days) as well as San Francisco Monastery and its famous underground crypts known as the Catacombs. Continue your visit through the residential Districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing by the Huaca Pucllana, a Ceremonial and Administrative Centre of the Lima Culture built in the II Century A.C. that the Incas considered as "Ñaupallaqta" or Sacred Town. Also visit El Olivar Park with olive trees brought from Spain in the 15th Century, the Central Park of Miraflores and El Parque del Amor, or Peruvian Love Park. The Love Park, located on the cliffs of Miraflores overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is a beautiful natural lookout, where you can see the waves of the Pacific rolling in towards the coast below and the Morro Solar in Chorrillos at a distance, with the coast extending further along the bay until the port of Callao. This is also the perfect spot for a romantic view of the setting sun in the late afternoon, right in front of you. Your visit continues with a stop at the Larco Museum, for an excellent overview of Peru's ancient past as it holds the best private collection of pre-Columbian art in the country. You will have the chance to tour through this old Hacienda House in the Pueblo Libre district, which was built upon a pre-Incan sacred site (huaca), housing the private collection of a great Peruvian scholar: Don Rafael Larco Hoyle.

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The museum chronologically exhibits hundreds of ceramic, textile, metal and precious stone pieces and also inside you will find the vault which safeguards precious pieces of gold and silver with semiprecious stones. The Larco Museum is one of the few museums in the world that allows such intimate access to its deposits, in this case around 45,000 pieces. Another attraction of the museum and of great interest to visitors is the exhibition of erotic pre-Colombian art. After the visit you will be driven to your hotel. After the visit you will be driven to your hotel. Overnight in Lima

Day 3: LIMA – PARACAS Breakfast

Transfer Hotel / Bus station (private) At the appropriate time, our representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to the Bus station to board your coach to your next destination. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and all departure formalities. Travel on the Cruz del Sur bus from Lima to Paracas on the 3 ½ hour journey. Arrival in Paracas and transfer to Pisco airdrome Overflight of the Nazca Lines (shared) Take-off at the designated time subject to weather conditions, and begin your overflight of the Nazca Lines (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes). The flight allows you to see the geometrical, animal and humanoid markings. You will see the monkey, the hummingbird, the astronaut, the spider, the dog, the condor and others. The enigmatic lines of Nazca and its mysteries fascinate scientists, archaeologists and visitors alike. The lines are stretched out in the sand of the coastal plains of Nazca covering an area of 350 square kilometers (about 135 square miles) and it is believed they were made between 300 and 800 AD. In the 1940's a German lady, María Reiche, settled in the area and devoted her life to studying these lines and their figures. She developed the theory that they were a form of calendar outlining diverse astrological signs and that they were built for the purpose of religious enlightenment by the Paracas-Nazca civilization more than 2,000 years ago. After the flight, return to Ica; then you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Paracas. La Hacienda Bahia Paracas or similar. Spend 2 nights here. Day 4: PARACAS Breakfast

Morning excursion to the Ballestas Islands (shared) Early this morning, you will be transferred to the dock to board the motorboat that will take you to the Ballestas Islands. On your way to the islands, observe the "Candelabro" (Spanish for candlestick), a figure in the sand dunes from the times of the Pre-Inca Paracas Culture which resembles a trident, whose origin, explained by various contradicting theories, remains a mystery. On arrival at the "Mirador de Lobos" in the islands, you will be able to observe sea lions, black and white guanay cormorants, Peruvian pelicans and with a little luck even one of the famous Humboldt penguins. The sailing experience takes approximately 2 hours. Then you will return to the dock where your private transportation and guide will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. Overnight in Paracas

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Day 5: PARACAS - LIMA Breakfast

At the appropriate time, transfer to the bus station to take your bus to Lima. Transfer Bus station / Hotel (private) Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met by our representative and private driver and transferred to your hotel. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures. Overnight in Lima Day 6 – Sat 27 Aug: LIMA – CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY Breakfast

Transfer Hotel / Lima Airport (private) At the appropriate time, our representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to the Lima Airport to board your next flight. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and all departure formalities. Transfer Cusco Airport / Sacred Valley including Awanacancha Textile Center en route (private) Upon arrival into Cusco International Airport, you will be met by our representative and private driver and transferred to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Our representative will assist you with the corresponding check-in procedures. En route to the Sacred Valley, you will visit Awanacancha, an Andean textile center whose key objective is to maintain the wealth of Incan textile art and keep their traditions alive. Awanacancha means “the palace of weaving” and as its name announces, it is all about textile production. Here you will learn about the dyeing techniques and instruments used for hundreds of years in the weaving of these famous textiles. You will walk along a thatched roof path and will watch and learn about the four different kinds of South American camelids: Huanaco, Llama, Alpaca and Vicuña. At the end of the path you will find weavers from over 12 communities from southern Peru who alternate exhibitions of threading, dying and weaving traditional Andean textiles, thus avoiding their identity loss.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley at a lower altitude than Cusco or Machu Picchu, in order to acclimatize. CASA ANDINA PRIVATE SACRED VALLEY or similar. Spend 2 nights here. Day 7 – Sun 28 Aug: SACRED VALLEY Breakfast, Lunch

Full day Pisac Market, Pisac Ruins & Ollantaytambo Fortress (private) Today you will head to the town of Pisac, famous for its ruins which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley and separated along the ridge into four groups: P'isaqa, Inti Watana, Q'allaqasa, and Kinchiraqay. Visit the Inti Watana group which includes the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, water fountains, a ceremonial platform, and an inti watana - a volcanic ritual stone used as an astronomic clock or Inca calendar to define the changing seasons.

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The Incas constructed agricultural terraces on the steep hillside by hauling richer topsoil by hand from the lower lands, enabling the production of surplus food, more than would normally be possible at altitudes as high as 3,350m (11,000 feet.) The narrow rows of terraces beneath the citadel are thought to represent the wing of a partridge (pisaca), from which the village and ruins get their name. Continue to the Pisac Markets, which was the place of reunion for all artisans of the region to get together and exchange or buy and sell their products. Originally held only on Sundays, but due to the increase of tourism in the area during the 20th century it became increasingly popular to the point that now it is held daily. It is a favorite destination for visitors from all over the world who don’t want to miss the opportunity of enjoying the colourful ambience in this marketplace. This is an excellent chance to share the peasants’ customs closely with plenty of time to explore and even barter for goods and crafts typical of the areas around Cusco. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the textiles and souvenir sections of the market. Lunch at a local restaurant Finally, you will visit the Inca fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo. This site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and evidence of how it was constructed is still visible. This fortress was believed to be constructed in order to guard the entrance to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasions of tribes from the jungle lowlands. Later it served as a temporary capital for Manco Inca, leader of the Inca resistance in 1537 during the Spanish conquest of Perú, who fortified the town to stop the advance, as Cusco had fallen under Spanish domination. Ollantaytambo also features the vestiges of the town built by orders of Inca Pachacutec and thought to be not only a strategic military place to control the Sacred Valley of the Incas, but also for agricultural and religious purposes. Additionally, this place is a ceremonial center dedicated to the purification and worship of water with 150 steps built with perfectly carved stones. The archaeological site includes a series of superimposed terraces and stunning finely carved stone blocks located on the upper terrace or Temple of the Sun. The main settlement has an orthogonal layout with four streets crossed by other seven parallel streets and at the center the Incas built a large plaza about the size of four city blocks. The town of Ollantaytambo is referred to as a "Live Inca Town" because inhabitants still live according to customs and traditions inherited from their ancestors. Take a journey in time through its straight streets with perfectly laid stones that feature a canal leading water through the town. After the tour you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in the Sacred Valley Day 8: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU Breakfast, Lunch

Full day excursion to Machu Picchu via roundtrip train (private) Morning transfer to the train station for an amazing train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, the great mountain-top city abandoned by the Inca Empire, reclaimed by the jungle and lost to humanity until its rediscovery in 1911. Along the way you will enjoy the changing landscape as you travel from Andean highlands to the beginnings of the jungle (“eyebrow of the jungle”), before finally arriving at the town of Aguas Calientes.

From here, board the bus that will take you on a 20 minute ride up to the citadel of Machu Picchu, or Lost City of the Incas, which sits upon the summit bearing the same name, and is one of the most representative and recognized examples of Incan architecture. A guided tour of the Citadel includes the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds.

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The legendary 'Lost City' is without a doubt one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built by the Incas on the summit of "Machu Picchu" (old peak), overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba river in a semi-tropical area 120 kms (75 miles) from the city of Cusco at 3,400 m (11,155 ft). It sits on a mountain site of extraordinary beauty, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest; Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, with its giant walls, terraces and ramps, which appear as though they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. Machu Picchu is also one of the Inca's best kept secrets, since they did not leave written records and as Spanish chronicles make no mention of the citadel, it remains a mystery. Buffet lunch at Tinkuy Restaurant at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge In the afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. EL MAPI HOTEL or similar. Spend 2 nights here. Day 9: MACHU PICCHU Breakfast

Day at leisure without guide A day at leisure to explore and enjoy on your own. (Option of 2nd entrance to Machu Picchu to-day including bus, no guide) Overnight in Aguas Calientes Day 10: AGUAS CALIENTES - CUSCO Breakfast

Morning at leisure without guide Afternoon return to Cusco (private) In the afternoon, transfer to the station to board your return train. Upon arrival at the train station in Cusco you will be met by our representative and private driver who will transfer you to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco. COSTA DEL SOL RAMADA CUSCO or similar. Spend 2 nights here. Day 11: CUSCO Breakfast

Half day Cusco City tour & main surrounding ruins (private) Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the city of Cusco, the Imperial City and archaeological capital of South America, where you will be able to admire the finest examples of Inca history and architecture. Visit the city's most important historical monuments revealing the influence of different cultures: the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral dating from Spanish viceroyalty times, built with great slabs of red granite renaissance style in contrast with the baroque style silverwork of its interior and the Santo Domingo church built upon the foundations of the Inca temple Koricancha, dedicated to worship the Sun God.

Continue to Cusco City’s main surrounding ruins: the Sacsayhuaman Fortress - a ceremonial compound and magnificent example of Inca military power that boasts a panoramic view of the city, the Qenqo Amphitheater - a ritualistic site with subterranean galleries forming an underground maze, Puca Pucara or red fortress and, the Inca Baths of Tambomachay. After the tour you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco

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Day 12: CUSCO - PUNO Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer Hotel / Cusco bus station (private) At the appropriate time, our representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to the Cusco bus station. Our representative will assist you with the corresponding check-in procedures. Today’s journey takes you by tourist bus to Puno, with stops for sightseeing and for lunch during the 9 hour journey. After an early breakfast, private transfer to the bus station to take the tourist bus along the route of the Sun, to Puno, located on the shore of Lake Titicaca. Along the way, there will be time to stop at the village of Pucará, an important farming and textile centre, and also home to the Temple of Kalasasaya. Continue to La Raya, the highest point of this journey at 4,330m (14,200 ft) above sea level. Enjoy lunch in Sicuani and reach Raqchi where you can see the sanctuary built by the Incas in honour of their god Wiracocha. The final visit will be to the colonial town of Andahuylillas with its magnificent church of San Pedro de Andahuylillas, designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Transfer Puno bus station / Lake Hotels (private) Upon arrival in Puno, you will be met by our representative and private driver and transferred to your hotel on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures. Overnight in Puno. CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION PUNO or similar. Spend 2 nights here. Day 13 – Sat 03 Sep: PUNO Breakfast, Lunch

Full day excursion to the Uros & Taquile Islands with lunch (private, via shared speedboat) Early in the morning, you will have an unforgettable motorboat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique "Floating Islands" of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake known as the Water Tribe have built their own islands by periodically adding new layers of a vegetable fiber of the Papyrus family called "Totora" (scientific Scirpus totora), which is unique to the area. Continue the motorboat trip to Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking indigenous people who have developed efficient and unique social systems, as well as fine hand weaving techniques, passed down through the generations. Upon arrival at the Town of Taquile, lunch at one of the local homes will be served by the owners, designated by the local authorities as they are a very well organized town so all their inhabitants may have equal opportunities with their visitors. Overnight in Puno. Day 14 – Sun 04 Sep: PUNO - LIMA Breakfast

Transfer Lake Hotels / Juliaca Airport (private) At the appropriate time, our representative will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to the Juliaca Airport for your flight to Lima. Our representative will assist you with the corresponding check-in procedures and all departure formalities. Lima Airport assistance (private) You will be met by our representative who will assist with check-in procedures and departure formalities for your international flight connection.

END OF SERVICES PRICE PER PERSON SHARING, TWIN ROOM AIRFARE LIMA/CUSCO/JULIACA/LIMA

USD 3,390 USD 470

(Airfare is subject to change. Airport taxes Lima/Cusco/Juliaca/Lima are included in the above air fare. International departure tax from Lima should be included in your international air fare) Optional 2nd entrance to Machu Picchu, Day 9 including bus per person

US$

88

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INCLUDED • Private services, except where specified that the service will be shared • Local English speaking guides • All entrance fees to the sites mentioned above • Meals: As indicated in the itinerary • 1 Roundtrip train ticket to Machu Picchu via Vistadome coach per person • 1 Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu per person • 1 Bus ticket to and from the Machu Picchu ruins per person • 1 bus ticket from Lima to Paracas per person • 1 bus ticket from Paracas to Lima per person • 1 bus ticket from Cusco to Puno per person • Hotel accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary • All tips (except hotel staff & guides); additional tips are optional and voluntary. These are some guidelines: o Guide/transferman: US$ 4.00 per guest per day o Driver: US$ 2.00 per guest per day o Restaurant Tips: 10% of the total check • Permanent assistance during the trip EXCLUDED • International flights • Meals or any other item not described in the itinerary • Early check-in, late check-out, services and non-mentioned meals in the itinerary • Personal expenses • Drinks during meals, hotel extras and personal spending • Tips for hotel staff • Local VAT taxes (18% applicable only to Peruvian and foreign residents of Peru; in order to be exempted you will need to show your passport and the Andean Immigration card given at Customs at Lima Airport upon your arrival in Peru.) Foreigners should also have stayed not longer than 60 days in Peru, otherwise Peruvian taxation will apply at hotels. Important note: On the train journey to Machu Picchu, you will be limited to one piece of luggage weighing no more than 5kg (11lbs) and a total linear dimension (length + width + height) of 157cm (62 inches.) You may keep excess luggage at your hotel.