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8 days:
US$2335 / UKŁ1165
This eight-day adventure in Peru takes us to Lima and Cuzco, to
the Sacred City of Machu Picchu and to the plains of
Nazca,
where we'll fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines.
And as on every Southern Crossings tour, you're taken care of from
beginning to end: airport transfers are included!
Departs any day for two or more
Want
more or less time in Peru? We specialize in custom vacation packages, or check out our
5 day,
8 day,
or
22 day
trips
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Day |
Location |
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1 |
Arrive
Lima |
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2 |
Cuzco |
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3-4 |
Machu
Picchu |
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5 |
Lima |
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6-7 |
Nazca |
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8 |
Departure Day |
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NAZCA EXPRESS TOUR
ITINERARY
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Day |
Activity/Location |
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1 |
Arrive in Lima and transfer to our hotel. If
arriving during the day, your hotel will be in the neighborhood of
Miraflores, with good shopping and restaurants, and you'll have an
included city tour in the afternoon. If arriving late at
night, you'll be close to the airport for a bit more sleep before
your next day's flight, and you'll have a tour of Lima upon your
return.
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2 |
A short flight this morning brings us to Cuzco, capital
of the old Inca Empire. After an included city tour, we'll
have time to explore Cuzco's markets or visit
the ruins above town and the imposing Inca fortress of Sacsaywaman.
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3 & 4 |
This morning we're off on
a beautiful morning train journey
down the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. Unlike most other
companies' trips, we actually spend a night at the village below Machu
Picchu. So after a guided tour, take
your time and enjoy this magnificent place. While most of the
tourists are heading down to catch the afternoon train, we can stick
around and have the place almost to ourselves, and also come back the
next day for more exploration. This allows us plenty of time at
the ruins, as well as time for some beautiful day hikes in the
surrounding mountains. We return to Cuzco by train on the
afternoon of Day 4.
If you wish to return to Cuzco on Day 3 for a free day there instead,
you are welcome to. Just let us know in our booking form.
Also, those wishing to add days in Cuzco after visiting Machu Picchu may
do so at a rate of US$75 per day. There is plenty to see,
including Inca ruins, colonial churches, museums, and colorful local
markets. There is also plenty to do, such as horseback riding,
whitewater rafting, and mountain biking. Our Cuzco coordinator
will assist you in planning your time there. Again, let us know when you fill out the booking
form.
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5 |
After a morning flight to Lima,
you'll have a guided city tour at 2pm to enjoy the capital city's many sights,
including the Presidential Palace, the catacombs beneath the San
Francisco church and the National Archaeological Museum.
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6 |
An early
morning bus ride down Peru's south coast brings us first to Ica,
center of Peruvian winemaking. We'll visit a local vinyard
and distillery, check out mummies at the Ica Museum, and try out
sandboarding at Huacachina Oasis.
We'll continue on to Nazca in the early evening. |
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7 |
Buckle up and get
ready to be amazed as the splendor and magnificent art of the Nazca
lines unfold beneath you. Hundreds of animals,
trapezoids and ruler-straight lines lie across the rocky Nazca
plateau, clearly seen only from the air. Some say it is an
ancient calendar. Others suggest a beacon and runways for
alien spacecraft. Still others believe it was just an ancient
culture's way of saying hello to their gods. Perhaps, while
soaring over them, you'll develop a theory of your own. After
your flight, you'll be transferred to the bus station in Nazca for
the return journey to Lima and back to the hotel. |
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8 |
Departure
Day: Hotel check out is 13.00pm. You will be collected
from the hotel and transferred to Lima airport for your
international departure 3.5 hours before your flight. |
TRIP
DETAILS
8 days:
US$2335 / UKŁ1165
Departs any day for two or more
Is this trip for me?
Nazca Express
is an eight-day adventure tour which includes a small-plane flight and
some public transport. As always, a certain patience is required for the
inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.
Joining the tour
You will be given the name, address and phone number of our joining hotel
before departing, but that won't be necessary.
On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by
one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who
will accompany you to our joining hotel. No bargaining or being
ripped off by airport taxis!
What's included in the trip
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Airport pickup and transfer to
hotel
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Southern Crossings bilingual
guide in each location
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All other
internal transport (excluding transport to optional
restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)
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Internal
flights, Lima-Cuzco, Cuzco-Lima
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Seven
nights of hotel accommodation
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Machu Picchu
costs, including bilingual guide, return train fare,
transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and two-day entrance to
the Machu Picchu sanctuary
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Nazca Lines tour, including all
transport, overflight of the Nazca Lines, and City tour of Ica
with bilingual guide
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Cuzco Visitor's Ticket, which gives
entrance to the major ruins, churches and museums in and around Cuzco
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Cuzco City Tour with private guide
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Southern Crossings T-Shirt or Cap
What's not included
International flight to/from Lima,
international airport departure taxes (US$25 from the Lima airport),
domestic airport taxes (US$13 domestic airports in Peru),
pre-
& post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance,
meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while
on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature.
Extra Accommodation
We
will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you
before or after your trip:
In Lima: $110 double/$90 single
In Cuzco: $95 double/$70 single
Single Person Supplement: $480
Please add this to your total
payment if you will be travelling alone or wish to have private
accomodation
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Required documents
All travelers
to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months
from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S.,
Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other
nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or
consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at
entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks,
currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the
internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.
Required immunizations
No
immunizations are required of travelers to Peru. Travelers may
wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all
other standard vaccinations. Andes Express does not travel
to malarial or yellow fever zones.
Things to bring
On our Nazca
Lines tour, One
should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging
from 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the
possibility of rain. A list of things to bring would include:
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Passport and, if necessary, visa
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Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
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Airline ticket
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Photocopies of airline ticket and documents
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Wearable pouch for documents and money
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Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase
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Smaller, comfortable day pack
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Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in
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Sandals or flip-flops
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Rain poncho or jacket
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Waterproof pants
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Sun hat
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Hat for cold weather
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Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)
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Scarf and gloves
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T-shirts
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Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments
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Towel and swimsuit for hot springs
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Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)
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Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
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Sunscreen
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Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
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Lip balm
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Earplugs
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Alarm clock or watch
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Sanitizing hand wipes or gel
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Camera and film/digital memory cards
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Camera batteries
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Playing cards, games, reading material
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Prescription medications
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Toiletries
Note that
common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as
toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene
items are available in Peru.
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear
and care, extra large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera
batteries. Also note that most digital camera memory cards can be
downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in any large city.
Climate
Rain is
possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud
forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will
visit is as follows:
Cuzco:
days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are cold in
Cuzco.
Lima:
warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain. Often overcast.
Nazca:
dry and
warm desert climate which can be cold at night.
Machu Picchu:
warmer and wetter than Cuzco. Pleasant evenings.
Money guide
The unit of
currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Current currency conversion
1 U.S. dollar =
2.8 nuevos soles
1 GB pound =
6.16 nuevos soles
Automatic cash
points are available in Lima, Nazca and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and
Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler's checks
(American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances
are also options. Do not bring MoneyGrams or International Money
Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange
houses are available in Lima and Cuzco. For currency, U.S. dollars are
recommended and most easily exchanged. Please
note that cash must be untorn. It can be older-looking, but even the
slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills
come out of the ATMs in country.
Expect to spend
about US$3-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru.
Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters,
for example, run between $5 and $30.
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