|
Day |
Activity/Location |
|
1 |
Arrive in Lima and transfer to our
hotel. If arriving during the day, you'll have a
guided tour of the city before being transferred to
the airport next morning for your flight to Puerto
Maldonado. Otherwise you'll have a tour in Lima
upon your return.
|
|
2-3
|
We're off to the Amazon basin this
morning! After a short flight, we arrive in the city
of Puerto Maldonado and transfer to a motorized
dugout canoe for the trip upriver to our jungle
lodge. Our cabins at the lodge have modern
bathrooms and comfortable beds with mosquito nets,
and the food here is great. Take an afternoon walk
through the rainforest with an experienced
naturalist guide, come back for dinner, then set off
again for a nocturnal jungle canoe ride to spot
caiman!
The next day's activities will
include a visit to an oxbow lake to look for giant
river otters, monkeys, macaws and other wildlife as
well as jungle walks led by an experienced, English
speaking guide. You'll witness an array of
medicinal and otherwise interesting flora and fauna,
as well as gain some insight into native Amazonian
peoples and traditions.
|
|
4
|
Morning flight over the Andes to
Cuzco. After checking into our hotel, we'll head to
the Plaza de Armas, the center of old Cuzco, then
climb up to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman above town for
great afternoon views over the city. Depending on
your arrival time, there may be time for shopping or
more sightseeing in the afternoon.
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|
5
|
This morning we take a short and
scenic ride in our private transport to Pisac and
Ollantaytambo, two important Inca ruins in the
Sacred Valley. After visiting the site of Pisac,
we'll head down to the colonial town below and visit
its famous crafts market. We then continue on to
Ollantaytambo. Besides the huge and fascinating
ruins above the town, Ollantaytambo is the only Inca
village still inhabited today. Walk its narrow
streets and peer through huge Inca doorways into
courtyards where life has changed little in over 500
years. Afternoon train to Aguas Calientes, below
Machu Picchu where we'll spend the night.
|
|
6
|
Sunrise at Machu Picchu! After a
guided tour, take your time and enjoy this
magnificent place. During peak visiting hours
(10-2), try a hike on one of the surrounding Inca
trails. We return to Cuzco in the afternoon.
|
|
7
|
This morning we head to Puno, on the
shores of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest
navigable lake at 12,500 feet above sea level. The
trip there is beautiful, as we pass by Andean
villages, herds of llama and alpaca, and high
snowcaps. And our journey today is also a guided
tour, stopping at the Inca site of Raqchi, the old
colonial church at Andahuaylillas and the Pukara
Culture Archaeological Museum. A buffet lunch is
also included. Late afternoon arrival in Puno.
|
|
8
|
Boats are the transport theme today
as we head out across the waters of Lake Titicaca.
Our first stop is the islands of Uros, completely
constructed out of totora reeds and floating on the
surface of the lake. We'll take a walk across the
spongy surface of these unique islands and go for a
ride in a reed boat before continuing on to the
island of Amantani, where we'll spend the night with
a local native family. A soccer game with the
locals, an amazing sunset, and a music and dance
fiesta in native garb are all on the agenda on
Amantani today.
Please note: our Lake Titicaca family
stay is a truly authentic experience which includes
being cooked for by and dining with the local family
and staying in a room at their house. There is
often just candlelight, no electricity, and the
bathroom is an outhouse. This is a great experience
which is the highlight of many people's trip, but
which can certainly be described as "basic" or
"roughing it".
If you do not wish to spend the night
on the islands, Taquile and the floating Islands can
be visited on a day trip.
|
|
9
|
This morning we head to the island of
Taquile. The native culture of Taquile is the most
intact in probably all of the Andes, with its
inhabitants maintaining the same customs and dress
as they have for over 1000 years. You will truly
feel as though you have gone back in time as you
walk the ancient stone paths of the island and
observe it's people. Afternoon boat ride back to
Puno.
|
|
10
|
All good things must come to an end,
and today we fly back to Lima and the end of our
journey. Day free in Lima to visit any of the sites
missed the first time around depending on
international departure time.
International flight may depart any
time after 12pm. |
TRIP DETAILS
10 days:
US$3195
Currency Converter
Depart any day
Is this trip for me?
Peru Panorama
is a ten-day tour which includes high-altitude walks
of up to 45 minutes and a basic family stay on Lake Titicaca.
It is possible to visit the Titicaca Islands on a day trip if
you would prefer. As always, a certain patience is required for
the inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.
Joining the Tour
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:
ˇ
Airport pickup at the beginning of trip and drop
off at end of the trip
ˇ
Southern Crossings bilingual guide
ˇ
All other internal transport
(excluding transport to optional restaurants,
bars, sights and excursions)
ˇ
Internal flights,
Lima-Puerto Maldonado, Puerto Maldonado-Cuzco, Lake Titicaca
Lima
ˇ
Six nights of hotel accommodation,
one night family stay on Lake Titicaca,
two nights rainforest lodge
ˇ
Breakfast
included with all hotel stays
ˇ
Machu Picchu excursion,
including bilingual guide, round trip train fare, transportation
to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and entrance to the Machu Picchu
sanctuary
ˇ
Lake Titicaca excursion, including three meals
with local family
ˇ
Three day/two night jungle lodge excursion,
including all meals
ˇ
Guided tour between Puno and Cuzco, including
buffet lunch
ˇ
Cuzco city tour
ˇ
Lima city tour
ˇ
Southern Crossings T-Shirt or Cap
What's not included
International flight to/from Lima, airport taxes (approx.
US$45), 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. Medical travel insurance is not
included through Southern Crossings though we do require that
you have a policy. Check
www.travelguard.com to purchase a policy for your trip.
Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation
for you before or after your trip:
In Lima: $110 double/$90 single
In Cuzco: $120 double/$100 single
Single Person Supplement $705
Please add this to your total payment if you will
be travelling alone or wish to have private accommodation
PRE-TRIP PLANNER
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
A
yellow fever vaccination and certificate is required to travel to
the Amazon. Travelers
may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on
all other standard vaccinations. The rainforest area of Peru
(approx. 3500 ft. and below, east of the Andes) is a malarial and
yellow fever zone. The yellow fever vaccination with the
official certificate is required, and travelers may wish to take malarial prophylaxis. Please consult your
physician or local health department for more information.
Things to bring
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:
ˇ Passport and, if necessary, visa
ˇ Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
ˇ Airline ticket
ˇ Photocopies of airline ticket and documents
ˇ Wearable pouch for documents and money
ˇ Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase
ˇ Smaller, comfortable day pack
ˇ Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in
ˇ Sandals or flip-flops
ˇ Rain poncho or jacket
ˇ Waterproof pants
ˇ Sun hat
ˇ Hat for cold weather
ˇ Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)
ˇ Scarf and gloves
ˇ T-shirts
ˇ Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best),
undergarments
ˇ Towel and swimsuit for hot springs
ˇ Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)
ˇ Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
ˇ Sunscreen
ˇ Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
ˇ Lip balm
ˇ Earplugs
ˇ Alarm clock or watch
ˇ Sanitizing hand wipes or gel
ˇ Camera and film/digital memory cards
ˇ Camera batteries
ˇ Playing cards, games, reading material
ˇ Prescription medications
ˇ 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
chilly in Cuzco.
Machu Picchu: similar to Cuzco, but warmer and with more chance
of rain.
Lake Titicaca:
similar to Cuzco but much colder at night and when there's no
sun.
Lima:
warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain. Often
overcast.
Amazon basin:
hot and humid year-round. We recommend light clothing (in weight
and in color) that fully cover arms and legs to avoid mosquito
bites.
Baggage
For your international flights, please check with
your airline. Within Peru, you are allowed 20 kilos (44 lbs)
of checked baggage, as well as one carry-on and another small,
purse-like item. The carry-on size regulations are the same as
international carry-on size regulations.
Money guide
The
unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Current
currency conversion
Currency Converter
Automatic cash points are available in Lima 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.
