Peru with Amazon
| Resort: | Peru with Amazon |
| Operator: | Riviera Travel |
| Destination: | Peru |
| Price From: | £3949.00 |
Overview
Itinerary DetailsDAY 1DEPARTUREDEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport for your overnight flight to Lima, via San Paolo. Day 2ARRIVAL IN LIMAARRIVAL IN LIMAOn arrival transfer to the four-starMiraflores, where you stay overnight night with breakfast and dinner. Plaza de Armas,Lima Plaza de Armas,Lima DAY 3ARRIVAL IN AREQUIPAARRIVAL IN AREQUIPATransfer on to a domestic flight to the colonial city of Arequipa where you stay two nights at the four-star Casa Andina Select Arequipa, with breakfast. Arequipa Arequipa DAY 4AREQUIPAAREQUIPASituated at an altitude of 7,660ft, Arequipa is Perus second-largest city and a good place to start acclimatising to the higher altitude. Its skyline is dominated by a trio of spectacular volcanoes in fact many buildings are constructed from volcanic sillar rock, the hue of which gives Arequipa its White City moniker. After breakfast we set out on a tour that begins at the Carmen Alto viewpoint, which offers spectacular views of the city. We head through the Yanahuara quarter with its small, cobblestone streets and beautiful mestizo baroque church dating from 1750. We then head downtown to Arequipas UNESCO-listed historic centre and arguably Perus prettiest square, the Plaza des Armas, which features the 17th century baroque Jesuit church of La Compia. We then head across the plaza to the cathedral, a grand piece of colonial architecture. With 12 giant marble columns, a high-vaulted ceiling, the cathedral is impressive on its own, but is given further dramatic emphasis when viewed against the backdrop of the three mighty snow-capped volcanoes. We move on to the Monastery of Santa Catalina, founded by the Spanish in 1580 for the nuns of the Order of Saint Catherine of Siena. Peru has many magnificent religious structures, but none can match the grandeur and sheer scale of this working convent, which includes streets, chapels, cloisters, squares and an art gallery. The afternoon is at leisure, giving you the opportunity to browse the local craft market or further explore the pretty streets of dazzling colonial buildings. Many have been transformed into shops, hotels and restaurants, where you can sample some of the excellent cuisine for which the city is famed. Try locally caught trout cooked on a hot stone, the sweetest corn on the cob youll ever taste or even an alpaca steak all washed down with a pisco sour, of course. Arequipa Cathedral at dusk Arequipa Cathedral at dusk DAY 5COLCACOLCAAfter breakfast we head north to Colca, site of one of the worlds deepest canyons. As we pass through the Pampa Caahuas Reserve we see desert landscapes, exotic rock formations and grasslands populated by vicuas, llamas and Andean deer. We climb even further to over 12,000ft and the Pampa de Toccra, a plain featuring a lake where pink flamingos reside in season. The trip features several jaw-dropping viewpoints, including the Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa at over 16,000ft above sea level the air here is thin but the view of the volcanoes around Arequipa is simply jaw dropping. In the afternoon we reach Chivay (alt.11,900ft), the small town near Colca Canyon where we stay for one night at the three-star superior Casa Andina Standard Colca, with breakfast. Colca Valley Colca Valley DAY 6COLCA CANYONCOLCA CANYONToday will undoubtedly be another of this tours many highlights as we head to Condor Cross for some magnificent views of the Colca Canyon. Prepare to be amazed, the canyon is more than twice the depth of the Grand Canyon and is one of Perus most popular sights. This is also where you can get some amazing close-up views of one of the worlds most spectacular birds in flight the Andean Condor. The Colca Canyon region is one of the last remaining habitats of this endangered giant vulture, which has a wingspan of up to 10ft. At around midday we continue eastwards to Puno on Lake Titicaca, where we stay two nights on bed and breakfast basis at the four-star superior Libertador Hotel, overlooking the lake. A packed lunch is included today. Colca Canyon Colca Canyon DAY 7LAKE TITICACALAKE TITICACAThe panorama of Lake Titicaca has to be seen to be believed. Reflecting the blue sky above, is a fabulous deep blue expanse of water stretching as far as the eye can see. After breakfast we board our private motor launch and visit the famous floating Uros Islands where the local Indians, living much as they always have, construct these islands using many layers of totora reeds. We then visit the island of Taquile, further into the lake and famed for the highest quality knitware in Peru. Its very much a typical village, with no roads or electricity, where the Indians proudly still adhere to their traditional culture and dress. Lunch is included in Taquile. Lake Titicaca Lake Titicaca DAY 8CUSCOCUSCOThis morning we say goodbye to Lake Titicaca and head northwards to Cusco. We firstly drive through the altiplano, the high-altitude Andean plateau observing small herds of llama, alpaca and the low mud-brick, thatch-roofed houses of the local farmers. As the scenery slips by we start climbing gradually towards La Raya, at 14,170ft, the highest point on this stunning journey. After our included lunch, we also visit the fascinating church of the Andahuayillas, known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas due to the high quality of its artwork, arriving in Cusco in the late afternoon. Our coach is adapted for this high-altitude journey by having oxygen-enriched air piped into seating area. Our Cusco hotel for two nights is the four-star Ramada Costa del Sol, with breakfast. Cusco Cusco DAY 9CUSCOCUSCOAfter breakfast we have a tour of Cusco, one of the most beautiful cities in South America, a heady mixture of traditional colonial architecture interspersed with fascinating Inca remains. The main square, nestling within a maze of narrow streets and quaint piazzas, has been the centre of the city since Inca times and used to be surrounded by three palaces. Today it is the site of three churches, including the 16th century cathedral, so huge it took 100 years to complete. It has an exquisitely carved wooden choirstall and over 400 paintings, including one thought to be a Van Dyck, plus the Last Supper featuring guinea pig as the main course! We then visit the Qorichancha, the Incas principle temple to the sun. This was the navel of the Inca world, originally covered in sheets of pure gold and contained the Incas most sacred object, the golden disc of the sun. Although the Spanish built the Santo Domingo convent over the Inca temple, many of the internal walls remain and have now been excavated. Our final Inca site is the extraordinary Sachsayhuaman with three vast megalithic walls, a staggering thousand feet long and with the largest blocks of stone ever found in Inca structures, all moved with no wheels. This was also the site of the final epic four-day last stand of the Inca rebellion. Had the conquistadors lost, the history of South America could have been quite different. Cusco Cusco DAY 10PISAC & SACRED VALLEYPISAC & SACRED VALLEYThe Sacred Valley was the empires breadbasket, spiritual centre and home to some of its most iconic symbols. Its wide fertile plain, with ancient terraces hugging the valley sides and the imposing peaks of the Andes beyond is truly an awesome sight. Firstly we visit Pisac, famous for its dominating fortress and colourful Indian market. It is a fantastic sight, full of traditionally dressed locals bartering for all kinds of produce, chickens and goats. Every kind of local handicraft is available too from vibrant hand-made rugs and ponchos in bright reds and yellows, to local ceramics and a huge variety of high quality llama and alpaca knit-ware. After an included lunch we visit the massive fortress and temple of Ollantaytambo. Built along a dominant rocky bluff, and was the site of a rare Conquistador defeat. You can examine the astonishingly intricate Inca stonework its beauty and precision unique in the world and all hand-crafted using stone tools Interestingly, Ollantaytambo was unfinished and still has the earthwork ramp used to transport the huge stone blocks used in its construction. We spend two nights at the four-star Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel with breakfast. Pisac market Pisac market DAY 11MACHU PICCHUMACHU PICCHUToday will certainly be the highlight of your tour! After driving to Ollaytambo station we board the specially constructed Explorer train taking us on one of the worlds most spectacular rail journeys through the increasingly narrow Urubamba river gorge to the legendary Machu Picchu. As we descend, the scenery changes from semi-arid brush and cactus to dense, lush rainforest. Below us, the river rushes headlong into numerous rapids whilst above, the precipitous sides of the gorge rise to dizzying heights. Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of the Lost City of the Incas. It suddenly and magically appears before you, its wonder and mystique astounds – the only Inca settlement never discovered or destroyed by the Spanish. Set on a ridge overlooking the gorge of the Urubamba River, it was rediscovered in 1910 by Hiram Bingham, an American explorer, but with the site being completely overgrown, he had no idea of the immense significance of his find. No one knows why it was built in such an inaccessible spot or why it was mysteriously abandoned. As you walk through its gates, temples and houses, our guide will explain the significance of the location in relation to the equinoxes and how central mountain-worship was to the Incas. Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Day 12AMAZONAMAZONThis morning you begin your journey into the vast rainforest of the Amazon with a short flight from Cuzco to Puerto Madonaldo. We make our way to the Madre de Dios River where our adventure starts with a 25 minute ride by motorized canoe to the excellent Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion Lodge for two nights on full board basis. After lunch, we take a guided walk through the local nature trails, where youll discover the differences between primary and secondary rainforest, its complex ecosystem and the many fascinating uses of its plant life. At dusk, well navigate the river by motorized canoe, to spot nocturnal animals behaviour and the southern constellations above us. In the evening enjoy your included dinner the lodge is known for its use of local and organic ingredients. Madre de Dios river Madre de Dios river Day 13AMAZONAMAZONAfter your buffet breakfast, we visit the famed Tambopata National Reserve near Lake Sandoval. Today you will understand why the Madre de Dios is called the biodiversity capital of Peru! We will use the motorized canoes to cross mirror-like oxbow lakes which are home to the endangered giant river otter, black caiman, and one of the worlds biggest fresh water scaled fish, the paiche, as well as blue and yellow macaw and red howler monkeys. After a buffet lunch back at the lodge, well enjoy a unique view of the rainforest from a canopy walkway. Ascend one of the two 98-foot towers and cross the 7 hanging bridges that connect the treetops. Youll enjoy some really breathtaking views and get the chance to watch white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys and the three-toed sloth. As dusk falls we have a further opportunity to experience the forests nocturnal animals and sounds. Macaws in the Amazon Macaws in the Amazon Day 14FLY TO LIMAFLY TO LIMAAfter breakfast, you take the canoe back to Puerto Maldonado from where you catch the flight to Lima where you stay the night at the four-star Casa Andina Select Miraflores with breakfast. Pier and beach in Lima Pier and beach in Lima DAY 15LIMA & RETURN FLIGHTLIMA & RETURN FLIGHTYou have the chance to enjoy a late breakfast before your transfer to the airport for your return flight home via Sao Paulo. Basilica Cathedral, Lima Basilica Cathedral, Lima DAY 16ARRIVE HOMEARRIVE HOMEArrive back in the UK. |
