2008
Peruvian Highlights - Classic Escorted Tour
Machu Picchu and the ancient Inca civilisation, Lake Titicaca and the mysterious jungles of Iquitos– just some of the magical sights which beckon the visitor to Peru.
Our opinion
An exhilarating journey, but the itinerary is quite strenuous and at times you will be more than two miles above sea level! A healthy constitution and an adaptable state of mind are recommended for this spectacular tour!
Itinerary
- Lima: 4 nights
- Iquitos: 1 night
- Lima: 1 night
- Cuzco: 3 nights
- Machu Picchu: 1 night
- Puno: 1 night
- Arequipa: 2 nights
- Ica: 2 nights
- Lima: 1 night
Day 1 Fri London/Lima
Meet your tour manager at Heathrow. Fly by Iberia via Madrid to Lima. On arrival transfer to the Libertador San Isidro Golf hotel.
Day 2 Sat Lima
Full day tour of Lima, ‘The City of The Kings’ including a visit to colonial Lima and then continue to modern Lima with a visit to the Archaeological Museum, B.
Day 3 Sun Lima/Iquitos
Depart for an early morning flight to Iquitos on the banks of the Amazon for a journey into the Amazon Jungle. Continue by motorboat for the fascinating 25 mile trip down the Amazon to Ceiba Tops Lodge for overnight, B,L,D.
Dat 4 Mon Iquitos/lima
Wake up to the sounds of the Amazon. Take a short walk to a nearby Indian village to meet the Yagua Indians and barter for local crafts. Later, take a boat trip up the river to Iquitos. Fly to Lima for an overnight stay, B.
Day 5 Tue Lima/Cuzco
Fly up to Cuzco, the magnificent city which was once the capital of the great Inca civilisation. An afternoon tour of this historic town, and nearby ruins has been arranged. Two nights at the Libertador Palacio del Inka hotel, B.
Dat 6 Wed Cuzco
A day to enjoy Cuzco on your own or take an optional excursion (at extra cost) to Pisac or Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, B.
Day 7 Thu Cuzco/Machu Picchu
The visit to the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is a truly unforgettable experience. Enjoy a fascinating three hour journey by narrow gauge railway and bus to take you up to Machu Picchu. Spend the night at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel, B,L,D.
Day 8 Fri Machu Picchu/Cuzco
Morning at leisure offering a further chance to explore the ruins (entrance fee payable locally) before returning to Cuzco by train through the ever changing mountain scenery of the Peruvian Andes. Stay another night at Libertador, B.
Day 9 Sat Cuzco/Puno
Today an incredible journey across the Andes by railway lasting about ten hours, passing one of the highest points of any railway system in the world. A long and tiring day, however the spectacular scenery makes this a highlight of a lifetime. Arrive late afternoon in Juliaca and take a short bus transfer to the Libertador hotel, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca where you will stay overnight, B,L,D.
Day 10 Sun Puno/Arequipa
Drive to Juliaca for the short flight to Arequipa, once an Inca town and re-founded by the Spanish in 1540. Stay two nights at the Libertador, B.
Day 11 Mon Arequipa
Mon Enjoy a city tour including a visit to the Santa Catalina Convent. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the many churches, museums and old colonial streets, B.
Day 12 Tue Arequipa/Ica
Fly to Lima and drive on to Ica, Peru’s main wine producing centre, and the Hotel Las Dunas for two nights, B,D.
Day 13 Wed Ica
Weather permitting, take an optional flight over the famous Nazca Lines by light aircraft (bookable locally approx. US$165). The Nazca Lines have been cut into the stony desert in geometric and animal-like patterns. Although accredited to the Nazcas, archaeologists still debate their origins. In the afternoon a tour will be included to see the Ica Museum and Huacachina Lagoon just outside the town. B,D.
Day 14 Thu Ica/Paracas/Lima
Leave for Paracas for a fascinating boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, known for a wonderful variety of seabirds and sealions. Lunch in Paracas. Return to the Libertador hotel Lima, B,L.
Day 15 Fri Lima/Amsterdam/London
Iberia flight via Madrid, arriving at Heathrow on Saturday, B.
Ecuador & Galapagos Extension
Day 1 Fri to Day 14 Thu Peruvian Highlights/Lima
Follow the Peruvian Highlights itinerary.
Day 15 Fri Lima/Quito
Fly TACA Aviation to Quito, capital of Ecuador and transfer to the Hilton Colon for three nights. B.
Day 16 Sat Quito
After breakfast an orientation tour to experience Quito’s colonial past. B.
Day 17 Sun Quito
Excursion by road and rail along the Avenue of Volcanoes into Cotopaxi National Park at the foot of the world’s highest active volcano.B,L
Day 18 Mon to Day 21 Thurs Quito/MV Santa Cruz
Transfer to the airport and fly to Baltra Island where you will join the MV Santa Cruz ship for a four night cruise. Built especially for Galapagos cruising and can carry 90 passengers, with a crew of 52, including six multilingual naturalist guides. Airconditioned throughout, the ship has a sundeck with bar and jacuzzi, and a choice of cabins located on the Main deck (MD) or on the Upper deck (UD). There is also an observation platform for dolphin and whale watching. The Galapagos consist of six main islands and your cruise will include visits to Bartolome, North Seymour, Tower and James Islands. You can expect to see a great variety of birdlife as well as sea lions, land iguanas and fur seals. A resident naturalist guide will accompany you on a variety of shore excursions in groups of a maximum 15 people. B,L,D.
Day 22 Fri to Day 23 Sat MV Santa Cruz/Guayaquil
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight to the bustling port of Guayaquil for two nights at the Hampton Inn. B.
Day 24 Sun Guayaquil/Madrid/London
Iberia departure from Guayaquil, via Madrid to Heathrow arriving the following day. B.
