Flight of the Condor

“Colca – Titicaca – Machu Picchu”

15 Days

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival into Lima Arriving into Lima, your Peruvian Secrets Tour Controller will meet you at the airport, and transfer you in private to the Faraona Grand Hotel; your guide will give you an informative arrival briefing and present you with all your vouchers and internal flight tickets. You will be able to ask any questions you may have at this point before your guide will offer to escort you on a short walk around the immediate area to familiarise yourself to the places of interest to you

Day 2: Free day Lima Today you free to explore Lima at your leisure. This exciting city has much to offer with many varied cultural and historical sites. Your Peruvian secrets tour controller will be on hand to advise any activities available and to arrange any private tours you may wish to take. (Local payment) The night will once again be spent in the Faraona Grand Hotel. (B) Day 3: From Lima to Arequipa Today you will have some time to relax ahead of your short flight to Arequipa. Arequipa is known as the white city due to the volcanic rock used in the construction of its buildings. On arrival you will be met at the airport and you will be transferred to the comfortable La Casa de mi Abuela. You will be given a short briefing on your time in Arequipa and have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have at this point. The afternoon you are free to explore the many places of interest just ask your guide for a map and enjoy all this city has to offer, all within easy walking distance from your hotel. Tip: if you’re feeling adventurous, do try the Maté de Coca or coca-leaf tea as it is said to help you acclimatise to the altitude. (B)

PERU

Day 4: Free day to explore and acclimatise Now is a good time to rest and take a breath for a further day in the beautiful "white City", a little time to acclimatise to altitude is useful, before you head off to the high Altiplano. Highlights that you can visit in Arequipa, either independently or during an arranged tour (local payment), included the beautiful Monasterio De Santa Catalina and the nearby museum, which is home to the mummy of Juanita - the Ice Maiden. She was found on the summit of Ampato, a volcano in the region, and is thought to be an Inca sacrifice, chosen at birth and raised with the sole purpose of her sacrifice to the gods in mind (this would have been a great honour), before being marched all the way from Cusco to her final resting place near Arequipa. (B) Day 5: Free day Arequipa Today you will once again be free to enjoy the wonderful city of Arequipa. Your guide will be on hand to offer any advice or to arrange any additional tours you may wish to take. (Local payment) your night will once again be spent in the comfortable La Casa de mi Abuela hotel. (B) Day 6: Tour to Colca Canyon 2D-1N / Arequipa to Chivay After breakfast you will be collected for the start of your tour of the beautiful Colca Canyon. Departure is at 8:00 from Arequipa, crossing 160 Km to the town of Chivay, capital of the Province of Caylloma. Leaving behind Arequipa you will enjoy the majestic views of Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes before entering the National Reserve of "Pampa Cañahuas". Here you will make a stop to observe the wild Vicuñas (the most important American camel) in its natural habitat and also see Alpaca’s which are abundant in this area. At this point we will be around 3,400 meters above sea level. Continuing to "Pata Wasi" (Pata=high Wasi=home) an Andean community in the opposite border of the reserve, here it is interesting to see the natural formation of the rocks and a view of the other side of the Misti and Chachani volcanoes. To prevent altitude sickness we will enjoy an original Andean "Mate de Coca" drink in Sumbay, 3,800 meters above sea level. Continuing on the road we will pass through "Tocra" over the 4,500 meter high mountains, where we will observe the lakes with migrant birds and we’ll get pictures of the "Antiplano" (highland) with its llamas and Guanacos. Our highest point will be "Pata Pampa" (Pata=High, Pampa=Land) located at 4,820 meters, where we’ll observe the volcanoes Ampato, Sabancaya, the Hualca-Hualca, the Mismi (the source of the Amazon River) and the "Cordillera de Chila". Arriving to the town of Chivay (3,651meters) we continue the short distance to the Mamayacchi Inn (located near the Town of Coporaque or borders villages). After finding your rooms you will then be free to relax and enjoy all this fine hotel has to offer. (B) Day 7: Chivay – Cruz Del Cóndor – Puno Breakfast very early in the morning (around 6:00 a.m.), so we can leave to the famous "Cruz Del Condor" point, as early as possible. Before we approach the "Cruz Del Condor" we will make a stop at the look-out point of "Choquetico", with its "Tumbas colgantes" (hanging tombs), and taking a look to the litomaqueta (The terrace model drawn in a rock). Also we will visit the town of Maca, an Andean community that experienced an earthquake in November of 1991. Arriving to the "Cruz Del Condor" view point you will wait to see the spectacular sight of the Condors as they climb out of the Canyon on the morning thermals. After taking pictures of the majestic flight of the Condors, we will return to our transportation and will start the drive out of the Colca Canyon as we cross the Alta Plano to the town of Puno, set on the banks of the Great Lake Titicaca. On your late afternoon arrival to Puno you will check into the comfortable Casona Plaza Centro hotel. You will be met by your local guide for the duration of time in this area. They will give you a short briefing on your tour and be happy to answer any questions you may have. (B)

Day 8: Full day tour of Lake Titicaca, Uros & Taquile Islands After breakfast, you will be met once again by your guide who will transfer you to the harbour in Puno where you will board a shared-service group vessel and head out on to the Great Lake Titicaca. The first port of call will be the incredible floating islands of the Uros; here you will see the way these people live on these most unusual islands. From here you continue onto the Island of Taquile where your guide will escort you around explaining all about the way of life for these people. Their lifestyle has remained the same for hundreds of years with very little influence from modern times, thus preserving many traditions, laws and customs. Skilled crafts are still very important to the inhabitants of Taquile, and the island is famous for its handmade textiles which are regarded amongst the highest-quality handicrafts available. For this reason you will find that they are higher in price in comparison with other mass-produced handicrafts readily found in other parts of Peru. After exploring you will then have the opportunity to have lunch before rejoining your boat for the return journey back to Puno. Your evening is free again at your leisure. (B, L) Day 9: Orient Express train Puno – Cusco Today you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the train station for your journey to Cusco on the Orient Express Andean Explorer. The train makes the gentle climb as it then reached the gentler rolling Andean Plains (Altiplano) where Vicuña and Alpaca can be seen grazing, higher and higher to cooler altitudes the journey is broken by a stop at La Raya, which is the highest point of the route. The glass-walled observation car provides the perfect opportunity to view the beautiful scenery as you relax with a drink from the bar. During the trip a three-course lunch and afternoon tea will be served along with entertainment during your journey. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be met by your local guide and be transferred in private to the comfortable Midori Hotel. Your guide will give you a short briefing on your tour programme in this area and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You may want to take this opportunity to unwind or venture out to enjoy a restaurant on your first night in the Inca City. (B, L)

Day 10: Free day Cuzco Today you are free to further explore the ancient city of Cuzco. Declared a UNESCO world heritage in 1983 the city boasts an ancient network of catacombs to explore, a great many varied historical and cultural sites of interest and many of the buildings that stand there today are built on foundations laid by the Incas. You also have the choice of taking one of the many optional tours that operate in the area surrounding Cuzco which is also rich in culture and heritage, your guide can assist you in any arrangements that you wish to make. (B)

Day 11: Cuzco – Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo Today you start your relaxed tour of the Sacred Valley, taken wholly in private, in the comfort of your guide's own car. On the way you will visit Sacsayhuaman, one of the best existing examples of the Inca stonework, with spectacular views of Cusco below and far-away snowy peaks. From here we will travel to a variety of sites on the way into the valley, including Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, before arriving at the small, picturesque village of Pisac. This is the gateway to the Sacred Valley and home of the famous daily Pisac Craft Market; here you have an opportunity to view the many artisans wares on display including; textiles, jewellery and ceramics. Because your tour is in private, there is the opportunity to stop to take photographs along the way and to enjoy a leisurely lunch in a local eatery (lunch not included), as recommended by your guide. Continuing your tour you travel to Ollantaytambo where you will have the fascinating visit to this spectacular site with its incredible views. After your visit, it is a short walk to the Samanapaq hotel where you will check in and have the rest of the day free to enjoy the stunning surroundings and welcoming atmosphere of this accommodation. (B) Day 12: Train to Aguas Calientes Today you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel before you need to walk the short distance (5mins) or take a moto taxi to the train station to meet your late morning train to Aguas Calientes. When you arrive at the station you will board the comfortable executive class of Inca Rail, once aboard you can relax and enjoy the superb views as you cross the Andean countryside and climb into the upper reaches of the mountains. Arriving into Aguas Calientes by the mid afternoon you will be met by a hotel representative who will escort you to the newly built Casa Andina Classic Hotel for check in. Once you have settled in you will have the rest of the day free to enjoy this interesting town. The town is famous for the hot springs from which it is named, Aguas – Water, Calientes – Hot, the baths are open to the public just remember a swimming costume! (B,D) Day 13: Machu Picchu + return to Cuzco

This is an ideal opportunity to take the first transport up to the ruined city of Machu Picchu giving you the chance to witness the spectacular sight of the city appearing like magic through the early morning cloud. In order to maximise your enjoyment from your visit, Peruvian Secrets provides the services of a professional local guide who will reveal some of the mysteries that surround this fascinating place. After your tour you will have plenty of time to explore the ruins on your own. When you are finished, you can take the bus to Aguas Calientes where you collect your luggage from your hotel and transfer to the train station to take the return train journey to Poroy. Arriving at the station in Poroy you will be collected by your guide for your private transfer back to the comfortable Midori Hotel for check in. (B, D)

Day 14: Return to Lima You will have the morning to relax and prepare for your flight back to Lima, upon arrival you will be met by your guide who will transfer you back to the Faraona Grand Hotel where you can reflect on the amazing experience of the flight of the condor tour. (B) Day 15: International return flight Today at the appropriate time your guide will pick you up and transfer you in private to the airport. Your guide will see you through to departure and will ensure that you make your flight. (B)

*End of our Services*

Price of the Tour:

The price of your tour as described in the itinerary, based on two people in a double room is £1,500.00 per person not including international flights

What’s included?

· All transport as stated in the itinerary – train, boat and bus journeys · 2 internal flights · All airport transfers in Peru · All accommodation on a selected basis · Breakfast daily in Peru · Colca Canyon 2D/1N tour (not inc $27 entrance fee) · Inclusive Lake Titicaca tour · Orient express service train journey · Tour of the Sacred Valley · Tour of Machu Picchu · The services of your Peruvian Secrets Tour Controller · Expert, bilingual, native guides (unless stated local payment to guide). · Tours and excursions included as stated (unless optional with a local payment) · Museum and national park entrance fees also included · ‘Safe Seat’ Travel Fidelity Policy issued in association with the Travel Trust Association (this is for your financial

protection only and is not a certificate of personal travel insurance). http://www.traveltrust.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=626

Not included:

· International flights to Lima and back to the UK · Personal Travel Insurance · Colca entrance fee $27.00 per person · Lunches and evening meals (unless otherwise stated) · Personal expenses, beverages, tips and laundry service

NOTE: As a company we strive to adhere to your itinerary as closely as possible, however there may occasionally be unforeseen circumstances out of our control (e.g. local strikes, adverse weather conditions) in which changes may be necessary. Under these circumstances we reserve the right to make any changes that we deem necessary, in order to ensure that your tour runs as smoothly as possible.

Peruvian Secrets Ltd – Penycwm – Bwlch, Tyn y Gongl – Benllech – Anglesey LL74 8RG

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