Peru

Below are a few programs that we can offer that have interesting extra programs that aren't found in the typical itineraries that only offer basic options. These added value programs give you a chance to get a deeper experience in each area. We can add these modules together to help make a whole multi-destination itinerary or we can just add single modules to an existing itinerary.

PROGRAM IN NAZCA

DAY 1 - At proper time you will be transferred to the bus station in Lima for the 07.00am departure by bus to Nazca. At around 1.30pm the bus will arrive in Nazca. You will be met here and transferred to the Hotel Casa Andina Nazca. Later that afternoon you will be taken by 4WD dune buggy to visit the Antonini Museum, which displays ancient remains from the Nazca Culture found at the archaeological site of Cahuachi. Then voyage through the desert up to the Ocongolla aqueducts and through agricultural communities, crossing the Nazca river valley to visit Cahuachi Temple and Estaquería. The Nazca culture had as its main capital the Ceremonial City of Cahuachi, an ancient pilgrimage center that is located some 28 kms southwest of the modern city of Nazca. According to archaeologists, the Nazca culture thrived between 500 BC and around 600 AD, and they are credited with making the famous Nazca Lines, as the evidence abounds. Most of the animal figures and other designs that were etched onto the desert surface are repeatedly seen also on the pottery and textile iconography left behind under their necropolis and found around the desert and at the archaeological site of Cahuachi. Overnight at Casa Andina Nazca

DAY 2 - Breakfast , then early departure to take you across the desert in a 4 x 4 up to the San Fernando Bay (point where the desert and hills joins the marine ecosystem) which permanently hosts a high marine species biodiversity: Andean condor colonies that fly along cliffs and beaches, sea lions, penguins, dozens of seabirds, otters. This bay is the only environment on the Peruvian coast where troops of guanacos live. Travelers may see the maintenance job and sustainable use that we develop in the area with other associations. Included: transportation, driver-guide, water, box lunch and biologist. Overnight at Casa Andina Nazca

DAY 3 - breakfast, then at 08:00am Depart by small plane up to Nazca to fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines, markings made in the sands over 2000 years ago that time and weather have not yet eroded. Here you will see gigantic geometrical lines (over 32 figures) resembling a landing field, a monkey, a spider, a condor, a reptile, a fish, a bird, etc. The largest figures are the reptile (180 mts/590 ft), the pelican and the condor (135mts/443 ft). Then you will be ransferred to the bus station to take the 11.30am Regular bus back to Lima. You will arrive around 6pm and be met to transfer you to your hotel or to the airport.

Rate per person in US$ on SGL basis (Min 1) US$ 828, on DBL basis (Min 2) US$ 534, on TRPL basis (Min 3) US$ 456 Single Supplement US$ 72.
Additional cost per person for specialist guide in Cahuachi: 1 person = US$ 44, 2 = US$ 23, 3 = US$ 16

Included: Regular bus Lima/Nazca/Lima, Accommodation with breakfast, Entrance fees, Local English-speaking guide, Overflight Nazca lines, Meals specified above

Not Included: Local airport taxes, Extras, tips, beverages, laundry service.

PROGRAM IN AREQUIPA (ON GROUP TOUR BASIS)

DAY 1 - Arrival in Arequipa, where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Casa Andina Arequipa. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the city, beginning with the extraordinary architecture of the Convent of Santa Catalina, opened in 1970 to the public after more than 400 years of religious cloistered life. Then tour the Plaza de Armas or Main Square, the Cathedral, Church of La Compañia with all its colonial jewels and its chapel Sixitina, then crossing the city along the Chili River, going to the Carmen Alto viewpoint, where you will enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape and the origin of the Arequipa´s valley and the colonial district of Yanahuara

DAY 2 - Breakfast at hotel, then depart for Pampa Cañahuas, passing through Yura on the way and visit the village of Tocra and Patampampa (observation point at 4,800 m.s.n.m.) Continue on to Chivay village and its thermal baths, La Calera. In the evening you will be guided by our astronomer through the planetarium-observatory - travelers will take a look at the most important constellations and stars observed in the southern hemisphere and the cosmology developed by Andean communities. During the first part to the planetarium visit, computer projections are carried out and then go to the dome in order to discover some of the well-known stars. Overnight at Hotel Casa Andina Colca 3*

DAY 3 - Breakfast at hotel, then visit the colonial Church of Yanque; The excursion reaches an observation point, (197 Kms. From Arequipa) on a wide bend, where a wooden cross called CRUZ DEL CONDOR where the view is breathtaking: one can see the silvery thread of the Colca River flowing below in the roar of the canyon, while majestic condors soar overhead using the warm air currents from the canyon depths to rise towards the high peaks. Here the chasm is 1,200 mts. deep, but the highest part of the canyon wall on the other side is more than 3,000 meters above the river level, and permanently snow-capped. Continue to the observation point of Antahuilque and Choquetico; on the way visit the village and church of Maca. Lunch included on route. Return to Arequipa and transfer to the airport. Assistance on departure.

Rate per person on SGL basis (Min 1) US$ 372, on DBL basis (Min 2) US$ 252, on TRPL basis (Min 3) US$ 234
Single Supplement US$ 72

Included: Accommodation with breakfast, Entrance fees, Local English-speaking guide, Meals specified above

Not Included: Domestic airfare tickets, Airport taxes, Entrance to the thermal baths of La Calera, Extras, tips, beverages, laundry service.

PROGRAM IN AREQUIPA (ON PRIVATE BASIS)

DAY 1 - Arrival in Arequipa, where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Casa Andina Arequipa. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the city, beginning with the extraordinary architecture of the Convent of Santa Catalina, opened in 1970 to the public after more than 400 years of religious cloistered life. Then tour the Plaza de Armas or Main Square, the Cathedral, Church of La Compañia with all its colonial jewels and its chapel Sixitina, them crossing the city along the Chili River, going to the Carmen Alto viewpoint, where you will enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape and the origin of the Arequipa´s valley and the colonial district of Yanahuara Overnight at Hotel Casa Andina Arequipa.

DAY 2 - Breakfast at hotel, Transfer in private car to Colca. We will observe geological transformations from the highest part of the canyon that the Colca River carried out when designing it. Here the first civilizations lived in caves and left petroglyphs, mummies and ceramic remains that nowadays we can see. The current inhabitants farmers and livestock raisers. The activities let you travel across all these places and paths that during centuries their inhabitants used for their cultural and commercial exchanges.
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The 14 towns at the bottom of the Canyon originated from a like number of encomiendas (trusteeships) created by the Spaniards when they arrived here around 1570. We will discover these towns and visits their Baroque and Renaissance churches. The program includes a visit to nearby agricultural fields with their still-functioning, age-old aqueducts and canals.

In the evening we will be guided by our astronomer through the planetarium-observatory, travelers will take a look to constellations and stars most important observed in the hemisphere south and the cosmology developed by Andean communities. During the first part to the planetarium visit, computer projections are carried out and then go to the dome in order to discover some of the well-known stars.

DAY 3 - Breakfast at hotel, then travel through Yanque, Maca and Pinchollo up to Cruz del Condor viewpoint. Here you will see a fine view of the flight of condors as well as of the 1,200 meters depth of the canyon.Transfer back to Arequipa and transfer to the airport. Assistance on departure.

rate per person on SGL basis (Min 1) US$ 1164, on DBL basis (Min 2) US$ 654, on TRPL basis (Min 3) US$ 504. Single Supplement US$ 72

Included: Accommodation with breakfast, Entrance fees, Local English-speaking guide, Meals specified above

Not Included: Domestic airfare tickets, Airport taxes, Entrance to the thermal baths of La Calera, Extras, tips, beverages, laundry service.

PROGRAM IN THE SACRED VALLEY (GROUP BASIS)

DAY 1 - 08.45am Pick up at hotel in Cusco. You will visit Pisac, a picturesque town located 19.8 miles or 32 Km. northeast of Cusco. It is famous for its colonial Church, where masses in Quechua are held every Sunday. Its colorful fairs also take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The market, where the fair takes place, is accessible but there are no public restrooms. The surface of the market's main area is made of flat stone that makes rolling easy for wheelchair users, except in some zones (such as the lower part of the market away from the Church and the street in front of it) that have small stones on the surface. The space between stands is wide, they are at the right height to see the products and the area is shaded. The Church is an important tourist attraction that has to be visited. Lunch is included at a typical restaurant.
In the afternoon you will visit the remarkable fortress of Ollantaytambo, built by the Incas. A very steep stone staircase leads into the fortress. Across an esplanade there is a temple with 10 niches, and beside it a block of partially unworked stones. Beyond another esplanade, six huge rectangular monoliths (estimated weight: 50 tons) form the Temple of the Sun. Vestiges of rooms are seen on top, and on the other side of the hill a four storey building, either a military school or prison.
In the evening we will be guided by our astronomer through the planetarium-observatory, travelers will take a look to constellations and stars most important observed in the hemisphere south and the cosmology developed by Andean communities. During the first part to the planetarium visit, computer projections are carried out and then go to the dome in order to discover some of the well-known stars. Overnight at Casa Andina Private Collection hotel.

DAY 2 - Breakfast at hotel, then tour Moray and Salt Mines of Maras. Hike around the circular terraces of Moray, salt mines of Maras and downhill into the Valley. Duration: 4 h. (3 h. hiking) / difficulty: average/ altitude: 3600 - 2800 meters above sea level Overnight at Casa Andina Private Collection hotel.

DAY 3 - Breakfast at hotel, then early pick up and transfer to the railway station to board the tourist train that goes through the Urubamba Valley or Sacred Valley of the Incas, to the fabulous mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spaniards. For centuries it was buried in the jungle until Hiram Bingham found it in 1911. The Holy City of Machu Picchu was built in stone among the flanks of two hills belonging to the eastern mountain range of the Andes, descending into the Amazonian upper sylvan. There is no doubt that Machu Picchu represents an extraordinary example of architecture and engineering. Upon arrival to the station, the buses wait to transfer you to the top of the ruins (30 minutes). A guided tour of the ruins gives you some idea of what the city must have looked like. Lunch is included. Afternoon train back to Cusco. Arrival to the station meet and transfer to your hotel.

Rate per person on SGL basis (Min 1) US$ 888, on DBL basis (Min 2) US$ 642, on TRPL basis (Min 3) US$ 618. Single Supplement US$ 144

Included: Accommodation with breakfast, Entrance fees, Local English-speaking guide, Vistadome train to/From Machu Picchu, Meals specified above

Not Included: Accommodation in Cusco, Domestic airfare tickets, Airport taxes, Extras, tips, beverages, laundry service.

Other programs such as rafting, horseback riding and mountain biking can be added to the program

PROGRAM ON LAKE TITICACA