Peru Tours
Brazil Tours
Argentina Tours
Chile Tours
Ecuador/Galapagos Tours
Venezuela Tours
Bolivia Tours
Costa Rica Tours
Panama Tours
Guatemala Tours
Uruguay Tours
Africa Tours
Australia Tours
New Zealand Tours
Activities in Other Countries

Phone: 800-232-5658 or
1-512-443-5393
email

Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Peru Tours and Travel

Suggested Packages / Amazon / Cusco / Lima / Lake Titicaca / Arequipa / Nazca
Trujillo & Chiclayo / Chachapoyas / Trekking / Multisport / Rafting / Biking

Sample Peru Tour Packages

These packages include all transfers, hotels with breakfasts, group tours mentioned and entrance fees. (package prices do not include airfare). Packages with private tours can be quoted. Exact itineraries are subject to airline schedules. We can also quote for other hotels, add or delete days, etc. Subtract from prices for train to Machu Picchu if you prefer the backpacker train - no reserved seats and possible standing room only during high season.

We can make any changes you desire in order to make up your desired itinerary - we can add on Amazon packages, extensions to Ecuador and the Galapagos, and other areas in Peru.

Cusco/Machu Picchu + Lake Titicaca - 7 days

Day 1. Arrival to Lima, transfer to selected hotel.

Day 2. Breakfast. Transfer to airport for your flight to Cusco, arrive to Cusco and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon visit the Cathedral built from 1560 to 1654 at the site of the Viracocha Inca palace. It is the best example of the European art done by natives of Cusco, has the high altar plated with silver and contains masterpieces of woodcarvings and painting. See the Koricancha, which displays the best Inca stonework in Cusco. Explore the ancient Indian sanctuary of Sacsayhuaman with magnificent Inca walls of massive rocks weighing up to 130 tons fitted together with absolute perfection. The amphitheatre of Qenqo, the fortress of Pukapukara and the spring shrine of Tambomachay where water still flows by a hidden channel out of the masonry wall are also visited.

Day 3. Breakfast. Full day visit to the Sacred Valley (Sun.,Tues.,Thurs.). The Pisac Market is a colorful morning market where you can purchase Peruvian weavings, jewelry, and pottery, and see its traditional Indian market where goods are traded. Visits to Pisac are on Sundays and Thursdays. After lunch we visit Ollantaytambo, the Inca town on which the present day town is based is clearly seen as a fine example of the traditional Inca City planning of Canchas or blocks, which are almost entirely intact and still occupied. The tour includes visits the village, terraces, temples, irrigation systems, granaries, the fortress and the temple of the Sun built by Pachacuty Inca, using Colla Indians from Lake Titicaca..

Day 4. Breakfast and Lunch. Machu Picchu, the lost city, is a complete city, set on a high mountain with terraced slopes falling away to the Urubamba River. For centuries it was buried in jungle, until Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it in 1911. Professional tour guides will explain about the history of the site and lead you through; staircases, terraces, temples, palaces, towers, and fountains. Afternoon transfer back to Cusco and transfer to hotel.

Day 5 . Breakfast. Transfer to bus or train station to go to Puno, making several stops along the way to visit sites. Guide and lunch included. Transfer to hotel in Puno.

Day 6 - Morning visit to the Uros Islands. These islands are made of reeds, rising six meters above the lake level. They are anchored by logs and connected to each other by ropes. The main activities of the people who live here are fishing and handcrafting several items that they sell to visitors. Continue to Taquile Island which has two essential characteristics; its geography, offering a spectacular view from its hills, and its standing as a first-rate textile center. Taquileños live on their textile activities. This can easily be seen in the men walking about in rubber sandals ("ojotas" in quechua), wearing black pants, white flannel shirts and beautiful, finely woven chumpis (belts), covering their heads with finely knitted warm "chullos" (caps with ear flaps). Box lunch included.

Day 7 - Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport and on the way visit the Sillustani tombs.These Tombs or Chullpas are characterized by their round and square bases, as well as the cornice on top. There are several figures and symbols on these tombs, the snake being the most representative. This symbolises the influence of the jungle and not of the Andes

2010 Price per person in US$ with group tours:

We can also add an overnight in the Sacred Valley or near Machu Picchu or a 2 or 4 day Inca Trail trek if you prefer

Arequipa-Colca Canyon-Lake Titicaca-
Cusco and Machu Picchu - 11 days

Day 1. Arrival to Lima, transfer to selected hotel.

Day 2. breakfast, transfer to airport, fly to Arequipa and transfer to your hotel. Tour of the city and of Santa Catalina Convent that has remained the same since its foundation in 1580 but was only opened to the public in 1970. Then tour the Plaza de Armas or Main Square, the Cathedral, the church of La Compañía and the Colonial district of Yanahuara.

Day 3- breakfast, then morning departure for Pampa Canahuas, passing through Yura on the way. Arrive at Pulpera and Callali villages, and stop at Sibayo to visit the new and old town. Here you will see an Incan bridge. Lunch included. Continue on to Chivay village an its thermal baths, La Calera.Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 4- Breakfast at the hotel. The early morning excursion reaches an observation point, on a wide bend, where a wooden cross called CRUZ DEL CONDOR has been erected. The view from here 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. Return to Chivay. On the way visit the Colonial church of Maca and Yanque. Lunch included. Return to Arequipa for overnight

Day 5. transfer to the airport.for your flight to Juliaca. Transfer from Juliaca airport to Puno, visiting Sillustani on the way. Located between Puno and Juliaca (45 minutes from either of them). Sillustani is on a small hilltop in the peninsular overlooking Lake Umayo and looking very impressive against the bleak landscape. The lake has a good variety of plants and water birds like the Giant Andean Coot, the White tufted and Silvery Grebes, the Puna Ibis, the Andean Goose, the Black Crowned Night-Heron, the Speckled and Puna Teals, the Yellow-billed Pintail, the Andean Gull and others. Most of the funerary towers called CHULLPAS date from the Inca occupation in the 15th century, but there are burial towers of the Aymara-speaking Colla culture. The engineering involved in their construction is more complex than anything that Incas built.

Day 6- Morning visit to the Uros Islands. These islands are made of reeds, rising six meters above the lake level. They are anchored by logs and connected to each other by ropes. The main activities of the people who live here are fishing and handcrafting several items that they sell to visitors. Continue to Taquile Island which has two essential characteristics; its geography, offering a spectacular view from its hills, and its standing as a first-rate textile center. Taquileños live on their textile activities. This can easily be seen in the men walking about in rubber sandals ("ojotas" in quechua), wearing black pants, white flannel shirts and beautiful, finely woven chumpis (belts), covering their heads with finely knitted warm "chullos" (caps with ear flaps). Box lunch included.

Day 7. bus to Cusco, making several stops along the way to visit sites. Guide and lunch included. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 8. Visit the Cathedral built from 1560 to 1654 at the site of the Viracocha Inca palace. It is the best example of the European art done by natives of Cusco, has the high altar plated with silver and contains masterpieces of woodcarvings and painting. See the Koricancha, which displays the best Inca stonework in Cusco. Explore the ancient Indian sanctuary of Sacsayhuaman with magnificent Inca walls of massive rocks weighing up to 130 tons fitted together with absolute perfection. The amphitheatre of Qenqo, the fortress of Pukapukara and the spring shrine of Tambomachay where water still flows by a hidden channel out of the masonry wall are also visited.

Day 9. Breakfast and lunch. Full day visit to the Sacred Valley. The Pisac Market is a colorful morning market where you can purchase Peruvian weavings, jewelry, and pottery, and see its traditional Indian market where goods are traded. Visits to Pisac are on Sundays and Thursdays. After lunch we visit Ollantaytambo, the Inca town on which the present day town is based is clearly seen as a fine example of the traditional Inca City planning of Canchas or blocks, which are almost entirely intact and still occupied. The tour includes visits the village, terraces, temples, irrigation systems, granaries, the fortress and the temple of the Sun built by Pachacuty Inca, using Colla Indians from Lake Titicaca..

Day 10. Breakfast and Lunch. Machu Picchu, the lost city, is a complete city, set on a high mountain with terraced slopes falling away to the Urubamba River. For centuries it was buried in jungle, until Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it in 1911. Professional tour guides will explain about the history of the site and lead you through; staircases, terraces, temples, palaces, towers, and fountains. Afternoon transfer back to Cusco and transfer to hotel.

Day 11. Breakfast. Transfer to Airport for flight to Lima.

2010 Price per person in US$ with group tours:

We can also add an overnight in the Sacred Valley or near Machu Picchu or a 2 or 4 day Inca Trail trek if you prefer

Southern Cross - 9 Days

Day 1- Lima. Meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 - Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. On arrival in Cusco you will be met and taken to your hotel.
Afternoon tour of this magnificent city, a blend of Inca and Spanish Cultures, visiting the Korikancha- the Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral, continuing from there to the nearby ruins of Tambomachay (Inca fountains), Puca-Pucara (the Red Fortress), Kenko (sacred site) and finally Sacsahuaman Fortress.

Day 3 - Breakfast. Transfer to station. The train (or bus) goes through the Urubamba or Sacred Valley of the Incas, to the fabulous mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. Full day with lunch.

Day 4 - Breakfast. In the morning you will visit Pisac, famous for its Mass and market. The Mass is attended by the "mayors" of the neighboring villages, complete in typical dress and carrying their traditional "varayoc" or staff of office. You will also enjoy the colorful Indian market. Lunch is included.
In the afternoon you will tour the remarkable Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo with its magnificent mountain stairway. Among other things, you will be intrigued by six enormous pink stones, each weighing some 50 tons. These came from the other side of the river, but nobody knows how they were transported, since the Incas did not use the wheel.
NOTE: Pisac Market is held on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, but Mass is only on Sunday

Day 5 - Breakfast. Transfer to the station. Train (or bus) travels along the Andes range, passing through picturesque villages up to the town of Juliaca. There you are met and transferred by road to your hotel in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Day 6 - Breakfast. Morning visit to the Uros Islands. These islands are made of reeds, rising six meters above the lake level. They are anchored by logs and connected to each other by ropes. The main activities of the people who live here are fishing and handcrafting several items that they sell to visitors. Continue to Taquile Island which has two essential characteristics; its geography, offering a spectacular view from its hills, and its standing as a first-rate textile center. Taquileños live on their textile activities. This can easily be seen in the men walking about in rubber sandals ("ojotas" in quechua), wearing black pants, white flannel shirts and beautiful, finely woven chumpis (belts), covering their heads with finely knitted warm "chullos" (caps with ear flaps). Box lunch included.

Day 7 - Breakfast. Transfer to the airport visiting the Chullpas or Tombs of Sillustani on route. Met on arrival and taken to your hotel.

Day 8 - Breakfast. Morning tour of this Colonial city, visiting first of all the Convent of Santa Catalina, now open to the public after more than 400 years of cloistered religious life. Then tour the Plaza de Armas or Main Square, the Cathedral, Church of the Compañía's fabulous Colonial jewels, and finally the typical district of Yanahuara overlooking the city. Transfer to airport. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 9 - Breakfast. Half day city tour. Visit the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru, Government Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral and the House of "El Oidor". Continuing our tour, you will see other Colonial architectural jewels, such as Torre Tagle Palace, Osambela House, finishing with a visit to Larco Herrera, Archaeological or Gold Museum. Transfer to the airport.

2010 Price per person in US$:

Prices include group tours. We can also quote for private tours

Lima - Cuzco - Puno - La Paz (Bolivia) - 9 Days

Day 1 - Arrival to Lima and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 - Breakfast. Afternoon city tour - Visit the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru, Government Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral and the House of "El Oidor".
Continuing the tour, you will also see other Colonial architectural jewels, such as Torre Tagle Palace and Osambela House, finishing with a visit to Larco Herrera, Archaeological or Gold Museum

Day 3 - Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. On arrival in Cuzco transfer to the hotel. Afternoon tour of this magnificent city, a blend of Inca and Spanish Cultures, visiting the Korikancha or Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral, continuing on to the nearby ruins of Tambomachay (Inca fountains), Puca-Pucara (the Red Fortress), Kenko (sacred site) and finally Sacsahuaman Fortress.

Day 4 - Breakfast. Transfer to station. The train travels through the Urubamba Valley or Sacred
Valley of the Incas, to the fabulous mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. Full day and lunch.

Day 5 - Breakfast. Transfer to the station to take your train (or bus) journey through the Andes mountains to the town of Juliaca. Transport to your hotel in Puno.

Day 6 - Breakfast.Transfer to the port of Copacabana, and cross Lake Titicaca. On the way you will visit the Island of the Sun. Afternoon arrival at the Bolivian port , where you will be transferred by bus to the city of La Paz and to your hotel.

Day 7 - Breakfast. Half day tour of city and Valley of the Moon. Visit the Indian market, the Colonial Church of San Francisco, Murillo Square where the Cathedral of La Paz, Government Palace and National Congress can be seen, and end your tour at the Valley of the Moon.

Day 8 - Beakfast. Visit the Tiahuanaco ruins of the former capital of a civilization that flourished about 700 AD. Some 44 miles from La Paz, Tiahuanaco was one of the biggest cities in the world with more than 100,000 inhabitants. The town's pre-Inca ruins have started endless archaeological debates and the oldest radio carbon test shows proof of its existence in 1580 B.C.

Day 9 - Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport

2010 Price per person in US$:

Prices include group tours. We can also quote for private tours