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Arrival in Lima |
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Lima is Latin America's gastronomic capital. Ceviche, king of the exquisite Peruvian seafood, Chinese cuisine called Chifa, and Peruvian Creole cuisine are among the endless flavors you’ll discover while in Lima. |
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The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru impresses due to its vast, varied cultural patrimony housed in its exhibition rooms and storerooms.
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The Solar Temple and Oracular Destination lies 25 miles SE of Lima in Quechua means "Pacha" world, and "camac" to animate.
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Is one of the richest ecosystems in the world and the only marine reservation in Peru. Protection has for objective the conservation of the marine and protection of the cultural and historical patrimony of the pre-Inca Paracas culture.
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A nature wonder spot full of migratory birds, hundreds of sea lions, Penguins, schools of dolphins and even the Andean Condor. The islands have been eroded to form natural caves and arches of rare beauty.
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"El Candelabro" geoglyph, Gigantic chandelier carved on a hillside on the way to Ballestas islands. It has an extension of 128 mt (420 ft) long, and 74 mt (240 ft) wide.
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This little unknown paradise offers a variety of relaxing adventure options such as sand-boarding and sand tours on special sand buggies.
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Las Dunas Hotel is set amongst spacious gardens and is situated in a well known sun resort. facilities include tennis courts, golf course, sandboard, volleyball and basketball grounds. |
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A unique place due to the mysteries of its marvelous lines and figures, drawn with spectacular perfection. The beauty and magnitude of the lines must be observed from above. |
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Hundreds of streets, pathways, doors and stairs make the visit to this amazing monastery a unique experience. You won’t stop taking pictures.
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Arequipa's central cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Peru. It is situated in the center of the city, in Plaza de Armas. |
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This is one of the oldest churches in Arequipa. La Compania was completed in 1698 and boasts an elaborate sillar stone façade. |
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The Church of San Francisco was built by local Indians in the late 17 th century, and the facade has the best of the baroque stone carving found on the old churches in Arequipa. |
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Colca Canyon from Mirador Cruz del Condor, provides an excellent view to watch the condors flight. |
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Both chic and comfortable, Zig Zag equally welcomes families and young people. The house specialty is the unique stone-grilled ostrich from their own 4,000 ostriches farm, educating their customers about ostrich as a healthy alternative to other meats. |
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The Uros originally created these artificial Islands to escape the Inca, who dominated the mainland at the time. |
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With a population of 3,500 Quechua inhabitants, it is known for its two pre-Inca temples dedicated to the earth's fertility. |
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A private 43 hectare island near the remote northern shores of Lake Titicaca. A Lake of deep blue waters and a mythical history. |
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Renovated carriages have beautiful panoramic windows offering enhanced scenic views and photographic opportunities. |
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The first Peruvian museum that shows the aesthetic aspects of the exhibited objects that belong to ancient Peruvian Cultures. |
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Puca Pucara offers impressive views of the Cusco Valley and glaciers to the south. |
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Q’enqo means “zig-zag,” a reference to the series of perfectly carved channels adorning the upper western edge of the temple’s stone. |
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Tambomachay Inca’s Bath is located on the outskirts of a hill near the main road close to Antisuyo. |
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Sacsayhuaman translates into “ Speckled Falcon” or “Speckled Head” referring to the belief that Cusco City was set out in the shape of a Puma whose head was Sacsayhuaman. Origins of this breathtaking fortress are uncertain and is generally attributed to the great Inca Pachacutec “The World Transformer". |
| US & Canada Toll Free: |
| 1 877 240 4770 |
| UK Line: |
| +44 207 096 1259 |
| International Line: |
| +1 512 535 2536 |
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Upon your arrival in Lima you will be welcomed and escorted to your hotel where you will be briefed on all of your travels during your stay in Peru. You will have the afternoon and evening at your leisure to dine at any one of Lima’s fine restaurants. Please feel free to ask your Peru travel specialist for dining recommendations. Please contact us should you have any questions whatsoever regarding your trip. |
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Lima Museum and City Tour |
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You will have the morning to rest and enjoy a healthy breakfast. Following this you will undertake a private tour of the colonial city center where you will visit the Plaza Mayor, La Catedral, the Governor’s Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Convent Church of San Francisco, and the Plaza San Martin. Following this you will be led to the financial and tourist districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. Later in the afternoon, you have the choice of visiting any two of Lima’s art or archaeological museums which will offer you a rich history of the culture you will encounter elsewhere in the country.
(Meals - B)
*Group Tour does not include museum tours |
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Lima to Paracas and the National Reserve |
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Today we recommend wearing a pair of shorts and some sun block as you will be heading south of Lima in your private vehicle and it can be quite sunny. You will rise early in order to be able to visit the ancient adobe ruins of Pachacamac, leaving enough time for the drive to Paracas later that afternoon. Following a tour of the ruins you will be able to enjoy a delicious packed lunch while en route to Paracas where you will be transferred to your comfortable beach front hotel. Here you will have some time to take a break and get off your feet for a short while, either in your room or near the bay at your hotel. Later that afternoon you will be taken for a tour of the Paracas National Reserve. The evening is free for you to dine, enjoy the sunset, and relax in your hotel that looks out over the Paracas Bay. (Meals – B, L)
*Group Tour includes transportation to Paracas in First Class bus and does not include the tour of Pachacamac. (Transfer to and from station/hotel with English assistance included) |
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Ballestas islands and the Mysteries of the Lines |
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In the morning you will rise for a tour of the Ballesta Islands and the Candelabro off the coast of Paracas. This tour will take most of the morning; you will however be traveling there in style in a comfortable private speedboat. After a filling seafood lunch, you will be privately transported to Nazca. Arriving in the afternoon you will be transferred to your comfortable hotel. You will have the rest of the day free to relax at your leisure and in the evening you may dine in your hotel.
(Meals – B)
*Group Tour of Ballestas in luxury lake cruiser and trip to Nazca in first Class Bus. (Transfer to and from station/hotel with English assistance included) |
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Flight over the Nazca Lines |
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After an early breakfast you will be transported to the airport for your flight over the Nazca Lines. Thought to have been designed close to two millennia ago, the giant geoglyphs represent a number of animals and shapes and are believed to have been constructed in order to make astrological observations and predictions. The site of them from above is breathtaking. After landing and enjoying a bite to eat you will undertake a tour of Chauchilla – an impressive Nazca Cemetery where numerous mummies can be seen amidst some fading ruins and scattered human bones, all of which seem impervious to both time and the relentless heat of the sun. It has been speculated that over 400 tombs were built in the area with over 1000 corpses buried among them. Following your tour you will be given a few hours to relax before you are privately transported to Arequipa. You may decide to spend an additional day in Nazca that will allow a visit to the Wineries and Pisco distilleries or perhaps a visit to the Chincha Haciendas of Ica on the following day. Ask your travel advisor for further information.
(Meals - B, L) |
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Arrival in the White City (Arequipa) |
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You will arrive in Arequipa in the early morning and be transferred directly to your hotel where you can catch up on some rest if need be. The remainder of the morning and lunch is free for you to rest and acclimatize. We recommend a very light lunch with your hotel as your body acclimatizes to the altitude. In the afternoon you will undertake a light tour of Arequipa. The city tour is taken on foot with a private guide visiting the Santa Catalina Monastery, Plaza de Armas, Church of the Company, and the Church of San Francisco. You will have the rest of afternoon and evening free to spend at your leisure. You may wander around Arequipa and dine in one of its many fine restaurants. Please ask your CAT Travel representative for dinning recommendations.
(Meals – B) |
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Into the Colca Canyon |
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After a light breakfast, you will depart for the Colca Canyon in private transportation, where you will drive through the Aguada National Reserve passing herds of Vicuñas along the way. Later that day you arrive at the Mirador de los Andes. The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Beautiful unspoiled Andean villages line both sides of the canyon; the steep sides of the valley are also adorned with some truly phenomenal pre-Inca terraces. Arriving in Chivay in the afternoon, you will break for lunch in the valley at the lodge of your choice. In the evening you will visit the Medicinal Baths and Thermal Springs, returning for dinner at the lodge. There are a handful of comfortable lodges you can select for accommodation during your stay in the canyon; we recommend your overnight stay with the Colca Lodge. (Meals – B, L)
CAT Tip - Make the Most of Your Trip: Choose to stay an additional night in the Colca Canyon which will give you the opportunity to undertake a full day light hike into the deepest canyon in the world. |
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Out of the Colca Canyon |
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During the early morning you will head out on your way back to Arequipa, making your first stop at the Cruz de Condor, where you will spend time looking out over the expanse of the canyon. Here you will have the opportunity to witness the world’s largest bird, the Giant Andean Condor, soar from the depths of the gorge on thermal currents and spiral upwards. One is likely to see more than ten of these graceful condors on the average day. On route to Arequipa you will stop briefly in the town of Yanque where you will have the opportunity to taste an Alpaca steak or trout cooked over a woodburning stove at the renowned Albergue El Mirador de los Collaguas. Upon your return to Arequipa, we will help get you settled back into your hotel where you can rest or go for a walk before dinner.
(Meals - B, L)
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The White City to Cusco |
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After a delicious breakfast in your hotel you will be collected for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in the ancient Inca capital, you will be escorted to your hotel where you will be briefed on your travels in the area. A light dinner is suggested with the restaurant at your selected hotel for your initial evenings stay in Cusco in order for you to be able to acclimatize properly. Again, if you would like recommendations for dining please contact your travel consultant. (Meals – B) |
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Through the Sacred Valley of the Incas |
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Today will be spent visiting the Urubamba Valley with your private guide. You will make your first stop at the ruins above Pisac and the market that lies in the village below (T/Th/Su). During the early afternoon you will be able to enjoy lunch at Huayocari Hacienda. The hacienda is a private residence with an impressive collection of Inca and colonial art and artifacts. In the afternoon you will be able to explore the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo, while the evening is spent in a very comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley.
(Meals – B, L) |
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Encounter the majesty of Machu Picchu |
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You will depart from the Sacred Valley in the late morning for an hour and a half train ride to Machu Picchu from the Sacred Valley. Upon arrival at the station in Aguas Calientes, our representative will retrieve your luggage and deliver it to your hotel while you head out directly for the ruins of Machu Picchu that lie just a short drive from the small town. You will be able to enjoy a full course meal at the Sanctuary Lodge following your privately guided tour of the ruins. You will then have the rest of your afternoon free to explore the ruins at your leisure. Transportation is provided to the base of the mountain where you can return to your hotel for the evening and experience a very subtle night life in the town of Aguas Calientes. If you so desire, you can spend he evening wallowing in the hot springs just outside of town.
(Meals – B, L) |
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First-Class Train to Cusco |
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Today you will have the morning at your leisure and will be able to either return to the ruins for further exploration, or we can arrange private visits to some of the areas that lie outside the gates of Machu Picchu. Your train will depart in the afternoon and arrive in Cusco just after sundown. We suggest, and have included, your ride in the first class VistaDome train; the quarter panels overheard are made of Plexiglas which allow for a spectacular view of the scenery and starlit sky as you wind your way back to Cusco. Once in the Inca capital, you will be met at the station and shown back to your hotel. (Meals - B)
*Comfort Class Group Tours include backpacker train; upgrades available. |
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Captivating Cusco |
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After enjoying a leisurely breakfast your privately guided tour of Cusco and the Archaeological sites located outside of town will commence. Your tour begins at the impressive Colonial Cathedral in Cusco that contains over 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School and several altars. Next you will visit the Temple of the Sun (or the Korikancha) which was the main religious center of the Incas who worshipped the Sun God. According to Spanish chronicles, when the conquistadores first arrived the walls of the Korikancha were thickly gilded in gold. From here you make our way to the outskirts of Cusco in order to the visit the four ruins that lie less than 8 km from the city center; these archaeological sites include Sacsayhuaman - famous for its enormous carved rocks, the ruins of Puca Pucara, Q’enqo, and Tambomachay.
(Meals – B)
CAT Tip - Make the Most of Your Trip: You may wish to stay an additional night in the Sacred Valley or Cusco in order to see and do more. CAT provides a number of extra options in the area. |
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Return to Lima |
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After breakfast you will have the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon you will be escorted with assistance to the airport for you flight back to Lima where a member of our staff will meet you and assist with your travel arrangements before you take your flight home.
(Meals - B) |
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