|
PERU
& BOLIVIA:
FROM LIMA TO LA PAZ
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Peru & Bolivia |
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This
stimulating tour through Peru and Bolivia is a must for lovers
of anthropology and archaeology. These countries offer the
amazing heritage site dating back from the pre-Inca civilizations
to the Inca and more recent times. We see evidence of the
rich culture of indigenous communities, stunning landscapes,
and a multi-layered history. From the heights of the Andes,
to the lush forests of the Amazon, Peru and Bolivia offer
a seemingly infinite supply of history, culture and nature
just waiting to be explored.
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Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01 |
Lima |
|
02 |
Lima |
| 03 |
Lima/Arequipa |
|
04 |
Arequipa/Cuzco |
|
05 |
Cuzco/Sacred Valley |
|
06 |
Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu/Cuzco |
|
07 |
Cuzco/Puno |
|
08 |
Puno/La Paz |
|
09 |
La Paz |
|
10 |
La Paz / Depart |
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|
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UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
World
Heritage Sites in Peru covered on this tour |
|
City of Cuzco (1983) |
Located
in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco developed, under the Inca
ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban centre with distinct
religious and administrative functions. It was surrounded
by clearly delineated areas for agricultural, artisan
and industrial production. When the Spaniards conquered
it in the 16th century, they maintained its structure
but built Baroque churches and palaces over the ruins
of the Indian city. |
| Historic
Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (1983) |
At
2,430 metres / 2657 yards above sea level, on a mountain
site of extraordinary beauty, in the middle of a tropical
mountain forest, Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing
urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, with
its giant walls, terraces and ramps, which appear as though
they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments.
The natural setting on the eastern slope of the Andes
encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity
of species. |
| Historic
Centre of Lima (1988) |
Although
severely damaged by earthquakes (in 1940, 1966, 1970 and
1974), this "City of Kings" was, until the middle of the
18th century, the capital and most important city of the
Spanish dominions in South America. Many of its buildings,
such as the San Francisco Convent (the biggest in this
part of the world) are the result of joint creations between
local craftsmen and masters from the Old Continent. |
| Historical Centre of the City of
Arequipa (2000) |
The historic centre of Arequipa, built in volcanic sillar
rock, represents an integration of European and native building
techniques and characteristics, expressed in the admirable
work of colonial masters and Criollo and Indian masons. This
combination of influences is illustrated by the city's robust
walls, archways and vaults, courtyards and open spaces, and
the intricate Baroque decoration of its facades. |
| World
Heritage Sites in Bolivia covered on this tour |
| Tiwanaku:Spiritual
and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture (2000) |
The
city of Tiwanaku, capital of a powerful pre-Hispanic empire
that dominated a large area of the southern Andes and
beyond, reached its apogee between 500 and 900 A.D. Its
monumental remains testify to the cultural and political
significance of this civilisation, which is distinct from
any of the other pre-Hispanic empires of the Americas. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
|
Day
1: Arrive Lima
Bienvenidos a Peru! We receive a Lima style welcome at the
airport and are subsequently transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, Lima
(2 nights)
Day 2: Lima
Our afternoon tour of the city begins with the centrally located
Plaza Mayor (main square) designed and built by the famed
Francisco Pizarro. The Cathedral, Palacio de los Virreyes,
Palacio Arzobispal and Palacio Municipal. We also visit the
San Francisco Convent, arguably the most beautiful architectural
complex in the city. (B)
Day 3: Lima/Arequipa (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Arequipa, where this afternoon we
tour the Santa Catalina Convent, Plaza de Armas, La Compañía
cloisters and the districts of Yanahuara and Chilina where
we enjoy a breathtaking view of the Misti Volcano.
Overnight: El Cabildo Hotel, Arequipa (1 night) (B)
Day 4: Arequipa/Cuzco (Flight)
A scenic flight conveys us to Cuzco. Afternoon tour includes
the beautiful church of Santo Domingo, the Cathedral, the
Hatunrumiyoc, as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman - a
most remarkable Inca building. Our tour continues to Quenqo,
believed to have been an important sanctuary during the Inca
period, Puca Pucara, a strategically located “red fortress”
that dominates the entire area and Tambomachay with its two
distinctive aqueducts that continue to provide clean water
year round.
Overnight: El Dorado San Augustin, Cuzco (1 night)
(B)
Day
5: Cuzco/Sacred Valley (Drive)
This morning we head out to the valley of Urubamba’s
River (also called River Wilcamayu or Vilcanota) or “Sacred
Valley” because grain and maize were cultivated for
the Inka, his family and the upper class. Visit includes the
Indian Market of Pisac. Pisac is famous for its peasant farms,
native handicrafts and interesting Indian market that takes
place three times a week (Tue, Thu & Sun). Our next stop
is the fortress of Ollantaytambo, one of the most important
examples of Inca military architecture. The complex has temples,
palaces and a lot more to discover.
Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, Sacred
Valley (1 night) (B)
Day 6: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu/Cuzco (Drive/Train/Drive)
Our day starts with the incredible 3-hour scenic train ride
to Aguas Calientes from where we take a coach transfer to
South America’s most famous World Heritage Site, Machu
Picchu. Our tour of the majestic Machu Picchu begins with
the citadel, by far the most important attraction in the area.
Discovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham,
the citadel is one of the most extraordinary examples of landscape
architecture in the world. We walk through the many stairways
and canals carved out of stone that are recurrent throughout
this remarkable archaeological site.
Overnight: El Dorado San Augustin, Cuzco (1 night)
(B, L)
Day 7: Cuzco/Puno (Drive)
A pleasant 8-hour bus (seat-in-coach) trip takes us through
picturesque rural landscapes dotted by small villages and
herds of llamas and vicuñas. Our destination is Puno,
however we make stops along our way to include visit to the
Andahuylillas town and the Raqchi ruins. Arrival at Puno’s
bus station, meet & transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, Puno
(1 night) (B, L)
Day 8: Puno/La Paz (Drive)
Early morning transfer by land to Copacabana Santuary (Seat-In-Coach)
to board the Catamaran Cruise Ship sails for Sun Island, the
legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. Visit the Inca Garden,
steps and fountain followed by the Inti Wata Cultural Complex
including the Ekako Underground Museum, the traditional medicine
and the Titikaka Reed Shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama
agricultural Inca terraces, a handicraft center, the Intica
lounge and at the Manco Kapac look out the largest variety
of Andean camelids. Also, the Inti Wata Complex at Sun Island
includes a unique sailing experience aboard a huge Titikaka
traditional vessel for a panoramic view to the Pilkokaina
Inca Palace. Catamaran Cruise Ship to Chua harbor while enjoying
a buffet lunch on board, land transfer to La Paz (Seat-In-Coach).
Overnight: Hotel Radisson Plaza, La Paz (2 nights)
(B, L)
Day 9: La Paz
This whole day is spent exploring La Paz, including Tiwanaku,
considered to be “the Cradle of the Andean Civilizations”.
Tiwanaku was a religious city that, at its height, was home
to approximately 40,000 people and was the ritual center for
roughly 500,000 people residing in the three surrounding valleys.
Our visit in this area includes the impressive Sun Gate, the
Monoliths, the Temples of Kalasasaya and Kontiki, and the
Akapana Pyramid. In the afternoon we tour the Moon Valley.
(B)
Day 10: Depart La Paz
Today we depart Bolivia, our minds filled with unforgettable
memories of an ancient and mysterious land.
Possible pre tour with public transportation without guide
Nasca and Paracas
Nasca Lines
Day 1: Arrive Lima
Bienvenidos a Peru! We receive a Lima style welcome at the
airport and are subsequently
transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, Lima
(1 night)
Day 2: Lima/Nasca
Morning transfer to the bus station for a seat-in-coach bus
ride to Nasca.
Overnight: Cantayo Hotel, Nasca (1 night) (B)
Day 3: Nasca/Lima
Morning transfer to the local airport for the flight of approximately
30 mins over the Nasca
lines and figures. Flights may be delayed or cancelled due
to weather conditions. After
the flight return to Lima to join the above program.
(B)
|
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
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Departure Dates |
|
2012
Daily
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
|
2012 |
2660 |
650 |
| Nasca
and Paracas US$ 760 per person sharing (includes the flight).
US$ 2950 single room supplement |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
- Hotels
as mentioned (or similar)
- Meals
as mentioned B=Breakfast
L=Lunch
- All
sightseeing and transfers by seat-in-coach services.
- Services
of local Spanish/English speaking guides
- Entrance
fees
- Vistadome train tickets
- Catamaran ticket
|
- Any
airfares (Domestic flights from US $550)
- Departure
taxes
- Any
visa fees
- Drink/beverages
with meals
-
Tips/gratuities
|
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1000 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of N/a
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 2068678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
33
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated Nov 07, 2011
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