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PERU: FROM THE DESERT TO THE CRADLE GOLD
15 days / 14 nights
Destinations: Lima, Nasca, Chalhuanca, Choquequirao, Cusco and Machu Picchu
 
TOUR DESCRIPTION
BREAKFAST   BOX LUNCH   LUNCH   DINNER

DAY 01 ARRIVAL AT LIMA (154 m.a.s.l.)
Arrival at Lima's international airport and reception, transfer and accommodation in hotel. (Private transportation and professional personnel). Overnight.

DAY 02 LIMA
Breakfast in hotel. Morning at leisure for personal activities or optional excursions. Afternoon, city tour and Larco Herrera Museum (Private service with professional guide). Overnight.

DAY 03 LIMA / NASCA (588 m.a.s.l.)
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to the City of Nasca on private transportation (450 km. 6 hour journey approximately, only professional driver, without guide assistance). Once in Nasca, and if weather conditions allow it, overflight the Pampas de Nasca lines and figures. Lunch Accommodation at hotel. Later, end the day visiting the Museo Didactico Antonini that displays a wonderful collection of pre-Columbian pieces of art. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight.

DAY 04 NASCA / PUNTA SAN FERNANDO / NASCA
Breakfast at hotel. In an appropriate 4 x 4 vehicle go across the arid desert to make a first stop in the pre-Incan aqueduct of Ocongalla. Continue the journey to visit the Sanctuary-City of Nasca de Cahuachi. Then, head to the dunes at Usaca where travellers will practice sandboarding. After that continue travelling until reaching the Pacific Ocean, and arriving at the paradisiacal destination of Punta San Fernando. The roughness of the entrance and exit trail allow the abundant and varied fauna that lives on the cliffs and beaches not to be afraid of human presence. The Condor coming down from the Andes flies so low that one can almost touch it. On the cliffs and beaches live hundreds of fearless sea lions and Humboldt current penguins that observe visitors. Thousands of birds of the most varied species overfly the shores diving into the water to feed themselves. Picnic lunch. (Closed 4x4 transportation or open buggy, private, professional driver and Spanish/English guide). Dinner free. Overnight.

DAY 05 NASCA / CHALHUANCA (2,650 m.a.s.l.)
Breakfast at hotel Early morning departure on private transportation to Chalhuanca (Km. 361, 7 hour journey approximately, only professional driver, without guide assistance). During the journey, in Pampa Galeras and on the Negro Mayo plateau one has the chance to admire thousands of vicuñas, alpacas and llamas that are pasturing near the highway. Box lunch included. Arrival in Chalhuanca and accommodation in hotel. Dinner at hotel. Overnight.

DAY 06 CHALHUANCA / VILLA LOS LOROS (2,200 m.a.s.l)
Breakfast at hotel. Departure from the hotel at 7:00 am on private transportation with professional guide included. Travel along the road to Abancay until going past the city and arriving at approximately 10:00 am to the archeological park of Saywite to visit the mysterious carved monolith and nearby ruins. Later, continue journey to the town of Huanipaca and descent to the Apurimac River Canyon to reach the Tambobamba sector where the lodge is located (the 170 km journey takes 6 hours approximately). Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon meeting to discuss the next day´s hike. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight.

DAY 07 VILLA LOS LOROS / CHOQUEQUIRAO (2,900 m.a.s.l.)
Breakfast at the lodge. Departure at 5:00 am on a 2 ½ hour hike approximately, going by the former hacienda San Ignacio until reaching the beach of the roaring Apurimac River (the meaning in Quechua is “God that speaks). After crossing San Ignacio bridge start climbing from river level (1500 masl) until reaching the Choquequirao campsite, located 2900 masl. On the way admire the beautiful landscape as well as the great variety of flora and fauna (this 17km trekking activity is classified as a level 4 difficulty). After lunch visit the farming terraces of Paqchayoc and the House of the Waterfall, to finally return to the campsite, where dinner will be served. Overnight in tents.

DAY 08 CHOQUEQUIRAO
After breakfast, full day visit to the best sectors of the Archeological Park, such as the administrative building area of Pikiwasi, the priests house, the ceremonial platform, the main square, the food warehouse, and the high complex. Lunch at the archeological complex. After the visit return to campsite, dinner and overnight.

DAY 09 CHOQUEQUIRAO / VILLA LOS LOROS
Return after breakfast. Descend the impressive Canyon of the Apurimac River, until the former hacienda San Ignacio, where travellers will rest and have lunch to later continue on horseback ride until reaching the lodge. Arrival in the lodge at 16:00pm approximately. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 10 VILLA LOS LOROS / CUSCO (3,399 m.a.s.l.)
Breakfast at the lodge. At 9:00 am depart on private transportation to the City of Cusco (180km, 5-hour journey). Lunch on the way in the town of Curahuasi in the heart of the Apurimac Valley is included. Continue journey until arriving in the city of Cusco at 15:00pm approximately. Arrival and accommodation in hotel. Overnight.

DAY 11 CUSCO
Breakfast at hotel. Morning at leisure for personal activities or optional visits. Afternoon visit to the historical places and monuments of the city and the nearby ruins of Tambomachay, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Sacsayhuaman (private service with professional guide). Overnight.

DAY 12 CUSCO / SACRED VALLEY (2,846 m.a.s.l.) / CUSCO
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer on private transportation to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Full day visit to the Pisaq market, the town and archeological complex of Ollantaytambo and the weavers´ community of Willoq (private service with professional guide). Lunch in restaurant. Late afternoon return and accommodation in hotel in Cusco. Overnight.

DAY 13 CUSCO / MACHU PICCHU (2,060 m.a.s.l.) / CUSCO
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Poroy´s train station. Departure to Aguas Calientes on tourist category Expedition train. Arrival and transfer on minivan to the ruins. Guided tour of the citadel of Machu Picchu. After the visit return to Aguas Calientes to lunch at a restaurant. Afternoon transfer to Cusco on Expedition train. Arrival at Poroy's station, reception and transfer to hotel. Overnight.

DAY 14 CUSCO / LIMA
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport of Cusco and departure to Lima on scheduled domestic flight. Arrival, reception, transfer and accommodation in hotel. Afternoon visit to the colonial and modern sides of the city Lunch and dinner free. Overnight.

DAY 15 DEPARTURE FROM LIMA
American breakfast at hotel. Time at leisure until transfer to airport to board international flight.

 
THE PROGRAM INCLUDES
 
  • All transfers and departure from each locality, assisted by professional personnel.
    NOTE: Transfer in/out in Lima, from 2 to 4 pax, will be assisted by a single Spanish-speaking driver, except for the international arrival in-transfer which will always be assisted by bilingual personnel.
  • Land service as indicated in program.
  • All tickets and fee entrences.
  • Expedition train for Machu Picchu excursion.
  • Overnight in double room in indicated hotels or similar.
  • Meals as indicated in the program.
  • Complete gear for trekking to Choquequirao (Professional guide, two people tents, sleeping bags, flask, muleteer, dining tent, first aid kit, permanent communication by radio with lodge, field cook, porters, horses and mules for return from San Ignacio beach .
THE PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE
 
  • Internal flights (approx. USD 220.00 per person, per flight).
  • Extras at the bar, laundry, phone calls, etc.
  • Meals that are not specifically mentioned.
  • Our guide escort from Lima to Lima.
  • Tips for guides, hotels, restaurants and airports.
  • Airport tax (approx. USD 5.00), at Nasca approx. USD 9.50.
  • Beverages during meals.
USEFUL CLUES FOR TREKKING TO CHOQUEQUIRAO
 
  • The maximum amount of participants for this progam, and due to the lodge Villa Los Loros capacity, is 15 pax.
  • It is advisable to carry: trekking shoes, T-shirts or long sleeve cotton shirts, sweat pants or thin trousers (jeans are not suggested), cap, warm jacket, a bonnet or cap to keep from the cold, repellent, sunscreen cream and personal care items.
  • The best season for trekkiing is April to November. From December to March is rain season so access is more difficult.