Cultural With - Fixed Depature Group Tour 16 days - 15 nights

A comprehensive 16-day journey of spectacular attractions, from Colonial Lima and the enigmatic Nazca Lines to the magnificent Colca Canyon, and and the floating islands on Lake Titicaca. The program features the Inti Raymi Festival, the annual reenactment of the millenary Inca solstice celebration is a “must” experience that you will never forget.

Fixed Departure June : 15 – 30

This group tour requires an initial $200 reservation fee and must be booked two months in advance. For less than two months booking, please contact your Fertur Travel Coordinator for the tour availability. This package is designed to enchant you with Peru's history, archaeology and living tapestry of culture. The tour includes an English-speaking tour leader who will escort the group during your journey. Day 01 City Lima International Airport Arrival

We meet you on your arrival at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima and transfer you to the hotel in Lima.

Day 02 Lima City Tour + Lunch

After breakfast, you will meet with your fellow group members and your tour leader for a general orientation session about Peru and to discuss the journey you are about to embark on together. You then have the rest of the morning free to relax.

In the early afternoon, you go from the hotel to a restaurant for lunch before heading out on a city tour to take in the most important and attractive sites in Lima, the "City of Kings." Highlights include the Huaca Pucllana, an adobe pyramid structure in the heart of the seaside district of Miraflores and the Historic Center of Lima. Lima's stunning Colonial, Republican and modern architecture, as well as its religious and archaeological sites, offer a broad canvas that your guide will use to put into context Peruvian history and culture. We pass through old streets with colonial mansions, and intricate wood-carved balconies to reach the stately Plaza de Armas, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The plaza is girded by the Government Palace, the Cathedral (housing the tomb of Pizarro) the Archbishop's Palace, and the Municipal Palace.

Next you will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, which holds the oldest collection of colonial art in the Americas. You will tour the exquisitely carved chorus, a library of ancient manuscripts, and the Sacristy with paintings by Zurbarán and Rivera. The grand courtyard of the main cloister is decorated floor-to-ceiling in blue and white Sevillian tiles that dates back to the 16th Century, depicting scenes from the bible. Moroccan-style arches lead us to the Catacombs, a subterranean crypt from the colonial period, where the bones of 25 thousand colonial-era Lima residents are entombed. The tour continues through the most traditional residential areas of the city: San Isidro, the Central Park of Miraflores and down to the cliff-side shopping complex of Larcomar, a symbol of modern Lima.

(B/L) Hotel in Lima Day 03 Paracas National Marine Reserve / Nasca

Early in the morning, transfer to the Paracas Peninsula, where we enter the most important wildlife sanctuary on the Peruvian coast. A guided boat tour takes you to the Ballestas Islands, in the Paracas National Reserve, home to sea lions, boobies, pelicans, penguins and other marine birds. On the way back you'll see El Candelabro, a gigantic figure of unknown origin, in the style of the Nasca Lines, drawn into the sand of a hill on the mainland. In the afternoon we transfer to the town of Nasca where you'll stay the night. (B) Hotel in Nasca

Day 04 Nazca Lines / Arequipa

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we go to the airport for a 35 minutes flight over the mysterious Nasca Lines, enormous drawings of animals, birds, and geometric figures etched into the desert floor, which can only be truly appreciated from the air. At midday we start our overland journey to Arequipa, about 9½ hours away, passing through desert sands and coastal valleys. During the trip we make a number of stops at points of interest along the route to rest and enjoy amazing panoramic, including the "White City" of Arequipa, so named for its buildings made from white volcanic "sillar" stone quarried from El Misti, the imposing volcano that stands over the city. On arrival in Arequipa we transfer you to the hotel. (B) Day 05 Arequipa - City Tour + Sta Catalina Monastery

In the morning, we take a guided tour of Arequipa, starting at the Plaza de Armas (the main square) one of the most beautiful in Peru, the Cathedral, and a fine example of 19th Century Peruvian architecture, housing precious artifacts of gold and silver. We visit the "city within a city" the Convent of Santa Catalina, with its vibrantly colored walls and courtyards. Santa Catalina remained cloistered for centuries and was only opened to the public in the 1960s. We also visit the Compañia Church, an old Jesuit complex, perhaps the most historically significant in Arequipa, with a beautiful church facade covered in columns adorned with carvings of spirals, laurel wreaths, flowers and birds. Transfer back to your hotel. We recommend you have dinner in the hotel, and have an early night, as your guide will collect you very early the next morning to start your journey to the Colca Canyon. (B)

Day 06 Arequipa / Colca Canyon

Early in the morning we embark on an incredible 4-hour bus journey to the Colca Canyon. It's one of the deepest canyons in the world (3,400 meters). We pass through the Cañahuas plateau to the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, a habitat for vicuñas and alpacas (species of South American camelids related to the llama). En route you'll see pre-Columbian terraces that are still used today to grow native crops. Refreshments are served along the way.

When we arrive at Valle de Colca, you'll be transferred to your selected lodge. In the afternoon we recommend you rest to acclimatize to the altitude. If you find yourself in good physical shape, take a walk around the surrounding countryside or take a bath in the nearby thermal pools. Overnight in the hotel. (B)

Day 07 Colca / Cruz del Condor

Very early in the morning we depart for the Cruz del Condor lookout, where you'll have a chance to see the largest flying bird in the world in full flight. On the return journey we visit the towns of Yanque, Coporaque, Achoma and Maca. It's a great opportunity to see the daily life of the inhabitants, whose customs have changed very little since Spanish Colonial times. We stop for lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon we return you to the hotel in Arequipa. (B)

Day 08 Arequipa / Cusco - City Tour and Surrounding Archaeological Sites

We transfer to Arequipa airport early in the morning for the flight to Cusco. On arrival we transfer you to your selected hotel. We recommend you take the rest of the morning to acclimatize to the altitude and have a light lunch in or near the hotel.

In the afternoon we start to explore the city of Cusco on a guided tour, visiting the main plaza, the Cathedral, and the Temple of the Sun (or Koricancha). We then visit the ruins on the outskirts of the city, stopping at the Inca ritual site of Quenqo, the water temple of Tambomachay, the customs house of Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built strategically on the hill above city of Cusco. It's famous for its enormous stone blocks, assembled with incredible precision to form the imposing external walls of the complex. Some of the stones stand 9 meters tall and weigh more than 350 tons. We then return you to your hotel. (B)

Day 09 Cusco / Sacred Valley of the Inca + Buffet Lunch

In the morning we start a guided tour of the Sacred Valley of the Inca, along the Urubamba River, to visit the famous Andean market town of Pisac. We have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we pass through the towns of Calca and Urubamba on the way to the Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to the Valley and protect the Empire from possible invasions by the people of the jungle. We have the opportunity to walk through the stone alleyways of the city and get an idea of what life was like in a military, religious and cultural center at the height of the . On the way back to Cusco we stop at the picturesque town of Chinchero, where we visit the ruins of a royal hacienda built for Tupac Inca Yapanqui. You'll admire the well-preserved Inca wall in the main plaza, and visit the beautiful colonial church with intriguing frescos painted on its portico, all built on Inca foundations. We return you to your hotel in Cusco. (B/L) Day 10 Inti Raymi Ince Solstice Festival (June 24)

This the day of the Inti Raymi – The Quechua name for the Festival of the Sun (pronounced: In-tea-rye-me). This annual reenactment of the millenary Inca summer solstice celebration is a “must” experience that you will never forget. Lost for centuries after the Spanish Conquest, and replaced by Catholic celebrations of Corpus Christi, Inti Raymi was revived in 1944 as a private initiative of Instituto Americano de Arte del Cuzco. It has since grown into Latin America's largest festivals, a spectacle of ancient royal pomp and energy. Dances and ceremonies are played out at the worship center of Sacsayhuaman above Cuzco. Attend the festivities with your guide to experience for yourself this spectacular reenactment of the ancient Inca rituals. The staging begins in the Koricancha, continuing to the Main Square of the city and ending at the esplanade of Sacsayhuaman. The central most important character is the Inca. When the ceremony ends the presentation of folkloric groups begins. Box lunch included. (B/L)

Day 11 Cusco / Machu Picchu + Buffet lunch

Early in the morning we take you to the train station for a three-hour journey to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Inca. We arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes, and take a bus for about 30 minutes, ascending up a series of switchbacks to reach the incomparable Machu Picchu. The excursion includes a guided tour of the citadel, visiting the main plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial, the royal quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. You also have some free time to walk around the complex at your own pace. We have lunch in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes, and take you to your selected hotel. (B/L) Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Day 12 Aguas Calientes / Cusco

Today is an excellent opportunity to start early, take in a beautiful dawn, and then walk around the town of Aguas Calientes, visiting its thermal baths. In the afternoon, we return by train to Cusco, and transfer to your selected hotel. (B) Hotel In Cusco

(Optional: Re-entry into Machu Picchu to climb Huayna Picchu or just explore the ruins at your leisure.)

Day 13 Cusco / Puno

At 7:30 in the morning your tour bus leaves for the city of Puno, which lies at 3,860 meters above sea level. During the journey we pass the Lake of Wacarpay, offering spectacular views of snow capped mountains, which are reflected in its tranquil waters. Near the lake we visit the Pre-Inca citadel of Pikillacta, Quechua for "City of the Thumbs." It's one of the most impressive sites built by the Wari culture, consisting of more than 700 structures, and walls almost 12 meters high. We continue to the picturesque town of Andahuaylillas, where we visit the temple of Saint Peter of Andahuaylillas, also known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas for its rich colonial artworks and painted murals that cover the walls, arches, entranceways and ceilings. Further on we stop at Archí, where we visit the spectacular sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacútec, dedicated to the Sun God Wiracocha. It has a grand central stone wall, with other walls built from adobe bricks. Around the temple you'll find a multitude of ancient buildings that were used as houses or storerooms.

About 70 kilometers further along, we reach the pass of La Raya, the highest point of the journey at 4400 meters above sea level, where you can spot herds of vicuñas and llamas. We then travel along the Collao plateau, stopping at the town of Ayaviri, an important cattle and textile center, where we visit the temple of Kalasaya, belonging to the ancient Pucara culture. We stop for a buffet lunch in a rustic rural setting where we can sample the culinary delights of the region. We arrive in Puno in the afternoon, and then you're transferred to your selected hotel. (B/L) Hotel in Puno

Day 14 Puno / Floating Islands of Uros + Taquile + Lunch

Early in the morning we start an unforgettable boat tour around Lake Titicaca. Our first stop is the Floating Islands of Los Uros, where people have lived since pre-Inca times. These Andean natives have built their own islands out of reeds, stacking new layers to form floating structures dozens of meters deep. The vegetable fiber used is Scirpus Totora, from the papyrus family. They also use this material to build their houses and boats. We continue to Taquile, inhabited by Quechua speakers who, over generations, have developed an efficient and original social system, and their own magnificent textile-making techniques. After lunch at a local tavern on Taquile we walk around its hillsides and archaeological sites. In the evening we return you to Puno, and your hotel. (B/L) Day 15 Sillustani & flight Juliaca to Lima

On the way to the airport in Juliaca we detour to visit the burial towers of Sillustani. These famous cylindrical stone structures — known as "chullpas" — were first built by the to entomb their high priests, and were then used by the Inca to bury their nobles. The burial towers sit above the shores of Umayo Lake, a stunningly beautiful site. We also have the chance to observe native birds of the region. After the flight to Lima we take you to your selected hotel to relax for the day. (B)

Day 16 Farewell: International flight

At the appropriate time we transfer you back to the airport. (B)

Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D)

Package Includes:

 Airport transfers  Accommodations at selected hotels with buffet breakfast  Meals as described in the itinerary (alcoholic beverages not included)  24-hour support and assistance in case of emergency  Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based in private service with English- speaking guides  All entrance fees and tips  City Tour Lima  Bus ticket Lima – Paracas  Islas Ballestas excursion & Paracas National Reserve  Bus ticket Paracas – Nazca  Over flight Nazca Lines (approximately 30 minutes)  Bus ticket Nazca – Arequipa  City Tour Arequipa + Mill of Sabandia  2 days Colca Canyon excursion + 02 lunches in Colca  City Tour Cusco + Ruins  Sacred Valley excursion  Inti Raymi Festival excursion with guide and box lunch  Vistadome Train round trip ticket  Machu Picchu excursion + lunch in private service  Bus ticket Cusco – Puno  Full Day Uros Island + Taquile  Tour Sillustani in private service

Not Included:

 International airfares  Domestic flights and US$7.00 airport tax for all national departures  Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.  Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident etc.  Baggage porterage and other extras not specified  Optional: Re-entry into Machu Picchu – US$47 per person  Optional : Entry to Huaynapicchu : US$56 per person

Jirón Junín 211, Lima 1, Perú Calle Schell 485, Miraflores, Lima 18, Perú Calle San Agustín Nº 317- Cusco, Perú Telephone: (+51-1) 427-2626 Telephone: (+51-1) 242-1900 Telephone: (+51-84) 221-304 (+51-1) 427-1958 (+51-1) 445-1760 TeleFax: 428-3247 Telefax: 445-1974

Web Site: http://fertur-travel.com E-mail: [email protected]

Call your Peru travel agent's TOLL FREE number: USA: 1-877-247-0055 In UK : 020-3002-3811 Business Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Peruvian Time Zone/EST - GMT 14:00 - 00:00 hours Saturday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm