Total
Peru Escorted Tour - Full Dossier
15
Day Peru Tour, Lima to Lima - from US$ 1595.00 per person
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This
journey is designed for travelers who wish to see all the
highlights of Peru in one compact, fully-organized trip. It
covers the majority of the most visited places in Peru in
a order that allows passengers to acclimatize well to changes
in altitude and therefore fully enjoy their vacation time.
| Our
Total Peru vacaction is a comprehensive visit to the main
Southern Peruvian attractions starting and ending in Lima,
the City of Kings, from Lima we visit the amazing Nazca
Lines before passing onto the beautiful city of Arequipa
with its amazing convent and out to the Colca Canyon for
Condor and Vicuna spotting. After visiting Colca, the
deepest canyon in the world, the tour continues onto Puno
and Lake Titicaca with a day spent exploring the islands.
The next stop is the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, the
Sacred Valley and then the jewel in the crown, Machu Picchu. |
 |
After all this you visit the immense Amazon Jungle. This is
superb trip visiting some fantastic places in a relatively
short space of time.
Included
Highlights:
- Lima
"City of Kings"
- Arequipa,
"The White City"
- Colca
Canyon
- Puno
- Lake
Titicaca
- Cusco
"Navel of the Inca Empire"
- Machu
Picchu "Wonder of the World"
- Sacred
Valley "Inca Garden and Playground"
- Amazon
Jungle "Rainforest Adventure"
Day
1 - Arrive Lima
Arrive in Lima at any time. Your transfer driver will pick
you up and take you to the hotel. There are no planned activities
to do today so you can check into our hotel and enjoy the
city. Your Escaped to Peru local representative will talk
to you about your arrangements for the following day and a
notice will be posted in the arrival hotel with details too.
If you wish to have a Lima City Tour you can ask reception
to arrange that for you if you have time before we all meet.
| Known
as the City of Kings, Perus capital city Lima was founded
by Francisco Pizarro on the Day of the Three Kings (Epiphany)
in 1535. The Plaza de Armas is the heart of old Lima,
and it is here you find the Cathedral, Government Palace
and Archbishops Palace. The Cathedral dates back to the
1700s and houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro.
To get a feel for colonial Lima, you could take a cab
to the Plaza de Armas and watch the changing of the Palace
Guard in the afternoon. |
 |
Walk
the streets surrounding the Jirón de la Unión
for great examples of Spanish-colonial architecture and to
get a taste for life in a large South American city. An optional
city tour visits many of the citys highlights, feel free to
speak to us about this.
There are many fine museums in and around the city, including
the Museo Rafael Larco Herrera, which houses an equally impressive
collection of pottery, mummies and textiles from the Paracas
and Nazca cultures. The more affluent districts of Miraflores,
Barranco and San Isidro, which are on the coast, offer good
nightlife and cafés all within walking distance. Seafood
lovers in particular should be sure to try a ceviche, for
which Lima is well known.
Day
2 - Arequipa
This morning you go back to the airport and take a short flight
to the city of Arequipa (2350). This a really lovely city
with several good things to see and do, the most spectacular
of which is the Santa Catalina Convent and the mummie museum
is very interesting too. You can spend your day sightseeing
and enjoying the sun before going out to eat.
Day
3 - Colca Canyon
Today you travel through a national reserve in our private
transport with your expert guide looking for the vicuna.
This animal, belonging to the camel family, has the most
expensive wool in the world and is highly protected and
very shy. We then carry on into the Colca Valley enjoying
fantastic views of snow capped volcanoes. You pass through
the highest point of the trip, 5000m. Your home for the
next 2 nights is a lovely lodge in the valley in one of
the small villages there (3600m). You may also have a
short walk to an ancient graveyard. |
 |
Day
4 - Colca Canyon
Today is an early start as you travel with your local guide
to see the biggest land-living bird, the condor. Normally
(no guarantee) there are several of these majestic birds circling
on the thermals near to the Condor Cross at the mouth of the
canyon. From there you may do a short hike or visit some villages
depending upon your preferences and your guides advice. After
returning to the lodge for a late lunch you go to the thermal
springs which are very relaxing indeed.
Day
5 - Puno
Today you travel to Puno in a private bus or small van. The
journey is very scenic as you climb gradually to reach the
high Peruvian plain, the Altiplano. The journey will take
most of the day and arrival on the shores of Lake Titicaca
will be at around 3.30pm. You will have time to rest, use
the internet, have a look around the town etc. before going
out for the evening and discuss the plans for the island visit.
Days
6 and 7 - Lake Titicaca
After breakfast the day starts with a transfer to the
port to meet your local guide and board the boat taking
you out onto the lake. During today and tomorrow you will
visit the Uros floating islands, Taquile Island and spend
the night on Amantani Island. The order of the visits
will depend upon your local guide and conditions on the
sixth biggest and highest navigable lake in the world.
Your lake tour will have three meals included and a home-stay
with a local family on the island. |
 |
This
is basic, rustic accommodation and very rewarding as a look
at how other people live. If we have time when we get back
to Puno you could visit the Yavari steam boat or the funeral
towers of Sillustani.
Day
8 - Sunday. Cusco
Travel to Cusco by first class public bus across the Altiplano.
Very scenic journey and witness to an interesting change
in climate, people and vegetation as we drop several hundred
meters during the day to arrive in Cusco. Upon arrival
you can take it easy and wander around this magnificent
city before experiencing the famous nightlife and dinning
in the evening. |
 |
Day
9 - Ollantaytambo
Today you will travel with your local guide through the Sacred
Valley of the Incas after visiting several points of interest
in and close to Cusco. This is not the standard tour offered
by many. You will visit the Cathedral, the Sun Temple or Koricancha
and also the fortress of Sacsaywaman before dropping down
into the valley.
An
important source of food for the Inca, the Sacred Valley is
a lush agricultural region that continues to supply the city
of Cuzco with much of its produce. We will visit the very
impressive Pisaq Ruins and take a quick look at the colorful
artisan market (varies in size depending upon the day) and
the lovely village itself. After our lunch in Urubamaba, included
today, the day trip finishes in the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo,
with a visit to the impressive Inca site. Here you can catch
your breath and spend the night.
Spending
the night in Ollantaytambo gives you a change of environment,
a lower altitude and means you do not have to get up really
early the next day to catch the train!
Day
10 - Machu Picchu
After breakfast you take a taxi or take the short walk down
to the station where you board the train winding through the
increasingly steep Sacred Valley. Arriving in the village
of Aguas Calientes (2100m) you will check in to your hotel
and meet your guide for a guided tour of one of the most spectacular
places on earth. After a 2-hour guided tour you will have
time to wander around this magical place before getting a
bus back down to the town and rounding off the day with a
well earned drink and a hearty meal.
Day
11 - Machu Picchu and Cusco
Today you have two options before returning to Cusco.
You could go up to Machu Picchu for a second time to spend
more time there without the group (not included, simply
speak to us in Cusco) or you could go walking to a lovely
waterfall and/or visit the thermal springs (these things
you could also choose to do on your first day instead).
You choose. You will then take the afternoon train back
to Cusco. |
 |
Day
12 - Cusco
Day on which you can decide what you would like to do. Shopping,
sightseeing or another activity. You can choose with our help
and advice.
Day
13 and 14 - Amazon Jungle
Today, after a transfer to the airport, you take the 30 minute
flight from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the lowlands
of the Amazon jungle. You will be met by your local jungle
guides who will be looking after you until you get your plane
back to Cusco and hom. You will travel by motorized canoe
to our lodge in the Tambopata Rainforest Area, which holds
the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.
Explore the jungle with local guides before flying to Lima
for a final night out.
| About
half of Peru is located within the Amazon Basin, however,
due to its isolation, not a lot of it is available to
the casual traveler. Puerto Maldonado is the regions principal
city and is serviced by air from the capital and from
Cuzco. The town is situated at the confluence of the Madre
de Dios and Tambopata Rivers, and is a bustling, booming
tropical frontier town. Its principal activities are gold
mining, Brazil nut collecting, timber extraction, agriculture
and ecotourism. |
 |
After
a brief stop in the town we depart on an afternoon boat trip
by motorized canoe to our jungle lodge. Depending on flight
arrival times we have either a boxed lunch aboard the boat
or lunch upon arrival at the lodge. During our voyage you
will have the chance to see bird species typical of the river
or forest edge such as Black Skimmers, Pied Lapwings, Capped
Herons, Jabiru Storks, Roadside Hawks and several species
of kingfishers, swallows, and flycatchers.
The Tambopata area includes habitats ranging from the Andean
highlands around the rivers' headwaters through some of the
last remaining intact cloud forests to the lowland rainforests
of the Amazon basin. The area is renowned for its diverse
plant and animal populations and include over 1,300 bird species
(including 32 parrot species - 10% of the worlds total), 200
mammal species including 4 species of primates, 90 frog species,
1,200 butterfly species and 10,000 species of higher plants
all protected within the reserve. Some of the more famous
residents are the Harpy Eagle, the prehistoric looking Hoatzin,
tapir, peccary, jaguar, ocelot and playful river otters who
live in the area s oxbow lakes.
The lodge itself combines native architectural style and materials
with low-impact eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple
but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds,
flush toilets, showers (no hot water), and kerosene lamps
for lighting (no electricity). Local community members make
up the majority the lodge staff, including multilingual Naturalist
Guides. Here you have the opportunity to learn from them not
only about the areas rich flora and fauna, but also about
their extensive practical uses for medicinal plants and other
forest plant resources, through traditional techniques for
building, fishing, and hunting. This is the last night you
will be together as a group as the tour ends tomorrow and
some people will connect the same afternoon to their evening
flights home.
Day
15 - Lima
Leave the jungle lodge and travel back to Maldonado for your
flight to Lima via Cuzco for one final night on the town.
The plane makes a stop in Cusco en route to Lima but you stay
on. You will then continue on to Lima to be met by our transfer
driver if you are staying the night in the Capital again.
IMPORTANT
- Depending on your international flights you can connect
directly and fly home or if you would like / need to stay
an extra day in Lima please let us know so we can arrange
the extra transfers and hotel for you.
Included:
13
nights accomodation with breakfast included (twin share basis
unless single supplement paid)
1
night Homestay with a family on Amantani island on Lake Titicaca.
Domestic
flights Lima - Arequipa, Cusco - Puerto Maldonado and Puerto
Maldonado - Lima.
Domestic
air taxes.
All
ground transfers as stated until arrival in Lima at the end
of the trip.
Colca Canyon 3 day package with private transfers to Puno.
Lake
Titicaca 2 day program with homestay and meals.
Private
Cusco city and Sacred Valley tour, entrance fees for all sites,
with lunch, all privately guided.
Visit
to Machu Picchu on Vistadome train (First Class service) and
including all buses and tickets and a private guided tour.
Amazon
Jungle package including rooms, meals, guiding and transport.
Not
Included:
International
flights to your destination (unless specifically booked with
us).
End
of tour arrangements (unless specifically booked with us).
Meals
(other than those stated) and personal spending money.
International
airport taxes.
Your
Fellow Travelers:
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the
pleasures and maybe some of the small frustrations of traveling
in a mixed group. Your fellow travelers will probably come
from all over the world and are likely to be of a variety
of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various
needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow
travelers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's
travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities
to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain
time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting.
We have found time and time again that the very best trips
we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work
well - this takes just a little effort on your part.
Eating:
This is a big part of traveling. Traveling with Escaped to
Peru you will experience the vast array of wonderful food
that is available. Generally meals are not included in the
trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give
you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with
whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility,
though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together
to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy
each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though.
Your tour leader or guide will be able to suggest favourite
restaurants during your trip.
Domestic Flights:
All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless
otherwise stated. It is important that we have your correct
passport information and full names at the time of booking
in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets
are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight
departure.
Single
Travelers:
We believe single travelers should not have to pay more to
travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation
and do not involve a single supplement (If a single room is
absolutely necessary please speak to us when booking). Single
travelers joining group trips are paired in twin share accommodation
with someone of the same sex, and as close to the same age,
for the duration of the trip, but after speaking with your
tour leader or guide you may be able to rotate if the rooming
allows.
Joining
Hotel: To be Confirmed
Joining
Instructions:
Jorge Chavez International Airport, in Callao Lima, is approximately
a 45-minute drive from the Miraflores district, where our
joining hotel is located.
Upon leaving the baggage claim area you will see a large open
area with sign boards all around. Look for your name on a
sign board. As there are many people and signs in this area
it may be difficult for you to spot the sign immediately.
Please take your time in doing so and if at that stage you
do not see a sign board with your name please wait. In the
event that your driver does not arrive within 30 minutes please
ask the information desk to arrange an official taxi for you
which should cost approximately $25 USD and this money will
be reimbursed by your tour leader or Escaped to Peru representative
in Cusco.
IMPORTANT - There will be many drivers holding
signs with agency or passenger names as well as taxi drivers
asking you if you require their services. These are NOT our
drivers and you should NOT accept their services. Please wait
for our designated transfer person with your name or follow
the instructions above.
Arrival Delays:
If for any reason you are unable to start your trip on the
scheduled date due to problems with your international flights
or other reasons, please contact your starting point hotel,
requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip
leader. If you are unable to get in touch with your leader,
please refer to our emergency contact details.
Emergency
Contacts:
Should you need to contact Escaped to Peru during a situation
of dire need, it is best to first call our local office in
Cusco. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer,
please leave a detailed message and contact information, so
we may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.
For all our contact details
please click
here.
What
to Pack:
Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in
South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes,
the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night.
A good size daypack is also very useful.
Suggested
checklist: (to be selected from for trekking or non-trekking
needs)
- Passport
(with photocopies)
- Travel
insurance (with photocopies)
- Airline
tickets (with photocopies)
- USD
cash and travelers cheques (Note: Travelers cheques can
only be changed on working days)
- Credit
or debit cards (see personal spending money)
- Any
entry visas or vaccination certificates required
- Camera
and film
- Reading/writing
material
- Binoculars
- Cover
for backpacks
- Fleece
top
- Windproof/waterproof
jacket
- Small
towel and swim wear
- Shirts/t-shirts
- Sun
hat
- 1
pair of shorts
- 2
pairs of long trousers
- 1
pair hiking pants/track pants
- Hiking
boots/ sturdy walking shoes
- Sport
sandals
- Knee-length
socks (to be used with rubber boots, if provided at the
jungle lodge)
- Sun-block
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries
(biodegradable)
- Watch
or alarm clock
- Water
bottle
- Purification
tablets or filter
- Flashlight
- First-aid
kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine,
Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration
powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
RECOMMENDED FOR THE INCA TRAIL:
- Inner
sheet (for sleeping bag)
- Fair
sized daypack
- Wool
hat, mitts or gloves (preferably waterproof)
- Rain
poncho
- Strong
plastic bags to help keep gear dry
- Sleeping
bag (this can also be hired locally for approximately $15
USD)
- Mattress
(a foam mattress is included as part of the hike; self inflating
type mattresses are available for hire locally, $15 USD)
- Anti-inflammatory
tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen)
Note: If bringing a walking stick, it must be rubber tipped
as steel tips are not allowed on the Inca trail.
All other camping equipment is provided for the Inca Trail
excursion. Porters carry the camping gear, food, and a portion
of your personal belongings. All you will need to carry
is a day-pack, containing waterproof jacket, fleece top,
camera, water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, and hat during
the hike.
Laundry:
Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a
charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to
do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable
soap.
Visas and travel documents:
All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months
validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the
most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.
IT
IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.
Personal Expenses :
Every traveler is different and therefore spending money requirements
will vary. Some travelers may drink more than others while
other travelers like to purchase more souvenirs than most.
Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to
allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember
the following specific recommendations when planning your
trip.
Changing and getting money:
Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances.
Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. ATMs are widely
available. Check with your bank to see if your cards are OK
for Peru and any other South Amnerican countries you visiting
with us, and the likely charges involved.
Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of
money. A combination of US dollar cash, travelers cheques
and cards is best, although you will usually be charged a
commission or given a less-favorable exchange rate for travelers
cheques. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want
to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE TIP: Please be advised that slightly torn
notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may
be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly
good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent).
As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that
you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates:
www.xe.com
Local
Payment:
Most of our adventure tours involve a Local Payment that is
paid to the Tour Leader or Company Representative in cash
on a specified day of your tour, usually in Cusco. This Local
Payment is put towards local expenses, such as arranging internal
flights as well as entrance and guide fees. Local Payments
also reduce the need to wire or transfer funds which can become
very expensive. This lowers our operational costs so we can
pass the savings on to you. The local payment is in addition
to, and is not included in, the base tour price.
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional
USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used
when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster)
require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
International Airport Departure Tax: $31
USD
Tipping: It is customary in Latin America
to tip service providers depending on the level of service.
Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component
of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with
the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it
may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance
to the people who will take care of you during your travels.
The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a
guideline $20 USD per person, per week could be used.
Optional
Activities:
There are a number of optional activities that you can do
while on tour and you should speak to your tour leader or
guide for information and prices.
Health:
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel
information well before departure. We recommend that you carry
a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements.
Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and
away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders
are prohibited from administering any type of drug including
headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip
please carefully read the itinerary and assess your ability
to cope with our style of travel.
Proof of Yellow Fever inoculation will be required before
you depart for the Amazon. You should be aware that there
is a 10 to 15 day period before the inoculation becomes fully
effective.
Please take into account your travels to high altitude. This
is medically defined as anything over 8,000 feet (2,440 meters).
Most people can travel to 8,000 feet with minimal effects.
However, everyone reacts to altitude differently and altitude
sickness can on set with some people irrespective of fitness
and age. For details on
how to best prepare and what to do in the unlikely event you
are affected on your adventure, please consult your physician.
Safety
and your Security:
We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while
travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets,
travelers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your
valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while traveling.
Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which
is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is
recommended for securing your luggage. When traveling on a
group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority
to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is
deemed necessary due to safety concerns. During your trip
you will have some free time to pursue your own interests,
relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your
group leader will assist you with options available in a given
location please note that any optional activities you undertake
are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations
about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators
running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting
an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited
on tour are generally very safe during the day, there can
be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night,
especially if you have had a few drinks! It is our recommendation
to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants,
or during night time excursions.
Care should be taken when wandering around on your own in
central Lima, as some areas can be dangerous and pickpockets
are daring.
Medical Information:
Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages.
It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an
'average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake
our easiest programs. Travelers must be able to walk without
the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step
on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum.
Travelers over the age of 70, or travelers with a pre-existing
medical condition must let us know of any limitations. This
is to ensure that senior travelers have the necessary fitness
and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While
our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travelers are
catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help
individuals who can not complete the day's activities unaided.
Your Tour Leader will pass around a form at the intro meeting
and you should note there anything you have forgotten to tell
us, or tell your Tour Leader or guide in confidence.
Some Tour Guidelines:
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing
or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but
also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana
and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the
world but is not acceptable for Escaped to Peru travelers.
Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone
we encounter, and in particular the local people who make
the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes
is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader
has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are
found in their possession or they use prostitutes.
Insurance:
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on
any of our trips. When traveling on a group trip, you will
not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel
insurance has been seen by your leader, guide or coordinator.
When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at
a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency
repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers
personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of
luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance
we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit
card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your
bank for details of their participating insurer, the level
of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Being
a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what Escaped
to Peru is all about. From the start we have been committed
to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveler and host
alike. Unlike many companies out there we are limiting our
groups to 8 travelers, this means lower impact, smaller buses.
less pollution and a more intimate experience for you.
If you need to be contacted while traveling we recommend that
you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road,
rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming
increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions
we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our
leaders and travelers to stay in touch. If someone wishes
to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our
trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent,
or refer to our Emergency Contact. We recommend that family
and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels
en route, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel
receptions often don't have good English speaking staff.
Price:
See below
Price
on request as this will depend upon the hotel standard
you choose and if you intend to add any extra days along the
route. Feel free to choose Voyager
or Luxury Class
or a combination of the two accommodation levels.
Booking
enquires should be made as far in advance as possible as sometimes
train and plane tickets are difficult to get hold of in high
season.
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