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Day 1 – To Lima:
Overnight flight from London
to Lima, via Madrid, with LAN. (N)
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Day 2 – Lima:
Early morning arrival. Transfer to
the Casa Andina Private Collection for 1 night, including immediate occupancy.
Day at leisure / optional excursions. (B)
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Day 3 – To Arequipa:
Morning tour of colonial
and modern Lima, including San Isidro local
market and the architectural masterpiece of
San Francisco monastery. Fly over the Andes to
Arequipa, an attractive city of beautiful white
buildings and colonnaded plazas, surrounded
by a dramatic landscape. Stay at the Libertador
for 2 nights. (B)
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Day 4 – Arequipa:
Full-day city tour, including
the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, which
dates from 1500, and the Juanita Mummy
Museum. (B, L)
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Day 5 – To the Colca Canyon:
Drive into the Andes towards the Colca Canyon (taking approximately five hours, partly on unpaved
roads, with stops en route). The scenery is breathtaking, with snowy volcanic peaks, the
terraces of the Colca valley and herds of llamas scattered around. Stay 2 nights at Casa Andina. (B, L)
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Day 6 – Colca Canyon:
Early morning
excursion to Condor’s Cross, where
magnificent condors may be seen flying over
the canyon. Visit the town of Maca, famed for
its pre-Columbian textiles. Afternoon at leisure
to take a walk in the canyon or relax in the
natural hot springs. (B, L)
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Day 7 – To Lake Titicaca:
Travel by road to Puno and Lake Titicaca (approximately seven hours). Transfer to the Libertador, set on the
shores of the lake, for 2 nights. (B, L)
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Day 8 – Lake Titicaca:
Full-day tour of the
floating islands of Lake Titicaca, inhabited by the
Uros Indians, and Taquile island. (B, L)
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Day 9 – To Cuzco:
Take the Andean Explorer train to Cuzco (approximately 10 hours). Relaxover lunch with a pisco sour and music in the observation car as you pass high Andean peaks, mountain streams and rivers, cultivated
terraces and small valley towns. Transfer to the Casa Andina Private Collection for 2 nights. (B, L)
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Day 10 – Cuzco:
Morning at leisure in the Inca
capital. Afternoon tour of Cuzco, including the
San Blas district, Koricancha and the
cathedral. (B)
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Day 11 – To the Sacred Valley:
Full-day visit to the Indian market at Pisac and the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo, an astounding feat
of construction and ingenuity. Stay overnight in the Sacred Valley at Casa Andina Private
Collection. (B, L)
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Day 12 – To Machu Picchu:
Drive to Ollanta and take the train to Machu Picchu. Tour the
ruins and stay overnight at the Sumaq Hotel. (B, L, D)
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Day 13 – To Cuzco‡:
Morning at leisure or further explore Machu Picchu (purchase ticket at time of booking). Return to Cuzco by rail and road. Transfer to the Casa Andina Private Collection for 1 night. (B)
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Day 14 – To London:
Fly to Lima and on to London, via Madrid, with LAN. (B)
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Day 15 – London:
Afternoon arrival. (N)
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‡ Extra night:
You may wish to spend an additional night in Cuzco (from £55 per
person). Please advise at the time of booking.
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Festival:
The 15 June 2012 departure coincides
with the Inti Raymi festival, the Festival of the
Sun. This 16-day / 13-night departure includes
an extra night in Cuzco.
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Accessibility:
This tour is fully escorted, except for one night at Machu Picchu due to lack of
accommodation for guides. The itinerary is designed to optimise your time in Peru and
take in the major sights, while allowing time to adjust to the altitude. There are some early
morning starts and long drives.
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Meal Basis:
(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
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