Machu Picchu

May 5-17, 2005 -- our only scheduled tour to this area!

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Rail fans & ancient history lovers will be thrilled with this 12-day tour to Peru. You will be swept up in the excitement of this wonderful tour that traverses this third largest country in South America. It has a varied topography & offers many micro-regions, three of which are well defined & distinct. Of the 110 climates in the world, 89 are found in Peru--one reason why it is considered one of the most diverse & outstanding in the ecological world. Pre-Hispanic cultures that occupied this territory thousands of years ago make it the historical-archeological treasure of South America.

Tour all three of these distinct regions of Peru. The first is La Costa (the coast), an arid desert strip of 1512 miles, bathed by the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean. Its primary city is Lima. The second is the 120-mile wide La Sierra (the highlands) or the Andes Mountain Range in which Puno & Cusco compete for prominence. This range has more than 50 snow peaks, which may reach up to 20,000 ft above sea level. These alpine-like mountains stretch the length of South America. Finally, La Selva (the forest) is an enormous "green ocean" of Amazon Rainforest.

This trip begins in La Paz, Bolivia, & ends in Lima, Peru. Sightsee La Paz & visit the pre-Incan site of Tiajuanaco outside the city. Cross Lake Titicaca on a catamaran from Bolivia to Puno, Peru. On the world's highest navigable lake (depth up to 1000 ft), visit the Island of the Sun, the cradle of the Inca civilization. For a highlight of your trip, visit the floating islands of the ancient Uros people on the lake. The burial towers at Sillustrani stand as sentinels on the placid shores of the lake. The elevation at Puno is 12,437 ft.

Rest on an all-day train trip from Puno to the Imperial Inca City of Cusco. The visit of Cusco alone would justify your trip to Peru. It is known as the "Archeological Capital of America." It symbolizes the maximum splendor achieved by the Andean civilization. Tour the ancient ruins around the city & get your appetite whet for Machu Picchu.

Ride the narrow-gauge tourist railroad from Cusco to the ultimate destination of the trip--Machu Picchu, the Sacred Lost City of the Incas. Apparently a center of religious ceremonies for the Incas in the 15th & 16th centuries, this mist-shrouded citadel rests at 9750 ft elevation. It is the most palpable reminder of the powerful Andean civilization that stretched some 3000 miles from southern Colombia to central Chile. Take plenty of time to walk the Inca Trail & explore this mountaintop refuge. Soak in the thermal waters & shop for Andean weavings in Aguascaliente.

Fly from Cusco to your departure city, Lima. It is called the "City of the Kings," as it was the capital of the Spanish Empire in South America. Founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, two days to tour this rich historical city are most rewarding.

Peru Group Tour: Rails & Ruins & Incas

13-day Itinerary: May 5-17, 2005, price $2855 (additional $250 for single room)

This will be our only scheduled tour to this location.

Day 1 -- Fly to La Paz, Bolivia; Hotel El Dorado in La Paz.

Day 2 -- Guided city tour & the Valley of the Moon, the Tiahuanaco archeological site, and the Sun Door; Hotel El Dorado. B,L

Day 3 -- Cross Lake Titicaca in a catamaran from La Paz to Puno, Peru. Stop on the Island of the Sun (birthplace of the Incas) & Copacabana with the oldest church in South America; Eco Inn in Puno on Lake Titicaca. B,L

Day 4 -- Visit to the floating islands of Los Uros in Lake Titicaca. Tour the tower tombs of the high class Collas--a culture more ancient than the Inca culture--at the Sillustani ruins; Eco Inn in Puno. B,L

Day 5 -- Journey by train all day from Puno to Cusco, the Imperial City, 11,000+ ft elevation; Hotel Ruinas in Cusco. B,L

Day 6 -- Tour the formidable Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the rock sanctuary of Quenqo, the archeological group of Puca Picara & the Virgin Baths of Tambomachay; Hotel Ruinas in Cusco. B,D

Day 7 -- Enjoy a day on your own to visit the Pisac marketplace & fort, the Ollantaytambo, the archeological museum & explore more of this ancient city; Hotel Ruinas in Cusco.. B,D

Day 8 -- Ride the 70-mile narrow-gauge tourist railroad from Cusco to the foot of Machu Picchu. The trip is 3.5 hrs. As it nears Machu Picchu, there are views of snow-capped mountains, Indian villages & precarious terraced fields all around. A guided tour of the ruins & walk on the Inca Trail; Hotel Machu Picchu Inn at Aguas Calientes (7900 ft elevation) below the ruins. B,L

Day 9 -- Explore the ruins on your own today, & possibly climb Wayna Picchu. Aguas Calientes is a great place to shop & appreciate the native weavings; Hotel Machu Picchu Inn. B,D

Day 10 -- Soak in the thermal waters this morning outside of Aguas Calientes. Return to Cusco by train in the afternoon; Hotel Ruinas in Cusco. B,L

Day 11 -- Fly Cusco to Lima, 500 ft elevation. An afternoon city tour of Lima goes to the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral where Pizarro's remains lay, the San Francisco Convent with its Cloister, Catacombs & Museum of Religious Art, the archeological museum & the national museum; Aristo Hotel. B,D

Day 12 -- Visits to the Larco Herrera Museum with the greatest collection of pre-Columbian ceramics in the country, and the Gold Museum with the most important private collection of jewelry & objects of pre-Columbian times; Aristo Hotel. B,D

Day 13 -- Depart Lima.

Package Price: $2855 per person, double occupancy (additional $250 for single room). The package includes 12 hotel nights, all in-country flights, railroads & private transfers, local expert bi-lingual guides, all breakfasts plus 1 other meal each day & most tips. It does not include airfare, meals not designated in the itinerary, or trip insurance. Trip details are subject to change.

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