HIDDEN TREASURES OF PERU
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The “Kingdom of the Sun” is a country of historic cultures, where the traditional way of life for the Indians thrives, where colonial towns remain intact, and where Machu Picchu, the greatest treasure of the Americas, continues to amaze and mystify. Under the rule of powerful kings, an incredible people known as the Incas amassed an empire that built systems of winding mountain roads, remarkable cities, and an unforgettable legacy. Today, Peru remains one of the most spectacular places to visit . . . 10,000 years of history in more than 5,000 archeological sites . . . 84 of the world’s 117 life zones . . . 11 ecological regions . . . 1,800 bird species . . . 3,500 varieties of orchids . . . Peru combines ancient presence with natural beauty to be one of the ten most biologically diverse countries in the world. It is not to be missed! Flight Schedule from New York JFK to Lima LIM: LA 531 AUG 13 JFK/LIM 10:30 PM 6:30 AM+1* Exclusively for Women
Not Included:
Peru Entry Requirements: *** Valid passport required. U.S. citizens do not need a Visa or Inoculations*** Day 1 – Thursday, August 13: Depart the U.S. on Overnight Flights to Lima Day 2 – Friday, August 14: Arrive Lima, “The City of Kings” Airport Transfer Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival, you will be met by our local tour manager, assisted with your luggage, and escorted to our waiting vehicle. Since it’s early and rooms at the hotel will not be ready, we will provide you with an immediate feel for your new surroundings with a Tour of Lima. You will get acquainted with Peru's capital city, its 2,000 year history and its colonial heritage. Driving through the residential district of Miraflores, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and its beaches. We will visit Casa Luna, where the owners will welcome you into their home to show you their unique collection of Nativity scenes. Later we drive to the modern district of Monterrico to visit the renowned Gold Museum and admire its priceless collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts. In the afternoon, we will check-in at our hotel, the Miraflores Colon Hotel Lima, with the rest of the afternoon at leisure to rest. Later, join club members for dinner in Lima at Astrid & Gaston, an excellent restaurant nearby. (D)
Sunrise Visit to the Farmer’s Market To visit the Farmer’s Market is perhaps one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in Lima or anywhere else in the world! At about 6:00 am, we go first to the famous fish market in Villa Maria del Triunfo. You will see just about everything that the Pacific Ocean provides on a daily basis . . . the fish are fabulously fresh! In the capital you can find everything. The wholesale fruit market has treasures from the coast highlands and the jungle. Try the healthiest of fresh-squeezed juices at a superb local juicer before we proceed for a tasty breakfast on Capon Street. Now for another wonderful experience . . . to understand the artistic traditions and contemporary lives of Lima’s residents, we will tour Lima's Historical Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, we tour Museo Larco, housed in an 18th century colonial mansion that holds the most extensive collection of pre-Columbian art in Peru. It contains fine examples of textile work, one of which has a world record-breaking 398 threads per inch, as well as the tools ancient Peruvians used to make metals, huaco ceramics, and gold and silver pieces with semiprecious stones. A light lunch served in a Creole restaurant will enable you to taste some of the local Peruvian delights.
Day 4 – Sunday, August 16: Lima Breakfast Following breakfast at the hotel, we set off to visit two of Lima's ancient oracle centers with an archaeologist/guide. We begin with Huaca Huallamarca, an oracle centre that functioned for 1,200 years up until the Spanish Conquest. Next we visit the Huaca Pucllana archeological center that was active between the 5th and the 8th centuries A.D. Today, you will be treated to lunch in an unparalleled setting that is one of the city's greatest surprises. Set within the compound of a 1,500-year old-adobe pyramid that was built by the original inhabitants of Lima, the restaurant is handsomely designed in a rustic colonial style. You may enjoy your lunch indoors or out, but the best spot is without a doubt the covered terrace. The menu is creative Peruvian, with fusion touches spicing up classic Creole cooking. Later we return to the hotel for remainder of day at leisure. (B, L)
Day 5 – Monday, August 17: Lima / Cusco Breakfast After an early breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the airport for the one-hour flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, we will tour the city, starting out at the Santo Domingo Convent and Monastery. This former colonial monastery was previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Also included in the tour are stops at the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. After touring the most interesting sites of the city, you will be driven to the countryside outside Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area. Included are the cult center of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara. In the afternoon we check in our hotel, the Jose Antonio Cusco and the rest of this day is at leisure. (B)
Day 6 – Tuesday, August 18: Cusco / Yucay, the Sacred Valley Breakfast
We will overnight at the Posada de Inca Hotel in Yucay, a town in the Sacred Valley. (B, L)
Day 7 – Wednesday, August 19: Yucay / Machu Picchu / Cusco Breakfast And now the day we’ve all been waiting for . . . a chance to visit "The Lost City of the Incas" and to see one of the seven wonders of the world. After breakfast we leave our luggage with the tour company who will send it our hotel in Puno for tonight’s check-in. Then we transfer to the Ollanta station to board the Orient Express luxury train, The Hiram Bingham, named for the American explorer who discovered Machu Picchu in 1911. The journey will take about three and a half hours, during which you will be served an exquisite brunch while enjoying the spectacular Andean scenery. Arrival at The Lost Citadel of the Incas is around 1:00 pm. We will have a guided tour of the marvelous citadel, an awe-inspiring experience. There will be free time to stroll around the archaeological site and to walk to the Sun Gate at the end of the Inca Trail. We will enjoy afternoon tea at the renowned Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge Hotel. As the sun begins to set around 5:00 pm, we will return to the train for departure. Back on board, your VIP treatment continues with a cocktail and live entertainment. A 4-course gourmet meal will be served in the dining car, making your entire day an unforgettable experience. Back in Cusco, we return to the Jose Antonio Hotel Cusco and check-in for the night.
Day 8 – Thursday, August 20: Cusco / Puno Breakfast We depart the hotel after breakfast via local bus service to Puno, passing along the dramatic landscapes of the highland plateau, with occasional views of tiny Andean villages and herds of llamas and vicunas. Along the way we will visit the Sillustani Burial Towers known as chulpas (ancient and impressive tombs from the pre-Inca period). We will stop at Andahuaylillas, where there is a beautiful baroque church built at the beginning of the XVIIth century. It is well known thanks to its beautiful mural paintings. Our next stop is at Raqchi, where there is an Inca temple built to worship Wiracocha, one of the most important Inca gods. Finally, we will stop at the archaeological site of Pukara (200 BC-AD 300) and will see the Red Fortress. Pukara is also famous for its pottery, especially the “Little Bulls” made of ceramic. Lunch will be served at a restaurant en route. Upon arrivial in Puno, we will be transferred to the Jose Antonio Hotel Puno with the balance of the day at leisure. (B, L)
Day 9 – Friday, August 21: Puno Breakfast Puno is located on the shores of the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, home to numerous ethnic groups who still maintain pre-Columbian customs including floating reed island homes using Totora reeds from the lake. Our motor boat trip takes us to some of the more unique islands of Lake Titicaca, starting with the utterly fascinating and completely man made Uros Islands, home of the Uros Indians, the Lords of the Lake. Then we travel to Taquile Island, which is inhabited by a community of 400 families, the Quechua-speaking natives who have both an efficient and original social system with traditions from the 14th century, plus a fine handweaving technique developed over several generations. (B) Day 10 – Saturday, August 22: Lima Breakfast Today, we have some time in the morning before we transfer to Juliaca Airport for our afternoon flight to Lima. There, we will be met and provided with assistance to our connecting overnight flight back to the states. We arrive this morning in New York JFK Airport at 7:30 am. NOTES: Altitude Sickness – Anyone affected by altitude should consult a physician prior to booking. Cusco, Peru is at 11,000 feet. Oxygen – Oxygen is available at the hotel for 15 minutes at no additional cost and it is common for first-time visitors to take advantage of this as you acclimate to the thinner air. Physical Condition – This tour involves extensive walking (approximately 2 miles per day) and climbing steps at ruins. For more information, go to: Visit Peru
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Day 3 – Saturday, August 15: Lima
This morning we leave Cusco to go by motorcoach to the
Trips designed by women for women