TREASURES OF PERU Preliminary Itinerary

Transcription

1 TREASURES OF PERU Preliminary Itinerary April 8-18, 2013 DAY 1: Depart for Lima, Peru You ll depart Miami early this evening on your Lan Peru flight to Lima. After arriving late this evening, we ll meet our Odysseys Unlimited Peruvian tour director and transfer to our hotel, where our rooms will be ready for our late arrival. Accommodations: Casa Andina Private Collection DAY 2: Lima After a late morning briefing about the journey ahead, we set out mid-day to visit the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum housing a unique display of pre-hispanic ceramics, including an acclaimed collection of erotic pre-columbian figures. After a welcome lunch together at the museum, we embark on a city tour and encounter the highlights of both colonial and modern Lima: the main square, bustling Plaza de Armas; Government Palace, occupying the site of the palace built by Lima s founder Pizarro; the Cathedral, rebuilt in 1758 after an earthquake destroyed the original building; Palacio Torre Tagle, a beautiful colonial mansion with Moorishinfluenced architecture; San Francisco Church, with its famous catacombs; and 16 th -century Santo Domingo Church. Dinner tonight is on your own. Accommodations: Casa Andina Private Collection DAY 3: Lima/Cuzco/Sacred Valley A morning flight brings us to Cuzco where we visit the Church of Santo Domingo, built on the foundations of Koricancha, the Incan Temple of the Sun. Before Spanish conquerors arrived, Koricancha was the Inca Empire s most exquisite temple, boasting gold-paneled walls and housing 4,000 priests. We enjoy brunch together before continuing north into the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Valle Sagrado de los Incas) and the town of Pisac, the largest fortress-city complex of the Incas. We stop at a colorful Quechua market set amid the mountains where you are free to explore the market and peruse the wares offered by the locals. Mid-afternoon we arrive at our hotel. This evening we attend a traditional Offering to the Earth ceremony, followed by dinner at our hotel. Accommodations: Sonesta Posada del Inca

2 DAY 4: Sacred Valley This morning we embark on a full-day exploration of the Sacred Valley, a beautiful and historic region with agricultural terraces virtually sculpted from the mountainsides. We begin with a visit to the farming village of Chincheros, where natives live much as their ancestors did; then continue on to the colonial village of Maras, known for its saltpans developed by the Inca and still in use today. We also view the circular terraces of Moray, large, natural depressions in the landscape that the Inca sculpted into terraces hundreds of years ago to serve as an experimental station for the development of different strains of crops. After lunch at a local restaurant we tour the massive ruins at Ollantaytambo, both a temple and a fortress, where work mysteriously halted centuries ago. Late this afternoon we return to our hotel with time to freshen up prior to dinner tonight. Accommodations: Sonesta Posada del Inca DAY 5: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu Early this morning we take the 1½-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes, then after lunch we board the shuttle bus for the 20-minute ride to Machu Picchu, the fabled "Lost City of the Incas. This ancient city in the clouds defies imagination and seemingly, the laws of gravity, physics, and architecture. Perched in a high saddle surrounded by Andean peaks, it was virtually intact when discovered in 1911 by adventurer Hiram Bingham. Because the Inca did not have written language, there is only speculation about the origins of Machu Picchu. Some claim it wasn't a city at all, but rather a royal and religious retreat built in the mid-1400s and abandoned a century later because of war and smallpox. Regardless, the precise masonry here is astounding; the setting, breathtaking. Our guided tour introduces us to the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage site, which encompasses five square miles of terraced stonework linked by 3,000 steps. This afternoon we return to Aguas Calientes where we can spend our free afternoon relaxing or exploring. Dinner is at our hotel. Please note: Because of limited space as we travel to Machu Picchu, you will need to bring a smaller, soft-sided duffel bag for your overnight stay at Machu Picchu. This additional bag should be small and flexible enough to fit inside your checked luggage. Accommodations: Inkaterra Machu Picchu DAY 6: Machu Picchu/Cuzco Before the tourist-filled trains arrive from Cuzco today, we take a second guided tour of the ruins, with time to admire the play of early morning shadows on the surrounding peaks. We return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and perhaps to buy woven blankets or alpaca sweaters then board our mid-afternoon train for Cuzco, a journey of approximately 3½ hours. Dinner is on your own this evening. 2

3 Accommodations: Hotel Libertador Cuzco DAY 7: Cuzco The Inca Empire s former capital and the continent s oldest continuously inhabited city, Cuzco bears the marks of its mixed Spanish-Inca heritage. Colonial and modern buildings incorporate Incan walls, arches, and doorways; charming houses surround elegant squares; and Inca descendants speak Quechua, the indigenous tongue. Early today you are free to wander Cuzco s beautiful streets; and admire its crafts stalls (wonderful places to buy jewelry, blankets, and other handmade souvenirs). Then we enjoy a tour highlight: lunch hosted by local Cuzco families in their homes. Later we embark on a city tour that introduces us to grand Plaza de Armas, the main square surrounded by arcades and lovely houses with ornate carved-wood balconies and terra cotta roofs. Presiding over the plaza is the 16 th -century Cathedral and its churches, boasting gold- and silver-plated altars; a 1958 silver-plated truck that carries statues in an annual procession; perhaps the finest carved-wood choir stalls in Peru; and famous paintings including La Ultima Cena ( The Last Supper ) by Zapata. Then we head to Sacsayhuamán, the most impressive Incan ruins near Cuzco, whose ramparts are made of massive, precisely fitted boulders, some 33 feet high and weighing 360 tons. This evening is free to dine where you wish and to perhaps take in Cuzco s nightlife. Accommodations: Hotel Libertador Cuzco DAY 8: Cuzco/Puno Early this morning we depart for the day-long journey by coach to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. As we travel through the rugged, snow-capped Andes dotted with small villages and herds of llama and alpacas, we make several stops along the way, including Andahuaylillas, an attractive village known for its lovely 17 th -century church; the ruins at Raqchi, once the holiest site in the Inca Empire; La Raya, perched on Peru s altiplano (high plain) and home to the Llama and Alpaca Research Center; and the ceramics center of Pucara. We reach our hotel on the shores of Esteves Island on Lake Titicaca late this afternoon; it s just five minutes into the center of Puno from our hotel. If you go into town for dinner on your own tonight, perhaps you ll catch a glimpse of some of the traditional dances for which this area is well known. Puno is also known as one of Peru s best places to buy woolens and alpaca sweaters, which may come in handy for the cool Highland evenings here. Accommodations: Hotel Libertador Puno DAY 9: Puno/Lake Titicaca We spend the day exploring the fascinating life of Lake Titicaca, South America s largest lake and at 12,500 feet above sea level, among the world s highest navigable lakes. Up here the air is clearer, the colors sharper, and the horizon farther. Legend has it that the founders of the Inca 3

4 Empire emerged from the deep waters of Lake Titicaca. By boat we visit the Floating Island of Los Uros, where the top-hatted Uros people live on islands made of the reeds that grow in the lake s shallows; in fact, the Uros rely on these reeds for virtually all their needs: their boats, the small huts in which they live, household items, and the handcrafts they sell. We also visit Isla Taquile, known for the high quality textiles crafted by the indigenous people who live here; sales of their textiles support the self-sustaining Taquilenos. On our visit, we see the men in their signature woven woolen caps with floppy earpieces, and women in tailored waistcoats and multilayered skirts. We also witness the breathtaking natural beauty surrounding us, with Bolivia s snow-capped Cordillera range a striking backdrop to the deep blue of Lake Titicaca. We return to our hotel late this afternoon; tonight we celebrate our Peruvian adventure at a farewell dinner at our hotel. Accommodations: Hotel Libertador Puno Meals: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner DAY 10: Puno/Lima/Depart for U.S. Early this morning we visit the mysterious stone burial towers (chullpas) at Sillustani, overlooking Lake Umayo. Built by the warlike non-inca Colla tribe, the towers here represent the best surviving examples of this impressive type of architecture. Following our visit we transfer to the airport for our late afternoon flight to Lima, arriving this evening. Upon arrival, we claim our luggage and transfer it to the LAN terminal. We then check in at the airport hotel where we have time to rest and relax. Dinner tonight is on your own before returning to the airport and boarding a flight to the U.S. Those embarking on the Amazon Rainforest post-tour extension will remain in Lima overnight at the Costa Del Sol Ramada Lima Airport hotel, and will then take a morning flight to Iquitos. Please see page 6 for more information. Accommodations: Costa Del Sol Ramada Lima Airport (Day Room) Meals: Breakfast DAY 11: Arrive in U.S. We arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with our flights home. AMAZON RAINFOREST 2013 POST-TOUR EXTENSION DAY 11: Lima/Iquitos/Ceiba Tops This morning you ll transfer to the Domestic Departures terminal for your flight to Iquitos, where you ll be met by your Amazon guide. This experienced naturalist will remain with you for the duration of your rainforest stay. A short ride through Iquitos brings you to the pier for the 25-mile voyage (approximately 1¼ hours) down the Amazon River to Ceiba Tops, our comfortable home in the Amazon jungle. Upon arrival, we meet with our guide for an 4

5 informational briefing about the lodge and the upcoming excursions. After lunch we take a guided hike through the beautiful primary rainforest reserve surrounding Ceiba Tops. Tonight we enjoy dinner together at the lodge. Please note: Because of weight restrictions on the boat, your luggage can weigh no more than 33 lbs. (in addition to your carry-on) while traveling through the Amazon. Should your luggage exceed this weight limit, you will need to store it in the secured Iquitos office of Ceiba Tops until you return on Day 14. Accommodations: Ceiba Tops DAY 12: Ceiba Tops We arise early this morning for a birding excursion; this is the best time to observe a diversity of species. Then we visit the local community of Yagua Indians, known for their skills in the art of blowgun hunting. Next we enjoy a dolphin watch and then return to Ceiba Tops for lunch. This afternoon we visit a nearby river village to see first-hand the authentic life of ribereños, the river people of the Amazon. Depending on whether or not school is in session, we may also stop for a visit with the local school children. Tonight we enjoy dinner at our jungle lodge. Accommodations: Ceiba Tops DAY 13: Ceiba Tops/Canopy Walkway Excursion Early this morning we depart from Ceiba Tops, traveling by boat (approximately 45 minutes) deep into the rainforest along the Napo River. We stop for breakfast at the ExplorNapo Lodge then hike to the spectacular Canopy Walkway spanning some 1,750 feet (about 1/3 of a mile). Connected by tree platforms that reach a height of 115 feet, the canopy allows us to see the rainforest from above an astounding sight. Please note: though the Canopy walkway is one of the longest suspended walkways in the world, it is accessible to everyone and does not require special skills or equipment to cross. Following a return hike back to the lodge for lunch, we visit the ethno-botanical garden where a local shaman cultivates more than 240 medicinal plants. The shaman will tell us how people of the Amazon use these plants for medicinal and healing purposes. Late this afternoon we return to Ceiba Tops in time to rest or relax by the pool before dinner together. Accommodations: Ceiba Tops DAY 14: Ceiba Tops/Lima/Depart for U.S. Those that wish may embark on an early morning birding excursion. Following lunch at the lodge, we journey back to Iquitos for the evening flight to Lima. Upon arrival, you will board your connecting flight to the U.S. 5

6 DAY 15: Arrive in U.S. We arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with our flights home. Please Note We will do our best to adhere to our printed itinerary. Occasionally though, unexpected obstacles, or opportunities, may arise that will force us to deviate from the itinerary as written. We would ask you to be open-minded and flexible should we vary the itinerary slightly. In addition, please note that airline schedules are subject to change. We will provide you with updated flight information closer to your departure. 6