|
GeoTours Trip to PERU - JULY 10-21, 2012 - Land Cost = $1090
PERU - JULY 10 - JULY 21, 2012 - GeoTours Trip Organized and Led by Matt Ebiner - WWW.GEOTOURS.US
LAND COST = $1090 (hotels, transportation by bus, train, and boat, entries/activities, breakfasts)
International and domestic airline tickets are extra and cost about $1200 from LAX, including taxes
Optional extension to Amazon Rainforest (July 6-10) costs $395, plus round-trip airfare from Lima to Iquitos (about $230)
Tuesday July 10 - Depart USA to Peru
Depart LAX in the early morning (1 am) (about $800 round-trip on Copa or Taca), arrive in Lima, and connect to afternoon flight ($100) to Arequipa. Arequipa is beautifully located at the edge of the Andes with Misti Volcano towering behind. Check in to Casa de Melgar Hotel, formerly the residence of the archbishop. If doing the Amazon extension from July 6-10, please see below, bottom of this page.
Wednesday July 11 - Arequipa
Visit Arequipa's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One highlight is Santa Catalina Monastery with beautiful architecture and murals. Take in the scenic views overlooking Arequipa towards Misti Vocano. Enjoy Arequipa's beautiful Plaza de Armas with plenty of restaurants and shopping. Night #2 in Arequipa.
Thursday July 12 - Colca Canyon
Two-day excursion to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. See rare vicunas at the Aguada Blanca Vicuna Reserve. Soak in hot springs at Chivay.
Friday July 13 - Colca Canyon to Puno
Morning visit to Cruz del Condor viewpoint to see Andean condors. Stop in small villages to see indigenous culture. Scenic viewpoints of ancient terracing. Continue to Puno on the shore of Lake Titicaca, 12,500' elevation. Two nights at Mosoq Inn in Puno.
Saturday July 14 - Puno
Morning is free to relax or shop in Puno. Afternoon tour of the pre-Inca tower tombs at Sillustani. Night #2 in Puno.
Sunday July 15 - Lake Titicaca
Take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca, first to the Uros Islands, floating islands made of tortora reeds. Continue to Amantani Island where you'll spend the night in a non-touristy village. Learn about traditional lifestyles. Hike to an ancient temple on a hilltop for sunset over the lake.
Monday July 16 - Lake Titicaca to Cusco
From Amantani Island we take a boat across Lake Titicaca back to Puno. Continue to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire 500 years ago and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two nights in Cusco, with excellent shopping and restaurants.
Tuesday July 17 - Cusco
Explore Cusco - Plaza de Armas, San Blas Church. In the afternoon attend the annual Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen in Pisac, with vibrant dancing and colorful costumes. Night #2 in Cusco.
Wednesday July 18 - Cusco
Free day in Cusco to enjoy the museums, restaurants, shops, and overall charm of this beautiful city. Night #3 in Cusco.
Thursday July 19 - Cusco-Pisac-Sacred Valley-Aguas Calientes
Morning to enjoy more of Cusco. Travel through the beautiful Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo with outstanding scenery. Visit the ancient salt mines at Salineras. Afternoon train ride along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu. One night in Aguas Calientes.
Friday July 20 - Machu Picchu
Morning bus ride up to Machu Picchu, the greatest archeological site of the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the ruins around sunrise before it's crowded with tour groups. Explore the site, and consider climbing Huayna Picchu peak for an additional great view of Machu Picchu. Afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, and bus to Cusco. One night in Cusco.
Saturday July 21 - Cusco to Lima; return to USA
Morning flight from Cusco to Lima. Fly home to the USA or continue your travels in Peru on your own.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday July 6 - Pre-trip extension to the Amazon Rainforest - Matt Ebiner might not accompany the group to the Amazon, but will make all arrangements and a guide will meet the group at the Iquitos airport
Depart LAX in the early morning, arrive in Lima, and connect to Iquitos. One night in Iquitos, in the Peruvian Amazon.
Saturday July 7 - Amazon Rainforest
Leave Iquitos in the morning by boat down the Amazon River. Stay in a jungle lodge for 3 days/2 nights (all-inclusive: lodging, 3 meals/day, transport, activities). Afternoon visit to an animal reserve with opportunities to see (and hold) rainforest wildlife up close. Nighttime exploration of the rainforest by canoe (with guide).
Sunday July 8- Amazon Rainforest
Canoe ride at dawn to see birdlife. Afternoon jungle hike with a guide. Visit a village of Yagua Indians. Take an excursion on the Amazon River to see pink dolphins. Swim in the Amazon. A colorful Amazon sunset completes an amazing day.
Monday July 9 - Amazon Rainforest
Go fishing in the Amazon for piranhas and catfish. Return by boat to Iquitos. One night in Iquitos
Tuesday July 10 Iquitos to Arequipa
Fly Iquitos to Lima Peru and then to Arequipa.
| 
