Inca Explorer

Tour Dates: April 26^th to May 11^th, 2020

From its amazing archaeological treasures to its gastronomic delights and from its rich history to its melting pot of cultures, Peru offers visitors a wide array of attractions—and on this tour; you’ll experience its highlights. Discover Lima’s colonial heritage steeped in history with pre-Columbian ruins and Spanish colonial buildings. Encounter the vibrant local culture of Lake Titicaca, walk the halls of a historical convent in colonial Arequipa, and delight in views of the Sacred Valley from the comfort of the train to Machu Picchu. Marvel at the strange, mysterious beauty of the Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether watching for wildlife or exploring Incan culture, strike travel gold in this incredible country.

Lima (2 nights), Paracas (1), Nazca (2), Arequipa (2), Sacred Valley (2), Aguas Calientes (1), Cusco (2), Puno (2) and Lima (1)

Peru Highlights:

• Uncover the ancient mystery of the Pachacamac Temple

• Cruise around the Ballestas Islands, spotting penguins, sea lions, and more

• See the enigmatic Nazca Lines, whether they’re the work of ancient civilizations or something more supernatural

• Explore the eerie desert graveyard of Chauchilla

• Experience the historic and renowned pottery culture at a local workshop

• Sample pisco at an Ica Valley winery, and help a chef prepare local dishes in Arequipa

• Arequipa city tour including the Santa Catalina Convent

• Enjoy a special lunch complete with live Andean music

• Learn the centuries-old methods of spinning, dyeing and weaving

• Explore the mysteries of the universe as told through the eyes of the Incas at the Cusco Planetarium

• Guided boat tour of Taquile and Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca

• Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo ruins guided tour

• Scenic train ride and guided tour of the greatest icon of ancient South America, Machu Picchu

• And much more......

Lima – Allpa Hotel & Suites – 2 nights

Day 1 – April 26^th

Welcome to Lima, the capital of Peru which lies on the country's arid Pacific coast. Though its colonial center is preserved, it's a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. From exploring historical landmarks to digging into signature cultural dishes, Lima packs a ton of diversity.

Arrive late this evening and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 – April 27^th – Breakfast and Dinner

Following an orientation, discover Lima’s fascinating history during a colonial tour through the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the artwork at San Francisco Monastery and enter the catacombs. View the elegant Cathedral and Government Palace at Plaza de Armas. Explore Lima’s modern side with a visit to the fashionable suburbs of Barranco and Miraflores for insight into the daily life of the Limeños.

This evening, get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner of artfully crafted Peruvian dishes; you will quickly discover why Peru is consistently named the world’s top food travel destination.

Paracas – San Agustin Paracas – 1 night

Day 3 – April 28^th - Breakfast

After breakfast, journey to Paracas along the Pan American Highway, which cuts through a barren desert landscape. During the drive we will stop at the site of the ancient Pachacamac Temple. This enormous site is very impressive, with great pyramidal temples, dwellings, remains of frescoes decorating the adobe walls and other fascinating archaeological constructions built by different cultures.

Relax in this sleepy seaside town and sample Peru's national drink, the Pisco Sour.

Nazca – Casa Andina Standard – 2 nights

Day 4- April 29^th – Breakfast and Lunch

We're taking to the water this morning for a fascinating cruise around the Ballestas Islands to view sea lion colonies, penguins, and other bird life before we continue our journey to Nazca.

Nestled in the Ica Valley of Peru, amidst the foothills of the Andes, lies the oldest distillery in the Americas. We join an on-site expert to learn about the production of wine and spirits in Peru, before we end with a tasting. A local lunch will be adored on the grounds of the vineyard.

Day 5 – April 30^th – Breakfast and Dinner

Ancient Egypt is not the only place where the dead were mummified in elaborate rituals; it occurred in Perú too.
Today we visit Chauchilla, a 1,500 year old cemetery located near Nazca that provides an extraordinary glimpse into how a pre-incan society treated their dead. For many years this pre Inca place was looted by treasure hunters, who ransacked the place completely, taking away all the treasures the mummies kept in their tombs for centuries. These grave robbers just left behind the corpses, which can be seen today all over the ground. In addition to skulls and bones, you also can see several tombs centuries’ old, as well as long human hairs, ceramic fragments and others remains scattered on the desert surface.

This afternoon we visit a pottery studio for a demonstration by a local artist.

(Option to take a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines $115 USD)

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Pachamanca dinner. “Pachamanca” specifically refers to the technique of cooking the food underground with hot stones, as the dish can be made with many variations of Andean ingredients.

Arequipa – Hotel El Conquistador – 2 nights

Day 6 – May 1^st – Breakfast and Dinner

After breakfast, a long drive along the coastline takes us to the city of Arequipa for the night.

Day 7 – May 2^nd – Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy a walking tour around this white city, including a visit to the historic convent of Santa Catalina.

Dig into Arequipa’s renowned regional cuisine with a cooking class led by a chef at a traditional “picantería” restaurant. We start our experience by visiting the long-established local market to buy the ingredients needed to prepare the dishes. Try local favourites like “cuy” (guinea pig), Rocoto Relleno (stuffed spicy peppers) and sample a glass of “chicha”.

Sacred Valley – San Agustin Urubamba – 2 nights

Day 8 – May 3^rd – Breakfast and Dinner

Fly to Cuzco, in the heart of the Inca civilization. Journey through the Andes to the majestic Sacred Valley of the Incas; the agricultural center of their grand empire. Learn the centuries-old methods of spinning, dyeing and weaving traditional textiles during a visit to Chincheroa, a living museum of the Peruvian Andes. After a short lesson on the local language, stop in the main square to browse the colorful handicraft market. Settle into your hotel nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

Day 9 – May 4^th – Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy a full day exploring the Sacred Valley. Our first stop is Pisac to test our bartering skills, interact with the local craftsmen and purchase hand-made souvenirs. Then we visit Potato Park, a network of rural agricultural communities working to preserve more than 700 species of potatoes. Learn about potato cultivation before enjoying a tasty lunch made from local products.

Next we visit Ollantaytambo. The quaint village is the best surviving example of Inca city planning, with narrow cobblestone streets that have been continuously inhabited since the 13th century.

Aguas Calientes – Casa Andina Standard– 1 night

Day 10 – May 5^th – Breakfast and Dinner

Today we travel by train on a journey to Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs Town). Sit back and enjoy the one and a half hour journey of stunning scenery following the Urubamba River Valley.

The afternoon is free to visit the 'Manuel Chávez Ballón' museum and orchid exhibition, thermal baths, butterfly house or maybe set out on the 1 day Inca trial hike.

Cusco – Casa Andina Standard – 2 nights

Day 11 – May 6^th - Breakfast

Wake up early for breakfast before we begin our short bus journey to the gates of Machu Picchu where we will watch the sunrise. After entering the Citadel begin a guided walking tour (approximately two hours) of the complex. Enjoy some free time to explore the mysterious city at leisure before returning to Cusco by train.

Day 12 – May 7^th - Breakfast

A full Cusco city tour is on the agenda for today. We start in the city centre viewing the Incan foundation; the famous Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin and the Temple of the Sun. Enjoy a visit to the market of San Pedro before exploring Inca ruins in the hills surrounding Cusco.

Following dinner visit the Cusco Planetarium, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Llaullipata Ecological Reserve. Use telescopes to gaze up at the sky and see thousands of stars. Spot the constellations of the southern hemisphere, and learn about the ancient Incas’ relationship with the cosmos.

Puno – Casa Andina Premium – 2 nights

Day 13 – May 8^th – Breakfast and Dinner

Today we have a full day journey to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Day 14 – May 9^th – Breakfast and Local Living Lunch

After breakfast, we travel to the port of Puno to board our motor boat that will take us to the floating Uros Islands. More than 65 small floating islands exist today and we will visit two of them to learn about the history and lifestyle of the Uros people. Explore a bit further afield on the Lake, reaching the Taquile Island. The island is a traditional Quechua speaking community, full of ancient agricultural terraces and some ruins dating back to the pre-Inca times. The Taquile population was relatively isolated from the mainland until 1950s, and the notion of the community and family is still very strong among them. The weaving tradition of this Island goes back to early civilizations, thus keeps elements from pre-Inca Andean cultures alive in the present. Once we reach the island there is a traditional lunch awaiting our arrival. We will then have free time to explore the island before returning to Puno.

Lima – Allpa Hotel & Suites – 1 night

Day 15 – May 10^th – Breakfast and Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight to Lima. On arrival at Lima airport a transfer will be arranged to the hotel where the rest of the evening is at leisure before our included farewell dinner.

Day 16 – Lima – Flight Home

This morning you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport.

2020 Inca Explorer Tour Dates & Prices

April 26^th return May 11^th, 2020

In order to make each tour a special experience space is limited to 20 people. We encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment and for the best air fares.

Flights: Call us for flight and air fare information from your closest airport in Canada as we can often access flights not easily found on the Internet and offer alternatives.

 Tour price includes:

• 15 nights’ accommodation based on double occupancy

• Meals: all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 9 dinners

• All admissions and cultural visits listed in itinerary

• Air conditioned motor coach transportation

• Fully escorted by a Canadian Tour Leader and Colombia (naturalist) guide

Singles wishing to share: We often get requests for single travellers wishing to share accommodation. If you are interested in traveling with a companion please let us know and we can try to match you up with a suitable traveling partner.

Transfers: To and from the airport to your hotel are included on the tour dates. Airport transfers can be arranged for a cost when you purchase extra nights before or after the vacation.

Insurance: Medical insurance is mandatory. Cancellation and trip interruption insurance is optional. Premiums depend on your age, the length of time away and the cost of your tour and insurance will be discussed and quoted at the time of booking.
 

Payment Schedule:

Tour Deposit: $300.00 per person.

Forms of Payment: Cheque, Visa and Master Card or by e-mail. Payments made by credit cards will be subject to a 3 percent processing fee. For information regarding e-mail payments contact your financial institution. It is easy and convenient.

Cancellation Policy: In the event that you have to cancel you must notify Discovery Tours immediately in writing. The following scale of charges will apply according to the date that notice is received. Air fare penalties may differ and will be discussed at the time of ticket purchase.