LEGENDARY PERU
A cultural tour of Peru

From the mysterious Inca ruins of Machu Picchu to the colonial city of Arequipa and the ongoing excavations of more historical sites along the Northern coast and the highlands, Peru is indeed one of the most exciting destinations in archaeology and history. Beyond this, Peru is filled with spiritual history and powers, becoming a world center for healing and personal growth.

Day 1: Arrive Lima
Bienvenidos a Peru! We receive a Lima style welcome at the airport and are subsequently transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, Lima (2 nights)

Day 2: Lima
Our afternoon tour of the city begins with the centrally located Plaza Mayor (main square) designed and built by the famed Francisco Pizarro. The Cathedral, Palacio de los Virreyes, Palacio Arzobispal and Palacio Municipal. We also visit the San Francisco Convent, arguably the most beautiful architectural complex in the city. (B)

Day 3: Lima/Arequipa (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Arequipa, where this afternoon we tour the Santa Catalina Convent, Plaza de Armas, La Compañía cloisters and the districts of Yanahuara and Chilina where we enjoy a breathtaking view of the Misti Volcano.
Overnight: El Cabildo Hotel, Arequipa (1 night) (B)

Day 4: Arequipa/Cuzco (Flight)
A scenic flight conveys us to Cuzco. Afternoon tour includes the beautiful church of Santo Domingo, the Cathedral, the Hatunrumiyoc, as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman - a most remarkable Inca building. Our tour continues to Quenqo, believed to have been an important sanctuary during the Inca period, Puca Pucara, a strategically located “red fortress” that dominates the entire area and Tambomachay with its two distinctive aqueducts that continue to provide clean water year round.
Overnight: El Dorado San Augustin, Cuzco (1 night) (B)

Day 5: Cuzco/Sacred Valley (Drive)
This morning we head out to the valley of Urubamba’s River (also called River Wilcamayu or Vilcanota) or “Sacred Valley” because grain and maize were cultivated for the Inka, his family and the upper class. Visit includes the Indian Market of Pisac. Pisac is famous for its peasant farms, native handicrafts and interesting Indian market that takes place three times a week (Tue, Thu & Sun). Our next stop is the fortress of Ollantaytambo, one of the most important examples of Inca military architecture. The complex has temples, palaces and a lot more to discover.
Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, Sacred Valley (1 night) (B)

Day 6: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu/Cuzco (Drive/Train/Drive)
Our day starts with the incredible 3-hour scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes from where we take a coach transfer to South America’s most famous World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. Our tour of the majestic Machu Picchu begins with the citadel, by far the most important attraction in the area. Discovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham, the citadel is one of the most extraordinary examples of landscape architecture in the world. We walk through the many stairways and canals carved out of stone that are recurrent throughout this remarkable archaeological site.
Overnight: El Dorado San Augustin, Cuzco (1 night) (B, L)

Day 7: Cuzco/Puno (Drive)
A pleasant 8-hour bus (seat-in-coach) trip takes us through picturesque rural landscapes dotted by small villages and herds of llamas and vicuñas. Our destination is Puno, however we make stops along our way to include visit to the Andahuylillas town and the Raqchi ruins. Arrival at Puno’s bus station, meet & transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, Puno (1 night) (B, L)

Day 8: Puno/Lima (Flight)
Another exciting day as we embark on a two-hour motorboat excursion on Lake Titicaca to visit the floating islands of the Uros. Formed from layers of totora, these floating islands are inhabited by the descendants of the ancient people known as the Urus who, having been rejected by the Aymaras, had no choice but to live in isolation from other communities. Living in extreme poverty, these people earn a living by fishing and selling small handmade crafts to the tourists visiting the islands. Afternoon transfer to the airport for a flight to Lima, we stop en route to visit Sillustani, an ancient pre-Inca burial ground. The ancient people of Peru believed in a mother earth that created and regulated life; at Sillustani we see where the mummified bodies were kept, evidence of their great respect for “Mother Earth”. Arrive Lima and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, Lima (1 night) (B)

Day 9: Depart Lima
Lima is one of the few capitals to have been designated a World Heritage Site. This morning we bid farewell to Peru as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. (B)


Possible pre tour with private transportation without guide

Nasca and Paracas

Day 1: Arrive Lima
Bienvenidos a Peru! We receive a Lima style welcome at the airport and are subsequently transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, Lima (1 night)

Day 2: Lima/Paracas/Nasca
At sunrise, departure to Paracas on our private bus for an approximately 3.30 hrs ride. At 0800 hrs we take a motorboat to Ballestas Islands, which could be delayed or cancelled due to weather conditions. Continue onto Ica for a short visit before heading out for another 3 hours ride to Nasca.
Overnight: Cantayo Hotel, Nasca (1 night) (B)

Day 3: Nasca/Lima
Morning transfer to the local airport for the flight of approximately 30 mins over the Nasca lines and figures. Flights may be delayed or cancelled due to weather conditions. After the flight return to Lima to join the Legendary Peru program. (B)

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Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Jan 09, Feb 13, Mar 19, Apr 16, May 14, Jul 23, Aug 06, Sep 03, Oct 08, Nov 12 & Dec 17

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels as mentioned (or similar) Meals as mentioned B=Breakfast L=Lunch All sightseeing and transfers by seat-in-coach services Services of local Spanish/English speaking guides Entrance fees (except a second visit to Machu Picchu) Vistadome train tickets Any airfares & departure taxes Any visa fees Drink/beverages with meals Tips/gratuities

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2008 US $ 1495 • CA $ 1495 US $ 350 • CA $ 350

Nasca and Paracas US/CA $ 560 per person sharing (includes the flight). US/CA $ 140 single room supplement.

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1400 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1200 USA - East Coast US $ 1000

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.