bolivia

View the incredible ancient Ruins and heritage monuments of Cuzco and Machu Picchu,
the colouful Indian Market of Pisac and Ollantaytambo Frotress in the Sacred Valley.
Travel through the stunning scenery of the Altiplano.
Walk on the amazing floating islands then cross the spectacular Lake Titicaca to La Paz to complete this fabulous journey.

INCLUSIONS:
•      Flight from Lima/Cuzco
•      Coach transfers and land transportation with bilingual guides
•      10 night accommodation in 4 & 5* hotels
•      10 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L)
•      Machu Picchu Sanctuary Fee (1 day entry)
•      Coach excursions with bilingual guide
•      Hotel pick up/drop off for all excursions & transfers

Price Starting From AUD 6683 Per Person

ITINERARY:

Day 1     Arrive Lima
Met on arrival in Lima for transfer to your hotel. Lima, the capital of Peru is located on the Pacific coast. It was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 becoming the centre of all Spanish trade and culture in the New World. A city of contrasts, with its colonial churches, old mansions and modern residential areas.
Day 2     Lima – Cuzco
Morning transfer to the airport for the spectacular flight over the Andes to the old Inca capital of Cuzco. Cuzco situated at 3,310m above sea level in the Peruvian Andes is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Cuzco is surrounded by the wonders of nature and impressive architectural ruins. Many streets are lined with perfect Inca stonework now serving as foundations for more modern dwellings. Our local representative will meet you as you exit from the arrival hall for transfer to your hotel, remainder of the day free to acclimatize to the high altitude.

Altitude affects each person differently – you may feel no discomfort at all or only slight light-headedness. To reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness we recommend that you drink plenty of fluids: water, fruit juices, herbal tea and the local `mate de coca’ (avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol) FLIGHT:TBA
Day 3     Cuzco
Morning at leisure. 1.30pm city tour including the Plaza de Aramas (main square), the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church (Koricancha), and the surrounding ruins of Puka Pukara, Kenko, Tambo Machay, and the renowned fortress and religious site of Sacsayhuaman famous by its cosmic energy. Drop off at your hotel around 6.30pm.

NB: Tomorrow when you go to the Sacred Valley and on to Machu Picchu , please remember it is not possible to take large pieces of luggage on the train and bus. We suggest you store the bulk of your luggage at the hotel and take only a small bag. Please don’t leave any valuables stored in your luggage. And don’t forget your sun block, hat and mosquito repellent!
Day 4      Cuzco – Sacred Valley
Today enjoy a full day tour to the Sacred Valley including the bustling Indian market at Pisac where you can bargain for and buy some very beautiful Indian handicrafts. The local merchants offer for sale all sorts of handicrafts, textiles and ceramic goods, plates, ashtrays, necklaces and replicas of pre-Hispanic pottery. There are also woollen ponchos; sweaters, blankets and bags made from llama and alpaca.  On Tuesday/Thursday and Sundays, the market is visited by many of the native communities who come to stock up on produce or sell their wares. After lunch visit the town and magnificent fortress at Ollantaytambo. Overnight in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Day 5     Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu
Early morning transfer to the railway station to board the train for a scenic train journey through the Urubamba Valley followed by a 20 minute bus ride ascent to Machu Picchu (2,280m), Lost City of the Incas. For centuries Machu Picchu was buried in jungle until the American historian Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it almost by accident in 1911. Although little is still known about the ‘lost city of the Incas’ it is obvious, by the quality of the stonework and the abundance of ornamental sites that Machu Picchu must have been an important ceremonial centre. After a guided tour and lunch you are free to explore the ruins on your own. Overnight at Aguas Calientes.

NB: The second day or subsequent days entry fee to Machu Picchu is not included in your tour cost (USD 37.50 per person). The bus ticket on the second day from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu return is also additional (USD12.00 return trip). Entrance fees for visiting Machu Picchu can only be purchased in Cuzco or Aguas Calientes.
Day 6     Machu Picchu – Cuzco
Day at leisure to further explore the ruins at your own pace. Enjoy the sunrise over the ruins and watch the mist rise over this mountain top citadel at dawn or perhaps climb Huayna Picchu. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to be back at the train station at Aguas Calientes in time for your afternoon departure to Cuzco. You will be met at the train station for transfer to your hotel in Cuzco.
Day 7     Cuzco – Puno
7.30am hotel pick up for a transfer to the train station for your journey on board the Andean Explorer from Cuzco to Puno. This spectacular rail journey begins in historic Cuzco (Cusco) and travels south to the beautiful city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. On the journey, the train makes a gentle climb to higher and cooler altitudes. The first half of the journey is dominated by the magnificent Andean mountains which towers over the deep valleys of the meandering Huatanay River. It then reaches the gentler, rolling Andean Plains, where vicuña and alpaca can be seen. The glass-walled observation car provides the perfect opportunity to view the beautiful scenery. The journey is broken by a scenic stop at La Raya, which is also the highest point on the route. A delicious three-course lunch is served and bar service is available (additional cost) throughout the journey. Drop off at your hotel in Puno around 6pm.
Day 8     Lake Titicaca
Full day excursion to Taquile, an island located 38 kilometres from Puno on Lake Titicaca.
On the way, visit to the floating “totora” islands of the Uros Indians, ancient inhabitants of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Taquile´s Island is inhabited by just 1,600 Quechua-speaking Indians, and is considered to be paradise for visitors. Pre-Inca ruins, world famous hand weavings and an ancient communal way of life will be admired. Lunch is included. Return to Puno late afternoon.
Day 9     Puno – La Paz
Early morning departure (approximately 6.30am) for coach journey crossing the border into Bolivia (Border Crossing fee USD1.00 approx). At Copacabana you will have time to visit the great Moorish style cathedral, famous for its statue of the dark virgin, the patron saint of Bolivia. Board the Catamaran that will take you across spectacular Lake Titicaca to the Inca Steps of Sun Island, where it is said that the Inca Empire began. Continue on through Tiquina Strait to Chua, before boarding a coach for around 50 kilometres to La Paz. At an altitude of 3,636m La Paz lies in a natural basin, surrounded by imposing snow-covered mountain peaks. Arrive at hotel at approximately 7.30pm.
Day 10     La Paz
8.30am hotel pick up for a private half day city sightseeing tour. Highlights include a visit to a typical Indian street market and the famous witches market, San Francisco colonial church, and the Plaza Murillo where the Cathedral and Government Palace and National Congress buildings are located. Visit old colonial La Paz with its cobbled streets before travel south through the residential areas to the natural wonder of the Moon Valley, with its weird lunar landscape and eroded earth pillars. Drop off at hotel around 12pm. Remainder of the day at leisure.
La Paz is a very pleasant and fascinating place to explore and as the central part is relatively compact the best way to do it is on foot.
Day 11     Depart La Paz
Private transfer to the airport. Tour concludes.


THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Due to unforeseen circumstances sightseeing tours may vary at the discretion of the tour operator.
MPORTANT – Please note that the Peru Rail luggage restrictions for the trip Cuzco/Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes is
only 1 piece hand of luggage up to a maximum of 5 Kg with a total linear dimension of157 cm per person

Best of Peru and Bolivia

Duration: 13 Days
Countries Visited:            Bolivia,Peru
Price:     From $2610 AUD
Prices per person based on Tourist Class Hotel, Twin Share, Low Season

HIGHLIGHTS

* Guaranteed Departures Every Monday
* No Local Operator Payments
* English Speaking Guides
* Larco Herrera Museum
* Visit to Pisac Market
* Visit to Ollantaytambo
* Vistadome Train
* 2 Entries to Machu Picchu RuinsOvernight Machu Picchu Village
* Tour of Cuzco
* Cuzco Ticket – Access to 16 Sites
* Cross the Altiplano by Bus
* Overnight Sun Island
* Visit Taquile & Uros Islands, Lake Titicaca
* Valley of the Moon
* Pre – Departure Information Kit

Day:1 Lima
Arrival transfer airport to hotel
Day:2 Lima
Depart this morning on a half day sightseeing tour of Lima, including a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum. Your tour includes the city’s most important monuments: The Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, the City Hall and the Cathedral. Torre Tagle, an exceptionally beautiful mansion built in 1735, today houses the offices of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Nearby, the recently renovated Palacio de Osambela, built between 1803 and 1805, serves as a venue for art exhibitions and cultural events.

The Larco Museum has the most important archaeological collection of the north coast of Peru and is located in an old Vice Royal mansion that was constructed on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the 18th century. This fabulous museum has also an exquisite collection of gold and silver of ancient Peru and a room full of erotic art. The pieces in this museum are now world-famous after having been exhibited in the best museums around the world.
Day:3 Lima/Cuzco
Transfer to the airport for a short flight over the Andes to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital. The remainder of your day is at leisure to relax and adjust to the altitude.
Day:4 Cuzco/Sacred Valley
Depart this morning on a full day tour traveling through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the famous Pisac Markets, where you have a chance to experience the vibrant and colourful atmosphere of a traditional marketplace. After lunch, we continue to Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas. Located on the Patakancka River and surrounded by agricultural terraces, Ollantaytambo is one of the prettiest towns in the Sacred Valley. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel in the valley.
Day:5 Sacred Valley
Transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo for your 90 minute train ride to the deserted city of Machu Picchu, the most renowned example of Inca architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins & lunch at Sanctuary Lodge before taking a mini-bus back to Aguas Calientes where you will overnight.
Day:6 Sacred Valley /Cuzco
Early this morning, board the mini bus for a second trip to the ruins with your entry included. As dawn breaks, watch the mist rise over the top of the mountain citadel, a truly unforgettable experience. Explore the ruins at your own pace before returning to Cuzco by train this afternoon.
Day:7 Cuzco
Depart this afternoon on a half day sightseeing tour of Cuzco. Visit the Cathedral and Koricancha Temple, before continuing to the Pre-Colombian Art Museum with its impressive collection of archaeological pieces. Finally we head out of the city to the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay. The Cuzco Tourist Ticket, which gives you access to sixteen sites in and around Cuzco, is included in today’s tour.
Day:8 Cuzco/Puno
Depart by bus this morning on a full day tour across the altiplano to Puno, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Entry fees to local sites along the way are included. This daily service from Cuzco to Puno steadily climbs up the Vilcanota Valley towards the head waters of the Urubamba River and the highest point of the trip, Abra La Raya at 4321 metres above sea level. From Abra La Raya, it is a gradual descent into the opening grassy plains towards Lake Titicaca and towards the Bolivian Altiplano and eventually to down to the lake’s edge where Puno is nestled.
Day:9 Puno
Depart this morning on a full day tour on Lake Titicaca: Visit the unique Floating Islands of the Uros Indians. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own “islands” by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed unique to the area called “totora”. Their homes and boats are also made from this material. After having experienced some of the ancient traditions of the Uros we will continue our motor boat trip to Taquile Island where life has remained unchanged for centuries and weavers still craft traditional textiles.
Day:10 Puno/Sun Island
Depart from Puno this morning on a tour travelling around Lake Titicaca and across the border into Bolivia. You will visit the small town of Copacabana and then board a motorboat for the Island of the Sun. Here, you will enjoy a traditional ‘aptapi’ lunch and then have time to visit the museum and explore the terraced hillsides and Inca steps.

Hike to your accommodation at the Ecolodge La Estancia, built with the support of the local Aymara community from which it takes its name and a sustainable tourism project aimed at creating opportunities for local people.
Day:11 Sun Island/La Paz
This morning you will hike down to the launch area, and board a motorboat to Copacabana, with visits to La Chinkana, Challapampa and the Island of the Moon along the way. From Copacabana you will be transferred by road to La Paz, the world’s highest capital city, and to your accommodation.
Day:12 La Paz/La Paz
Depart this morning on a half day sightseeing tour of La Paz, including the city’s fantastic street markets, rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artefacts. We visit the colonial part of the city, including San Francisco Church, the Gold Museum, Murillo Square and the outdoor replica of the Tiahuanaco temple, before continuing to the modern part of town. Finally, admire the natural geological formations of the Valley of the Moon.
Day:13 La Paz
Transfer to the airport for your onwards flight.

INCLUSIONS

# Departs Mondays
# 12 Nights Tourist Class Hotels with Private Facilities
# 12 Breakfasts 6 Lunches 1 Dinner
# * Lima-Cuzco Airfares & Ticketable Taxes
# ** Land Air Ex-Syd/Mel, and Ticketable Taxes
# Escorted by Local English – Speaking Guides
# Transfers & Tours as per itinerary
# Cuzco Tourist Ticket (or “Boleto Turistico’)
# Return Vistadome Train Tickets
# 2 Entries to Machu Picchu Ruins
# 1st Class Bus Cuzco to Puno with Lunch
# 2 Day Lake Titicaca Crossing
# Emergency Contacts in each City/Country

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INSURANCE is Strongly recommended – Click here for Quote and Book Online

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