Travelpack

Tour Dates:
- 6 - 20 Jan 18
- 20 Jan - 3 Feb 18
- 17 Feb - 3 Mar 18
- 3 - 17 Mar 18
- 31 Mar - 14 Apr 18
- 7 - 21 Apr 18
- 12 - 26 May 18
- 19 May - 2 Jun 18
- 9 - 23 Jun 18
- 8 - 22 Sept 18
- 22 Sept - 6 Oct 18
- 13 - 27 Oct 18
- 24 Nov - 8 Dec 18

Highlights: Lima - Yucay - Cusco - Puno - Iguassu - Buenos Aires - Rio de Janeiro

Other departures: Manchester - £4285, Birmingham - £4285, Edinburgh - £4325, George Best Belfast City - £4379, Glasgow - £4325, Southampton - £4305, Bristol - £4375, Norwich - £4379, Newcastle - £4325

Alternate travel dates: 1 Sept 18 - 16 Dec 18

Hotels:
Lima - Hotel La Hacienda Miraflores 3*+ or similar
Yucay - Sonesta Posadas del Inca - Yucay 3* or similar
Cusco - Eco Inn 4* or similar
Puno - Jose Antonio Hotel 4* or similar
Iguassu - Recanto Cataratas Thermas Resort & Convention 4* or similar
Buenos Aires - Broadway Hotel & Suites 4* or similar
Rio de Janeiro - Windsor Plaza Hotel 3* or similar

Itinerary:

Day 1: Lima
- Meals: None
Transfer airport – hotel

Arrival at the airport in Lima, where you will be welcomed by an English speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel and Check-in.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel La Hacienda Miraflores 3*+ or similar (standard room)

Day 2: Lima – Cusco – Yucay
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transfer hotel – airport
- Flight Lima – Cusco (not included)
- Transfer Airport Cusco – hotel Yucay including visit of the Chinchero community and the Chinchero market en route

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival you will start the tour with a visit to Chinchero community located 28 km away from Cusco. Here are the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, as well as beautiful colonial temples built on Inca’s foundations.

However, its main attraction is its Sunday market originally dedicated to the people of the valley to barter their products. This colourful and lively market still fascinates people with its variety of handicrafts and textiles made in true pre-Columbian style.
Then you will be transferred to “El Mirador de Racchi” where you will have a splendid view of the Sacred Valley. Afterwards you will enjoy a typical lunch, followed by the transfer to your hotel.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay 3* or similar (standard room)

Day 3: Yucay
- Meals: Breakfast
- Half day excursion to the Ollantaytambo Ruins (4h)

In the morning following optional tours can be booked on site:

Optional: Moray and Maras (4)
The excursion starts with the visit to Moray, a little Andean community which is famous for its embedded amphitheater, formed by four circular terraces which seem to disappear into the interior of the puna, like an artificial crater.

Evidences seem to suggest that Moray was an important Inca agricultural research center. Finally, you will be transferred to visit the Salt Mines of Maras. With the salt which is tapped by exposing salt water that bubbles to the surface from a spring called Qoripujio in men-made wells to the sun, people earn their living. The view of this complex of nearly 3,000 wells is spectacular. The local people demonstrate the ancient techniques to visitors, even allowing you to participate.

Optional: Urubamba River Rafting (3h, 1h 30min in the river)
At the given time passengers will be picked up from their hotels to be transferred to Pachar in the Sacred Valley of the Incas where their guide will be waiting for them ready with all the equipment. Here passengers will receive rafting equipment and a safety briefing (toilet facilities and changing rooms available). After a brief practice on the flat parts of the river, we will start our journey on easy waters while admiring the spectacular views of the mountains and archaeological remains.
Afterwards we will continue towards Ollantaytambo and its amazing Inca terraces. At that time we will experience class 2-3 rapids, to finish with “El Resbaladero” (The Slide), a strong class 3 rapid that includes waves and small whirlpools. We will then reach our river take out located in the community of Cachicata (Toilets available) just 10 minutes by car from Ollantaytambo.

Includes:
- Professional bilingual mountain bike guide
- Equipment: First-aid Kit, repairing kit, front-suspension mountain bike, helmet, gloves

Not Included:
- Entrance fee and visit to Ollantaytambo Archeological site.

Optional: Biking at the Sacred Valley: Yanahuara (4h, 2h 30min of biking)
We will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a one hour drive to Paucarbamba bridge. Here we will receive a safety briefing and will adjust our bikes for the ride. We will go through a trail following the Urubamba River, the sacred river of the Incas, until we reach the town of Pachar. From here we will take an easy descend through an ancient Inca trail that passes through farming fields and Inca terraces until we will get to the Inca bridge.

Includes:
- Orientation briefing
- Private transportation from hotel to start point of ride and from end of ride to hotel
- Professional bilingual mountain bike guide
- First-aid Kit
- Repairing kit
- Front-suspension mountain bike
- Helmet
- Gloves

Not Included:
- Entrance fee and visit to Ollantaytambo Archeological site.

Optional: Hiking, Ollantaytambo – Cachicata (3h)
Early in the morning, we will you pick you up from your hotel, on the way we will admire the imposing Urubamba range, along with potato fields to Ollantaytambo where Our hike will begin at the Inca Bridge over the Vilcanota River.

Our hike starts going up an Inca trail through terraces and tombs, until reaching the base of one of the most important mountains of the area, the Apu Buena Negra, a granite geological formation. From this area we will have an impressive view of the Verónica Mountain, one of the most important in the Urubamba range, as well as a great view of the Pakaritampu pyramid, based on the agricultural terraces, and the town of Ollantaytambo and its fortress.

Here we will enjoy our box lunch, followed by our descent while we admire breathtaking views in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and its beautiful typical little houses, its green corn fields, which are irrigated by the sacred river of the Incas.

The hike ends at “El Rancho” in the nice community of Cachicata’s. The houses in this community were built on stone foundations, using adobes (mud bricks) to build houses of only one or two stories high, all with roofs made of straw. Transportation will wait for us in the community of Cachicata, to take us to our hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Includes:
- First-aid kit with oxygen

In the afternoon, a visit to Ollantaytambo, a typical Inca community, is included. Towering above the town of Ollantaytambo we will find the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Steep stone terraces rising from the edge of town lead up to the fortress ruins at the top of the hill. A stone stairway leads up through the terrace walls, allowing visitors to step out on them. One of the best-preserved areas lies north of the Hanan Huacaypata square: an area of 15 blocks of houses built on top of carved stone walls.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay 3* or similar (standard room)

Day 4: Yucay – Machu Picchu – Cusco
- Meals: Breakfast
- Full day excursion to visit Machu Picchu

Transfer by bus to the train station of Ollantaytambo where the tour starts by train that goes through the fertile plain of the Urubamba valley and on to Aguas Calientes. From there, small busses drive up the steep mountain to the ruin town Machu Picchu.

Called the Lost City of the Incas, this cultural heritage of mankind is a beautifully located impressive stone city constructed with a technique incredible for its era and even for present times. Stone upon stone, fitted together perfectly without any cement, with impressive delicacy, exquisite detail and discrimination worthy of the world’s greatest palaces.

There are many theories about Machu Picchu, but one thing is for sure - it is one of the most impressive sites in the world.

Enjoy a guided visit of around 2 hours of the ruins and return by bus and train to Ollantaytambo station. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Eco Inn 3* or similar (standard room)

day 5: Cusco
- Meals: Breakfast
- Half day city tour and ruins

In the morning the half-day city tour begins. It will be shown the exact centre of the Inca Empire, the Plaza de Armas. There one can find the cathedral built on the ruins of the ancient Inca Palace.

The cathedral borders on other churches on both sides. Next stop will be the old town with its magnificent renovated colonial buildings; some of them are being used as hotels. Then proceed to Sacsayhuaman, a ruin located approx. 3 km above Cusco. Sacsayhuaman also offers a fabulous view of the city. Afterwards visit the surrounding ruins.

The afternoon is free at leisure.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Eco Inn 3* or similar (standard room)

Day 6: Cusco – Puno
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Overland transfer Cusco – Puno – On shared basis

A full day bus journey from Cusco to Puno leads through the Peruvian highland along snow-covered peaks, passes up to 4.300m above sea level and then goes down to Puno, which is right on Lake Titicaca. On route we will visit the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi, and the small town of Pucara.

Lunch in a typical restaurant en route is included. After arrival in Puno transfer to your hotel.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Jose Antonio Puno 3*+ or similar (standard room)

Day 7: Puno – Lima
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Box dinner
- Full day excursion Uros & Taquile including lunch – On shared basis
- Transfer to Juliaca airport
- Flight Juliaca – Lima (not included)
- Transfer airport Lima – hotel

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Puno’s dock where you will depart towards the Uros Islands on Titicaca Lake. The Uros are 40 small floating islands made of packed totora (reed), located within the Titicaca National Reserve. Here the inhabitants of the lake, the Uros, live just as their ancestors did, maintaining their customs and idiosyncrasies.

After visiting the Uros Islands we will continue by boat to Taquile Island. There are no roads or electricity in Taquile and the locals have maintained their traditions and culture and many still wear traditional dresses. The Taquileños are known for their high-quality handicrafts, especially for the knitting, which is exclusively performed by males. In the main square there is a cooperative shop, selling woollen goods and hand-woven items, as well as a small church.
 
A typical lunch at Taquile Island is included.

Transfer from the hotel to the airport of Juliaca. Flight to Lima (not included) and transfer to the hotel.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel La Hacienda Miraflores 3*+ or similar (standard room)

Day 8: Lima
- Meals: Breakfast
- City tour including San Francisco monastery and Larco Herrera Museum (4h)

In the afternoon you will explore the city on a sightseeing tour through Lima. The Plaza de Armas with the beautiful buildings of the government Palace, the town hall, the Palace of the archbishop and the cathedral are still the most important places in town.

After that you will visit the beautiful San Francisco monastery which displays the largest collection of religious art in America. The highlight of this convent is the visit of the underground vaults known as “catacumbas” or catacombs.

Proceed through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores and to the Coastline enjoying the view over the beaches of Lima and the Pacific Ocean.
Afterwards enjoy a guided visit of one of the Lima’s most noted museums, the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum which houses the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian Art.

Mr. Rafael Larco Hoyle founded the museum on July 28, 1926, in the Chiclin sugar estate in Trujillo, naming it as his father as an expression of filial homage. In 1958 he moved the collection to Lima, installing the Museum in a Colonial house in the district of Pueblo Libre, where it currently functions.

This locale was adapted to the characteristics style of the 18th century Colonial houses from Trujillo. The approximate 45,000 objects of the collection have been exhibited to the public in the Permanent Hall, Jewelry Vault and the Classified Storage Area ever since.

The Halls of the Larco Museum are organized by subjects. The Metals, Ceramics, the Stones, the Culture, the Great Jewelry Vault and Textile Halls emphasize the technological aspects by Pre-Columbian cultures. Finally the World’s unique Erotic Hall gives us a glimpse of the fascinating sexual life of ancient Peruvians.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel La Hacienda Miraflores 3*+ or similar (standard room

Day 9: Lima – Iguassu
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transfer hotel – airport
- Flight Lima – Iguassu (not included)
- Transfer airport – hotel

Transfer from the hotel to the airport of Lima. Flight to Iguassu and transfer to the hotel.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Recanto Park 3* or similar (standard room)

Day 10: Iguassu
- Meals: Breakfast
- Visit of the Brazilian and Argentinean side of the falls

You will leave your hotel on the Brazilian side by motor coach and cross the Iguassu National Park towards the Brazilian Falls. You walk along the paths following the cascades and then along the catwalk which leads you very close to the bottom of the Devil’s Throat. You will enjoy magnificent views. Afterwards you take an elevator to go up back to the road, and there you will board the motor coach which will take you to the Argentinean side of the falls.

You will make a short stop at the Visitor’s Centre and proceed from there along the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls, to the Superior Circuit, the up-river cascades. The Ecological Jungle Train leads you to the most impressive observation point of the falls – The Devil´s Throat. After visit transfer to the hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Recanto Park 3* or similar (standard room)

Day 11: Iguassu – Buenos Aires
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transfer hotel – airport
- Flight Iguassu – Buenos Aires (not included)
- Transfer airport – hotel

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to the hotel.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Broadway Suites 4* or similar (standard room)

Day 12: Buenos Aires
- Meals: Breakfast
Half day city tour (3h)

After breakfast you will visit the most important sites during a city tour. You will drive to the Plaza de Mayo, with the Casa Rosada, the pink house, seat of the government, the Cabildo (town hall) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, home of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

The tour goes onto the district San Telmo. Until 1888 this part of the city was a river port, today San Telmo is one of the most modern and desired places to live in Buenos Aires. The worker district La Boca is famous for its colourful tin-houses and its history as living district of Italian seamen and dock workers in the 19th century.

The Barrio Norte called Recoleta is the quarter of the rich of Buenos Aires. On the cemetery of Recoleta one will find the grave of Eva Duarte who became famous as Evita Perón. Continue along the widest avenue in the world, the Avenida 9 de Julio, and continue to the Plaza Lavalle with the Federal Court of Justice and the Teatro Colón, to Palermo with its parks and gardens. Return to the hotel.

Afternoon free at leisure.

The following optional tours can be booked:

Optional: half day Tigre Tour
From your hotel we will drive along the Northern residential districts of the city, until getting to San Isidro, a colonial and aristocratic area. You will see the mansions and houses in front of the River Plate. You will continue the driving to Tigre, a charming area near Buenos Aires city where a great number of summer residences, yacht clubs and rowing clubs attract the week-end activity of many “porteños”.

The Tigre Delta with its rivers, streams and numerous green islands is one of the most attractive areas for visitors. The continuous sediment of the Paraná River, which gives the river and estuary their particular brownish-red color, forms the Delta islands.

Enjoy a boat excursion (1 hour) along the innumerable channels of the Paraná-Delta to see some of the hundreds of islands covered with luxuriant vegetation. Drive back to the city via the Panamericana highway.

Optional: Visit of a Tango Show incl. dinner at the Restaurant Viejo Almacén.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Broadway Suites 4* or similar (standard room)

Day 13: Buenos Aires – Rio de Janeiro
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transfer hotel – airport
- Flight Buenos Aires – Rio de Janeiro (not included)
- Transfer airport – hotel

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arrival in Rio and transfer to the hotel.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Windsor Plaza Copacabana 3-4* or similar (superior room)

Day 14: Rio de Janeiro
- Meals: Breakfast
Full Day City Tour including Sugar Loaf & Corcovado (approx. 8 hours)

Leaving the hotel and proceeding as far as Cosme Velho Station to board a cog-train for the ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain at 748 m (2.454 ft) high. The train ride takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest’s lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and city.

Disembarking at the top of Corcovado and then proceeding up the steps that lead to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. After appreciating the breathtaking view unfolding below, passengers will descend by train. The tour proceeds passing by Rio’s world-famous beaches as far as Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain at 390 m (1.280 ft) high. Then coming down and proceeding along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown.

Visit downtown area, passing by the financial and business centre and by other attractions such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival parade.

Optional: Rio by night – Show in the evening
Visit a folklore and Carnival show featuring skilled dancers, entertainers, samba bands and wonderful costumes in a wonderful display of Brazilian folklore and Carnival.

Middle Class:
Overnight at Hotel Windsor Plaza Copacabana 3-4* or similar (superior room)

Day 15: Rio de Janeiro
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transfer hotel – airport

Transfer to the airport for your international flight back home (international flight not included)

Offer Includes

Meal Plans