Relax South Peru from 12 Sept To 3 Oct

Groups with tour leader !!!

START: 12 Sept 2008

FINISH: 03 Oct 2008

Fixed departure out of Lima, minimum 8 persons ,maximum 20 persons

We promote a lot of freedom and flexibility in our tours, we call it alone in group, you do your thing with the comfort of a group while de tour leader arrange your excursion or bus ticket. Freedom is one of the big points in this tour!

Minima 1 month before departure we inform you if the tour have enough clients to start, yes or no .If not, than we can arrange the same tour for the same price all arranged, individual with some small changes.

v     All local bus transport , 1 national flight

v     All hostels/Hotels in a good mix with private bathroom all very clean and central located, only on Amantani island you sleep 1 night basic with a local family.

v     All hotels are based on double room with breakfast, if you are single and don’t mind to share the room with a man or women from an other sexes , there is no surcharge .If you like a single rooms there’s an extra cost and you have to tell us in advance !

v     All buses are based on good local buses, sometimes private if written in the program

Not included ,

v     Your food, 2 meals a day 

v     The entry fees and taxes ,like airport tax,Colca canyon entry

v     The excursions , everything with the blue excursion sign , below there is a list of all the estimated prices

v     Insurance, everybody is obligated to have there own travel insurance from home , before starting this tour.

v      The ballestas islands

v      The Nasca lines

v      Colca canyon tour 3 d

v      The islands on Titicaca 2d

v      Cusco , the Inca empire with Machu Picchu

Arrive at Lima airport, someone from Peru planet pick you up from the airport and bring you to our first hostel in Lima you have to tell us your flight number and hour of arrival .In the hostel you get the first information over Peru and meet the tour leader ,depending on the arrival hour .

After breakfast the tour leader welcomes you all and give a general briefing over what you can aspect from this tour . First day free in Lima to visit Museo National de Arqueologia, in pueblo libre, one of the best museums in Peru, also the old centre is worth a visit, in the afternoon you can visit Colonial Barranco or walk on the seafront in Miraflores. You can do this on your own or as excursion in a city tour.

In the morning the transfer brings us to the bus terminal to take the bus to Pisco/if the group is more than 10 persons, we have a private bus till Nasca, other while it’s a good local bus, around 4 h drive to Pisco .

We go direct to the port ,for de excursion to Ballestas islands ,its 1 ½ H by speedboat ,the islands are full of sea lions  and birds .In the port we can relax with a cup coffee before we go with our private transport to “EL CATADOR “ the Pisco brewery. Here we can see the whole making process and taste the Pisco. After this tasting process we drive to our next relaxing destination,”HUACACHINA” this is an oasis in the desert, here you can do some sand boarding  or jeep as excursion on the big sand dunes. We stay overnight in an hotel with swimming pool in Ica or Huacachina .

Today we continue to Nazca , where we arrive in the late afternoon Hotel Nasca with swimming pool. Persons who like can take the excursion to the mummy fields of Chauchilla cemetery. You have time to discover small Nasca .Hostal In Nasca

you can  take the excursionthe flight over the amazing Nasca lines ,depending on the weather . In the evening you can go to the lecture over the Nazca lines or watch the stars in the planetarium. At night we take the night bus to Arequipa around 10 PM

We arrive early in Arequipa ;around 7 AM  ,transfer to our Hostel in Arequipa . Arequipa ,the white city with his amazing “MISTI volcano ,transfer to our hotel. Here we can relax ,after our night bus ,its also good to get used to the altitude before we go to the canyon .Free to visit this beautiful city , or as excursion in a city tour ,visit the star of Arequipa “The MUMMY JUANITA “  or the” Santa Catalina monastery” in the evening you can try in one of the many restaurants the local “CUY” or marmot ,1 night hotel

Today you can sleep some longer, relax , or Excursion visit the reality tour , the market ,silar stones ,and the poor surroundings of Arequipa to see the real Peru .Or you can do some rafting, or just relax on the square with a coffee .

Hotel Arequipa .

Start of the 3 days 2nights Colca canyon tour included in this tour .After breakfast we start with out private bus .We take many photo stops to see this beautiful canyon, with his many vicunias/Lamas /volcano’s .We arrive in the small Village of Chivay were we take lunch  ,in the afternoon you can swim in the hot spring as an excursion , and in the evening its possible to take  a meal with folkloristic dances . 1 night hostal in the small village of Chivay .

After early breakfast we leave to the condor cross to see this amazing bird “The CONDOR , its still nature , so we cant promise you anything , but the Canyon is real worth a visit also without the condor . If you see one , just take it as some extra !!Than we continue to Cabanaconde .From here you can do some beautiful walks, or even going down into the canyon ! (as excursion ) this we have to now in advance to arrange a guide !Its hard but real worth .On the bottom you sleep very basic in bamboo huts near the oasis .The other people stay in a hostal in Cabanaconde .

The persons in the oasis start the climb back up before sunrise , together with the persons in Cabanaconde they take breakfast and we continue to Chivay , passing by again the condor cruz for the second chance to see the condor ! We return back to Chivay for lunch and we drive all the way to Puno, over a scenic road. Transfer to our hotel in Puno.

Today we go by boat for a visit to the Uros floating reed islands ,the guide explain everything over the islands and the Titicaca lake ,after this we go to  Amantania island, first we have to buy a present for our local family ,you sleep on the island with a local family,this in basic ,clean rooms without bathroom .Its real worth the effort , they treat you as there own children and give you food .In the afternoon you can climb up to the temple of the moon ,this temple is situated around4000 MT above sea level, it’s a beautiful place to relax or watch the sunset . In the evening your local mother gives you your local dress (poncho ) and together you go  singing and dancing in the village .Sleep basic but clean in a local family.

People who don’t like to stay basic at the amantani island can take optional the luxury bus to copacabana ,from there you enter the hovercraft .With that boat you visit isla del sol .At night you sleep in nice cabins aboard ,including candle light diner for sunset .Next day you return back to Puno to join the group again .Ask the program .If you like to do this option , than you have to reserve it together with the booking.

This morning we take the boat to Taquile island , here they have there own way of living Men’s are knitting the clothes, no animals or cars allowed on the island ,here we have some lunch ,most of the time trout from the lake .From here we take the boat back to Puno /hotel Puno .

After breakfast we take around 8 AM our private bus to Cusco, its 6 to 7 h over beautiful road and views over the sacred valley, mountain passes from more than 4300mt. We stop in different places.Transfer to our hostel in Cusco.

Cusco ,here you can do many things, this day you can sleep some longer ,and in the afternoon you can do the excursion  citytour , here you visit the cathedral /temple of the sun /saqsaywoman /quenca/puca pucara , the ruins above Cusco additional you can also visit these Ruins by horse to see the beautiful surroundings of Cusco.Its real worth to buy the Cusco visitor ticket ,130 Sol ,for the most of the entrees to ruins and museums in and around Cusco /hotel Cusco.

PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO WALK THE 4 DAYS INCATRAIL HAVE TO MAKE RESERVATION FAR IN ADVANCE!

Today you we visit the ruins and village Pisaq /Ollantaytambo / Chinchero ,

this takes a whole day in the beautiful sacred valley. We stay overnight in the Sacred valley .

This morning to the railwaystation of Ollantaytambo from where we take the backpacker train to Aqua Calientes this is the village close to Machu Picchu ,there’s also a big tourist market and its much warmer than Cusco, because it’s the border of the jungle .The active persons can climb the mountain Pastorouri to have the first views over Machu Picchu . We stay overnight in a hostel in Aqua calientes.

This morning you can go on excursionvery early to Machu Picchu by bus , this to see the sunrise over these  amazing ruins  , here you go with a English speaking guide , in the afternoon we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco ,transfer to our hotel in

These days you have many choices, or you go excursion 1 day rafting on the Urubamba river with scenic views, or for the more active persons you can do some paragliding , 4 track , horse ride ,rock-climbing ,even hot air balloon or just visit one of the many museums in Cusco .If you like we can do an excursion to the beautiful salt pans of maras in the sacred valley ,we

Can do a walk for about 2 h in the beautiful surroundings/hotel in Cusco

Transfer to the airport and flight to Lima , depending on your flight back home You can drop your luggage in the airport. People who’s flight home is some later, can take a taxi to by yourself Miraflores to finish this Peru adventure on a terrace near the seafront in Miraflores International flight. The tour leader stay in Cusco

Arrive home

FINISH of this tour

People who like to do the very famous INCATRAIL , the 2 or 4 days (look at this website for the program ) have to make reservation for this ,together with the reservation of this tour .This Inca trail is so popular that it need more than 60 days reservation in advance !

Its also possible to extend your stay with one of our jungle trips to Manu or Puerto Maldonado ,before you go home

Indication prices  for the excursions ,these are subject to change !

Indication of entree fee

Colca canyon 35 Sol  /Machu picchu 126 Sol  /cusco visitor ticket 130 sol /airporttax cusco 6 USD /airporttax Lima international 32 USD

What to bring with you

v     We advice to travel as light as possible, around15kg a person ,we prefer a backpack or travel bag, we don’t like suitcases while they are hard to travel in local transport and buses  .

v     Clothes , in this tour we go from the coast to the highlands , in July /August its Winter ,so it can be cold at night and at high altitudes , so prepared for cold and warm , good walking shoes ,sunscreen, waterproof clothing ,alarm clock ,lip salve, personal medication, travel dictionary and don’t forget , if there is something you miss , you always can buy it cheaper in Peru !

Money and Passport

v     We advice to bring with you around 600 EURO pocket money, this in a combination of travel cheques/cash/and credit card. This money is for the cost of the excursions and the meals in the restaurants, not included your souvenirs, its just an indication to eat normal and do the indicated excursions, everybody spend different!

v     The money in Peru is the Nuevo sol ,EURO is widely accepted around Peru , you better bring around 150 USD to pay the excursions /airport tax and entrée fee ,the rest in Euro .(not included incatrail )

v     Credit cards like Master card /Visa are widely accepted , every place we go have ATM machines .

v     No visa is necessary for countries of Western Europe /Asia/North or South –America/Australia/New Zealand/South Africa. With a valid passport the tourist card allows you up to 90  days in Peru

Climate

The Andes mountains have a lot of influence at the climate in Peru .The coast is one big  dry desert ,the Andes have high temperatures in springtime/daytime if the sun shines ,In the evenings it can be cold .The best time to travel :dry season , from  may till October , The temperatures are some lower , but the sky is mostly clear with less rain . But be prepared ,showers of rain , can be all year around ! 

Medication

Altitude sickness can appear, but after 2 days you get used to the altitude, you feel some headache, but we climb slowly

PS: People who have hart or Long problems, better contact first a doctor before travelling to high altitudes .

Peru don’t ask officially vaccinations, exception for Manu:  for Manu  you have to take against yellow fever

We advice that you take some vaccinations like :

- Hepatitis-A

- DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, polio);

You have to start with these vaccinations about 6 weeks before departure .

Don’t drink tap water!

For more info ,look at  www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice    www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk  

Travel information
This information makes part of the contract with Peruplanet .Read it well before booking ! Clients must be in possession of, and are responsible for arranging a valid passport. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, etc) is given in good faith but PeruPlanet cannot be held responsible for any of this information.

How to make a reservation ?
The easiest way to reserve a Peruplanet tour is by sending us an e mail  info@peru-planet.net .Than we send you a booking form .Some days after we received your reservation, we confirm  if there are still some places available on the date of your choice .Than we ask 25 % deposit of the total amount ,the other 75% , you can pay 5 weeks before departure .This payment you can do at our Belgian or Peruvian banc account .After payment you receive a paper with confirmation of your payment . After full payment you receive the address of the first hotel in Lima. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when Peruplanet sends out a confirmation invoice (once we have received your deposit) at which point a contract exists and the deposit becomes non-refundable and non-transferable. Give us also your telephone number to contact you if there are last minut changes.

Ones you find the tour of your choice, don’t wait to long to make a reservation! We only do 1 tour a month, so there are not many spaces each month! Its also cheaper for yourself, as far in advance you buy your international flight ticket to Peru, as cheaper it gets !

Departure of the tour
A tour of Peruplanet in general always start, but its possible that we don’t get minima amount of clients for a tour , what is 8 bookings .In that case we contact you minima 4 weeks before departure to tell you .No message means automatically departure of the tour .If the tour don’t go , than Peru planet can make a special alternative program to your needs on individual base.

Changes and extension possibilities

§     It is possible to arrive earlier than the group, also to depart later than the group. This you have to tell us in advance together with your reservation, so we ca arrange something for you .

§     We can arrange some extra nights, before or after the tour .Let us now your date, time ,flight number and carrier of arrival , so we can arrange the transfer in Lima to the hotel ,always included .

§    You can extend your trip with a jungle arrangement in Manu or Puerto Maldonado /Tambopatta .

Insurance
Clients are obligated and responsible for ensuring that they have adequate cover for the full duration of the tour in respect of medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment. It is our policy to check the validity and cover of your insurance policy and we hold the right to refuse travel to anyone whose insurance does not satisfy these criteria..

WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY THIS COUNTRY JUST AS MUCH AS WE DO!