Inti raymi festival tour Peru & Bolivia from 1 june to 26 June

Groups with tour leader!

START :01 JUNE 2008    

FINISH :26 JUNE 2008

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

From Lima  to ---Lima

Our tours are with an English /Dutch speaking tour leader, he travel all the time with you and the group, he is no guide but after many years working in Peru/Bolivia he knows what a tourist need ! He arranges all the hotels, transport and excursions .He’s support and translate in any problem. He gives you general info in every place, enough info, so you can discover the beauty of this country by yourself, or with members of the group. You buy yourself, your international flight from hometo Lima /Peru .This you can easy do in any flight ticket shop around the world .The tour leader speaks in Dutch/English to the group .Its a fixed departure,so you buy a flight home / Lima arriving Lima

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.

What is included?

v     All bus transport, and 2 national flights, Sucre La Paz +Cusco /Lima + 2 days jeep tour over the salt lakes .+ 1 train

v     All hotels in good 3*** hotels and hostels with private bathroom all very clean and central located, only on the salt lakes you sleep 2 nights basic !

v     All hotels are based on double room ,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 , there’s also an Luxury night bus from Nasca to Arequipa .In Bolivia are no Luxury buses

v     In all the hotels is breakfast included !

Not included ,

v     Your food, in the hotels is breakfast included, at the hostels not.

v     The entry fees and taxes, like airport tax, entrée colca canyon, entrée national park on the salt lakes, visitor ticket in Cusco ,etc.

v     The excursions, everything with the blue excursionin front, 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 trip .

v      The ballestas islands

v      The Nazca lines

v      Colca canyon tour 2 days

v      The islands on Titicaca

v      La Paz and Copacabana

v      Cusco , the Inca empire with Machu Picchu  AND  “INT RAYMI” festival !

v      The 2 days salt lake jeep tour

v      The silver mines in Potosi

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

After an early the breakfast the tour leader gives you a briefing .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 excursion sand boarding or jeep on the big sand dunes. Later on we continue to Nazca , where we arrive in the late afternoon Hotel Nasca with swimming pool.

After breakfast, in the morning or afternoon (depending on the weather) you can take the excursion the flight over the amazing Nazca lines ,

Approximately 45 minutes, the mysterious Nazca Lines are on a flat land of 500 km2. They were made by the Nazca people (Nazca Culture) and there are several theories about their origin, none of them with enough proofs to take as real.After or before we can do the excursion to chauchilla cemetery, at night around 10 PM  we take the luxury night bus  for around 10 h to Arequipa where we arrive around 7 AM.

Early in the morning we arrive in Arequipa, at 2325 m ,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 .Time free to visit this beautiful city , visit the star of Arequipa “The MUMMY JUANITA “or the” Santa Catalina monastery” ,or you can go on excursion rafting on the Rio Chile , or do the reality tour. In the evening you can try in one of the many restaurants the local “CUY” or marmot or the great alpaca meat,1 night hotel .

Free day to visit this beautiful city, or to do some excursions .This is good to acclimatize before we start climbing to the colca canyon.

Hotel in Arequipa

Start of the 2 days 1night Colca canyon tour included in this tour .After breakfast we start the tour with our private bus .We have many photo stops to see this beautiful canyon, with his many vicuñas/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 hostel 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!! It’s the best place for a breathtaking view of the canyon with the Colca River flowing 1,200 meters below. We visit the hanging tombs at Choquetico before continuing to the towns of Maca, Achoma and Yanque with its lovely white church. We return back to Chivay for lunch, before driving further with our private bus to Puno.

After breakfast, as excursion you can 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 toTaquile island , here they have there own way of live . 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 .Or you can visit the Sillustani Grave towers

Hotel in Puno .

After breakfast we take the bus to La Paz (3636 m) , this trip takes around 6 h.We have beautiful scenery and snowy mountaintops .In La Paz you can wonder around in one of the 100 markets around the City or the Witches Market ,or you take a city tour. If the whole group like to go to Tihuanaco ,we can stop as excursion on the way to La Paz .

Hotel in La Paz .

La Paz, excursion to Chacaltaya the highest ski run from here you can see on clear days the Titicaca lake, with a visit to the moon valley or Tihuanaco pre Inca temple, crossing the mountain regions of Bolivia and getting close to the lifestyle of the Aymaras. The tour includes the visit to Laja. Tihuanaco is one of the oldest American civilizations, its temples and buildings are very appreciated around the world .You can do also as excursion the amazing mountain bike tour to Coroico over the most dangerous road in the world ,for many people a highlight ! Hotel in La Paz

Today we take our private bus to Uyuni. First we take the bus to Oruro( if the group is less tha 10 we take local nightbus).The bus arrives earlier. Hostel in Uyuni.

Day 1 :Departure around  (10:30 a.m.) towards Colchani town with our 4+4 jeeps, here they cut manual extraction of salt in blocks, than the salt hotel ,what’s  now a museum ,You will visit the Inca Wasi Island, call Fished Island also by the form that it has, characterizes by his calcárea, fully of capricious caves and giant cactus from 8 to 10mts. Lunch, Arrival to San Juan where you are going to spend the night. Diner

Day 2: Breakfast. Departure towards Ollague volcano which is observed from a viewpoint, Cañapa lagoon, Hedionda, Chiarcota, we take lunch in open air. From here we start our return to Uyuni , it’s a long but beautiful drive to Uyuni , here we can take again a shower and compare our pictures to find the most beautiful one ! Hostel in Uyuni.

Uyuni – Potosí (4090 m)

This morning we take our private bus for around 7 h to the mining city of Potosi The road climb up very steep with stunning views. Potosi is situated at an altitude of 4000mt .

Hotel Potosi.!

Today you can visit as an excursion,the silver mines in “cero rico “.Potosi was ones one of the richest cities of Bolivia. Also the casa de moneda is worth a visit .Hotel Potosi.

After breakfast we take the bus for around 4 h to the white city of Sucre , this is now one of the richest city’s .This afternoon you can visit, by yourself, the cemetery or the beautiful textile museum , to have a good idea over the traditional clothing. Hostel in Sucre.

Today you have some more time to discover further Sucre .From here we take a Flight from Sucre to La Paz .At the airport a bus waits for us to bring us to Coppacabana .Hostel in Coppacabana.

Around 8 AM we take the transfer to the border from where we take the bus to Cusco. This takes a whole day along beautiful road and amazing views over the mountain passes . Some more than 4300m. Transfer to our hotel 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/hotel Cusco 

PEOPLE, WHO LIKE TO WALK THE INCATRAIL 2 or 4 DAYS, HAVE TO RESERVE THIS WITH BOOKING FAR IN ADVANCE!

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

This morning you can go on excursion very early to Machu Picchu by bus, this to see the sunrise over these amazing ruins ,here you can go with an English speaking guide. In the afternoon we will take the train back to Cusco, where we will arrive in the evening.

Hotel in Cusco

Today you can do 1 of the many excursions in or around Cusco, or visit a local market

or you do the 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 ,maras salt terraces ,even hot air balloon just visit one of the many museums in Cusco ,or just relax and let live passing by on one of the many balconies /hotel in Cusco.

Today its also possible to do as excursion the Sacred valley tour.

Today yo can go on Excursion to the most important festival for the Inca’s the

 “INTI RAYMI “or festival of the sun, it’s the reconstruction of important

Inca rituals in the temples of Saqsaywhoman look at this website for more information over this festival. Hotel in Cusco.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Lima in 1 h, depending on your flight back home you can drop our luggage in the airport. People, whose flight home is some later, can take a taxi to Miraflores to finish this Peru adventure on a terrace near the seafront in Miraflores or with an excursion City tour. International flight home .The tour leader normally stay in Cusco

Arrive back home

FINISH of this tour and our service.

People who like to do the very famousINCATRAIL , 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

GENERAL INFORMATION

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

-Lima city tour 20 usd /Pisco ballestas 15 usd /Huacachina jeep in the sand dunes: 18 USD /Nasca flight over the Nasca lines 65 usd  tour Chauchilla 15 usd : 70 usd /Arequipa rafting 30 USD ,Reality tour 20 USD Cusco ,citytour 10 Usd ,horsride 15 Usd , sacred valley 15 USD  ,rafting 25 /35 USD, guide in Machu picchu 15USD !Potosi Mines 15 usd Chacaltaya  55 usd, Tihuanacu 15 usd

Indication of entree fee

Colca canyon 35 sol   /cusco visitor ticket 130 sol/airport tax cusco 6 USD /Machu Picchu Entreé 126 SOL airport tax Lima international 32 USD   Entrée to the salt lake national park in Bolivia  8 USD  entre isla pescado 10 Bol

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 may its autumn ,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 700 EUROpocket 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 Inca trail )

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

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 Peru Planet can not be held responsible for any of this information.

How to make a reservation?
The easiest way to reserve a Peruplanet tour is by fill in the reservation form at this website .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 30 % deposit of the total amount, the other 70% , 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 minute 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