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This 12 day tour offers a fantastic taste of the best Peru has to offer. Starting and finishing in the capital city of Lima, you will journey through colonial cities, ancient ruins and snow-capped mountains whilst experiencing the region's traditional culture and stunning scenery.
Depart London on your scheduled flight to Lima, via Bogota, Colombia.
On arrival in Lima, you will be met by your local representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Known as the 'City of the Kings', today's tour combines the culture of historic downtown Lima with the modern district of Miraflores. You will first visit the main square to see the Cathedral, Government Palace and City Hall. Next see one of the best-preserved monasteries in Lima, the beautiful Santo Domingo Convent and then on to Miraflores, a bustling shopping area with stupendous views of the Pacific Ocean. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa to spend the night.
With its large traditional square and colonial buildings, Peru's second largest city Arequipa has a very Spanish feel. Known as the 'Cuidad Blanca' (White City) and set against the backdrop of the misty volcano, Arequipa offers some truly wonderful cultural and historic sites including the Church of the Society of Jesus, the frescoes of America's Sistine Chapel at the San Ignacio Dome and the labyrinth Santa Catalina Convent. The tour ends with a relaxed walk around the local areas of Cayma and Yanahuara. The rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.
Today the tour moves on to the open plains of the Pampa Canaguas and Salinas where you will see llamas, alpacas, and guanacos roaming in the wild. The wetlands are teeming with different species of birdlife, and Patapampa, a high point offers stunning vistas of volcanoes. After about a five hour drive you arrive at Chivay, your base for the night where dinner is included.
An early start from Chivay sets you up for a spectacular scenic tour of the Colca Canyon with its terraced fields, hanging tombs and deep gorges, all culminating with a chance to see the majestic condors as they rise deep from within the canyon. You will then make your way back to the hotel and after lunch, commence your journey to Puno, arriving in the evening where dinner at your hotel is included.
Today's highlight is a trip to Lake Titicaca, the highest and largest navigable lake on earth. The views from Taquile Island that, on a clear day, can stretch to Bolivia are stunning and well worth the hour or so walk to the top from the port. Have a 'coca tea' break half way up before lunch is taken in a simple restaurant that overlooks the lake. Later you will walk back down to the port and board a boat for a brief visit to one of the floating reed islands to visit a local family home. Overnight is in Puno.
This morning you will travel from Puno to Cusco and be able to appreciate the surrounding valleys' wonderful landscapes en route. The journey includes a stop at La Raya pass, 4,300 metres above sea level, from where you will be able to take in some amazing vistas of the Andean snow-capped mountains. You will also stop at the Raqchi ruins, known as the Temple of the God Wiracocha, and Andahuaylillas village where there is a beautiful church from the 17th century. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before arriving in Cusco and transferring to your hotel.
Today the tour heads for Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where one of the highlights is a visit to the imposing Inca Fortress at Ollantaytambo. En route you will visit a camelid compound to see these unique animals at close quarters as well as the colourful Pisac market where local Indians display and sell their handmade artefacts. Lunch is in a comfortable restaurant then the journey continues to reach your hotel for an overnight stay in the valley.
Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and this morning you will be taken to the station to board the Vistadome train to start your adventure to this incredible site. The train will take you to the city of Aguas Calientes where you disembark and board a bus to the archaeological site. Constructed on a saddle between two Andean peaks, Machu Picchu was one of the greatest achievements of South American civilisation. After a guided tour of this 550-year-old citadel, there is some free time for you to explore and absorb the awe-inspiring atmosphere. You will then descend back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then catch the train back to Ollantaytambo and return to Cusco by coach.
This morning's city tour of Cusco will introduce you to this amazing colonial city built on the foundation of Inca palaces. Visit the 'Temple of the Sun' where you can appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodworks, altars and paintings. Later you will drive to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, then to the underground cave and temple of Kenko - one of the largest wak'as (holy places) in the region. Experience a panoramic view of Puca Pucara and, finally, stop at the living art workshop, 'Inka's Expression' to admire how the local artisans create wonderful silver pieces, paintings and wood carvings.
Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to the UK via Bogota, Colombia.
No visa is required for this tour of Peru.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your flight is to Lima Airport with Avianca (AV), departing from London Heathrow Terminal 2.
Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus one item of hand luggage providing the exterior dimensions (height x length x width) do not exceed 115cm and 10kg in weight. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your e-ticket receipt. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Heathrow Airport advises that check-in should be three hours before your flight departure time.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 30. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
A Tour Leader will be with you on your trip starting in Arequipa on Day 3, ending in Puno on Day 12. Day 1, Day 2, Day 11 and Day 12 in Lima do not include a tour leader, however, transfers will be provided by a local English speaking guide.
The currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol, the symbol is S/. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you depart US Dollars are widely accepted in Peru should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. Cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any lunches and dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£400 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!
| Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Dates | |||
| 14 Feb 2019 | 25 Feb 2019 | £2229.00 | Please call to book 0800 781 4893 |
| 14 Mar 2019 | 25 Mar 2019 | £2179.00 | Please call to book 0800 781 4893 |
| 25 Apr 2019 | 06 May 2019 | £2279.00 | Book Now |
| 09 May 2019 | 20 May 2019 | £2319.00 | Book Now |
| 30 May 2019 | 10 Jun 2019 | £2329.00 | Book Now |
| 13 Jun 2019 | 24 Jun 2019 | £2319.00 | Book Now |
| 27 Jun 2019 | 08 Jul 2019 | £2229.00 | Book Now |
| 11 Jul 2019 | 22 Jul 2019 | £2279.00 | Book Now |
| 22 Aug 2019 | 02 Sep 2019 | £2419.00 | Book Now |
| 05 Sep 2019 | 16 Sep 2019 | £2219.00 | Book Now |
| 26 Sep 2019 | 07 Oct 2019 | £2219.00 | Book Now |
| 10 Oct 2019 | 21 Oct 2019 | £2079.00 | Book Now |
| 31 Oct 2019 | 11 Nov 2019 | £2129.00 | Book Now |
| 14 Nov 2019 | 25 Nov 2019 | £2179.00 | Book Now |
| 28 Nov 2019 | 09 Dec 2019 | £2229.00 | Book Now |
| 2020 Dates | |||
We have 2 rooms available on every tour date for single use where no single supplement will need to be paid. But hurry, these spaces are limited and subject to availability. If however once all the places are sold out and you are happy to share with another passenger of the same gender then let us know at the time of booking and we will endeavour to find you a travelling partner.
If the group departure dates are not suitable for you and you would prefer a more personal and flexible experience then you can choose to book a private guide for your tour at a reasonable supplement.
Please note that in 2017 the hotel in the Sacred Valley will be changed to the Hacienda del Valle.
Nuevo Sol
16 Hours
16 °C / 28 °C
Spanish
Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
For where we were I thought the hotels were of a good standard. Another good tour at an affordable price.
Hotels were clean + comfortable. Very limited public space in all of them. Delivery of luggage at all hotels was quick + well managed. This is my 2nd tour with Mercury. Both tours have been very well organised and ran smoothly. As a solo traveller this has been very reassuring.
Hotels in the center of town, safe surroundings for evening walks.
Would have liked tea making facilities in rooms
Good locations and clean & comfortable
Loved the Hotel prior to the Macchu Pichu trip and the Inka terra and Chivay lodges. Some Andinis were better than others. The one in Lima was a bit dreary though the rooms themselves were fine and location good.
Hotels were clean and breakfasts were excellent
Guides were excellent
The Hotels used where all pretty good.
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Delve further into The 'City of the Kings' with an extended stay in Peru's capital city of Lima. Brimming with heritage, you will have free time to explore the city to gain further insight into the local area and ancient cultures.
This extension takes place at the end of the main tour.
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Adventure into one of the world's most biodiverse rainforests, the lush Peruvian Amazon, to witness a truly unique 'country-within-a-country'. Offering phenomenal wildlife-spotting, vast untamed forests and indigenous communities, a stay in the famous amazon is a once in a lifetime experience.
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