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CLASSIC MACHU PICCHU TOURS

Machu Picchu Express (5D) Experience Machu Picchu (7D) Inti Raymi 2013 (8D) Luxury Peru (8D) Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca (9D) Amazon & Machu Picchu (9D) Machu Picchu & Colca (10D) Luxury Peru & Amazon (10D) Peru Highlights (11D) Best of Peru (14D)

INCA TRAIL HIKING TOURS

Alternative Inca Trail (11D) Inca Trail Lodge to Lodge (13D) Short Inca Trail (7D) Inca Trail Express (8D) Peru Day Hiker (9D) Classic Inca Trail (10D) Cordillera Blanca Hike (10D) Amazon & Inca Trail (12D) Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca (12D) Salcantay & Inca Trail Hike (12D) Inca Trail & Colca Canyon (13D) Discover Peru (14D) Adventure Peru (18D)

PERU MULTISPORT TOURS

Peru Raft, Bike & Hike Tour (12D)

PERU & GALAPAGOS TOURS

Machu Picchu & Galapagos

PERU TOUR EXTENSIONS

Day Peru Tour Extensions Multi-Day Peru Tour Extensions Peruvian Amazon Jungle Lodges

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HIKING TOURS AMAZON ECOTOURS RAINFOREST ECOLODGES MULTISPORT ADVENTURES GALAPAGOS SCUBA DIVING GALAPAGOS SEA KAYAKING GALAPAGOS SAILING CRUISES HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU FAMILY ADVENTURES SELF-GUIDED TOURS LUXURY TOURS RAFTING / KAYAKING TOURS CAMPING ADVENTURES PATAGONIA HIKING ARGENTINA WINE COUNTRY

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Machu Picchu & Colca Canyon, Tour Peru's Top Natural and Manmade Wonders

Duration: 10 days
Cost: $3,585/Person
On this exciting Peru tour, journey to one of the most impressive canyons of the world and continue on to the Inca heartland where South America's most remarkable ruins are found. This fascinating tour includes five top destinations: the fascinating "White City" of Arequipa, the famed Colca Canyon that is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and home to the elusive Andean condor, the Inca capital of Cusco, the archeological wonders of the Sacred Valley, and the finale, Peru's premier attraction, Machu Picchu. The mix of sights and terrains combine some of Peru's top natural and manmade wonders into one fascinating adventure vacation.
Private Departures can be arranged. Please regarding details and private departure costs.

ABOUT PERU TRAVELING TO PERU PERU WEATHER

WHEN TO VISIT PERU
= J F M A M J J A S O N D =

PERU F.A.Q. MAP OF PERU CUSCO - LAKE TITICACA BY TRAIN RECOMMENDED READING

Machu Picchu & Colca Canyon Itinerary

Day 1 (Sat) LIMA View Lima accommodations picture gallery On day one, arrive in Peru's capital and be met by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel. If you arrive early and want to sightsee, we can arrange optional tours to explore the city, including museums, and other sites of interest.
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Day 2 (Sun) LIMA - AREQUIPA View Arequipa accommodations picture gallery The morning of your Peru tour begins with a flight south to Arequipa, known for its architectural signature, the many white colonial buildings of white volcanic rock. Relax or explore Arequipa before the start of an afternoon city tour with stops at Yanahuara for its views of the skyline, the Jesuit complex of La Compania and the Convent of Santa Catalina, famous for its labyrinth of secluded quarters. (B)
Picture Gallery, Convent of Santa Catalina
Day 3 (Mon) AREQUIPA - COLCA CANYON View Colca Lodge accommodations picture gallery Leaving the city behind by private van, your Peru tour ascends to the highland savannah, or puna, for an amazing view of Mt. El Misti and more distant snowcapped volcanoes. On this high-altitude desert, you'll see herds of llamas, alpacas and the endangered vicuña. From this high point you descend into the Colca Valley where you will pass the settlements of Chivay and Coporaque before arriving at the Colca Lodge near Yanque. This afternoon you will have a chance to relax in the thermal bathes at the lodge or walk into the nearby town. Several self-guided hikes are also possible. (B)
Day 4 (Tue) COLCA CANYON - HIKING CRUZ DEL CONDOR - AREQUIPA View Arequipa accommodations picture gallery Today's destination is Cruz del Condor, a viewpoint over the deepest part of the famed canyon, the best place to view condors. Here this magnificent endangered species may be found in the early mornings as the birds leave their rocky perch to slowly ascend over the horizon. This regal sight will surely be a highlight of your Peru travels. In the late afternoon, return to your Arequipa hotel for the evening. (B)
Day 5 (Wed) AREQUIPA - CUSCO View Cusco accommodations picture gallery Our Peru tour continues as you return to the Arequipa airport for your short flight to Cusco , ancient center of the Inca Empire. Southern Explorations' guides pick you up at the Cusco airport and tour you through the beautiful Plaza de Armas on the way to the hotel, where you may unwind and be free the rest of the day to explore and get used to the elevation (10,856 ft). (B)
Day 6 (Thu) CUSCO View Cusco accommodations picture gallery This pleasant day of our Peru tour begins with a guided walking tour through the colorful markets of Cusco as well as the city's other important sights. You'll visit the colonial cathedral and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After a Peruvian lunch, you depart for an afternoon tour of Inca temples and several other prominent sights, including: the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, with its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with its carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the small strategically-located fortress of Puka Pukara and the water temple, Tambo Machay. In the late afternoon, relax at your hotel or venture out on your own to further explore the interesting culture of Cusco. (B)
Day 7 (Fri) CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY View Sacred Valley accommodations picture gallery Today's adventure on our Peru ecotour includes a guided excursion of panoramic mountain views, reaching the Incas' legendary Sacred Valley. Along the way, you'll notice Inca terracing on the steep valley walls before arriving at the temple ruins of Pisac and the nearby town, famed for its textile market. After taking time out for lunch, you'll travel to the small town of Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft), to see its impressive Inca fortress and spend the night at a local hotel. (B)
Day 8 (Sat) SACRED VALLEY - OLLANTAYTAMBO - MACHU PICCHU View Machu Picchu accommodations picture gallery This morning enjoy a walking tour of the Ollantaytambo ruins after breakfast. Take the mid-morning train from Ollantaytambo along the trek to Machu Picchu. On the journey, you'll enjoy some of the highlights of our Peru ecotour along the Urubamba River and through a magnificent cloud forest to reach Aguas Calientes where a bus will take you the rest of the way to Machu Picchu (7,875 ft.). Take the entire day to explore the famous ruins of this magnificent mountain citadel and then return in the late afternoon to nearby Aguas Calientes to soak in hot springs and enjoy a delicious dinner of regional cuisine. Spend a restful night at a hotel in town. (B)
Day 9 (Sun) MACHU PICCHU - CHINCHEROS TEXTILE MARKET - CUSCO View Cusco accommodations picture gallery Today is the experience you've been anticipating since you booked your Peru tour: Machu Picchu at sunrise, before the day-trippers arrive. The morning holds various opportunities for exploration, including a climb to the Huayna Picchu sacred peak or a forest walk to the Temple of the Moon. The early afternoon train returns you to the Sacred Valley, where your private driver will be waiting to take you to the Chincheros market. Enjoy a hands-on explanation to the traditional weaving methods of these artisans and time for some last minute shopping. This community is known to produce some of the best textiles in all of Peru. In the late afternoon, return to Cusco and your hotel. (B)
Day 10 (Mon) CUSCO - LIMA On the final day of your Peru tour, you'll be transferred to the airport in the morning for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight, marking the end of Southern Explorations services. If you'd like to remain in Cusco or Lima or travel elsewhere in Peru, we offer a wide range of trip extensions. (B) View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

KEY TO MAP

Itinerary Map

PERU EXTENSIONS

Have more time to spend? Why not customize your trip with some of these trip extensions? Add extensions to the beginning or the end of your trip, or add to both ends.

PERU DAY EXTENSIONS: Lima City Tour; Lima Pre-Departure Tour; Lima Culinary Tour; Weaving tour from Cusco; Cachicata Day Hike; Moray - Maras; Cusco Countryside; Rafting from Cusco; Full Day Mountain Biking

PERU MULTI-DAY EXTENSIONS: Maras, Moray & Cachicata (2D); Ica & Nazca (2D); Ica/Nazca & Ballestas Is. (3D); Lake Titicaca (3D); Rafting the Apurimac (3D); Arequipa & Colca Canyon (4D); Mancora Beach (4D); Peru North (4D)
AMAZON ECOLODGES & RIVER CRUISES: Sandoval Lake Lodge (3-4D); Posada Amazonas (3-4D); Reserva Amazonica (3-4D); M/V Aqua - Amazon River Expedition (4-8D); M/V Aria - Amazon River Cruise (4-8D)

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2013 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES

Saturday Start
Monday End
2 person minimum / 8 maximum

May 04-13
Jun 08-17
Jul 06-15
Aug 03-12
08/31-09/09
Sep 08/31-09/09
Oct 05-14
Nov 02-11
11/30-12/09
Dec 11/30-12/09

Private Departures can be arranged. Please regarding private departure costs.

2014 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES