Escorted Tours 2022-23 Brochure - Mercury Holidays

Day 7: Cusco B/L Journey by train to Machu Picchu. A full-day tour takes you around the tombs, temples and palaces of this ancient city of ruins. A city never uncovered by colonising Spaniards, the structures and agricultural terraces of Machu Picchu are an untouched testament to the culture of a lost civilization. Have lunch in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes and later journey home by train. Day 8: Cusco to Puno B/L Travel to Puno, first stopping at Andahuayillas, which boasts church walls covered with frescoes and a gilded roof. Continue onward to Raqchi, an Inca archaeological park. Explore the towering Temple of Wiracocha, built to honour and appease the supreme god of the Incas before visiting The Raya. Arrive in Puno in the early evening, with the remainder of the day at leisure. Day 9: Puno B/L Today’s highlight is a trip to Lake Titicaca, the highest and largest navigable lake on earth. After lunch, follow 535 stone steps to a fantastic observation point. Later, walk back down to the port and board a boat for a brief visit to the floating reed island of Uros to visit a local family home before returning to Puno. Day 10: Puno to Arequipa B/L/D Depart in the morning, stopping at the Lagunillas Lagoon and the chance to spot rare Andean birds. Stop for refreshments before visiting the plains of Pampa Cañahuas where you can see the unique ‘vicuñas’, a local camelid. Arrive in Arequipa and check into your hotel before dinner. Day 11: Arequipa to Nazca B/L/D A scenic 12 to 14 hour drive along the coastline takes you past dazzling white beaches, laid back coastal towns, arid desert plains and lofty mountain passes as you follow the great Pan-American Highway to the city of Nazca. Day 12: Nazca to Paracas B/L Get a bird’s eye view of this fascinating archaeological feature of Nazca Lines on a 25-minute flight over the lines (subject to weather conditions). Back on land, trace your way to Paracas, stopping to visit a local winery and explore a pottery studio. Huacachina Lagoon, your next stop, is a palm-fringed oasis nestled in the barren desert region of Peru. Day 13: Paracas B Board a shared boat for the morning’s excursion to the Ballestas Islands, and the chance to see porpoises leaping through the surf, pelicans and cormorants swooping over the water and the famous prehistoric Paracas Candelabra petroglyph etched into the waterside dunes. An afternoon at leisure gives you time to relax or explore the sights of Paracas at your own pace. Day 14: Paracas to Lima B/D Start your day with a scenic drive along the Pacific Coastline to Lima, stopping for lunch along the way. On arrival, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, before your farewell dinner. Day 15: Lima to the UK B Transfer for your overnight return flight, via Bogotá, or continue on to your chosen extension. Extend your tour Lima city stay, 2 nights, 3 H B&B from £149 Tumbes beach stay*, 3 nights, B&B 3 H from £639 or 4 H from £749 *Due to flight schedules an extra night in Lima is required, extending your tour by an extra night. Tour includes • 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 7 dinners • 3 H accommodation: Lima-Casa Andina Standard Miraflores Centro, Puerto Maldonado-Eco Amazonia Lodge, Cusco-Andina Catedral Standard, Puno-La Hacienda, Arequipa-Casa Andina Standard, Nazca-Casa Andina Standard Nasca, Paracas-San Agustin Paracas • Flights from London Heathrow with Avianca (via Bogotá) Tour pace: Challenging Cusco Lima Machu Picchu No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £549 Tumbes Departures & from prices 11 May 22 £3,129 10 May 23 £2,999 25 May 22 £3,139 24 May 23 £3,099 31 Aug 22 £3,139 7 Jun 23 £3,299 28 Sep 22 £3,159 21 Jun 23 £3,299 12 Oct 22 £3,189 5 Jul 23 £3,499 9 Nov 22 £3,139 30 Aug 23 £3,199 25 Jan 23 £3,299 13 Sep 23 £3,499 8 Feb 23 £3,299 27 Sep 23 £3,199 8 Mar 23 £3,299 11 Oct 23 £3,199 19 Apr 23 £3,299 8 Nov 23 £3,199 • Upgrade to a Private Tour from £1,199 Sea Lion, Ballestas Islands South America 127 Hundreds more escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk