Escorted Tours 2023-24 1st Edition

Day 1: UK to Lima Depart the UK on your overnight flight, via Colombia. Day 2: Lima On arrival in Lima, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Day 3: Lima to Arequipa B Known as the ‘City of the Kings’, today’s tour combines the historic downtown with modern Miraflores. First, visit the main square to see the Cathedral, Government Palace and City Hall. Next see the beautiful Santo Domingo Convent, before visiting Miraflores, a bustling shopping area. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Day 4: Arequipa B With its large traditional square, colonial buildings, and stunning volcanic backdrop, Arequipa offers some truly wonderful sites, including America’s Sistine Chapel and the Santa Catalina Convent. Later, walk around Cayma and Yanahuara. Day 5: Arequipa to Colca Canyon B/L/D Today, travel to the open plains of the Pampa Cañaguas and Salinas where you’ll see llamas, alpacas, and guanacos roaming in the wild. The wetlands are teeming with different species of birdlife and Patapampa viewpoint offers stunning vistas of volcanoes. Later, you will arrive at Chivay. Day 6: Colca Canyon to Puno B/L/D An early start sets you up for a scenic tour of the Colca Canyon with its terraced fields and deep gorges, all culminating with a chance to see condors rising from the canyon. After lunch, travel to Puno, arriving in the evening for dinner. Day 7: Puno B/L Today’s highlight is a trip to Lake Titicaca. The views from Taquile Island are stunning and well worth the hour’s walk to the top from the port. Enjoy a ‘coca tea’ break halfway up before lunch is taken in a restaurant that overlooks the lake. Later, you’ll board a boat for a visit to one of the floating reed islands to visit a local family home. Day 8: Puno to Cusco B/L This morning you will be able to appreciate the wonderful landscape of the surrounding valleys en route to Cusco, with stops at La Raya pass, the Raqchi ruins and Andahuaylillas village. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before arriving in Cusco. Day 9: Cusco to Sacred Valley B/L Today head for Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you’ll visit the imposing Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo. En route, you will visit a camelid compound and the colourful Pisac market. Day 10: Sacred Valley to Cusco B/L This morning, board a train to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll disembark and board a bus to Machu Picchu. After a guided tour, enjoy free time to explore. Later, descend back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then return to Cusco, via Ollantaytambo. Day 11: Cusco to Lima B This morning’s tour includes a visit to the ‘Temple of the Sun’ where you can appreciate the Plaza de Armas. Later, drive to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, then to the underground cave and temple of Kenko. Later, experience a panoramic view of Puca Pucara, before your evening fly to Lima. Day 12: Lima to the UK B Your morning will be at leisure, before your overnight return flight, via Colombia or continue with your chosen extension. Meal plan: 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 2 dinners Accommodation: Lima, 3 H Casa Andina Standard Benavides Arequipa, 3 H Casa Andina Standard Colca Canyon, 3 H Hotel Casa Andina Classic Colca Puno, 3 H La Hacienda Plaza de Armas Cusco, 3 H Casa Andina Catedral Sacred Valley, 3 H Life Hotel Valle Sagrado Flights: London Heathrow to Peru with Avianca (via Colombia) Tour pace: Challenging < < Lima Arequipa Colca Canyon Puno Lake Titicaca Cusco Raqchi Ruins Sacred Valley Machu Picchu    • •   Coach Air Rail Nights 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 Sacred Peru Tour highlights ✔ Embark on a tour of Lima and the ‘White City’ of Arequipa ✔ Discover the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu ✔ Visit the incredible Colca Canyon ✔ Explore Lake Titicaca ✔ Marvel at the Sacred Valley of the Incas and their fortress of Ollantaytambo Travel into the heart of South America to experience misty volcanoes, llamas, alpacas, hanging ancient tombs and Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, all set amidst the backdrop of the spectacular Andes. Machu Picchu P R I V A T E T O U R U P G R A D E S F R O M £799 Extend your tour Lima city stay, 2 nights, 3 H B&B from £179 No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £459 Departures & from prices 14 & 28 Sep 23 £3,099 23 May 24 £3,499 12 & 26 Oct 23 £2,999 20 Jun 24 £3,499 16 Nov 23 £2,999 4 Jul 24 £3,799 25 Jan 24 £3,399 12 Sep 24 £3,399 22 Feb 24 £3,399 10 Oct 24 £2,999 21 Mar 24 £3,399 14 Nov 24 £2,999 25 Apr 24 £3,399 • Tipping paid locally $62-$84 pp per tour South America 113 Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk