Mercury Holidays 2021-2023 Brochure

Tambomachay, the Baths of the Inca, before stopping at “Inka’s Expression” workshop to watch local artisans create beautiful silver pieces, paintings and wood carvings. 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 journey home by train after the day’s tour. 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 BogotɁ, or continue on to your chosen extension. 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 Puno, Arequipa-Casa Andina Standard Arequipa, Nazca-Casa Andina Standard Nasca, Paracas-San Agustin Paracas • Flights from London Heathrow with Avianca (via Bogotá) Cusco Peruvian Child Squirrel Monkey 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 No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £559 Private Tour Upgrade From £1,429 . Includes a private guide, transport and choice of departure date Tour pace: Challenging Ready to find out more? For further details, check prices and availability, and explore all of our holidays visit our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk or call our experienced team free on 0800 298 9865 Lima www.mercuryholidays.co.uk • 0800 298 9865 187 Latin America