Peru is blessed with a rich and ancient past and a vibrant present, making it one of South America's most popular travel destinations. Thousands of archaeological sites are found all over the country, ranging from 10,000 year old camp sites of early hunters to the monumental stone walls of sixteenth century Inca Cusco. Indeed, it is difficult to go anywhere in Peru without stumbling upon some ancient reminder of Peru's past.

Although the Incas are by far Peru's best known culture, it is civilizations preceding them which set the foundations for the rising of the Inca Empire. Peru's museums are filled with amazing ceramics and textiles designed and created by the pre-Inca civilizations, such as Chavin, Paracas, Nazca, Moche and Wari. By AD 300, Nazca and Moche potters were producing an array of stunning works in clay, embellished with intricate designs and a wealth of colors, some portraying mythical beings, other realistic designs. The earliest textiles date back to 2500 B.C. By AD 700, Peru's weavers had developed a vast array of techniques, ranging from fine cotton gauze to intricately-woven tapestries of alpaca. In metallurgy, ancient smiths mastered technologies that culminated in the extraordinary funerary offerings at the Moche burial site of Sipan in Lambayaque, northern Peru.

By the fifteenth century after Christ, the Incas began to expand from the Cusco valley to build their empire. At the point of maximum expansion around 1500, the empire reached six of today's countries, connected by a 23,000 kilometer long road network. The short lived Inca Empire came to an end with the arrival of the conquering Spaniards in 1532. Much of the ancient technology and social structures that made this great empire possible, have disappeared over the centuries, but others like rich weaving tradition, have endured.

The legacy of colonial Peru is found in the churches, and vice-regal mansions built by the Spaniards, who made Lima the seat of the Spanish viceroyalty until the country obtained independence from Spain in 1821.

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ITINERARY

Day 1, Lima:

Upon arrival, reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel for accommodation. Overnight at Sheraton Hotel & Casino.  

Day 2, Lima: Half Day City Tour
Our guided visit to Lima allows you to see the Historical Center: Paseo de la República, San Martin Square, Main Square, the Government Palace, La Catedral (the Main Church), the Archbishop Palace, the City Hall and old streets with colonial mansions and Moorish balconies. In San Francisco, the most magnificent America's colonial an d monumental center, you find a Basilica with 21 altars, the convent with the cloister, the Clementina and Capitular room, the choir, the monks library, the Profundid Museum that exhibits 11 paints of Rubens. . San Francisco is a cultural patrimony for the world. The tour will continue through the most traditional residential areas includes of Lima, San Isidro Olivar, with olives brought from Spain in the XVI century. Pre- Inca worshipper of Pucllana, Miraflores Parque Central ( Main Park ) and Parque del Amor ( Love Park). Continue to the Archaeology And Anthropology Museum. This small but well laid out museum offers one of the best chronological displays of ancient Peruvian art and archaeology. The museum houses the famous Raymondi Stone Slab, the Tello Obelisque, and outstanding examples of Paracas and Nazca pottery, together with other major collections. Overnight at Sheraton Hotel & Casino. (B)

Day 3: Paracas, Ica & Nazca:

Prepare yourself to an unforgettable experience visiting Ica , Nazca & Paracas, the Best of the South Coast. Early in the morning drive 310 Kms (194 miles) south along the Panamericana Highway from Lima to Ica, passing by arid desert and lush coastal oasis. Arrive in Ica at midday for a short city tour.**Optional afternoon fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines. Overnight stay at Las Dunas Resort. (B)

Day 4, Paracas:
Drive 60 Kms. (37 miles) north of Paracas for an excursion by boat to the Ballestas Island and view thousands of birds, sea lions and seals in their natural surrounding. The famous Nazca candlestick design etched on the desert face, can also be seen from the boat. In the afternoon, a relaxing drive back to the hotel in Lima. Overnight at the Sheraton Hotel & Casino. (B)

Day 5, Cusco: 

Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel. Visitors should take a short rest in order to adjust to the high altitude In the afternoon, you will enjoy a tour of this beautiful city and surrounding ruins. You will visit the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, where you will appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas. The tour will take you to the Plaza de Armas, scene of so many historical events in Cusco during the Inca and Spanish reigns. Under a backdrop of the majestic Andean mountains and the remarkable Spanish Colonial architecture of the Cathedral and the Church of La Compañia, built on the foundations of Inca palaces, Cusco seems to have been frozen in time. Overnight at Novotel. (B)

Day 6, Urubamba Valley:
Visit in the Sacred Valley, the colorful Indian market of Pisak, 31 Kms (19 miles) far from Cusco and enjoy a blend of colors, tradition and people. After lunch, continue to Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas and learn about its ancient heritage while walking on the narrow streets and marveling at the numerous canals unchanged since Inca times. Back to Cusco, rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Novotel. (B,L)

Day 7, Full Day River Rafting:
This day trip whitewater rafting on the Urubamba River are extremely popular. Typical trips depart Cusco daily at 9am and return by 3pm, leaving about 3 hours actually on the river. Trips include lunch, transport and all safety equipment.
Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Posada del Inca Hotel in Yucay. (B,L)

Day 8, Machu-Picchu:

Early in the morning transfer to Ollanta station to board the train for a 2 Days tour to Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas", one of the most renowned examples of pre-Hispanic architecture. Enjoy the surrounding lush cloud forest and find the citadel perching on a mist-shrouded mountain top. Buffet lunch Included. Rest of the afternoon at leisure, you either can go into Ruins to enjoy the Sun set or go back to Aguas Calientes and walk around the town. Overnight at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. (B,L)

Day 9, Machu-Picchu:
Early wake up to enjoy the sun rise over the mountain-top citadel of Machu Picchu and watch the mist rise at dawn. Maybe you can try to climb to The Sun gate (Inti Punktu ) or to Huayna Picchu. Afternoon return to Cusco and hotel.
Overnight at Novotel. (B)

Day 10, Cusco:
Free day in Cusco for visiting on your own, shopping and personal activities. Farewell dinner and Folklore show at Local Restaurant. Overnight at Novotel. (B,D)

Day 11, Puerto Maldonado: 

Transfer to the airport to board your domestic flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival from Cusco, reception and transfer to the Tambopata River port in Puerto Maldonado. Puerto Maldonado is situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers and is a bustling, booming tropical frontier town. Its principal activities are gold mining, Brazil nut collecting, timber extraction, agriculture and ecotourism. After a brief survey of the town we will depart on the 2-hour boat trip by motorized canoe to Posada Amazonas. Depending on the arrival time of the plane we will have a boxed lunch aboard the boats or have lunch upon arrival at Posada Amazonas. During our voyage we may see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabirus Stork, Roadside Hawk, and several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers. When we arrive at Posada Amazonas we will unpack and unwind. Posada Amazonas is a comfortable yet unobtrusive 24-room lodge owned jointly by Rainforest Expeditions and the Ese'eja Native Community of Tambopata. We will receive a short orientation and a complete briefing on the lodge and the Ese'eja Ecotourism Project before our afternoon activity: Ethnobotany. In this activity, we will hike the trails around Posada Amazonas with an Ese'eja native, who will explain to us the everyday uses of forest medicine, construction, food and fiber. (B)

Day 12, Posada Amazonas:
We will be up at dawn for a visit to the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. After an early breakfast we depart, fifteen minutes from Posada Amazonas by boat and a 30-minute walk take us to the lake shore. From here we take a long, easy canoe ride around it. We will look for giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin, and wading birds. The giant river otters that are seen in Tres Chimbadas belong to a resident family of nine. Then we will return to the lodge for lunch before embarking on our afternoon outing. In the afternoon we will visit a native community slash and burn farm. Slash and burn agriculture systems are often thought of as wasteful because the fields are burnt, cultivated for a few years, and then abandoned. Many resident studies, however, have shown that this is far from the truth. (B)

Day 13, Chiclayo: 

Early transfer down the river to the Puerto Maldonado airport for a departure flight Back to Lima. Upon arrival, meeting and assistance for your domestic flight to Chiclayo. Upon arrival, meeting assistance and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Gran Hotel Chiclayo. (B)

Day 14, Lord of Sipan: 
Morning excursion to the magnificent mud-brick burial platform of Huaca Rajada where the world famous Tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered. Admire fabulous gold artifacts, precious stones and the ancient Moche civilization's history. Afternoon visit to Tucume, an imposing 26 pyramids site of the Lambayeque culture. Afterwards, visit the brand new Tumbas Reales Museum and discover the historical richness there. Afternoon a 3-hour drive through the northern Desert, where you will admire its atypical seasonal fertile valleys will take you to Trujillo. Overnight at Libertador Trujillo Hotel. (B,L)

Day 15, Trujillo & Chan Chan:

Visit beautiful colonial mansions in Trujillo and marvel at their well-preserved and imposing portals, balconies and churches. During the tour see the University Museum or the private Cassinelli Museum and drive to the seaside town of Huanchaco to watch the local fishermen on their traditional "Caballitos de Totora" or reed boats. After lunch, admire the ancient mud-brick City of Chan-Chan, once the proud capital of the Chimu Kingdom. Visit the local museum and the ceremonial Temple of the Dragon. Transfer to the airport for departure flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, meeting and assistance for international flight back to home.

Prices & Departures for 2005:

Available On request (min 10 people)	15D/14N
10-14 Participants
Per Person in Double	$1985
Per Person in Single	$2785
15-20 Participants
Per Person in Double	$1925
Per Person in Single	$2685

(Subject to change)