North and South Peru Discovery

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Lima

Arrive in Lima at any time. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.Peru is made up of three main geographical areas: the Andes, the Amazon and the desert coastal area. On this trip we concentrate on exploring two of the more spectacular regions that Peru is known for - the Andes and the Amazon.Known as the City of Kings, Peru’s capital city Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro on the Day of the Three Kings (Epiphany) in 1535. The Plaza de Armas is the heart of old Lima, and it is here you find the Cathedral, Government Palace and Archbishop’s Palace. The Cathedral dates back to the 1700s and houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro. To get a feel for colonial Lima, take a cab to the Plaza de Armas and watch the changing of the Palace Guard in the afternoon. Walk the streets surrounding the Jirón de la Unión for great examples of Spanish-colonial architecture and to get a taste for life in a large South American city. An optional city tour visits many of the city’s highlights.There are many fine museums in and around the city, including the Museo Rafael Larco Herrera, which houses an equally impressive collection of pottery, mummies and textiles from the Paracas and Nazca cultures. The more affluent coastal districts of Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro offer good nightlife and cafés all within walking distance. Limeños (Lima’s residents) are friendly, and the city is filled with excellent restaurants; seafood lovers in particular should be sure to try a ceviche, for which Lima is well known.

Day 2 Lima / Tarapoto

Today is a free day to explore Lima, the City of Kings. Optional activities such as a city tour, museum visits or shopping can be arranged. An early evening flight will take us from the metropolis of Lima to one of Peru's thriving northern jungle towns, Tarapato.Tarapoto is located in the province of San Martín, nestled in a valley between two mountain ranges. At an elevation of approximately 350 metres above sea level, Tarapoto and enjoys a hot, tropical climate and has abundant and interesting flora and fauna. This small city has been dubbed the "Land of Waterfalls" due to the incredible waterfalls found in the area.We check into our hotel and prepare to explore this unique landscape the following day.

Day 3 Tarapoto / Chachapoyas

The morning is free to take in one of several 1/2 day optional excursions and activities in and around Tarapoto. Among the most famous attractions to visit in this area include the Ahuashiyacu waterfall, plunging 35 metres down and forming a beautiful lagoon at the bottom. Other possible activities include horseback riding or a visit to the Petroglyphs of Polish. This archaeological wonder contains ancient animal and plant figures engraved in blocks of stone, created by the area's first inhabitants.An afternoon departure by bus takes us from jungle level, climbing through the beautiful foothills to the town of Chachapoyas. Chachapoyas is a quiet, friendly town nestled in a huge area of cloud forest between the Maranon and Huallaga Rivers. Check into the hotel and we have a briefing to prepare for the upcoming days of discovering the highlights of Peru's northern region.

Day 4 Chachapoyas / Karajia

We set out early in the morning from Chachapoyas for a 2 hour drive over breathtaking roads and incredible scenery of the Northern Andes to the point where we will begin our first hike. After approximately 2 hours of moderate hiking we arrive at the ancient burial site of Karajia. We encounter 3 metre tall anthropomorphic wooden coffins located high under a cliff. Learn about the history of this region and the burial site, as well as the opportunity for taking photos. After lunch we set off for the 2 hour hike back to our vehicle and travel to our campsite for the night. Once at our campsite, enjoy an evening of good food, good company, and a good night's sleep!

Day 5 Chachapoyas / Gocta Waterfall

Our day starts early with a hearty breakfast before embarking on a full day (5-6 hours) of moderate / semi-difficult hiking. We will enjoy seeing waterfalls, toucans, hummingbirds, monkeys, and much more as we hike through the dense jungle. Our final destination is the base of the recently discovered Gocta Waterfall, verified to be the third largest waterfall on the planet (measured to be a height of 771 metres). This waterfall, with 2 drops, has been known by locals for centuries and was only brought to the world's attention in 2002 following an expedition by explorers to the region. After enjoying the photo opportunity, we then take a 2 hour van ride back to our campsite at the river's edge at the base of Kuelap to enjoy dinner, and spend the night.

Day 6 Chachapoyas / Kuelap

Following breakfast this morning, we begin our 3-4 hour hike to the Chachapoyan archaeological site of Kuelap. Little is known about this pre-Incan site and the Chachapoyan people themselves (also known as the Cloud Forest people). Some have referred to it as the "Machu Picchu of the North" as it is a large, mysterious, and impressive site in remarkably good condition. Twice as old as the Inca constructions, Kuelap arguably bears as much archaeological significance as the country's number one tourist attraction, although in appearance the two sites are really quite different.Kuelap is a massive fortress built on the top of a mountain. This site is surrounded by a 30m high wall and measures 584m by 100m in size. Construction of the site is estimated to have taken approximately 200 years to complete and taken millions of cubic feet of stone. Kuelap is comprised of three levels containing over 400 circular buildings. Who the Chachapoyan people could have been protecting themselves from remains a mystery.We have a few hours to explore the site and learn about the history from a local guide. Standing at the outer wall's edge of this site you can enjoy the incredible view of the valley below, spreading out approximately 1,200 metres below. Also impressive is the thin ribbon of road that hugs the near and far walls of the treed canyon. A short walk of about ten minutes will bring us to our waiting vehicle for the 3.5 hour return trip to Chachapoyas. Take advantage of a hot shower, enjoy a local dinner and sleep well!

Day 7 Chachapoyas / Chiclayo

No activities are planned for the morning following breakfast, enjoy time to relax and enjoy what the town of Chachapoyas has to offer. At 1:00pm we depart by bus and travel down from 1,700m to sea level to the coastal city of Chiclayo.Chiclayo acts as a central hub for commercial and tourist activities. Nicknamed "The City of Friendship", Chiclayo certainly lives up to the name as you will find the locals to be welcoming and friendly. Take time to enjoy what the city has to offer. We arrive in the late evening in time for dinner and a chance to rest for the following full day.

Day 8 Chiclayo

We spend the full day today in Chiclayo to take in the sites. No planned activities but optional activities can be arranged. Possible activities include a city tour or a visit to Mercado Modelo's "witch doctor's market", with a large selection of herbs and tools used by shamans. Also make time to visit to the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum. Opened in 2003, this museum showcases the most important archaeological remains of the Mochica Culture, including the contents of the tomb of a Mochica leader called "El Señor de Sipán", found in 1987. If you prefer a visit to the ocean, travel 14 kms to nearby Pimentel Beach. This fishing town is well known for seafood and surfing. Watch the fishermen in the totora reed boats paddling out through the waves as their ancestors have done. Enjoy one last evening in Chiclayo before departing the following morning.

Day 9 - 11 Máncora

This morning we leave for the beach town of Máncora. Famous for it's surf, this small fishing town of 15,000 people has a relaxed feel. Enjoy a few leisurely days taking optional surf lessons, enjoying the abundant fresh seafood and year-round sunshine. The best surfing can be found between the months of November to February, although good waves are enjoyed throughout the year. Máncora also has handicraft stores, a low-key nightlife with local bars and a range of restaurant options.

Day 12 Máncora / Lima

After a morning to enjoy breakfast and prepare our things, we say goodbye to Máncora. A short 3 -4 hour bus ride to the airport on the outskirts of Tumbes, we catch a return flight to Lima in the afternoon.

Day 14-16 Puno / Lake Titicaca (B, L, D)

Fly to Juliaca then take a short bus ride to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The next morning we head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. En route to Taquile Island we visit the floating reed islands of the Uros people. An overnight homestay provides an opportunity to learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and to participate in local traditions.Located at 3830 m above sea level, Puno is the highest altitude of any place we sleep on the tour. As a result the weather can be extreme with very cold nights and a strong sun during the day (don’t worry, if you get cold, buy an alpaca sweater from the market — they are inexpensive here). Puno is also known for its wealth of traditional dances: there are up to 100 different varieties, usually performed in the street processions celebrating Catholic feast days. If you are fortunate enough to be visiting at the right time you may even catch one of these celebrations.A popular optional activity in Puno is a visit to the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site only a short drive away.Titicaca is also the largest lake in the world above 2000m, and the views from both Amantaní and Taquile Islands are stunning.Our first stop on Lake Titicaca is at the floating islands of the Uros people. The Uros began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from the Colla and Inca tribes. Sadly, the Uros language has died out, and today the islanders speak Aymara due to intermarriage with Aymara-speaking clans. Today about 300 families live on the islands, however their numbers are slowly declining.The Totora reeds that grow in the shallows of the lake are used for making everything from the islands themselves to the model boats that the islanders sell. The islands are made up of layers upon layers of reeds; as the layers closest to the water start to rot, they are replaced with fresh reeds on top. The reeds are also used to build their boats, which if constructed well will last up to 6 months.The people of Taquile Island’s unique culture, style of dress and lifestyle make for a memorable visit. The men of the community do all the knitting, as this is strictly a male domain, while the women do the spinning. High quality, locally knitted goods are available for purchase at various cooperatives on the island. Despite the short distance that separates the two islands, Amantaní is quite distinct. Its soil is a rich terra cotta red, due to the high iron deposits, and the colour contrasts brightly with the deep azure blue of the lake and sky and the greenery of the local crops. For the night we split into smaller groups and billet into family homes to experience their style of living first-hand.HEALTH NOTE: when you arrive in Puno, the altitude and resulting lack of oxygen may affect you. It may take a little time to acclimatize to this, but before long you probably will not even notice it. Just take it easy for the first day or two, and cut back on alcohol and cigarette consumption to minimize the effects. You may also find that your appetite is reduced. This is no cause for alarm, but simply a reaction to the altitude. Be sure to drink plenty of water and do not attempt too much in any given day.

Day 17 Cuzco

The trip from Puno to Cuzco takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route as you travel through the high Altiplano region. Upon arrival in Cuzco we transfer to our hotel and relax for the evening.Cuzco is the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city, and the hub of the South American travel network. The city attracts travellers who come not just to visit a unique destination but also to experience an age-old culture very different from their 20th century way of life; one could easily spend a week just in and around the area. Inca-built stone walls line most of the central streets and you don't have to go far to see other major Inca ruins. It is a city steeped in history, tradition and legend.Every year Cuzco attracts thousands of travellers who come to delve into its noble but tragic past. It is the perfect base for optional explorations around the city and area as well as a range of outdoor activities. Relax and explore this fascinating city, and take time to acclimatize to the high altitude.Cuzco’s numerous colonial churches are one of the city’s most common sights. The Cathedral was started in 1559 and took 100 years to build; it is also one of the city’s greatest repositories of colonial art. Immediately in front of the entrance is a vault containing the remains of the famous Inca historian, Garcilaso de la Vega. Also worth visiting are the churches of La Compañía, La Merced and San Francisco.While most ruins are just outside of the city, the main ruin within is that of the Coricancha, once the Inca Empire's richest temple. Today the ruin forms the base of the colonial church of Santo Domingo. During Inca times this temple was literally covered with gold, but within months of the arrival of the first conquistadors this incredible wealth had all been melted down. It is left to the individual imagination to envision the magnificence of the original structure.There are several good museums in Cuzco, including the Archaeological Museum, which also houses a small art museum, the Regional History Museum and the Religious Art Museum. Our best advice for exploring Cuzco is to wear a comfortable pair of shoes, arm yourself with a city map and set off to explore!

Day 18 Ollantaytambo

Travel with our local guide through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. An important source of food for the Inca, the Sacred Valley is a lush agricultural region that continues to supply the city of Cuzco with much of its produce. Visit the impressive Pisac ruins and the colourful artisan market (market days only). The day trip finishes in the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo, site of another large Inca ruin. Here we catch our breath and prepare for the hike ahead.Ollantaytambo is your first taste of what lies ahead on the Inca Trail. The town and fortress of Ollantaytambo are strategically situated overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River Valley. This major ruin site is known as the best surviving example of Inca urban planning and engineering. It is admired for its huge steep terraces guarding the Inca Fortress and for being one of the few places where the Spanish lost a major battle during the conquest. We spend the night in this small town before heading out for the start of the hike the next morning.

Day 19-22 Inca Trail (3B, 3L, 3D)

The 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is physically challenging but worthwhile, and the excursion is within the ability of most reasonably fit. The Inca Trail is exceptional, however it is important to be prepared! It is a 40-km (25 mile) hike, with 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 4200m (13776 ft). The trail is often steep, and it may rain even during the dry season. The temperatures at night may fall below zero, so it is important to come prepared.Depart Ollantaytambo for km 82 where we begin our walk in the footsteps of the Incas. Our local crew of porters, cook and guide look after us well for the duration of the hike. Porters carry the majority of the gear for the hike, so those passengers doing the hike only carry a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, a camera, etc. As you walk the trail that linked this ancient empire, admire breathtaking views at every step as we move from high plateau areas to dense cloud forest. Depending on the season, you may see a great variety of flora, including miniature and large orchids, and fiery rhododendron bushes.You pass several smaller ruin sites, the first of which is Llactapata. The second day climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, or Dead Woman’s Pass. At 4198 m (13769 ft) above sea level, this pass is the highest point of the trek. The second pass of the hike is at 3998 m (13113 ft) where on clear days, we enjoy superb views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. The trail goes through some beautiful cloud forest on the gentle climb to the third pass, where you will walk through a causeway and a tunnel, both original Inca constructions. The highest point of the third pass is at 3700m (12136 ft). On clear days you are rewarded for all this work with beautiful views of the Urubamba Valley below. Soon you reach the serene ruins of Phuyupatamarca, or the 'Town above the Clouds', at about 3650 m (11972 ft) above sea level. We camp for the final night close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) ruins, a grandiose terraced hillside site, with panoramic views of the valley below and just a short hike from Machu Picchu.On the final day of the hike we climb the steps to the Sun Gate overlooking the peaks that surround Machu Picchu. There is no way to describe the feeling of the first views of Machu Picchu, as the mist rises off the mountains early in the morning and the famous ruin appears in front of you.Machu Picchu is both the best and the least known of the Inca ruins. It is not mentioned in any of the chronicles of the Spanish conquistadors and archaeologists today can do no more than speculate on its function. The local Quechua farmers in the area knew of Machu Picchu for centuries, but it was not until an 11-year-old boy led the American historian Hiram Bingham (who was in search of Vilcabamba) to the site on July 24, 1911, that the rest of the world became aware of its existence. At that time the site was covered in thick vegetation, and Bingham and his team returned in 1912 and 1915 to clear the growth. Over the years, much work has been done on excavating and studying the site. Despite these efforts, many unanswered questions remain.You have the better part of the day to explore the site. In the afternoon, we have the chance to soak in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes before taking the train back to Cuzco.NOTE: Those passengers not able or interested in the hike spend 2 days in Cuzco, then travel by train to Aguas Calientes, where they overnight. Next morning they take the bus to the Machu Picchu entrance and rendezvous with the hikers at the ruins. If you decide not to do the hike we need to know prior to your departure in order to obtain train tickets. Please advise your agent or G.A.P Adventures.Also note that portions of the Inca Trail will be closed for general maintenance during the month of February each year. Also, closures may occur at various times throughout the year due to inclement weather or other conditions beyond our control. During these periods, any tour affected will take an alternate route along the Urubamba River.

Day 23 Cuzco

Cuzco is considered the mecca of Peru and rightly so. This beautiful colonial town offers nearby ruins, cobble-stoned streets, museums, churches and a lively atmosphere. Among the more adventurous optional activities available in Cuzco are: horseback riding around archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay and Puca Pucara; white water rafting on the Urubamba River; and mountain biking down to the Sacred Valley, perhaps visiting an Inca ruin along the way.

Day 24-26 Amazon Jungle (2B, 2L, 2D)

Fly from Cuzco, high in the Andes, to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the lowlands of the Amazon jungle. Travel by motorized canoe to our lodge in the Tambopata Rainforest Area, which holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area. Explore the jungle with local guides before flying to Lima for a final night out.About half of Peru is located within the Amazon Basin, however, due to its isolation, not a lot of it is available to the casual traveller. Puerto Maldonado is the region’s principal city and is serviced by air from the capital and from Cuzco. The town is situated at the confluence of the 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 stop in the town we depart on an afternoon boat trip by motorized canoe to our jungle lodge. Depending on flight arrival times we have either a boxed lunch aboard the boat or lunch upon arrival at the lodge. During our voyage you will have the chance to see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as Black Skimmers, Pied Lapwings, Capped Herons, Jabiru Storks, Roadside Hawks and several species of kingfishers, swallows, and flycatchers. The Tambopata area includes habitats ranging from the Andean highlands around the rivers' headwaters through some of the last remaining intact cloud forests to the lowland rainforests of the Amazon basin. The area is renowned for its diverse plant and animal populations and include over 1,300 bird species (including 32 parrot species - 10% of the world’s total), 200 mammal species including 4 species of primates, 90 frog species, 1,200 butterfly species and 10,000 species of higher plants—all protected within the reserve. Some of the more famous residents are the Harpy Eagle, the prehistoric looking Hoatzin, tapir, peccary, jaguar, ocelot and playful river otters who live in the area’s oxbow lakes.The lodge itself combines native architectural style and materials with low-impact eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, showers (no hot water), and kerosene lamps for lighting (no electricity). Local community members make up the majority the lodge staff, including multilingual Naturalist Guides. Here you have the opportunity to learn from them not only about the area’s rich flora and fauna, but also about their extensive practical uses for medicinal plants and other forest plant resources, through traditional techniques for building, fishing, and hunting.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Simple hotels (18 nts), camping (5 nts), jungle lodge (2 nts), homestay (1 nt).
Brochure Notes	1. Last minute bookings of this trip and all trips that include the Inca Trail will be on an "on request" basis only. To make a booking request of a tour which includes the Inca Trail G.A.P Adventures requires your full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number.2. Please advise at time of booking if you do not wish to hike the Inca Trail. Instead, you will have 2 nights in Cuzco, travel by train for a night in Aguas Calientes, and join the hikers for the tour of Machu Picchu.
Combination	This trip combines our Northern Peru Discovery SPNP and Peru Panorama PPP tours.
Departure	Departs monthly
DepEnd	Sun-Fri
Group Size	Max 15, Avg 10
Included Highlights	- Guided 3-day trek with visits to the Karajia burial grounds, Gocta Waterfall and Kuelap Archaeological site- Guided tour of Taquile and the Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca - Guided tour of Sacred Valley - 4-day Inca Trail hike with local guide, cook and porters - Guided tour of Machu Picchu - 2-night Amazon Jungle excursion
Local Payment	USD500
Meals Included	All meals while in the jungle, on the Inca Trail, hiking and during the homestay.
StartFinish	ex Lima
Transport	Public bus, local flight, train, boat, van, canoe, hiking.
Brochure Intro	Discover Peru, from the little known third largest waterfall in the world - Gocta Falls to the jungles of the Amazon, from the mystical Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca. This exciting 27-day adventure encompasses the must-sees with the hard to find, showcasing a side of Peru that most tourists never see.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2008-09-07	2008-10-03	2
2008-10-19	2008-11-14	7+
2008-11-09	2008-12-05	7+
2008-11-30	2008-12-26	7+
2008-12-21	2009-01-16	7+
2009-01-11	2009-02-06	7+
2009-02-01	2009-02-27	7+
2009-02-22	2009-03-20	7+
2009-03-15	2009-04-10	7+
2009-04-05	2009-05-01	7+
2009-04-26	2009-05-22	7+
2009-05-17	2009-06-12	7+
2009-06-07	2009-07-03	7+
2009-06-28	2009-07-24	7+
2009-07-19	2009-08-14	7+
2009-08-09	2009-09-04	7+

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