10-Nights Independent Peru Highlights With Peru's Amazon - Independent Tour from $2,939

Globus

OFFER ID 1488381

If your independent spirit is filling your dreams with new heights in adventure, just point your compass south to soar higher in the Andes and the heart of Peru. This Independence by Globus vacation in South America takes you to the legendary sites in Lima, Cusco, and magnificent Machu Picchu – the "Lost City of the Incas." Board a train to ascend to this treasured site, with the opportunity to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Explore a wealth of ancient ruins throughout the Sacred Valley and Cusco that defy explanation and encounter the captivating cultures that live on in the Sacred Valley. Timeless temples, textiles, and tantalizing dishes are all on the menu on this free-spirited sojourn in Peru, including the I-time you crave to explore on your own. Your South American adventure continues with a thrilling expedition in the Peruvian Amazon. From Puerto Maldonado, embark on a motorboat ride for a journey up the Tambopata River to your Amazon Jungle lodge. You’ll be in good hands in the company of an expert Naturalist Guide while discovering the dazzling array of flora and fauna in the Amazon. A technicolor dream come true!

10 nights from $2,939 per person

Itinerary

Independent Peru Highlights With Peru's Amazon

Day 1 ARRIVE LIMA, PERU
Welcome to Lima, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

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Day 2 LIMA
• Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias.

(B)

Today’s I-Time Tips
This evening, you may choose to head over to a nearby park to witness the largest electronic water fountain complex in the world, certified by the Guinness Book of Records. You will enjoy a wonderful show of water, lights, music, and images.

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Day 3 LIMA–CUSCO
• Fly to Cusco, high in the Andes, where you will be met by your Local Guide.
• Your guided tour visits the cathedral in Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo Monastery, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature.
• Take a short drive outside the city to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons. Followed by the amphitheater of Kenko, and the red fortress of Puca Pucara.

(B)

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Day 4 CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY
• Today, a short drive into the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, brings you to Awanakancha to learn about the importance of the alpaca for Inca cultures, as well as the ancient weaving techniques still in use today.
• Continue to the market town of Pisac, where you can buy handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry at bargain prices.
• At the other end of the valley, visit Ollantaytambo to see some of the finest examples of Inca masonry.

(B,L)

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Day 5 SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU
• Embark on a train trip bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911.
• On a guided tour of Machu Picchu, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas.

(B,L,D)

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Day 6 MACHU PICCHU–SACRED VALLEY–CUSCO
• A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins.
• Return to Cusco by train.

(B)

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Day 7 CUSCO–PUERTO MALDONADO
• Fly to Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios and the entry to Peru’s Amazon Jungle.
• Embark on a motorboat ride for a journey up the Madre de Dios River to view the exotic wildlife.
• Arrive at your Amazon Jungle lodge and meet your Naturalist.
• After settling in, head out with your Naturalist for a nature walk along nature trails to learn about primary and secondary rainforest.
• At dusk, take a canoe ride to learn about the Amazon River ecosystems, nocturnal animals’ behavior, and the southern constellations.

(B,L,D)

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Day 8 PERU'S AMAZON
• This morning, take a Naturalist-guided walk into the Tambopata National Reserve and then navigate by dugout canoe around Lake Sandoval, a beautiful oxbow lake. Learn about the reserve’s conservation efforts and the animals that inhabit this lake, such as the endangered giant river otters, blue and yellow macaws, red howler monkeys, and black caimans.
• This afternoon, the canopy walkway shows you a different perspective 100 feet above ground. From the treetops, keep an eye out for white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys and the three-toed sloth.
• After night falls, your Naturalist introduces you to the nocturnal animals of the Amazon.

(B,L,D)

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Day 9 PERU'S AMAZON
• A short boat ride brings you to a native farm where farmers use ancient methods to grow crops. Learn about local cultivation techniques and taste some of the produce.
• This afternoon, you can fish for piranha like the local indigenous communities do and visit a clay lick to observe wildlife from a blind to observe the normal routine of the fauna without disrupting the environment.

(B,L,D)

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Day 10 PUERTO MALDONADO–LIMA
• Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima and then transfer to your hotel upon arrival in Lima.

(B)

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Day 11 LIMA
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.

(B)

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Featured Destinations

Cuzco

Puerto Maldonado

Machu Picchu

Sacred Valley

Lima

Lima, "the City of the Kings," became the effective capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, established 1560. Today, a visit to Lima may serve as a unique Peruvian experience that offers a glimpse into the Andean world, Spanish tradition and the country's modern aspect. Visit handsome old buildings and baroque churches that testify to the city's religious background and the Plaza de Armas, shared by the realms of the Catholic church, municipality and national government. The pre-Inca ruins of Pachacamac lie a short distance south of the city. Once a ceremonial site, Pachacamac has been the most important religious center of the Andean world since before the age of Christ. Stop and admire The Temple of the Sun and the Moon, Lima's outstanding museums, and Machu Picchu - a "Jewel in the Mist."

Excursions

Huacas and Shrines on a bike (Lima - 4 hours)

Lima is a big and modern city, it has been in continuous occupation for almost 2,000 years. Scholars have found more than 30 archaeological sites at different locations within the city limits. “HUACAS” are pyramidal constructions with superimposed platforms ending on a flat top, they were used for religious and administrative purposes by prehispanic civilizations along the Peruvian coast.
Our specialized Guide and his assistant will pick you up at the hotel with the bikes and the necessary equipment for the activity. After the briefing you will ride along one of the principal avenues of Lima towards the heart of Miraflores while enjoying the architecture and everyday life of the city folks. The first stop is at Huaca Pucllana, built 1,300 years ago, this visit is a great introduction to the history of Lima, traditions, cuisine and economic activities of ancient inhabitants. Then, we continue to the commercial and financial district, San Isidro, to visit Huaca Huallamarca, which has been through a magnificent restoration by the City Hall, you´ll appreciate the contrast between history and modern life. Finally, we return to the hotel completing a 12 km circuit on the bike. This activity is offered for mornings and afternoons. It lasts for 4 hours. The advantage of being at sea level and our moderate weather is that we can provide it all year round. We include a vehicle as support in case someone in the group decides to stop biking during the tour.

Highlights:

Huacas, pyramidal constructions
Bike to admire the arquitecture

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: the morning or afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate/Heavy (we provide a vehicle as support in case someone in the group decides to stop biking during the tour)

Inclusions:

Transportation from/to hotel (as back up)
Guide
Bikes
Assistant
Bottle of water

Not Included:

Items not mentioned in the Included section

Historical and Natural Sanctuaries (Lima - 6 hours)

Walking the history center of Lima (4 hours)

WHAT YOU'LL VISIT
Depart the pier to Lima's main square where the Spanish conqueror, Francisco Pizarro, founded the "City of Kings" in 1535. The Government Palace, Lima City Hall, Archbishop's Palace, and the Lima Cathedral surround the square.
Lima was founded to be the capital and most important town of the Spanish domain in South America until the 18^th century. The Historical Center represents the model of architecture and urban planning of Spanish colonial cities with high political, economic and cultural importance, as devised by Charles V in 1542.
Our expert Guide will take you to the colonial section of Lima, you will walk among historical monuments, religious and political buildings located within the perimeter declared Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1988. This learning experience will allow you to appreciate typical examples of Hispanic American baroque style as well as some other different styles like Art Nouveau.
Besides the stops for great pictures of Limenian architecture, you will have the opportunity to visit Casa de Aliaga, a mansion still inhabited by the same family since the foundation of the city, an extraordinary experience that will take you back in time. To finish the experience, we will visit the Dominican Convent, which was the first catholic order to arrive in Perú with Francisco Pizarro and they have a lot of history, traditions, and sainthood to impress our travelers.

Highlights:

Colonial section of Lima
Visit Casa Aliaga, a mansion still inhabited by the same family since the foundation of the city
Dominican Convent

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: daily
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light/Moderate
Inclusions:

Transportation from/to hotel
Expert Guide
Entrance fees
Bottled water
Snack

Not Included:

Items not mention in the Included section

The Amano Textile Museum (4 hours)

Museo Larco (4 hours)

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

12/11/2024 - 12/21/2024

from $2,939 per person

12/12/2024 - 12/22/2024

from $2,939 per person

12/13/2024 - 12/23/2024

from $2,939 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $2,939 per person

Length

10 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.

Remarks

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1488381

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

Merced Travel

(209) 383-1511 Alternate (209) 658-6518