Study Trip

Perú


16.– 29. Okt. 2010

Tour Leader

Jenny Winter + local guides

Königsbergerstr. 2 D-79664 Wehr

Tel.: 07762-8412

E-Mail: jennyanne.winter@googlemail.com

Reiseveranstalter: Tangram Tours * Austr. 1 D-79790 Küssaberg * Tel: 07741-966 0 996


Itinerary


Day 1. Saturday, 16. Oct. 2010
Option: International flights to and from Lima
Overnight, dinner & breakfast in Lima

Day 2. Sunday, 17. Oct. 2010
Lima - Paracas
We leave Lima in the morning and drive south along the longest highway in the world, the Panamericana, to Paracas. Our route takes us through both deserts and rich, fertile valleys. On route we shall visit Pachacamac. The site was considered one of the most important religious centres of the indigenous peoples of the central Andes, and contains a number of pyramids. Continue via the Paracas Peninsular to the hotel in Paracas. Afternoon walk in the Paracas National Park.
Overnight and breakfast in Paracas.

Day 3. Monday, 18. Oct. 2010
Paracas -Nazca
Boat trip to the Ballestas-Islands, sometimes known as the little Galapagos Islands, where we have the possibility to see thousands of sea birds and seals in their natural environment. Drive past the Huacachina Laguna, surrounded by picturesque sand dunes A short stop at the Pacific Ocean, to stretch our legs on the beach before we continue through the Nazca-Desert. Just before we reach Nazca, there is an 11metre Viewing Tower, from which we can see the one of the famous Nazca drawings. In the Regional-Museum, more of the artefacts from the Nazca- und Paracas culture can be seen.

Option: Flight over the Nazca lines (not included )

Overnight and breakfast in Nazca
Please note:



Day 4. Tuesday, 19. Oct. 2010
Nazca - Arequipa
Today we have a long drive along the desert road of the Panamericana to Arequipa, the so-called "White city"'. Arequipa lies at more than 7,550 feet (2,300 metres) above sea level, at the foot of the dormant cone of Misti Volcano, which reaches an elevation of 19,098 feet (5,821 metres). Flanking Misti are the beautiful Mounts Chachani and Pichupichu. Expected arrival in the evening.
Overnight and breakfast in Arequipa.

Day 5. Wednesday, 20. Oct. 2010
Arequipa - Colca Tal
The city centre of Arequipa is built out of a unique white volcanic rock, sillar, which gives the second largest city in Peru a majestic aspect, particularly in the evening sun. Before leaving Arequipa, we shall have a guided tour on foot to see some of the magnificent buildings, where the Spanish influence is particularly strong and visit, for example, the Cathedral; the Jesuit Church, La Compana, or the Santa Catalina Convent.
In the afternoon we continue to the picturesque Colca Valley. The journey will take us up to the Pass Mirador los Andes, 4.910 metres above sea level - the highest point of our trip. Short stop for photos and to enjoy the stunning view.
Overnight, dinner and breakfast in Colca Valley.

Day 6. Thursday 21. Oct. 2010
Colca Tal
Early morning drive over bumpy roads to see the Condor crossing, from where we have an impressive view to the canyon below and watch the huge Andean Condors in flight.
In the afternoon we have time to relax in the Thermal springs.
Overnight, dinner and breakfast in Colca Valley

Day 7. Friday, 22. Oct. 2010
Colca Tal - Puno
Drive through the 3.660 m high plateau region, Altiplano, where we can see Alpaca and Llama herds and the farmers at work in the fields. Visit to the Necropol site at Sillustani, a pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo. The tombs, which are built above ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, are the vestiges of the Colla people, Aymara, who were conquered by the Inca in the 1400s. Continue to Puno and the legendary Lake Titicaca , situated on the border between Peru and Bolivia.
Overnight and breakfast in Puno.

Day 8. Saturday, 23. Oct. 2010
Puno
Motorboat trip on Lake Titicaca to visit the Uros Indians who live on floating islands made by hand from totora reeds that grow in abundance in the shallow waters of the lake. The Uros, who fled to the middle of the lake to escape conflicts with the Collas and Incas, long ago began intermarrying with the Aymara indians, and many have now converted to Catholicism. In 1996 the Government installed solar cells on some of the islands, thus bringing electricity for the first time to the islands.
Continue by boat to Taquile Island. The Quechua Indians who live on the island have maintained their communal and traditional lifestyles. Clothing is very traditional, with the men wearing coarse cotton woven shirts and calf-length black woolen pants. The women wear shawls which are black if they are married and red if they are single. Men also wear different color stocking caps if they are married or single. All residents of the island are vegetarian, and fish from the Lake are their main food source. Women are associated with fertility, and usually tend the agricultural fields. Men on the other hand, usually stand around around in small groups and knit hats and gloves in the traditional style, which they sell in the village cooperative.Ten percent of the price goes to the village.
Short climb up to the island village; ( 30-45 minutes).
Lunch on Taquile. ( included).
Return by boat to Puno ( takes about 2,5 hours)
Overnight and breakfast in Puno

Day 9. Sunday, 24. Oct. 2010
Puno - Cuzco
Drive to Cuzco, on route we shall visit the ruin, Temple of Wiracocha in Raqchi an enormous rectangular two-story roofed structure that measures 92 metres (302 ft) by 25.5 metres (84 ft). To the eastern side of the temple are some 100 round qolqas (storehouses) in parallel lines, each measuring about 10 metres (33 ft) in diameter. These storehouses were used to hold grains, such as corn and quinoa, which would have been used for ceremonial purposes. Our route continues through the fertile Vicanota Valley. Before we arrive in Cuzco, we shall visit the old colonial church in Andahuaylillas, a wonderful baroque church, sometimes called the Sistine chapel of America.
Lunch on route ( included)
Overnight & breakfast in Cuzco

Day 10. Monday, 25. Oct. 2010
Cusco
Guided tour on foot through the archeological capital of Cuzco, an interesting mix of Indian and Spanish culture. We shall visit Cusco cathedral, Santo Domingo, which was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century on the massive stone walls of the Incan sun temple to Viracocha. Each stone is exactly cut and fits perfectly together without the help of mortar. In the cathedral the paintings show an influence of both catholic and Incan motives. In the city centre many sumptuous colonial buildings stand on top of Inca foundations. Each house and each stone in the historical center of Cusco tells the story of the Incas' ancient civilization and their repression by the Spanish conquerors. After lunch we shall visit the most important of the many archeological sites in the surroundings of Cusco: Q'enqo, a sacred ampitheatre and centre for the war god, Puma. It is said that human sacrifices took place here. Puka pukara, built in the 11th Century may have been used as a fortress. In fact, the name Puka Pukara comes from two Quecha words meaning red fort. In its day the fort would have been an impressive red colour since the limestone contained iron Tambomachay, an interesting complex of waterways and fountains in the side of a hill. It is thought that the Incas may have used Tambomachay for religious ceremonies, dedicated to water. Every year in August, the locals gather around the site and perform ceremonial acts, worshipping the water. Saqsaywaman lies at an altitude of 3,701 m. The site is part of the City of Cuzco, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. It was built by the prehistoric indigenous people of the Killke culture about 1100 AD. They were superseded by the Inca, who occupied and expanded the complex beginning about 1200 AD Some scholars believe the walls were a form of fortification. Others believe the complex was built specifically to represent the head of a puma, the effigy shape which Sacsayhuamán together with Cuzco forms when seen from above. There is much unknown about how the walls were constructed. The stones are so closely spaced that a single piece of paper will not fit between many of the stones. This precision, combined with the rounded corners of the limestone blocks, the variety of their interlocking shapes, and the way the walls lean inward, is thought to have helped the ruins survive devastating earthquakes in Cusco.
The rest of the afternoon is free
Overnight, dinner + folklore, breakfast in Cusco.

Day 11. Tuesday, 26. Oct. 2010
Cusco - Urubamba - Ollantaytambo / Indiomarket Pisac - Urubamba
Today we drive through the fertile valley, Urubamba, sacred valley of the Incas. Nowhere else in Peru can the terraces from the Incas be seen as well as here. Time to stroll through the colourful Indio market in Pisac. On route we shall also stop at the AWANA KANACHA project, where we can see the different kinds of Llamas and Alpaca at close range and even feed them. Indios from different regions offer their wares from Lama- und Alpacawool.
Lunch (included)
In the afternoon we continue to the northern end of the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, a rare if not unique citadel in Peru, located 50 kilometers from Machu Picchu. The citadel served as both a temple and a fortress. The temple area is at the top of steep terracing which helped to provide excellent defences. Stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba river - an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. The complex was still under construction at the time of the conquest and was never completed.
Overnight and breakfast in the Urubamba valley.

Day 12. Wednesday, 27. Oct. 2010
Urubamba - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Early morning transfer by coach to Ollantaytambo train station, from where we catch the train to Machu Picchu. About 1 ˝ hours drive through the beautiful, wild Urubamba valley until we arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes at an altitude of 2.400 m. From here the bus takes us to the climax of our Peru trip, Machu Picchu. Together with a local guide, we have the opportunity to see and examine this unique place. After this unforgettable excursion, the bus takes us back to Cuzco.
Overnight and breakfast in Cuzco.

Day 13. Thursday, 28. Oct. 2010
Cuzco - Lima - Madrid / Amsterdam
After breakfast an early transfer to the airport. I hour flight to the capitol of Peru, Lima. Guided tour of the city by bus, including the colonial style old city and the modern city centre Miraflores. Plaza Mayor is the heart of the old city, surrounded by mighty cathedrals, the Bishop's Palace and the Government Palace. Visit to the Larco Herrera museum and if time - the Indio market in Miraflores.
A last meal together in a restaurant by the Pacific Ocean, before the coach transfers us to the airport for flights home again.
Breakfast, dinner, meals on board according to the Airline service.
Option: International flights back.

Day 14. Friday, 29. Oct. 2010
Arrival at destination, depending on individual flights.

NB. Programme changes if necessary.

Included in the package

Not included