Penguin Travel

Peru is a fairy-land with amazing history and enchanting nature. The mighty empire of the Incas has flourished in these lands. The landscape attracts with its diversity – from dry plains on the pacific coast to the alpine peaks of the Andes and the tropical jungle forests along the Amazon river. The unique mixture of cultural traditions has reflected in a great variety in the filed of art, cuisine, literature and music. During this roundtrip of the country we will walk on one of the most famous Inca trails in green valleys, surrounded by snow covered mountain peaks among rich plant and animal life. We will go deep in the Amazon jungle which covers 3/5 of Peru territory, go on a boat ride on Titicaca lake and visit the ruins of the world famous and most sacred sanctuary of the Incas – Machu Picchu. Join this exciting trip in the charm and mysticism of Peru.

Please note: The Itinerary bellow refers to a group tour including the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Micchu (a 4 days' trek for experienced mountaineers with accommodation in tents), as welll as a continuation to the jungle area of the Amazon river basin, boasting an enormous variety of wildlife.

We arrange also an individual tour (without a tour leader, but with local guides) on dates which may suit you. This tour usually includes a train and afterwards bus ride to Maccu Picchu, and is without contuinuation to the jungle area. The price of an Individial Tour is 1280 EUR per person (without flight ticket) at min 2 persons.

You can find a detailed itinerary and practical information about the Individual Tour HERE

Download our trip-dossier as PDF

Departure dates:
26 September 2010

Price without flight ticket:   1850.00 EUR

Trip plan:
Day 1: Arrival in Lima. Accommodation in hotel.

Day 2: Morning transfer to Lima airport to take the flight to Arequipa. Arriving to Arequipa there will be a transfer to Hotel Tierra Sur. This afternoon passengers will visit the Monastery of Santa Catalina, an old convent which still active and is considerate to be a city inside the city. The tour is a walking tour and can take up to 3 hours. Overnight at a Hotel in Arequipa

Day 3: After breakfast, transfer to Puno city. The driving time is about 7 hours. On this journey we will be able to observe Andean birds, llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. Overnight at a Hotel in Puno.
Puno City is 3800 meters over sea level, and it is considered the folklore capital of Peru. It is also considered to be the biggest cities around the Titicaca Lake. Most of the people that live in this city are Aymara natives and it is from Puno where all tours to Titicaca Lake start.Puno is around 40 minutes from Juliaca and on the shore of Lake Titicaca. In the afternoon we might make a city tour (optional at an extra charge)

Day 4: Today we head to Titicaca Lake, the highest elevated navigable lake in the world. We take a two‐hour motor boat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique Floating "Islands" of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own "islands" by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed unique to the area called "totora". Their homes and boats are also made of this material. After having experienced some of the ancient traditions of the local people, we continue our motor boat trip to Amantani Island. This island is inhabited by Quechua‐speaking natives still governed by their ancient traditions, whose main occupations are the production of ceramics and textiles. The positive energy of this island is so powerful that it is known as the "Love Island”.
We stay overnight at the house of a local islander to enjoy the hospitality of a typical Amantani home.

Day 5: After breakfast, you have time to stroll at leisure through the quaint streets of this colorful island. Late morning, we take a motor‐boat to Taquile Island, also inhabited by Quechua‐speaking natives who have developed efficient and unique social systems, as well as fine hand weaving techniques, down through the generations. It is necessary to go up a stairway of more than 567 steps ‐ streaks of stone that wind their way among greenery platforms ‐ to arrive at the town of Taquile where we will have a break to eat. After lunch at a local Taquile inn, we take a walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6km long island. In the afternoon, we return to Puno for overnight at our hotel.

Day 6: A six hours bus ride to Cusco awaits us, including beautiful scenery of the flat land from the Altiplano, down to the Cusco Andes were we can see the changes in the different climate zones throughout the trip.
In the afternoon we might take a Cusco city tour (optional). River rafting is also available on the Urubamba River. We stay overnight at hotel in Cusco

Day 7: This day we have a full day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The tour starts around 8:00 and it includes a tourist bus, an official bilingual (English – Spanish) tour guide, a visit to Pisac ruins and market (only 3 days a week). Pisac has the ruins of a citadel that connected the Inca Empire and Paucartambo or entrance to the gorge. Here you see water ducts and steps cut out of solid rock. There will be a buffet lunch at the Tunupa restaurant, a visit to the Ollantaytambo town. Overnight stay at a hotel in Ollantaytambo town or Urubamba village.

Day 8: Early morning start. Our guide will pick us up from our hotel and drive 2 hours to the start of the trail. The drive will take us through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo where we will stop to take a break. There is a typical local market here where you can purchase any last provisions for the trip that you may have forgotten in Cusco. We continue for another hour and arrive at Km82, the start of the trail. We eat breakfast while enjoying the view of Veronica Snow Mountain (5720 m.a.s.l. ). We then commence walking for about 3 hours. We eat lunch close to the Llactapata ruins. After eating lunch we continue our trek through lush farmland and woodlands to our first camp at Wayllabamba. Walking time: approx. 5 hours in all. (Altitude: start: 2800, end: 3200 meters over sea level)

Day 9: After breakfast, we begin to walk the toughest part of the trail. After 3 hours of walking we will reach the highest point on the Inca Trail, Warmiwañusca, or at commonly known as Dead Woman’s Pass (4200 m.a.s.l.), where you have a beautiful panoramic view of the area. After eating lunch we continue our descent to Pacaymayo where we set up camp and have a nutritious dinner. Walking time: approx. 7 hours in all. (Altitude: start: 3200, pass: 4200, end: 3600 meters over sea level)

Day 10: After breakfast we start the ascent towards the second most important pass on the trail which is located at 4000 m.a.s.l. There is a guided tour at the Inca ruins of Runkurakay and the Inca Citadel of Sayacmarca. We continue trekking towards Puya Patamarka (cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument, where lunch will be served. After a short break we continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young), a beautiful Inca structure, and receive a guided tour. We camp near the ruins and eat a well deserved nutritious dinner. Walking time: approx. 8 hours in all. (Altitude: start: 3600, end: 2700 meters over sea level)

Day 11: A very early morning start - at abou 4.00 AM. This is necessary in order to arrive early enough to see the sunrise at Machu Picchu. We walk for about an hour through the forest before arriving at the Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), where we have our first inspiring view of Machu Picchu. We admire the view before setting off for the short walk into the ruins. We offer a 2 hour fully guided tour around the ruins, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour we will have plenty of free time to explore the site by you self. We will travel by bus to our next destination, the town of Aguas Calientes where we for lunch (not include in the tour) and relaxing time.
In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco, where you will be transferred back to our hotel. Overnight at Hotel Casona Real. Walking time: approx. 3 hours in all. (Altitude: walk start: 2700, walk end: 2400 meters over sea level)

Day 12: Day off in Cusco. You can enjoy a thrilling mountain bike trip, wild white water rafting or exciting horseback riding. If you feel tired of the trekking days you can simply enjoy a rest in the streets and cafes of Cusco.

Day 13: In the next two days you will enjoy a jungle trip in Tambopata reserve (one of the most spectacular reserves of the Amazonian Rainforests). Transfer to Tambopata River Port. Then a boat trip will take take us down the Madre de Dios River. We will travel a little more than one hour to get to the lodge, located close to teh river shore. Accommodation in bungalows. At this point we will take a two hours guided hike through the jungle, and there will be chances to see a great diversity of flora and fauna. In the night it is possible to see caimans and the great diversity of wildlife around the Sandoval Lake. Accommodation at bungalows / lodges.

Day 14: A few optional tours in the early morning. After breakfast an expedition to the Sandoval Lake, which boast a numerous species of birds, animals, and exotic plants. Accommodation at bungalows / lodges.

Day 15: Flight to Lima. Overnight stay at a hotel in Lima.
 

Day 16: Free time until transfer to the Airport for departure.

Accomodation and food:   You stay in 3 star hotels with private facilities, camps (3 days, during the Inca Trail), bungalows (2 days, during the Jungle trip, simple, private accommodation, 1 night at the Titicaca Island.

Included in the price:   all ground transportation and domestic flights, accommodation and boarding as mentioned in "accommodation and food", english speaking guide, entrance fees

Excluded from the price:   Immunizations, Airport exit fees, aroud 8 USD per domestic flight, around 30 USD per international flight, tps,personal expenses, things, not mentioned.

Practical information:   Immunization against Yellow Fever, as well as malaria pills (malarone, lariam or similar) are highly recomended for the two days i the jungle,  The Yellow Fever Immunization is even more important than the malaria pills. I has to be made at least 10 days before the tour. The malaria pills also need to be taken some days before, during and after the trip. The exact scheme depends on the type of medicine. Pls. contact your doctor for more details. Visa for EU and US citizens is not necessary at the time of wrtining this information. N.B! – booking 3 months in advance is necessary, last minute bookings may require slight changes of the route (applies for The Inca trail). High altitude walking can be hard at some points. A reasonable level of fitness is required for this hike. • Highest point of the trek is 4,200m. • The times cited are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending the progress of the group. • This region is not frequently visited by tourists, therefore tourist infrastructure is limited. This tour incorporates public transport, and use of local facilities. Visitors should be aware that things change, or may not go to plan. This is all part of the adventure! Necessary equipment: Dress in layers in order to hike comfortably starting the day with cool mornings turning into hot noons and be prepared for rains. Bring your own sleeping bag for the camps and a backpack for the necessary items during the hiking.

Tour highlights:   • The Andes - The Andes run the entire length of South America (7000 km), from the humid tropics of the Caribbean to the ice fields of Patagonia with an average height of 4000m. Being the longest north-south mountain range in the world, the Andes encompass a tremendous range of ecosystems and are home to a rich variety of plant and animal species and human communities. The highest peak of the Peruvian Andes is Huascarán, 6,768 m a.s.l.. • The Inca trail – the world famous old Inca roadway between the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River and the mysterious abandoned citadel of Machu Picchu. Climbing out of the river valley, crossing rugged mountain passes over 4000 m (13,000 ft) high, the trail winds through the Andes, passing numerous significant Inca ruins en route before descending through the Sun Gate to the silent stone city of Machu Picchu. • Lima - is the capital and largest city of Peru. Situated on the Pacific Ocean coast it is the nineteenth most populous city in the world with 7,8 milllion people. The Historic centre of Lima was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. • Arequipa - inspiring architechture and atmosphere * Cusco (3300m.a.s.l.) - the historic capital of the sun-worshiping Inca Empire situated in southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley (The Sacred valley). • Machu Picchu (2400 m.a.s.l.) - The Legendary "Lost City of Machu Picchu" is without a doubt the most important tourist attraction in Peru and one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built by the Incas on the summit of "Machu Picchu" (Old Peak) and overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba River it is one of the Inca's best kept secrets. • Titikaka lake: The Incas called it "The womb of Mankind", lakeside dwellers of today regard themselves as the "oldest people in the world" . The lake covers approximately 9000 km2 and is the world's highest navigable lake (12,500 feet) 3,820 meters, its depth was recently measured at 457 m. Lake Titikaka has long been known to be not only the largest but also the most sacred in the world. Near it many cultures and civilisations have risen. The Tiawanaku culture began its raise around the time of Christ and lasted over a millennium, extending far into Puno and Northern Chile. Tiawanaku ceremonial sites were constructed along the shores of Lake Titikaka, indicating that the lake was considered sacred at least 2,000 years ago. The Incas believed they originated from the lake Titikaka and that their bearded, white leader Viracocha began his acts of creation in this region.• The Tambopata Reserve is a 3.7 million acre reserve in southeastern Amazonian Peru. Over 1,300 bird species (including 32 parrot species - 10% of the world's total), 200 mammal species, 90 frog species, 1,200 butterfly species and 10,000 species of higher plants are protected within this reserve.

Recommended travel period of the year:   April - November

Tour difficulty:   D  - E 

Tours of this level demand that you be really in good shape. The paths are not always in the best condition and the marking can be scarce. There are day-treks with big ascents and descents. Changing weather conditions /even in midsummer/ play an important role when trekking/cycling at a very high altitude and may cause changes of the preliminary route. This is to be decided by the mountain guide on the spot. Normally, the treks are 6/8h per day, but some can be longer. Preliminary hiking experience is an advantage, but not necessary if you are really in a good shape. Note that during some of the days, you should personally carry your baggage, which is naturally an additional difficulty. No rock/ice climbing experience is needed.

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