Highlands & Caribbean

Day 1 LIMA

Arrival at the airport in Lima, where you will be welcomed by an English speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Day 2 LIMA – CUSCO – YUCAY (B)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco (not included). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel in the Urubamba Valley, known as the Sacred Valley, where the Urubamba River, a headstream of the Amazon passes through.

On your way to the Urubamba Valley you will undertake a short visit to the sanctuary Cochahuasi Wasi. You will have the opportunity to see Pumas, Condors and Aras. The sanctuary is a small conservation project that is dedicated to rescuing and looking after animals. You will continue to the “Mercado de Urubamba”. The “Mercado de Urubamba” is an authentic market where real bartering takes place. The rural people of the surroundings sell and barter agricultural products as well as animals. It is also the place where locals exchange gossip and news.

Day 3 YUCAY (B)

Morning at leisure. Optional tours can be booked through our office.

Lunch at a typical restaurant. In the afternoon, a visit to Ollantaytambo, a typical Inca community, is included. Towering above the town of Ollantaytambo we will find the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Steep stone terraces rising from the edge of town lead up to the fortress ruins at the top of the hill. A stone stairway leads up through the terrace walls, allowing visitors to step out on them. One of the best preserved areas lies north of the Hanan Huacaypata square: an area of 15 blocks of houses built on top of carved stone walls.

Day 4 YUCAY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (B)

Transfer by bus to the train station of Ollantaytambo where the tour starts by train that runs through the fertile plain of the Urubamba valley and on to Aguas Calientes. From there, small buses drive up the steep mountain to the ruin town.

Machu Picchu called the Lost City of the Incas, this cultural heritage of humankind is a beautifully located impressive stone city constructed with a technique incredible for its era and even for present times. Stone upon stone, fitted together perfectly without cement, with impressive delicacy, exquisite detail and discrimination worthy of the world’s greatest palaces. There are many theories about Machu Picchu but one thing is for sure – it is one of the most impressive sites in the world.

Enjoy a guided visit of approximately 2 hours of the ruins and return by bus and train to Ollantaytambo station. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 5 CUSCO (B)

Today you will have a half day city tour. You will visit the exact centre of the Incan Empire, the Plaza de Armas. There one can find the cathedral built on the ruins of the ancient Inca Palace. The cathedral borders on other churches on both sides. Next stop will be the old town with its magnificent renovated colonial buildings; some of them are being used as hotels. Proceed to Sacsayhuaman, a ruin site located approx. 3 km above Cusco. Sacsayhuaman also offers a fabulous view over the city. Afterwards visit the surrounding ruins.

Day 6 CUSCO – PUNO (B – L)

A full day bus tour from Cusco to Puno leads through the Peruvian highland along the snow-covered peaks of the Andes, passes small villages and reaches its highest point in La Raya at 4,300 m above sea level. On route you will visit the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi and the small town of Pucara. Lunch in a typical restaurant en route is included. Upon arrival in Puno transfer to your hotel.

Day 7 PUNO – LIMA (B – L)

Full day excursion on Lake Titicaca to visit the Uros floating islands. The Aymara Indians build their houses over floating artificial islands that lie on the waters of Lake Titicaca in which they inhabit in groups and keeping to their ancestral customs.

Continue to Taquile Island where you find numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins and Inca terracing. The island is narrow, only about 1km wide, but 6-7km long. The people here still wear their traditional clothes and there is a co-operative shop on the Plaza where one can buy woollen goods of very fine quality. A typical lunch at Taquile Island is included.

Transfer from the hotel to the airport of Juliaca. Flight to Lima (not included) and transfer to the hotel.

Day 8 LIMA (B)

In the afternoon you will explore the city on a sightseeing tour through Lima. The Plaza de Armas with the beautiful buildings of the government Palace, the town hall, the Palace of the archbishop and the cathedral are still the most important places in town. After that you will visit the beautiful San Francisco monastery which displays the largest collection of religious art in America. The highlight of this convent is the visit of the underground vaults known as “catacumbas” or catacombs.

Proceed through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores and to the coastline enjoying the view over the beaches of Lima and the Pacific Ocean.

Afterwards enjoy a guided visit of one of the Lima’s most noted museums, the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum which houses the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian Art. Mr. Rafael Larco Hoyle founded the museum on July 28, 1926, in the Chiclin sugar estate in Trujillo, naming it after his father as an expression of filial homage. In 1958 he moved the collection to Lima, installing the Museum in a Colonial house in the district of Pueblo Libre, where it currently operates. This locale was adapted to the characteristic style of the 18th century Colonial houses in Trujillo. The approximate 45,000 objects of the collection have been exhibited to the public in the Permanent Hall, Jewellery Vault and the Classified Storage Area ever since. The Halls of the Larco Museum are organized by subjects. The Metals, the Ceramics, the Stones, the Culture, the Great Jewellery Vault and Textile Halls emphasize the technological aspects by Pre-Columbian cultures. Finally the unique Erotic Hall gives us a glimpse of the fascinating sexual life of ancient Peruvians.

Day 9 LIMA – BOGOTA (B)

Transfer from the hotel to the airport and flight to Bogota in Colombia (not included). After arrival in Bogota transfer to the hotel.

Day 10 BOGOTA (B)

Today you will discover the city of Bogota, with a city tour, and will also explore in the afternoon the amazing salt cathedral.

During the city tour in the morning you will visit the colonial La Candelaria neighbourhood, the gold museum with a multitude of gold and silver pieces of several pre-colombian cultures and the Fernando Botero Museum.

In the afternoon you will visit the famous underground salt cathedral of Zipaquira, 120 m long and a total of more than 8500 square metres. Inside this cave church everything is carved from salt crystal: monumental crosses, angels and the Madonna statue. In addition to the main cathedral, there are small chapels and Stations of the Cross, its 14 stations are interconnected through labyrinthine tunnels. Afterwards transfer back to the hotel.

Day 11 BOGOTA – CARTAGENA (B)

Transfer to the airport and flight to Cartagena (not included). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.

On the half day city tour you will visit the monastery of La Popa where you can enjoy a wonderful panorama view over the city and the historic centre. During a photo stop at San Felipe de Barajas Fortress you can admire the massiveness of this military construction, built by the Spaniards. Afterwards walk to the colourful streets and winding alleyways of the old colonial walled Cartagena. At the end you visit the convent of San Pedro Claver.

Day 12 CARTAGENA (B)

The day is free at leisure. Enjoy on your own the colonial city or the beaches.

Day 13 CARTAGENA (B)

Transfer to the airport of Cartagena for your individual departure flight.

End of our services

Food Code = (B) – Breakfast, (L) – Lunch, (D) – Dinner

LHSTLIM006 *Please note, prices based on twin share, per person, low season, 3 star rates. Optional tours not included and are at extra cost. The itinerary & pricing can change at any time due to availability & of activities. Please check our website for full terms and conditions*

More information on the visited countries

Peru – Also known as The Kingdom of the Sun, Peru is one of the most representative countries of Latin America due to the mix of native Indian, Afro – American and European cultures. Peru is a country where the traditional customs have transcended through the years and they are the basis for the current way of life. The contrast produced because of the different landscapes and people is the reason why Peru is a country so interesting for you to visit.

Colombia – coffee and culture, a diverse country – Colombia is home to the Caribbean coastal lowlands with their bordering mountains, and the Pacific with its lava beaches.

More information on the visited cities:

Lima was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro as “The city of the kings” and became the capital and most important city of the Spanish Viceroyalty. Today it is still Peru’s most important city as it is home to about 9 million people, almost 30% of the national population. The historical city centre comes with splendid colonial style architecture, ample squares such as the Plaza de Armas (or Plaza Mayor) and grand churches which yielded it the declaration as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. In its modern quarters such as Miraflores and San Isidro you can find present day architecture, rich entertainment possibilities and a great number of first class hotels and restaurants. Peruvian cuisine is excellent and becoming world famous which the Peruvians are extremely proud of.

Cusco – South America’s archaeological capital and oldest continuously inhabited city is now one of Peru’ s most important and most frequented tourist attractions. Nevertheless, still remaining is its vivid legacy as the hub of the Inca Empire: Quechua-speaking Inca descendants can still be found multitudinously in the centuries-old stone-walled city streets. Cusco also boasts magnificent repositories of colonial art – fine examples can be found in the Cathedral and Museum of Archaeology.

Puno – The beauty and charm of Puno town is made up by its inhabitant’s kind personality and by its mixture of typical Andean architecture that is to be found all the way down from the hillsides to the banks of Lake Titicaca. Its archaeological, cultural and architectural variety and richness owes Puno to the fact that it once had been inhabited by three different civilizations on the banks of Lake Titicaca: Aymara, Quechua and Spanish. This multicultural origin has created a mestizo race that is also found in their artistic and cultural expression and especially in their incomparable folklore which is second to none and has made Puno the “Folklore Capital of Peru”. But the main attraction of Puno is Lake Titicaca, a must for any visitor. The Sacred Lake of the Incas is one of the most enigmatic places in the world. It is the highest navigable lake and combines beautiful sights, culture and history.

Bogotá – The Colombian capital was founded in 1538 by the Spaniard Gonzalo de Quesada Jiménez under the name of Santa Fe. Here you meet both the dilapidated colonial grandeur, and the seething vitality of a modern metropolis. The constant air, fresh morning, warm noon and cool evening makes you forget the fact that there are no seasons. In addition to the vast southern slums ancient buildings are located in quiet, old districts.

Cartagena was founded in 1533 by the Spaniard Pedro de Heredia. For a long time Cartagena was a hub of goods and also slaves. In 1822 Cartagena became independent. Today Cartagena’s old town is a historic gem, outside the old town the modern age has developed. Upstream island chains and beaches around the city make it a popular tourist destination.

More information on visa requirements:

Peru Australian citizens do not require a visa to visit Peru for a maximum stay of 183 days. A valid passport and a return ticket must be presented on arrival.

For more information visit: http://www.embaperu.org.au/embassy/visas.html

Colombia:Australian citizens are not required to hold a visa for a stay of up to 180 days.

Note(s): Visitors travelling as tourists are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for their next destination. If the visitors, travelling as tourist, are not holding return / onward tickets, the entry to the country could be refused.

San Andres: Any visitor over 6 years of age travelling to San Andres Island is required to purchase a tourist card – Fee: US$ 25.00*

For more information about Colombia contact your local embassy / consulate.

*Fee is just informative and subject to change at any time.