This Expedition concentrates on Peru's highlights: This comprehensive 12 days tour gives you an unforgettable introduction to Ballestas Island, Nazca and the World Heritage site of Machu Picchu. Colonial and Inca empires are combined with the natural Jungle of Tambopata. In each place there is a unique culture and people .

Day 1- Lima: Upon your arrival into Lima you will be met and transferred to the hotel in exclusive zone of Lima in Miraflores for your overnight.

Day 2- Lima: In the morning, guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical Centre, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall. We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters, Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library of the monks, a Museum showing 11 paintings of the Rubens School, the Sacristy with paintings of Surbaran and Ribera, its great patio decorated with Seville tiles of the XVIth Century, Moorish arches and underground Catacombs. We visit, the Larco Herrera Museum, founded in 1926, showcases remarkable chronological galleries providing an excellent overview of 3,000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Located in a unique vice-royal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid, the museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The museum features the finest gold and silver collection from Ancient Peru. It also houses the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions. For an unforgettable experience, Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45,000 classified archaeological objects. Its masterpieces are considered worldwide icons of pre-Columbian art, after being exhibited in the world's leading museums. Return to the hotel, and transfer to the Bus Station to Paracas and to the hotel (Breakfast)

Day 3- Paracas and Ballestas Islands: After breakfast, transfer to the port for the boat to the Ballestas islands. These spectacular islands, eroded into many caves and arches, provide shelter for thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea-lions. Although the islands fall just outside the Paracas National Reserve they are protected by separate legislation. The islands are home to over 150 species of marine bird including the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, boobies and pelicans. Even condors have been known to visit. On the shores can be seen large numbers of sea-lions and in the sea it is possible to encounter dolphins and even whales. After the boat tours, return to the mainland for an excursion to the Paracas National Reserve. Here you will visit several museums showing the natural history of Paracas and also the ancient Paracas culture in addition to the beautiful "cathedral", a natural rock formation. After lunch return to the Hotel. In the afternoon transfer to the bus terminal for the royal class bus to Nazca (about 3 hours) Arrival and transfer to your hotel (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 4- Nazca: Flight tour over the enigmatic Nazca Lines; The Nazca lines are geoglyphs and geometric line clearings in the Peruvian desert. They were made by the Nazca people, who flourished between 200 BCE and 600 CE along rivers and streams that flow from the Andes. The desert itself runs for over 1,400 miles along the Pacific Ocean. The area of the Nazca art is called the Pampa Colorada (Red Plain). It is 15 miles wide and runs some 37 miles parallel to the Andes and the sea. Dark red surface stones and soil have been cleared away, exposing the lighter-colored subsoil, creating the "lines". There is no sand in this desert. From the air, the "lines" include not only lines and geometric shapes, but also depictions of animals and plants in stylized forms. Some of the forms, including images of humans, grace the steep hillsides at the edge of the desert. Transfer to the bus station for the royal class bus back to Lima. Transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 5- Cusco: Early in the morning transfer to the airport for flight to Cusco. Upon your Arrival in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, we greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel, brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea to assist in the acclimation to the 11300 ft. in the Inca Capital of Cusco. In the afternoon City tour of Cusco, and include: The Cathedral, Qoricancha, Temple of the Sun, the most important of Inca ceremonial sites. Later you will continue to the most important site of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Qenqo and Puca Pucara. We return to the hotel (Breakfast)

Day 6- Sacred Valley: After breakfast we travel by bus through the Sacred Valley of the Inca. where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. Upon decent into the Sacred Valley you will know that you’ve arrived in the area the Inca revered for its lush fertile soils. The scenery is unsurpassable, close and distant snow peaks glistening in the Sun. Later on, you will have the opportunity of visiting the lively local Ancient Pisac market where many of the local Indians sell their hand made textiles. It is here that many fine Andean garments are for sale and you can test your haggling powers as you bargain for trinkets and souvenirs. For lunch you will have the chance to eat a buffet lunch at the local hacienda restaurant with traditional Andean foods and music. We continue to Ollantaytambo the major Inca fortress. Constructed of finely cut polygonal stones and rhyolite blocks, the fortress and nearby town represent the best of Inca architecture and construction. Large worked blocks, some weighting as much as 100 tons were quarried from a site more than a thousand vertical feet above the valley floor using a technique of pecking with hammer stones, then skidded down and across the Urubamba river several kilometers to the temple site. Inclined ramps were built to raise the blocks several hundred feet up hill to the construction area. Return to the hotel (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 7- Machu Picchu: Early in the morning after breakfast we pick you up at your hotel and take you to the railway station for the tourist class train to Machu Pichu. The 3 hour train for one of the world’s great railway journeys. This climbs out of Cusco on an amazing switchback track, then passes through traditional villages on the high plain, Inca ruins and rushing rivers. We'll descend 1300 meters through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and follow the Urubamba river until the final stop at Aguas Calientes. Afterward we'll take the 20 minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu, perched 600 meters above the river. Our guide will explain you the history and the myths that surround this archeological wonder MACHU PICCHU! The famous lost city of the Inca is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Stand 2,430m above sea-level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. In an extraordinarily beautiful setting, it was probably most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, its giant walls, terraces and ramps seen as, if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial Sun. Afterwards we take the bus for your return to the Aguas Calientes for lunch. Overnight at Aguas Calientes (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 8- Cusco: Early in the morning opportunity to enjoy a wonderful sunrise over Machu Picchu (on your own) and some personal time for private reflection. Return to Cusco in the evening. Reception and transfer to the hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 9- Tambopata Jungle: We fly to Puerto Maldonado on the frontier of the Amazon. By boat we then head deep into the Tambopata Candamo Reserve, to a luxurious yet unobtrusive rainforest lodge. We will visit a parakeet clay lick to observe the amazing array of wildlife. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 10- Tambopata Jungle: Dawn visit to a lake to look for giant otters, turtles and wading birds. A native guide will explain forest medicine and food. There will also be an option of a night walk to look for amphibians and insects or a nocturnal caiman search. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 11- Lima: Return to Puerto Maldonado and then fly back to Lima. Accommodation in Lima

Day 12- Lima: Free day in Lima and then transfer to the airport.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Prices start from US$2,377.00 per person in double occupancy. This includes all meals from Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, accommodations as stated in the itinerary, domestic airfare, Vistadome Train, ground transportation during the tour, and guide services provided by our guide. It does not include: airfare from your home to Lima and return, airport departure taxes, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, laundry, or items of a personal nature. The single supplement for this tour is $650. You will be charged a single supplement if you desire single accommodations.

TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the Tour registration form and return it with a deposit of 50% per person. If registering by phone, the deposit must be received within 10 days or the space will be released. Full payment of the tour fee is due 60 days prior to the tour departure date.

AIR INFORMATION: Sun God Expeditions Tours E.I.R.L is a full-service travel agency and we will be happy to make any domestic or international air travel arrangements from your home and return. Please feel free to contact us to confirm your air arrangements.

CURRENCY: Nuevo Sol; as of February, 2006, $1 USD = 3.42 Nuevo Sol. Local currency and USD are available from ATM’s at Lima airport and major cities

DOCUMENTS: For U.S. citizens, a passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure is required. Non-United States citizens should check with their local Peruvian consulate or embassy. A visa is not required; a tourist card will be issued by the airline

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
• Departure tax: Lima/USA $28.25 as of August 2005. This may be paid in Peruvian Soles or U.S. dollars.
• Electric Current: 220 Volts (flat pin plug).
• Time: Eastern Standard Time

Note: Upgrades and Hiram Bingham train and private tours, please contact us for details
Before booking, it is important to have read and understood the Terms and Conditions. Please bear in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups.