Footsteps of the Incas – Condors, Colca & Arequipa

Day 1 London – In Flight
We begin with the Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service ® to London Heathrow Airport for your scheduled flight to Madrid to connect with your direct scheduled overnight LAN or TAM Airlines flight to Lima.

Day 2 Lima
On Arrival in Lima, once known as the ‘City of Kings’, we transfer to the Doubletree Hotel or Estelar Hotel Miraflores. Founded by the Spanish in 1535, Lima is renowned for its colonial architecture, especially at the heart of the city. After lunch, we begin our explorations in the Old Town, with stops at its cathedral, Government Palace, historic squares and the Larco Herrera Museum, housing gold and silver from ancient Peru.
Please note: For 2014 departures, tonight’s hotel will be the Hotel Estelar or Casa Andina Select.

Day 3 Lima – Sacred Valley
We transfer to Lima Airport for our flight to Cuzco and travel to the Sacred Valley. We visit the charming village of Pisac where shoppers can delight in its lively market. We then head to Ollantaytambo, where ruins include a series of steps and niches carved out of the cliff and a complete canal irrigation system cut out of the sheer rock. We stay for two nights at the Sonesta Posadas del Inca Hotel.

Day 4 Machu Picchu
Our full day excursion takes us on the Orient Express operated train to the magnificent lost Inca city of Machu Picchu. For most visitors, the sheer scale of this complete city once buried in the jungle is simply unparalleled. Rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham, the ruins of temples, palaces, towers and fountains set against a dramatic backdrop of dark greenforested mountains rising from the deep valley are unimaginably breathtaking.

Day 5 Cuzco
Situated in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco, known as the ‘Archaeological Capital of America’, was the once fabled capital of the Inca Empire. Our captivating city tour includes visiting the Plaza de Armas, cathedral, Temple of the Sun and the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, the massive Inca fortress perched high overlooking the city. Building work here began in the 1440s and took nearly a century to complete. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Eco Inn.

Day 6 Cuzco
A full day to explore Cuzco at leisure.

Day 7 Cuzco – Puno
Today we journey through some of Peru’s most dramatic and captivating scenery aboard our Peru Rail train (operated by Orient Express). It climbs past small villages and grassland plains to a remote scenic stop at La Raya, the highest point of the journey at over 4,300m above sea level. Absorb the stunning views of snow-capped peaks from the glass-walled observation car as we head towards the colourful city of Puno and spend the first of two nights at the Sonesta Posadas del Inca, located on the scenic shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake.

Day 8 Lake Titicaca
A full day excursion to Lake Titicaca reveals an area of great beauty and legend. Local attractions include Uros villages, whose inhabitants live on floating totora-reed islands, and Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives, where we see a demonstration of traditional handweaving techniques.

Day 9 Puno – Colca Canyon
This morning we visit the Sillustani archaeological site, with its chullpa burial towers. Later we continue to Chivay spend a relaxing evening at either the Casa Andina Hotel or Aranwa Hotel (2013) where dinner is included.

Day 10 Colca Canyon – Arequipa
At the Cruz del Condor, Andean Condors soar gracefully on thermals rising from the breathtaking canyon. The scale of the canyon and its surroundings is breathtaking, with the summit of the nearby Ampato volcano over 5km higher than the bottom of the lowest part of the canyon. Later we depart towards Arequipa, making several interesting stops en-route. Our hotel for the night is either the Sonesta Posadas del Inca or Cabildo Hotel (2013).

Day 11 Arequipa
Today we embark on a morning tour of Arequipa, where three volcanoes of Chachani, Misti and Pichu Pichu tower over the city. We discover the fine old quarter of San Lazaro and the spectacular Monastery of Santa Catalina, Peru’s most important religious building.

Day 12 Arequipa – Lima
Today we fly to Lima. On arrival we transfer to the Doubletree (2013), Hotel Estelar or Casa Andina Select (2014).

Day 13 Lima – In Flight
Relax this morning, or alternatively take an optional tour to the Pachacamac Ruins to explore the pre-Inca ceremonial center for the God, Pacha Kamaq, and also the Inca Temple of the Sun and Inti. This afternoon we transfer to Lima Airport for our scheduled TAM Airlines flight to Sao Paulo or LAN flight to Madrid and onward connection to London.

Day 14 London
Arrival in Madrid for our connecting flight to London Heathrow Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front door.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please note:
This tour includes areas of high altitude and clients that may be concerned about this are recommended to consult their doctor.
This tour also includes areas of rough terrain and clients are advised that a significant amount of walking is involved.
Please refer to your Final Itinerary for details of your confirmed hotels and relevant contact details.

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Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.

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