Peru, Machu Picchu with Exodus Travel

PERU/MACHU PICCHU with Exodus SEPT 2017 Tour Company is Exodus, Highly Recommended. Wow, just can’t believe that Travel Counsellors have given me the chance (with 7 other lucky TC’s) a chance to explore Peru. A full packed itinerary including the famous Machu Picchu of course, Peru has so much more to offer than I imagined. Full of diversity, culture and interesting history (ancient and modern). Having never visited South America before, this Peruvian visit has smashed my preconceptions of the continent. Peru is experiencing a tourist boom. I would recommend you experience it before the influx! Exodus Travel escorted us throughout and our guide, Bruno was the best. He was informative and looked after us 8 ladies throughout the trip with total professionalism. Thank you, Bruno! In A Nut Shell! There were eight Travel Counsellors including me on the trip and we started in Lima and then down the coast to Paracas, an excursion to the Ballestas Islands then to see the Nazca Lines, which were fascinating. Onto Arequipa, Puno and Lake Titicaca, over to Cusco and train up to Machu Picchu (have to do the trek another time!) and back to Cusco and then Lima – then home. It was a busy but great time! FOOD. Very good and all tastes catered for. You can eat very reasonably in high rated restaurants. One of our party was vegan and did not struggle with the food. ACCOMMODATION. Our hotels were 3 to 4 star and were simple but clean and perfectly adequate for an overnight stay with breakfast but if you are looking for more luxury then that is an option too, with hotel chains such as Belmont being prominent in the country. MORE DETAILS. Lima, the "City of Kings", Peru's capital officially began life in 1535, when Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded the city. A city of contrasts with palaces and modern centre to the ‘Favela’ style dwellings on the hillsides. Nearby the archaeological site of Pachacamac gives you a taste of what is to come at Machu Picchu. Visit pyramids and see the amazing views of the nearby Lurin Valley and the Pacific Ocean. From the top you can also see the large plazas the Incas built to receive hundreds of pilgrims. Ballestas Islands, a national park which contains the highest concentration of marine birds in the world. There are sea lions and numerous species of birds. Also the Candelabra, a curious pre-Inca design on the cliff-face, only recognizable from the sea. Pisco distillery to see the process of the traditional Peruvian Pisco drink. Nazca These are one of the world's great archaeological mysteries, consisting of enormous figures and patterns etched in the desert sand, best seen from the elevated position of the viewing platforms. Take a flight to get the best views of these incredible sights Arequipa. Second largest city in Peru and very picturesque. Visit the Saint Catalina Monastery and a must is the Museum for Juanita the Inca Ice Maiden, the mummy of a girl sacrificed to the gods in the 14th century. Due to its well-preserved condition and the professionalism of the museum itself this is a must to see. Very moving… Puno and the archaeological site of Sillustani, a pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo. The tombs, are built above ground in tower-like structures and wonderful panoramic views the lake. Puno is located in south-eastern Peru, about 3860m/12421ft at the edge of Lake Titicaca; the world’s highest navigable lake is surrounded by a group of beautiful islands full of color and wildlife. Puno is surrounded by 41 floating islands. It is colorful and hospitable, a place to appreciate mixtures and tradition. Titicaca Lake, the highest navigable lake in the world. A full day tour by boat to the Uros-Titinos and Taquile Islands will show you the Andean culture. The lake contains numerous islands whose inhabitants continue to live as their ancestors have in custom and tradition. “The Uros-Titinos Floating Islands”, are a small community that has lived on these reed Islands for decades. Centuries ago the small indigenous Uros tribe conceived of the islands as a way to isolate and protect themselves from rival tribes, the Collas and the Incas. The Uros-Titinos people harvested the reeds in the shallows of the lake, bundled them together tightly and built floating island platforms complete with reed houses and canoes, creating in this way their own little world. Cuzco (3400m). Sacsayhuaman located just outside Cusco. This enormous structure overlooks the city of Cusco. Its constructions are amazing, with huge rocks perfectly fitted. It is said that it took over 10,000 workers 50 years to build it. The origin of the temple of Sacsayhuaman is still today unknown. The archaeologist attributed its construction to the Period of the Inca Pachacutec. Sacred Valley, and Pisac which has a great market, known for its multi-colored textiles, local foods, and indigenous clothing - a great opportunity to pick up some souvenirs as well as take some great photos. Ollantaytambo - one of the few places where the Incas defeated the Spanish. We took the “Expedition” train towards Aguas Calientes, a modern little town close to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The train ride to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful journeys that visitors can experience. It takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and then a short bus ride up the steep, zigzagging road to the impressive Lost City of the Incas. Machu Picchu does not disappoint. Soak in the atmosphere and see the.Intiwatana (solar clock), the Sun Temple, the urban sector, the agricultural sector among others. Machu Picchu was long thought to be legendary. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. Any advice on this country please feel free to call. I’m easily reached on 01270 560731.