Tour Details

Duration :

4 days / 3 nights

Price :

From US$ 246

Starting point :

Arequipa

Ending point :

Arequipa

Tour Type :

Archaeological, cultural, ecological and wildlife viewing

Tour Description

All our programmes can be tailor made according to your requirements, whether regarding the length of your tour, any special interests or specific activities, flight reservations, optional destinations or tours.

DAY 01: Arequipa
Upon arrival, reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we start a three hour sightseeing tour including the Santa Catalina Convent, the Plaza de Armas, the Jesuit Church of La Compañía and its beautifully-painted Chapel, the Church of San Francisco, the San Lazaro District, Selva Alegre and the typical Districts of Cayma and Yanahuara for a magnificent view of the Misti Volcano. Return to the hotel.

Meals Included: None

DAY 02: Arequipa - Chivay
Early in the morning, after breakfast, start your trip to the Colca Canyon, visiting on the way Pampas Cañahuas, the Mirador of the Andes, the Crater of Chucura, the Mirador of Chivay, where pre-Inca Cultivation terraces may be appreciated. Arrival to the Town of Chivay at 13:00hrs. approx. Transfer to your selected Lodge. Box lunch (light meals in the altitude).
In the afternoon free time to visit Hot Spring Thermal and Medicinal Baths.

Meals Included: Breakfast and box lunch

DAY 03: Chivay - Condor's Cross - Arequipa
After breakfast, very early in the morning, drive to the Condor's Cross, a natural observation point from where the magnitude of the Colca Canyon and the spectacular flight of the majestic Condor can be appreciated. On the way back to Chivay, visit to the Mirador of Chinina, where we will find the famous cliffside Tombs and the Hanging Bridge of Sifón that joins the Town of Yanque with Coporaque. When at the Town of Yanque, visit its beautiful church and its characteristic cobbled streets among other attractions. To have spectacular views of the Colca Valley, we will drive to the Lookout points of Choquetipo and Artahuilque and also to the Town of Maca.
In the afternoon, return to the City of Arequipa, arriving at 18:00hrs. approx. Overnight at selected hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 04: Arequipa
After breakfast, transfer to the local airport or bus station.

Meals Included: Breakfast

End of our services

Tour Rates

Price per person in US dollars

Referential Prices 2008

Price per person in US dollars

Referential Prices Only. May be modified without previous notice depending on US Dollar exchange rate with local currency.

Tour Inclusions

INCLUDED:

• 2 Night`s accommodation at a selected hotel in Arequipa
• 1 Night`s accommodation in the Colca Valley
• In and out transfers
• All applicable taxes
• Bilingual guided tours (english / spanish)
• Entrance fees for the excursions mentioned above
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary

NOT INCLUDED:

• International and Domestic flights (Lima / Arequipa / Lima: US$ 294 aprox.)
• Airport taxes ($30.25 for international flights and $6.05 for domestic flights)
• Baggage excess
• Alcoholic drinks, soda or bottled mineral water
• Personal expenses
• Tips
• International or National personal telephone calls
• Additional nights for bad weather o flight cancellation
• Snacks

ORIENTATION
Peru is located on the central west coast of South America. Its neighboring countries are: Ecuador and Colombia to the N; Chile to the S; Brazil and Bolivia to the E; and the Pacific Ocean to the W. It is the third largest country in South America, with a surface area of 1 285 215,6 km2 (larger than France, Spain, and Germany combined) distributed approximately in the following manner: 12% coastal territory, 28% Andean highlands and 60% Amazon jungle. Its capital, Lima, is located in the coastal area, where the country's greatest economic activities take place.

TIME ZONE
Peruvian time is five hours past Greenwich Mean Time and is similar to Eastern Standard Time in the United States (except when the U.S. goes on daylight savings time from April to October). In reference to other cities, when it is noon in Peru, it is:

WE RECOMMEND YOU TO
- Use boots or sneakers the whole time on the walks.
- Drink a lot of liquid during long excursions.

WHAT TO BRING
- Hiking boots, sneakers and shoes.
- Long pants or slacks.
- Long-sleeved shirts.
- T-shirts.
- Sweaters and a jacket.
- Camera.
- Insect Repellent.
- Personal toilet items and first-aid kit (Bandaids, cotton, alcohol, Aspirin).
- Medicine to arrest or prevent the so called ”Soroche” or altitude sickness.
  Please consult your physician what medicine is best suited for your organism.

WEATHER
Dry climate with temperatures fluctuating from 17 to 20ºC, with sunny days and cold nights all year long.
Rainy season from December to March.

ALTITUDE
Lima: Sea level, 54 m.a.s.l.
Arequipa: 2350 m.a.s.l.
Colca Canyon: 3500 m.a.s.l. (At the top)

WATER
Tap water in most of Peru is potable, but the chemical content varies from place to place. To avoid problems, we recommend you to always drink bottled water.

VISAS
All travellers should contact the nearest Peruvian consulate in order to ascertain what visa rules apply, since these may change without previous notice.
For more information clic here:
Type of visa to enter Peru

AIRPORT

Hand luggage regulations

a) All liquids must be carried in containers whose capacity can not exceed of 100 ml (or its equivalent in other volumetric units, such as liquid ounces for instance). No liquids will be allowed in containers of more capacity than the said 100 ml, even if the container is not completely full.

b) The containers must be placed in reclosable plastic bags with a maximum capacity of 1 liter. The containers must fit effortlessly in the transparent plastic bag, which must be perfectly sealed.

c) The plastic bag must be presented at the inspection post for its visual examination. Only one plastic bag per passenger can be allowed.

d) Exceptions must be made in case of medications, milk and baby food, as well as in case of passengers who require a special diet. There must be the appropriate means in place to verify the nature of these liquids.

Likewise, exceptions must be made regarding liquids purchased in the duty free shops at the airport or on board an aircraft, provided that these liquids are packed in a sealed plastic container foolproof against undue manipulations, and that a satisfactory proof (receipt) is produced showing that the article was acquired at the airport’s duty free shops, or aboard an aircraft on the traveling day(s) for passengers leaving an airport or being there on transit.

LANGUAGE
The official languages of Peru are Spanish, spoken by 73% of the population, and Quechua spoken by 24% of Peruvians. English is widely spoken in hotels and shops.

CURRENCY
Peru's official currency is the Nuevo sol ; its symbol is S/. The denominations in circulation are bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 nuevos soles; coins of 1, 2, and 5 nuevos soles; and coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 céntimos of a nuevo sol. US$ are widely accepted.
At the moment, US$ 1.00 is worth around 3.50 Nuevos Soles.

TIPPING
Whilst tipping is a personal matter, we are happy to give some guidelines:
Most restaurants add a 10% tip. The total tip should be about 15%.
Doorkeepers should be tipped 1 US$ per bag. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.

Full-day excursion : US$6.00 per person
Half-day excursion : US$3.00 per person

PHOTOGRAPHY
If you are taking photographs of local people, always ask their permission beforehand. Your guide can assist you in this. Do not take photographs of military installations or airports. Film is readily available in all tourist areas. It is advisable to carry your camera in a dust-proof bag. Photography or camera fees are applicable at most sights and museums; your guide can give you details of the latest charges.

ELECTRICITY
Power voltage in Peru is 220 Volts AC, 60 Hz. Most modern electrical appliances do not need adapters since they will accept both 110 as well as 220 AC voltages. Please make sure to check the voltage options of those artefacts you intend to take with you during your trip, such as hair dryers, battery chargers, notebooks and lap tops, video cameras, etc. Most of these do not usually need a special adapter, but it is important that you make sure of that before leaving your country of origin in order not to have to buy special 110 V / 220 V AC adapters, which, however, can be found in the local market here in Peru.

HEALTH
Vaccinations
Full details of the latest health requirements should be obtained from an authorized medical source, such as your doctor. There are no mandatory health requirements for Peru.
Because you are visiting Andean areas, don't forget to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. Be sure to try hot tea or infusion of coca leaves on your arrival in the altitude; during your first day move slowly and eat lightly.

PERUVIAN GASTRONOMY
Peruvian cuisine is highly varied and spicy. Some of our typical dishes are: "cebiche" (raw fish marinated in lemon juice), "aji de gallina" (de-boned chicken cooked in a milk and aji sauce), and "anticuchos" (shish kebabs of beef heart and meat), apart from the typical dishes from each region.
Be sure to try "Pisco Sour", Peru's typical mixed drink prepared with pisco, lemon, egg white and sugar.

Restaurants During Your Trip
In Arequipa you will find International and local food restaurants. Don't forgot to taste "Rocoto Relleno" an Arequipa speciality.

DRESS CODE
Dress in general is very casual unless you want to eat in one of the more expensive restaurants in Lima for example, in which case a tie and/or jacket will be required and smarter ladies' wear. Due to the altitude, it is important to remember whatever the season, to take some warmer woollens for the nighttimes drop in temperature.

IMPORTANT: We reserve the right to make changes to the order of the trip, without prior notice, due to changes in climate conditions, river water levels, flight or bus arrival and departure times or any other reason relevant to the best development of the trip.