Andean Splendors

Visits to Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, and the Nazca Lines reveal the Inca Empire at its best

12 days • Air & land
11 days • La Paz/Lima
Galapagos Extension
18 days • Air & land
17 days • La Paz/Quito
from $2118 land only

Locally hosted
All departures guaranteed!

Your Travel Value Includes Scheduled round-trip flights when TRAVEL 360 issues the air tickets Round-trip transfers between the airport and hotel, including baggage handling at the airport Choice of hotels in twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower 10 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L) and 2 dinners (D); On Galapagos Island extension: 14 additional meals Services of an English-speaking local host throughout Sightseeing program with local guides including admission charges, where applicable Galapagos extension includes round-trip air Quito/San Cristobal Island and Galapagos Park tax valued at $100 Hotel taxes and service charges TRAVEL 360 flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

NOTE: The altitude of Lake Titicaca is 12,600 feet, Cuzco is 11,444 feet and Quito is 9,000 feet.

Itinerary

Day 1 DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight to Bolivia.

Day 2 ARRIVE LA PAZ, BOLIVIA.
After an early morning arrival into La Paz, transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, see the highlights of La Paz, known as the "City of Contrast" because of the unique blend of cultures and races. Enjoy views of the native, colonial and modern areas of La Paz, as well as the Indian market, Open Air Museum of Tiwanaku, and the Witch Doctor’s Market. Then visit Moon Valley, with its unique lunar-like landscape. Return to your hotel, where your evening is free.

Day 3 LA PAZ / TIWANAKU RUINS / HUATAJATA.
Travel to the fascinating Tiwanaku ruins, one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas. During its peak, this city was the largest in the world. On your visit see the Akapana Pyramid, the temple of Kalasasaya and the Sun Gate with the crying god carved on the upper front. After a box lunch, travel to the Andean Eco Village. Your visit here includes the Altiplano Museum, where an audio tour explains the culture and life styles of the Aymaras and the Incas. You will have the opportunity to see their handicrafts, villages, and mud igloos, and to meet the Limachi brothers, builders of Ra II and Tigris for Thor Heyerdahl’s expeditions. Next, visit the “Mystic World of the Kallawayas,” healers allowed by law to practice natural medicine. This evening, visit the native observatory, Alajpacha, and view southern constellations. (B,L,D)

Day 4 HUATAJATA / LAKE TITICACA / PUNO.
Board a hydrofoil for an unforgettable cruise on Lake Titicaca. Your first stop will be a visit to the unique floating island of the Urus-Iruitos. Next, travel to Moon Island and visit the “Inak Uyu” Sun Virgins temple, one of the most important ruins on the Lake. Continue on to the Island of the Sun, where, according to legend, the son and daughter of the Sun God Inti came to earth and established the Inca empire. Visit the Inca Staircase and the Sacred Fountain believed to give eternal youth and happiness. After lunch, continue to Juli for an orientation tour. Finally, travel to Puno, where the evening is free. (B,L)

Day 5 PUNO / CUZCO, PERU.
Transfer to the airport in Juliaca for your flight to Cuzco. Free time is planned for you to rest at this high altitude. In the afternoon, a city tour includes Plaza del Regocijo, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Monastery, legendary Koricancha and the Old Town. Next, drive outside of the city to visit the archaeological Inca remains of Tambomachay, Kenko, Puca Pucara and the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman. (B)

Day 6 CUZCO.
A full day free in Cuzco. Perhaps visit the many arts and crafts stores, the array of specialty markets, or people watch in Plaza de Armas. The day is yours to do as you please. (B)

Day 7 CUZCO / MACHU PICCHU.
Today’s unforgettable journey begins with a rail trip through the lush Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, ascend by bus to Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas." After a guided tour of the marvelous citadel, explore the temples, houses and altars of this fascinating archaeological site. (B,L,D)

Day 8 MACHU PICCHU / CUZCO.
A morning free to further explore these magnificent ruins. Perhaps, climb up Huayna Picchu. This afternoon, make your way to the train station for the return trip to Cuzco. (B)

Day 9 CUZCO / LIMA.
A scenic flight over the Andes to Lima. Your afternoon tour visits the Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological site dating back to the 5th century and currently being excavated. Next is Plaza Mayor, the historical center of Lima. On to the 16th century San Francisco Monastery and then the lovely residential neighborhoods of San Isidro and Miraflores. Your evening is free. (B)

Day 10 LIMA / ICA / NAZCA LINES / PARACAS.
Head south via motorcoach along the Pan American Highway to Ica, the wine capital of Peru. Stop to visit the small but fascinating Ica Archaeological Museum with its collection of Nazca Indian artifacts. Have your cameras handy this afternoon as you board your aircraft for the flight over the Nazca Lines – a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil, some up to 1,000 feet long. Then on to Paracas and your resort hotel on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. (B,D)

Day 11 PARACAS / BALLESTAS ISLANDS / LIMA.
Board a yacht and cruise to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including sea lions, boobies and Humboldt penguins. The bay’s beautiful red and white flamingos supposedly inspired General San Martin to design the independence flag for Peru. The huge Candelabro, a candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Arrive in Lima by late afternoon. After checking in at your hotel, the balance of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 12 DEPART LIMA / USA.
Morning transfer to the airport to board your homebound flight, arriving the same day. (B)

Add a Galapagos Cruise to Your Vacation 18 Days • Locally Hosted Days 1-11, Wed-Sat. Like tour Andean Splendors. Day 12, Sun. LIMA / QUITO, ECUADOR. Fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B) Day 13, Mon. QUITO / BALTRA ISLAND / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. This morning’s flight over the Pacific lands at Baltra, one of the remote Galapagos Islands, then transfer to your ship, the M/V Santa Cruz. This afternoon, a panga ride through mangrove swamps reveals boobies, frigates and pelicans. Often seen are marine iguanas, turtles, rays and sharks. Later, on an easy hike on Dragon Hill you will see land iguanas. (B,L,D) Day 14, Tue. BARTHOLOME ISLAND / SANTIAGO ISLAND. Bartholome Island is best known for its volcanic features. After a short hike for the dramatic view, you will stop by a cove to see Galapagos penguins, the only penguins north of the equator. This afternoon visit Santiago Island with it’s black beach and dramatic rock formations. Keep an eye open for fur sea lions and oystercatchers. (B,L,D) Day 15, Wed. TOWER ISLAND / NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND. This morning a wet landing at a small white coral beach will show off hundreds of birds including great frigates, red footed and Nazca boobies, lava gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds. There’s time for snorkeling where hammerhead sharks can be spotted. The flat island of North Seymour is home to sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Vegetation found in the dry interior areas of the island include prickly pear cacti, palo santos trees and salt bushes. (B,L,D) Day 16, Thu. SANTA FE ISLAND / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. Exploration on Santa Fe Island will include a walk through a forest of tall prickly pear cacti where large land iguanas are endemic. Next stop is Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for giant tortoises. Then head up to the highlands to see the scalesia (giant daisy trees) and giant tortoise in their wild habitat. (B,L,D) Day 17, Fri. SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND / QUITO. Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, a small attractive port and the capital of the Islands. Visit the Interpretation Center that focuses on the history and wildlife of the area. Later fly back to Quito where your evening is free. (B) Day 18, Sat. QUITO / USA. Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)   Tour SAS with the Galapagos Land/Cruise Only Prices Per Person from     Deck First Class Sup. First Class Twin Single Twin Single Inside Upper $4260 $6496 $4654 $7016 Outside Main $4608 N/A $5002 N/A Main Deck $4507 N/A $4901 N/A Boat Deck $4769 $6046 $5163 $6565 Ask about deluxe prices. Round-trip Quito/Galapagos air included. Cruise extension available on Wednesday departures only. Your cruise ship is the M/V Santa Cruz. See page 44 for description. Cruise itinerary subject to change. International airfare is additional.

 

 

TRAVEL 360 Hotels
HUATAJATA - Inca Utama Hotel & Spa (F); Inca Utama Hotel & Spa - superior room (SF)
LA PAZ - Presidente (F); Radisson Plaza (SF); Hotel Europa (DLX)
PUNO – Qelqatani (ST); Eco Inn (F) or Casa Andina Tikarani (F); Libertador Esteves (SF)
CUZCO - Jose Antonio Hotel (F); Libertador (SF); Monasterio (DLX)
MACHU PICCHU - Hatchutay Tower (ST); Machu Picchu Pueblo (F); Sanctuary Lodge (SF);
LIMA - Los Delfines (F); Swissotel (SF); Swissotel - Jr. suite (DLX)
PARACAS - Paracas Hotel (F)

Galapagos extension:
QUITO - Grand Mercure (F); Hilton Colon (DLX)
GALAPAGOS - M/V Santa Cruz

 

 

Tour SAS Land Only Prices Per Person from       Twin Single First Class $2118 $2813 Superior First Class $2512 $3332 Deluxe $3136 $4749 Travel any day “Travel Alone” supplement will apply. Sample economy airfares are from $997-$1216 (tour SAS) and $1257-$1476 (with extension) and are valid from/to Miami. Airfares from othe cities and U.S. departure taxes will be advised at the time of booking. Airfares and taxes are subject to change.