Peru trip

25 Sep - 18 Oct 2012 (24-days) Peru Bolivia & Chile (Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Salar Uyuni, Nazca Lines & Isla Ballestas)
Cost Rm11,000 (per pax for 12 pax group), Rm10,600 (14 pax group), Rm10,300 (16 pax group and above)

Update 4 Apr 2012 Cost adjusted based on Group fares Rm3436 excluding taxes Rm2800. The Uyuni Tours are more expensive now and some transport cost have increased. Response was a little slow but if those who express interest confirm, we should be able to form a group. So let us know early so that we can firm up the Group fares.

Update 15 Nov 2011 Cost above is based on estimated individual fares of Rm4000 excluding taxes of Rm2530. Members pay difference of higher fares or receives difference, of lower fares. Group fares for our trips for Sep 2011 and Feb 2012 was Rm3436. Aug 2012 is good for the public holidays but the flamingos in Salar Uyuni return from Sep. Above is a somewhat humourous observation written by Yongoer on 2009 trip. (Note : Also recommended is a few nights stay in Amsterdam. Airline charges a substantial Rm600 for this stopover. Let me know if you like to do this. We will help with the accomodation arrangement and some good self-do sightseeing).

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is meant to be a "free and easy" adventure trip. Participants should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humor, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it wasn't pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun.

Uyuni Laguna Canapa/ Group Photo at Salar Uyuni (Salt Plains)/ Flamingo

This will be a backpack experience using a couple of public bus rides and some chartered buses traveling from town to town. We stay in good clean guesthouse in all places except for 3 days Salar Uyuni tour. Its quite important participants are able to manage their own luggage and backpacks are a must. Like most Yongo trips, you pay for your own meals and entrances, except for the those specified below. You also pay within-the-town taxis and other activities not specifed below.

DAY 1 KLIA to Amsterdam. Gather by 9PM TUE 25 SEP 2012 for KLM flight KL810 to Amsterdam departing 1155PM (12.5hr flight). No need to take leave on this day.

DAY 2 Amsterdam to Lima. Arrive after 12hr flight in Amsterdam at 0555AM. Then connect to KL743 to Lima at 1230noon, arriving in Lima 12.5hr later at 610PM. Transfer to Hotel and overnight (ON) Lima.

Day 3 Lima Old City. Group take a convenient local bus Rm1or arranged taxis to Unesco listed Lima Old Town Center with its imposing Plaza de Armas (Central Square), founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conqueror for a 3hr guided walking tour. There are numerous colonial churches and buildings. We also visit the nearby Bario Chino or Lima's Chinatown for some good Chinese restaurant perhaps! ON Lima.

Day 4 Fly to Cuzco. We fly to Cuzco in the morning, the flight taking 1hr 15min. We transfer to our hostal (Spanish for guesthouse) located 10 min walk from the main Town Square. We first visit the Bolivia Consular for visa application before free rest of day. Cuzco is Unesco listed and once served as capital of the vast Inca empire, then after, the highland capital of the Spanish colonist. Cusco Catheral is reputed to be Peru's best with grand paintings and decor. Cuzco Boleto Touristico or Cuzco Tourist Ticket 130soles included in trip price. ON Cuzco.

Day 5 Inca ruins Cuzco. We hire transport for a half-day visit to four sets of Inca ruins in the vicinity of Cuzco. The first and largest is Sacsayhuaman (commanly pronounced as Sexy Woman), sited on top of a hill overlooking Cuzco. The site was also a great place for scenic photos of Cuzco.The next set of ruins is the rather small Tambo Machay, a ceremonial royal bath. And nearby is another small fortress called Puca Pucara or Red Fort, believed to be the gateway to Sacsayhuaman. The last stop is Qenko translated zigzag - where ritual practices took place. The rest of the day is free to explore or take it easy. All these entrances are included in the Cuzco Boleto Touristico. ON Cuzco.

Day 6 Chincero Sunday Market & Maras Salt Pans. Early start to Chincero Village, a typical Andean village for its less touristic and colourful Sunday Market. Goods are better priced here and much of the money goes directly to the villagers who make them. We then visit are the 700m long salt pans of Maras, which for centuries, have been producing salt. Finally to Ollantaytambo ruins - said to be the biggest pueblo (town) in the Inca empire at one time. From here we board the 337pm sight-seeing Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the bottom of Machu Picchu, arriving at 5pm. ON Aguas Calientes.

Day 7 Machu Picchu. Start at 6am with a 25min bus ride up to Machu Picchu. Entrance fee US$40 included. We engage a professional guide for Machu Picchu which means small mountain, who will take the group to the various viewpoints. The usual places of visit are the farm terraces, Plaza, Temple of the Sun, Temple of Condor and the residential areas. The city was abandoned for unknown reasons and was not "harmed" by the Spanish as most of the buildings are original. The guide spends 4 hr with the group. Then its free time to explore the ruins. Recommended is a 1 hr walk/trek/climb up Huayna Pichhu translated big mountain, for amazing top-down views of Machu Picchu as well as the high ruins and temples located on top of Huayna Pichhu. Those who are less physically inclined can walk the gentle Incha trail to the Sun Gate for alternative views of Machu Picchu. We return to Cuzco on the 443pm train arriving at 813pm. ON Cuzco.

Locals / Capital of Incas Cusco / Reed boat at Lake Titicaca

Day 8 Pisac Ruins & Market.Our destination this morning is the Pisac ruins 2hr, with several photo stops along the way. The agricultural terraces found here were used for crop research and test cropping. At the very top one finds a few sets of ruins used for ceremonial and residential purpose. We adjorn to the famous Pisac Sunday Market 30 min away. We return to Cusco for more City wanderings and our last night stay.

Day 9 Cuzco to Puno. We go on a 730AM bus tour on the First Class Tour Bus to Puno, a journey of 380km over the surreal Altiplano (high altitude Andean platueau), at its highest point at La Raya 4335m. The stops include Andahuylillas a 3122m Mestizo baroque architecture church and Raqchi a 3400m temple of Wirachocho God and home to Raqchi people with their distinct clothing. Its amazing to note that there were 20,000km of Inca Trail, which are rock paved trails linking the vast Inca Empire. It also passes through towns like Raqchi. Estimated arrival time in Puno is 5PM. Tour cost includes lunch and entrance fees are included in trip cost. ON Puno.

Day 10 Lake Titicaca. We go on a cruise on huge Lake Titicaca taking a 3 hr tour of Uros floating islands, which number some 50, big and small. This was apparently the only place on the huge lake where the water is shallow enough to allow building of these unique floating islands. The oldest islands are some 150yr old and the totora reeds are up to 30 meters deep. Lake Titicaca covers an area of 8560sq km, deepest point 280m with 24 rivers flowing in and one river flowing out in Bolivia. Boat tour included. ON Puno.

Day 11 Copacabana, La Paz BOLIVIA. We transfer at 7AM to the bus station to travel the scenic route to Copacabana, arriving at 11AM. We lunch at this small town beside Lake Titicaca. We cross the border and will arrive in La Paz around 5PM. The route runs beside the lake with views of grazing animals and lakeside villages. La Paz is the highest capital in the world at 3700m. ON La Paz.

Day 12 La Paz. The hotel is next to a 3 km long street market that was lively and colourful. There's lots to see and do. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America and the street scenery is very different from that of Lima and other towns in Peru. The morning market is especially attractive with kilometers long stalls exhibiting a wide range of products. Optional half-day City tours can be arranged at own cost. At night we take an overnight bus to Uyuni.

Chinchero Sunday Market / Maras Salt Pans

Day 13 Uyuni Day 1. ETA 6AM. After breakfast and a short rest, we start our 3 days 2 nights tour of the beautiful Salar Uyuni (Salt Plains of Uyuni) in Toyota 4WD vehicles. First stop is Colchani village, where locals process salt blocks into iodised table salt. This Unesco listed site, area 9000 sq km, is the biggest salt lake on earth and one of the flatest as well. What is amazing is the fact that a hard 7m layer of salt sits on top of several meters of salt water at the bottom of the lake, making driving across the white watery surface a real treat. At 3653m, its probably one of the highest as well. Lunch stop is at Isla de Pescado 60 km. Located in the middle of Salar Uyuni, this small island is wholly surrounded by a sea of white salt. We then drive to a Guesthouse made of salt blocks for our night stay. Salar Uyuni 3D2N tour, meals and entrance fees included. (NOTE: Accomodation on the 3 days Uyuni trip is very basic in multi-bedded rooms and shared toilets/bath).

Day 14 Uyuni Day 2. We cross Salar de Chiguana, a thin salt crusted plain. The track climbs 4000m plus to the only active volcano in Boliva, the 5865m Ollgue. The scenery along the way is excellent, flanked by rust coloured plains and topped by snow-capped mountains. The area abounds with wild vicunas, related to the Llama, Alpaca and is a distance relative of the camels. We visit a number of lakes including the surreal Laguna Canapa with its multi-coloured mineral-filled waters. The thriving mirco-organisms provide ample food for the large populations of flamigos (3 kinds), ducks and various other birds. The road goes even higher to 4500m across Pampa Siloli, a high altitude desert of volcanic ash and gravel., scattered with rock outcrops blasted into contorted shapes included the famous "stone tree". Soon after we enter Reserva Eduardo Avoro, where one finds the biggest lake in Uyuni. Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon/lake) has a huge seasonal population of flamingoes has distinct red colouration due to natural pigments of the algae. The fringes or the lake are coloured white with the chemical Borax. ON dorms near Laguna Colorada.

Day 15 Uyuni Day 3. We leave at 430AM without breakfast and first stop at 5AM is the Sol de Mauana geyser, shooting up to a height of 40m. This thermal active area located at 4900m has several mud pools with temperatures reaching 2000 degrees C. So watch where you put your feet! By 7PM we reach Lagunas Polques, our breakfast area and also a place for refreshing dip in a 36 degrees C natural hotspring pool. Next stop is Laguna Verde (Green Lake) with no birds. This beautiful lake reflected the snow mountains contains poisonous arsenic causing the green colour. At 10AM we arrive at the Bolivia/Chile border for out bus transfer to Pedro de Atacama, a popular backpacker rest place. We arrive about lunch time and rest well here. ON San Pedro.

Day 16 San Pedro de Atacama. We have a free day to take it easy in pretty little village, catching up with emails and relaxing. Recommended trips include horse trekking or bicycling to some sights in the vicinity. After dinner, we board the 825PM for the 10hr overnight bus to the town of Arica, located the Chile/Peru border. ON bus.

Machu Picchu Standard View / Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu

Day 17 Border to Arequipa. Arrive 640AM and crosse the border by taxis to Peruvian town of Tacna 1.5hr, where we breakfast. We proceed by public bus to Arequipa 5hr. We have time to visit the Plaza de Armas, the Churches and more colonial buildings. ON Arequipa.

Day 18 Arequipa. Free day to wander about this pleasant tourist town also listed by UNESCO. Founded in 1540, it retains an elegant historic center constructed entirely out of white volcanic stone, which gives the city its distinctive look and the nickname "the white city". Visit theUnesco listed Monasterio de Santa Catalina, one of the most important and impressive religious monument in Peru. There are optional half day tours available from the town square for those interested. ON Arequipa.

Day 19 Nazca. We charter a bus for 3 days first to Nazca 623km 9hr in the morning. Nazca is a small town famous worldwide for the giant desert drawings including an image of an ancient "astronaut". On the way to Nazca, we stop in Camana in a local seafood restaurant. ON Nazca.

Day 20 Fly Nazca Lines. These are a series of giant desert figures, clearly visible only from the air. At 9AM we transfer to the town's small airport for the flights over the famous Unesco listed Nazca Lines. Planes flying are either 6 or 4 seaters small planes and plastic bags are provided for those with weak stomachs! Some of the giant desert figures viewed from the air included whale, dog, spider, monkey, tree, flamingo, humming bird, trapezoids and an astronaut!. We leave for Pisco 4hr in the afternoon by chartered bus with a stop at Huacahina Desert Dunes, time permitting. Nazca Lines flight US$90 not included. ON Pisco.

Day 21 Isla Ballestas & Pisco. A half day tour starting at 830AM takes us to to the jetty in Paracas 30min. There we board a 30-seats speedboat to visit what is dubbed by the locals as "poor man's Galapagos Island". You will be able to sight thousands of birds including pelicans, penguins, comorrants, oyster catchers, seagulls and huge colonies of sea lions. On the way, boats stop for a view of the famous landmarked Candelabra, a giant candle-like figure etched into the coastal hills. Seafood lunch in Paracas before we bus 3.5hr to Lima. Isla Ballestas Tour boat trip fee included. ON Lima.

Day 22 Lima, Fly Home. We am an easy day revisiting Lima town and it's many side street full of shops and colonial buildings. A 30min walk from our hotel takes us to popular San Miguel Mall, a huge complex of modern shops, McDonalds, Pizza Huts and KFC. Another alternative is the nearby Magdalena Market, a local place with virtually no tourist. At 5PM, we leave for the airport for our Amsterdam flight departing at 815PM. ON the plane.

Day 23 Amsterdam. Arrive in Amsterdam at 340PM after 12hr flight. Those who wish can pop onto a convenient 20min train ride to the Central Station, which cost Euro 9 return. You land right in the middle of Amsterdam tourist area and will have about 2hr for a quick look-around. The flight to KUL leaves at 855PM. On the plane.

Day 24 KLIA. Arrive home 3PM THU 18 OCT after 12hr flight.

Fly over Nazca Lines / Tour Bus Puno/ Nasca Line from flight

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Cost cover airfares, accommodation, town-to-town travel and tours specified in the itinerary as included.
Accommodations will be in guesthouses (hostals in Spanish) except for 3D2N Salar Uyuni tour, one night, which will be in basic dorm..
Not covered are airport taxes & fuel surcharges (current Rm2800), meals (Rm40 x 18 days = Rm720) and other entrance fees (most of the main fees already included in price).
In town taxis are not covered except for transfers to and from bus stations to our place of stay.
Cost is subject to change depending on fluctuations in exchange rates and/or airfares.
A deposit of Rm2090 will be payable to confirm your place.

Email: yongo@unifi.my or rachelheng123@gmail.com
Phone: Lee Min: 016-220 9033 or 603-4031 6225
Phone: Rachel Heng 012 3520868
Address: No 19 Lrg Air Bersih Tiga, Air Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur

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