Peru trip

8 Feb - 2 Mar 2012, (24-days) Peru Bolivia & Chile (Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, ORURO FESTIVAL, Salar Uyuni, Nazca Lines & Isla Ballestas)
Cost Rm11,080 (per pax for 12 pax group), Rm10,780 (14 pax group), Rm10,480 (16 pax group and above)

Update 14 Dec 2011Have included the cost of Cholita Wrestling Show in La Paz Rm50 as Huayna Picchu ticket Rm30 in the cost. The few who opt out of Huayna Picchu will be given back the Rm30. Taxes & surcharges as of today lower at Rm2501. Extension in Lima extra cost is Rm250. Extension in Amsterdam extra cost is Rm609.

Update 14 Nov 2011 Our apologies but trip is FULL. Do write to us if you want to consider SEP 2012 trip without the Oruro Festival. Note we have improved the itinerary in Cusco to include Chinchero Sunday Market and Maras Salt Pans. We also include La Paz cholitas wrestling. Cholitas are woman farmers who wrestle part-time every Sunday evening.

Update 22 Jun 2011 Trip costing based on Group Fares Rm3436 and will be adjusted upwards or downwards,depending on final fares. Online fares today is Rm4170, so please confirm early so that we can block the lower fare. As usual airport taxes/fuel surcharges about Rm2600 are not included in the trip cost. . This trip falls after Chinese New Year which starts on Mon 23 Jan 2012. We have a full group for Sep 2012 trip. Note that KLM requires booking fees to allocate the group fares to us. Note also that your deposit is also used to purchased domestic flight tickets to Cusco, train tickets to Machu Picchu and bus tickets Tacna-Arequipa and San Pedro-Arica.

Check out link www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnaval_de_Oruro for more info on this fabulous event. Please print out this article and the other links to understand the different types of dancers.

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 public buses 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 WED 8 FEB 2012 for KLM flight KL810 departing 1145PM to Amsterdam (12.5hr flight). No need to take leave on this day.

DAY 2 Amsterdam to Lima. Arrive Amsterdam 6AM local time. Transit 6:30hr until the flights to Lima at 1230AM, arriving 12.5hr later at 715PM local time. 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. Cuzco is also Unesco listed and once served as capital of the vast Inca empire and then 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 Chinchero 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 6 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.

Day 7 Inca ruins Cuzco. We first visit the Bolivia Consular Office for Visa application. Then we go to 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. On the way back, near Cuzco, we visit the Inca ruins of Qenko translated zigzag - where ritual practices took place.Quenzko and Sacsayhuaman (easy pronounciation as Sexy Woman), the largest that is sited on top of a hill overlooking Cuzco. The site was also a great place for scenic photos of Cuzco. All these entrances are included in the Cuzco Boleto Touristico. ON Cuzco.

ladies & kid/ Pisac Sunday market/ Reed boat at Lake Titicaca

Day 8 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 9 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 10 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. the world at 3700m. ON La Paz.

Day 11 Sat Oruro Carnival. At 10AM, we have a private bus and tour of Oruro 5hr, for the biggest carnival in Bolivia, with 20,000 dances and 10,000 musicians in a 3km long procession, viewed by some 40,000 visitors (Check out my photo album by clickingi the link at the top of this page). We spend a couple of hours immersing in this huge party. The best parade are held in the evening. This event is extremely popular and locals outnumber the small groups of tourist. After a long tiring day, we travel back to La Paz for a good night rest. ON La Paz.

Day 12 Cholitas Wrestling & Overnight Bus. 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 scene 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. In the afternoon, we visit the once-a-week Cholitas Wrestling. These part-time women wrestlers are full time farmers. After the show, we transport to the bus station for our overnight overnight bus to Uyuni.

Oruro Band / Yonger with dancers / Night Oruro

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 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 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 perhaps 40m. This thermal active area located at 4900m has several mud pools with temperatures reaching 2000 degrees C. So watch your step very carefully. 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 was 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.

Maras Salt Pans / Machu Picchu / 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 8PM. ON the plane.

Day 23 Amsterdam. Arrive in Amsterdam at 330PM 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 9PM. On the plane (Note : Also recommended is a few nights stay in Amsterdam, to break the long flight from Lima to Kuala Lumpur. Airline charges a substantial Rm600 for this stopover. Let me know if you like to do this. We will help with the accomodation arrangement).

Day 24 KLIA & Home. Arrive home 350PM Friday 2 Mar 2012 after 12hr flight.

Fly over Nazca Lines / Public bus to 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 Rm2600), 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 Rm2020 will be payable to confirm your place.

Email: yongo@streamyx.com or rachelheng123@gmail.com
Phone: Lee Min: 016-220 9033 or 603-4023 8210
Phone: Rachel Heng 012 3520868
Phone: L ee Keng: 012-315 8353
Address: No 19 Lrg Air Bersih Tiga, Air Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur

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