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Peru

THE COLORS OF SOUTH AMERICA – SUMMER 2024

This journey is a touch of ancient civilizations, the culture, and traditions of the indigenous people in Peru and Colombia. A sensory and intellectual experience. We will visit places that are not often frequented by tourists. We will participate in ceremonies connected to the elements of fire, water, and earth, organized for us by the locals. We will drink mate, good wine, and coca tea. We will experience energetically powerful places and view them through the eyes of an anthropologist and a shaman, not a tourist. The itinerary includes places, ceremonies, and meetings with people that are not described below. We will be travelers. Changes to the program may occur on-site, depending on weather conditions, local people with whom we meet, and the general well-being of the group. In Latin America, nothing is fixed; time for the locals is like a flowing river, and we will immerse ourselves in it. This journey is intense and can be exhausting – with frequent hotel changes, long travels, and unexpected stops and experiences.
The program describes only the tourist part of the trip. For some special places and ceremonies, you will learn after booking, and some will remain a secret until they happen. This trip is planned to stay with you as an experience forever.

DESTINATION: CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PERU AND COLOMBIA
Both destinations can be combined or done separately.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • We will see Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world.
  • We will learn a lot about the ancient Inca civilization.
  • We will walk through the cobbled streets of Cusco, the oldest inhabited city in South America and the center of the Inca Empire.
  • We will try delicious Peruvian cuisine.
  • We will explore the ruins in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.
  • We will experience contrasts, including the heights of the Andes, the depths of the Colca Canyon, and the unique islands of Lake Titicaca.
  • We will ascend to 5000 m to touch the sky of the Rainbow Mountains.
  • We will visit modern cities (Lima, Cusco, Arequipa) and ancient worlds in an environment of magnificent beauty.
  • We will take the train to Machu Picchu and hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain. Nature lovers will surely be impressed by the Ballestas Islands, known as the "Little Galapagos."
  • We will immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Bogotá and Cartagena and touch the unique culture, colors, aromas, and beauty of Colombia (for participants in the second part of the trip).

THE JOURNEY

Start: Lima

Duration: Peru 14 days (with flights 16), Colombia 9 days, Both destinations: 23 days

End: Colombia (there is an option for 1 day in Panama on the return).

Group size: 16-18

Destinations: Lima, Paracas, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountains, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Floating Islands of the Uros, Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Rosario Islands

Difficulty rating: 3/5

For safety and physical difficulty reasons, the trip is not recommended for children under 9 years old.

IS THIS TRIP SUITABLE FOR YOU?

  • On this trip, we will find ourselves at places with high altitudes. Some people may suffer from altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of their physical endurance or age. However, we will try to mitigate these symptoms by maintaining high hydration levels, drinking local teas and beverages, and limiting alcohol intake.
  • Sometimes we will need to wake up early to reach our destinations on time.
  • Some of the roads may be windy and uneven.
  • There will be many places to explore, so you will need to be on your feet for extended periods. A moderate level of physical endurance is required, but if you have any concerns, please let us know in advance, and we have many ways to accommodate the trip to your needs.

PART ONE: PERU

PROGRAM BY DAY:

DEPARTURE FROM SOFIA: JULY 12, 2024:

Flight Sofia – Lima. For those who need it, a group travel arrangement will be organized. For everyone else – meeting at the hotel in Lima on March 29 at 1 PM.

DAY 1 - LIMA (JULY 13)

Meeting at the hotel reception around noon for orientation. You will meet the other participants and our local guide. During this meeting, we will discuss the itinerary and all the formalities of the trip. In the afternoon, we will take a walking tour of Lima's historic center. Lima is a massive, bustling city of 12 million people, offering everything – abundant delicious food, parks, art, and culture. We will dive into the lively vibes of the city as we explore the colonial architecture, Plaza de Armas, government buildings, and the Cathedral.

DAY 2 – PARACAS (JULY 14)

Early this morning, we will head by bus to Paracas, where we will take a boat to the Ballestas Islands, known as the Galapagos of Peru. Birdwatching enthusiasts will find this stop very exciting, as it hosts the highest concentration of seabirds in the world. During the two-hour boat trip, we hope to see sea lions, penguins, flamingos, Peruvian red-legged birds, and pelicans. We will pass by the figure of the Candelabra, carved on a rock hill. After the exciting boat ride, we will enjoy a delicious seafood lunch in the charming coastal town (not included in the price). In the afternoon, we will return to Lima for an overnight stay.

DAY 3 – LIMA - AREQUIPA (JULY 15)

Early in the morning, we will fly to Arequipa, located at 2335 m above sea level, also known as the White City due to its architecture, where the houses are built from white volcanic stone.
We will be met by a local guide who will take us on a tour of this colonial city. We will explore the center and the Santa Catalina Convent, which holds many mysteries and secrets. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Plaza de Armas, the Jesuit Church, and the Museum of Juanita – the "Ice Maiden" of Peru (optional and not included in the price), who was sacrificed to the gods and discovered on the slopes of Mount Ampato. In the evening, we will immerse ourselves in the unique atmosphere of this second-largest city in Peru.

DAY 4 – AREQUIPA (JULY 16)

We will wake up to magical views of Mount El Misti, which towers over the city. Free time until noon. After lunch, we will depart for the town of Chivay (5 hours), our base for exploring the Colca Canyon and National Park. Along the way, we will stop to see Peru's most famous animals – llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, drink coca tea, and browse the craft markets. Upon arrival in Chivay, we will rest to adjust to the altitude of 3600 m. Chivay also has mineral springs, which will further aid our relaxation. Overnight in Chivay.

DAY 5 – COLCA CANYON (JULY 17)

Early departure (around 7 AM) towards the scenic Colca Canyon, which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Our destination will be the Cruz del Condor, where we will have the chance to observe these magnificent birds, which have become a national symbol of the country. The condor is deeply connected with Peruvian culture – for the locals, it is a sacred bird that connects the World of the Gods and Stars (Hanan Pacha) with the World of People (Kay Pacha).
On the other side of the canyon, we can see ancient tombs carved into the hillside. In the afternoon, we will head to Puno, where we will spend the night.

DAY 6 – PUNO (JULY 18)

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Peru