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| WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY |
"Thank you for a wonderful trip. Hermes created a unique experience combining exploration with comfort. Through your attention to detail and experience you exceeded expectations every step of the way.
I look forward to joining you in the near future for another Hermes adventure."- Christopher J,Jersey City,NJ
Peru 2006
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| OVERVIEW |
 Dates:
Saturday, August 9- Sunday, August 17, 2008 SOLD OUT
Saturday, August 8 - Sunday, August 16, 2009 Price:
2008 Tour: $2,495 USD per person, inlcuding domestic flights.
2009 Tour: $2,695 USD per person, inlcuding domestic flights. Single Supplement:
$750 USD, Not Required. Hermes Tours can match you with another traveler should you wish at no cost.
Deposit due at time of registration: $500 USD per person
VIEW THE ITINERARY
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PERUVIAN EXPLORATION |
The land of the Inca is a nation full of archaeological treasures. Marvel at the awesome accomplishment of Machu Picchu as you witness the area were an ancient civilization once stood. Stop for a moment and listen to the history that blows in the winds as you stand in Cusco, the centre of the Inca Empire. Join Hermes Tours as we visit this ancient land filled with natural beauty, inspiring architecture and its welcoming people, to explore this wonderful nation firsthand. |
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE ITINERARY
WATCH THE VIDEO  |
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Date 2008 |
Itinerary |
Day 1-
Saturday, August 9
Lima |
Depart from your home for your flight to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Most flights arrive late. |
Day 2-
Sunday, August 10
Lima (B, D) |
After breakfast we begin with a tour of the 'City of the Kings'. Start in 'Huaca Pucllana' archeological center, a mud-brick pyramid. The pre-inca buaca, or temple dates to at least the 4th century. Afterwards, we visit the Historical Center; Plaza Mayor, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. We continue and visit the Casa Aliaga, America's best preserved colonial mansion in continuous occupancy by the same family since 1535. Then we proceed to San Francisco Monastery, one of the most visited churches in Lima, a true masterpiece of colonial architecture.
Afterwards we enjoy a drive through the residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro where you will enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. This evening we gather together for our welcome dinner hosted at the 'La Carreta' restaurant. This beautiful restaurant was built to evoke the style of old countryside houses. Here we enjoy a fine cuisine which specializes in grilled meats, a local specialty. |
Day 3 -
Monday, August 11
Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley (B, L, D) |
Morning transfer to the airport for our short flight to Cusco. Upon arrival we will begin to acclimatize ourselves as we drive to the 'Sacred Valley of the Incas' and visit Ollantaytambo, a well preserved Inca fortress. This well preserved site was the first defense against the Antis and the site of the Inca’s greatest victory over the Spanish during the war of conquest. We enjoy walks through the quaint streets of the nearby town. Afterwards we will stop for our lunch at Casa Hacienda Orihuela, where the Orihuelas, a family of great collectors, will be our hosts. The house has a varied collection of popular and colonial art ceramics, paintings, weapons, photography, ceremonial vessels and the ceramic bulls of Pucara. The surroundings include a forest of eucalyptus trees and other native species including the famous giant white corn is cultivated for export. After lunch, we drive through the valley and bargain with vendors at the typical market in Pisac. |
DAY 4 -
Tuesday, August 12
Sacred Valley – Aguas
Calientes – Machu Picchu
(B, L, D) |
After breakfast we transfer to the Ollanta train station to begin our one-and-a-half hour train journey to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival we ascend by motorcoach to 'The Lost City of the Incas' where we enjoy a guided tour of the marvelous citadel, an awe-inspiring experience. Our lunch is included today at the famous Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. |
DAY 5 -
Wednesday, August 13
Aguas Calientes – Cusco (B) |
Today we rise early to admire the sunrise at Machu Picchu, while we stroll by these extraordinary Inca remains or hike up the Huayna Picchu. In the afternoon we take our motorcoach followed by our railcoach back to Cusco. Upon arrival, the evening is free to begin our exploration of Cusco. |
DAY 6 -
Thursday, August 14
Cusco (B) |
Today we being our tour of Cusco, the southern capital of the Inca empire. Our tour includes the Santo Domingo Convent Monastery – the legendary Koricancha 'Site of Gold', the most important temple devoted to the worship of the sun and whose walls were plated with sheets of gold. We visit Plaza de Armas, which according to belief was the exact centre of the Inca empire; and the Cathedral, a baroque-style church which is widely considered one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in the Americas. After seeing the most interesting sites of the city, we will drive out into the countryside to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area. The centre of Sacsayhuaman, a massive complex perhaps the most important Inca monument after Machu Picchu. The stones used to build the complex come in astonishing sizes and weights, the largest weighing 361 tons. We also visit the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko where the mummies of nobles and priests were kept and brought out on sunny days for ritual worship and then moving on to Tambomachay and Puca Pucara. |
DAY 7 -
Friday, August 15
Cusco Free Day (B) |
Today is a free day to continue to explore this fascinating city. Cusco has great shopping opportunities, night life and splendid terraces. We will schedule and optional activity for those who would like to visit the Maras Salt mines. These mines are famous because they have been exploited since Inca times until today. Continue on the Moray, which features an impressive set on concentric agriculture terraces that run down to a depth of 50 meters. Some believe the site was a shrine dedicated to the goddess of fertility. |
DAY 8 -
Saturday, August 16
Cusco – Lima (B, D) |
This morning fly back to Lima and upon arrival we transfer to our hotel. Our tour continues this afternoon as we drive to the modern district of Monterrico and a visit to the renowned Gold Museum and admire its collection of priceless Inca and pre-Inca treasures. This evening we gather together for one last farewell dinner and share stories of our exciting adventure as we traveled through this ancient land once know as the land of Incas.
Many flights will depart Lima late at night or very early tomorrow morning. You are welcome to make your return flight arrangements either for late tonight or tomorrow morning. We have reserved a room for your at the hotel in either case. |
DAY 9 -
Sunday, August 17
LIMA (B) |
Those who have morning departures, we will transfer you to the airport with assistance for your departure home. |
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