Lost Empire
Peru’s Machu Picchu and Amazon Jungle
May 14 – 25, 2009
ABOVE THE CLOUDS
Peruvians have always lived the High Life, if for
no other reason than their location. Peru lies at the western edge
of South America, along
the world’s longest mountain chain. The Andes Mountains, which
cover much of Peru, average 13,000 feet above sea level. Sure, there
are beaches on the Pacific coast and the lowlands leading into the
Amazon rainforests, but it is the height of everything here that
attracts attention. Cuzco is one of the highest cities in the world,
and even the big tourist attractions have their heads in the clouds.
Machu Picchu is so wondrous that it almost
defies description. Among the most impressive features of the once-vast
Incan civilization were
enormous temples, palaces, fortresses and public works, skillfully
erected with a minimum of engineering equipment. Machu Picchu, a sacred
site of the Incas, is now acknowledged as South America’s most
spectacular site on the entire continent, and is included as one of
the New Seven Wonders of the World. Its remote location in nearly impassable
terrain
high
above a river canyon
cloud
forest
virtually
guaranteed
it would become the “Lost City of the Incas.” It remained
lost and forgotten for 400 years, and to this day it retains an air
of grandeur and mystery.
Coming out of the clouds, we head to
the lowlands of the country to experience its greatest natural wonder.
This zone,
known
as “Amazonia,” is
considered the lung of our planet, and the Peruvian region is considered
the most pristine.
This unspoilt state and its location in the tropics, makes the Peruvian
Amazonia particularly biodiverse, holding as it does over 70% of the
living species of the planet. This diversity of species of flora and
fauna, many of which are not found anywhere else, live together in
a totally unique setting in the Peruvian Amazonia.
Our journey into the jungle takes us
to a traditional rainforest lodge located along one of
the countless waterways. From
here we strike out on daily excursions to fully immerse ourselves
into nature. We have the opportunity to visit a native village
to immerse ourselves in their culture and way of life, as well as take
boat trips on the Amazon waterways to see the amazing variety of animal
life and exotic plants.
Spanish conquistadors called Peru part
of a “New World.” It turned out to be incredibly ancient,
combining the purest nature with a well developed civilization. Come
with us this to Peru this Memorial Day to explore the “Lost
Empire” of
the Incas and the vast wilderness of the Peruvian Amazon Jungle. This
will be one
of the
top adventure vacation experiences of your life!
ITINERARY
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Departure from the U.S.
Make flight arrangements today to arrive in Miami, Florida, in time
to connect with our group flight
to Lima, Peru. Recognizing that in today’s world airline schedules
are in a continuous state of flux, the following plan might need
to be adjusted prior to departure.
Our American Airlines flight leaves
Miami at 4:35pm, so you need to be
at the airport
no
later than
1:00pm
today.
We encourage you to consider coming into Miami a day early and spending
the night at a hotel so that travel delays do not cause you to miss the international
flight.
Our
flight
arrives
in
Lima
at
9:30pm
this evening. We meet our guide at the airport and transfer to our hotel.
If you make other flight arrangements, be sure to arrive in Lima sometime
today and make your own way to the hotel.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Lima Sightseeing Tour
This morning, enjoy a buffet breakfast at our hotel and a full
morning at leisure for relaxation or personal exploration. Enjoy
an afternoon guided sightseeing tour of Lima—Peru’s
capital since 1535. Drive through the historic center of the city.
Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major Squares, the Cathedral, and
the Government Palace. Visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs,
religious buildings from the end of the 16th century.
Continue to the National Archaeological Museum,
visiting its impressive collection of ceramics, metals, textiles, organic material
and physical anthropology. This
evening
Toto
Tours
hosts
a
Welcome
Dinner at La Rosa Nautica. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Lima to Cuzco
We
transfer to the airport after breakfast for our morning flight to
Cuzco, one of the world’s
highest cities. Our flight is scheduled to depart Lima at 11:25am and
arrive in Cuzco at 12:40pm. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel
and take a short break for lunch (on your own).
This afternoon, take a sightseeing
tour of the city’s
main attractions. Cuzco was the former capital of the four regions
that formed the Inca Empire. Founded in 1534 over Inca foundations,
it is the oldest city in the hemisphere and the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Also known as the “Imperial City,” it has a charming mixture
of Inca and colonial architecture.
Our sightseeing includes the Plaza
de Armas (Main Square), the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Monastery (Korikancha
temple) and the nearby archaeological remains of Tambomachay, Inca
Baths, Kenko, Amphitheater, Puca Pucara and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
Returning to our hotel, the evening is free. Overnight in Cuzco. (Breakfast)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Machu Picchu
After a very early breakfast at the hotel we leave our
luggage behind and take just an overnight bag with us to the Cusco
train station.
During an exciting 3.5 hour rail journey (commencing at 6:00am) we
travel through a changing landscape of mountains, valleys and a dramatic
river
canyon.
Disembark the train at Aguas Calientes,
then walk through the town to the place where we catch a bus up to
the site. We stay at the only
hotel adjacent to the site, the Sanctuary Lodge. Residents of the Lodge
have exclusive opportunities to visit the site at night and at sunrise
(extra entrance fees apply). After getting organized in our rooms,
enjoy a guided tour through the
ancient City of Machu Picchu. Buffet lunch and dinner are included
at the Sanctuary Lodge.
Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the most
spectacular example of Incan architecture. Located on the bank of
the Urumbamba River, Machu Picchu rises suddenly on top of the magnificent
Vilcabamba mountain. It is a harsh city of stone built in forbidding
heights thousands of feet above the river. Considered the “University
of Worship,” it was built for magical and religious purposes.
At Machu Picchu, man becomes aware of both his insignificance and greatness. (All
Meals)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunrise at the Citadel / Return to Cuzco
Those who wish have the opportunity to rise early to admire Machu
Picchu at sunrise, strolling through the Incan remains or hiking up
to the
Huayna Picchu (small overlooking mountain), or to the Gate of the
Sun where the Inca Trail brings hikers to their first glimpse of the
magnificent Citadel of Machu Picchu. By virtue of the fact that we
are staying at the only hotel beside the
site,
this is a rare opportunity to
have
this
magical place almost to ourselves during the early morning hours.
It is well worth the extra expense of a second admission. After lunch
we retrace our journey via motorcoach and train to Cuzco. Overnight
in Cuzco. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Urubamba Valley
After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of the Sacred Valley
of the Inca, including lunch. Visit the picturesque
village of Maras with its
well preserved colonial architecture and finely carved stone terraces.
Here we also visit the most important salt mine in the region.
Further
down the road, we come to
the
great archaeological complex of Moray, formed by a system of platforms
of
enormous terraces that overlap, acquiring the shape of a gigantic
theater. These beautiful terraces were a laboratory
in which
the Incas experimented and made incredible advances in agriculture,
the basis of their economic development. Lunch is an endless buffet
with fantastic desserts and included pisco sours.
Continue
through
the
Urubamba Valley to Ollantaytambo, where we see the town and fortress
with magnificent walls and spectacular views from the top. In late
afternoon,
return to Cuzco for a free evening and overnight. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Cusco to Iquitos
Enjoy breakfast and free time at our hotel this morning.
Before noon we transfer to the airport for our 1:20pm flight
to Iquitos, with a
brief stop in Lima. Arriving at 5:40pm, we transfer to our hotel
enjoying city views along the way.
Until the early 1900’s, Iquitos was the center
of rubber production in the area. Great mansions bear witness to a past splendor
which ended in 1912 with the ruin of the rubber trade.
The murmur of the jungle
penetrates the city. The floating houses of the Port of Belen, on the Amazon,
are reminiscent of the river
cities of Bangkok and Hong Kong. Tiles on the outside of buildings give the town
a characteristic air. Overnight
in
Iquitos,
gateway to the Amazon Jungle. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Iquitos / Amazon Jungle
After breakfast we transfer to
the dock for a 25-mile boat journey down the Amazon River to our
jungle lodge. Upon arriving at the lodge, enjoy
lunch followed by an afternoon hike in the beautiful primary rainforest
reserve surrounding the lodge. This area has many huge trees festooned
with epiphytes. After dinner there may be local flute or guitar music
at the El Toucan Bar, and the guides are always ready to relate some
of the many legends of the Amazon forest. (All Meals)
Friday, May 22, 2009
Indian Village / Mission
After breakfast, take a morning boat ride during which we hope to
spot dolphins. Visit a small village of Yagua Indians, where your guide
will explain
the local Yagua Indian culture and how
it was
affected by the arrival of Europeans and the passing of time. There
will also be an opportunity to see some of the local handicrafts, and
to see a demonstration of the blowgun which some of the Yagua elders
still use for hunting.
This afternoon, take a walking excursion
to the neighboring town of Indiana. Originally a Franciscan mission,
Indiana
has grown into
a large river community
with its own market, high school and small hospital. After exploring the town,
we return to our lodge and the evening is free. Overnight in the jungle. (All
Meals)
Saturday, May
23, 2009
Canopy Walkway
Very early this morning, depart our lodge by boat to the narrow
motorcar crossing connecting the Amazon and Napo Rivers. We transfer to another
boat that takes
us onward to ExplorNapo Lodge for breakfast. Hike to the spectacular Canopy
Walkway spanning over 500 meters (one-third of a mile), connected by tree
platforms, and reaching a height of over 115 feet but accessible without
any type of climbing
skill or equipment.
After lunch, visit the “ReNuPeRu” Ethno-botanical
Garden where over 240 medicinal plants are cultivated by a local shaman who
will explain the nature of Amazonian natural healing and the uses of some
of the plants. In late afternoon, we return to our lodge in time to enjoy
the
pool or hammocks before dinner. Tonight, we will have a Farewell Dinner at
the lodge, celebrating our many adventures in the “Lost Empire” of
the Incas and the vast wilderness of the Peruvian Amazon Jungle. (All
Meals)
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Return to Iquitos / Departure
After breakfast at the lodge, choose between taking a guided morning
walk or a boat excursion to further explore the rainforest and Amazon
River.
Return to the lodge for lunch and to check
out of our rooms. We make the return boat journey to Iquitos,
arriving in time to catch our 5: 25pm flight back to Lima. Arrive in
Lima at 7:15pm,
and connect with our international flight to Miami. Our group flight
on American Airlines leaves at 11:50pm. (Breakfast /
Lunch)
Monday, May 25, 2009
Miami Return
Our group flight arrives in Miami at 5:55am this morning. Arrange
connecting flights back to your home city for any convenient
time today, preferably in the late morning to allow for any delays.
ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click property name to read description)
Lima: Sol
de Oro Hotel (2 nights)
Cusco: Novotel
Hotel (3 nights)
Machu Picchu: Sanctuary
Lodge (1 night)
Iquitos: Eldorado
Plaza Hotel (1 night) Unfortunately,
the main hotel website does not have a functioning English version.
It is good for seeing photos. Click
here for another website with
a good description of the hotel in English.
Amazon Jungle: Ceiba
Tops (3 nights)
TOUR PREPARATION
Entry Requirements—For citizens of the United
States and Canada, no visas are necessary for travel to Peru. All you
need is a passport,
valid for at least six months from first arrival in Lima.
Immunizations—No
vaccinations are required, but you may want to consider obtaining the
immunizations recommended by the Center for
Disease Control (www.cdc.gov).
It is always good to make sure your tetanus booster is current.
Exit Requirements—All tourists must pay a departure
tax at the Lima airport of US$30.
WHAT TO BRING
Peru really only has two seasons—wet and dry, but
in such a geographically diverse country local weather conditions vary
greatly. In May, it is
fall in Peru, so daily temperatures in Lima range between 62 and 72
degrees F. It will be colder in Cuzco/Machu Picchu, where temperatures
are likely to be 35 degrees F at night and up to about 60 degrees F
during the daytime. The Amazon Rainforest will be much warmer, with
temperatures between 73 and 86 degrees F.
High altitudes in Cuzco could cause difficulties
for some people. Be sure to check with your doctor and follow his or
her recommendations.
Electric voltage in Peru is 220 volts, 60 cycles and the electrical
outlets require a connector with 2 round prongs. Attire is casual,
so try to bring no more than two pieces of luggage. Think mix ‘n’ match!
Pack any medications you need in a carry-on bag. Leave valuable
jewelry at home!
Suggested Packing List:
____ Passport valid for 6 months
after arrival.
____ Day-pack or fanny pack / Money belt or neck pouch.
____ Comfy walking shoes.
____ Light plastic raincoat or poncho / umbrella.
____ T-shirts (4- 5) for warmer days
and for layering.
____ Long-sleeved shirts (4 - 5) for sun protection / cool
evenings.
____ Shorts for the jungle (2 - 3 pair).
____ Lightweight long pants (3 - 4 pair).
____ Sweater and / or sweatshirt for layering.
____ Wool gloves & cap for possible cold nights at high
altitude.
____ Comfortable sleepwear (optional).
____ Sunscreen / lip balm.
____ Sunglasses / sun hat with tie-on.
____ Insect repellent.
____ Flashlight and batteries.
____ Travel alarm clock.
____ Personal toiletries / wet wipes / hand sanitizer.
____ Ziploc bags (small for documents,
large for wet things).
____ Binoculars, camera, lots of digital memory or film, extra
batteries.
____ A good book or two for the plane and jungle hammock.
MONEY MATTERS
The currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol. Bills are for
10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Nuevos Soles. Coins are for 5, 10, 20 and
50 cents of a Nuevo
Sol. As of August 1, 2008, $1US was equal to 2.68 Peruvian Nuevo
Sol. Avoid changing money into local currency prior to leaving
the U.S, as you will get the worst exchange rate. Plan to change $100
into local currency upon arrival, or use an ATM machine (widely
available in Lima and other cities). Visa, Mastercard, American Express
and
Diners Club are widely accepted in Peru.
To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link
above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form,
then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $600 deposit check. You
also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard.
The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by February
23, 2009). Tour registration is not complete until we have received
both the form and your deposit check.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form
of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($600 maximum can be charged
per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours,
1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto
Tours, Ltd
LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS
Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent
to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole
or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness,
medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person
from whatever cause. All tour participants are required to sign a standard
liability form.
The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline
any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become
necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum
of 10 participants. Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation
or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets
purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure
We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance
to cover all aspects of your travel in Peru! We will provide the necessary forms
upon receipt of your deposit, or you can apply online by following the link at
the bottom of this page. You can also book your travel insurance with a phone
call to Toto Tours.
THE TOTO SPIRIT
Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated
from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even
encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified
by certain traits. They are:
- fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate
the positive;
- good natured realists who are willing to accept situations
as they exist;
- undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad
weather;
- willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take
for granted;
- eager to try new things & test limits;
- punctual;
- not whiners!
Experience the best of Peru during this exotic adventure of a lifetime! If
you have any questions, call us at: 800-565-1241.
THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)
Price: $3,995 double occupancy
Private Room: $800 extra, if available.
(Paying a single supplement is not required. Toto Tours will try to
match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone and prefer to
share
a room. If this is not possible, a single supplement will be applied
to your reservation before the final payment date.)
Deposit: $600 (Due at time of registration
for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)
Remaining Balance: $3,395 double / $4,195
single
(Assumes $600 deposit has already been made)
Remaining Balance Due: February
23, 2009
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)
Included: Ten nights hotel accommodations;
all ground transportation; meals and activities as described in the
itinerary;
hotel taxes; transfers to/from airport if using group flights; fully
guided and escorted tour.
Not Included: Round-trip international airfare
from Miami, FL to Lima, Peru; domestic flights within Peru; meals & activities
not specifically covered in the itinerary; airport departure taxes
($30 departing Peru); ground transportation for sightseeing on your
own (taxis, local guides, etc.); insurance; alcoholic beverages; laundry;
telephone calls; faxes or internet; or any other expenses of a personal
nature. Tips to drivers and guides and jungle lodge staff are not included,
but we will make a collective tip to be presented at the Farewell Dinner.
Airfare: Immediately after booking this tour
we will put you in touch with our airline expert so that you can
purchase you international airfare and the domestic flights within
Peru. If you decide to make your own international reservations, you
will
still need to work with our supplier to book your domestic
flights. You can use a credit card to purchase
your airline tickets.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend you purchase travel insurance with Travel Guard to
cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow
the link below or call us for more information.
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