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Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to a four
star hotel.
City tour of Lima including a guided visit to the
Cathedral, the Main Square and the San Francisco Catacombs.
We fly to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incas.
Guided tour of Cuzco including the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
Excursion to Urubamba, the sacred valley of the Incas
and to the ancient Inca market town of Pisac
Sacred Valley - Cusco
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Ollantaytambo
- Cusco
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Day 5 - Day 8: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Pickup from your hotel and transport
to KM82. Start the Inca Trail and hike for about 5/6 hours,
before reaching your first camp at Huayllabamba (3000m).
The hardest part of the trail, ascending
the Warmiwañusca pass (4200m), before descending to
your camp at Pacaymayu (Hiking time 6/7 hours).
Machupicchu
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Warmiwañusca
(dead woman pass) |
With fabulous views of the surrounding
snow-capped mountains, today you will visit the archaeological
sites of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Conchamarca and Puyupatamarca
(where many well-preserved Inca baths are located) before
reaching the beautiful Inca complex of Wiñaywayna.
An early start to reach the sungate,
which overlooks the spectacular citadel of Machu Picchu. Guided
visit of the ruins. Time may allow for a possible ascent of
Huayna Picchu for a spectacular view over the whole complex.
Afternoon return to Cuzco. Free evening.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to
Arequipa. Afternoon city tour of the beautiful city of Arequipa,
visiting the Chilina valley and the old San Lazaro district.
A general view of the city is appreciated from the Yanahuara
Belvedere, followed by a visit to the Plaza de Armas and its
Cathedral, the cloisters of La Compañia Church, and
the Church and Square of San Francisco. The extraordinary
Santa Catalina convent which is built from volcanic lava and
dates from the 16th century is also visited along with the
best preserved mummy in South America, Juanita, stored at
the university. Return to your hotel.
Departure from Arequipa, passing near the thermal
baths of Yura and climbing up towards the National Reserve
of Pampa de Cañahuas which is situated at 3,800m. Here
groups of alpacas, vicuñas and sometimes guanacos can
be seen. After driving several hours, the descent into the
Colca Valley starts until we arrive at Chivay, the most important
town of the valley. Accommodation at the fabulous Colca Lodge,
set in the Colca Valley itself. With its very own hot springs,
relax in the fabulous surroundings of the Canyon.
Cañon del Colca - Arequipa
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Main Square Night - Arequipa
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After breakfast, early departure to reach the Cruz
del Condor viewpoint, a few kilometers before Cabanaconde,
where the Colca Canyon starts. Here you will see a fine view
of the flight of the condors as well as of the depth of the
mighty canyon. In the afternoon, return to Arequipa and transfer
to your hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the
flight to Juliaca. Arrival and transfer to Puno on the shores
of Lake Titicaca. Reception and transfer to your hotel.
After breakfast, a tour by boat to the island's of
Uros and Taquile on Lake Titicaca. A tour of the reed islands
of Uros before continuing to Taquile, where members of this
self-supporting island will welcome you and offer a glimpse
into their ancient traditions and customs. Lunch on the island
and an opportunity for some spectacular views over the haunting
beauty of Lake Titicaca.
Return to Puno and your hotel.
After breakfast, journey to Juliaca where on the way there
will be and an excursion to the Silluastani towers. These
ancient funereal towers dating back to pre-inca times are
examples of the most ancient cultures found on the altiplano.
Transfer to Juliaca airport for the return flight back to
Lima. After the two and a half hour flight, reception and
transfer to your hotel.
Titicaca lake - Puno
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Sillustani - Puno
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After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to
Buenos Aires. Transfer to the hotel.
In the morning, traditional city tour visiting the best of
Buenos Aires: La Boca, San Telmo, 9 de Julio Avenue and the
Obelisk, Puerto Madero, Corrientes Avenue, Colon theatre,
and Recoleta. Return to your hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to
Calafate. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel.
After breakfast, you will start an excursion to visit the
incredible Perito Moreno Glacier. You will enjoy the incredible
experience of this collosus of ice, with enormous blocks of
ice falling into the Argentino Lake, Optional tour of minitrekking
over the Perito Moreno Glacier. Return to your hotel. Plan
on the up and coming trek.
Day 19: El Calafate - Torres del Paine
Depart from El Calafate, until reaching the legendary 40 Route, where you turn towards the south for 70 kilometers of rubble way. About 3 hours you will arrive at the border between Argentina and Chile (Cancha Carrera- Cerro Castillo Pass). Continue for another 2 hours on a well maintained rubble way, with the fabulous Torres Massif coming into view. A few stops to take panoramic pictures and to observe groups of "guanacos". Finally you will arrive to the Torres del Paine National Park by Amarga Lagoon. Arrival at your camp at Las Torres.
Torres del Paine
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Cuernos del Paine |
Day 20: Torres - Asencio River Valley
This day is dedicated to one of the most classical and amazing treks of the Park, the trail towards the Torres del Paine. After breakfast, you will cross a hanging bridge and join the Almirante Nieto Mount path, going on the border of Ascencio River. After one hour you will enter into the valley, until the Chileno Refuge. The trail slopes down into an impressive forest where you get unforgettable landscapes. You will reach Las Torres Base Camp, an amazing natural amphitheater at the bottom of the vertical granite towers that reach 2800m. Return to the refugio. Lodging in camp at Las Torres.
Day 21: Las Torres - Los Cuernos Refuge
Today is the start of the two days Nordenskjold crossing, that leads you to the camp at Refugio Pehoe, with one night spent at Los Cuernos Refuge. Before breakfast, prepare your backpack for the next two days trekking. The rest of the luggage will be transferred by the bus to the Refugio Pehoe Full Camp. Trek by the Nordenskjold lake north shore. Arriving three hours later at the Los Cuernos Refuge. Lodging in camp at Los Cuernos Refuge.
Day 22: Valle Fraces - Pehoe Refuge
A demanding 9 hour trekking day means an early start in the morning, arriving some two hours later at the start of the Frances Valley. This is a beautiful valley that descends from the massif to the Nordenskjold Lake, outflanked by the imposing Paine Grande Mount, (3050m) on the west side. We rejoin the valley until the upper viewpoints, surrounded by the most impressive peaks of the massif; Cuernos, Espada, Mascara, Hoja, Aleta de Tiburon, Catedral, and Paine Grande. The forest and the suspended Glaciers that produce continuous ice and snow fallings give a spectacular backdrop to this walk. Return, descending the valley until reaching the Skottberg Lake, and arrive at your camp at Refugio Pehoe at the end of the day. All your luggage will be available for collection. Lodging at Refugio Pehoe.
Day 23: Grey Glacier Valley - Pehoe Refuge
Another unforgettable day dedicated to the Grey Glacier, an impressive Glacier with some 300 square kilometers of surface area (115 square miles), and 25 kilometers long (16 miles). It overflows from the Continental Ice Field that falls into Grey Lake. The Glacier produces enormous amounts of blue icebergs that sail over the lake southwards, giving the characteristic feature to this lake. The trail leads to a wonderful viewpoint where you can appreciate the whole lake, the glacier and the mountains that emerge from the west of the Ice Field. Two more hours walking and you will arrive to another viewpoint just in front of the Glacier. All the treks are between Andean bush and lengas forest, at the shadow of the ice blocks that drape the Paine Grande Mount. Today you will walk about 8 hours. Lodging in camp at Refugio Pehoe.
Frenchmasn's valley
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Pehoe Refuge
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Day 24: Pehoe Lake Navigation - Salto Grande - Camping
Pehoe
After a late breakfast, time to relax a little. In the afternoon, with all your luggage, you will cross Pehoe Lake on a catamaran towards Pudeto, where you will continue by land to your camp located at Camping Pehoe. After lunch, you will we visit Salto Grande and walk for about 45 minutes to get to the Nordenskjold Lake beaches, where you will have a wonderful view of the entire path that you have walked the last few days. Lodging in camp at Camping Pehoe.
Day 25: Grey Lake - Camping Pehoe
Today, you will visit the west side of the Park. You will pass an easy trail by the Grey Lake south shore, where there are many icebergs, and ascend to the Ferrier viewpoint which overlooks the entire Park. Lodging in camp at Camping Pehoe.
Nordenskjold lake
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Grey Lake
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Day 26: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales - El Calafate
In the morning you will start the land transfer from Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales, for a short visit of the town. Then continue being transfered by regular bus crossing the border to re-enter Argentina. Your guide will leave today afterwhich you will board the bus at Puerto Natales, arriving to El Calafate at the end of the day. Transfer to your hotel.
Punta Arenas
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Puerto Natales
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Day 27: El Calafate - Buenos Aires
After breakfast, transfer to El Calafate Airport for the return flight to Buenos Aires and your return flight home.
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