SLOW TRAVEL ACROSS DIVERSE PERU
DESIGNED BY PAUL HAWLEY
WELCOME What do a polar bear, a mountain gorilla, a Bengal tiger and a desert elephant have in common? They are awesome creatures, few in number, living in places that are spectacular, wild and fragile. I marvel that we live in an age when we can even come close to creatures like these, in the world’s remotest places. And that we can stay in exclusive comfort, in the company of expert guides. And that by travelling we can contribute to these animals’ survival.
I have built a team of Journeysmiths with the ability to match your dreams and aspirations to their knowledge and experience of the world’s extraordinary places. The outcome is a holiday of a lifetime every time you travel. Our holidays go beyond “tailormade” — they are uniquely crafted and arranged and we simply adore what we do.
LAURA BURDETT-MUNNS MANAGING DIRECTOR
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WHO ARE JOURNEYSMITHS? Choosing the right company to arrange your holiday to our world’s most complex and remote locations is vitally important. Like mankind, Journeysmiths’ roots are in Africa. 33 years ago John Burdett and Warwick Hoffman, the original Journeysmiths, founded Africa Exclusive. They were, and still are fired by a passion to show clients the wild world they love, in privacy and comfort. Today, driven by that same passion, Journeysmiths arranges the finest possible holidays to amazing places across five continents for our international clientele. Each trip is expertly arranged to exactly meet each client’s requirements and interests. We are proud of our exceptional level of service, which we believe sets us apart from other holiday companies.
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WHY JOURNEYSMITHS?
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We have over 33 years experience
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We listen carefully, each client is unique
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Our holidays are beautifully engineered
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We are passionate about positive impacts
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We are passionate about quality
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We are fastidious about those tiny details
Our clients have a dedicated expert consultant
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Our prices are fair
HELPING OUT We are passionate about protecting the world’s most fragile environments. When you travel with us you are contributing to the protection of wildlife and the environment in partnership with local communities. As well as carefully selecting our partners around the world we also give 5% of our net profit each year to supporting charities and conservation efforts in the places we work.
FINANCIAL SECURITY You have complete financial security when you book with Journeysmiths. We are fully bonded and licenced under the Civil Aviation Authority’s ATOL scheme, licence number ATOL 2883 (Journeysmiths is a trading name of Africa Exclusive Ltd). This covers all clients who book their international flights from the UK and holiday arrangements through us. If you are arranging your own flights or you are not departing from the UK you are also protected by a separate insurance policy that we voluntarily maintain with Travel and General Insurance Services. This is called a Total Payment Protection Policy (TOPP) and the policy number is AELI/topp/23/17.
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TRAVEL WELL Travel to the world’s fragile places should benefit the habitats, wildlife and people who live there. We call this ‘travelling well’ and it is a feature of every safari we arrange. It may seem counterintuitive that visiting a place could protect it, but staying at the right place can do just that. We actively favour safari lodges which work in partnership with local communities to conserve wildlife. We also support charities and NGOs working in our destinations. We are fortunate enough to enjoy the incredible biodiversity this planet has to offer. We believe it is our responsibility to preserve it for future generations.
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‘‘
In Inthe the33 30year yearlife lifeofofJourneysmiths, Journeysmiths,Africa's Africa's human human population population has has doubled. doubled. The The future future ofof vulnerable vulnerablespecies speciesand andiconic iconiclandscapes landscapescan canonly only bebe assured assured by by aa mutually mutually beneficial beneficial partnership partnership between betweenAfrica's Africa'speople peopleand andwildlife. wildlife. l au r a b u r d e t t - m u n n s l au ra burdett-munns m a n ag i n g d i r e c to r m a n ag i n g d i r e c to r
”
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THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF YOUR TRIP 30 years ago we encountered Africa and fell in love with its awesome beauty. Ever since, we’ve been spreading the word, sharing our passion so that you too can experience the best of our world. In the best possible way. This means matching your individuality to a unique blend of places and experiences that fulfil your dreams and extend your horizons. It also means fighting to protect these fragile places. The way we do this is simple but effective:
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We work with people who share our values
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We make it easy for you to see the positive impacts of your holiday
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We encourage you to get involved
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We donate a minimum of 5% of net profit to charity each year
Our planet’s remote places and wildlife are under constant threat from poaching, encroachment and climate change. We favour lodges which actively conserve the land and its wildlife. This requires dynamic partnerships with local communities which leads to them benefiting significantly from wildlife conservation. We include details of initiatives run by each property you will visit in your travel itinerary, so that you can see the positive impact of your stay. Our team would also be delighted to discuss ways you can get more involved.
To help protect the amazing places we send our clients to; we donate 5% of our net profits each to charitable conservation projects within Africa. We also work alongside charities that are dedicated to protecting endangered species, providing environmental education to local children and ensuring human-wildlife coexistence is sustained.
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AT A GLANCE...
DATE
SERVICE
ROUTE & PROPERTY
03 FEBRUARY 2024
ROAD TRANSFER
DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO OBEROI GURGAON
ACCOMMODATION
04 FEBRUARY 2024
ROAD TRANSFER
OBEROI GURGAON TO DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
AI475
DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO JODHPUR AIRPORT
ROAD TRANSFER
JODHPUR AIRPORT TO SUJAN JAWAI
ACCOMMODATION
07 FEBRUARY 2024
ROAD TRANSFER
ACCOMMODATION
09 FEBRUARY 2024
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SUJAN JAWAI
TAJ LAKE PALACE
TAJ LAKE PALACE TO MAHARANA PRATAP AIRPORT
6E7403
MAHARANA PRATAP AIRPORT TO JAIPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
ROAD TRANSFER
JAIPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO AMAN-I-KHAS
ROAD TRANSFER
AMAN-I-KAS
AMAN-I-KHAS TO JAIPUR AIRPORT
CLASS / ROOM TYPE
PRIVATE
1 NIGHT
DELUXE SUITE
PRIVATE
1255 - 1420
ECONOMY
PRIVATE
3 NIGHTS
SUJAN JAWAI TO TAJ LAKE PALACE
ROAD TRANSFER
ACCOMMODATION
13 FEBRUARY 2024
OBEROI GURGAON
DURATION
ROYAL PANTHERA SUITE
PRIVATE
2 NIGHTS
HISTORICAL SUITE
PRIVATE
0750 - 0855
ECONOMY
PRIVATE
4 NIGHTS
LUXURY TENT
PRIVATE
AT A GLANCE...
DATE
13 FEBRUARY 2024 CONTINUED
SERVICE
ROUTE & PROPERTY
DURATION
CLASS / ROOM TYPE
6E2205
JAIPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
1425 - 1525
ECONOMY
ROAD TRANSFER
DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO OBEROI GURGAON
OBEROI GURGAON
1 NIGHT
DELUXE SUITE
KB203
DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
0410 - 0640
ECONOMY
ROAD TRANSFER
PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO SIX SENSES THIMPU
APPROX. 60 MINUTES
PRIVATE
SIX SENSES THIMPU
2 NIGHTS
LOWER SUITE
SIX SENSES THIMPU TO SIX SENSES PUNAKHA
APPROX. 3 HOURS
PRIVATE
SIX SENSES PUNAKHA
3 NIGHTS
UPPER SUITE
SIX SENSES PUNAKHA TO GANGTEY LODGE
APPROX. 3 HOURS
PRIVATE
GANGTEY LODGE
2 NIGHTS
CORNER FARMHOUSE SUITE
GANGTEY LODGE TO AMANKORA PARO
APPROX. 5-6 HOURS
PRIVATE
AMANKORA PARO
3 NIGHTS
ONE BEDROOMED SUITE
ACCOMMODATION
14 FEBRUARY 2024
ACCOMMODATION
16 FEBRUARY 2024
ROAD TRANSFER
ACCOMMODATION
19 FEBRUARY 2024
ROAD TRANSFER
ACCOMMODATION
21 FEBRUARY 2024
PRIVATE
ROAD TRANSFER
ACCOMMODATION
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AT A GLANCE...
DATE
SERVICE
ROUTE & PROPERTY
03 FEBRUARY 2024
ROAD TRANSFER
DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO OBEROI GURGAON
ACCOMMODATION
04 FEBRUARY 2024
ROAD TRANSFER
OBEROI GURGAON TO DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
AI475
DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO JODHPUR AIRPORT
ROAD TRANSFER
JODHPUR AIRPORT TO SUJAN JAWAI
ACCOMMODATION
07 FEBRUARY 2024
ROAD TRANSFER
ACCOMMODATION
09 FEBRUARY 2024
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SUJAN JAWAI
TAJ LAKE PALACE
TAJ LAKE PALACE TO MAHARANA PRATAP AIRPORT
6E7403
MAHARANA PRATAP AIRPORT TO JAIPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
ROAD TRANSFER
JAIPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO AMAN-I-KHAS
ROAD TRANSFER
AMAN-I-KAS
AMAN-I-KHAS TO JAIPUR AIRPORT
CLASS / ROOM TYPE
PRIVATE
1 NIGHT
DELUXE SUITE
PRIVATE
1255 - 1420
ECONOMY
PRIVATE
3 NIGHTS
SUJAN JAWAI TO TAJ LAKE PALACE
ROAD TRANSFER
ACCOMMODATION
13 FEBRUARY 2024
OBEROI GURGAON
DURATION
ROYAL PANTHERA SUITE
PRIVATE
2 NIGHTS
HISTORICAL SUITE
PRIVATE
0750 - 0855
ECONOMY
PRIVATE
4 NIGHTS
LUXURY TENT
PRIVATE
“Just to say a huge thanks for arranging our latest trip. It was absolutely amazing. All of the accommodation was top class and, as we’ve come to expect the attention to detail with all the transfers, excursions and other arrangements were perfect.” GODDARD FAMILY
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ITINERARY
DAY 1
Saturday 3rd February 2024
JOURNEY
Arrival into Delhi International Airport Private road transfer to hotel
ACCOMMODATION
Oberoi Gugaon Deluxe Suite 1 night
INCLUSIONS
Breakfast
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A stone’s throw from the Indian capital and Indira Gandhi International Airport, in the commercially buzzing satellite city of Gurgaon, is the Hotel Oberoi. Not only are you within easy reach of Delhi’s highlights - India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Red Fort amongst them - but you are also on the right side of the city for a day trip south to the breathtakingly beautiful Taj Mahal in Agra. The Kingdom of Dreams Bollywood experience is just 10 minutes’ drive away too.
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The hotel in Gurgaon is one of the newest additions to the Oberoi Group’s property portfolio. It has all the facilities and comforts you’d expect from one of their 5 star hotels, including a stunning spa and fitness centre, a 55m swimming pool, and banqueting halls. There are two, top-end restaurants serving international cuisine, and you can also have drinks and snacks in the Piano Bar
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and Cigar Lounge, and the Oberoi Patisserie and Delicatessen. The Dom Pérignon Sunday Brunch at threesixtyone° attracts many of Delhi’s gourmands, and includes treats such as grilled scallops with caramelised cauliflower puree, green pea espuma and bacon grits, Oysters Rockefeller, and Cochin lobster with truffle mash and Champagne butter sauce.
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Deluxe rooms at the hotel have city views, chic furnishings, and immaculate western bathrooms with rain showers and separate bath tubs. All rooms have air conditioning with digital temperature control, as well as broadband Internet.
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On Day 2 you will explore the historic highlights of Lima on a private, half day city tour. Your tour starts by exploring the main square of Lima, the original site of the foundation of the city in 1535. Your guide will show you the city’s historic cathedral, built in the 16th century and resting place of the Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador who led the Spanish conquest of Peru. It is flanked by the Presidential Palace and the impressive town hall. A short walk away is the church of San Francisco, where you will explore its quiet courtyards, library and eerie catacombs. It is estimated that 25,000 bodies were laid to rest in the catacombs; the crypts, built of bricks and mortar, are very solid and have stood up well to earthquakes. The catacombs served as a burial-place until 1808, when the city
cemetery was opened outside Lima and contains thousands of skulls and bones. The catacombs were rediscovered in 1943. It is also believed there existed secret passageways that connected to the Cathedral and the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition. After exploring the centre of Lima, you will move onto the Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Columbian pyramid which predates the city and acted as a sacred ceremony site back in the 5th AD century. This uniquely-shaped clay pyramid located in the Miraflores district of Lima is built from seven staggered platforms and served as an important ceremonial and administrative centre for the advancement of the Lima Culture, a society which developed in the Peruvian Central Coast between the years of 200 AD and 700 AD.
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At 4.30pm you will be collected from your hotel for a half day gourmet tour. This light-hearted and highly enjoyable tour has been designed to give you a fascinating insight into Peruvian food and drink, as well as the city’s characterful local haunts that light up as the sun goes down. Overlooking the pre-Inca ruins of Hauaca Pucllana, you will sample some classic Peruvian dishes on the terrace of a local restaurant and enjoy some of Lima’s favourite seafood and a Peruvian cocktail on the beach at sunset. This is followed by an evening stroll around the bohemian district of Barranco where you will try some of the city’s signature dishes in an outdoor garden.
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DAY 3
Friday 22nd September
JOURNEY
Private road transfer to Lima international Airport Domestic flight to Arequipa Private road transfer to hotel
ACCOMMODATION
Cirqa Arequipa - Relais & Chateaux Double Aposento 1 night
INCLUSIONS
Breakfast
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Arequipa is one of the largest and most exciting cities in Peru. It’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the combination of heritage architecture, a lively modern cultural scene, and stunning natural landscapes in the surrounding area make it a must-see destination.
The Andes Mountains are to the north and east of Arequipa, and the Chili River cuts through the city’s heart. It’s therefore always been shaped by the natural environment, even though the Spanish attempted to implement a checkerboard city plan.
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It’s the historic centre of Arequipa which is the greatest attraction; more than 500 of the buildings here are heritage properties. The distinctive volcanic stone used for construction is fairly earthquake proof, which is why structures such as the churches, convents, and palaces have survived. Cirqa Arequipa is located in the heart of the city, just a block away from Arequipa’s main square. This makes it a perfect place from which to explore the city’s Spanish-colonial architecture, spend lazy afternoons sampling its culinary delights and sipping pisco sour whilst people-watching at the plazo.
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Cirqa Arequipa is an oasis in the heart of the historic centre. Wander the ancient passageways of this former monastery, cool down in the courtyard plunge pool or head to the roof top and soak in commanding city and volcanic views with a sundowner in hand. This exquisite boutique hotel celebrates its historical footprint whilst bringing modern comforts to the lucky few who seek refuge here.
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There are just eleven guest rooms centred around the main terrazzo and patio. Each providing a calm and cooling refuge from the bustling city, thanks to the high vaulted ceiling and original stone walls. There are three room categories; the intimate and cosy Claustro (20m²), the distinctly individual Aposento (31m²) or the spacious Boveda (40 m²) which boasts a stand-alone bathtub & a private sitting area. All rooms include a Smart TV, airconditioning, organic amenities & a complimentary snacks-and-drinks hamper.
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Executive Chef Maria Fé’s signature style focuses on simplicity, but overflowing with flavour; showcasing the authentic essence of the destination’s gastronomy. While away the evenings at the hotel’s open-air restaurant; a destination for its delicious Peruvian dishes, celebrating local produce in classic regional dishes. The contemporary and comforting surroundings allow you to linger long after your meal as you cozy up next to the fire pit. You can also enjoy the casual ambience of the hotel’s new rooftop experience, El Techo de CIRQA, with stunning views of Arequipa’s volcanoes & the surrounding neighbourhood, it’s a great spot for sundowners.
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DAY 4 AND 5
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th September
JOURNEY
Private half day tour of Arequipa and suurounds Private road transfer to train station in time to board the evening departure of the Andean Explorer
ACCOMMODATION
Belmond Andean Explorer Double Cabin 2 nights
INCLUSIONS
All onboard meals and beverages, onboard entertainment, excursion to Lake Titicaca including a traditional boat ride to Uros. Spa treatments are available at an additional cost.
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On Day 4 you will enjoy a half day, privately guided walking tour of Arequipa’s highlights. As you stroll around the city centre with your guide, you will explore the city’s most interesting attractions. Starting at the vibrant market of San Camilo, take in the colour and wonderful scents from an amazing variety of local produce on display. In the main square “Plaza de Armas”, see the beautiful Roman Catholic Cathedral; construction started in 1540 but has been partially destroyed in several earthquakes over the last 500 years, the most recent was in 2001, when both towers were demolished in an earthquake measuring 8.1. In the museum of Andean Sanctuaries, you will find exhibits showing the Inca practice of child sacrifice, the frozen bodies of young children were found on the highest
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peaks around Arequipa and are thought to have been killed as offerings to the mountain gods. The body of Juanita, a 13 year old girl, was particularly well preserved and is displayed in a special frozen cabinet. Explore the convent of Santa Catalina, the home for a Dominican closed order of nuns. Founded in 1579, it once housed 450 nuns, servants and workers. In practice it was an independent precinct with its own streets, lodgings, church, kitchen, and laundry. Your tour then continues with a short drive out of the city centre to the historic suburb of Yanahuara. Enjoy a stroll around its tranquil park in front of its parish church, as well as enjoy a breath-taking view over the city framed by the imposing sight of the volcanoes of Misti and Chachani in the background.
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The Andean Explorer is South America’s first luxury sleeper train and runs a spectacular route across the high Andes between the city of Arequipa and Cusco, stopping at the shores of Lake Titicaca on the way. This is one of the world’s great train journeys as you travel to higher altitudes through the mountains above deep valleys and wide rivers before descending onto the Plains where little villages and herds of Ilamas and vicunas can be seen. The train itself is a haven of comfort, its midnight blue livery gliding serenely across the landscape while inside the Peruvian-inspired timber finishes, linen-cover walls and leather seating are fitting decorations for such a unique journey.
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The standard cabins feature either bunk-beds or twin beds, while the suites have plush double beds and cosy seating area. All cabins have a compact wardrobe and a private en-suite bathroom with shower, washbasin and WC. An inbuilt oxygen system provides additional comfort at high altitudes, and there is full air-conditioning and electricity throughout the train. The train itself is a haven of comfort, its midnight blue livery gliding serenely across the landscape while inside the Peruvian-inspired timber finishes, linen-cover walls and leather seating are fitting decorations for such a unique journey. Enjoy world-class cuisine in one of the two beautiful dining cars, socialise with other passengers in the elegant lounge car complete with grand piano and comfortable sofas, or take in the changing scenery and breath-taking views from the observation car.
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Day 1 19:00 Welcome cocktail at Arequipa Station 20:00 Depart from Arequipa - Arequipa Station 20:30 Dinner on board Overnight on board on route (the train will be moving during the night) Day 2 Sunrise at Lake Titicaca 06:00 Breakfast on board 08:30 Board boats to explore Lake Titicaca. Visit Uros and Taquile islands 12:30 Private lunch at Collata Beach, Taquile. Dance and artisanal craft displays 15:45 Arrive back at Lake Titicaca Station (Puno) 16:00 Tea time at the station 16:50 Depart to Cusco 19:00 Pre-dinner cocktails 19:30 Dinner on board Arrival and overnight stay at Marangani
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Day 3 Sunrise at Marangani 06:00 Breakfast on board 07:30 Depart to Cusco 08:30 Tour of Raqchi 11:30 Brunch in the bar car 12:58 Arrive at Cusco - Wanchaq Station On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 47
DAY 6 AND 7
Monday 25th & Tuesday 26th September
JOURNEY
Private road from Cusco station to the hotel
ACCOMMODATION
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas Double Studio Suite 2 nights
INCLUSIONS
Breakfast
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Cusco is one of the most attractive cities in Peru and is often referred to as the archaeological capital of South America. Rich in pre-Colombian remains and colonial treasures, Cusco was the
capital of the fabled Inca Empire and is the gateway to the breath-taking Sacred Valley of the Incas and the hidden mountain fortress of Machu Picchu. 49
At 10,500ft above sea level, Cusco is one of the highest cities in the world and visitors should take some time to adapt to the thin Andean air. Here in the high Andes you will find the air sparkles with its purity and this altitude means there is a dramatic difference in temperature between full sun and shade positions. Nearly 600 years ago the Inca nation appeared in southern Peru and in a relatively short time consolidated its power in Cusco before expanding north to what are now Ecuador and Colombia and south to present-day Chile. However, it is particularly in this scenic and fascinating region of Peru that you will find the legacy of the Inca Empire everywhere; in mountain villages, magnificent stone monuments, weekly markets and annual fiestas.
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Palacio Nazarenas has set a new benchmark for luxury accommodation in Cuzco. Beautifully restored, this former convent effortlessly combines authentic Incan styling with luxurious modern facilities and amenities whilst the services of a private butler are available to cater to your needs at any time of day. The main areas of the hotel are made up of seven interlinking terraces beautifully decorated with indigenous flowers and landscaped with fountains and special water channel features mirroring the irrigation methods so famously utilised by the Incas of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu while each terrace is overlooked by striking wooden balconies.
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The largest of these terraces houses Cuzco’s first outdoor heated infinity-edge swimming pool and is the ideal communal area in which to relax, enjoy a specially prepared cocktail, share stories with other guests and take a leisurely swim. Should you not feel sufficiently relaxed the Hypnoze Spa uses local products and treatments to ease away the rigours of everyday life leaving you relaxed yet invigorated
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and ready to enjoy all that this remarkable city has to offer. The exquisite guest suites are decorated in the authentic style of the region yet come complete with a freestanding bath, under floor heating and are oxygen-enriched to aid guests in their acclimatisation to the mountain air.
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In the morning on Day 7, you will enjoy a half day privately guided tour of the former Inca capital of city of Cusco. Taking a journey through time the tour will begin the countryside outside Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area. Included are the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara. Making your way back to the city you will visit the Santo Domingo convent monastery. This former colonial monastery was previously the Koricancha temple, one of the most important Inca temples devoted to worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold Leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Finally you will discover the colourful local market at San Pedro, offering a glimpse of contemporary life in Cusco, with its exotic local produce, vibrant fruit and tasty local dishes of food.
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DAYS 8 AND 9
Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th September
JOURNEY
Private excursion into the Sacred Valley and then onwards to your hotel
ACCOMMODATION
Sol Y Luna - Relais & Chateaux Double Deluxe Casita 2 nights
INCLUSIONS
Breakfast
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The Sacred Valley of the Incas, otherwise known as the Urubamba Valley, is the heart of the ancient Inca Empire. It includes a number of fascinating towns such as Yucay, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, and is surrounded by beautiful forested slopes, on some of which can be seen impressive examples of Inca terracing. Inca Temples, fortresses, tombs, salt mines, roadways
and palaces can all be seen here and there are some fascinating walks and short treks which can be enjoyed along the intricate pathways that run along the valley. This is also a quite densely populated area with colourful markets, such as that at Pisac and smaller ones at places like Chinchero, on certain days of the week.
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On Day 8, you will depart with a private guide for a full day tour of Pisaq market and ruins followed by the Chinchero ruins and Maras salt mines. Your private guide and driver will meet you at the hotel for the drive to Pisaq, located at the southern end of the Sacred Valley. The colonial town of Pisaq is an important centre of ceramic and textile craftsmanship, and its market dominates the main square and surrounding streets. Before going to the market, you will drive up to the Inca ruins of Pisaq, located on a high mountain ridge above the town. From here you will see the mountain top citadel of Q’allaqasa precariously built on a natural spur, and looming above magnificent Inca terraces built on a steep hillside. The Incas carried fertile soil from the valley floor which allowed continuous crop production on the terraces, proven by the
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presence of large barns nearby, which would be used to store the corn, wheat, barley and potatoes. The Incas first developed Pisaq around the 1430’s and for 100 years it was obviously a thriving community; its cemetery can be seen on the cliff in front of the ruins, where bodies were rolled in bundles and placed in niches before the entrance was sealed. Now the cliff face looks like Swiss cheese because the tombs have been opened by grave-robbers looking for Inca treasures. For a longer walk, you can take a trail along the ridge which reaches the temple district, where you will find the finest buildings dedicated to the worship of sun, moon and the stars. Back in the town of Pisaq, you will have ample time to wonder around the outdoor market which is concentrated in the main plaza. Here you will find a bewildering array of textiles, woollen goods, ceramics, jewellery and more common souvenirs.
After lunch, your tour continues with a drive across to the Chinchero Plain overlooking the Urubamba Gorge. The views of the surrounding peaks are stunning as you reach the strange circular terraces dug into enormous natural depressions in the ground. The largest is over 100m deep from the upper rim to the base and due to its depth and orientation to wind and sun there can be a temperature difference of up to 13°C between top and bottom. This has led many experts to believe the site was used for growing crops not normally suited for high altitude agriculture or even used to experiment with crops to test their ability to adapt to different climates. You can then walk down into the terraces and then back up to the vehicle, as you continue the tour to the nearby village of Maras. Here you will visit the salt pans which are mined as a community project by the inhabitants of the village. Salt water from a nearby spring is channelled into shallow ponds, where it is allowed to evaporate in the hot sun leaving a mineral salt crust in the bottom of the pond. This is collected and processed to produce agricultural salt, as well as table salt and even beauty products. The ponds are thought to be pre-Inca and now cover an enormous area stretching down a whole hillside into the valley below. 61
Situated in a landscape of whispering eucalyptus and the majestic mountains of the Andes, Hotel Sol y Luna provides the highest quality of service and comfort in an authentic Andean setting. The hotel is decorated in a rustic style, each detail having been carefully chosen to reflect the ambience of the Andean culture in the Sacred Valley. The owners work carefully to create an environment that enhances the stay of their guests while improving the lifestyles and future of the local people. The building of the hotel in 2000 was designed to support a sustainable education project which has since had a significant positive impact within the local community.
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Guests are accommodated in forty-three ‘casitas’, delightful cottages made of stone, terra cotta and adobe brick and surrounded by lush and tranquil gardens. Each casita has a large bedroom and high ceilinged living space, decorated with Peruvian and Inca art, furniture and textiles, a marble-floored en-suite bathroom, and outdoor terrace area with extraordinary views in every direction. There are
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twenty-three superior casitas, of which five have a second bedroom and thus are ideal for families, ten deluxe casitas that have a much larger living space, under-floor heating and roaring fireplaces, and five premium casitas that have a private Jacuzzi on the terrace. All rooms come with luxury bed linens, bathroom amenities, robe and slippers, safety deposit box, and mini-bar.
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There are two restaurant options at Sol y Luna – Killa Wasi and Wayra featuring a variety of traditional and contemporary Peruvian cuisine and international dishes, incorporating produce from local organic farms and delicacies from further afield in the Peruvian jungles and the Amazon. Killa Wasi is a more formal environment, while Wayra is more relaxed and also open to the public. Like the accommodation, the decoration and lay-out continue to reflect Andean styles and cultures.
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There is a huge range of optional activities which can be arranged from the hotel including horse riding, white water rafting, mountain biking, paragliding, kayaking as well as vehicle excursions into the Sacred Valley and surrounding mountains and lakes. You can visit local villages and markets, learn about the local people, their way of life and their traditions, or simply wander around the abundant gardens of the hotel among the birdlife and indigenous flowers.
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On the morning of Day 9, you will depart with a private guide for a tour to Awamaki Andean Village. Awamaki is a community-driven social enterprise working in collaboration with Quechua artisans. Together, they create grassroots programs to support and grow women-led cooperatives through heritage textiles, market access, and sustainable tourism. You will travel to one of the rural Quechua villages in the high Andes mountains above Ollantaytambo and connect with artisan leaders there. You will hear how these women are
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provided with economic opportunities and skills training so they can earn a sustainable income and support their families. The women will share their textile heritage, including spinning, dyeing and weaving on a backstrap loom. Try your hand at spinning on a drop spindle, and weave a bracelet with one of your artisan hosts. These artisans produce contemporary home, gift and accessory and you will likely be tempted by a private textile market before you leave. Enjoy either a typical lunch in one of the artisan’s homes, or opt for a traditional earth oven lunch in which marinated chicken, sweet potato, potatoes, aba beans and other typical foods are baked in hot stones under the earth.
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DAY 10
Friday 29th September
JOURNEY
Private road transfer to Ollantaytambo Train Station KM104 hike on Vistadome Train
ACCOMMODATION
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Double Deluxe Terrace 1 night
INCLUSIONS
All meals and local drinks (including selected alcoholic beverages)
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After breakfast on Day 10 you will you take a private transfer to Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board the Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu; one of the greatest rail journeys that follows the course of the Urubamba River, descending from the mountain peaks of the Andes to the lush cloud forests of Machu Picchu. Early on in your journey, marvel at the snowcapped massif of Mt. Veronica followed by the Inca ruins of Llactapata. As the gorge narrows, you are surrounded by steep mountain sides, covered in fertile forest; a dense habitat for many birds, orchids and even Andean bears. After a breathtaking journey of 80 minutes, you will disembark with your guide at the KM104 point of the rail track, cross the river and start the hike at the small ruins of Chachabamba, located at an altitude of 2150m above sea level.
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The entire day walk covers a distance of around 11km and takes around six to seven hours including many stops and lunch. The first three hours of the walk are the most strenuous; you climb steadily, traversing across a hillside towards the ruins of Wiñaywayna (alt. 2650m). You pass through flowered meadows, into lush cloud forest and even past a beautiful waterfall ascending 500m in height. At Wiñay Wayna, you will pause to explore these spectacular hillside ruins overlooking the deep Urubamba gorge. This quiet site can only be visited by those on the Inca trail and many say their beauty is only surpassed by Machu Picchu itself. With the most difficult part of the hike behind you, you can enjoy the magnificent views as you walk on original Inca trail for a further 90-minutes along a relatively flat section to reach the Sun Gate (alt. 2700m), where you glimpse your first sight of Machu Picchu.
The lost city of the Incas has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981. Arriving at the site for the first time is a truly unforgettable experience. The surrounding scenery is stunningly dramatic, with the citadel located high on a ridge with steep cliffs dropping almost vertically to the river gorge below. When you see the mountain peaks and the impenetrable forests which surround the site, it is clear how the lost city of the Incas lay forgotten for 400 years after the conquest of Peru. A steady walk takes you down into the site and your first classic photos from a spectacular view point. But now with tired legs, you will save further exploration for tomorrow morning as you make your way to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel, located just outside the entrance to the ruins, for a well-earned rest.
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Machu Picchu is the largest and best preserved of the Inca settlements and is one of the few to have escaped the attentions of the Conquistadors, who never found it. It was ‘rediscovered’ in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu is constructed on a hilltop overlooking the Urubamba River and surrounded by majestic steep-sided mountains giving a powerful sense of being hidden away. Overlooking Machu Picchu is the ‘sugarloaf’ peak of Huayna Picchu which you can hike up in about 90 minutes. It takes at least two hours to explore Machu Picchu, visiting agricultural sectors, the impressive Temple to the Sun, residences for priests and Inca royalty, the mysterious Temple of the Condor and other buildings, the whole thing having a clear artistic integrity. Much of the original purpose of the buildings and carved stonework are shrouded in mystery, not least how Inca stonemasons managed to work and construct walls of such fine quality and with such primitive tools that it is not possible to put even a penknife blade between the masonry.
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The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge has only 31 rooms and is the only hotel situated with the boundaries of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. This hotel is well managed by Belmond Hotels and is comfortable with a good restaurant and terraces that overlook Machu Picchu itself. It provides its residents with the obvious advantage of being able to see Machu Picchu first thing in the morning and in the evening when the main body of day trippers have left.
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DAY 11
Saturday 30th September
JOURNEY
Huayna Picchu Climb and privately guided tour of Machu Picchu Bus transfer to Aguas Calientes Station Hiram Bingham Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco Private road transfer from train station to hotel
ACCOMMODATION
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas Studio Suite 1 night
INCLUSIONS
Breakfast
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Having explored Machu Picchu from ground level, on the morning of Day 11 your guide will take you up Huayna Picchu for a very different view. Huayna Picchu is the steep peak often seen in the background of many classic photos of Machu Picchu. It’s name in quechua means ‘young mountain’ and the peak is 2693m / 8835ft above sea level; which makes it about 260m / 850 ft higher than Machu Picchu itself. Heading to the northern end of the ruins with your private guide, you will begin your ascent of 260m / 850ft which takes around an hour. From Huayna Picchu’s peack the views over Machu Picchu and the surrounding scenery are spectacular. The steep trail is narrow in places, with few handrails and uneven stone steps to walk on, so anyone attempting the hike should be relatively fit and a sure-footed walker.
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After lunch and the option of afternoon tea at The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes in time to board the Hiram Bingham train for your journey to Cusco. The Belmond Hiram Bingham train is the most elegant way to depart Machu Picchu. Your journey back to Cusco is highlighted by wonderful vistas of the mountains and Urubamba River as you pass through lush fields and colourful villages in the foothills of the Andes. The train accommodates approximately 84 guests in high comfort and during the journey you will enjoy a delicious four course Andeaninspired menu and entertainment. The train has elegant finishings and large windows and a bar located beside the scenic wagon, in which musical concerts are occasionally performed. The journey takes three and a half hours.
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DAY 12
Sunday 1st October
JOURNEY
Private road transfer to Cusco Airport Domestic flight to Lima International Airport Depart on flight home booked under own arrangements
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PRICING INFORMATION The price of this itinerary (subject to availability) on the basis that you book directly with us, departing in September 2023 travelling as a party of two adults is: £9,445 per person Inclusions: • Accommodation as detailed • Internal scheduled flights (Economy class) • Excursions as listed
• Private road transfers • Meals and drinks as listed
Please note: Please note inclusions are subject to change at the discretion of the property. If flights have been included within your booking then unless provisionally held for you, these are subject to change and any increases in fares at the time of booking will be passed on. Similarly, if booking a trip inclusive of flights more than 11 months in advance we will try to give as accurate an indicative cost as possible, but exact flight costs will need to be obtained once flight fares become available and as such, any variance will be reflected in your final balance.
Exclusions: • International flights • Any items not detailed in the travel itinerary • Tips
Notes: — All the photos contained in this itinerary are illustrative of the lodges, transport and sights you will see on your holiday. Please note however that we cannot guarantee that you will see all the animals and birds shown as these are wild creatures and not under our control. Equally where specific food or drink, or furniture/furnishings are shown, these may not be identical to those you will experience. Please note inclusions are subject to change at the discretion of the property. — The nature of our holidays means that they may not be suitable for people with reduced mobility. If you have reduced mobility or any specific medical requirements, please ensure that you discuss these with your travel designer prior to booking your holiday.
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PERU AWAITS... ENQUIRE NOW
UK: +44 (0) 1604 628979 US: 1-866-871-3829
“We took over 2000 photographs which just goes to show how amazed we were each and every day. A big thanks go to the team for this adventure that blew us both away and one we’re going to struggle topping!”
RICK & KATIE ELIASON
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JOURNEYSMITHS 18 Mobbs Miller House Christchurch Road Northampton NN1 5LL T: +44 (0) 1604 637332 E: enquiries@journeysmiths.co.uk www.journeysmiths.co.uk
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