ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURS

TO GUATEMALA & PERU

Peru’s

Archaeological

Journey

Discover the Ancient treasures of the Moche, Chimu, Nazca and

Inka civilizations, while you travel through some of the most spectacular geographical locations on earth

12 Days / 11 nights

Independent daily departures with private tour guides

DAY 01. USA-LIMA: Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel selected.

DAY 02 LIMA: Morning to visit the Archeology and Anthropology museum to have an overview of the Peruvian history. Afternoon visit the famous Gold museum with more than 9,000 gold pieces from Inka and Pre-Inka civilizations. (B)

DAY 03 LIMA-CHICLAYO: Transfer to airport for flight to Chiclayo, which is about 550 miles north of Lima, burgeoning commercial center and capital of the department of Lambayeque. The area is known for its religious festivals and archaeological sites. This area seems it was the heart of the Moche civilization. Your private tour guide will take you to visit the Bruning Museum to appreciate fascinating ceramics, metal objects and textiles from the region, then to the ruins of Tocume. (B,L)

DAY 04 CHICLAYO-TRUJILLO: In the morning, visit the famous archaeological site of Sipan " The richest discovery of the Americas" and Pampa Grande. Return to Chiclayo and continue by bus to Trujillo. Overnight at hotel selected (see below). (B,L)

DAY 05 TRUJILLO-LIMA: Trujillo, "City of Eternal Spring", still remains in all of its colonial grandeur, built to please the reigning viceroy after Francisco Pizarro founded it in 1536. Nearby "Chan-Chan" is the imperial city of the mighty Chimu Kings who ruled an agricultural empire that extended all the way into present day Ecuador, long before the Inkas existed. Tour of the ruins and visit to Huaca del Sol (Sun) and the Huaca de La Luna (Moon) with a private tour guide. Late afternoon depart for Lima with transfer to hotel selected. (B,L)

DAY 06 LIMA-ICA-NAZCA-LIMA (Shared tour) : Depart by van/bus to ICA where you will board your flight towards Nazca - to see one of the most mysterious ancient sites on earth "the Lines of Nazca" Then, in smaller aircraft fly over the Nazca plains. The fabulous pre-Inka lines, resemble landing fields, huge birds, animals, geometrical lines, spirals, etc., all of which has to be seen by air to appreciate their majesty -it seems an extraterrestrial work. ... Fllight back to ICA for van/bus transfer to Lima and to your hotel. (B,L)

DAY 07 LIMA-CUZCO: Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Cuzco with transfer to hotel selected (please see below). Afternoon private sightseeing tour of Cuzco -at one time- the "Capital of the Inka Empire" visiting the Temple of the Sun "Koricancha", the Cathedral, then to the surrounding archeological site of Sacsayhuaman, the Inka Spa of Tambomachay, the fortress of Puca-Pucara and the amphitheater of Kenko. (B)

DAY 08 CUZCO-PISAC- URUBAMBA VALLEY: Morning departure for the Sacred Valley of the Inkas to see the archaeological site of Pisac and to observe its intricate terraces and buildings , here you will have a chance to observe the first Inka construction to the last . After lunch continue along the Urubamba River to admire the scenery and to visit -one of the most important Inka archaeological sites. ‘Ollantaytambo". Late afternoon arrive in Yucay for overnight at the hotel Posada del Inka (4stars). (B,L).

DAY 09 OLLANTAYTAMBO-MACHU PICCHU: Morning transfer to Ollantaytambo train station. Be prepared to see one o the most fabulous sights in the world. "The Lost City of the Inkas", Machu Picchu. The train will take you on an exciting hour an half ride to this beautiful monument. Temples, palaces, towers and staircases are built into the side of the mountain of Machu Picchu, here –your private tour guide will take you from site to site, explaining the advance world of the Inkas. Overnight at Hotel El Pueblo (4stars) (next to the spectacular Urubamba River). (B,L).

DAY 10 -MACHU PICCHU-CUZCO: Morning at leisure for more exploration on your own or -you can visit Machu Picchu, the Intipunko, the Inka bridge or climb Huayna Picchu (entrance fees an bus tickets are included). Mid-afternoon return via Vistadome train to Cuzco and to hotel selected.

DAY 11 CUZCO-LIMA: Morning at leisure to explore this magnificent city, Cuzco is like open museum, wherever you go, you will find perfect Inka buildings with Spanish churches or houses built on top of it. Noon flight to Lima. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (B).

DAY 12 LIMA-USA: Transfer to the airport for flight back home (B)

LAND TOUR RATES: 2024 (includes local airfares)
Per person	Double	Triple	Single
3* Hotels	5,704	5,470	10,970
4* Hotels	5,960	5,560	11,500
5* Hotels	6,910	6,640	12,922

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED.

FOR 5 or more people -special rates available upon request.

SAMPLE AIRFARES: FROM MIAMI US$700-900; NEW YORK US$ 900-1100; LOS ANGELES 1100-1300

HOTELS USED:

3 stars: Lima=Brittania; Chiclayo=Costa del Sol; Trujillo= EL Brujo; Cuzco= Dorado; Aguas Calientes=Andina

4 stars: Lima= Crown Plaza; Chiclayo=Costa del Sol; Trujillo= Casa Andina Premium; Cuzco= Aranwa Cusco; Aguas Calientes=El Mapi

5 stars: Lima= JW Marriott; Chiclayo=Casa Andina Chiclayo (4*); Trujillo= Libertador; Cuzco= JW Marriott; Aguas Calientes=Inkaterra or Sumaq

INCLUDED:

Hotel accommodations for 11 nights including room taxes and service charge; transfers to/from airport, hotels, train stations and ground transportation from Chiclayo to Trujillo; tours as mentioned in itinerary including all entrance fees to Museums, Archeological sites and Private English speaking tour guides (except Ica/Nazca); tips to airport and hotel porters; meals as noted in itinerary. (B=buffet breakfast or American breakfast, BL=box lunch; L=lunch;D=dinner; locally hosted. Local airfare Lima-Chiclayo...Trujillo-Lima-Cuzco-Lima.

NOT INCLUDED:

International airfare, Travel & Health Insurance; tips to tour guides or drivers; bellboys, chambermaids Any other service not mentioned in itinerary; airport departure taxes in Lima, Trujillo and Cuzco $5.00 each and upon departing Peru.

DEPOSIT: 15% per person

FINAL PAYMENT: 60 days before dparture

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE: Full payment at the time of reservations (airlines do not hold any airfares unless paid in full)

CHACHAPOYAS & Kuelap

The Pre-Columbian Chachapoyas culture, conquered in the 15'h century by the Inkas, has left a landscape scattered with villages and burial sites which until recently has been largely overlooked by archaeologists.

Situated in the cloud forests around the town of Chachapoyas in Peru's northern Amazonas Department (State), these sites are dominated by the mighty fortress of Kuelap, perched majestically atop mountain-top cliffs overlooking the verdant Andean landscape

In Chachapoyas, remnants of the past invite you for a true discovery and adventure.

Five fixed departure programs allow clients to explore and discover Chachapoyas and Cajamarca, site of the first contact between the Spanish conquistadors and the Inca civilization.

SEE PROGRAMS IN THE PERU SECTION click here

GUATEMALA'S ARCHAEOLOGICAL JOURNEY

Visiting the best Mayan Archeological sites of the area such as Copan, Quirigua,

Ceibal, Yaxha and the mighty Capital of the Mayan Empire Tikal

8 days/7 nights

Locally Hosted -Private Tours (Departs any time)

DAY 01 ARRIVE GUATEMALA AND CONNECT TO FLORES
Arrive in Guatemala and connect with flight to Flores....(Flight from Guatemala to Flores departs at 5.30pm). Arrive in Flores and transfer to HOTEL CAMINO REAL TIKAL for 4 nights . (B)

DAY 02 CEIBAL
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel for transfer to Ceibal, the Mayan Archaeological site situated in Sayaxché, near the banks of La Pasión River where you can see crocodiles and exotic birds. The Ceibal Stelae is among the finest and best preserved sculptures of the late Classic Period. Because of the hardness of the local stone, which has withstood centuries of rain, root penetration, and falling trees, it is often called the “Maya Art Gallery”. One of its most important structures is a round stone, which is considered very rare in the Mesoamerican area. (B)

DAY 03 YAXHA & TOPOXTE
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel and visit the archaeological site of Yaxhá. The city is contemporary to Tikal, and is located on the northeastern side of the Lake Yaxhá. Over 1,400 monuments have been mapped and an excavation program has been taken place in the last 10 years, exposing some of its magnificent architecture. Also, visit ball courts, residential and religious areas like the Maler Group, North Acropolis recently restored, and finally Temple 216, over 90 feet high. Continue your visit to Topoxté located in seasonal islands, on the western side of Lake Yaxhá. Its buildings are similar to those of Tulúm in Yucatan, and it was inhabited during 900 – 1,200 AD., known as post classic. (B)

DAY 04 THU. TIKAL
Today you will go back more than 2,000 years in time when you visit the Tikal National Park. At 8:00 a.m., you will be picked up at your hotel for transfer to the Mayan City which is located in the center of the National Park that bears its name, and has an extension of 222 square miles. Tikal was inhabited from 600 BC., till 869 AD. Its highlight was between 690 till 850 AD., a time period known by archaeologists as the Late Classic. Visit the Twin-Pyramid Complexes “Q” and “R”, Lost World Complex where the Great Pyramid and Temple 5C-49 are the most important. Also, visit Temple III and the Palace of the Windows, the Great Plaza, squared off with the pyramids of the Grand Jaguar and the Masks, the Palace of the Nobles, and Pyramid IV. This one is the highest of the Mayan pyramids, from its top a complete view of Tikal and its surrounding jungle can be enjoyed. After lunch, visit the museum, which houses some of the many Pre-Columbian art treasures found during the excavations of the site. (B,L)

DAY 05 FRI. FLORES-RIO DULCE-PUERTO BARRIOS
AM Transfer to Rio Dulce, upon arrival joins the launch excursion to the San Felipe Castle, and then continue to Livingston (Port city on the Caribbean Sea at the mouth of Rio Dulce) Cruise along the Rio Dulce in the Izabal district of Guatemala by motor boat and enjoy the view of gorges and canyons, tropical vegetation and abundant wildlife. Just before you reach Livingston by boat, you pass through El Boquerón Canyon, where a sheer cliff face rises 400 feet out of the water as you cut through the mountain. The white limestone cliff is decorated with jungle vines, trees and moss....it is an spectacular view of nature...! . Overnight accommodations in Rio Dulce at HOTEL CATAMARAN. (B)

DAY 06 SAT. RIO DULCE-QUIRIGUA-COPAN
This morning, transfer to the Mayan site of Quiriguá, where extraordinary monuments include 12 carved stellae, 4 zoomorphs, enormous carved stones of mythological animal forms, and unrestored temples. Dates recorded are at exact intervals of 800 days. In the afternoon, transfer to Copán, Honduras. After completing official immigration formalities, continue to Hotel for overnight accommodations. HOTEL MARINA COPAN (B)

DAY 07 SUN. COPAN-GUATEMALA
In the morning, visit the archaeological site of Copán. As you step inside the park, witness elaborate stone sculptures everywhere. As you walk into the dramatic expanse of the Great Plaza you are witness of the cultural achievements of the ancient Maya. Copán’s main plaza contains the greatest collection of Maya sculptures in Central America. Take time to explore and marvel at the beautiful Mayan stellae, majestic temples, and complete ball court. (B)

DAY 08 MON. GUATEMALA-USA
Transfer to the airport for flight back to USA. (B)

INCLUDING:

Hotel accommodations for 7 nights with room taxes and services charges · Private tours with English speaking tour guides as per itinerary with entrance fees when necessary (except boat rides) · Ground transportation from Guatemala to Copan-Quirigua-Rio Dulce-Flores (Tikal). · Air transportation from Guatemala to Flores .

NOT INCLUDED: International airfare, Travel & Health Insurance, meals, tip to hotel porters, tour guides or bus drivers, passports, entry forms or visas, and services not mentioned in itinerary. GUATEMALA airport departure taxes (usually included in your international air ticket).

Land Tour Cost -Per Person (Private Tours)

2024	Double	Triple	Single
Camino Real Tikal	US$3,310	3,094	Call or email us
Bolontiku Boutique Hotel	3,994	3,760	Call or email us

SEASONS:

Rates valid all year except Holy Week and New Year’s (December 25th thru January 2) seasons-please add 20% to above rates during those dates.

SAMPLE AIRFARE:
From Miami US$400-500
Add-ons: $250 from: ATL, BOS, DFW, EWR, HOU, LAX, NYC, WAS; Add $300 from SFO; Add $290 from CHI, SJU; Add $400 from SEA, POR. ALL RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.

DEPOSIT: US$600 per person

FINAL PAYMENT: 60 days before departure.