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From Ecuador to Peru – What to Expect from South America Escorted Tours

admin — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 21:47:11 +0000

Even if you don’t have a lot of money for your next holiday, you can still afford a luxury escorted tour in South America. Let tour operators negotiate with the hotels and transportation companies on your behalf, to bring you the best deals. If you’d rather someone else do all of your planning for you, you can save a lot of money.

Your choices are not limited. There are plenty of South America escorted tours available. You can choose from many itineraries. If you want some free time to yourself, you can simply request it from your tour guide. Some tour packages include all of your meals and activities, and some can be modified to suit your own interests and preferences.

Since there are so many beautiful places to visit in South America, you should consider a 14 day tour, at the very least. That way, you will have a chance to see more places and do more activities without feeling rushed.

Rio de Janeiro. Buenos Aires. Machu Picchu. Santiago. These are just some of the places you might want to visit on your tour. As you explore the continent, you can visit the remains of the Incan Empire; go on a sightseeing tour of the aforementioned cities; travel over the Andes; explore Machu Picchu; and go on excursions throughout the Sacred Valley. These are just a few examples of the many things you can do during your holiday.

If you’re interested in volcanoes, then you need to choose an itinerary that includes Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. You will be surrounded by towering volcanoes and spectacular scenery. As you explore this area, you will see traces of ancient civilizations and Spanish colonization, as well as the most incredible example of Mother Nature at her very best.

Another country you definitely need to visit is Peru. Most South America escorted tours include Peruvian cities and monuments. Imagine seeing floating cities, spectacular ravines, the waters of Lake Titicaca, and Machu Picchu up close! Peru is also home to exotic animals and birds such as condors and llamas.

There is plenty to see and do in Lima, the “City of Kings” and capital of Peru. During a tour of Lima, you can visit churches and monasteries dating back to the 16th century. Even though it’s a sprawling Metropolis, it still has its share of ancient sites, some of which date back thousands of years!

South America escorted tours include plenty of excursions to keep you busy! You won’t have to worry about boredom, so long as you choose the right tour package. Even though there are a lot of cities, much of the continent has been untouched for thousands of years. You will have some of the exact same views as the Spanish Conquistadors did all those years ago!

Luxury Peru Travel: Machu Picchu, Cusco And Puno And Lake Titicaca

admin — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 17:48:04 +0000

Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Puno and Lake Titicaca are some of the most beautiful and amazing places to visit in Peru. With rich and exciting culture rapted around these beautiful natural landscapes and historic ruins, you will not be disappointed. Traveling in the highest quality service and style means luxury travel, where you may have to put a bit more up front but big returns make it all worth it. Five star hotels, private transfers, private tours and high class upgraded trains and plains are guaranteed to make your Peru vacation comfortable, enjoyable and classy.

Your luxury options include a helicopter or flight over the sacred valley and famed Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. From Cusco or Ollantaytambo, you will be able to take the Hiram Bingham train, offering the highest quality service in train travel through the Andes Mountains to Machu Picchu Mountain. You will have at your disposal top quality hotels such as the Monasterio in Cusco, which is a restored 16th century seminary constructed on the grounds of an ancient Inca palace. In Machu Picchu you can stay at the Sanctuary Lodge which puts the ancient city literally right outside your front door.

Traveling to Puno in first class on the Andean Express offers breathtaking views of the verdant countryside and the famed Andes Mountains. Instead of staying in Puno, you may choose to stay on Isla Suasi, which is the only private island on all of Lake Titicaca. From your own little private island you’ll be free to enjoy night walks to see the sunset over the lake and the peace and calm that nature affords, away from the hustle and bustle of Puno.

An exciting tour of Lake Titicaca, one of the highest navigable lakes in the world, will visit the famous floating reed islands built by an ancient culture that has maintained their way of life despite advancements of societies around them. Lake Titicaca is every bit as beautiful as people make it out to be and being able to experience the mysticism in style and class will ensure that you are able to just relax and enjoy yourself.

The luxury Peru vacation of a lifetime is calling out to you. You can keep putting these things off until you realize you put them off forever or we can book now.

Luxury Peru Travel: Wonders Of The Andes

admin — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 17:48:03 +0000

A well-organized Peru vacation to Machu Picchu, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, Puno and Lake Titicaca, with the bare minimum amount of time to adjust, visit and tour each place will take nine days. To really enjoy your vacation without sacrificing too many of the comforts of your home and your daily lives, try upgrading to luxury travel. Vacation is about splurging anyway; why not commit that extra bit more that can really make a difference while you are traveling. Luxury travel means smaller group tours, so that every bathroom break doesn’t turn into a thirty minute stop. Luxury means private pick-ups from your hotel to the airport and vice-versa. Luxury means 24 hour high quality customer service. It means hotels that not only meet the standards in comfort and cleanliness but go the extra mile in service and in design.

Peru is the perfect destination to travel luxury, with countless historic archeological sites and natural wonders, such as the Andes Mountains and the highest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca. In a foreign environment such as this one, you will want to know that you are safe and secure, sleeping in a comfortable, clean bed each night, eating clean, healthy food, etc. Luxury not only meets these natural requirements but goes beyond so that you are sleeping on a clean, comfortable bed in a room with a gorgeous view, and perhaps a jacuzzi. You are eating clean, healthy food, that might actually be the best ceviche you’ve ever had, etc.

Start your vacation in Cusco, accessible by plane from Lima in just over one hour. Make sure and relax for a few hours before you jump right in to exploring this beautiful history city that is a landmark in itself. Tour the Sacred Valley on day two, in order to visit many of the important archeological sites in the area. On the third day take the train to Machu Picchu! The train travels to a small town called Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu Mountain. From there you will take a bus up the mountain to the entrance to the famed citadel. A private tour will delve deep into the history and the important sites of interest in these enormous ruins. It is recommended that you spend the night in either the Sanctuary Lodge right outside Machu Picchu or in a recommended Aguas Calientes hotel.

Back in Cusco the following day, do a city tour to see the important sites that are located right in the center and just outside the ancient Inca capital. A shopping tour of Cusco on the sixth day of your trip will give you a chance to haggle in the artisan stands over beautifully hand-woven textiles made from authentic Alpaca wool, carvings, jewelry, paintings and more. On the seventh day, take the train to Puno, where you can enjoy breathtaking views. Spend two nights in Puno in order to enjoy a full Lake Titicaca tour of the amazing floating islands.

Luxury Peru Travel: Andean Adventure

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:48:08 +0000

The Inca Trail is arguably the most famous hiking trail in the world. The combination of hiking along a trail through the Andes Mountains, the largest mountain chain in South America and stunningly beautiful, and discovering ruins built with intricate, highly skilled stonework, is too special of an experience to pass up. This trail is hiked by people from all over the world, young and old, who are fit and ready to retrace Inca footsteps. It is recommended that you combine this special experience with visits to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, where you’ll find even more amazing sites and culture ready to be explored. When you’re not roughing it on the trail, why not enjoy your vacation with the amenities of luxury travel. In luxury travel you will have more than just the standards in quality and service but a luxury experience that won’t be forgotten including private transfers, small sometimes even private tours, high quality recommended hotels, etc. After three nights sleeping under the beautiful Andean stars you can afford to treat yourself a little bit. Don’t leave your camera at home on this special luxury Peru vacation of a lifetime.

Begin your trip in Cusco, easily reached from Lima by a short flight, with gorgeous views of the mountains. Arriving in Cusco, you will want to take some time to adjust, drink water and get some sleep to make sure and fully acclimate to your new altitude. In fact, it is recommended that you take your second day to do a tour of the Sacred Valley, this will be a light day compared to yoru trekking and you’ll be fully prepared for day three when you hit the trail. The Sacred Valley has a lot to offer and you won’t be disappointed.

Departing on the Inca Trail you will have four memorable days, huffing up and down Andes peaks and exploring amazing sites, like the Llactapata Ruins and trekking over famous points such as Dead Woman’s Pass. During your trek you will be fully taken care of by a professional guide. Porters will have camp set up and delicious meals ready to eat by the time you arrive in camp. You will be roughing it, but in style!

To top off the experience, you will pass through the famous sun gate and arrive at Machu Picchu, the famous Inca citadel and a wonder of the world. Arriving from the top is an experience only Inca Trail hikers receive and is one to be proud of. Machu Picchu feels differently to those who earned it by hiking there.

Back in Cusco, be sure to do a city tour to get some important facts about this ancient capital of the Inca Empire. All in all, it is a peru vacation to remember. The Inca Trail is an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. Don’t realize when it’s too late that you never got around to it.

Luxury Peru Travel: Inca Trail

admin — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 17:48:07 +0000

Many people have heard of the famous Inca Trail, most known for the famous ruins found at the end. Like a pot at the end of a rainbow, Machu Picchu is a sweeter discovery if you arrive through the Sun Gate in the same manner the Inca arrived at this famous mountain-top citadel. The Inca Trail was actually a part of an intricate road system that was so highly advanced it is considered the most advanced transportation system in pre-Columbian South America. There are two north-south roads that make up the base of the road system and there are many more branches that link up to it. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a part of this road system.

Inca roads spanned not only Peru but the entire Inca Empire at the height of its imperialism, traveling from Quito, Ecuador to Mendoza, Argentina. It is difficult to imagine the amount of work that must have gone into cutting these trails and maintaining them. They cut in and over the Andes Mountains, sometimes even reaching heights of over 16,000ft. The whole system was so big it actually provided access to over 1,200,000 square miles of Inca lands.

That small portion of this intricate road system known as the Inca Trail is every bit its reputation has made it out to be. Though it receives many hikers every year, the trail is extremely well maintained mostly because it is highly protected by environmental organizations. The number of people permitted on the trail on any given day is limited and it is closed in February for cleaning and repairing any parts that may need to be repaired.

The Inca Trail can be experienced in high class and luxury with a top quality tour. You will be able to hike into camp where gourmet meals will be stewing and ready to be served upon your arrival. Camp will be totally set up for you when you arrive. Don’t miss out on this exciting Peru Vacation opportunity where you will hike an ancient path that is part of an ancient road system through the beautiful Andes Mountains.

Combine your Inca Trail trip with a visit to Cusco and the Sacred Valley where guided tours can reveal the exciting stories behind these amazing ruins. In a Cusco city tour you will visit the beautiful Cathedral located in the Plaza de Armas, as well as Korikancha, the famous temple where originally gold lined the walls before it was stripped to give to the Spanish.

A tour of the Sacred Valley will visit Ollantaytambo, the impressive ruins of a military outpost and the colorful Pisac Market. Don’t miss out on this exciting luxury travel opportunity.

Luxury Peru Travel: Advantages Of Seeing Machu Picchu, Cusco And The Sacred Valley In Style

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:48:05 +0000

Machu Picchu is one of the new wonders of the world, and despite its location in the high peaks of the Andes, it is accessible in the highest style. In one week you can visit Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes without feeling pressure like you are rushing through things. This is a once in a lifetime experience for most people, there’s no need to rush through it.

A quality tour striving to make you as comfortable as possible, with all the little details means luxury travel. In luxury travel and luxury vacations you expect 5-star service, at top value and top quality. Just because you are travelling luxury doesn’t mean you don’t consider where every dollar is going. If you are interested in luxury service to Cusco and Machu Picchu, you should expect private, comfortable transfers, in order to avoid sweaty cab rides and miscommunications and language barriers. You can expect tours will be private or at least very small numbers. No one enjoys riding around in a giant tour bus, having to wait until everyone is ready to go, and not being able to move through the tour at your own pace. In luxury travel, you can request private guides to avoid those hassles.

When traveling in luxury your hotels are largely the biggest upgrade that you will have. You will be exploring 5-star hotel options, some of which are destinations in themselves. The Monasterio hotel in Cusco, for example is a restored 16th century seminary that is literally on the site of an ancient Inca palace. Staying at the Monasterio is like staying at a museum. Another example would be the Sanctuary Lodge, right outside the gates of Machu Picchu. While thousands of people have to walk or take the bus from Aguas Calientes in order to get to the gate and lines out front, you will litererally be walking out your front door. This is a big advantage as well for those adventure travelers who want to hike Huayna Picchu. Only 400 people are allowed up Huayna Picchu each day so a line usually forms at the gate of Machu Picchu before it even opens. The first 400 people lined up are the ones who get the exciting privilege of summiting Huayna Picchu.

Luxury travel is certainly the most comfortable way to experience Machu Picchu. With little hassle and the best of the best in comfort, style and service you will not be disappointed with your decision to upgrade your vacation and take your time in this amazing part of the world.

Suggested South America Travel Itinerary To World Wonders

admin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 17:47:44 +0000

A suggested South America travel itinerary would include highlights from Brazil, Argentina and Peru. Brazil has so much to offer it is difficult to narrow down a couple specific destinations, however there is never enough time for everything so to narrow it down it is recommended that the traveler visit Rio de Janeiro, the beautiful and historically significant coastal city and Iguazu Falls, the most extraordinary falls on the planet. From Argentina it is also possible and worth it to visit the other side of Iguazu Falls. Also, it is not recommended that you travel to Argentina without visiting the vibrant capital city of Buenos Aires on the eastern coast. Finally, what is a trip to South America without a visit to Machu Picchu, a world wonder and the highlight of a Peru vacation? This itinerary guarantees that you will visit some of the best South America has to offer.

This South America vacation begins in Rio de Janeiro. The large majority of flights and all international flights flying in and out of Rio from Aeroporto Galeao, also known as Aeroporto Antonio Carolos Jobim. The airport is just 10 miles from the Rio city center. Some domestic flights, especially a Sao Paulo flight fly from Aeroporto Santos Dumont which is in the center of Rio. If you are traveling overland, Rio is served by bus from every major city in Brazil. The bus station, however is located in a sketch area however, so you should defiantly plan on taking a taxi to your hotel from the bus station.

To travel to Iguazu Falls from Rio de Janeiro it is recommended that you fly. Iguazu is right on a cruz between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay so it can be accessed from cities in all three countries: Puerto Iguazu in Argenitina, Foz de Iguazzu in Brazil, and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. All three cities have airports so depending on where you are choosing to lodge would be a good deciding factor on which city you fly into.

From Iguazu you can take another flight to Buenos Aires. There are buses but a flight is much quicker and more comfortable and you don’t want to lose a lot of time since Buenos Aires has so much to offer its visitors. It is recommended that you spend ample time in this exciting capital before your flight to Cusco, Peru.

Flying to Cusco will take a day since you will have to connect in Lima most likely. Give yourself a couple days to see Cusco and the Sacred Valley as Machu Picchu is by no means the only thing to see in that area of Peru. When you are ready to see the ancient Inca citadel, take the train directly from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. It is a beautiful ride along the Urubamba River with the peaks of the Andes all around you.

The train will take you to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu Mountain. From Aguas Calientes there are buses every half hour or so up the mountain to the entrance of the famous Machu Picchu. There is plenty of accommodation in Aguas Calientes so it is recommended that you spend the night there or in the Sanctuary Lodge right outside the ruins. If you wish to return to Cusco there are afternoon trains as well.

Caballo City : Natural Tourism in Peru

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:45:14 +0000

Caballo is a city surrounded by a huge jungle landscape, part of the Province of Ramón Castilla in the Loreto region, Peru, is located at 311 km from the city of Iquitos, on the right bank of the Amazon River in the gorge of Caballococha , close to the trapeze Amazon to get it 2 days we travel by boat or air access from Iquitos. Both the city and across the province play an important role in communicating border with neighboring countries such as Brazil and Colombia.

The city has the basic facilities to serve tourists visiting the place. The area has high biodiversity (ecosystems, species and genetic material of great importance), natural beauty and an indigenous population comprising different ethnic groups that make up one of the attractions of great interest to foreign and domestic tourists, tourism in the area has been increasing each year, which has determined that the use of resources is orderly and responsible to lead to an acceptable conservation of these resources, you should also mention that the authorities committed to the sector have been forced to provide better quality tour packages, giving priority to ecological tourism, promoting the conservation of areas important to exploit its resources.

The city’s cuisine is based on the variety of fish, forest and wild animals and insects in their area, which are prepared with a variety of dishes, among which will name the Inchicapi, the John, sarapatera,Tacacho, timbuche, the patarashca, the jerky, the girl juane, among other delicacies typical of the forest.

Another places to visit near the city is Lake Cushillococha, located 6 km south of Caballo and near the borders with Colombia and Brazil for only 3 hours drive. In the dry season is accessible on foot from Caballococha, in time of increasing the lake is accessed only by river. This lake is a tributary of the Amazon River, where you can do canoeing, hiking, fishing or swimming. Its waters, relatively dark and up to 8 m deep, are rich in various dolphin species such as gray and red (river dolphin), shad, and yulilla boquichico. Along its banks live Cushillococha native community, an ethnic Ticuna, who are engaged in subsistence agriculture, hunting, gathering and fishing are also skilled craftsmen and manufacture fiber and JICRA chambira hammocks, woven bags species chambira fiber.

Please make eco-tourism and enjoy the scenic beauty of the jungle, Caballococha welcomes you with its charm and simplicity of its people.

Ballestas Islands, Biodiversity and lavish in touch with nature

admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:02:58 +0000

The Ballestas Islands are islands that are located in the Pacific Ocean, are composed of rock formations where it is an important marine fauna like guanay guano birds, booby and mostly tendril.

It is located 260 km south of Lima, near the town of Paracas in Pisco province, where one can appreciate Peruvian penguins are in danger of extinction, is also the haven of two varieties of sea lions (lobos droll fine and wolves) and other mammals.

These sea lions are close to tourist boats and jump around, and this is a show in itself fully justifies the visit. It is also of particular interest when you are near these islands, hearing the cries of flocks of sea lions. It gives the impression of being surrounded by these animals practically 360 degrees. The show is extraordinary and unmatched beauty, these sea lions are harmless.

When we think of penguins quickly associate with the cold of Antarctica, the Humboldt penguin is the only species of penguin in Peru and lives in the desert coasts of Peru and Chile, he spends most of his life at sea, in Peruvian Humboldt current.

The abundant life that exists in the Paracas Bay and the islands is possible due to the cold Humboldt current, which fills the Ballestas Islands waters on plankton and microorganisms, further enriching the sea, shoals of fish like sole, palm ruff , croakers, toyos and anchovies.

This area is protected by the private institution that conducts research and ANCOREMA environmental education programs to promote actions for the population of coastal and marine environment in Peru. It is not allowed to land tourists on these islands, so as not to disturb the animals living there, but the boats are close enough so they can enjoy the beauty of these animals in their natural environment. The visit to the Ballestas Islands tour ecotourism is the best known of the Peruvian coast.

Numerous domestic and foreign visitors arriving in the province of Pisco, Ica looking to enjoy the natural wonders of this place located on the Peruvian coast south of Lima.

Hundreds of them embark on the beach in El Chaco to the surprising beauty that offer fascinating Ballestas Islands and on the road towards them is possible to have a close encounter with the inhabitants of the Paracas Bay that have not been given the importance they deserve, dolphins do not need to stray too far from shore to see them. Sometimes, the journey started from El Chaco the sliders can be seen, especially a species of dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, known as dolphins. Dolphins and their closest relatives, the whales, form a group of marine mammals known as cetaceans, whose most notable feature is its adaptation to a life totally dependent on water, where they are born, grow, reproduce and die. In the Peruvian sea known 30 species of dolphins and whales, of which at least 19 shows in the sea off Pisco.

People who have encounters with dolphins or dolphins do not imagine that the life of these animals is not easy. His capture both accidental direct their meat consumption (which is sold as “sea pig” or “muchame”), reducing their food by fishing, marine pollution, the use of their meat as bait in fishing sharks and dynamite fishing are among the threats facing dolphins and coastal Pisco that may eventually make them disappear from the Mediterranean.

Although most of these species live quite far from the coast, the dolphins prefer areas near the shore, allowing us to enjoy his company more frequently. The two groups of dolphins identified in Pisco are an added value as a tourist attraction in Pisco, visitors to the Ballestas Islands enjoy the presence of dolphins in the Bay of Paracas and when they visit the Cathedral have the opportunity to watch the Dolphins Supay just yards from the cliffs.

Each year, thousands of people travel the world to watch dolphins and whales in their natural environment. The industry of dolphin and whale watching has become a million-dollar company that moves more than $ 800 million annually, generated by the sale of airline tickets, lodging and related services.

With this background and the satisfaction it offers the tourist a meeting with these marine mammals is necessary to raise awareness about the need to maintain conditions for the dolphins are an important part of the unforgettable experience of those visiting the coast of Pisco and Ballestas Islands, prodigal in biodiversity, in search of contact with nature.

Huayanay Stone Forest

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:43:20 +0000

This majestic structure of rocks reach an altitude of 1,300 m and to reach it we must rise for 15 minutes, from the top you can scan the horizon and see the beautiful mountain surroundings.

This beautiful place is located near the town of Huayanay, belonging to the district Paucará, Acobamba Province, Huancavelica region, the geology here is take some licenses, forming stone forests of singular forms, due to constant water erosion, the wind and sun. These beautiful landscapes are ideal for nature tourism, spending the day around the area, different excursions in the existing trails and you can also make the practice of adventure sports like rock climbing.

These huge stone forests resemble monks gathered up and reach the distance of two miles and crossed by the river Huayanay, you can make the journey for both banks of the river, enjoying the breathtaking scenery, also include the existence in the area of remnants of cave paintings that increase their attractiveness coupled with the easy friendliness of its people, usually used for agriculture and livestock, are also good craftsmen.

To reach Huayanay, starts from the city of Lima on a trip that lasts between 13 and 15 hours of travel, until you reach the village and from there to Paucará Huayanay, you can hire a taxi, the journey is half an hour, if you can camp on the outskirts of the village or seek accommodation in the community.