COLCA CANYON

A cuatro horas al norte de Arequipa se extiende el impresionante Valle del Colca. El camino ascendente recorre las faldas del Chachani y atraviesa planicies salpicadas de ichu y yareta (plantas umbelíferas utilizadas como combustible), donde merodean alpacas y vizcachas. El punto más alto del trayecto está a 4.350 msnm, para descender luego al valle, de hermosos paisajes rodeados de andenes y nevados. Hacia abajo, a 3.400 metros de profundidad, serpentea el río Colca, convirtiendo al cañón en uno de los más profundos del mundo. El valle contiene vestigios arqueológicos de los Collagua, antiguos habitantes de la zona tales como misteriosos petroglifos y cuevas donde se guardan las colcas o recibientes para almacenar cereales. A ambas márgenes del río se encuentran distribuidos catorce pueblos fundados en el siglo XVI para agrupar en ellos a los descendientes de los Collagua que se encontraban dispersos en el área. A pesar del tiempo, estos pueblos han conservado sus características originales como el trazado de sus calles, sus iglesias coloniales ricamente ornamentadas y sus fiestas tradicionales. La zona se caracteriza por la elaboración de hermosas piezas de artesanía como alfombras y bordados (en faldas y blusas que lucen las mujeres) de coloridos diseños, así como las piezas recortadas y repujadas en hojalata. También destacan la elaboración de imágenes como la de San Isidro el Labrador, la fabricación de velas (hachones) y las piezas de madera tallada. Aproximadamente a 40 km de Chivay, el primero de los pueblos de la ruta, se encuentra un incomparable mirador natural desde donde se observa el vuelo del Cóndor, rey de la zona, mientras se divisan, a lo lejos, los volcanes Coropuna y Ampato. Varios de los pueblos ofrecen servicios de hospedaje, pero también se puede acampar y hacer caminatas. La zona es ideal para realizar deportes de aventura.

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DAY 01- LIMA
Arrival to Lima Airport and transfer to the Leon de oro Hotel.

DAY 02- LIMA - AREQUIPA - CITY TOUR & SANTA CATALINA ( Private services )
Continental Breakfast.
After breakfast, transfer to airport to take flight to Arequipa. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. 01 night of accommodation with breakfast. In the Afternoon, half day city Tour of Arequipa.

A tour including visits to the main square, Cathedral, Compañía Church and the traditional districts of Cayma and Yanahuara. From there continue to Santa Catalina convent, the architectural monument of the city. The tour takes approximately 3 hours.

DAY 03 - COLCA CANYON 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHTS ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast.
In the morning, we will visit Chachani, Yura, small valley with thermal springs, see wild vicuñas in Pampa Cañahuas national reserve, Alpacas & llamas in Tocra, some birds like flamingoes, ibis, Andean gooze, ducks, Andean eagle "Kara Kara" view point of the Volcanoes and snow covered mountains in Patapampa ( 4,800 m . - 15,000 ft .). See the Ampato, Sabancaya, Walca Walca, etc. Chivay, capital of the valley. Overnight

DAY 04 - COLCA CANYON / AREQUIPA
Buffet Breakfast
After breakfast, we will start a full day trip to visit Yanque & Maca towns, churches, inca terraces, some pre inca graves. Time for lunch. Return to Arequipa.

DAY 05 - AREQUIPA – PUNO
Buffet Breakfast.
In the morning transfer to the airport to take flight to Juliaca. Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Puno, overnight.

DAY 06 – FULL DAY UROS & TAQUILE ISLANDS WITH LUNCH. ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast
After breakfast, we will start a boat navigation to arrive to Uros Island, in the Titikaka Lake. Later, we will visit the Taquile island. Taquile Island is famous for its craft production, particularly for its beautiful textiles. The island is narrow at about 1 Km . wide and 6 to 7 Km . long. The visit could be exhausting because of the 533 steps on the stone stairway to climb to get to the village and because of the altitude ( 13,000 ft above sea level). On Taquile there are numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins as well as Inca terracing. Later, return to Puno, overnight the Hotel.

DAY 07– PUNO / CUZCO BY BUS, WITH LUNCH & TOURS.
Buffet Breakfast.
Transfer to the train or bus station. Ten hour train or bus ride to Puno, across the scenic high Andes landscapes. Arrival and transfer to hotel.

DAY 08– CUZCO – CYTI TOUR + NEAR BY RUINS ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast
Afternoon visit the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha) the most sacred buildings during the Inca culture, continuing to the nearby ruins includes visits to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, overlooking the city of Cusco, pre-Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is a monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay: beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins.

DAY 09 – FULL DAY MACHU PICCHU WITH BOX LUNCH Vista Dome train. ( Private Local Guide )
Buffet Breakfast
Transfer from the hotel to San Pedro station. Following the northbound train towards the lower lands to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, you will arrive at the Aguas Calientes station. From there a bus will take you Hiram Brigham road arriving to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The bus ride itself only takes about half an hour and is full of breathtaking sights. The guide will thoroughly take you and your party through Machu Picchu telling the history of the area and answering any questions you may have about this spectacular wonder. A box lunch is included and after your return to Aguas Calientes, you will board the train back to Cusco.

DAY 10 – FULL DAY PISAC MARKET & OLLANTAYTAMBO RUINS WITH LUNCH. ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast .
A drive to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the famous handicraft Indian Market of Pisac (available on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). Lunch en route in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon, after an hour drive north, we arrive at Ollantaytambo, the only Inca city continuously inhabitant from Inca time, and visit the amazing fortress of Ollantaytambo. Sharing with another paxs with a bilingual guide. back to Cusco. Overnight at the Los Andes de America Hotel.

DAY 11 - CUZCO – LIMA
Buffet Breakfast
In the morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima

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RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

Ripio Turismo Website: www.ripioturismo.com.ar
Patagonia-Cruises is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.patagonia-cruises.com.ar
Iguazu-Falls is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.iguazu-falls.com.ar
Deluxe Tours is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.deluxe-tours.com.ar

Design & General Idea: Nuevas Ideas© Consultora Turística - 1999-2009

RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

Ripio Turismo Website: www.ripioturismo.com.ar
Argentina-Guide.com.ar is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.argentina-guide.com.ar

Design & General Idea: Nuevas Ideas© Consultora Turística - 1999-2005