Sacred Valley Ride with Caballo de Paso Festival
Transcription
Sacred Valley Ride with Caballo de Paso Festival
Sacred Valley Ride with Caballo de Paso Festival Peru (Recce Tour) The 16th century Spanish chronicler, Pedro Cleza de Leon, once wrote of the “...great things there are to tell of Peru”. Nearly 500 years later, Peru’s scenic and historic wonders are still captivating visitors. This spectacular adventures takes you through a land steeped in the blood and glory of the ancient Incas and the colonial Spanish, where you can wander through cities blessed with centuries of history and tradition. You begin in Lima, Peru’s capital, where you’ll enjoy some of its historic highlights, before spending a day soaking up the pageantry and colour of the remarkable Caballo de Paso Festival. Moving on to the ancient capital of Cusco, you’ll then enjoy five days on horseback, exploring the landscapes, villages and ancient sites that occupy the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a chance to spend the night in one of the local villages, you’ll then travel to Machu Picchu by train, to gaze upon the spectacular ruins of one of the most stunningly located archaeological sites anywhere in the Americas. “I have travelled a lot with several different tour companies and would not hesitate recommending Wild Frontiers to those who want a very special adventure.” Jayne Hanlin Duration: 11 Days Start: Wed 20 Apr 2016 Average group size: 5 – 10 Finish: Sat 30 Apr 2016 Looking for alternative dates? Check the website or give us a call WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7751 0710 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com TOUR DETAILS TOUR CODE: SVR/A HIGHLIGHTS Explore Lima, Peru’s historic ‘City of Kings’ Enjoy the dazzling Caballo de Paso Festival at Lurin Discover the colonial and Inca highlights of Cusco Five day horse trek through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas Visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World Accommodation: As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On this particular trip we will be in hotels, camping and in a community owned homestay with shared facilities. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability. Transport: On this tour we will use minibuses, domestic flights, a train up to Machu Picchu and of course our trusty steeds. Climate: Given the diverse nature of Peru’s topography it is hard to give accurate climate forecasts, but in general this tour runs in the dry season. Daytime temperatures in the mountains are expected to be in the early to mid-twenties, although nights will be considerably cooler. On the coast temperatures should be slightly higher during both the day and night. However, given the fact that much of the trip will take place in the mountains, you should come expecting weather that can change quickly and may include rain. Is this trip for me? It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. Please therefore take time to read the dossier carefully. All our tours are graded to give an overall picture of the trip but these are only guidelines and you should check the daily itinerary. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office. Adventure Rating Comfort Grade Fitness Level Cultural Interest Additional Comments: Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. It should be noted that we will be riding at altitude and some of the trails may be quite narrow in places and therefore if you suffer badly from vertigo this may not be the trip for you. WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7751 0710 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com RIDING INFORMATION Riding Ability: You should be able to ride to an intermediate standard. Ideally you should be comfortable in all paces and confident to ride a well-trained, forward going horse in open country. There are some steep slopes to negotiate and you should be fit enough to hike at high altitudes. The pace is dictated by the terrain and altitude. Types of Horses: The horse are pure bred Peruvian Paso Horses and are well-trained and vary between 14 - 15.2 hands. The Peruvian Paso horses have their own gait, the 'paso llano gait' (a four beat lateral gait). This is the preferred gait of these beautiful horses; it is something which they can do for hours on end and you will be amazed at how quickly you cover the ground without ever cantering. Tack: The horses are ridden in hand made Peruvian tack which is a result of over 400 years of tradition and is shaped by the need for comfort over long distances and difficult terrain – the saddles are similar to Western style and the horse are generally neck reined – the hand to mouth contact with these horses is very gentle. Weight Limit for Riding: Maximum weight limit is approximately 90-95kg. Safety when Riding: Although we understand that a large part of the fun of horse riding holidays is the freedom you derive from riding wild and free over magical terrain, we would like to point out that this form of holiday can be hazardous and it is important you follow a few basic rules: Firstly you must be a competent rider. If you are not sure if your level of riding skill is sufficient for the particular trip you are signing up for, please contact the office for advice. We strongly recommend that you wear a hard hat – at least while you get used to the horses. Accidents can happen to anyone at any time particularly while both horse and rider are sussing each other out. A hard hat can be the difference between a minor accident and a very serious problem. Concentrate – particularly over tricky terrain. It is all too easy to get carried away with the scenery, the adventure and the ongoing conversations. Remember you are riding and take care. Until you are sure of your horse’s demeanour, try to keep at least a metre apart. Pass messages back. And if you do all that and use your common sense, all should be fine and you will have a fabulous horse-bound adventure holiday. WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7751 0710 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com Day 1: Arrive Lima: One of the country’s most eclectic and vibrant cities, Peru’s historic ‘City of Kings’ is a rich amalgam of contrasts and contradictions. The gastronomic capital of the Americas and home to the grand architecture of the Plaza de Armas, Lima can trace its colonial beginnings back to the Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, who founded the city in 1535. Over the years it has survived earthquakes, pirate attacks and wars of independence, to become the capital of the country and the fourth largest city in Latin America. Arriving today, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Hotel: Britania Miraflores or similar (No meals) Day 2: Visit the Caballo de Paso Festival in Lurin: The Peruvian Paso is prized as one of the country’s finest horses and each year, the Caballo de Paso Festival showcases the very finest of their breed. Taking place in Lurin, on the southern edge of Lima, the festival is located close to the ancient pre-Inca site of Pachacamac and attracts breeders, riders and locals alike, who are drawn here to watch these stunning horses going through their paces. We’ll spend the day at the festival, enjoying the traditions and pageantry of the tournaments and the elegant displays of marinera dancing, before returning to Lima later this afternoon. Lunch will be included today. Hotel: Britania Miraflores or similar (B,L,D) Day 3: Lima to Cusco; afternoon walking tour: Flying on to Cusco today, we swap Peru’s colonial capital for its ancient Inca one. One of the oldest inhabited cities on the continent and considered to be archaeological capital of the America’s, Cusco was built on to tremendous foundations of its ancient past. After checking in to our hotel we’ll take a walking tour of this historic city this afternoon, visiting its beautiful cathedral with its magnificently carved interiors and ornate altar. A visit to the stunningly engineered Temple of the Sun is then followed by a walk along Hatunrumiyoc Street and a visit to the San Blas artisan district, whose stepped cobbled streets are lined with galleries and workshops. Providing some sweeping views across the city, this is also a great place to soak up Cusco’s artistic ambience. Hotel: Maytaq Wasin Boutique or similar (B,L,D) Day 4: Ride into the Sacred Valley - Visit the ruins at Sacsayhuaman: Today sees the start of our five day horse riding adventure, as we leave the city behind and head for Pumamarca, where we’ll meet WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com our guide and horses for the first time. Today we’ll visit the Inca ruins at Pumamarca and Sacsayhuaman, the hilltop fortress built to defend the Inca capital. Occupying a high ridge overlooking Cusco, the brooding ruins at Sacsayhuaman took over 90 years to complete. Vast in scale, its towering zigzagging walls projected out at angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire and its largest stones measure nearly 8.5 metres in height and weigh in at over 300 tons. Our ride today will be around four hours and we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch along the way, before finally making camp later this afternoon close to the Sacsayhuaman ruins. Wild camp (B,L,D) Day 5: Ride to the Piuray Lagoon and El Mirador de Raqchi: Departing camp after breakfast we’ll continue on into the valley, heading first for the Piuray Lagoon, located just to the southeast of Chinchero. Lying amongst some truly breathtaking Andean landscapes, the lagoon is situated around 3,700 metres above sea level and has supplied Cusco with its drinking water since the times of the Incas. Supplied to old imperial city via underground aqueducts that are still here today, the lagoon’s serene waters attract a rich wealth of birds to its shores. After a picnic lunch we’ll continue on towards the lookout point at El Mirador de Raqchi, where we are treated to some unforgettable vistas of the Scared Valley of the Incas. A short ride downhill from here then brings us into our second night’s camp. Approximately four hours riding. Wild camp (B,L,D) Day 6: Ride to Urubamba: After breakfast we’ll descend on horseback down towards the town of Urubamba, the capital of the Sacred Valley. Located close to the banks of the Urubamba River, beneath the towering slopes of Ch’iqun Mountain, the town lies close to a number of the area’s most important Inca ruins. Somewhat disconcertingly, the translation from the original Quechua is the ‘flat land of spiders’, but it does provide us with a room and our first chance for a shower for a few days! Taking approximately four hours again to reach our destination today, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant where we can try some fresh trout caught in the nearby Urubamba River. Hotel: Amaru Valle or similar (B,L,D) Day 7: Ride to the salt mines of Maras. Visit a local community: Today we’ll pay a visit to the remarkable salt mines at Maras, which have been in use since Inca times. Glittering like snow in the intense sunlight, these salt evaporation ponds present a quite extraordinary sight and the salt is still extracted today by the same method used before the arrival of the Spanish. After our visit we’ll then move on to enjoy some time in the local community, providing a rare opportunity to gain an insight into the lives and traditions of the people of the Sacred Valley. We’ll share a meal with our hosts and get a chance to interact first hand with people whose ancestors built the ancient ruins that lie scattered across this timeless landscape. Riding for another four hours today, we’ll spend this evening in basic accommodation in the heart of the community. Basic community homestay (B,L,D) Day 8: Ride to Mirador de Wañyn, Moray & Pachar. Drive to Cusco: Before we leave the community this morning we’ll enjoy a demonstration of the timehonoured process of textile dyeing and weaving. After saying goodbye to our hosts we’ll then begin the final day of the riding part of this adventure with a walk up towards the lookout point at Mirador de Wañyn (4,000 m), which will take around an hour and a half to get to the summit. The views more than make up for the climb though and returning to the valley afterwards, we’ll then rejoin our horses and continue to Moray on horseback. On arrival in Moray we’ll take in the remarkable circular terraces, believed to have once been an old Inca agricultural research centre. Against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks, we then continue on to the small Andean village of Maras, where we can enjoy a local corn beer in a typical ‘chicheria’ in the village square. After lunch we’ll say goodbye to our horses and make the journey back to Cusco by road. Hotel: Maytaq Wasin Boutique or similar (B,L,D) Day 9: Train to Machu Picchu: An early transfer to the train station in Ollanta this morning sees us boarding the train on to Aguas Calientes, to visit the spectacular Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Travelling through the Sacred Valley, the train ride WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com gets us into the town in time to join our local guide for a visit to one of the world’s most stunningly sited archaeological ruins. Lost for centuries amongst the towering Andean peaks, this awe-inspiring site was rediscovered in 1911 by the explorer, Hiram Bingham. Dating back to the middle of the 15th century, the city was built by Pachacuti and at its centre lies a remarkable collection of well-preserved ruins. We’ll take a small coach up to the entrance of the site from the train station, returning to Aquas Calientes for the evening after our visit to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Hotel: Hatun Samay or similar (B,L,D) Amazon Rainforest: You may be surprised to learn that 60% of Peru is Amazonian rainforest and various eco-lodges offer the opportunity for exploration of this unique environment. Allow 3-5 days. Day 10: Aquas Calientes to Cusco: You’ll have some time today to return to Machu Picchu’s World Heritage ruins and explore them at your leisure, perhaps taking the chance to walk up to Wayna Picchu to enjoy the spectacular views down towards the Temple of the Sun. Later we’ll then return to Ollanta by train, where our bus will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. Hotel: Maytaq Wasin Boutique or similar (B,L,D) Recce Tours: As we all know, the world is a constantly changing place - destinations & routes that were once cutting-edge now regularly find themselves appearing in mainstream brochures. Coming up with truly original tour ideas is a constant challenge but at Wild Frontiers we are committed to offering you a real alternative to the mainstream and each year we run a handful of new and original adventures. These are our so-called Recce Tours and since the very beginning have proven incredibly popular with those of you who like to act as our “guinea pigs” and join us on these tours. Fantastic fun and highly rewarding, Recce Tours will assuredly not go 100% to plan and it is not uncommon for clients to take an active role in tweaking the itineraries along the way. More challenging than our normal tours, these will often require a greater degree of flexibility...they will not be for everyone. Day 11: Tour ends in Cusco: Transfer to the airport today for the return flight to the UK. (B) Extensions: If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Or alternatively you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration. The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries. Here is just a small sample of what you could do:Southern Circuit: If you have time for a more thorough exploration of Peru, then a week should allow you to travel south from Lima via the “mini-Galapagos” at Paracas, the Nazca lines, the colonial city of Arequipa with its nearby Colca Canyon and Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Neighbouring countries: If you’re coming from Europe, then South America is a long way to go and you may want to consider combining this trip with a visit to Bolivia or even Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your individual requirements. PRICING Tour price: All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour. For the latest prices, please refer to our website or contact the office. Travelling Solo & Single Supplements: As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone! Our prices are typically based on twinshare accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour including all camping nights, when you would get your own tent. Flights: If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flight (see GETTING THERE) or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know although it should be noted that in most cases we are only able to quote on flights originating in the UK. Please remember that all Wild Frontiers tour prices mean NO hidden extras, NO local payments and NO compulsory single supplements. WHAT IS INCLUDED? Full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides and drivers Meal plan as detailed in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) with drinking water as required with the majority of meals being taken in local restaurants where viable All transport as outlined in the itinerary. All accommodation 2-man dome tents while camping All entrance fees, as per itinerary A carbon-offsetting contribution to Carbon Clear (if booking international flights through WF office) WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Visas (if applicable) Local airport taxes Tips (always optional, but some guidance will be given in the predeparture information pack you’ll receive after booking) Beverages other than drinking water & any costs of a personal nature International flights to/from the start/finish of the trip Airport transfers (unless booking suggested flights through WF office) GETTING THERE For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are: 20APR IB7443 LHR-MAD 07:30/10:50 20APR IB6651 MAD-LIM 13:10/19:15 30APR IB7758 LIM-MAD 18:55/13:50 +1 01MAY IB3166 MAD-LHR 15:55/17:20 Key: LHR – London Heathrow MAD – Madrid LIM – Lima IB – Iberia NB If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. Please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions. Insurance: Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Travel & General offer a tailor-made policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers trips. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available Standard and Elite. Cover explained: Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com essential travel except where it has been previously agreed. Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel. For this trip the minimum requirement would be the Standard policy. These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday and can be purchased on a trip-specific basis or annual cover. For more information please refer to the details on our website www.wildfrontierstravel.com/insurance or by calling Travel & General direct on + 44 (0) 845 345 3456. This insurance is available to EU residents (excluding Norway & Switzerland) up to the age of 75. It covers horse riding, mountain walking, trekking, white-water rafting and all other activities we offer as part of our tours. If you are over 75 and/or a resident of a non-UK European country then you may still be able to get your insurance arranged by Travel & General Insurance Services Limited. Please contact us for assistance with this. If you do decide to purchase alternative insurance, then you must ensure that it covers you for every aspect of this trip. Please pay particular attention to ensuring that you are covered for horse-riding. change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency for this trip, details of which are below:Travcour +44 (0) 20 8543 1846 www.travcour.com For this tour, UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Peru. Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client. Responsible Travel: Responsible travel and sustainable tourism are fundamental ideas that Wild Frontiers has been committed to since our birth. It is our strong belief that these words should not be simply ‘tagged on’ to dossiers and websites but should be at the very core of each trip, and our adventures are therefore designed with the local people, culture and eco-system in mind. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our clients, but that it also benefits the peoples whose lands we are privileged to visit. In 2012 we were delighted to be awarded the Guardian Observer Best Ethical Travel Award. Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Service Ltd, details of which can be found at the website of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) www.fca.org.uk Please note that no insurance policy will cover every eventuality and terms and conditions will apply in the event of any claim. Visas: Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently For more information, please refer to www.wildfrontierstravel.com/rt The Wild Frontiers Foundation: In order to facilitate an enduring support structure for the communities we visit, and to show WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com a commitment to these values, Wild Frontiers has set up a charitable foundation through which we can channel funds to both existing NGOs and our own development projects. In addition to organising ethically sensitive tours, having our own charitable foundation allows us to raise money – through the cost of our tours, charity trips and fund raising events – which can then be used to fund various projects in education, sanitation, reforestations and a number of other important issues facing developing communities. Wherever possible we are happy for our clients to visit these projects to see for themselves where and how this money is being spent. Our website has more information about our responsible travel policy, the foundation and also has a full list of partner NGOs. Should you wish to read more or donate to the foundation please contact the office or follow this link:www.wildfrontiersfoundation.org The Environment: Trying to do our bit for the environment, in 2005 we were among the first UK-based travel companies to automatically offset every client’s international flight (if booked with us) with a payment to Carbon Clear to help promote sustainable energy. To read more about the work of Carbon Clear, please follow this link:www.carbon-clear.com finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct. British Foreign & Commonwealth Office: The travel advice of the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) highlights potential hazards people might experience when travelling abroad and as an advocate of their “Know Before You Go” campaign we strongly suggest that you refer to it before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Details can be found on the website below. Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments. Wild Frontiers Community If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Clients’ Views: See what other travellers have said about our trips – www.wildfrontierstravel.com/views AITO Membership: Wild Frontiers is a member of AITO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators. AITO’s charter states that its exclusive members strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating. AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, Blogs: See what our tour-leaders, staff and clients have posted from the road www.wildfrontierstravel.com/blog Videos: They may not find their way on the list for Oscars nominations but we have an extensive (and growing) collection of short videos giving you an insight in many of our destinations – www.wildfrontierstravel.com/video WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com Photos: Our popular “Photo of the month” competition has added to the vast gallery of photos we already have from around the world. See them here www.wildfrontierstravel.com/photos Events: From time to time we hold informal presentations, photo exhibitions and dinner evenings mainly in the London area. To find out more see here – www.wildfrontierstravel.com/events Wild Miles Club: Everyone that has booked a trip directly with us will become an automatic member of the Wild Miles Club gaining instant access to a range of exclusive discounts from a variety of travel partners from bookshops to outdoor clothing shops. In addition, regular direct bookers will earn “Wild Miles” which can earn you up to 10% in discounts off of all tours. For more information visit this page - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/wild-miles Facebook: Keep up to date with the latest news and special offers by liking our Facebook page www.facebook.com/wildfrontiers PERU – THE FACTS The land of the Incas, an amazing civilization that was able to cope with the wild geography of the region and live in harmony with the elements of nature: the rivers, the sun, the rain, the oceans, the mountains, the dry cold of the Andes and the rugged landscape, reaping the fruits of nature and adapting to different environments. Part of this ancient civilization still remains in every village and major cities and can be discovered in local traditions. Visiting these places in Peru is like traveling through time to discover the fascinating lives of the Incas, Chancas, Chachapoyas, Mochicas and Wari with their great architecture, arts, festivities, their powerful culture and their energetic people. Caral, the first known civilization in the Americas; pre-Hispanic cultures; the Inca Empire, the fusion between Incas and the Hispanic world; Peru and its Western, Eastern and African influences; deserts, mountains, woods, the Amazon and the ocean; exotic landscapes, flora, fauna and great cultural diversity. This is what Peru is all about. Lima: In the north is the city of Caral, the oldest civilization of America, and to the south is the Archaeological Complex of Pachacamac. Lima's history predates the colonial presence in the country. The establishment of the viceroyalty transformed the city into the main political and administrative center of South America. During this period, significant churches, monasteries, mansions and balconies were built. The arrival of modernity didn’t transform the historic centre, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site. Museums with great works of art, archaeological sites, beaches, the boardwalk, valleys, natural reserves, the nightlife, the thrill of adventure sports, and the exquisite cuisine gives Peru’s capital an authentic personality and makes tourism in Lima a unique experience in the country. WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com was also the route to the jungle and therefore an area with access to the fruits and plants of the tropical lowlands. The Sacred Valley served as a buffer zone, protecting Cusco from incursions of the Antis, the fierce jungle tribes who from time to time raided the highlands. Today the Sacred Valley remains a lush agricultural region supplying the city of Cusco with much of its produce such as maize, fruit and vegetables. Cusco: Seductive, striking and natural, Cusco's history lives in its streets, squares, valleys and towns.Stunning destinations and examples of fine engineering by Inca stonemasons can be seen in Choquequirao, Saysayhuamán, Kenko, Tambomachay, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the Inca jewel built with the wisdom of the ancient Peruvians in an ecological environment. Captivating landscapes such as the Sacred Valley, where the mountains are clothed by terraces. Machu Picchu: Built high on a mountain, Machu Picchu is an Inca city with temples, palaces, paths and water channels, which clearly shows the ability of an ancient civilization to build with huge stone blocks, without any cement, but with great wisdom. The citadel, which lives in harmony with nature, represents a single expression of the fusion between mountain and city. Due to its important historical legacy, Machu Picchu was declared a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site in 1983. Pictures villages where the past forms part of the present. Cusco really is the birthplace of the world. The Sacred Valley: The Sacred Valley of the Incas was undoubtedly a key area of settlement to the Incas. Its agreeable climate and fertile plains make a rare and fruitful combination for the high Andes. It According to research, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century by the Inca Pachacútec. Even the most well-known archaeologists propose several theories as to the purpose of the citadel, which some consider to have been a Sanctuary, a Sacred City or an important political, religious and administrative centre. WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com How to book: In order to confirm your booking we need to have a completed signed booking form for each client together with a £400 deposit per person. You can either return your booking form to us by post or by booking online at www.wildfrontierstravel.com You can contact the office by email to info@wildfrontierstravel.com or we are very happy to take your call on + 44 (0) 20 7736 3968. Protection for you money: You can book your holiday with Wild Frontiers in complete confidence that all monies you pay to us for your tour are fully protected. Wild Frontiers is fully bonded and licensed by ABTOT (The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Ltd) in respect of all land only tour packages. Our ABTOT number is 5228. Under the terms of the bond, monies are secured by a bank guarantee. For further information visit www.abtot.com If you choose to book your international flights with us then you will also be ATOL protected as we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Our ATOL number is 5975. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will arrange to refund any monies to you that you have paid for an advance booking and ensure that you are not stranded abroad. For further information visit www.atol.org.uk We recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of booking in the event that you are no longer able to travel as all deposits are non-refundable – full booking conditions can be found on the booking form and online at our website. As I’m sure you can appreciate, Wild Frontiers trips can be quite complex affairs to arrange and certain elements (such as permits, visa authorisations, trains and flights) may need to be requested several months in advance. As such, wherever possible, we would encourage you to plan ahead and book early to avoid disappointment. Moreover, by booking early you are always guaranteed to get the best price with us as we will automatically offer you a retrospective discount if we happen to reduce the price of the tour later on. For further details, please refer to www.wildfrontierstravel.com/price-guarantee Further information: When you make a confirmed booking with Wild Frontiers we will send you a pre-departure information pack giving you details on visas, health and vaccinations, packing lists, suggested reading on the region, photography and other useful tips to make your trip more enjoyable. WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com Why Wild Frontiers? As a young and innovative independent company, Wild Frontiers is delighted to have been voted one of the ‘Top 10 Tour Operators’ by Wanderlust readers each of the last 6 years - coming third in 2007 and second in 2009. When National Geographic Adventure Magazine awarded us a similar accolade in 2010, we were equally thrilled. We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Below are a few of the factors that we believe set us apart from our competitors and form the reasons as to why our clients travel with us again and again… Personal Service & Expertise: Our London office is manned by experienced expedition leaders and most trips we run stem from our first-hand knowledge - in short, we run the kind of holidays that as passionate travellers, we like to do ourselves. When you ring our office, you can be guaranteed to chat to someone who knows the region and the terrain and is able to offer sound and practical advice. Authentic Experiences: Our unique, original itineraries allow you to take journeys that venture beneath the surface of the region. We rarely run any group tour more than a couple of times a year and they are typically on routes we have discovered for ourselves, meaning we are able to give a truly authentic, offthe-beaten-track experience. Be the First: Our style of travel is all about exploration, and nothing excites us more than opening up new routes to genuine travellers. We keep abreast of new destinations and are often the first to return to places that have vanished from the tourist map. We were the first back into Pakistan after 9/11, the first to return to Kashmir after a decade of tourist isolation, and amongst the first to run a commercial travel trip to Afghanistan for almost 30 years. Since then we have helped bring Colombia, Yemen, Georgia and Bangladesh back into the tourist fold, specialising in ground-breaking reconnaissance trips and imaginative expeditions. Small Group Size: On our escorted tours, we believe it is imperative to keep the group sizes small. Most trips are limited to an average maximum of 12 travellers, thus giving you more access to fragile cultures, better opportunities to interact with local people, and the knowledge you are making less of an impact while there. “Having been a bit apprehensive about joining a group as a single traveller, I found myself surrounded by interesting, friendly, helpful people who I hope to catch up with again on future trips.” Angela Chick, Kashmir Group Tour Cost of Group Tours: We believe in an honest, upfront pricing structure so you know exactly what the tour will cost before you book. On our group tours we avoid local payments, ‘optional extras’ or forcing our clients to go through the annoying procedure of splitting every meal bill. Our tours are provided on a predominantly full board basis, with drinking water, government permits, entrance fees and transport all included. Our clients: Your companions can make or break a trip, and it’s lucky therefore that our clients are often our greatest asset. Travelling to remote regions is not for everyone, and as such we tend to attract openminded travellers looking for genuine experiences, and a desire to reach those hard to get to places. Responsible Travel: Awarded 5 star status by AITO (Association of Independent Tour operators), responsible tourism (RT) has always been an integral part of our company ethos and our adventures are designed with the local people, culture and eco-system in mind. In 2012 we were awarded the Guardian Observer Best Ethical Travel Award. For further details please refer to the RT section of our website www.wildfrontierstravel.com/rt WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
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