This photo essay highlights our tour of Peru, the itinerary which is on the left column. Sadly, Overland Tours is no longer in business as the owner has passed. She was a wonderful person and provided excellent service ensuring we would never face any undue risk.

Lima Red Clay Tennis Courts
Private Tennis Club in Lima, Peru
Parasailing in Lima Peru
Parasailing from the cliffs in Lima, Peru
Dance exhibition in Lima Peru
Dance exibition in Lima Peru
Flowers in Lima
Flowers at the National Museum
Puruvian Cevichi
Puruvian Cevichi, oh so good.
Peru double decker tourist bus
A double decker tourist bus with wifi in Peru
Sand Mountains Peru
Our first stop out of Lima next to the Sand Mountains
Baby Alpaca
A curious baby Alpaca
Peru Winery
At the Winery
An assortment of wines
A lovely number of flavors
Rock Band in Peru
People everywhere love a good concert
Small Plane in Peru
Dave had the courage of seeing the lines from the air
Small plane in Peru
A sunset flight seeing the Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines Humming Bird
Nazca Lines the Hummingbird
Image Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines Lima Peru
Arequipa Peru
I believe... Arequipa
Coy in Kitchen
Cuy are kept in the kitchen fresh!
A Cuy meal
Cuy
Mummy Head, Peru
Mummified Head in Peru
Mummy Juanita
Mummy Juanita
Mount Ampato's Snowcap
Mount Ampato's Snowcap
Alpac Steak in Peru
Alpaca Steak...um, um good
Arequipa Volcano
Volcano view from Arequipa
Women with Arequipa in Background
Wendy with Arequipa in the background
Condor in Colca Canyon
Condor in Colca Canyon
Condor in Colca Canyon
Condor in Colca Canyon
Working Birds in Peru
Birds used by the local community
Man holding a Raptor
Dave tried his hand
Two people at Colca Canyon
Wendy N Dave on presipice of the deepest canyon
Colca Canyon Peru
Colca Canyon in Background
Taquille a traditional meal
A Taquille traditional meal
Women at Colca beginning
Wendy at the entrance to the Colca Canyon
terraces in Peru
A view of pre Inca terraces built.
Peruvian Market
Market Supplies
Peruvian Market
Market Supplies
Pizza in Peru
Wendy discoved a Pizza place!
Chivey Statue
Facinating statues at Chivey
Man with coat in restaurant in Peru
Lunch in my high alititude attire
Colca River
Walk along the Colca Canyon river
Women with drink in hand
W's always happy with a drink in her hand
Chivey Statue
Facinating statues at Chivey
Chivey Statue
Facinating statues at Chivey
Llamas Peru
Alpacas or Vicunas I don't know which
Llamas in Peru
Alpacas / Vicunas the gold of the rancher
Snow in the Mountains of Peru
Snow at the higher elevations
Peru tourist rest stop
Rest stop at the mountain pass
Fiji Indian Festival designs
Women seem to be the master of the boat
Boating Lake Titicaca
Traveling on Lake Titicaca
Young Aymaras Girl
Young Aymaras Girl
Uros Island
Uros Island
Uros Island Reed boat taxi
Looking closely at the construction!
A descendant of the Aymaras people in Peru
A descendant of the Aymaras and our guide
Floating Grass
Island Floor Construction
A Peru tourist sales person
Every stop someone has something to sell
Aymaras Descendent
A second guide and his family home
Amaras home
His family home
Taquile Island, Titicaca
Island welcome sign
Map Isla Taquile
Map of Isla Taquile
Knitting men's group
Men gather for any reaon
Man made knitted hats
They produce a product much needed here
Peru Flower
Flowers even in this arid region
Women cutting fabric
Demonstration on coloring fabric
Coco Candies
Coco chews for high altitude sickness
Mountain Pass Peru
Our highest point traveling by road
Small tour bus Peru
Our high altitude tour bus
Overview of the Sacred Valley
Overlooking the Sacred Valley
two men on bench
Watching the world go by never gets old
Cathedral Carvings
Art carvings adorn most churches here
Cathedral tower Peru
The Cathedral tower at night
Convent Interior Peru
Interior of the Convent
Convent Oven Peru
An Oven in the Convent
Water Purifier Peru
Water Purifier at the Convent
Convent Kitchen 1800's
Ah...the joys of cooking
Cathedral Foyer, Peru
Cathedral Entrance
Cathedral Atrium
Atrium to the Cathedral
Interior of Peru Cathedral
Inside the Cathedral
Slave built church in Peru
Churches were all built with slave labor
Ollantaytambo
Looking out over Ollantaytambo
Inca building stones
Created and set without machines
Building Boulders Peru
Moved here by human power
Inca Building Blocks
Fit tight as OJ's glove
Open water flows in Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo City water
Sacred Valley Peru
Sacred Valley Oliantaytambo
Take a break at Oliantaytambo
Taking a break at Oliantaytambo
Hand holds made without modern tools
Our guide showing holds in slabs to move
Two adults in Oliantaytambo
Cold with awesome views
Hand formed building boulders
These stones were carved and set by hand
Lucho Soler
Lucho Soler, world class master potter
Museum Quality Clay Pot
Lucho's Pots are Museum Pieces
Lucho Master Potter Pot
Lucho's Pots are Museum Pieces
Peru making construction bricks
Brick Making
Peru manufacture of clay bricks
Labor intensive Brick Manufacture
Peru High Altitude Vista
Overlooking the high altitude vistas
Peru Terracing
Pre Inca Terracing
Fortress at Oilantaytambo
The Fortress at Oilantaytambo
Oliantaytambo Valley
One view of the Valley from Oliantaytambo
Cows Head for sale
Markets in Peru have everything for sale
Peru Market Dry Goods
Market dry goods
Train to Machu Picchu
Our train to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Line
The line to enter Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Geographic Marker
Machu Picchu Geographic Marker
Llamas of Machu Picchu
Llamas of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Waynapicchu Sign
Yes, we hiked up Waynapicchu
Waynapicchu steps
Steps of Waynapicchu
Two adults with Machu Picchu in background
Dave and Wendy at Machu Picchu
Woman hiking Waynapicchu
Wendy climbing Waynapicchu
Descending Waynapicchu
Decending Waynapicchu
Women on stairs of death Waynapicchu
Wendy on the Stairs of death
Peru, Machu Picchu, Stairs of Death
The descent was steep
Women slabbing at Machu Picchu
Is this called Slabbing. Not wanting to slip
Hand cut steps in stone
Steps cut into stone with hand tools only
Trail to Mandor Falls
Hike to Mandor Falls
Mandor Falls
Mandor Falls
Lima Magic Water Circuit
Lima Magic Water Circuit
Lima Magic Water Circuit
Lima Magic Water Circuit
Water Light Tunnel
Magic Water Circuit with a water light tunnel
Entrance Museo Larco Lima Peru
Entrance Museo Larco Lima Peru
Incan Mueso Collection
Part of the collection at Museo Larco Lima Peru
Inca Bling, Lima Peru
Inca Royalty Bling at Museo Larco
Inca Mueso Collection
Colleciton close up at Museo Larco Lima Peru
Rosa Nautica Restaurant, Peru
Happy couple, Lima Peru
Dave and Wendy; Happy Tourist

Peru Itinerary

Lima Ica Nazca Arequipa Chivay Puno Cusco Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Cusco Lima (30 days / 29 nights) Arrival May 09 - Departure June 07, 2013 ((Blog Posts are inserted for the approximate time periods.))

May
Thu.9

Panamá San José Lima Assistance at Jorge Chavez International Airport upon arrival of TACA # 7033 at 3:15 PM. Transfer to Britania Hotel in Miraflores.(30min) Check in for 3 nights. Briefing at hotel to explain complete itinerary. Rest of day at leisure, overnight (Blog)

Fri. 10

Lima AM City tour of Lima / PM Larco Museum Buffet Breakfast at hotel. This morning half-day tour visits both the modern and colonial sites of Peru’s Capital City: Lima, called "City of Kings." You will start with the modern suburbs, drive along the residential areas of Miraflores with a great view to the Pacific Ocean and San Isidro with its orchard of Olive trees, to arrive downtown and observe the Colonial sites, due to Spanish heritage. Including: Plaza Mayor with its Cathedral and Presidential Palace, San Francisco’s Church and catacombs and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Return to Miraflores. Your guide will drop you in Miraflores for lunch at “Mangos Restaurant” located at LarcoMar, over looking the sea. “Pisco Sour as a welcome drink is included. At 3 PM. after lunch your tour will continue to visit “ Larco Museum” privately owned. This museum is housed in an 18th century vice royal mansion built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid. It showcases chronological galleries that provide a thorough overview of 4,000 of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. It boasts one of the world's largest collections of pre-Columbian art including Moche, Nazca, Chimú, and Inca pieces. Additionally, the Larco Museum is well known for its gallery of pre-Columbian erotic pottery. Transfer back to your hotel in Miraflores. Overnight

Sat. 11

Lima Buffet Breakfast at hotel; day at leisure; overnight

Sun. 12

Lima Ica Buffet breakfast at hotel. 6:30AM your transportation will pick you up from your hotel for your transfer to the bus station. Oltursa bus will depart at 07:30 AM. for Ica. (4:30 hrs) Seats in the lower level. Taking the Panamerican Highway South you will be able to observe our coast with the Pacific Ocean all along, while passing by towns like Cañete, Mala, Chincha. Snack will be served. Short stop over in Paracas, continue to Ica arriving at 12:00 Transfer to your hotel Hacienda El Carmelo. Check in for 2 nights. Rest of the day at leisure; Overnight

Mon 13.

Ica Breakfast at hotel; day at leisure; Optional tour to wineries overnight

Tue. 14

Ica Nazca Breakfast at hotel; transfer to bus station on time to board your OLTURSA bus to Nazca. Departing at 12:15 PM (2:30hrs). Seats in the lower level. Snack on board. Transfer to your hotel Alegria. Check in for 2 nights; Rest of the day at leisure, overnight (Blog)

Wed. 15

Nazca Breakfast at hotel; Optional overflight; optional tour to Cahuachi Rest of day at leisure. Overnight

Thu 16

Nazca Arequipa Breakfast at hotel; Morning at leisure. Please check. on time at Oltursa Bus Station for your departure at 3:00PM for Arequipa. (9hrs) Seats in the lower level. Taking the Panamerican Highway South. Snack will be served,

Fri.17

Arequipa PM City tour of Arequipa Arrival to Arequipa City at 01:00 AM. Upon arrival assistance will be provided and transfer to your Hotel Ensueño. Check in for four nights. Breakfast at hotel; Arequipa is considered Peru 2nd largest city and is called the “white city” due to the white volcanic rock called sillar with which many beautiful buildings have been constructed. Your guide will pick you up at 2PM to visit the most important sites such as the Church of San Francisco, Dome of La Compañía de Jesus, the Plaza de Armas and the unforgettable Convent of Santa Catalina, famous in the 16th century. The Convent of Santa Catalina is one of the most important colonial religious buildings in the country. Return to hotel by midday. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight

Sat.18

Arequipa Breakfast at hotel; day at leisure. Overnight

Sun. 19

Arequipa Breakfast at hotel; day at leisure. Overnight

Mon.20

Arequipa Colca Breakfast at hotel. Early transfer to bus station for your tour to the Colca Valley includes transportation, guide and entrance fees. The Colca Canyon, considered the deepest in the world, has Impressive sights of famous Peru’s volcanoes as well as picturesque pre Inca terracing, friendly Indian villages traditionally dressed. Arriving at Chivay typical Indian town, around midday. Check in for 3 nights at Hotel Casa Andina. Rest of day at leisure.

Tue.21

Chivay Colca Canyon Breakfast at hotel. Morning tour to Cruz del Condor. Time for observation. Returning to Chivay around midday. Rest of day at leisure Overnight

Wed 22

Chivay Breakfast at hotel Rest of day at leisure Overnight

Thu.23

Chivay Puno. Breakfast at hotel. Morning free. Departure for Puno at 1:30 PM. Departing from Chivay, this panoramic trip shows the beauty of the area with a vast display of typical animals of this region like the alpacas and vicuñas. Stopovers on the way for explanations as well as pictures. Soft drinks on board. Arrival in Puno around 6.30 PM. Upon arrival assistance will be provided and transfer to Balsa Inn. Check in for 3 nights. Mate de coca as "Welcome drink" will be served. Overnight

Fri.24

(Blog) Puno Titicaca Lake Tour Full day tour of Lake Titicaca's top tourist attractions. Uros Island inhabited by descendants of Aymaras that build their houses over floating artificial islands as well as Taquile Islands offer to tourists an authentic travel to the past, sharing the life with local natives and beautiful landscapes. A typical lunch will be served. Returning to hotel in the afternoon. Overnight

Sat. 25

Puno Cusco Buffet Breakfast at hotel; 6:45 AM. Transfer to bus station for your trip from Puno to Cusco. Your bus departs at 7:30AM. You will enjoy a 9 hrs trip making stopovers at archeological places such as Pukara including visit to the museum; La Raya with amazing sites, Sicuani for a typical buffet lunch. Continue on to Racchi and Andahuaylillas. On board soft drinks will be available Arriving in Cusco at 5:15PM. Transfer from bus station to Akwis Dream hotel. Check in for five nights. Overnight.

Sun 26

Cusco PM City Tour and nearby ruins Buffet Breakfast at hotel; Afternoon tour of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, World Heritage Site by UNESCO, visiting the Plaza Mayor, Cusco ́s Cathedral, the Koricancha Temple, of colonial architecture constructed over an Inca temple and other most important sites. Continue on a short drive outside of the city to admire the Fortress of Saysachuaman, Quenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight

Mon.27

Cusco Buffet breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight

Tue 28

Cusco Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo Buffet Breakfast at hotel. Your guide will pick you up for the Sacred Valley Tour. Crossing Cusco City towards the west side of the Andes Mountains you will arrive to the Urubamba Valley. On the way your guide will brief you about our Inca History and you will observe small Indian towns, their agricultural terraces while viewing the high peaks that surround this area. You will be able to see the colorful Indian Market at Pisac, where locals with typical dressing, bring their crops, as well as hand made products, to sell or exchange as their ancestors did. Continue on by way of the Sacred Valley to enjoy a buffet lunch at Tunupa ́s Restaurant After lunch you will proceed to visit the Ollantaytambo town to visit its famous Fortress. Check in at Sauce Hostal in Ollantaytambo for 2 nights Overnight.

Wed 29

Ollantaytambo Buffet breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight

Thu:30

Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Early morning buffet breakfast. Your train departs from Ollantaytambo station at 06:40 AM, for Aguas Calientes. Snack on board. The ride takes about 90 min. On the way you will admire the Urubamba River as well as the Andes mountains holding the many secrets left by the Incas. Upon arrival your guide will meet you. Check in for 3 nights to El Santuario hotel In Aguas Calientes. Lunch included

Fri 31

(Blog) Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Early morning buffet breakfast Your bus will pass in front of the hotel for the bus ride up hill while admiring the beauty of the scenery with the Andes Mountains surrounding you, to the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu, proclaim as one of the new Wonders of the World. Located at 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semitropical jungles until being discovered by Hiram Bingham, of Yale University, in 1911. Huayna Picchu, unique experience, If possible we will book you on the first shift of tourist. You will be allow two hours to admire the view and then return down for your visit of the Citadel. Your tour guide will give you a wide explanation of the history of the area and then proceed to visit sites as the Temple of the three windows, the Sacred Place, the Intihuatana “ the Sun Stone Clock”, the Royal palace, the Sacred rock, the Temple of the Sun, and many more esoteric and mystic places, enjoying after the guided tour, a buffet lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge restaurant, soft drinks included; After lunch you may stay and enjoy if you wish a 2nd visit on you own to the Citadel and return later down hill by bus to your hotel. Dinner included

JUNE Sat 01

Mandor Falls Buffet breakfast at hotel. Tour guide will pick you up for your tour to a different ambience , a tropical climate where you will admire the bio diversity. If lucky you will see a variety of orchids, butterflies and finally the Mandor falls. Returning to your hotel around noon Afternoon at leisure.

Sun 02

(Blog) Aguas Calientes Cusco Buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning at leisure In the afternoon you will return to Cusco by train. Transfer from train station to your hotel Check in at Awkis Dream for 2 nights. Overnight

Mon. 03

(Blog) Cusco Buffet breakfast at hotel. Last day in Cusco. In the evening you will enjoy a farewell buffet dinner with show at Don Antonio’s Restaurant. Overnight Breakfast at hotel. Early transfer from your hotel to the airport for flight from Cusco to Lima. Star Peru departs at 8:45AM at arriving in Lima at 10:00AM. Assistance upon arrival and transfer to Britania hotel in Miraflores. Check in for 3 nights. Rest of the day at leisure

Tue. 04.

Miraflores, Lima Buffet breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure. Wed. 05 Miraflores, Lima Buffet breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure. Thu 06 Miraflores, lima Buffet breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure. Farewell dinner at "Rosa Nautica" Restaurant

Fri. 07

Miraflores, Lima Panama Buffet breakfast at hotel. 10:30 AM Transfer from your hotel to Jorge Chavez International Airport for your flight Copa departing for to Panama at 1:53PM

PROGRAM INCLUDES:

Services will be provided with official English speaking guides. All transfers are included as mentioned All tours as mentioned will be provided in regular service All entrance tickets to tours mentioned are included Bus tickets Lima Ica, lower level Bus tickets Ica Nazca, lower level Bus tickets Nazca Arequipa, lower level 29 nights sharing double room Inc service fee and. Daily Buffet breakfast at mentioned hotels; 3 nights in Miraflores at Britania Hotel, inc. taxes. (09-12) 2 nights in Ica at Hacienda El Carmelo (American breakfast) (12_14) 2 nights in Nazca at Hotel Alegria (14-16) 4 nights in Arequipa HTl. Ensueño (16-20) Touristic transportation from Arequipa to Colca and Puno 3 nights at Hotel Casa Andina in Colca (20-23) 2 nights in Puno at Hotel La Hacienda (23-25) Touristic transportation from Puno to Cusco inc. lunch 3 nights in Cusco at Awkis Dream (25-28) 2 nights in the Sacred Valley at Sauce Hostal (28-30) 3 night in Aguas Calientes at El Santuario Hotel (30-02) Lunch at hotel on May 30 and dinner on May 31 2 nights in Cusco at Awkis Dream (02-04) 3 nights in Miraflores at Britania Hotel (04-07) Round trip train tickets from Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes Round trip bus transportation to Machu Picchu Buffet lunch at Sanctuary lodge in Machu Picchu inc. soft drinks Buffet lunch at Tunupa ́s Restaurant in Urubamba, Sacred Valley Buffet lunch at Mangos ́s Restaurant in Miraflores, inc. Pisco sour Dinner and show at Don Antonio’s Restaurant in Cusco Dinner at “ Rosa Nautica" Restaurant, including welcome drink and wine Does not include: Any extras, tips or drinks or services not mentioned. Telephone calls or any other service not mentioned in the program. Air tickets Cusco Lima International Air tickets Please take note. Temperature and weather conditions in the Andes may vary several times during the day, so we recommend that you take layers of clothes that can easily be added or removed.