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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Peru, 2015!

Come to Peru and the Amazon with me!


October 31-Nov 10, 2015!



In October of  2015 I am traveling with Jim West and Craftours.com on an amazing adventure you won't want to miss!
I have also added a Peru 2015 tab to the top of the blog so you can come back to this info.  Feel free to send the link to your friends who may want to travel with you!
PACKAGE INCLUDES: 

Round trip international airfare and all airfare within South America, all meals and sightseeing as listed in the itinerary, Jim West as your personal escort, train tickets and entrance fees, professional tour guides, quilting workshops with Bonnie Hunter, and a commemorative tote bag of gifts! Price does not include air departure taxes within South America, optional tours, gratuities, drinks, and extra costs of a personal nature.

Since we are just putting this together, the price is to be determined, and will be posted soon. Due to my travel schedule, the days may be shifted more to starting the 28th if we can get it..and I'll update over the next few days as we pull this together.

SOUTH AMERICA HIGHLIGHTS:

CANOPY WALKWAY 
The Canopy Walkway is an experience unequaled in the rain forest! At a height of over 35 meters (115 feet) and extending for 500 meters (one-third of a mile), the Canopy Walkway provides a view of the rain forest from the treetops, the best vantage point for observing Amazon wildlife and vegetation. The Canopy Walkway is accessible to all and requires no special skills or equipment. The suspended walkway is spread between 14 of the area's largest rain forest trees and is one of the longest canopy walkways in the world.


YAGUA INDIANS 
The Yagua (YAH-wah) Indians of the Peruvian Amazon are known for their skill with the blowgun. It was the Yagua that gave the Amazon River its name.

  

RENUPERU" ETHNOBOTANICAL GARDEN
The ReNuPeRu Ethnobotanical Garden, located adjacent to ExplorNapo, is a teaching garden for the medicinal and useful rain forest plants of the area. 


MACHU PICCHU 
Machu Picchu or Machu Pikchu is a 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres above sea level. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District in Peru. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley which is 80 kilometres northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. Often mistakenly referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of
 Inca civilization.

  

WEATHER:

Lima has a subtropical and desertic climate, yet the microclimate also makes it very humid.

There are two seasons in Lima, summer and winter. During the summer months (mid December to mid March) the average temperatures will range from 77º - 83º F (25º - 28º C). 

Remember in South America the seasons are reversed. Without a doubt the summer is the best time to relax on the city beaches of Lima. Winter season is known for grey, overcast and humid days. The average temperatures will range from 54º to 59º F(12º to 15º C). 

For current weather go to weather.com or click here.

CURRENCY
Currency in Peru: nuevo sol (PEN)
Click here for currency converter.

Reservations


To make your reservations call Craftours at
815-663-4046, toll free at 877-887-1188 or submit your reservations online.


For additional questions regarding airfare, transfers, insurance, pre-night packages, or our convenient payment plan, please call our toll-free number or use our contact form.

This itinerary, pricing and escorts are subject to change. Insurance is available and highly recommended. Single rates are available upon request. A 3% discount applies for check payment paid in full. Please consult the Terms and Conditions, as they apply starting with the first payment.

ITINERARY:

Saturday, October 31st:

Today we officially begin our South America Expedition with a flight to LIMA, PERU from Miami. Upon our late arrival at the airport, we will collect our luggage and transfer to our hotel, where we will check in and have a good night sleep.

Sunday, November 1st:

Following an early breakfast, we will transfer back to the Lima Airport for our flight to IQUITOS, the bustling city located at the entrance of the AMAZONIA REGION. Upon our arrival, we will be met and transferred to the Explorama Dock where we will begin a twenty-five mile boat journey down the AMAZON RIVER to our private lodge in the middle of the rainforest. 

This facility provides charming rooms with air conditioning, our own private bathroom and hot water, giving us all the comforts of home, but still providing that very unique opportunity to experience the Amazon Rainforest. Upon our arrival at the lodge, we will check into our hotel rooms and then enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, there will be time to relax and enjoy an afternoon swim in the pool or take a hike in the beautiful primary rainforest reserve, which includes many huge trees festooned with epiphytes. 

Later in the evening, following dinner, there will be an opportunity to sit back and relax to local flute or guitar music in the El Toucan Bar. It will be an exciting first day in this extraordinary place, and as we fall asleep in our hotel rooms, we'll hear all the extraordinary sounds of the Amazon Jungle. B, L, D

Monday, November 2nd:

This morning we begin our day with a scrumptious breakfast, followed by a morning boat ride to visit a small village of Yagua Indians. Along the way, we will have an opportunity to experience fishing for small piranha before arriving at the Indian village. Our guide will explain the Yagua Indian culture and how it was affected by the arrival of Europeans and the passing of time. There will also be an opportunity to see flora and fauna and shop for local crafts, before seeing a blowgun demonstration, which some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting. Don't forget your cameras; this morning will be one of the real highlights of our Amazon experience.

In the afternoon, we will walk through the streets of a small town called INDIANA. Originally a Franciscan mission, Indiana has grown into a large river community with its own market, high school and small hospital. Later in the day we will return to our lodge to relax before dinner. Tonight is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. B, L, D

Tuesday, November 3rd:

We begin our day with a very early departure from our lodge (by boat) to the Explor Napo Lodge, where we will enjoy breakfast. This lodge is a sister property to the lodge we are staying in, but designed more for the "adventure traveler." Once you see this lodge, you will no doubt have a better appreciation for our lodging facility. Following breakfast, we'll hike to the spectacular Canopy Walkway, spanning over 500 meters (one-third of a mile), and connected by tree platforms that reach a height of over 115 feet. This is all accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. We'll return back to the lodge for lunch, and the afternoon is free to spend as you wish. Later in the evening, we will enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and relax for the evening. B, L, D 

Wednesday, November 4th:

This morning, following breakfast, we will gather in the "ReNuPeRu" Ethnobotanical Garden where over 240 medicinal plants are cultivated by a local shaman who will explain the nature of Amazonian natural healing. It will be a fascinating and educational experience for all of us. Following lunch, we will check out of our rooms and board a boat that will carry us back to the town ofIQUITOS, where we will drive to the airport for a flight to LIMA. Upon our arrival, we will board our motorcoach and drive to our hotel where we will check in and enjoy a late dinner. B, L, D

Thursday, November 5th:

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and return to the Lima Airport for a flight to the mountain city of CUSCO. Upon our arrival at the Cusco Airport, we will collect our luggage and be met by our local tour guide and motorcoach driver who will transfer us to the first class hotel, where we will check in and relax. Tonight, we will enjoy a delicious dinner and relax for the night. B, D

Friday, November 6th:

This morning, after a buffet breakfast, we will enjoy a PANORAMIC TOUR OF CUSCO. We will visit a shop where we will see a weaving demonstration. There will be time to shop for sweaters, coats, scarves and all kinds of woolen garments. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy at your leisure. B

Saturday, November 7th:

This morning, we will check out of our hotel, leaving our large suitcases with the bell captain, and only taking our carry on bags, as we transfer to the train station where we will enjoy a 4-hour train ride to the small town of AGUAS CALIENTES. This ride will take us through beautiful scenic mountain areas of PERU, the Urubamba Valley and Sacred Valley of the Incas. 

Upon our arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will be met by our local guide who will take us to our deluxe hotel. This hotel will certainly be one of the most extraordinary hotel experiences you’ve ever had. We will settle in and then enjoy a wonderful dinner together as we prepare for our special day tomorrow. B, D

Sunday, November 8th:

This morning, following a very early breakfast, we will walk to our bus that will take us to the incredible ruins of MACHU PICCHU. Located 120 km northwest of Cusco, the Inca city of Machu Picchu lay hidden from the world in dense jungle covered mountains until 1911. This 'Lost City' is one of the world's archaeological jewels and is one of South America's major travel destinations. Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spaniards. For centuries it was buried in the jungle until Hiram Bingham found it in 1911. The Holy City of Machu Picchu was built in stone among the flanks of two hills belonging to the eastern mountain range of the Andes, descending into the Amazonian upper sylvan. There is no doubt that Machu Picchu represents an extraordinary example of architecture and engineering.

We will follow our local professional guide through each portion of the ruins and learn more about the Incan civilization. There will be photograph opportunities like you’ve never experienced before in your life. You will have an opportunity to stay as long as you like at the ruins. The group will take the bus back down the mountain where you will enjoy the remainder of the afternoon on your own. Tonight we will meet for dinner and reminisce about our spectacular day. B, D

Monday, November 9th:

Today you have an opportunity to have a leisurely morning on your own. Following breakfast, you may opt to participate in one of the complimentary tours offered through the hotel, go back to Machu Picchu to explore again on your own, or just relax with a morning massage. In the afternoon we will check out of our hotel and take the train back to the city of CUSCO. Upon our arrival, we will check into our same hotel, collect our larger suitcases and relax before our special “farewell dinner.” B, D

Tuesday, November 10th:

This morning, following breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and transfer to the Cusco Airport for our flight to LIMA. We will arrive at the Lima Airport and transfer to our flight that will depart for MIAMI mid-afternoon. B 


5 comments:

  1. Hi Bonnie,
    What a FANTASTIC trip this will be. I would LOVE to come with you. I turn 50 a few days earlier than you leave maybe this can be my birthday present? Hope so!! Glad you enjoyed England. Love your quilts and everything you do for the quilting community. Julie

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  2. OH BOY, PERU! I have always wanted to go there. I hope it will fit my budget,if so, I"m in!

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  3. Sue in MN11:49 PM EDT

    My Mom celebrated her 80th birthday by going to Peru with my sister. Are you ready to try guinea pig?

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  4. What a lovely itinerary! I didn't see when the quilting workshops would be, though. Maybe my brain skipped over that while I was reading about all of the wonderful things to see and do. Hoping the trip is within my budget. I'd love to go!

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  5. i am in peru now, i didnt do the amazon part of your tour, but the Macchu Picchu was grand. a coupleu of things to remember, the altitude can cause altitude sickness, which can range from a mild flu like symtom to hospitalization. i had my dr. prescribe diamox because i didnt want to loose even a day to so much as a headache. all restaurants will offer coca tea, which is the native cure, i tried it and i felt no effects like i would imagine cocaine to have, but if you have to take drug tests for your job, you should skip. at macchu pichu the "mosquitos" were horrible. they call them mosquitos, but i call them biting gnats, as i am covered with bites that look like fly bites. bring bug spray, this is their spring. i havent been to a resaurant that gave me cream in my coffee, its been milk or condensed milk. if you like creamora, bring some. in macchu pichu there is an artists market. i generally have a fear of being overcharged on unmarked things, but i did buy a beautful alpaca sweater for my granddaughter ofor 30 soles which is about 10$. many of the small street vendors wont break a 100 sole note, and thats what the atm gives, so break them at your earliest convenience. this is all i can think of but i would be happy to answer any questions. i am 55 year old woman, speak very little spanish and always felt safe. annebethmi@gmail

    ReplyDelete

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