When Scheduling Your Flights
This program is offered in conjunction with the Djoser, Netherlands office but must be booked through Djoser, in the United States. On this trip you will join Dutch & Belgium participants. So that all travelers in the group have the same point of reference, the days in the day-to-day descriptions below correspond with the program description for the Dutch travelers, taking into account their travel time from Amsterdam.
When you book your flight, please keep in mind to the estimated times of arrival and departure of the Dutch participants. You should plan to arrive prior to the Dutch travelers.
DJOSER Means “FREEDOM & CHOICE”
Our day-to-day program is not strictly regimented but is determined by collaboration between the guide and participants. The guide will organize and accompany many activities but will also make suggestions so that you can explore and dine, safely, on your own.
Lima
Day 1 Lima
Day 2 Lima
Our round-trip begins in the impressive capital of Peru, where you will have a day to explore the city. The old colonial part of Lima is especially interesting because of the many beautiful churches, plazas and buildings. Over the last few years no trouble was spared to restore the old city’s glorious past. On top of that Lima has a number of museums that are worth a visit, such as the “Museum de Oro”, where you can see an impressive weapon collection with suits of armors of the conquistadores and even the sword of Pizarro. It’s also fun to look around through Parque Kennedy in the Miraflores neighborhood, where the rich of Peru reside.
Pisco and Huacachina
Day 3 Lima – Pisco
Day 4 Pisco – Huacachina
From the capital we will leave for Pisco on the Pacific coast. This cozy small village is the point of departure for two optional excursions to the national park of Paracas and to the Ballestas Islands. In the national park you may see colonies of flamingoes and beautiful rock formations at the beach. During the excursion to the Ballestas Islands you will first sail by an enormous shape pictured in the sand known as the “Candelabra”. Nobody knows its origin and there are many speculations about its meaning. Many varieties of sea animals live near these islands: many kinds of birds, sea lions and even penguins. Ever since the time of the Incas the birds have made an important product: their droppings make an excellent kind of manure.
After this we will leave the coast and go inland to Huacachina. This is a beautiful oasis in a desert of sand dunes. Here you can rent sand boards, but in order to glide down the dunes you will have to climb up in the heat. They are made of a very primitive material, but it’s an unforgettable experience in this beautiful environment. Don’t forget that you are in the middle of the desert and to bring water and a hat! You may also visit Ica, which is nearby and has an interesting museum.
Nazca
Day 5 Huacachina – Nazca
Day 6 Nazca
We will visit one of the most mysterious places of Peru: the Nazca Lines. It has remained a mystery how the enormous drawings were ever pictured on the desert bottom. Nobody knows what the meaning is of these lines and who ever made them. The person who had the most influence in the research of the lines is the German Maria Reiche, a mathematician who studied the lines her whole life. She assumed that the lines formed an astronomical calendar for agricultural purposes. From the observation tower you may observe three of the lines. However, the best way to see the lines is from a small airplane on an optional excursion. From the sky you will get a good impression of the immensity of these lines. At first it takes some detective work to discover the figures! You will leave the plane with many questions and some will be a little nauseous due to all the shaking back and forth on the small plane in order to see all the lines. Just outside of Nazca we will visit another special place: The Chauchilla burial ground. There you will see mummies and all kinds of remains of the Nazca period, which have been very well preserved by the extreme aridity. Impressive, but also somewhat spooky at times! Be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and water on this excursion, because you will be walking around in the middle of the desert!
Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
Day 7 Nazca – Arequipa
Day 8 Arequipa
Day 9 Arequipa – Colca Canyon
Day 10 Colca Canyon
A long trip through the desert, slowly taking us up in altitude, will bring us to Arequipa. In this city, 7,700 feet above sea level, you will have a day to look around and get adjusted to the altitude, for example at the pretty Plaza de Armas with the beautiful cathedral. Arequipa is also called “the white city” due to the white shade of the buildings that happen to be made of white volcanic rock. You can see “El Misti”, the impressive volcano, towering above the city from everywhere. When you are in Arequipa you should also visit the Santa Catalina monastery. This cloister is a town in itself with buildings in all kinds of colors, with narrow streets, squares and patios, where you may stroll around for hours.
The next day we will go to Colca Canyon, which is extremely high up in the Andes, because on the way we will go over a passage of a 15,750-feet high pass. On this day you should really take it easy in order to adjust to the high altitude! Hopefully you will also see the “vicuna” along the way, the more rare lama’s “little brother” that is smaller and slimmer. These animals give the best wool, which makes them very popular and has caused them to become an endangered species, but in the meantime luckily also a protected species. We will spend the night at the village of Chivay, which is situated at 12,140 feet. The next morning we will drive to the lookout “Cruz del Condor”, where you will be able to see the impressive condor fly. The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world with staggering differences in altitude.
Puno and Lake Titicaca
Day 11 Colca Canyon – Puno
Day 12 Puno – Amantani
Day 13 Amantani – Puno
From Chivay we will take a long trip to Puno. We will spend the night in Puno on the bank of famous Lake Titicaca. Close to Puno are the floating reed islands that are still inhabited by about 300 Uros Indians. They offer all kinds of nice souvenirs and you may go on a tour on small hand-made reed boats. The islands themselves move a little bit when you walk on them and, if you stand still too long in one spot, water will slowly run over your shoes. After our visit to these islands, we will sail to the island of Amantani. On this island we will spend the night with a family at their home. You will have to communicate with your hands and feet, because the people on the island usually only speak the native language of “Quechua”. Your stay is primitive; your bed will consist of simple reed mats. You might want to bring along your own sheets; there are plenty of blankets. When you wake up in the morning and look out the window from the house at the blue lake or the deserted fields you will really find yourself in a very special world. The family will prepare a simple but often very filling meal for you in the small kitchen. The island is still very traditional. There are no cars and only recently electricity is available for a few hours per day. You make take a beautiful hike on the island to, for example, the ruins of the temple of Pachamama, Mother Earth. After our visit to this beautiful island we will sail back to Puno.
Cuzco and Machu Picchu
Day 14 Puno – Cuzco
Day 15 Cuzco
Day 16 Cuzco
Day 17 Train to Machu Picchu
Day 18 Machu Picchu – Cuzco
Day 19 Cuzco
Day 20 Cuzco – Lima - Depart
OR
Day 15 Cusco - Inca Trail starts
Day 16: Inca Trail Day 2
Day 17 Day 3 Inca Trail
Day 18 Inca Trail Day 4 / Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Day 19 Cusco
Day 20 Cusco - Lima -
From Puno we take the bus to Cusco, a scenic drive of about eight hours by the Andean landscape. En route we stop at small villages and to make pictures of the beautiful scenery. Cusco is one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America. It is the former capital of the Incas and there are still many remains of the Inca periods.
The central square is beautiful and all its bars and restaurants with balconies overlooking the square. There is always a great atmosphere. In the center are very old colonial buildings and churches. The museums teach you much about the history and culture of the Incas. In the art district of San Blas will find lots of little souvenir shops. Above the town are the impressive Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, where you can go hiking a steep climb. From here you have a beautiful view over the city.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is lower than Cusco and the temperature is slightly warmer. During a day trip over here you usually visit the markets and ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. You are of course entirely free to choose a local bus to take only Pisac ruins and the overlying walking.
Of course, we also visit the famous Inca city of Machu Picchu. The city is very well preserved thanks to the fact that the Spaniards never found the city. Only in 1911 the city discovered by Hiram Bingham. The ruins are located in a beautiful setting between high mountain peaks. To arrive at Machu Picchu we take the train to the village of Aguas Calientes. We stay here, so your morning with a guide in the early morning visit to the ruins.
Inca Trail
The heartiest travelers can choose to hike the famous Inca Trail. This is a wonderful 4-day camping trip, taking you on the path of the ancient Incas runs. This is a medium to heavy hike. For this tour you have to have a good physical condition, especially since the altitude makes the journey more challenging. Especially the second day is hard, if you have the pass of 4198 meters Warmiwañusca, or "Dead Woman" in Quechua (which is name incidentally because of the shape of the mountain).
There will be a cook and assistants to carry the heavy stuff, such as tents and cooking equipment. It's amazing to see how quickly these men ascend the hill, as you often need to rest again after each step. Three times a day, the cooks make a delicious, nutritious meal for you.
During the tour, we walk through the stunning Andes and nature and along the way you pass several Inca ruins. The last morning you rise early to walk to the Sun Gate in hopes of catching a beautiful sunrise.
After a tour of a few days you will be rewarded with a magnificent spectacle: Machu Picchu ! You then have the rest of the day to wander through the deserted town of Aguas Calientes for a tasty meal. At the end of the day you step back on the train that takes you to Cusco.
For this hike on the ancient Inca trails you must book in advance . Make sure you do this as soon as possible after booking! In high season, places fill very quickly. Only a limited number of hikers per day are allowed on the trail by local authorities.
The price for the Inca trail is $435, -. At this price includes meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner), a guide, porters and accommodation in dome tents. The entrance to the trail and Machu Picchu itself is included. This amount is subject to change. Price increases are passed on.
For walking the Inca Trail a warm sleeping bag in needed and may also be rented in Cusco. The other camping equipment is provided. You get your mattress at the beginning of the trip and then handed you to carry, as well as your own backpack with personal belongings. The other camping gear is handled by the carriers who also assist you with your tent. It is also possible to hire a carrier (approximately U.S. $ 110) who carries your things, including sleeping bag and mat. You will just carry a small daypack with camera and a bottle of water. Please inform us before departure if you would like additional support, we will ask you whether there is a carrier is available. The extra cost for the carrier can then paid locally.
For the trail, you will need sturdy shoes with good tread, a raincoat, a flashlight and a towel with you. The carriers will boiled water you can refill your water bottle, so you have safe drinking water during the trip. There are plenty of streams for a water bottle to fill, but do not forget to purchase water purification tablets in Cusco.
Think carefully before you sign up for the Inca trail. It is a tough journey for which adequate preparation is necessary.
After our visit to Machu Picchu, there is one day in the fascinating city of Cusco to look around. The last day in Peru we fly early in the morning to Lima.
