Peruvian Secrets Set Date Tours

The Great South American Train Tour

Sat. October 6th - Wed. October 24th 2012

This amazing tour of the best railways in South America brings diversity in both landscapes and rolling stock. Designed especially for those who enjoy train travel and the adventure of what’s around the next bend.

Taking in two countries, Peru offers a further three great journeys by train as you take one of the highest journeys to the top of the world to Huancayo, to the Inca Capital of Machu Picchu and cross the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca.

Bolivia offers another stunning journey as you head into the strange world of the salt flats. Here you will discover the train cemetery, filled with old American and British trains. Returning to the UK you will have completed an incredible journey, experience a holiday of a lifetime and made great friends.

Today our Peruvian Secrets Tour Controller will be at the airport waiting for your arrival were you will transferred in private to the Hotel Hacienda Limawhich is ideally located in the pleasant district of Miraflores. Here our guide will be able to answer any questions you may have.

After breakfast you will start the morning city tour to the old train stations of Desamparados and Monserrate where you can learn of the demise of rail services in the city but how today several attempts are being made to put back a rail structure including an overhead system to run over existing roads (some parts will be open and running). After lunch you will continue on the city tour to see the splendour of the palace and main Plaza in central Lima. In the evening we will enjoy a group dinner at a traditional restaurant in the fashionable district of Barranco. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner provided.

Today is an early start as your amazing train journey to the Mantaro Valley in Huancayo departs Lima from the Desamparados station at 07.00am. You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the station to board the first class passenger carriages complete with bar and observation carriage (please note the drinking of alcohol is not recommended due to the altitude).  As you relax you will take in breathtaking scenery passing through 69 tunnels, crossing 58 bridges, 6 switch backs and passing through the Galera Tunnel, the second highest railway point of the world at 4,782 m.a.s.l. This 12 hour journey will make stops at two main points of interest, the first one in San Bartolome and the second on the Galera station. Arriving into Huancayo you will be met by our guide and transferred to the Hotel Presidente Huancayo where you will enjoy a group dinner. This journey is like no other as it turns into a party spirit leaving everlasting memories of a wonderful country. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the train and dinner provided

Having an early breakfast you will be transferred to the station to take the beautiful train journey to Huancavelica departing at 06:30 am passing through stunning countryside as you cross the Andes running alongside the Mantaro River and through some stunning mountain scenery, this train journey will take about 6 hours approximately. Arriving at Huancavelica you will be met by your driver and private vehicle for the continuing journey by road to Ayacucho for 5 hours. You will stop in Huancavelica to have lunch in a local restaurant (local payment) before you continue your journey by road.  On arrival to Ayacucho you will check into the Santa Rosa Hotel and have the warm evening to relax and enjoy the facilities. You can take your evening meal in the hotel or venture out to a local restaurant (local payment). Meals, breakfast at the hotel. (Lunch and dinner own arrangements). 

Today you will have a tour very few visitors to Peru could even imagine as you discover a part of Peru that was close for over a decade due to terrorist stronghold. Today it is still set back in time with little changed by the modernisation of Peru. You will discover a wealth of culture and history during this full day tour you will visit the archaeological complex of Wari one of the main Andean civilization in the pre Incas time, here you will have a guide tour where you will learn more about this civilization. Continuing to the small village of Quinua home to one of Peru’s most important lost artisans, highly skilled in textiles and ceramics you will have the opportunity to see then at work. Lunch will be in a traditional restaurant where you will sample local cuisine. After lunch we going to rejoining our vehicle we head out to Pampas de Quinua, a place of historical importance as it was here the final battle to win independence took place in 1824. The area is now seen as a protected place for the people and sacred to Peru. Returning to your hotel you will have some free time to relax before enjoying a group dinner. Meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast you are collected for your transfer to the airport (30 minutes approximately) to take your short flight at 08.30 to the Inca capital of Cuzco. On arrival you will be met by your local expert guide and transferred to the ideally situated Libertador Hotel Cusco. After you have had chance to settle in your guide will escort you to lunch at a popular out of town restaurant where you will enjoy traditional music with your meal. Returning to the hotel the rest of your day is free to relax and explore. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch provided (dinner own arrangements).

Today you start your relaxed tour of the Sacred Valley taken in private with your guide. On the way you will visit Sacsayhuaman, one of the best examples of Inca stonework. From here we will travel to a variety of sites including Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay, before arriving at the small village of Pisac, a picturesque town, which is the gateway to the Sacred Valley. Here you have an opportunity to viewing the many artisans work in the famous market before we transfer to the restaurant located by the river bank. After Lunch (local payment) you will continue along the Sacred Valley and check into the Casa Andina Private Collection Valle Sagrado where you can refresh before we rejoin our vehicle to make our last tour to the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Here you will have a guided tour with everything you see explained to you. Returning to your hotel you can relax and take your evening meal (local payment) in the fine restaurant of this very comfortable and friendly hotel. Meals, breakfast at the hotel. (Lunch and dinner own arrangements).

After an early breakfast you will take the short walk to the train station to take your wonderful journey to Machu Picchu. Here on arrival you will be met by your guide and take the short bus ride up to the ruins. You will have some time to refresh and use the facilities before your guide will take you on your tour of the site to bring to life the mysteries and stories surrounding this amazing ruined citadel. After your guided tour you will have some free time to explore the site yourself before descending to the small village of Aguas Calientes to take your late afternoon train back to Cuzco, allowing you to enjoy the scenery and put your feet up! On arrival to the small station in Poroy you will be met by your guide and transferred to your Cuzco hotel once again. The rest of the evening is free for you to take in a good restaurant or explore the city by night. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the train to Mapi, (dinner own arrangements).

Today you are free to explore your own interests in this fascinating city. Cuzco and the surrounding area offer a wealth of history and culture so a free day is a must in order for you to get the most from your visit. Depending on the day on the week you may be enjoying a relaxing day after taking in the varied nightlife to be found. Meals, breakfast at the hotel. (Lunch and dinner own arrangements). 

This morning you will be met transferred to the train station to take the remarkable train journey to Puno across the high Altiplano. The comfortable ‘Orient Express’-style carriage of the Andean Explorer offers restaurant service (lunch included) and a carriage attendant providing beverages and light snacks during your journey. To the rear of the train is a glass observation carriage that offers spectacular views out over the remote Andean wilderness. Arriving into Puno you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the Hotel Libertador Puno on the banks of the Great Lake Titicaca. The remainder of your evening is then free to relax in the hotel or explore the vibrant atmosphere of Puno town. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the train to Mapi, (dinner own arrangements).

After breakfast you will be met once again by your guide as she will be accompanying you throughout your day’s tour of Great Lake Titicaca. First you will transfer to the harbour in Puno where you will board our group vessel and head out on to the lake. The first port of call will be the incredible floating islands of the Uros Indians; here you will see the way these people live on these most unusual islands.

From here you continue onto the Island of Taquile where your guide will escort you around explaining all about the way of life for these people. Their lifestyle has remained the same for hundreds of years with very little influence from modern times, thus preserving many traditions, laws and customs. Skilled crafts are still very important to the inhabitants of Taquile, and the island is famous for its handmade textiles which are regarded amongst the highest-quality handicrafts available. For this reason you will find that they are higher in price in comparison with other mass produced handicrafts readily found in other parts of Peru. After exploring you will then have the opportunity to have lunch before rejoining your boat for the return journey back to Puno. Your evening is free again at leisure. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch provided by Peruvian Secrets, (dinner own arrangements).

Today you will be collected for your bus transfer Puno/Copacabana, visiting on the way the churches of Juli and Pomata. On arrival at Copacabana you join your Hydrofoil cruise to Sun Island, with a short stop to see the Pilcocaina Sun Temple and visit the Sacred Fountain and Inca Steps.You will be taking lunch at "Uma Kollo" restaurant. Setting off again you continue your Hydrofoil cruise to Huatajata, visiting en route the "Iñak Uyu Sun Virgin Temple at Moon Island. On arrival you have the chance to visit the "Andean Roots Eco Village" before continuing by road to your La Paz Hotel Ritz Suites. The rest of your evening is free for you to relax. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch provided (dinner own arrangements).

After breakfast you will be collected by your guide for the morning city tour, you will learn the history and political struggle of La Paz and have extensive views of the changing city. Stopping for lunch in a traditional restaurant you will have time to relax before you transfer to the airport for your short one hour flight to Tarija. Departing at 16.15, you will be arriving into Tarija at 17:15 where on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for two nights the very comfortable Los Parrales Resort Hotel. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch (dinner own arrangements).

After breakfast we will have for those how like wine and nature an optional visit to the VIÑEDOS of the wine brand Kohlberg ($30 per person, local payment), visiting also the very interesting sites of Tarija including a lunch with good Bolivian wine, in the afternoon relax in the your hotel. Meals, breakfast at the hotel. (Lunch and dinner own arrangements).

After breakfast we leave Tarija by private bus in order to get to the border village of Villazon, our trip takes approximately 6 hours enjoying the amazing landscapes, on the way there will be a box-lunch served. In the afternoon at 15:30 you will have the amazing train journey to Uyuni taking you along a scenic route through the sunset into the night. The “Expreso Del Sur” train is first class and offers you luxury travel not found anywhere else in Bolivia to this level, dinner on board is included. Arriving into Uyuni at 23.50 you will be met by your local guide and transfer directly to the Hotel Magiaso you can take good night’s sleep. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, box lunch on the bus, dinner on the train.

Today your adventure starts at 10.00 am from your hotel where you will aboard our private car having a full day tour. We leave Uyuni behind and take the road to towards the old mine of Pulacayo, which has a collection of old locos in very good shape, we spend most part of the morning exploring this last resting place for some of the most influential trains in the history of Bolivian railroads. Returning to Uyuni for lunch you will have time to enjoy a break from travel and enjoy the local cuisine and maybe a glass of Bolivian wine. In the afternoon we take the second of are train tours to the Train Cemetery where you will find the sad sight of many different trains and rail equipment left to rust in this hostile environment. Returning to your hotel you will have time to freshen up and relax before we take a group dinner in the local restaurant. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner

Today you have time to enjoy breakfast and check out of the hotel before your adventure starts at 10:00 am from your hotel where you will aboard our private car 4x4 having a full day tour. We take the unpaved road to Colchani the town on the edge of the salt lake, here you will see how the local people extract and process the salt. Also you will observe the "ojos de sal" which is sections where ice cold healing water bubbles through the salt. This water comes from an underground river from the Tunupa Volcano. Crossing to vast salt lake we arrive to a secret location where you will have access to a small cave containing mummies that have remained untouched for thousands of years. You will stop for lunch which will be prepared for you by our chef; you will have stunning views as you have time to take in the ore inspiring sight of the Salt Lake. You will re-board your vehicles and head back onto the salt as you travel to the Isla Incawasi.

At Isla Incawasi you will have time to explore the island with its amazing huge cactuses. The infinite view of the salt lake from this strange place is impressive with beautiful landscape views. Plenty of time will be allowed in order for you to take the foot path that encircles the island to its summit. Here you will have the spectacular panoramic view for as far as the eye can see. Returning to your vehicles we head back across the lake arriving at sunset to the stunning Hotel Luna Salada. Ranked in the worlds top ten most unique hotels this offers a high level of luxury and facilities constructed entirely out of salt with stunning views out to the lake.Once you have checked in you will have time to explore the hotel and relax before the group dinner in the top quality restaurant. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner

You will need to take an early breakfast as you need transfer to the airport for your short flight back to La Paz departing at 09.30. Arriving into La Paz Airport you will be met by your driver and prepare for your tour to Tiwanaku the amazing archaeological site of a lost Bolivian culture. You will have a relaxing stop for lunch before we continue our train theme with a private visit to the train museum of Guaqui that protects very old wagons and locomotive from the beginning of the XX century coming from England at that time. You will return to your La PazHotel Ritz Suitesand have to time relax before you are transferred to the restaurant for the farewell group dinner. Meals, breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner

At the appropriate time you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight home. Meals, breakfast

PRICE ON APPLICATION

Price covers ground arrangements only - does not include international flights to and from Peru.

For further tour information please contact us »