12 days
$2,485
Departs Feb 18, 2012

With photographer Shari Tucker

Peru is legendary among world travellers for its history, archaeology, culture, natural resources, amazing cuisine and breathtaking scenery. Peru offers more in one trip than most destinations can even hope to offer in several. This adventure is your very own snapshot of Peru!

Discover the highlights through the lens of your camera! Explore the bustling colonial city of Lima. Visit Puno and participate in a home stay on the floating Islands of Lake Titicaca. Wander the cobblestone streets of Cuzco before discovering the Sacred Valley on your way to the awe-inspiring "Lost City" of Machu Picchu. Experience life as a local and volunteer with a local women's weaving co-operative. You will be photographing the 120 families of the community, and upon return to Canada, a fundraising art show will be held; featuring your photographs! The funds raised will benefit Gap Adventure's Planterra Foundation. Your prints will also be sent back to the families. The community is extremely excited for this, as they often have their pictures taken by visitors but never get to see the finished product. Add to this the expertise of a well-established professional photographer at your disposal; tips, tricks, shop talk and lots of opportunities to be fully immersed in your passion.

About Shari Tucker

Shari Tucker is a Halifax-based photographer who has been running her own successful photography business since 2003. Shari's travels have taken her to Bermuda, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, the USA, Cuba, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Mexico, Germany and Poland. With a passion for photography, travel and people's stories, Shari is very excited to be leading an experience to Peru, with special attention to photography, giving back and sustainable travel.

Includes:

• 12 nights accommodation
• Gap Adventures CEO (chief experience
• Guided tour of Sacred Valley
• Visit to Women's Weaving Project
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Flight Lima to Juliaca
• Flight Cuzco to Lima
• Meals as indicated
• 1 group arrival transfer
• 1 group departure transfer

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Lima

Welcome to Lima! Upon arrival at the airport you will be transferred to your hotel. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city. Overnight - Hotel Britania or similar.

DAY 2-4 - Puno / Lake Titicaca (1B, 1L, 1D)

Transfer from your hotel to the Lima airport where you will fly to Juliaca then take a short bus ride to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Located at 3830 m above sea level, Puno is the highest altitude of any place we sleep on the tour. As a result the weather can be extreme with very cold nights and a strong sun during the day (don't worry, if you get cold, buy an alpaca sweater from the market — they are inexpensive here). Puno is also known for its wealth of traditional dances: there are up to 100 different varieties, usually performed in the street processions celebrating Catholic feast days. If you are fortunate enough to be visiting at the right time you may even catch one of these celebrations. Titicaca is also the largest lake in the world above 2000m, and the views from both Amantaní and Taquile Islands are stunning. You will spend the first night at Hotel Balsa Inn or similar. The next morning we head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Spend tonight at a Lake Titicaca homestay. After a day of visiting the many islands and taking in the stunning sights you will head back to Puno for a nights stay at Hotel Balsa Inn or similar.

DAY 5 - Cuzco

Today, transfer by bus to Cuzco. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city. Overnight - Hotel Cusco Plaza II or similar.

DAY 6 - Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo

Today enjoy a full day guided tour with our local guide through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. An important source of food for the Inca, the Sacred Valley is a lush agricultural region that continues to supply the city of Cuzco with much of its produce. Visit the impressive Pisac ruins and the colourful artisan market (market days only). The day trip finishes in the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo, site of another large Inca ruin. Overnight - Hotel Tikawasi Valle or similar.

DAY 7-9 - Women's Weaving Project

Experience life at a Women's weaving project. Since 2005, Gap Adventures has been working with the Ccaccaccollo community. Here you will have the opportunity to learn about all the stages of the weaving process and participate in a weaving demonstration. Purchase high quality textiles right from the women who made them! You may have the opportunity to volunteer with the community and the whole group will be taking family photographs, which will be sent back to Ccaccaccollo and featured in the Halifax art show. Overnight ‐ homestay.

DAY 10-11 - Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Cuzco

We board a morning train that winds through the steep Urubamba Valley to its final destination of Aguas Calientes. Relax in the natural mountain hot baths that gave the town its name. For serious archaeology buffs, there is time for an optional independent visit to Machu Picchu before the guided tour the following morning. You will stay overnight at Hotel Marquez de Oropeza or similar. The following day you will have an early wake-up to take the first bus up to the historic spiritual centre of the Incas, the "Lost City" of Machu Picchu. Tour the ruins with our expert guide for about 2 hrs, explore on your own or hike up spectacular Wayna Picchu to get away from the crowds. In the evening return by train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and will then be transferred by van to Cusco. Overnight - Hotel Cusco Plaza II or similar.

Day 12 - Lima

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight from Cuzco to Lima where you will transfer to hotel. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy one last night in the city. Overnight - Hotel Britania or similar

DAY 13 - Lima

Today you will say goodbye to Lima as you are transferred to the airport for your departing flight. End of services.

CDN$, pp dbl occ. Land and domestic air only. Contact us for more information.

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