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Empire of the Incas: Peru & Bolivia
2009 Itinerary featuring 13 days from $4,555

Explore the fascinating world of the Incas on Tauck’s new 13-day Bolivia and Peru tour and discover the impact of the Spanish conquistadors on cultures from out of the mists of history. From Francisco Pizarro’s colonial Lima to the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Machu Picchu to Cusco to Lake Titicaca to La Paz, wonders await at every turn. In Peru tour ancient Inca strongholds and sacred sites surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains. Admire the skill and craftsmanship of ancient artisans whose medium was gold. Immerse yourself in the inspiring ruins at Machu Picchu and learn the secrets of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Rail journeys to Machu Picchu and through the Andes reveal spectacular scenery. Stay at a splendid resort on the shores of the world’s highest navigable lake and encounter people living much as their ancestors did on floating islands made of reeds; visit a museum operated by the builders of famous reed boats that crossed oceans; and discover the cultural and architectural diversity of La Paz, highest capital city in the world. See and do it all from fine hotels in great locations on our new Bolivia and Peru tour.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

2009 Itinerary


Day 1: Welcome to Peru!
Our Bolivia and Peru tour begins in Lima. Upon arrival at Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport, you’ll be met by a Tauck representative and transferred to the Miraflores Park Hotel, your home for your first three nights.
Lodging: Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima, Peru

Day 2: Explore Lima, "City of Kings"
Your Peru tour begins in the lovely colonial center of Lima, originally mapped out by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, which appears on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. You’ll be inspired by its age-old beauty and venerable tradition during a tour this morning. Some of Lima’s most historic buildings surround the splendid Plaza Major; see the Archbishop’s Palace, with its fine carved balcony, and the opulent Government Palace, the official residence of the president of Peru. Visit the impressive, 16th-century Cathedral of Lima, whose first stone was laid by Pizarro in 1535 and in which he is buried. An excellent example of Peruvian Baroque architecture, the rather stark exterior of the 17th-century Church of San Pedro belies its ornate interior. Get a sense of what life was like for the wealthy of Lima years ago at Casa de Aliaga, a beautifully preserved colonial mansion that has been owned by the same family for 17 generations. Then visit the Gold Museum, housing many examples of ancient metal-working skills and artistry. Please join us for a special welcome cocktail reception and dinner in an intriguing private home.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima, Peru

Day 3: Lima's culture and cuisine
Discover Lima’s rich artistic heritage – representing some 3,000 years and a mix of cultures including pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary Peruvian art – on this morning's private guided tour of one of the city’s fine art museums. Enjoy lunch at Cala, a local seaside restaurant that’s truly one of Lima’s spots to “see and be seen," where you'll sample authentic Peruvian cuisine – a tantalizing fusion of Andean and Spanish flavors. The rest of the day is free to spend as you please, perhaps combing the local markets for handicrafts such as silver, hand-carved wood and woven items.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima, Peru

Day 4: Meet alpacas and folk artists in the Sacred Valley
Your Peru tour adventure continues as a short flight this morning takes you from cosmopolitan Lima to Cusco. Did you know that South America’s iconic llama and the iconic camel of the Middle East are both camelids and thus “kissing cousins,” although they live half a world apart? En route to Urubama in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, meet the llamas and alpacas that are so associated with the Andes during a visit to a farm that raises them, and enjoy lunch at the historic Hacienda Orihuela. This evening, you’ll be treated to special entertainment representing Quechua lore and Inca mythology by the folk art group Kusiwasi, followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley, Urubamba, Peru

Day 5: Mysteries of the Incas in Ollantaytambo
Like Egypt’s pyramids, mystery surrounds the construction methods used to build the massive stone fortress of Ollantaytambo. One of the best preserved of the Inca settlements, this living museum reveals much about what life was like here in the 15th century during a tour; the people of the town of Ollantaytambo still practice a very traditional lifestyle. Return to your hotel for a demonstration of Peruvian cuisine preparation by a chef, followed by a scrumptious buffet lunch. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish – enjoying the amenities of your hotel, taking a horseback ride or being pampered in the spa (at additional cost), or joining us for some local guided sightseeing.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley, Urubamba, Peru

Day 6: A rail journey to another time
Board the Vistadome train in Ollantaytambo and travel through mist-shrouded peaks that the Incas believed to be sacred to Aguas Calientes, gateway to the “lost city of the Incas,” Machu Picchu. Spending the afternoon exploring this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site, recently named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World,” with our local guides will be an unforgettable highlight of your Peru tour. Inspiration is everywhere amidst the architectural and aesthetic genius evidenced in the palaces, temples, houses and baths of this mountaintop, totally self-contained city. It is said by some that if you are a spiritually sensitive person and touch your forehead to the Intihuatana stone – still a precise indicator of the two annual equinoxes – you’ll be able to see into the spirit world!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel, Aguas Calientes, Peru

Day 7: From the past to the present
This morning is yours to do as you please, which might include returning to explore more of Machu Picchu before taking a walk through the hotel’s stunning gardens, home to many species of orchids and birds. After lunch, again board the Vistadome train for the scenic rail journey to Ollanta, and drive to Cusco for a two-night stay. The beautiful Hotel Monasterio, named the “Best Hotel in South America” by Condé Nast Traveler in 2007, will be your home for the next two nights. Originally built in 1592, this 16th-century former monastery in the center of Cusco will indulge you with its unique atmosphere, unequaled charm and gracious hospitality.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Monasterio, Cusco, Peru

Day 8: South America's oldest city
Just about everywhere you look in Cusco, you’ll see reminders and remnants of its Inca past and its importance to them as the “navel of the world.” Begin the day with a walk through the bustling modern-day market, populated by hundreds of vendors selling everything from produce to flowers and household items, before setting off to explore Cusco. Discover the ruins of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, “the House of the Sun,” an important Inca stronghold. Nowhere is the collision between Western Europe and the Inca culture more apparent than at the Convent of Santo Domingo. After the extraordinary Inca Temple of the Sun at Koriqancha was ransacked by the Spanish conquerors, its amazing stone walls became the foundation for the Baroque Convent of Santo Domingo, which is built atop the temple. The 16th-century Cathedral of Cusco, whose massive altar is made of solid silver, is a splendid example of Spanish colonial churches in the “New World.” Perhaps you’ll hear the tolling of the Maria Angola bell, the largest in South America, during your visit. Following an afternoon at leisure, join us for a lecture by an archeologist from Cusco University to learn more about all that you’ve seen today during your Peru tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Monasterio, Cusco, Peru

Day 9: Into the Andes and on to the lake
Board the Andean Explorer for a highlight of Tauck’s Peru tour – a spectacular rail journey through majestic peaks and across the Andean plains from Cusco to the shores of Lake Titicaca, the most sacred lake in the Inca world. Settle in for a pleasant ride aboard our private vintage rail car; lunch and afternoon tea will be served on the train. You’ll spend the next two nights on the banks of the world’s highest navigable lake at Libertador Lake Titicaca Puno Hotel, a lovely property providing wonderful views of Lake Titicaca.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Libertador Lake Titicaca Puno Hotel, Puno, Peru

 Day 10: Where time stands still
Legend has it that the Inca empire began at Lake Titicaca when the sun god summoned his children from its chilly waters and sent them forth to establish Cusco. Centuries later, some of the indigenous people of the area dwell on forty-five Islas Flotantes de los Uro, floating islands made from reeds that dot the lake, living much as their ancestors did and still following their ancestral customs. During a powerboat cruise on the lake, view some of these islands and go ashore to meet the inhabitants and discover what their lives are like. Later on Taquile Island, visit the home of an Aymara family who will prepare lunch for you and perform some of their traditional dances. You’ll no doubt notice that on Taquile all the men seem to be industriously knitting, and you’ll see some of the items that they produce. After returning to the hotel, you’re free to spend the afternoon as you choose.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Libertador Lake Titicaca Puno Hotel, Puno, Peru

 Day 11: Bolivia bound
Begin the day with a drive along the coast of Lake Titicaca, then head across the lake via private hydrofoil to Sun Island, Bolivia, the legendary birthplace of the Incas. The ancient Aymara and Quechua peoples believed that the sun and the gods were born here and founded the Inca Empire… and many of their descendants still hold that belief. With a population of about 5,000, the only means of transportation between the five villages on the island is the donkey. Pass through the narrow Straits of Tiquina to Huatajata where you’ll visit the museum of the Limachi family, builders of the reed boats Tigris and RA II used by famed explorer and archaeologist Thor Heyerdahl to prove his theory that ancient vessels could cross vast oceans. Continue on to La Paz, the highest capital city on earth, for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Camino Real Hotel, La Paz, Bolivia

 Day 12: Lively La Paz
Begun on the pre-existing site of an Aymara village, La Paz was founded in 1548 by Spaniards. The highest capital city in the world, La Paz is home to the highest golf course in the world; in the thin air, a good tee shot will travel an amazing distance! Soak up some local color in the bustling Indian Market and browse in the Mercato de las Brujas, the Witches’ Market, for magic amulets, potions, spells or plants reputed to have healing powers. From the Plaza Murillo, you’ll see the colonial-era Government Palace, known as the Burned Palace because it was set on fire during eight different revolutions; the Congress building had been a convent, a jail and a university before being renovated in 1904 to house the congress of Bolivia. Then, head out of town to the Valle De La Luna, or Valley of the Moon, a stone landscape of deep gullies and bizarre rock formations. Explore more of La Paz as you please this afternoon before joining us for our farewell reception and dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Camino Real Hotel, La Paz, Bolivia

 Day 13: Say adios to the Andes
Your Bolivia and Peru tour ends in La Paz. A transfer from the Camino Real Hotel to La Paz Airport is included. Please allow two hours for airport check-in formalities. Thank you for traveling with Tauck World Discovery. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Hasta la vista!
Meals: Breakfast
In Bolivia and Peru tour the
fascinating world of the Incas with Tauck in 2009!

Prices

13 Days from $4,555 plus airfare


2009 Price Per Person


January – December
 Land Price + On-Tour Air
(1 flight) 		= Total
per Person
Double
 $4555 + $135 =
 $4690
Single
 $5683 + $135 = $5818


30 meals included.

International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in the United States (subject to availability).

Please ask when booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.

Need to Know

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, the flight from Lima to Cusco, the rail journeys through the Andes from Urubamba to Aguas Calientes and from Aguas Calientes to Ollanta aboard the Vistadome and from Cusco to Lake Titicaca aboard the Andean Explorer, luggage handling, and the services of the Tauck Director, local guides and drivers are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima and provide transportation to the Miraflores Park Hotel, regardless of the day or time of your arrival, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Tauck will also provide you with transportation from the Camino Real Hotel to La Paz John F. Kennedy International Airport on the day you wish to depart.

Hotel Accommodations ― The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triple accommodations are not available on this tour.

Meals ― Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Tauck Director ― Empire of the Incas: Peru & Bolivia is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck World Discovery.

Gratuities Included ― All appropriate gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff, local guides and driver are included.

No Options Sold ― Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you. 

Not Included


Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours ― To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may prefer to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility ― Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. Therefore, it is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Protection Plan on this website for more information.

Personal Expenses ― Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant. U.S. citizens may purchase visas for Bolivia at the border for $132.00 USD – please read section entitled Travel Documents Required below.

Tauck Director Gratuities ― The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director are not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
 

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures ― In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, and aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.

You may also visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Internet website to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items by clicking here.
 
Air Services ― Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Holiday and Museum Closures ― Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility ― Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of publication.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at the Miraflores Park hotel on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends when you check out of the Camino Real Hotel on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-in.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour ― Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Additional Information

Air Conditioning ― All of the motor coaches used on this tour are air-conditioned for your comfort. Air conditioning is only offered at the Miraflores Park Hotel, Libertado Lago Titicaca and Camino Real Suites. As the itinerary leads you to ever-higher altitudes, each successive hotel provides you with heating rather than air-conditioning, as temperatures fall as altitude increases.

Clothing and Packing ― When packing for travel to Andean Peru and Bolivia, we suggest you select a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Plain cotton or cotton blend clothing is the most practical. Broadly speaking, the days are warm and the nights are cold. You have to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures. We recommend that you bring along a sweater, mittens and a wind-jacket. During the day, you may wear long-sleeved cotton shirts and comfortable trousers to move around easily. During the dry season (May-November), the sun forces you to wear sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. During the rainy season (December- April), we advise that you bring boots to walk comfortably, since the ground gets very muddy. You should also carry your personal belongings, camera and ID in a plastic bag.

Hair dryers, irons and ironing boards are available upon request, if not provided in your hotel room. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee at most of the hotels on this itinerary.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

For the welcome and farewell dinners, we recommend “smart casual” attire.

Operating a laptop computer or anything containing a hard drive is a risk. Most hard drives sold today safely work up to 10,000 ft (3,048 m). Many locations we visit on tour are at higher elevations than 10,000 feet. While nothing may happen, the hard drive may be destroyed and you may lose your data and installed software even after returning to sea level. Be sure to back up your data before arriving at these high elevations.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack:

  • Skirts, loose slacks and blouses for women
  • Trousers, and long and short sleeved shirts for men
  • Light jacket or sweater
  • Sturdy but comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in
  • Swimwear
  • Gym wear
  • Sun hat
  • Sun screen
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera, extra film, memory cards, and batteries
  • Binoculars
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Travel alarm clock
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room or cabin while traveling

Elevation -

Much of this tour will be at elevations over 8,000’ and as high as 14,000’. We have designed the tour so that you could gradually acclimate to the high altitudes, yet some individuals may experience altitude sickness. Guests should consult their physician if they have concerns about the altitudes on this journey. The buses in Cusco and Puno have oxygen.

Lima
505 ft
154 m
Urubamba
9416 ft
2870 m
Machu Picchu
7872 ft
2400 m
Cusco
11020 ft
3360 m
La Raya
14150 ft
4312 m
Puno
12552 ft
3827 m
Huajajuata
12552 ft
3827 m

Health – Travelers to the Andes should be in good health and able to walk moderate distances over varied terrain. The most challenging aspect of this spectacular journey is the increasing altitude of each successive destination. At these elevations, the atmospheric pressure is about 30% lower than you would experience at sea level, which translates to a 30% fall in available oxygen. The effect of this decrease in inspired oxygen (hypoxia) may lead to the symptoms of altitude sickness. These symptoms include headache, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite, irritability and breathlessness. In isolated cases, these symptoms may worsen and progress to complications that are more serious. While we have created a memorable journey that will slowly acclimate you to ever-higher elevations, you may experience some of the conditions described above.

Coca-leaf tea is a popular beverage and folk remedy for altitude sickness in Bolivia. Possession of this tea, which is sold in bags in most Bolivian grocery stores, is illegal in the United States.

One on-tour flight, three train journeys and one hydrofoil excursion are scheduled on this itinerary to highlight different aspects of Andean culture and geography.

Much of the sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Many of the key sites have many stairs irregular surfaces. The pace of the itinerary has been carefully planned to intersperse sightseeing with leisurely days to ensure our guests have a most enjoyable time.

We advise that you always drink bottled water with an unbroken seal. Avoid having ice in your drinks, and clean your teeth with bottled water.

In Peru, it is nominally illegal to smoke in any indoor public place; the ban is normally not enforced. In Bolivia, smoking has been prohibited in enclosed public places and mass transit since 1990.

We regret that we cannot accommodate wheelchairs or scooters on this tour. We also cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you are required to provide an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever for entry into Bolivia. You are also required to provide the same document for entry into Peru only if you arrive in Peru from an infected area. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here.If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Peru and of Bolivia to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for you to visit.

Many doctors will recommend that travelers to South America receive a number of shots or preventive medicines for such diseases as Hepatitis A and B. Confer with your doctor at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to allow time for any inoculations to take effect.

Luggage Restrictions ―

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour

There will be one occasion when you will be required to pack an overnight bag during your Andean sojourn. On Day 5, you will be asked to pack an overnight bag for the 8:45 AM departure on Day 6 from the Casa Andina Hotel for a one-night stay in Machu Picchu.

Due to the limited space aboard the Vistadome to Machu Picchu, you may only bring a small overnight bag as well as your hand carry items for the one-night stay. To help in your packing, we are pleased to provide you with a special Tauck duffel bag. If you are a resident of the U.S., your bag will be sent to you two-weeks prior to your departure date. If you reside outside of the U.S., you will receive your bag upon arrival in Lima because customs regulations prohibit the easy delivery of the duffel bags in advance. We ask that you use the duffel as your only piece of luggage for the travel day listed above. Your other luggage will be securely stored and you will be reunited with your luggage upon arrival in Cusco on Day 7.

Checked Luggage ― General

While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!

Carry-on Luggage – General

Although oversize bags and carry-on luggage with wheels are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements ― If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a valid passport  to enter Peru and Bolivia. Your passport must also contain two blank visa pages. Also, Bolivia requires that you obtain an entry visa. 

If you are a citizen of another country, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Peru and Bolivia to determine what travel documentation is required.

On Day 11 of the itinerary, you will bus to Juli, Peru, and then leave by boat for Sun Island, Bolivia. There will be a customs or immigration agent on Sun Island who will simply stamp your passport if you received your visa in advance.  If you did not arrange for your visa in advance, you will be required to make a payment of $135 USD at the border, process the paperwork you will fill out prior to getting to the island, present two passport-regulation photos, and have your passport stamped.

In order to avoid this mid-tour inconvenience, after we have received your deposit, we will fax or email a Zierer Visa Service (ZVS) Visa Kit to you or your agent 120-90 days prior to your departure date. Over the years, Tauck has successfully partnered with ZVS for processing visas to destinations for which U.S. citizens are required to have entry visas. The visa fee, as well as any applicable consular fees and shipping fees, are not included in the tour cost, and payment should be mailed with the completed application directly to the ZVS. The amount of the visa fee varies by destination and is stated on the application.
 
For more information, or to download a Zierer Visa Service application, please log on to the ZVS dedicated Tauck Internet website by clicking here. Please note that visas cannot be processed more than 90 days prior to departure and that the process takes several weeks.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Travel with Children –

Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

Babysitting ― Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

Special Travel Documentation for Children
 
Authorization for Travel

If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so.

CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.

If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., will be useful.

All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.

Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.

Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment

In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
 
Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
 

Destination Information


Cell Phones ― We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel or group functions. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone service extends to Peru and Bolivia.

Currency and Exchange Rates ― The currency used in Peru is called the Nuevo Sol (PEN) and in Bolivia is call the Boliviano (BOB). Travelers’ checks may be difficult to exchange in small towns and villages, and travelers are advised to have cash on hand. Casas de cambio (exchange bureaus) often give better rates than do hotels and banks, and they can be found in most towns. ATMs are available in the main cities. International airports have currency exchange booths that are always open for arriving or departing overseas flights.

Contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM or credit card at locations abroad.

To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping ― Each country visited has its own Customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with Peru and Bolivia’s specific required declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries.
 
Peru – VisaHQ.com
Bolivia – VisaHQ.com
 
If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.

If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.

Currently, Peru levies a Value Added Tax (VAT) of approximately 19% on consumer goods and services; Bolivia levies a 13% VAT. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

Please note that it is illegal to leave with the following items without prior written permission from the appropriate local authority: pre-Colombian artifacts, historical paintings, items of Spanish colonial architecture and history, and native textiles.

Electrical Current ― The electrical currents in Peru and Bolivia are 110/220 V, 50/60 Hz. If you plan to bring electrical devices that do not conform to these currents, we suggest that you bring an electrical converter with an adapter plug set.

Internet Access is available as indicated below: 
 
Miraflores Park Hotel – Wireless access for approximately $20 USD per day
Casa Andina- Two PCs in Business Center with Internet access
Inkaterra Machu Picchu- Limited in-room access, complimentary access in Business Center
Hotel Monasterio- Business Center with cabled and wireless broadband access
Hotel Libertador Lago Titicaca - 24-hour Internet in Business Center
Camino Real Suites – 24-hour wireless and ADSL Internet in Business Center and in suites
 
However, please note that operating your own laptop computer or anything containing a hard drive is a risk. Most hard drives sold today safely work up to 10,000 ft (3,048 m). Many locations we visit on tour are at higher elevations than 10,000 feet. While nothing may happen, the hard drive may be destroyed and you may lose your data and installed software even after returning to sea level. Be sure to back up your data before arriving at these high elevations.

Time Zones ― Peru is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Bolivia is 4 hours behind. Neither country uses Daylight Savings Time. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, timeanddate.com, by clicking here.

Weather ― In brief, the Peruvian Coast, from sea level to 1500 ft (457 m), average daytime temperatures range from 57 to 81°F (14 to 27 °C). During the dry season from May to September, the days and nights are cold and wet; during the dry season from October through April, the days are hot and the nights are cool. In Andean Peru and Bolivia, average daytime temperatures range from 48 to 64 °F (9 to 18 °C). During its dry season, the days are warm and dry and the nights are very cold; during its rainy season, the days are rainy and the nights are rainy and cold.
  •  
    Average Temperature
     
    Lima, Peru
    Cusco, Peru
    Month
    Hi/Lo ºF
    Hi/Lo ºC
    Hi/Lo ºF
    Hi/Lo ºC
    January
    79 / 68
    26 / 20
    65 / 43
    18 / 6
    February
    80 / 69
    27 / 21
    65 / 43
    18 / 6
    March
    80 / 69
    27 / 21
    66 / 43
    19 / 6
    April
    76 / 66
    24 / 19
    67 / 41
    19 / 5
    May
    72 / 63
    22 / 17
    67 / 36
    19 / 2
    June
    69 / 61
    21 / 16
    66 / 32
    19 / 0
    July
    67 / 60
    19 / 16
    66 / 32
    19 / 0
    August
    66 / 60
    19 / 16
    67 / 35
    19 / 2
    September
    67 / 59
    19 / 15
    68 / 39
    20 / 4
    October
    69 / 61
    21 / 16
    69 / 41
    21 / 5
    November
    72 / 63
    22 / 17
    69 / 42
    21 / 6
    December
    76 / 66
    24 / 19
    69 / 43
    21 / 6
     

    Puno, Peru

    La Paz, Peru
    Month
    Hi/Lo ºF
    Hi/Lo ºC
    Hi/Lo ºF
    Hi/Lo ºC
    January
    63 / 39
    17 / 4
    57 / 39
    14 / 4
    February
    63 / 39
    17 / 4
    57 / 39
    14 / 4
    March
    63 / 39
    17 / 4
    57 / 37
    14 / 3
    April
    63 / 36
    17 / 2
    57 / 36
    14 / 2
    May
    64 / 27
    18 / -3
    57 / 30
    14 / -1
    June
    61 / 21
    16 / -6
    55 / 27
    13 / -3
    July
    61 / 21
    16 / -6
    55 / 27
    13 / -3
    August
    63 / 25
    17 / -4
    57 / 28
    14 / -2
    September
    64 / 30
    18 / -1
    59 / 32
    15 / 0
    October
    64 / 36
    18 / 2
    59 / 36
    15 / 2
    November
    66 / 37
    19 / 3
    61 / 37
    16 / 3
    December
    64 / 39
    18 / 4
    59 / 37
    15 / 3
     
     
    Average Rainfall
     
    Lima, Peru
    Cusco, Peru
    Month
    Inches
    Millimeters
    Inches
    Millimeters
    January
    0.0
    0
    6.3
    160
    February
    0.0
    0
    5.2
    132
    March
    0.0
    0
    4.3
    109
    April
    0.0
    0
    1.8
    46
    May
    0.0
    0
    0.3
    8
    June
    0.1
    3
    0.1
    3
    July
    0.2
    5
    0.2
    5
    August
    0.1
    3
    0.3
    8
    September
    0.1
    3
    0.9
    23
    October
    0.1
    3
    1.9
    48
    November
    0.0
    0
    3.1
    79
    December
    0.0
    0
    4.7
    119
     

    Puno, Peru

    La Paz, Peru
    Month
    Inches
    Millimeters
    Inches
    Millimeters
    January
    3.4
    87
    4.3
    110
    February
    2.7
    69
    2.6
    67
    March
    2.3
    59
    2.5
    64
    April
    1.0
    25
    1.2
    30
    May
    0.2
    4
    0.3
    8
    June
    0.1
    2
    0.3
    8
    July
    0.1
    2
    0.2
    5
    August
    0.3
    8
    0.5
    11
    September
    0.4
    10
    0.7
    18
    October
    0.9
    24
    1.4
    36
    November
    1.1
    27
    1.5
    38
    December
    1.7
    42
    2.3
    59
     
    To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com

     

    If You Have To Cancel

    Cancellation Fees ―  Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to when the cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.
     
    If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties reduced. Click here for more details.
     
    If you choose not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
     
    60 days or more before departure
    $700 per person

    59-30 days before departure
    $1,400 per person

    29-1 days before departure
    $2,000 per person