Travel_Counsellors. Your personalised ebrochure

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1 Travel_Counsellors Your personalised ebrochure created: 8 July 2015 Contact Sarah Jones t: e: sarah.jones@travelcounsellors.com w:

2 British Society for General Dental Surgery/British Society of Advanced Dentistry and Implantology Peru April 2016 Tour Highlights Lima - Cusco - Sacred Valley of the Incas - Andes Railway - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca Enchanting and magical, Peru inspires the senses with its dramatic landscapes and ancient Incan civilisations. Join us on this exhilarating journey as we explore the highlights of this fascinating country. Visit Lima the modern capital and by contrast, Colonial Cusco the former capital of the Incan Empire. Explore the Sacred Valley, cross the Andes by rail to the 'Lost City' of Machu Picchu and discover South America's largest lake, Titicaca. Cost Per Person Twin Single Including International flights Tour only A deposit of 600 per person is required by 20 July 2015 in order to guarantee the above prices. After this date the price may vary slightly due to airfare increases. Please note this tour has limited spaces so places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Prices include the following: - Return Flights from London Heathrow to Lima (except tour only price) - 9 Nights accommodation in Tourist and Superior Tourist Class hotels - All meals - Flight from Lima to Cusco - Expedition Train to Machu Pichu - Andean Exploer Train to Puno, Lake Titicaca - Flight from Puno to Lima - All sightseeing as detailed in the Itinerary - Scientific Lectures - Farewell Gala Dinner

3 Itinerary Wednesday 06 April Morning flight from London Heathrow via Paris to Lima arriving in the evening, the same day. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel the Dazzler, Miraflores. This contemporary hotel enjoys a great location in Lima's commercial Oceanside district, close to local restaurants and shops with a fabulous rooftop pool. Thursday 07 April This morning a tour is included of Colonial and modern Lima. Visit the historical main square, the Plaza de Armas with its magnificent cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the city's finest surviving colonial mansion, the Torre Tagle Palace. From here you will continue to the elegant suburb of San Isidro with its glorious olive groves and site of the Huaca Huallamarca, a restored adobe pyramid dating from AD. After a light lunch you will transfer to the airport for your early afternoon flight to Cusco. Your hotel for the next 3 nights is the Casa Andina Private Collection (or similar), a former mansion which enjoys a great location close to the central Plaza de Armas. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. Friday 08 April Ancient capital of the Inca Empire and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cusco is an architectural and cultural jewel set in the High Andes 3,310m above sea-level. It's a fascinating combination of colonial churches, monasteries and convents, mixed with extensive pre-columbian ruins. Your half-day tour explores the magnificent Plaza de Armas, the 16th century cathedral and the church of Santo Domingo. Overlooking the city on the northern outskirts of Cusco lie the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. Believed to have been both a fortrress and a ceremonial centre the site has some magnificent Inca walls immaculately constructed from rocks weighing up to 130 tons. See also the ruins of Tambo Machay with its ceremonial fountains and baths, the Puka Pukara and the temple of Q'enko. After lunch you will have time at leisure, meeting up again in the evening for dinner. Cusco Tourist Card You will be given a Cusco Tourist Card which affords entrance to many of the major sites in and around Cusco and is valid throughout your stay here. Sites included are: Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Pucapucara, Tambomachay, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo,

4 Chinchero, Tipon, Pikillacta, Museo de Sitio de Qoricancha, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo, Monumento al Inca Pachacutec, Convento de Santa Catalina, Museo de Arte Popular y Museo Historico. Saturday 09 April Today is free for you to explore this wonderful city at your own pace. Late afternoon there will be a scientific lecture at your hotel. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant. Sunday 10 April Today a full day tour includes visits to the Sacred Valley and Pisaq ruins. The picturesque colonial village of Pisaq lies 32km from Cusco in the Urubamba Valley. You will have time to shop in the colourful Indian market before continuing to the spectacular hillside terraces and ruins perched high above the village. You'll also visit the spectacular fortress of Ollantaytambo whose walled terraces rise dramatically above the village below and provide some of the finest examples of Inca architecture. Your hotel for tonight is the Casa Andina Private Collection, Valle Sagrado. Situated in the heart of the picturesque Sacred Valley, the hotel affords magnificent views of the Andes Mountains. A fabulous new addition is the hotel's planetarium where for approximately USD10 (payable locally), you get an astronomical show by the hotel's resident stargazer. Monday 11 April This morning enjoy a drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo to join your Expedition Train for the 4 hour journey up to Machu Picchu. Travelling through some of Peru's most exquisite and dramatic scenery the train makes its ascent from the fertile valley floor, winding its way up through narrow gorges past vertical cliffs and frothing waterfalls. Large portrait windows and glass celings make it easy for you to appreciate the beauty of the ever-changing scenery. For the last 40 minutes a bus journey zig zags its way up to the 'Lost City' where there will be a guided tour. Undoubtedly the best-known and most magical of South America's pre-columbian archaeological sites, these fabled Incan ruins rise majestically out of the sub-tropical jungle. Founded in the 14th century and thought to be an important ceremonial centre, it lay undiscovered for over 400 years. The distant snow-capped peaks of the Andes and the lush slopes of the surrounding mountains provide a stunning backdrop. A guided tour of the ruins will show you the palaces, temples,

5 towers, fountains and the famous sundial. After the tour you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes the closest village to the ruins where your hotel is the contemporary El Mapi Hotel. Tuesday 12 April If you wish you can make a second visit to the ruins this morning at a cost of $14 for the bus and $50 for the entrance into Mach Picchu or $60 for entrance into both Machu Picchu and Huyayna Picchu. As the number of tickets for re-entry are limited it is strongly advised to pre-book. This afternoon we make the journey back to Cusco through the Sacred Valley by train and bus and overnight again at the Casa Andina Private Collection. Important note: From January to June the railway track may become impassable due to mud slides resulting from the rainy season (December to March). In this event a replacement bus service will operate. Wednesday 13 April Today you experience the magnificent Andean Explorer Train from Cusco to Puno situated, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This spectacular 10 hour journey climbs to over 4,300m to the remote highland plains through some of the most majestic high altitude scenery in Peru. Pass by tiny villages with their adobe huts and neat fields tended by oxen and see roaming herds of llamas and alpaca. It's a fantastic way to travel, the carriages are luxuriously appointed with comfy armchairs and you'll enjoy a three-course lunch with impeccable service, In addition there is a bar and a spectacular open-air viewing platform. A brief stop is made at La Raya, the highest point on the trip, for photo opportunities and where you'll also have a chance to stretch your legs. Your train journey ends at Puno situated on Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, and the most sacred in the Andes. Set on the bleak Altiplano, the waters are a deep sapphire blue, abundant in birdlife and the surrounding land rich in fertile silt ideal for crop growing. Your hotel for the next two nights is the Jose Antonio, Puno. Set along the shores of Lake Titicaca it enjoys a peaceful location 5 kms from the centre of the busy university town of Puno. Thursday 14 April This morning it's an early start for the 15 minute drive to Chucuito for a day spent on beautiful Lake Titicaca. From here travel by boat to the remote island of Taquile with its stunning views across the lake. The inhabitants live a simple life; there are no roads or vehicles here and many still wear the hand-woven traditional dress. From here continue across the lake to the indigenous village of Luquina Chico. Here'll you'll get a unique insight into the villagers traditional way of life. After lunch visit the fascinating floating Uros Islands, constructed and re-constructed from layers of tortora reeds over centuries by the Uros Indians. Boats, houses and even the football pitch are all woven from torotora reeds. Late afternoon

6 return to Puno where dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. Friday 15 April After a relaxing breakfast it's time to transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima. Your hotel for the last night is again, the Dazzler, Miraflores. Late afternoon there will be a scientific lecture before the Farewell Gala Dinner at one of Lima's premier oceanfront restaurants. Saturday 16 April Time for some last minute sightseeing and shopping before your afternoon transfer to the airport. Your return flight to London is via Amsterdam arriving in the afternoon of Sunday 17th April

7 Peru Overview Peru is a large country on the Pacific coast of South America, encompassing a desert coastline, tropical rainforest and soaring mountains, each with distinct environments. These dramatic landscapes offer an exceptional opportunity for travellers to experience a variety of adventures, an abundance of wildlife, a rich history and archaeological heritage, and the vivacious character of durable native cultures, all within one nation. Fishing villages, fine beaches, agricultural lands, and Peru's major towns and cities, including the capital of Lima, are interspersed along the narrow belt of desert coastline that stretches the length of the country. The lush Amazon Basin takes up half of Peru and is an ecologically rich area of tropical rainforest that encompasses some of the world's most remote and least explored areas, sparsely populated and for the most part, inaccessible. Separating the coastal desert from the jungle is the splendid Andes mountain range, an endless chain of soaring peaks over 22,000 feet (7,000m) high, and home to millions of indigenous highland people, speaking the ancient Inca language of Quechua, and living in traditional villages with steeply terraced agricultural fields, with their wandering herds of llamas and alpacas. An interesting history of ancient civilisations, tales of lost cities, undiscovered treasures, and unsolved mysteries make Peru one of the most exciting countries in the world. Travellers can marvel at the sophistication of pre-colombian cultures and explore the many legacies left by the Inca Empire, particularly the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco. Hiking along the legendary royal Inca highway brings visitors to the awesome, majestic 'Lost City of the Incas', Machu Picchu. Boats transport tourists to the unique floating islands and the traditional world of the island people on Lake Titicaca. Travellers can wander around splendid colonial cities that have preserved their Spanish architecture, look into the depths of the world's deepest canyon, and contemplate the intriguing mystery of the Nazca Lines. Peru, 'Land of the Incas', offers a stimulating and rewarding travel experience and is one of the most diverse and exhilarating of the South American destinations. Passports, Visas, Health & Advice Health There are several health issues to consider for travel to Peru. Those entering the country from an infected area require a yellow fever certificate, and outbreaks of yellow fever do occur; vaccination is recommended for some regions but is not necessary for Lima, Cuzco or Machu Picchu. No other vaccinations are officially required but visitors are advised to take precautions, especially if planning to travel to jungle regions. Immunisation against typhoid is sensible. Malaria is a risk all year round in the lowland areas, except for Lima and the coastal regions to the south, and dengue fever is on the increase. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B are recommended. There have been a number of incidents of rabies transmitted by bites from bats in the Madre de Dios and Puno provinces, and near the border with Ecuador; visitors are advised to have a course of rabies injections and not to sleep in the open if spending time in this area. The most common ailments for travellers are diarrhoea and altitude sickness. Drink only bottled water, avoid drinks with ice, and be wary of food bought from street vendors. Health care is good in the major cities (better at private clinics than at public hospitals) but is expensive; health insurance is

8 essential. Screening for HIV is inadequate and visitors should avoid blood transfusions. Passport/Visa All travellers require return or onward tickets, all documents required for onward travel and proof of funds. If travelling for business purposes, a visa is required. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. Entry Requirements UK British nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A valid passport is needed. USA US nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A valid passport is needed. Canada Canadian nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A valid passport is needed. Australia Australian nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. Holders of APEC Business Travel Cards validated for travel to Peru do not require visas for stays of up to three months. A valid passport is required. South Africa South African nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A valid passport is required. Eire Irish nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A valid passport is needed. New Zealand New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. Holders of APEC Business Travel Cards validated for travel to Peru do not require visas for stays of up to three months. A valid passport is required. Safety Safety in Peru is improving. Thieves are the biggest problem: be especially cautious in crowded areas, on public transport, in bus and train stations, and in the centre of Lima at night. Special care should be taken in the cities of Lima and Cuzco against street crime and violent crime. There have been attacks on foreigners trekking in the Huayhuash region near Huaraz and trekkers should be cautious and seek advice before setting out. Thieves and muggers also operate in Huaraz and Arequipa. Women should take particular care to only take taxis that have been pre-booked by a hotel or official company, and travellers arriving at Lima International Airport should be wary of thieves posing as taxi drivers or tour operators. There has been an increase in the number of crimes associated with taxis in the main cities. Visitors should avoid all political gatherings and demonstrations as these have the potential for violence. Most visits to Peru are trouble-free and the usual sensible precautions should be enough to keep travellers safe. Overseas Embassies UK - British Embassy, Lima: +51 (0) USA - United States Embassy, Lima: +51 (0)

9 Canada - Canadian Embassy, Lima: +51 (0) Australia - Australian Embassy, Lima: +51 (0) South Africa - South African Embassy, Lima: +51 (0) New Zealand - New Zealand Embassy in Chile (also responsible for Peru): Embassies UK - Peruvian Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0) USA - Peruvian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: Canada - Peruvian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: Australia - Peruvian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0) South Africa - Peruvian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0) New Zealand - Peruvian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)

10 10 reasons to choose Travel Counsellors for all your travel needs Your Own Travel Expert As your Travel Counsellor, I will take care of all your travel needs and tailor make your dream holiday. Customer Service I take pride in getting to know my clients, providing them with the highest level of personal service and attention to detail. Knowledge and Expertise I am passionate about travel and dedicated to finding the right holiday for you; so I keep up to date with all the latest hotels, airlines and destination information. Peace of Mind Everything you book with Travel Counsellors is financially protected including hotels, low cost airlines and car rental at no extra cost. Maximum Choice Travel Counsellors offers the widest choice of holidays around. From honeymoons to family holidays, city breaks to safari. Value for Money As we are completely independent, I am free to recommend the holiday that best suits you and your budget. Available at a time to suit you I am available at any time, including evenings and weekends, I will provide a personalised and professional travel service. Simply the Best Travel Counsellors has over 1200 agents across seven countries and is widely regarded as the most professional travel company in the world. Customer Loyalty & Satisfaction Using the Net Promoter Score system, Travel Counsellors has consistently achieved a world beating score of over 90%, far higher than that achieved by other travel companies. Award Winning Travel Counsellors has won numerous awards including Best Travel Agent as voted for by readers of the Guardian. Please note that this quote is subject to availability and can be withdrawn at any time, without notice. Prices, suppliers and arrangements shown here are correct at time of preparation but cannot be held thereafter - full details will be confirmed by your Travel Counsellor when you place a booking, upon which time a deposit (or full payment if booking late) will be required. Please be aware that you may be required to pay for any flight element in full at time of booking. Due to the dynamic nature of travel, the descriptions shown here are indicative only which also means any photos of rooms, cabins, restaurants and activities may change which we can talk you through when you book. Keep in mind that if we're acting as an agent for another ATOL holder to book a package holiday, this will be subject to the individual terms and conditions of that supplier. However, if your booking is via our own contracts, it will be covered under the Travel Counsellors Ltd ATOL and subject to our terms and conditions. Where several third party suppliers make up individual booking components, it will be subject to the individual terms of each supplier. That sounds complicated but don't worry, your Travel Counsellor can chat to you about the financial protection details which relate to your holiday. Plus, because we go further to protect you, customers are also protected by our independent Financial Trust for most individual components too apart from cruise only bookings which are a little different (without flights) and protected by the ABTA bond of the cruise supplier.