Your Language Instructor

Marlene Samper is a Colombian-Canadian, a graduate in Social Communication from the Tadeo Lozano University in Bogota, where she also received a Masters Degree in Education. She has been teaching for over 25 years. Marlene has taught at the University of British Columbia, Langara College, and  several other educational institutions.  She used a teaching method based on conversation, through which students learn basic language concepts that allow them to explore vocabulary and structure. Culture is a main topic in her classes. This language tour is designed for advanced beginners, intermediate and advanced language immersion.

Join us for a one time departure to immerse youself in the  culture and nature of Peru!

After arriving in Lima, we journey to the Tambopata region in the jungles of Southern Peru for a 4 day/3 night stay at Posada Amazonas. The sights, sounds and colours of the tropical forest will be our inspiration. We then fly to Cuzco to begin a 9 day adventure in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Mixed with the instruction will be relaxed recreation and tours including a train trip and overnight excursion to the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu.

Departure Dates and Costs

November 5 - 19, 2010

Tour Cost 15 days from Lima: $2,770 USD

Single Supplement: $ 295 USD

DEPOSIT: $ 600 required to hold space. Balance is due 60 days prior to departure.

Maximum group size 14. EARLY BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL!

EXTENSIONS CAN BE BOOKED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE LIMA
On arrival in Lima you will be met and transferred to the Posada del Inca hotel in Miraflores.

Day 2 LIMA (B,D)
Morning breakfast and orientation and then depart on a morning city tour. Lima, the capital of Peru is a wonderful blend of Spanish colonial heritage and modern opulence. Attractions include the cities museums with incredible collections of art and artifacts. We will visit the Cathedral housing the remains of Francisco Pizzaro - founder of the city, Torre Tagle Palace, the Plaza des Armes and the residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro. Some time in the afternoon to rest. Later we will be picked up and transferred to the Zeno Manue Restaurant for a welcome dinner.

Day 3 LIMA/PUERTO MALDONADO (B,L,D)
Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival transfer to the Tambopata river port in Puerto Maldonado. Puerto Maldonado is situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers and is a bustling, booming tropical frontier town. Its principal activities are gold mining, Brazil nut collecting, timber extraction, agriculture and ecotourism.

After a brief survey of the town we will depart on a 1 hour ride via Infierno road, followed by 30 minutes boat journey by motorized canoe to Posada Amazonas. Depending on the arrival time of the plane we will have a boxed lunch aboard the boats or have lunch upon arrival at Posada Amazonas. During our voyage we may see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabiru Stork, Roadside Hawk, and several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers.

When we arrive at Posada Amazonas we will unpack and unwind. Posada Amazonas is a comfortable yet unobtrusive 30 room lodge owned jointly by our Rainforest expedition company and the Local Community of Infierno. In the afternoon we will go for a guided nature walk and visit the canopy tower. In this activity, we will visit a 35 meter scaffolding tower that is 15 minutes walking from the lodge. The scaffolding tower is built so that you safely climb using the internal staircase with verandahs on each side, and rest in platforms present every 2 meters. From the top you not only get spectacular views of the river and the surrounding forest but also excellent opportunities to observe birds from the canopy including parrots, toucans and macaws.

Day 4: POSADA AMAZONAS (B,L,D)
We will be up at dawn for a visit to the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. After an early breakfast we depart, fifteen minutes from Posada Amazonas by boat and a 30 minute walk take us to the lake shore. From here we take a long, easy canoe ride around it. We will look for giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin, and wading birds. The giant river otters that are seen in Tres Chimbadas belong to a resident family of nine. As we approach noon, animal activity decreases and we will return to the lodge for lunch.

Day 5: POSDADA AMAZONAS (B,L,D)
We will wake up at dawn and visit the macaw clay lick where up to 8 species of parrots and macaws gather to feed and socialize. It is an unforgettable experience. We will return to the lodge of a painting session. Lunch and an afternoon guided walk with our naturalist.

Day 6: POSADA AMAZONAS/CUZCO (B,L,D)
After an early morning wake up call and outing, we will have breakfast and then leave for our 2 hour ride back to Puerto Maldonado and the airport to fly to Cuzco. On arrival we will be met and transferred to Pisac 1 hours drive in the Sacred valley of the Incas. Our home of the next 6 nights will be a small country inn. 

Day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 PISAC/OLLANTAYTAMBO (B/ L/ D)
While in the Pisac/Ollantaytambo area you will spend a portion of the time letting in Spniahs instruction classes. 

There will be many excursions exploring the area in and around Pisac and Ollantaytambo. During these outings you will discover many delightful people and have the opportunity to converse. Travel to Ollantaytambo in the Urubamba Valley where the Incas fled from the Spaniards. Enjoy the Pisac market where indigenous Indians from the surrounding highlands come to buy and sell a myriad of wares. Also visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo fortress.

Day 12 MACHU PICCHU (B/L)
Morning transfer to the train station for the journey to Machu Picchu. 122 kilometers north of Cuzco lies the "Lost City Of the Incas." There are many theories as to who built the city. Many say it was the last refuge of the Inca empire after the Spanish Conquest. The site was never found by the Spanish and when the last of the city inhabitants died, so did the secret of its existence. The sacred site lay buried beneath vines and jungle growth for 400 years until American Explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911. The 220 stone temples and buildings of Machu Picchu crown a 9,000 foot ridge. Machu Picchu pays homage to three great Inca achievements; agriculture, astronomy and masonry. After a guided tour of the ruin we will paint on location at Machu Picchu. Check-in at our hotel in Aguas Calientes located 20 minutes from the ruins.

Day 13 MACHU PICCHU/CUZCO (B/L)
Morning return to the ruins for a second chance to view the ruins.  Afternoon return to Cuzco by train. 2 nights

Day 14 CUZCO (B/D)
The peaks and valleys of the Andes were the home of the mighty Inca empire and their capital was Cuzco. From here, 10,000 miles of stone roads radiated into the far reaches of the mountains. Cuzco is still one of the most fascinating of the world's ancient cities. The surrounding area is rich in archaeological and sacred sites, many of them never discovered by the conquering Spanish. Of prime interest is the temple fortress of Sacsayhuaman standing guard over the city and the massive walls and remnants of the Temple of the Sun. The Spanish destroyed much of the ancient buildings and built a wealth of colonial architecture above the Inca masonry. Morning city tour of Cuzco. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening  a farewell dinner.

Day 15 CUZCO/LIMA (B)
Breakfast and return to Lima by flight. Afternoon at leisure
Day room use. Transfer to the airport for the evening flight home. Arrival the next day!

Additional Information

Inclusions in above prices:

• Moderate Class (3 Star) hotel accommodation as per itinerary based on twin share for 14 nights
• All transfers and transportation with driver & local guide
• Language instruction
• Domestic flights in Peru
• Local taxes on accommodation, entrance and park fees
• Meals as indicated on itinerary (B- full breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)

Exclusions in above land only prices:

• Departure taxes $ 28 from Peru; domestic air taxes $ 6 per domestic flight
• Personal items
• Meals unless listed in itinerary
• Personal items
• Tips & gratuities at your discretion
• Insurance/Travel insurance is highly recommended and we will provide rates prior to deposit requirements