Peru: Spanish Immersion (15 days)
This language tour is designed for beginners, intermediate and advanced language immersion.
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.
2014 Departure Dates and Costs
Novembe, 2014 tba
Tour Cost 15 days from Lima: $ 2,770 USD
Single Supplement: $ 355 USD
Deposit: $ 600 required to hold space. Balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
Maximum group size 14. EARLY BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL!
EXTENSIONS TO AMAZON, NAZCA LINES, AREQUIPA OR BOLIVIA CAN BE BOOKED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
Itinerary
4 Day/3 night Pre-trip Option to the Peruvian Amazon - Ask for details
Day 1 ARRIVE LIMA
On arrival in Lima you will be met and transferred to the hotel for 5 nights.
Day 2 LIMA (B,D)
Morning breakfast and morning at leisure. Afternoon an orientation to our program with some initial exploration. Lima, the capital of Peru is a wonderful blend of Spanish colonial heritage and modern culture. Our tours in and around Lima will be conducted in Spanish. Welcome dinner.
Day 3 CARAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (B,L)
Day trip to Supe valley where 19 pyramids dating back 5000 years are located.
Day 4, 5 LIMA (B)
2 days of Spanish immersion classes.
Day 6: LIMA/CUSCO (B,D)
Fly to Cusco. Afternoon to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Day 7 CUSCO (B)
The peaks and valleys of the Andes were the home of the mighty Inca empire and their capital was Cusco. From here, 10,000 miles of stone roads radiated into the far reaches of the mountains. Cusco 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. Day to explore Cusco.
Day 8 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 9 MACHU PICCHU/SACRED VALLEY (B)
Morning to explore the town, market, hot springs or return to machu Picchu for a second time (entrance fee for second visit additional. In the afternoon we board our train to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred inca Valley. Overnight.
DAY 10 PISAC MARKET (B, L)
Visit the famous Sunday market in Pisac before returning to Cusco.
DAY 11 TO PUNO (B,L)
Travel by road to Puno through Highland villages to Lake Titicaca. Cultural stops enroute such as the historic colonial town of Andahuayillas, and the unusual mud brick walls at the Inca site of Raqchi. Overnight.
DAYS 12 & 13 ISLANDS OF LAKE TITICACA (B,L,D)
Step back in time and experience two incredible days of traditional culture with visits to Uros, Taquile and Mantani Islands. Included will be a homestay on Amantani.
DAY 14 LAKE TITICACA/LIMA (B,L)
Flight to Lima. Overnight
DAY 15 LIMA DEPARTURE (B)
Transfer to the airport for the flight home.
Extensions will be offered on an individual basis.
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 and 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
