You will be transferred to Maestro Almonacids house. He is a preserver of pre-Hispanic music culture, as he stores over 4,000 ancient instruments in a small museum in his house. The amazing thing is that he plays every single one of them. Upon arrival he will show you to his private museum where all these antiques are stored. After showing you some of the instruments, he will then proceed to gather everyone together in a circle, where he will explain the significance of about 20 different instruments and play them to make you understand the importance of each sound in the Andean Cosmo-vision. He will then take you to his music workshop where he will show you how to make an instrument. At the end of this unique musical experience, you will be transferred back to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Meals: dinner.

Day 3: Monday, May 24: Maras, Moray and Quechua Village
After Breakfast meet your guide at the lobby for your tour to Maras, Moray and Quechua Village. Pass through unspoiled and picturesque Andean communities on your way to the Incan agricultural experimental center of Moray, famous for its sunken amphitheater, made up of four circular terraces, which appear to fade away into the earth like an artificial crater. The site was apparently an Inca agricultural research station filled with fertile earth and watered by complex irrigation systems, designed for experimenting with crops at various altitudes (some of which run down to depths of 100 meters).  Continue to the impressive Maras salt pools formed by water emerging from a lake inside a mountain in the Urubamba Valley. An amazing view of evaporating ponds for the extraction of salt. Learn about ancestral techniques, which are still used, in agricultural, irrigation and salt-recollection tasks, as well as in Andean festivals and rites. Visit an authentic Quechua Village to feel the way of life of the Inca’s ancestors. The Inca himself was a noble Quechua. They live off the land and are always wearing their colorful ponchos, see Quechua children scamper about while woman are weaving their family’s clothes. A meaningful experience!  Lunch at “Wayra”, while having lunch you will enjoy a Paso horses show.
“Caballo de Paso” known worldwide for their smooth gaited movements and unusual spirit. No other horse combines strength, intelligence and beauty so perfectly as the Peruvian Paso Horse. The particular characteristic of the Paso Horse is precisely the reason for its name: the sublime charm of its typical step. As it walks, its front legs step very high and forward while the hooves sway to the sides in a graceful and synchronized movement. Enjoy a delightful demonstration of the skills of this unique member of the horse kingdom. Lunch at the celebrated Wayra at “Sol y Luna” in the Sacred Valley. Meals: breakfast and lunch.

You start the day with morning transfer to the Ollantaytambo Station where you will enjoy a 2:30 hour train ride aboard the Vistadome train through the Sacred Valley of Urubamba to Aguas Calientes and the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes you will be met by a tour representative who will escort you to Casa Andina Machu Picchu, and check-in. After a brief stop walk to the bus terminal for a 20 minutes ride up to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca “Virgin of the Sun” took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. Your tour, by a private English speaking guide, will last for approximately 2 ½ hours. Lunch will be available at the Mapi Hotel located in Aguas Calientes at the foot of the mountain. Afterwards you are left with plenty of free time to explore the ruins on your own, go into town and explore the many shops, or you can return to your hotel and relax. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Note: Due to strict luggage limitations on the trains we request that you pack only what you will need for your time in Machu Picchu and the remainder of your bags will be stored, free of charge by the hotel until you return.

Free morning, for you to stroll to the Inca Bridge, a secret entrance used by the Inca’s army or walk toward the Inca Trail to find the historic Intipunku or “Sun Gate”. You can also hike the steep stone-paved trail of Huayna Picchu (additional fees apply / reservations needed), the pyramid-shape mountain above Machu Picchu for a breathtaking “condor view” of the citadel or visit Manuel Chavez Museum or hike in Mandor Valley or just enjoy the thermal springs, shops and restaurants in the town.  In the early afternoon, approximately 4:00 p.m., meet back at the train station to depart on the Vistadome train back to Cuzco. Upon arriving to Cuzco (Poroy Station) meet your bus and transfer to the Xima Hotel in Cuzco, and overnight. Meals: breakfast.

 

This morning after breakfast, at about 9:00pm, begin your city tour. Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour visits important landmarks such as Cuzco’s Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha “The Temple of the Sun”. This tour of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere also includes the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay as well as the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture. Return to the hotel. Duration: 4 hours. In the early evening you will be transferred to Mamaji Restaurant (Sonesta Hotel). Cusco has enough entertainment to keep you busy for a week. Tonight you will enjoy a delicious buffet, which utilizes regional ingredients to rescue the gastronomic roots of the Andes. Dinner is followed by a folkloric show with whirling Peruvian dancers performing a variety of regional entertaining dances, also you will have the opportunity to learn some Huayno steps and an explanation of some musical instruments. Meals: breakfast and dinner

This morning transfer to the airport in time for Amazonas Airlines flight #535 departing at 10:40am, arriving to La Paz at 12:40pm. Upon arrival, and after clearing customs and retrieving your bags, you will be met by our representative.

From the airport begin a half day tour to the Archaeological site of Tiwanaku. Tiwanaku culture (1.580 BC-1.000 AD), the magnificent ruins of Bolivia and one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas. The Sun Gate, the Temple of Kalasasaya and the Pyramid of Akapana are the sample of a glorious past. Tiwanaku culture was an agrarian based economy with an estimated population of 115.000 inhabitants. The state-controlled agriculture produced the surplus wealth to support the urban center and administrative system. They were outstanding in agriculture, hydraulic, architecture & medicine, as well as in social organization. Due to an economic crisis caused by a long dry season, Tiwanaku collapsed around 1.000 AD.

Continue with your overland journey from Tiwanaku to Huatajata, at the shores of Lake Titicaca. On arrival, visit the Andean Roots Eco Village: The Altiplano Museum; Handicrafts village, the Mud Igloos and the mortuary towers of the Urus Chipayas. Meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris for epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean.  Enjoy our elegant vicuñas, llamas, alpacas and the mythical Suri. Audiovisual and night experience of “The Mystic World of the Kallawayas”, natural healers of Bolivia. They believe that you first have to heal the soul in order to heal your body. Tata Benjo, -our Kallawaya- will bless visitors and answer questions by casting his sacred coca leaves. By night visit the Native Observatory Alajpacha. Learn from the Aymaras Cosmovision and watch the southern constellations. Overnight at Hotel Inca Utama & Cultural Resort. Meals: breakfast

 

Day 8: Saturday, May 29: Huatajata/Sun Island

Day 9: Sunday, May 30: Sun Island/La Paz
Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is at leisure. Around noon visit the Inca “Grand Stairs” and the Sacred Fountain; taste the water believed to give eternal youth and happiness. Lunch at the Uma Kollu archaeological Restaurant; Visit the small handicraft market. Hydrofoil cruise to Moon Island, visit the Sun Virgins Temple “Iñak Uyu”. Hydrofoil cruise  back to Copacabana and overland journey to LA Paz, by a road running parallel to the mighty snowed peaks of the Andes. Transfer to the Hotel presidente, check-in. Early evening dinner at a local restaurant and Folklore show. Enjoy a 2-hour spectacle full of color and rhythm with the most representative dances of Bolivia, like the Morenada, Caporales and Tinkus. Meals: breakfast lunch and dinner.

 

Day 11: Tuesday, June 1:  Uyuni / San Pedro de Atacama -Astronomic Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Pick up from the hotel and enter the National Park Eduardo Avaroa, with a surface of 714,745 hectares, located at the SW of Potosi in the province of Sud Lipez. The local fauna features unique species adapted to the extreme living conditions in this region, some of them endangered. This place is unique thanks to its lakes, salt pans, volcanoes, snowcapped peaks, plains, thermal springs, some rivers rich in algae and plankton, geothermal geysers, flora and general topography. Visit Laguna Colorada runs through a unique landscape of deserts and mountains. With an area of 60 km2, at an altitude of 4,278 mtrs, Laguna Colorada is characterized by the red tone of its waters. It is inhabited by flocks of flamingoes of three species: tokoko (with red plumage), chururu (with whitish plumage) and jututu (with pink plumage). The scenery is exceptionally beautiful at these heights, set off by the impressive redness of the Lagoon. This is considered to be the most important flamingo watching site in the region. Also vicuñas, llamas and vizcachas can be seen. Continue to “Sol de Mañana” Geysers, with fumaroles and volcanic craters of spectacular formation, covering 1 Km2, featuring intense volcanic and fumaroles activity. The crater bottoms display boiling lava; the fumaroles emit spouts of mixed water and superheated steam reaching 80 to 100 mtrs height; this phenomena displays a landscape dating from the beginning of the earth. This geothermal field is located at an altitude of 4.900 mtrs. Visit Laguna Verde, looking as a giant emerald, from where there is an impressive view of Licancabur Volcano, at an altitude of 5,865 mtrs. The special brightness of its green waters in the afternoon is dazzling. The intensely green coloring is due to high magnesium content. Box Lunch included. Overland journey to Hito Cajón (Bolivia/Chile border). At arrival at the border you will be met by our Chile representative and transferred to the Kimal Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, check-in.

This evening you meet your guide at the lobby for your Astronomic Tour. Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes approx. Subject to weather conditions the main purpose of the tour is that visitors may fully experience the Atacama Desert’s amazing nights, one of the best places in the world for stargazing.  This unforgettable experience initiates visitors in the observation of the universe and offers the possibility of astronomical viewing through high-powered telescopes. The first part of the tour provides an explanation of the skies seen through the naked eye. It offers basic concepts of what is viewed, such as constellations, what to learn from them, how to read a map of the skies and recognize important stars. When the moon is vile, a second possibility is offered involving direct observation through telescopes and taking pictures. This is a unique experience that cannot be compared with images found in books or in the Internet. The chance of viewing the stars or a planet like Saturn definitely offers unforgettable moments. Notes: These tours are offered on a daily basis and are only suspended when there is a full moon. The tours are 2 ½ hours long and end with a hot beverage before returning to San Pedro. The desert nights are cold so that warm clothing is recommended in order to enjoy the tour at ease.   Meals: breakfast, box lunch and dinner

 

Day 12: Wednesday, June 2: Full day Tatio Geysers
This tour offers visits to two quite different spots in the same area: a breath- taking dawn in the immensity of the desert and the simple life of a small shepherd settlement. Early departure to the El Tatio Geysers geothermal field, located at an altitude of 4,000 meters (13,000 ft.) which offers an amazing spectacle at dawn: steaming fumaroles that can reach up to 6 meters of altitude (19 ft.). The experience is complemented with guided walks through the hot craters of mud and small geysers. Arrival to San Pedro de Atacama.
Duration 8 hours. Meals: breakfast

Included in your land-only program:
Accommodations as follows including breakfast and service charge & taxes
May 24-26, Sacred Valley, Del Pilar Urubamba – Standard room
May 26-27, Machu Picchu Pueblo, Casa Andina Machu Picchu – Traditional room
May 27-29, Cuzco, Xima Cuzco Hotel – Standard room
May 29-30, Huatajata, Inca Utama Hotel – Standard room
May 30-31, Sun Island, Posada del Inka Eco Lodge – Standard room
May 31- June 01, La Paz, Hotel Presidente – Standard room
June 01-02, Uyuni, Jardines de Uyuni – Standard room
June 02-04, San Pedro de Atacama, Hotel Kimal – Standard room

All tours are private with English speaking guide unless otherwise indicated. All entrance fees included

 

JIM GOLD INTERNATIONAL:  TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Air Transportation:  International air not included except as noted.
Rates: Tour rates are subject to change in the event of currency fluctuations or increase in costs. Inclusive tour rates are per person in double occupancy. In case of computer or human billing errors, we reserve the right to reinvoice clients with corrected billing.
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Changes: Prices and program subject to change without notice
Baggage: One baggage per person and a carry on is allowed.
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Responsibility: Jim Gold International, Inc. Of 497 Cumberland Avenue, Teaneck, NJ 07666 U.S.A  acts solely in its capacity as marketing agent on behalf of its suppliers such as air carriers, ground operator, taxi suppliers, motor coach suppliers, excursion or tour companies and hotels identified on documents supplied in connection with purchase of the tours. Jim Gold International, Inc. shall not be held responsible for any wrongful or negligent acts or omissions by any supplier or other party not directly owned or exclusively controlled by Jim Gold International, Inc. or by the failure of any equipment operated by any such supplier or other party. Jim Gold International, Inc. shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage to person, property or otherwise, in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other services, resulting directly or indirectly from any acts of God, dangerous incident to the sea, fire, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of government or other authorities, wars whether or not declared, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, defaults, delays or cancellations of or changes to itineraries or schedules, or from any causes resulting from insufficient or improperly issued passports, visas, or other documents passports, visas, or other documents. 
Neither Jim Gold International, Inc. nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the aforementioned causes. Tour participant agrees that any claim against Jim Gold International, Inc. is subject only to the jurisdiction of the courts of the country in which the cause of action arose. The right is reserved to substitute hotels and to alter itineraries. The right is also reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure. If any tour is canceled prior to departure, Jim Gold International, Inc. will be responsible only up to the amount of monies Jim Gold International, Inc. received less any cancellation fee applied by a supplier as defined above. Travel Insurance is recommended.
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All tickets and vouchers issued for transportation and services are subject to the terms and conditions under which such transportation and services are provided to the participant by the owners or contractors. The traveler assumes full responsibility for, and hereby releases Jim Gold International, Inc. from any duty of checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination or other entry requirements for each destination, and all safety and security conditions during the length of the proposed travel. Should any clause contained here in be determined void by any court of law, such a finding shall not affect the other clauses contained herein; each clause is a covenant which stand on its own. The receipt of your deposit and/or final payment will indicate that you have read these Terms and Conditions, and that you have agreed to them. Prices are subject to change.

Jim Gold International, Inc.  497 Cumberland Avenue,   Teaneck, NJ 07666  U.S.A.
Phone: (201) 836-0362    www.jimgold.com      e-mail: jimgold@jimgold.com