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Adventure Tours |
 P11 QUITO - LIMA On this 3-week excursion we travel from Quito, capital of Ecuador to the capital of Peru, Lima and get to know the fascinating landscapes and rich cultural heritage of this part of South America. On this trip we explore the Andes where old Spanish colonial towns, Inca and pre-Inca sites await us and of course we have great views to the snow-covered peaks of this high mountain range. On the Peruvian coast we visit apart from the Pacific ocean , the huge pre-Columbian adobe structures from Moche and Chimu cultures. But of course not only discover we the past but also learn about the life of the present day inhabitants. Day 1 We start our excursion right in Quito with a city tour, which includes the old colonial center and the archaeological museum, which exhibits thousand year old pre-Inca treasures right up to modern artwork. Day 2 On this day we visit Mitad del Mundo, the Equator Line Monument, the Inca ruins of Rumicucho and the Pululahua crater, a large volcanic crater. Day 3 We leave Quito in the morning and head south on the Pan-American to Chimborazo Nature Park. After exploring this high paramo reserve with vicuņas, we head to Riobamba, where we spend the night. Day 4 At 7 am the train leaves for Alausi and from there you go down the famous Devil's Nose and return later to Alausi by the same way. After that exciting adventure, we continue on to Cuenca, with a stop at the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. Day 5 We spend the whole day in Cuenca, Ecuador's most charming colonial town, visiting the old colonial center with its churches and old grand houses. In the afternoon we visit a Panama Hat factory to learn about the production and marketing of this world famous hat. We stay a second night in Cuenca. Day 6 Today we leave Cuenca and drive first south and take the road to Pasaje on the coast. Arriving there we turn south again and cross the international border at Huaquillas. We drive on to Mancora, a small beach resort where we spend the night. Day 7 Today we spend the day relaxing at the beach of Mancora. After yesterday's long ride a welcome distraction. Day 8 Early in the morning we visit the Amotape National Park. This reserve consists of a dry tropical forest with many birds and other animals present. At a spot in the forest is a natural hot bath, which we enjoy. The afternoon is spent hiking in the forest and to get to know birds and other animals of the reserve. Day 9 We head farther south along the coast and arriving in Piura we take the road to Olmos. We stop then at the huge adobe complex of Tucume. Afterwards we continue on to Lambayeque where we spend the next night. Day 10 We visit the Brüning Archaeological Museum famous for its display of the Lord of Sipan, invaluable treasures found in a tomb. Afterwards we visit the site where the tomb was found in Sipan. Day 11 In the morning we leave the area and eventually the coast by taking the highway to Cajamarca, a colonial town in the Andes. Arriving there we visit the Inca Baths to take a refreshing hot bath after the long drive. Day 12 In the morning we explore the colonial center and visit the churches and ransom house of Atahualpa, last Inca king who was captured and put to death there by the Spanish conquerers. Later we hike up to the hill nearby, from where we have great views of the town and valley. In the afternoon we visit the cemetery site of Otusco. Day 13 Today we explore the regions around Cajamarca by visiting an old site of Cumbe Mayo. Old water channels believed to be one of the oldest man made structures in the Americas and a beautiful mountain scenery awaits us. Afterwards we leave Cajamarca and drive down to the Pacific coast to Huanchaco. Day 14 Today we explore the huge adobe site of Chan Chan, which lies nearby on the road to Trujillo. The palace of Tschudi is well preserved and gives us a good idea about life half a century ago. Afterwards we visit the museum and two other adobe pyramids. Afternoon is spent in the colorful colonial center of Trujillo. Day 15 We leave Huanchaco and visit first the interesting Moche adobe pyramids of Huaca de Sol y Luna. Afterwards we continue on to Sechin, a site dating back some 3500 years. We spend the night in nearby Casma. Day 16 We take the road up the Andes again to cross the Cordillera Negra to reach Huaraz, our next stop. The drive takes all day and is sometimes rough but we are rewarded by great views. Day 17 In the morning we explore the archaeological sites around Huaraz and visit the hot springs of Monterrey. After lunch we drive to Chavin where we spend the night. Day 18 In the morning we visit the ruins of Chavin de Huantar, another world cultural heritage site like Chan Chan. This complex dates from the days of the Chavin culture from 800 BC. Afterwards we return to Huaraz, where we spend another night. Day 19 Today we visit the Laguna de Churup to enjoy the snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. We do some hiking, which after the many hours in the car is a welcome activity. Day 20 In the morning we leave Huaraz and this beautiful mountain region and go down to the coast by the way of Pativilca. Before heading to Lima, our last stop on the tour , we turn north to visit Paramonga. Late afternoon we arrive in the Peruvian capital. Day 21 We end the trip the same way we started it by visiting the colonial center of Lima and the archaeological museum, which exhibits great Peruvian treasures from many of the sites we visited.
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