Peru: August 2-15, 2013From Kirsten Koza: I am a professional adventure travel writer, author, and humorist. You can read about other trips I’ve organized with trip partners in articles posted on my website.CLOSED/SOLD/PACKING OUR BAGS (though feel free to beg, or check out FEAST our photography and eating expedition across Jordan in March. There will be more Peru trips next year as well.)

This August you can dance centre bullring with a matador in a remote village, enjoy local delicacies, go sandboarding, relax at an oasis or try to climb the tallest dune in the world (2,070 metres), take a spiralling flight over the Nazca lines, sample Pisco’s pisco and chicha too (but not the kind made with spit), devour local chocolate, spot condors, stargaze and hike in the Colca Canyon, see spooky mummies and ancient sex pottery, take a walk through a stone forest, explore the ecological curiosities of the Islas Ballestas (dubbed Peru’s Galapagos) by boat, stay at unique and boutique hotels and experience one local homestay as well, and then take a flight to either Cusco for Machu Picchu, back to LIma and home, or another Peruvian destination. (group size just 8-12) Basic Itinerary, Prices and Contacts: August 2 -15, 2013 LIMA – PARACAS – HUACACHINA – NAZCA – COLCA CANYON – HUAMBO – CHIVAY – AREQUIPA – and then a flight to another destination in PeruThe tour operator for this trip is Peru Adventure Tours (registered and licenced). The trip has been coordinated by Canadian adventure travel writer, humorist  and author Kirsten Koza.Small group: 8-12 participantsAUGUST 2: LIMA Check-in at Miraflores. – Meeting and introduction at hotel followed by walk in Lima – find food – find local afro-Peruvian fusion music Hotel Nobility (single room)AUGUST 3: LIMA Culinary Tour: Surquillo Market/fruit tasting/ceviche demo/coffee. Yuyanapaq Photography Exhibit/Meeting a survivor of Sendero Luminoso – Hotel Nobility (single room) AUGUST 4: LIMA – PARACAS Stop in Chincha to visit the Afro Peruvian colony in EL Carmen – This is the only place where you can see this culturally rich community preserving their strong traditions. Hotel Gran Palma (WiFi) (single room)  AUGUST 5: PARACAS – HUACACHINA Islas Ballestas Boat Tour (dubbed Peru’s Galapagos Islands)- Paracas National Reserve Tour – Optional: Sandboarding (prepare to exfoliate on the sand) – Hosteria Suiza (WiFi) (some single rooms, some shared) AUGUST 6: HUACACHINA Pisco Tour: Tres Generaciones/La Caravedo – Optional: Dune buggy ride on dunes – Hosteria Suiza (WiFi) (some single rooms, some shared) AUGUST 7: HUACACHINA – NASCA Ingenio: Jesuit church ruins – We’ll be staying at a boutique hotel AUGUST 8: NASCA Archaeological Tour: Flight over Nasca Lines – Cantayoc Aqueducts/Antonini Museum – Pachamanca Feast – INCLUDES PACHAMANCA CEREMONY AUGUST 9: NASCA – ATICO Tour to Sacaco oasis – the Paleontological Museum of Peru –  100km away from Nasca – Visit Puerto Inca beach to have lunch next to the ocean and, if time permits, walk through the rock forest. Hotel Alicia (WiFi) (shared rooms)  AUGUST 10: ATICO – HUAMBO Drive from the coast up to the highlands passing through an arid region and snowcapped mountains over 5000m – Huambo (3320m) is an Andean Catholic town located on left bank of the Colca Canyon. Peru Adventure Tours will provide emergency oxygen tanks for issues with the altitude. INCLUDES: LUNCH – DINNER – Lodging: Stay with local family who eagerly await your visit. The accommodation will be very simple. AUGUST 11: HUAMBO – CABANACONDE Huambo Festivities: Dances/Bullfight/Procession – INCLUDES: BREAKFAST – LUNCH – Shared rooms this night. – Hotel Kuntur Wasi (WiFi)  AUGUST 12: CABANACONDE – CHIVAY Colca Valley Tour 1: Cabanaconde/Cruz del – Condor/Maca/Achoma/Yanque – Optional: Hot springs – Hotel Colcainn (WiFi) (some single rooms, some shared) AUGUST 13: CHIVAY Colca Valley Tour 2: Coporaque/Ichupampa/Lari/Madrigal – Hotel Colcainn (WiFi) (some single rooms, some shared)  AUGUST 14: CHIVAY – AREQUIPA Santa Catalina Monastery – Arequipa’s Foundation Day: Dances/Music/ Fireworks – La Casa de mi Abuela (WiFi) (single rooms) AUGUST 15: AREQUIPA Historic Center: Cathedral/Compañía/Recoleta/San Camilo MarketThere are trip extensions available for Machu Picchu, Titicaca and or the Amazon. One of the trip participants is hoping that someone will do a bike and hike on a newly discovered alternate Inca Trail with her. And Kirsten has a hankering for a boat trip up the Amazon so there are lots of exciting options for those who would like to stay longer.

Suggested return flight: LIM 6:20 pm or other arrangements/extensions can be made with Peru Adventure Tours for those who would like to continue to Lake Titicaca or Cusco etc. We will have had an opportunity to acclimatize to the elevation so this is a great place to connect to another high-altitude destination.

INCLUDES: – One internal flight from Arequipa  (not international)  – Boat Tour   – Flight over Nazca Lines – All accommodation – single rooms where marked (sometimes shared rooms at smaller inns) with breakfasts – Private vehicle and driver – minibus with roof rack – Expert Peruvian Tour Guide – Museums/entrance fees – Culinary Tours/ Tastings where listed on itinerary – All breakfasts – All meals in Huambo

NOT INCLUDED: Meals not listed – Tips  – Optional tours such as sandboarding and dune buggy – Laundry service – International flight tickets – Travel and health insurance (which you are required to obtain) – Trip extensions (which Peru Adventure Tours will help arrange)

SORRY BUT WE CAN’T TAKE MORE PARTICIPANTS NOW

If hotels need to change as sometimes can happen in Peru due to unexpected delays or roadworks then something of similar quality will be sought.

Contact: info@kirstenkoza.com for more information.

Want to talk to Kirsten on the phone about the trip? Just send her a message with your phone number, area code, country, time zone, and a couple of times that work well for you to talk.

Feel free to chat with us on Facebook on the Writers’ Expeditions page.

Peru Adventure Tours is highly recommended by: The Rough Guide to Peru, Footprint Peru, Le Petit Fute Perou, DK Eyewitness, Thomas Cook; Travellers Peru, South American Handbook 2009 DreamScapes Magazine (Canada) in Kirsten Koza’s story “17 Days in Peru with 10 Intrepid Internet Strangers”.