LIMA- Eka's Stomping Ground

May I present to you.. Erika's official hometown. woohoo!! Can I get a "woot! woot!"

This will be our LAST STOP.

Kiki, when you have time since you have the info in your book. Provide info. :P Otherwise, we can let Erika take care of it. :P

http://www.peru-travel-adventures.com/lima-peru.html

EKA, this section is allll you! You can update us when were are there in Lima! weeeeeeee!!!

LUNAHUANA

I never could remember the name.........*stalks Eka's facebook pictures*.........FOUND IT!

Hm. I think this is where Eka takes over! *steps off podium...hands over mic*



EDIT:
I got this description from this site: http://www.cuscoperu.com/en/other-destinations-of-peru/lima-lunahuana.html

It is a district of the province of Cañete, It's located 50 miles from the city of San Vicente de Cañete. Lunahuana has a dry climate and the sun shines during the most part of the year. Lately, Lunahuana has changed into a paradise of adventure sports such as rafting, paragliding, hiking, mountain bicycle and hang-glider.

It is located 184 km. from Lima, by an asphalted road that runs along the Cañete River, appear a beautiful piece of sky called Lunahuana.

It is the favorite district of Limenians on weekends. It has and altitude of 1,572 feet above sea level and it has 193 Sq miles. It has a wonderful climate. Its average temperature in summer is 89.6 °F and in winter is 78.8 °F. Hotels, Cuisine, Sports and the landscape are very good.

To get Cañete from Lima, you can take cars that go to Chincha or Ica, the majority of these buses leave from Jr. Montevideo in El Cercado de Lima (is half block from Av. Abancay).

After having traveled by the Panamericana sur Road for two hours, we will arrive to Caete. Once being in Cañete, we will travel by Imperial for 15 minutes, where public transportation leaves to Cañete.

If the tourist want a place near to Lima where one can get some rest and get fun, that place is Lunahuana Valley.

How do you get to Lunaluana?

From Cañete, catch a combi to the annex of Imperial (US$ 0.20, 10 minutes); from there, micros run to Lunahuana (US$ 0.70, 30 minutes).

UPDATE (Kiki):

Eka, While researching I saw a place called La Casa Encantada, a "haunted/bewitched" house. Is it insanely lame, or can we actually go there? =p

AREQUIPA

Yet another OPTION. It is surrounded by 3 volcanoes!

Attractions:
~Monastery of Santa Catalina - considered the treasure of Arequipa (will require several hours to walk through)
~Andean Sanctuaries Museum - Displays 500 year old Juanita mummy

~Colca Canyon - one of the deepest in the world

~La Cruz del Cóndor (part of Colca Canyon.......1 1/2 hours from Chivay)

~La Calera - thermal springs (located only on the way to Colca Canyon)

~Arequipa Cathedral - located in Plaza de Armas (free admission)

~Yanahuara - historic location; best view of El Misti volcano through (A MUST SEE)

~Sabandia Mill - 300 yr old water mill set in countryside on outskirts of city; horseback riding

~Casa del Moral - 18th century mansion with Baroque architecture

Admission prices/Hours:

~Monastery of Santa Catalina: $7.50 9am - 5pm

~Andean Sanctuaries Museum: $5 Mon - Sat 9 am - 6pm (closes at 5 pm on Sun)

~Colca Canyon 2 day tour (one of several possible tours): $110 http://www.mysteryperu.com/eng/ar_colca_canyon2days.html

~La Calera Springs (price included in some tours): $1.50

~Sabandia Mill: $2 9am - 5pm

~Casa del Moral: $1.50? 9am - 5pm (not open on Sundays.....possibly not on Sat too)

Here's what I'm (Kiki) thinking so far......Fly to Arequipa on July 18. Have the afternoon to sightsee a bit. Visit the city attractions on the 19th and 20th. Begin our Colca Canyon tour on the 21st.....return to Arequipa late afternoon on the 22nd. Fly to Lima (to rest a night before Cusco) on the morning on the 23rd.

(OR, we could take an early flight out of Arequipa on the 23, and head straight to Cuzco. The more I think about it, the more I like this option......)

CUZZZZCOOOOO!!!!

That's all I wanted to say. For now.


This is a pic of Ollantaytambo. Though, there are other pictures that are just as amazing.

Here's information on Ollantaytambo: http://www.rediscovermachupicchu.com/ollantaytambo.htm

Her's info on the Cuzco Tourist Ticket: http://www.cusco-peru.info/cusco_tourist_ticket.htm

An idea of what the Inca Trail/MP experience will be like: http://www.lizexplorer.com/trekking1.htm
OR http://www.x-tremetourbulencia.com/2-days-inca-trail-machu-picchu.html (this one includes a trip to Ollantaytambo on the way back to Cuzco from MP)

MINIMUM LENGTH OF STAY: 7 days.

POSSIBLE ACCOMMODATIONS:
Inkarra Hostel: $40 Avg/night
Ninos Hotel: $58 Avg/night
Various Hostels: $8-$16 Avg/night