General Tours Adds Two Peru Programs

General Tours World Traveler expanded its vacation offerings with two additional Peru programs in a response to strong demand in 2006 and 2007.

One new option is the Peruvian Splendor trip, a nine-day program that takes guests to Machu Picchu and includes all touring with a private car, driver and guide.

Specially-arranged excursions include a chicheria in the Sacred Valley where the traditional Andean beverage chicha is brewed as well as a visit to Awanacancha to learn about ancient weaving techniques.

In Lima, guests sample the cuisine of Rafael Piqueras, a young chef at the forefront of new Peruvian cuisine, and enjoy a curator-hosted tour of the Lima Art Museum. Priced from $3,999, the trip includes 16 meals, comprehensive sightseeing and all internal flights.

General Tours’ the new Andean Vistas trip, a 13-day small-group, deluxe, escorted trekking vacation, includes a six-day high mountain trek along the Inca Trail. With daily hikes at elevations up to 15,000 feet, this is a physically-demanding trip, but porters and deluxe high-mountain lodges ensure comfort at every stage of the journey.

The itinerary also includes Lima, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and an overnight at the deluxe Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel at Machu Picchu. Priced from $4,399, this small-group escorted trip with no more than 16 guests includes 26 meals, sightseeing, trek porters, deluxe accommodations and all internal flights.