Spend an unforgettable week in Peru visiting the most revered sites of the Incas, its former capital, the fertile valleys, the bustling markets and the recondite Lost City of Machu Picchu. Explore Inca ruins, meet with local artisans, bargain at colorful markets, ride the train to Machu Picchu and stroll the colonial quarters of Cuzco and Lima accompanied by our knowledgeable guides.
PROGRAM DAY-BY-DAY
DAY
DESCRIPTION
1
Arrival in Peru (Lima)
After clearing customs and immigration, proceed to the reception area, where our local guide will be holding a board with your name on it. You will be greeted with a “Bienvenidos a Lima” and transferred to your hotel.
On to the Inca Capital (Cusco)
Early morning transfer to the airport for your connecting flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, a representative will transfer you to your hotel. You will be greeted with a welcome coca tea (excellent for acclimation) and showed to your room, where we suggest you rest for a few hours. The Inkas built the Koricancha temple, the palace of Amarucancha, the imposing fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the baths of Tambomachay, the ritual sites of Kenko and Puca Pucara. Later the Spaniards used Inca foundations and granite slabs taken from the fortresses, and raised cathedrals, convents, churches and palaces in the most genuine Baroque and Renaissance style. The result is an impressive open-air museum, which you will tour in the company of our expert guide. As you visit the different sites, you will be introduced to the interesting history of this amazing city and learn about the Inca way of life and the evolution of the cultural scene after the arrival of the Spaniards. (B)
Indian Markets and Inca Fortresses (Cusco)
In the heart of this fertile valley, there is an ancient Inca town where locals have been gathering for centuries to barter their products in the central plaza: Pisac. We spend two hours visiting the market, bargaining for Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry and watching the locals barter beans and corn and other produce in their native Quechua language. We take a short break to sip an Inka Cola with the natives in a bar and then depart for Ollantaytambo, a huge fortress strategically located at the entrance of the valley, where the Inca Ollanta was able to stop the Spanish conquistadores in a celebrated battle. As many other Inca remains, Ollanta is both magical and mysterious, with its legends and converging energies floating in the air. We tour the ancient village and fortress with our guide. (B,L)
At leisure (Cusco)
Free day to enjoy the colonial city of Cusco on your own. Optional tours (at extra cost) include walking tour of San Blas historic district, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, ballooning, and visits to Inca sites and villages steeped in ancient traditions.* (B)
* On escorted departure this day will include a private guide excursion to witness the Inti Raymi celebration.
To the Lost City of the Incas (Machu Picchu)
Early morning departure transfer for the train station. Once there board the train bounded for the Lost City of the Incas. You will ride along a flat patched landscape of vegetable orchards and cereal harvests. After dropping off the adventure hikers at km 104, enter the semi-tropical jungle that forms the natural threshold of Machu Picchu. The train ascends into the mountains, guided by the Urubamba River, until reaching a small village set in a narrow valley flanked by precipitous peaks, in a landscape of impossible beauty. Machu Picchu, the last refuge of the Inca Virgins of the Sun, the private retreat of the Inca Pachacutec, the lost city found by Hiram Bingham, sits on the saddle of a mountain overlooking the deep canyon. It is time to discover. (B,L,D)
Investigate Machu Picchu and return in the afternoon (Cusco)
We let you decide your morning plans. Take as much time as you need to study the mysterious ruins, hike up Huayna Picchu, stroll to the Inca Bridge, visit the orchid garden or walk toward the Inca Trail to find the legendary Sun Gate. In the afternoon, board the comfortable Vistadome train for your ride back to Cusco. Upon arrival our local team will be waiting at the station to transfer you to your hotel. (B)
Touring historic Lima and the Gold Museum (Lima)
This morning fly back to Lima where our guide is waiting to take you on a lovely tour of Lima’s Colonial District. Leisurely amble along the historic plazas and cobblestones streets as our guide chronicles the history of the foundation of the city and the subsequent political plots and conspiracies that ended with the life of its founder—Francisco de Pizarro, who is buried in the cathedral. After our lovely stroll, we pay a visit to Peru's most famous museum-the Gold Museum, which houses a priceless collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts as well as the private armory of Miguel Mujica Gallo. The evening is at leisure. The bohemian quarter of Barranco, with its tree-lines avenues and Republican mansions, and Chorrillos, with its sweeping mansions, magnificent ocean views and local restaurants (picanterias) are excellent options for a cultural immersion in the traditions of the city. (B)
Depart Lima
Today our local representative will be transferring you to the airport in time for your departure flight. We recommend you extend your stay with a visit to the mysterious Nazca Lines or Arequipa and the Colca Canyon. We wish you a pleasant trip back home and hope to enjoy your company in another exciting adventure very soon. (B)
PRICES FROM
From: $2,250 per person in double occupancy
FACTS
Departure: Independent Guided Journeys: Tue, Fri and Sun year round
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Type of services: Private services throughout with bilingual local guides.
Highlights: Exploring the Inca ruins outside Cuzco; bargaining at the bustling Indian Market in Pisac; the beauty of the enigmatic Sacred Valley; the unforgettable train ride to the Lost City of the Incas; Cuzco and Lima colonial quarters; the Gold Museum.
Travel documents: American, Canadian and European Union citizens only need a valid passport for stays of up to 30 days.
Inclusions: All ground transportation at the destination; lodging, meals and tours per itinerary; hotel taxes; English-speaking assistance.
Not included: International airfares; Peru domestic airfares (Approx $390pp); airport departure taxes; tips of any kind; incidentals at hotels; any meals not included in the itinerary; alcoholic beverages; souvenirs.
VISA INFORMATION
It is the travelers responsibility to have all proper travel documents which can include passports and foreign visas. Learn more here: Passport & Visa Information
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance is highly recommended to protect your travel investment and for any emergencies that could occur while traveling. Learn more here: Travel Insurance
IMPORTANT NOTES
All rates are “From Prices”
and correspond to the lowest season in the year.
Expect moderate to high increases for high season
and holiday periods. Low season dates vary from
destination to destination. Please inquire for details.
All rates on this website are per person and based
on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated.
If a hotel included in a program is not available
at the time of the reservation, we will substitute
it for a hotel of similar category.
Room and cabin upgrades are available at most hotels
and cruises. Please inquire at the time of reservation.
Most programs can be customized.
All itineraries are subject to change without notice.
Website is for research purposes only.
To receive an estimate, please contact Toll Free at 1-800-255-4266 us
or send
an email to us.
Maupin Journeys
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