Travel to Peru: Sacred Lands of the Incas: Cusco to Machu Picchu

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Sacred Lands of the Incas: Cusco to Machu Picchu

			DAYS: 7 GRADE: I-II, Easy Hiking define PRICE: From $2295 per person * $350 Internal Flights * HIGHLIGHTS: Machu Picchu Cusco Urubamba Valley ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Discover the best of Peru as you travel to the high Andes. Explore the magnificent ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, the most important archaeological monument in South America.  Accompanied by guides specialized in archaeology, history and Andean cultures, visit monumental Inca stone temples, and the fascinating towns and Quechua Indian markets of Cusco and the Urubamba Valley. Guides meet you at every transfer point and assist you with check-in to assure smooth, reliable travel. 

DAY 1 :  LIMA
Arrive in Lima. Overnight in the Costa del Sol Ramada Airport Hotel or transfer to overnight at Hotel Antigua in Miraflores.

DAY 2 :  CUSCO
Airport transfer for early morning one hour flight to Cusco. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon half-day guided orientation of ancient Inca temples, Spanish churches and the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. Our guide will also direct you to shops, museums and markets where you can explore on your own. Overnight at the Hotel Novotel in a Colonial-style room (or similar).  [B]

Note: Optional upgrade at an additional cost to El Monasterio- a restored 400-year old former monastery, or Hotel Libertador, both of which are luxurious colonial-style hotels.

DAY 3 :  URUBAMBA VALLEY
Full day private exploration through the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the village of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Depending on the season and interests of the group we stop to chat with farmers, artisans and visit Quechua villages where highland Indians tend their fields and sell handcrafts in outdoor markets. Overnight in the serene Urubamba Valley at the Hotel Sol y Luna (or similar). [BL]

DAY 4 :  PATACANCHA VILLAGE
Enjoy a beautiful, easy downhill day hike on local foot trails through the Andes to the native Quechua Indian villages of Hullioc and Patacancha (12,500 elevation) where crops are sown and textiles woven with simple hand tools and traditional methods.  Overnight in teh Urubamba Valley at the Hotel Sol y Luna (or similar).  [BL]

Note: You may combine the Patacancha village day visit (with less hiking) with a day rafting trip on the Urubamba River.

DAY 5 :  MACHU PICCHU
Early transfer to the train station and catch the morning train to Machu Picchu. After assisting with your hotel check in, your guide will accompany you on a private walk among the ruins before returning to Cusco leaving you free to photograph and explore on your own time. Includes first-class reserved train tickets, bus tickets up and down the mountain, lunch and one-time entrance fee. Overnight near the ruins of Machu Picchu in the Hotel Pueblo (or similar).  [BL]

Note: Optional upgrade at an additional cost to the Sanctuary Hotel, adjacent to Machu Picchu.

DAY 6 :  CUSCO
Be among the first to arrive at Machu Picchu on the early shuttle bus. Enjoy exploring the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes on your own time wandering through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of the magnificent citadel.  Hike up towering Wayna Picchu mountain, or back up the Inca Trail to the Intipunku. Leisurely mid-afternoon return on the Pullman train back to Cusco arriving by evening, and transfer to hotel.  Overnight at the Hotel Novotel in a Colonial-style room or similar. [BL]

DAY 7 :  LIMA
Transfer to airport for your flight to Lima. Airport reception and transfer in to Hotel Casa Andina in Miraflores (or similar) to use as a day room until your evening flight or overnight and transfer out for next morning departure. [B]

Note: Optional half-day tours in Lima and its museums are available upon prior request. Observe the blend of cultures in one of South America's oldest capital cities on a tour of the old colonial center of downtown Lima, the church and catacombs of San Francisco and the cathedral of Lima. The most comprehensive museums in Lima that feature Perus archaeological heritage are the Gold Museum and the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Breanne Stovall 1(800)345-4453