Active and Sophisticated Peru


Active and Sophisticated Peru

Departures: 2015-16 Special departures

Places visited: Lima, Cuzco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Highlights:
Explore the highlights of colonial Peru and visit the most important vestiges of the Inca Empire. Begin this tour in the Peruvian capital of Lima, a multifaceted lively city with elegant Spanish colonial architecture, ancient Inca culture and contemporary trendy neighborhoods with fine dining and shopping. Then travel to the heart of the former Inca empire to visit Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and the incredible Inca city of Machu Picchu. Explore not only important archeological sites and ruins, but also take time to enjoy the scenery. Experience everyday life in the Sacred Valley with a bike ride along dirt roads, a llama trek across ancient Inca trails, and the opportunity to learn about the ancient traditions of weaving, farming and chocolate making.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • International & Domestic flights
  • 1 night of accommodation at B Hotel
  • 2 nights of accommodation at Sol y Luna Hotel
  • 1 night of accommodation at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel
  • 3 nights of accommodation at Belmond Hotel Monasterio
  • Daily breakfast and local taxes
  • 1 Half day city tour in Lima
  • 1 Full day tour to Sacred Valley
  • 1 Half day Mountain bike excursion & Textiles exhibition
  • 1 Full day tour to Cuzco and Surrounding Ruins
  • 1 Full day tour to Chinchero town & Chocolate Museum
  • Bikes & helmets for the biking excursion
  • Bilingual guides for transfers and tours

 WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

  • Meals other than those mentioned
  • Beverages with meals
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional tours and experiences
  • Any items not mentioned

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Lima: Upon arrival at the airport, private transfer to B Hotel.

Lima city tour

In the afternoon, discover Lima! Begin at the colonial center of the city, the old capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Admire the Spanish colonial architecture, including El Paseo de los Héroes, the Justice Palace, the historical San Martín square, and the central Plaza Mayor, which is framed by Lima’s grand Government Palace, Municipal Palace and the Cathedral with the tomb of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Other interesting sites include the Santo Domingo church and La Muralla park, which still preserves part of the old city wall. Then continue to the Torre Tagle palace, the Parque Universitario and the mansion that houses the first University of the Americas, Universidad de San Marcos. Step even further back in time with a visit to the Huaca Huallamarca in San Isidro, a restored adobe pyramid from the pre-Inca period, and the Huaca Pucllana pyramid in the Miraflores district with an exclusive restaurant overlooking the ruins. Stop at the Gaudi-esque Parque del Amor (Park of Love)  for splendid views of Lima’s bay. The last stop is the bohemian district of Barranco and a visit to the Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros).

Day 2: Lima – Cuzco – Sacred Valley: At appropriate time, private transfer to the airport. Upon arrival in Cuzco, private transfer to Sol y Luna Hotel in Sacred Valley.

Sacred Valley

Begin the day with a visit to Pisac, a picturesque town that combines elements of Creole and colonial culture, The town features a traditional Indian market and colorful craft fair. Stop for lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the fortress of Ollantaytambo, an enormous agricultural, administrative, social, religious and military complex that dates back to the period of the Inca Empire (or Tahuantinsuyo, as it was called in the Inca language).

Day 3: Sacred Valley:

Mountain bike excursion & Textiles exhibition

Explore the Sacred Valley with a fun mountain bike tour; observe everyday life in the valley where time seems to have stood still. Enjoy encounters with villagers as they go about their daily tasks of working the fields, planting and tilling. Ride along flat trails with almost no car traffic and visit the town of Urubamba, the farms and fields of Chihubamba. Then continue towards Yucay, Huayllabamba and Urquillos. The stunning views along the way are an added bonus. The town of Yucay has some fine examples of ancient Inca agricultural terraces and boasts some beautiful stone ruins. Urquillos and Huayllabamba are typical local farming towns where many cultural traditions have survived.

Please note: the tour is approximately 20 km/12 mi, following mostly flat, unpaved trails with little traffic, and is appropriate for beginners. Wear comfortable light clothing and closed shoes.

In the afternoon, learn more about the important local textile traditions. Watch how the weavers from different Andean communities use their belt-tied looms and ancestral techniques to create exquisite yarns from natural fibers, flowers, roots and herbs. Observe the entire process of textile production, from the untangling of the wool, to the spinning and coloring of the wool, followed by the preparation of the loom. Learn also about the meaning of the colorful designs and iconographies that play such an important role in Andean culture.

Day 4: Sacred ValleyMachu Picchu:

At the appropriate time, private transfer to Ollantaytambo train station for departure on a two-hour journey in the Vista Dome Train to Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Station), continue to the Machu Picchu Citadel. After a guided visit, enjoy a lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Accommodation at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel.

Day 5: Machu PicchuCuzco:

Today is free to explore the Machu Picchu Citadel (entrance and bus fee to Machu Picchu not included on this day).

If the weather is good, we highly recommend going up to Huayna Picchu to take in the immensity of Machu Picchu and admire the natural landscape and the enormous stone structure. The hike to the top of Huayna Picchu takes approximately two hours and a half hours (arrival must be before 1 pm). All hikers must register at the office at the start of the trail. Afternoon transfer to Aguas Calientes to board the Vista Dome Train back to Poroy Station (Cuzco).

Upon arrival, private transfer from the train station to Belmond Hotel Monasterio.

Day 6: Cuzco:

Visit Cuzco and the Surrounding Ruins

Set out with a private guide for a fascinating city tour of Cuzco. Visit important Inca monument Qoricancha (Sun Temple) and the colonial Cathedral. The tour then continues along the Circunvalacion Road up to the famous walled fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Then continue to Q'enqo, a unique temple that has been entirely carved out of a gigantic monolith, before visiting Puca Pucara, an impressive fort with large walls, terraces, and staircases, and great views of the surrounding natural landscape.  The tour ends with a visit to Tambomachay, another intriguing Inca ruin that consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls running through the terraced rocks.

Day 7: Cuzco:

Visit to Chinchero town & ChocoMuseum

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is dotted with beautiful colonial towns and village that reflect the unique mixture of indigenous and colonial architecture, while preserving their traditional art and culture. One of these villages is Chinchero, located 30 km (18 mi) north of the city of Cusco. Set at an elevation of approx. 3100 m (10,000 ft), this mountain offers numerous attractions, including the remains of the Inca Palace, a colonial church built on a stone foundation, impeccable agricultural terraces and a colorful Sunday market where vendors in traditional dress sell handicrafts, musical instruments, woolen products and local produce.

Explore the beautiful village and visit the archaeological site with its impressive stonemasonry to get an impression of life in the valley hundreds of years ago.

Then each traveler will be assigned his/her own llama to embark on the trek to the Piuray Lagoon; hike along  the old Inca trails and take in the valley scenery and the majestic beauty of the snowcapped peaks of the Andes mountain range.  The Piuray Lagoon has served as Cusco’s water supply since the days of the Incas; underground aqueducts transport the water to the city. According to a local legend, the Sun God asked Inca ruler Manco Cápac to let his twin children accompany the Sun during sunset. When they went to look for the children, they discovered that the son had turned into the Huaypo lagoon and the daughter into the Piuray lagoon.

Hikers will be rewarded with a delicious picnic lunch at an idyllic isolated spot on the shore of the lagoon.  Contemplate the quiet tranquil landscape before returning to the village.

Today’s final activity will be a visit to the Chocolate Museum. Learn all about the chocolate making process with a 2-hour hands-on chocolate making workshop. Learn about the origin of chocolate, derived from the cocoa tree that grows in the Peruvian Amazon jungle. Then learn how to make chocolates with milk or dark chocolate and more than 15 different flavors.

 Day 8: Cuzco: At the appropriate time, private transfer to the airport.

 END OF SERVICES


Tour descriptions and approximate times are for informational purposes only. Some places described may be substituted and/or approximate times may be subject to change, due to unexpected circumstances or weather conditions.