Highlights of Peru: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley
May 23-June 2 (11 days, 10 nights)
ALL MEALS INCLUDED IN TRIP PRICE!
Detailed Itinerary:
Saturday, May 23: Welcome to Lima! Orientation & Walking Tour
-Upon arrival in Lima, we take private transportation to our hotel. You'll have some time to get settled in and refreshed before we have our orientation meeting and lunch.
-Next we enjoy a walking tour of the colonial quarter, visiting the Plaza de Armas, La Casa de Aliaga and La Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, Lima's oldest convent. We also make a short visit of La Catedral, followed by the Torre Tagle Palace.
-We'll take a break for a coffee or snack, and then head to the Museo Larco. Dinner together in the evening.
Sunday, May 24: Journey to Cusco, Chinchero & Urumbamba
-After breakfast in the hotel, we head to the airport for our morning flight to Cusco.
-Upon arrival, our local guides will meet us at the airport and we'll head to the scenic Sacred Valley. Along the way we stop in Chinchero to visit the market and church. We have a real treat waiting for us with the weaving demonstration by the locals in Chinchero.
-We end the day in Urumbamba, where we'll check into our hotel, enjoy evening drinks and dinner together.
Monday, May 25: Exploring the Sacred Valley - Pisac & Ollantaytambo
-We'll get an early start today, driving on the scenic route north of Cusco through the mountains, stopping at a scenic overlook along the way. From there, we get a good look at the Sacred Valley and gain some insight into the Inca history of this area.
-Our first stop is the Pisac ruins, including stone art and agricultural terraces. Afterward, we'll head to the handicrafts market and have lunch at a local Andean restaurant.
-Following lunch we head to Ollantaytambo, a quaint town along the Urubamba River, to visit the important Inca ruins.
-Finally, we'll take the evening train to Aguas Calientes, where we'll stay for the next two nights. Upon arrival, we'll get settled in the hotel and then head to dinner together.
Tuesday, May 26: Machu Picchu Guided Visit
-After a very early breakfast, we take the first train to Machu Picchu. We'll have the amazing opportunity to see the sunrise over the ruins.
-Our guide will accompany us for the next two hours, explaining the Inca history, culture, and architecture. After the guided visit, we'll have some free time to explore the archaeological site.
-We then take a bus back to Aguas Calientes, where we'll have lunch together.
-You have free time in the late afternoon to explore the town before meeting up for dinner in the evening.
Wednesday, May 27: Machu Picchu / Huayna Picchu & Ollantaytambo
-Today we return to Machu Picchu for a second visit. You have the choice of returning to the archaeological site, hiking Machu Picchu Mountain, or hiking Huayna Picchu.
-After several hours, we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and have lunch together.
-You'll have some time to explore the town before we take the late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, where we'll check into our hotel, explore the town & have dinner together in the evening.
Thursday, May 28: Maras Salt Mine & Moray Inca Ruins & Laboratory
-After breakfast, our guides will pick us up for our visit to Maras, a huge salt mine that was used in the pre-colonial times.
-During our visit, we'll see more than 3,000 evaporation chambers and salt pools, which are still used today to produce salt.
-Next, we visit the Moray Inca ruins and laboratory, where the Incas researched the different micro-climates of the region.
-Finally, we drive to Cusco to check into our hotel and have dinner.
Friday, May 29: Cusco’s Inca Monuments
-After breakfast, we spend the day exploring the Inca monuments near Cusco, including Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Qenqo, and Saqsaywaman.
-We'll take a lunch break and then proceed to the San Blas Church.
-In the afternoon, we'll focus on the Inca monuments of the colonial quarter: the Stone of Twelve Angles, Huacaypata (Plaza de Armas), the Inca walls of Inti Q'ijillo, Ajlla Wasi (House of the Virgins of the Sun) & Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun).
-Enjoy some free time in the evening before we head to dinner together.
Saturday, May 30: Cusco - Hand’s On Cooking Class & Art Museum
-After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, those who are interested in a hands-on cooking class are in for a real treat!
-The 4-hour class will include a history of Peruvian gastronomy, a chance to taste exotic fruits that are in season, a guided visit to the local food market, a hands-on lesson showing us how to prepare ceviche and lomo saltado de alpaca, and a pisco sour lesson & tasting. -In the afternoon we'll visit the pre-Inca and Inca art at the Precolumbian Art Museum.
-Dinner together in the evening.
Sunday, May 31: Return to Lima - Barranco Neighborhood & Murals
-After breakfast we head to the airport for our flight back to Lima.
-Upon arrival in the early afternoon, we will check into our hotel and then head to Barranco, Lima's most colorful neighborhood.
-After lunch, our walking tour of this bohemian neighborhood gives us opportunities to hear about Lima's history, while seeing stately mansions, beautiful churches, the Plaza San Francisco, and the creative street art murals.
-You'll have some free time for exploring before dinner.
Monday, June 1: Pachamac’s Inca Monuments
-Today we focus on Pachamac, meaning "Earth's Maker." We will learn more about the Inca's use of astronomy, architecture, human sacrifices, and ancient rituals during our visit to the monument.
-Highlights include the huge pyramids, Inca Trail, Inca Palace, Sun Temple pyramid, underground aqueducts, and impressive ocean views.
-You'll have some time to do any last-minute packing before we head out to our farewell dinner together in the evening.
Tuesday, June 2: Lima’s Miraflores Neighborhood & Flights Home
-After a leisurely breakfast and some free time for last-minute shopping or packing, we spend the late morning in the Miraflores neighborhood.
-We'll have lunch together and take time to explore its artsy markets, boutique shops, and cafés.
-We'll head back to the hotel for an early dinner, check out and take private transportation to the airport to catch our overnight flights back home.
PRICING
11-days, 10- nights starting at $4100, double occupancy; Single supplement (limited availability) $650. Final prices determined by number in group.
TRIP INCLUDES:
Airport transfers and transportation for all included program activities.
Round-trip flights from Lima to Cusco.
Full program of activities organized by Travel Grackle.
Bilingual trip leaders and local guides.
All meals in Peru: 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners; 11 snacks
Entrance fees to museums and activities in itinerary.
Meals include non-alcoholic beverages and limited alcohol.
All gratuities for activities in itinerary.
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Round-trip airfare from the U.S. to Peru.
Personal items such as laundry, fax or telephone calls, liquor, room service, excess baggage charges, medical expenses and private transfers.
Activities not included in itinerary.
Trip cancellation fees.
Any insurance.
Unlimited alcohol at meals.
Any increases in the in-tour airfare (included as part of the program cost), airport taxes, security, or fuel surcharges imposed after the initial pricing of this program are not included.