PERU’S INCA TRAIL September 2 – 9, 2018

HIGHLIGHTS: - Your enrollment will fund one year of schooling for a child in the - One day hike up the iconic Inca Trail to enigmatic - Private pisco sour-fueled cooking class in Lima - Culinary walking tour in - Offbeat village interaction with local lunch - 13 meals are included

TRIP ITINERARY QUOTE (all prices include a $200/person donation to educate a child for one year): Early Sign-up Discounted Price for Members: $3675 Early Sign up Discounted Price for Non-Members: $3775 * Sign up before October 25, 2017

Regular Price for Members/Non-Members, starting October 26: $3875

Day 1 – Sunday, September 2 – Lima: Arrival Upon arrival at Lima International Airport, the group will be met and transferred privately to the heart of the city and check-in to a modest hotel perfectly situated for tomorrow’s activities.

Day 2 – Monday, September 3 – Lima: Market Visit + Cooking Class (B, L) Lima is the culinary capital of South America, boasting three of the world’s Top 50 restaurants, so get to know the city’s thriving culinary scene by visiting one of Lima’s popular local markets with a professional chef. After sourcing exotic ingredients for today’s lunch head to your private cooking space, where you will try your first pisco sour before creating an Amazonian meal.

This afternoon, walk along the promenade of trendy Miraflores or try your hand at paragliding out over the ocean (payable on location) before meeting up this evening for drinks.

Day 3 – Tuesday, September 4 – to the Sacred Valley: Responsible Village Immersion (B, L) This morning, fly together to Cusco (airfare included), where you will meet your local guide and head deep into the mountains for an immersive countryside experience. Community members will greet you with music and beautiful native flowers used to make a symbolic offering to Pachamama, or Mother Earth, to thank her for the opportunity to share their culture with you. Learn how they make their living and share a meal together before proceeding deeper into the Sacred Valley and checking into your accommodation, known for its farm-to-table cuisine.

Day 4 – Wednesday, September 5 – Sacred Valley: Trekking to Maras (B, L) Time to stretch your legs because the Inca Trail awaits you tomorrow! Your journey begins with a transfer by private vehicle to the enigmatic Inca terraces of Moray. From here, hike through along the hillsides and through the plains, stopping for an awesome lunch, before you descend into the Maras salt pan gorge. Maras is stunning with its watered terraces that collect salt by evaporation.

Day 5 – Thursday, September 6 – Inca Trail! (B, L, D) Today is a teaser of what you would experience on the full 4-day trek.

Grade: Moderate Highlight: Archaeology, scenery Distance Covered: 12km (7.5mi) Approx. (doesn’t sound like much, but it’s all uphill!) Hiking Time: 6-7 hours Max. Altitude: 2,800m (9,186ft)

You will pass by the interesting, Inca archaeological complex of Cachabamba and the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, a remarkable Inca site that is only approachable by foot. End at Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate, where you will catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu below.

Day 6 – Friday, September 7 – to Cusco (B) This morning, take an early bus back to Machu Picchu for an activity-filled (and self-guided) day at the ruins. Depending on your interests, there are a variety of excursions available. Take a strenuous hike up , the mountain behind Machu Picchu, which provides unique and stunning views of the ruins below. From here, you may extend your hike to the mysterious Temple of the Moon, an exquisite example of Inca masonry. Alternatively, you may choose to climb to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain, located south of the archaeological site and offering spectacular panoramic views from above. For something less rigorous, traverse a narrow Inca road amidst lush vegetation to an Inca drawbridge.

Take a combination of train/bus back through the Sacred Valley, arriving in Cusco after dark. Day 7 – Saturday, September 8 – Cusco: On Foot Exploration (B, D) Cusco is arguably the most beautiful town in , but it sits at 11,152 feet and everyone reacts a bit differently. Therefore, a half-day walking tour taking in the most interesting sites and stopping along the way for some local bites will be a perfect introduction to the city and memorable ending to a phenomenal trip.

Meet tonight for a final group dinner.

Day 8 – Sunday, September 9 – Cusco: to Lima (B) Enjoy a morning/early afternoon at leisure before catching your self-booked flights back home. Adios!

GROUP SIZE: Minimum: 8 guests, plus one Alchemy host Maximum: 14 guests

FLIGHT INFORMATION: Please contact us before purchasing flights to confirm trip operation.

Flight schedules have not been released by the airlines for September 2018. We are allowing flexibility for arrival and departure. We will be offering TWO group airport transfers on arrival and on departure. We will offer the group transfers for the flights the most number of members have booked. Those on different flights or arriving/departing on different days will have a flat rate of $40 USD/2-person vehicle for one-way transfer. At time of writing, flight costs were estimated to be less than $1200 USD/person on economy.

Flight route that members will be responsible for purchasing: September 1 – Minneapolis > Lima September 9 – Cusco > Minneapolis

INCLUSIONS: - Alchemy Host - All meals as listed (B, L or D) - Two GROUP transfers on September 2 - Two GROUP transfers on September 9 - 2 nights accommodation Lima – 3-star or boutique - 2 nights accommodation in Sacred Valley – boutique guesthouse - 1 night Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu – 3-star - 2 nights Cusco – boutique guesthouse - 13 meals - Inca Trail trekking permits - Guides in Lima, Sacred Valley and Cusco, in addition to trekking guides on Inca Trail - Internal flight from Lima to Cusco and round-trip train tickets to/from Machu Picchu

EXCLUSIONS: - International flights - Mandatory personal travel/medical insurance - Any meals not specified - Optional activities - Any other items not specified on the program