”TRAVEL WITH GINA” . is NOT a typical tour. You are a friend “Traveling with Me” the way I like to travel. We see the important sights & the real local culture. These trips are good for people who are independent travelers wanting some free time when they travel with a “group of friends”. Not every 5 minutes is planned. We have a lot of free time for individual interests. Many of the people who join this group trip become “lifelong friends” because you have so much in common. Not everyone in our life loves to travel so we need these “traveller friends”. These trips are also for people who want longer, extended & cultural travel. Maybe you are retired already or preparing for retirement? Maybe you want a lifestyle & work-life that allows you to travel as much as you want at any age? Welcome to “Travel with Gina”! PERU The Inca Ruins of MACHU PICCHU & The Festival of the “Patron San Francisco de Asis” OCT 2-12, 2021 (11 DAYS) LAND: $1895 per person AIR: starting at $900 (or fly FREE using your reward points) TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: Explore the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu is shrouded in mystery and lively debate. This “Lost City of the Incas” is perched high in between two peaks and only rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. The impressive ruins, hidden for 400 years by semi-tropical jungle lies between two peaks with sheer mountain sides falling vertically to the valley below. Visit the magnificent Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a huge Inka fortress high above Cusco at a height of 12,136 feet which zigzags across the side of the mountain and at one time garrisoned 5000 Inka soldiers. Tour the legendary Sacred Valley: the Pisaq fortress, the weaving village of Chinchero & the Inka fortress of Ollantaytambo. The legendary Sacred Valley includes the Andean mountains, the valley surrounding the Urubamba River, roaming llamas and alpacas — once formed the epicenter of the Inca Empire. Enjoy friendly people, colorful markets, fascinating Conquistador-tinged history, indestructible Inca architecture – all set in a spectacular landscape. A special highlight of our trip is the annual festival of the “Patron San Francisco de Asis” - we will enjoy this traditional Inca festival on three special days of our trip with parades, a dance competition & music. Please note, this is the Andes and although this is not a mountain climbing trip, the air is thin. This is not for those with asthma or breathing problems. ITINERARY: Oct 2 (Sat) USA to CUSCO, PERU. Arrive Cusco by noon (Or arrive one day early. Gina can book your Oct 2 hotel night for $70/ night single or double). Our meeting point is our Cusco hotel located close to the Plaza de Armas. Cusco is the seat of the Inca civilization founded around 100 A.D. in the Andean mountains, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere and was the home of the Incas for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Cusco offers a wealth of fascinating historical sites and a charming Spanish plaza setting with outdoor cafes and vendors. Pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial architecture abound in the colorful Andean town nestled in a high valley over 10,909 feet above sea level, surrounded by some of the mightiest Andean peaks glistening with ice & snow. Evening “Welcome Group Dinner” with traditional Peruvian food & musicians - meet the rest of the group! One night hotel in Cuzco. Meals: (D). Oct 3 (Sun) CUZCO to MARAS & the festival of the "Patron San Francisco de Asis” Morning departure in our private bus to Maras. We will first stop to visit Alpaca & Llama on our way to the festival & the weaving village of Chinchero. Then we drive across the mountains to the Sacred Valley arriving to Maras where the festival is held. Our English-speaking guide will explain the history & significance of the festival while we enjoy the parade, dancing & music. We’ll see the school where our “Volunteer Teach English” program takes place (Sept 19-Oct 3, 2020). One night hotel in Urubamba. Meals (B). Oct 4 (M) URUBAMBA to PISAQ RUINS This morning we drive through the Sacred Valley to Pisaq to visit the colorful market town of Pisaq. On our way we will stop at the Awanakancha farm to see llamas and alpacas Our guide will take us to the impressive Inka fortress ruins situated 1800 feet above Pisaq. The incredible view overlooks the Rio Kitamayo Gorge, the Rio Chongo Valley, and is famous for its agricultural terracing. Optional 3-hour hike down from the fortress where we will meet up with the rest of the group to enjoy the afternoon shopping at the colorful Pisaq market & having lunch at the many restaurants surrounding the picturesque plaza. We will check into our hotel. Enjoy a swim in the pool or relaxing jacuzzi. Night in Pisaq. Meals (B). Oct 5 (T) PISAQ to MARAS & the festival of the "Patron San Francisco de Asis” In the morning we return to the festival with more parades, music & dancing. Night in Urubamba. Meals (B). Oct 6 (W) URUBAMBA to OLLANTAYTAMBO Morning travel to the fortress town of Ollantaytambo which was built to protect the Sacred Valley. Tour of the fortress with our guide. Stroll around the lovely plaza in Ollantaytambo where there are many restaurants. Overnight in Ollantaytambo (2 nights). Meals (B). Oct 7 (TH) OLLANTAYTAMBO to FESTIVAL Morning train to Ollantaytambo & private bus to our next festival day in the Sacred Valley (near Maras). We’ll watch a traditional Inca dance contest including adults and children. Night in Ollantaytambo. Meals (B). Oct 8 (F) OLLANTAYTAMBO-AGUAS CALIENTES / MACHU PICCHU Morning scenic train to the small town of Aguas Calientes (meaning “Hot Springs” in Spanish). Local walking tour of the market, plaza & church. Free evening for dining & shopping. Three nights in Aguas Calientes. Meals (B). Oct 9 (SAT) MACHU PICCHU Early morning group tour to the “Lost City of the Inkas”, Machu Picchu. Our 530am departure will allow us to enjoy the sunrise at MACHU PICCHU with the floating clouds changing the view constantly. Machu Picchu is shrouded in mystery and lively debate. Perched high in between two peaks, it was only rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. The impressive ruins, hidden for 400 years by semi-tropical jungle lies between two peaks with sheer mountain sides falling vertically to the valley below. Built in the style of the last Imperial Inka, constructed, occupied, and abandoned within a century. We will have two guides: one guide for those wanting more active hiking (hiking to the “Gate of the Sun” to look down on Machu Picchu in the mist below) & one guide for those wanting more moderate hiking. Our guides will point out the significance of the various stone structures and explain the theories offered to solve the mysteries of Machu Picchu. Sturdy hiking boots, a hat, walking stick & sunscreen are recommended. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. Meals (B). Oct 10 (SUN) AGUAS CALIENTES / MACHU PICCHU Free day to return to Machu Picchu or just relax and stroll around Aguas Calientes visiting the local market, Inka museum ($3 entrance), butterfly farm ($3), waterfall & botanical gardens ($3) & the famous “hot springs” ($10). Meals (B). Cost to return to Machu Picchu: $140pp (includes entrance, RT shuttle, and English speaking guide). There is also the opportunity to do more strenuous hiking with the “Machu Picchu & Mountain ticket” for an additional $20 fee or “Wayna Picchu Mountain ticket” for an additional $20 fee. These two tickets are limited and must be purchased by April 2020 to ensure availability. Oct 11 (M) AGUAS CALIENTES-OLLANTAYTAMBO-CUSCO Morning departure by train to Ollantaytambo & private bus to Cusco. With our local English-speaking guide we’ll visit the magnificent Inca Ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a huge Inka fortress high above Cusco at a height of 12,136 feet, zigzags across the side of the mountains and at one time garrisoned 5000 Inka soldiers. The incredible feature of this fortress are the stone rocks so tightly connected you can't even slip a piece of paper between them. Evening “Farewell Dinner” at a traditional restaurant with Peruvian music & food. Here’s your chance to try the delicacy “cuy”, a popular local dish. Oct 12 (T) CUSCO to USA. Flight home (or enjoy a trip extension - see Gina’s recommendations below). Meals (B). _____________________________________________________________________________ LAND PRICE INCLUDES: • Ten nights accommodations (based on dbl occ). Single supplement is $295. If you would like to share a room, Gina will match you with a roommate. • Twelve meals. • All ground transportation per the itinerary. • All group sightseeing per the itinerary with an English-speaking guide. • Suggested budget for extra meals & sightseeing is $200. • Land price does not include international air to Cuzco, Peru (Approx $900-$1200 roundtrip). • All prices are subject to change based on airline policies until time of purchase. All Peruvian train prices & entry fees are set by the Peruvian government and prices are subject to change. _____________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDED TRIP EXTENSIONS: 7. Join our “Peru Volunteer Teach English” program (Sept 18-Oct 2, 2021). For more information, go to www.GinaHenry.com Cost: $495 pp. It is highly recommended to stay a few extra days at the end of the tour! Here are recommendations for extra days in Cuzco: A. Extra Cuzco hotel nights $70 per night (single or double room). There is also a hostel nearby for $25 per night dorm room. B. Your 10-day sightseeing pass included in the tour is still valid for one more day after the tour ends (we use this pass to visit Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, & Chinchero).