Peru – Machu Picchu
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Peru – Machu Picchu Trip Summary From the rapids of the Urubamba to the mystical mountains of Machu Picchu, the Land of the Inca begs to be explored. Visit the historic center of Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its various colonial style buildings. Walk around Incan ruins thousands of years old as you try to solve the mysteries of this lost civilization’s expert craftsmanship. Visit and bargain with the locals at the colorful street markets as you practice your Español. View the expansive Machu Picchu site from perhaps the most famous entrance, the “Sun Gate.” Learn how salt is made as you gaze at the beautiful evaporating salt pools in Maras. Discover your inner adventurer as you mountain bike on trails to ancient Incan sites. Sip on a Pisco Sour as you reminisce over your adventures of the day with your new traveling friends. Itinerary Day 1: Lima Arrive in Lima, the “City of Kings,” and the cultural hub of Peru • You’ll be met at the airport and transferred (one hour) to Hotel B • Dinner on your own • Overnight Hotel B (No meals) Day 2: Lima Morning tour of the historic center of Lima, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 • Visit the Paseo de la República, San Martín Square, the Main Square, Government Palace, Basilica Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, City Hall Palace and stroll streets lined with colonial mansions and Moorish-style balconies • After lunch at Mangos de Larcomar, check out a collection of pre- Colombian artifacts on a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum • Dinner perched over the Pacific at la Rosa Nautica, an unforgettable restaurant located on Pier 4 of the Lima Beach Circuit • Overnight Hotel B (B, L, D) Day 3: Cusco / Pisac / Sacred Valley Morning flight to Cusco, the Inca Empire's capital and oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere • Transfer to the Sacred Valley • Visit Awanacancha, the llama project, where we will see different South American camelids • Shuttle to Pisac for a hike to the region’s mysterious mountainside ruins • Shop an impressive display of handmade textiles and crafts at a local Indian market • Today’s lunch at the Cuchara de Palo restaurant will allow you to discover delicious Peruvian Cuisine • Check into your tranquil accommodation, your home for the next three nights, and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal • Overnight Casa Andina Premium Valle or similar (B, L, D) Day 4: Chinchero / Maras / Moray After a hardy breakfast, we shuttle to Cruzpata to visit a local school • Here, we’ll get to know the kids and their teachers and deliver materials, including books, pencils and crayons • After this noble activity, we bike off-road to the Inca site of Moray • Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch • Shuttle to Maras and bike to the ancient salt pools and mines known as the “Salinas de Maras” • Dinner at Wayra Restaurant, a unique space where nature, art, gastronomy, adventure and good living blend together • Overnight Casa Andina Premium Valle or similar (B, L, D) 1 The toughest part is going home.SM Peru – Machu Picchu Day 5: Urubamba River / Ollantaytambo Upon reaching our private river put-in and listening to a safety orientation, raft the Class II & III whitewater rapids of the Urubamba River, conquering the adrenaline-inducing “train station” and “slider” rapids • Savor a traditional pachamanca lunch at a local restaurant • This afternoon, explore the fascinating ruins of Ollantaytambo with your guide • Dinner in the colorful Huacatay Restaurant • Overnight Casa Andina Premium Valle or similar (B, L, D) Day 6: Inca Trail / Machu Picchu Travel 1.5 hours by train to Kilometer 104 where we meet the Inca Trail and embark on a cloud forest and subtropical jungle hike to Machu Picchu • Visit the sites of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna and enjoy lunch at a waterfall before reaching Intipunku, the “Sun Gate” overlooking Machu Picchu • We’ll have time for a short visit before transferring to the upscale Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel for lodging and dinner • Overnight Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (B, L, D) Day 7: Machu Picchu / Cusco Full morning to explore Machu Picchu’s mountaintop ruins with a private guide • You will have the option to hike up Huaynapicchu Mountain at 10:00 am if you desire • Lunch in Machu Picchu • Afternoon train ride back to Ollantaytambo and car transfer back to Cusco • Dinner at your hotel • Overnight Palacio del Inka (B, L, D) Day 8: Cusco Morning tour of Cusco’s nearby famous archeological ruins: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay • Lunch in the city • Take a guided walking tour of the main square of Cusco, the Cathedral and the "Korikancha" temple of the sun • Farewell dinner at Map Café followed by some lively music • Overnight Palacio del Inka (B, L, D) Day 9: Cusco / Lima Return flight to Lima • With guide assistance, connect with your international flight home • (B) **Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures and Apumayo Expediciones. Our Partner – Apumayo Expediciones Austin Adventures is proudly offering this trip in conjunction with Apumayo Expediciones. Apumayo, a local Peruvian company based in the City of Cusco, was established in 1995. Specializing in adventure travel and non-conventional tourism, the company combines tourism with cultural, educational and natural history. Apumayo Expediciones describes itself as a commercial venture with a strong environmental and social agenda, developing and supporting many projects such as river clean ups and supporting Andean community projects. Apumayo looks to host many of their adventure trips with help from the local communities of Peru and relates them with Inca culture and the daily life of the Andean people. Austin Adventures and Apumayo look forward to providing you with top notch customer service in some of Peru’s most beautiful and inspiring places. 2 The toughest part is going home.SM Peru – Machu Picchu Activities Hiking – 1 to 2 mile city walks and ruins tours; 5-mile challenging hike on the Inca Trail (elevation gain of 2,000 feet). Mountain Biking – 15 miles on dirt, moderately difficult. Whitewater rafting – Class II and III rapids, no experience necessary. Discovery – Crowned by the towering Andes and tucked between the Amazon and the Pacific, Peru offers a captivating mix of adventure, nature and history. Embedded in every active traveler’s Top Ten List is the great city of the clouds, Machu Picchu. Our route takes us there from bustling Lima, to the cobblestone streets of Cusco, from ruin to ruin across the Sacred Valley, and by train and breathtaking footpath over the Inca Trail. Catch a glimpse of the Andean Condor, a vulture with the largest wingspan of any land bird – 10.5 feet! Discover the colorful street markets, friendly people, and strong local culture of Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca empire. Photograph the myriad of salt pans in Maras as the sun reflects off the water’s surface, slowly evaporating and leaving salt in its wake. Delight in the traditional Peruvian dish of Pachamanca: lamb, mutton, pork, chicken or guinea pig, marinated in spices and baked with the aid of hot stones in an earthen oven known as a huatia. Did you know that Machu Picchu is called “The Lost City” because when it was “rediscovered” by Yale explorer Hiram Bingham III in 1911, the jungle had literally swallowed the complex ruins? Even a knife blade can’t be inserted between the precise mortarless joints of the stones used in the building of Machu Picchu, and many of these stones weighed more than 50 tons! Come explore Peru with the experts in adventure travel! Your guides will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, your guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you. Meals The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions – except one dinner on your own – are included as indicated by the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price. 3 The toughest part is going home.SM Peru – Machu Picchu Distinctive Accommodation Nights 1 & 2: Hotel B Hotel B sits in Lima’s most vibrant district: Barranco. Now home to many of Peru’s best-known artists, musicians, designers and photographers, you’ll find the intrigues and mysteries of Peruvian culture, geography and nature just a short walk from your hotel. The spacious rooms of the mansion feature charming views of the outside street or inner courtyard, plush sitting areas for relaxing after a day spent exploring Lima, and comfortable, luxurious beds. Surrounded by galleries and artists’ studios, Hotel B houses a unique art collection of its own and is linked directly to the Lucia de la Puente Gallery. Nights 3 – 5: Casa Andina Premium Valle The Casa Andina Premium Valle is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley. This mountain chalet- styled retreat has panoramic views of the Andes from every room and every angle. On more than eight landscaped acres, it breathes an air of tranquility and relaxation. Unique among Sacred Valley hotels - most of which remain isolated in the valley, offering precious little for guests to do - it contains an extraordinary, full-service "Sacred-Spa", a domed Planetarium-&-Observatory for stargazing in the massive Southern-Hemisphere sky, and gourmet restaurant and bar.