”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 - safely. Due to the ongoing impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19), protecting the safety and wellbeing of travelers, local guides, and suppliers remains my priority and I have adjusted my flexible cancellation and change policy to accommodate the changing times. 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”! ”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 (single room supplement $325) 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 1 hotel night for $70/ night single or double). Our meeting point is our Cusco hotel located close to the Plaza de Armas. If you would like to be met at the Cusco airport to be transported to our Cusco hotel, cost is $10 per person. Please let Gina know your flight details. 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 MORAY to Urubamba Morning departure in our private bus to Moray where we will explore the scenic “crop circles” displaying ancient Inka agricultural techniques. We will stop to visit Alpaca & Llama on the way to the weaving village of Chinchero where we will enjoy a local Peruvian lunch. We’ll visit the famous church in the plaza square where venders sell their crafts. Then we drive across the mountains to the Sacred Valley arriving to Urubamba. Two nights hotel in Urubamba. Meals (B, L). Oct 4 (M) URUBAMBA to MARAS & the festival of the "Patron San Francisco de Asis” In the morning we will visit the picturesque salt pans of Salinas and then drive to the festival in Maras. Our English-speaking guide will explain the history & significance of the festival while we enjoy the parade, dancing & music. We’ll watch a traditional Inca dance contest including adults and children. There will be local food stalls, but we’ll also have our own “deluxe lunch box” to make sure we eat healthy & safe. We’ll visit a local school where you can donate much needed school supplies (if possible, pack your bags full of school supplies to donate and then we’ll shop and refill your bag with all the wonderful alpaca products and local handicrafts for the flight home)! Short drive back to Urubamba. Meals (B, L). Oct 5 (T) URUBAMBA to OLLANTAYTAMBO to AGUAS CALIENTES / MACHU PICCHU This morning we’ll take a short drive 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 for lunch. Afternoon 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. Two nights in Aguas Calientes. Meals (B). Oct 6 (W) 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. At Machu Picchu, 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 7 (TH) AGUAS CALIENTES / MACHU PICCHU to URUBAMBA 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). Late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. Private bus to Urubamba. Night in Urubamba. Meals (B). Cost to return to Machu Picchu on Oct 7 morning: $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 June 1, 2021 to ensure availability. Oct 8 (F) URUBAMBA to another FESTIVAL DAY IN THE SACRED VALLEY to PISAQ This morning we’ll visit the festival in another small nearby town. Again, there will be local food stalls, but we’ll also have our own “deluxe lunch box” to make sure we eat healthy & safe. Then drive through the Sacred Valley to visit the colorful market town of Pisaq. Check into our Pisaq hotel. Enjoy a swim in the pool or relaxing jacuzzi. Two nights Pisaq hotel. Meals (B, L). Oct 9 (SAT) PISAQ RUINS This morning we’ll visit the colorful Pisaq market & enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants surrounding the picturesque plaza. In the afternoon 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 to the hotel. Meals (B). Oct 10 (SUN) PISAQ to CUSCO Two hour drive to Cusco. On our way we will stop at the Awanakancha farm to see llamas and alpacas. 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. We’ll have lunch overlooking Cusco. Here’s your chance to try the delicacy “cuy”, a popular local dish. Two nights in Cusco. Meals (B, L). Oct 11 (M) CUSCO Morning stroll around the plaza with our guide visiting the Cathedral de Cusco with its famous “Last Super” portrait highlighting the “cuy” guinea pig as part of the “Last Super”.