Hiram Bingham's Hidden Peru
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
HIRAM BINGHAM’S HIDDEN PERU October 18, 2018 | 8 Days | Escorted Journey Chiclayo Trujillo Journey Highlights Main Tour Train Main Tour Land Extension Train Extension Land • Stay overnight within the citadel and enjoy PERU the magical sunrise and sunset over Machu Lima Picchu. Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Sacred Valley • Mingle and barter with the Quechua- Cusco speaking locals at the colorful and PACIFIC authentic market of Chinchero. OCEAN • Savor a private lunch at Casa Aliaga, built Lake Titicaca in 1535 and still inhabited by the Aliaga family. MAP NOT TO SCALE • Arequipa Experience the Inca culture with the Quechua community of Huilloc in the heart of the Valley of the Incas. LORD OF CUSCO SIPAN • Enjoy stunning scenery as you travel by train to legendary Machu Picchu in luxurious style. • Explore the impressive remains of several pre-Incan cultures at Chan Chán, Túcume, and El Brujo on an optional extension. This journey is offered in collaboration with our sister company, Travcoa. • Itinerary .................................... page 2 > • Flight Information ...................... page 3 > • Meet Your Travel Director ........... page 4 > • Rates ........................................ page 4 > • Optional Post-Journey Extension . page 5 > LIMA CHINCHERO Saturday, October 20 Itinerary LIMA / CUSCO / URUBAMBA VALLEY This morning, board your short flight from Lima to Cusco. Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be ongoing High in the Andes, more than 10,000 feet above sea level, enhancements to this itinerary. Cusco was founded in the 15th century by the Incas and later conquered by the Spanish. Savor views of the spectacular Thursday, October 18 snowcapped peaks as you drive down to the Urubamba LIMA, PERU Valley, the “Sacred Valley of the Incas.” Stop at the village of Board your independent flight to Peru. Arrive in the late Chinchero and watch a private weaving demonstration at the evening and transfer to the Miraflores Park Hotel for overnight. Traditional Textile Center. Feel the different textures of wool from llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas, and admire the lovely colors, all made from natural dyes. Enjoy a lavish picnic Friday, October 19 lunch before continuing to Moray, an impressive Incan ruin LIMA that contains several enormous terraced circular depressions. Founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Your last stop, weather permitting, is the town of Maras, well Pizarro, Lima is a treasure-trove of colonial architecture known for thousands of pre-Incan salt evaporation ponds that and excellent museums. Your first stop this morning is the were constructed between 200 AD and 900 AD and are still privately owned Larco Herrera Museum, housed in a majestic being harvested by the people of Maras. In the late afternoon, 18th-century colonial mansion. Within these walls, peruse the arrive at Hotel Rio Sagrado, set on the lush green banks of the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian Urubamba River. art—over 45,000 objects including ceramics, textiles, gold, and silver. Next, visit the San Francisco Monastery, a remarkable colonial masterpiece. Stand in the middle of the Sunday, October 21 spacious and handsome Plaza de Armas near the 17th-century SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS bronze fountain, the historic heart of the city and the very Today, visit the Quechua community of Huilloc and participate spot Francisco Pizarro designated as the city’s center. This in activities with villagers. They are delighted to share their whole area is filled with traces of Lima’s colonial past, and is a Incan heritage and way of life with visitors, and offer hospitality UNESCO World Heritage Site. based on the old written laws of the community. Continue to Ollantaytambo and take a stroll through this vibrant village Enjoy your first lunch at the best-preserved colonial mansion and archaeological site. The ruins here are the best surviving in the Americas, Casa Aliaga. Located across from the example of Incan city planning, and the city has been contin- Presidential Palace, the 66-room ancestral mansion was built uously inhabited since the 13th century. Travel back in time as in 1535 by Don Jeronimo de Aliaga, a member of Pizarro’s you wander the maze of narrow byways, past stone buildings conquering forces. Seventeen generations later, Casa Aliaga and babbling irrigation channels. Return to our delightful is still inhabited by the Aliaga family, whose heirlooms include valley lodge for dinner and overnight. beautiful original furniture. This afternoon, view exquisite Peruvian art during a visit to the private collection of Don Pedro de Osma Gilermeister at the Museum Pedro de Osma, Monday, October 22 a fine example of the European palace-museums of the 19th URUBAMBA VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU century. This evening, join your fellow guests for a welcome Board the deluxe Hiram Bingham train early this morning and cocktail before dinner at the hotel. luxuriate in railcars decorated in the style of 1920s Pullman HIRAM BINGHAM’S HIDDEN PERU < 2 > HIRAM BINGHAM TRAIN VALLEY OF THE INCA carriages and enjoy expert commentary along the way. When Wednesday, October 24 lunch time approaches, savor an Andean-inspired meal in the CUSCO lavish dining car. This morning begins with a tour of Cusco—the main square, the Plaza de Armas, the beautiful cathedral, the artisans’ Machu Picchu was unknown to the outside world until it was quarter of San Blas, and the Convent of Santo Domingo, a discovered by American explorer, Hiram Bingham, in 1911. Spanish Baroque masterpiece. Next, drive into the countryside Gazing down from above, it’s easy to see why those below to see the remarkable Inca ruins at the National Archaeological never detected its presence; this man-made wonder is nestled site of Sacsayhuaman. The imposing ruins are enormous—built on top of a mountain saddle, shrouded in emerald vegetation, as three platforms that are an average of 1,181-feet long, and is frequently cloaked with mist. On arrival, check in to the with stairs and stone doors connecting the platforms. Explore Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. At 8,200 feet above sea level, it is passages, channels, and stairs with engravings representing the only hotel located within the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. animals, including a huge stone block in the shape of a puma. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this was both a center of Your expert local guide will regale you with stories that bring worship and astronomic observatory, and likely the private the Incan history to life. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or retreat of the family of Inca ruler Pachacútec. These ruins are explore fascinating Cusco on your own—there are a plethora so moving and significant, that they have been named one of of galleries, shops, and archaeological gems at your doorstep. the new Seven Wonders of the World. Notice how the carved This evening, attend a private performance from the local blocks of stone fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle Nuestra Senora del Perpetuo Socorro women’s choir in the without the use of mortar. Machu Picchu is split into two major hotel’s chapel. Enjoy cocktails during the concert, followed by a sections—the agricultural zone, made up of terracing and farewell dinner at our historic hotel. food storehouses; and the urban zone, featuring the Sacred Sector with temples, squares, and royal tombs that have been carved to an extraordinary degree of perfection. Explore the city accompanied by a local guide who will unlock the secrets Thursday, October 25 of this enigmatic site. Staying at the only hotel within the citadel CUSCO / LIMA / DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and check in to the allows you to remain long after the crowds have dispersed. Belmond Miraflores Park. Transfer to the airport this evening for Viewing the ruins as the sun sets is a truly magical experience. your homeward flight. Tuesday, October 23 MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO Flight Information Rise early to watch as the sun’s rays gradually illuminate the ruins. Continue your explorations this morning with lunch at You will need to purchase airfare from your home city/Lima and the lodge, then embark the deluxe Vistadome train back to Lima/home city. You will also need to purchase intra-tour airfare at Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, $490 per person. Please contact our in-house Air Department for check in to the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, a 16th-century fare quotes, reservations, or other air-related questions. palace and former Carmelite convent that has been fully restored to an intimate urban retreat in the heart of the city. This Journey may be combined with Alluring South America: Brazil, Argentina & Chile. Contact our office for details. HIRAM BINGHAM’S HIDDEN PERU < 3 > MEET YOUR TRAVEL DIRECTOR CHELISE CURTIS Chelise’s curiosity about, and enthusiasm for, other cultures sparked a lifelong love affair with travel. During her 28-year career with Travcoa, she has traveled to over 100 countries, curating her knowledge of local customs in some of the world’s most exotic destinations. She also spent eight years working at a game lodge in Zambia, where she developed an in-depth knowledge of African birds and wildlife, as well as local tribal customs. RATES $6,890 per person, double occupancy; $8,880 per person, single occupancy Limited to 14 guests. INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: • All meals, excluding alcohol and caviar, beginning with • International and domestic airfares dinner on the arrival date and ending with breakfast on the departure date • Excess baggage charges • Transportation • Airport arrival and departure taxes • Luxury accommodations • Passport and/or visa fees • All excursions in the company of a Travel Director and • Travel insurance expert local guides • Expenses of a personal nature (minibar, phone calls, email, • Luggage transfers laundry, etc.) • Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra • All gratuities to local guides and porters sightseeing or optional activities • Group and individual airport transfers on arrival and departures dates • Gratuity for your Travel Director • Medical insurance A 25% of the journey cost per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition.