GTFT-210- PERU – AN ANDEAN TREASURE

LIMA, CUSCO, SACRED VALLEY & MACHU PICCHU
Seven Days – Six Nights + Day use or Day room

FEATURING THE BEST OF THE CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION

 

Tuesday and Wednesday weekly departures from the USA.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: USA/Lima & Cusco

Arrival in Cusco / Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex (L)
After an overnight flight to Lima start your Peru unforgettable experience with a short but spectacular flight to Cusco over the snowcapped Andes to the oldest inhabited city in the hemisphere, you arrive in Cusco, at an elevation of 11,440 feet. Upon arrival in Cusco, continue to the Sacred Valley a relaxing and enjoyable day tour.

Day Excursion to the Pisac Indian Market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress
Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside of the Urubamba Valley to the colonial village of Pisac where a unique Indian Market takes place daily. The variety of products offered is overwhelming, from pottery with reproductions of archaeological pieces, to all kinds of textiles, jewelry and Peruvian handicrafts. During your visit to this bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the artisans and indigenous traders. Grab the items you like, you will hardly see the same one again.

Continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex, the Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a “Living Inca Town” since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs. Lunch is included.
Overnight in Sacred Valley – Casa Andina Private Collection Valle Sagrado, Superior

DAY 2: Moray Terraces (ABB)

Breakfast at hotel. Pass through unspoiled and picturesque Andean communities on your way to the Incan agricultural experimental center of Moray, famous for its sunken amphitheater, made up of four circular terraces, which appear to fade away into the earth like an artificial crater. The site was apparently an Inca agricultural research station filled with fertile earth and watered by complex irrigation systems, designed for experimenting with crops at various altitudes (some of which run down to depths of 100 meters).
Overnight in Sacred Valley – Casa Andina Private Collection Valle Sagrado, Superior

DAY 3: Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu with overnight stay (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning train ride through the sacred valley of Urubamba to the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca “Virgins of the Sun” took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. Guided tour of the ruins upon arrival. Lunch is at the new Ayasqa Restaurant.
Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. Casa Andina Classic Machu Picchu, Traditional

DAY 4: Machu Picchu Free Day / Return to Cusco (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Free morning to enjoy one of the most incredible sights on earth, the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Take as much time as you need to study these magnificent ruins or hike the steep stone-paved trail of Huayna Picchu, the pyramid-shape mountain above Machu Picchu for a breathtaking “condor view” of the citadel (reservation and extra fee are needed). Or stroll to the Inca Bridge a secret entrance used by the Inca’s army or walk toward the Inca Trail to find the historic Intipunku or “Sun Gate” or visit Manuel Chavez Museum or hike in Mandor Valley or just enjoy the thermal springs of the town. Return train ride to Cusco.
Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco, Superior

Day 5 – Cusco City Tour (ABB)

Breakfast at hotel. Tour of Cusco -Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco’s Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha “The Temple of the Sun”. Tour includes a visit to the emblematic Cusco neighborhood of San Blas, filled with narrow typical streets, charming small homes, galleries and craft workshops, where you see local artisans at work. Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere.
Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco, Superior

Day 6 – Cusco / Free Day (ABB)

Breakast at hotel. Wandering through this lovely city, exploring the astonishing narrow streets of this tile roof colonial town will be your unforgettable experience. You will find something astounding at every turn. Great buys are the traditional Peruvian handicrafts, alpaca-wool sweaters and rugs, ponchos, pottery, gold and silver jewelry, leather goods, etc. Because there are such a variety of products, we strongly suggest that when you like any particular item, you should buy it – you may not find the same item in other store. Many visitors to Cusco return home wishing they had a free day to discover this imperial city on their own, a free time in Cusco is a MUST!
Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco, Superior

Day 7 – Cusco / Lima / Home (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for your departure to Lima. Transfer to your hotel upon arrival and use of a Day Room at the Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores until is time for your evening transfer to the airport.

Tour of Modern and Colonial Lima
This half-day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of Lima. Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, San Francisco Church and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima, drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.

Arrive home full of great memories of the rich tradition of Colonial Lima and the mystical Land of the Incas.

RATES PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:

LOS ANGELES	MIAMI	NEW YORK
$ 2,092.83	$ 1,990.00	$ 2,112.83

Additional savings per person of $300.00 when four or more guests traveling together

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Round trip international air between Miami, New York or Los Angeles and Lima and Cusco including international departure taxes – $122.83, fuel surcharges and local taxes and subject to change.
• Six nights of hotel accommodation at selected Casa Andina Hotels in Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco and day time hotel in Lima based on double occupancy.
• All transfers between airports and hotels in Peru as listed in the itinerary.
• All tours and excursions indicated in the itinerary – fully escorted by English speaking guides.
• All entrance fees and transfers needed to operate tours and excursions. All train tickets, bus tickets needed to operate tours and excursions.
• Excursion to Machu Picchu includes round trip Vistadome train services. Lunch during the excursion to Machu Picchu at the Ayasqa Restaurant.
• Service of English speaking licensed tour guide for all tours and excursions.
• Baggage handling at airports and at hotels.
• All meals indicated in the itinerary. B for breakfast, L for lunch. D for dinner.

NOT INCLUDED:

When staying overnight in Machu Picchu, the entrance fee for the 2nd day in Machu Picchu is not included. This can be added to the itinerary upon request. Expenses such us beverages on meals, tips, laundry, phone calls and other personal expenses are not included. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.