An Adventure to the World's Greatest Archaeological Site!
Machu Picchu is, undoubtedly, the best-known archaeological site on the South American continent and one of the most important sites in the world! On this captivating Inca extension,explore the labyrinth of ruins, complex passageways, staircases and hidden niches of this remarkable and historic find. Now, visitors may be able to view the newly discovered section. On this trip you will also spend time in the charming Andean town of Cusco, visiting colorful markets and ruins, and viewing picturesque scenery.
Our Private Leaders
This trip includes the private services of the region's most knowledgeable and experienced guides, a feature that greatly enhances our guests' Machu Picchu experience.
Itinerary
Customize this trip!
This trip can be altered to add days along the Inca Trail.
Day 1: Arrive Lima
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the El Pardo Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel located in the lovely Miraflores section of the city.
Day 2: Cusco
This morning you will fly to Cusco, set in a beautiful valley high in the Andes. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the Hotel Libertador, a renovated colonial palace in downtown Cusco, two blocks from the main square. Parts of the building date back to the 16th century when Francisco Pizarro was the occupant. After lunch, take a guided tour of the city and visit the ruins on the outskirts of Cusco. You will travel to Sacsayhuaman, where you will see the most vivid example if Inca walls (a mosaic of large granite stonework) in the entire Sacred Valley. Tonight you will dine at a local Peruvian restaurant. When Columbus arrived in the New World, Cusco was the thriving capital of the Inca empire, founded in the 12th century. The name “Cusco” is taken from the Quechua word “qosq’o,” which means the “naval of the earth,” indicating the importance to the region. Steeped in legend, Cusco is an experience of the senses, boasting a variety of historical and mystical sites.
Day 3: Inca Sacred Valley & Urubamba Valley
Today, we will visit a bustling Andean market, walk among awe-inspiring ruins and interact with friendly and colorfully dressed locals. In Pisac, we will visit the famous marketplace, where Quechua Indians sell their handicrafts. Colorful embroidered wall hangings and clothing are among the favorites. We may also see the little-visited Pisac fortress and the ruins of Ollantaytambo, both offering impressive views of the valley and surrounding terraces. Tonight we will dine and overnight at the Sol y Luna Hotel, a collection of charming casitas set among colorful gardens and surrounded by a landscape of whispering eucalyptus and the majestic mountain scenery of the Andes.
Day 4: Machu Picchu
After breakfast, embark on the train in Ollantaytambo for your one-and-a-half hour train journey to Machu Picchu and the village of Aguas Calientes. Here, a bus awaits to take you on the last stretch to the actual site of the “Lost City of the Incas.” Your guide will accompany you for the day, taking you throughout the vast awe-inspiring ruins. Machu Picchu is both the best known and the least known of the Inca ruins, as it is recognized worldwide yet it is not mentioned in any of the writings of the Spanish Conquistadors, so much of its purpose is mere speculation. It is believed to have been constructed around the mid-15th century and was “rediscovered ” by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. New sites or parts of the ruins continue to be discovered today. It is quite obvious by the intricate stonework and ornamentaion as well as the sacred geography and astronomy of the location that Machu Picchu was an important ceremonial site for the Incas. Your guide will be part of the Machu Picchu experience as he or she will be intimately familiar with the legends and lore of the entire region. Tonight you stay at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, a stunning, luxurious Andean retreat comprised of forty colonial-style casitas. Constructed with eucalyptus wood and stone, each private casita is adorned with traditional handicrafts, tile floors and cedar furniture. The hotel is located on the banks of the river, surrounded by dense rainforest and majestic mountain peaks. Dinner will be at the hotel. We’ve chosen this hotel specifically for its beauty (there are over 300 species of orchids on the property!) and its location away from the crowds – important feature in this region.
Day 5: Machu Picchu & Cusco
This morning you will return to the Machu Picchu ruins to further explore on your own. You may also opt to explore one of the many well-maintained trails surrounding your hotel. This afternoon you catch the train for Cusco, where you are met and returned to the Hotel Libertador.
Day 6: Cusco to Lima / Home
Return flight to Lima. Enjoy an afternoon city or museum tour (if flight schedules permit), before you transfer to the airport for your late evening flight home.
Trip Details
Included
Services of the most experienced English-speaking private Peruvian guides (an important feature for those who want to get the most from their Machu Picchu experience), all accommodations, all meals from breakfast on Day 2 through lunch on Day 6, all entrance fees to ruins visited, services of an English-speaking Peruvian guide, train fare.
Not Included
R/T airfare to Lima from your home city, R/T airfare from Lima to Cusco (approximately $200), airport and departure taxes (approximately $25), items of a personal nature, all gratuities, all beverages, and travel insurance.
Physical Requirements
Easy/Moderate
Although the walking involved in this program can be adjusted to accommodate a range of interests, this extension does take place at altitudes between 8,000 and 11,000 feet and includes walking up stone stairs within the ruins complex.
