Peru 2017 A private travel experience by

Transcription

1 Peru 2017 A private travel experience by Lima The Sacred Valley Machu Picchu Cusco The Amazon Jungle Lima Travel Dates: TBD 12 Days/11 Nights indful Journeys Page 1

2 Our Travel Experience at a Glance Day Destination Experience Hotel Meals 1 Lima Arrive in Lima and enjoy a good night s rest. 2 3 Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley Moray, Maras, Andean Community 4 Ollantaytambo 5 Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu Fly from Lima to Cusco. Tour the incredible mountain top Inca ruins and browse the vibrant artisan market in Pisac. Visit the mysterious Inca terraces at Moray, marvel at the ancient salt pans of Maras and connect with locals in a small Andean village Visit the lesser-known ruins of Pumamarca and hike ancient trails to Ollantaytambo. Machu Picchu! Hike part of the famous Inca Trail and arrive proud and on foot, as the Incas did, to this spectacular site. Costa del Sol Ramada Tambo del Inka Tambo del Inka Tambo del Inka Inkaterra Machu Picchu el Pueblo None Breakfast Boxed Lunch Breakfast Lunch Breakfast Picnic Lunch Breakfast, Boxed Lunch 6 Machu Picchu, Cusco Explore the Inca site with a private guide and then enjoy an incredibly scenic train ride back to Cusco. Belmond Hotel Monasterio Breakfast, Lunch 7 Cusco 8 Cusco, Puerto Maldonado 9 Puerto Maldonado 10 Puerto Maldonado 11 Puerto Maldonado, Lima Soak in the unique history as our private guide tours us through the capital of the Inca Empire. Fly to Puerto Maldonado and board the boat that will take us into the jungle! Settle into the jungle lodge and spend the afternoon spotting colorful birds and exotic insects. Paddle with giant river otters and get a bird s-eye view of the jungle canopy! Watch for caiman in a dark-water creek, canoe with exotic herons, and keep an eye out for nocturnal jungle dwellers! Bid farewell to the jungle this morning, return to Lima. Afternoon at leisure in Miraflores. Belmond Hotel Monasterio Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel Breakfast Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast 12 Lima, Home Enjoy a private tour of Lima s colonial center and the Larco Herrera Museum. Then time for shopping before our transfer to the airport for our international return flight home. None Breakfast, Lunch Page 2

3 Day-by-Day Detail Day 1: Welcome to Peru! International Arrival in Lima We will be met at the airport when our international flight arrives in Lima. Our guides will escort us to our hotel, check us in and help us get settled. We ll then be able to rinse away the feeling of a long flight and enjoy a good night s rest! Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada Standard Rooms Meals: None Day 2: Over the Andes to the Sacred Valley Flight from Lima to Cusco; Private Tour of Pisac s Artisan Market and Inca Ruins We will wake up refreshed and enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast in the hotel before we are escorted to the airport for our morning flight to Cusco. Watch the windows as the desert coast rises into the snow-capped peaks of the Andes! Our guides will be waiting for us when touch down at the small Andean airport and will take us for a lovely lunch. Then, before we can even feel the altitude, we ll be whisked into the Sacred Valley. Just 45 minutes outside of Cusco, true Peruvian countryside will stretch away on either side of us, cows and sheep grazing tranquilly road-side. Impossibly steep peaks rise in the distance. We will be taken to the small valley town of Pisac where we will visit the incredible Inca ruins perched on the ridge over the town. We will be able to gaze down upon agricultural terraces where the Incas cultivated corn and developed thousands of varieties of potato. The, we will stroll through the native village and its colorful artisan market. From hand-made textiles to exquisite ceramics, there is something for everyone. Remember, our private guide and driver are at our disposal please feel free to stop for photos, stretch your legs and breathe in the clear air! Accommodation: Tambo del Inka Deluxe Rooms Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch Day 3: Visiting Curious Ruins and a Local Community Private Tours of Moray and Mara and Off-the-beaten Track Stop at a Local Community After breakfast in our hotel we will visit the Inca ruins at Moray. Some experts still believe these ancient amphitheaters served as an agricultural laboratory, though nobody has been able to confirm their true Page 3

4 purpose! We will experience the beauty of the concentric circles. We will continue through the small town of Maras before arriving at the unbelievable salt pans. Still in use, each of thousands of flat white pools that terrace the hillside has been passed down through families since pre-incan times. The intricate network of waterways and white evaporation pools seem like a word of modern art. After lunch, we will visit a small highland village. Surrounded by towering mountains and hugging the shore of the breathtakingly blue Lake Piruray, agriculture dominates life in this close-knit community and many of the women are master weavers, creating intricate masterpieces using traditional techniques. We will have the opportunity to get to know some of the residents, visit their houses and fields and see what life is like in the Andean highlands. get a glimpse of a more traditional way of life. This town is off the beaten- track, where you will get to meet some of the friendliest people in Peru and An experienced shaman will lead a lecture de Coca (Coca leave reading) Andean ritual. We will enjoy this ceremony prior to returning to our hotel. Accommodation: Tambo del Inka Deluxe Rooms Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 4: Ollantaytambo s Incan Treasures Hike Through the Patacancha Valley, Private Tour of Ollantaytambo s Inca Fortress Today, we will experience the breathtaking setting of the off-the-beaten-path Patacancha Valley. Our guides will take us to the pueblo of Ollantaytambo, and climb up through nearby fields and mountains. We will continue with our guide and driver to the seldom-visited Pumamarca ruins, which was a community religious center for the Incas. We will hike down the valley with our guide to return to Ollantaytambo, through pristine agricultural land and following the path of a babbling brook. Keep an eye out for ruined Incan walls and terraces, as we will be walking along an historic Incan trail! Enjoy lunch alfresco as we breathe in the crisp mountain air. Upon arrival to Ollantaytambo, if we re feeling up for an extended tour, our guide will bring us to the impressive Incan Fortress perched on the hillside. Here, we will stand in the footsteps of the last great Incan emperor when he conducted a pivotal battle during the Spanish Conquest. We will also learn about Incan archaeology and city planning, as Page 4

5 Ollantaytambo is one of the few remaining towns that maintains their original Inca layout cobblestone streets, trapezoidal doorways, and water canals. Upon conclusion of our tour and hike, we will return to our hotel to spend a relaxing evening. Accommodation: Tambo del Inka Deluxe Rooms Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Day 5: Over the Hills to Machu Picchu One day Trekking to the Renowned Inca Trail After a hearty breakfast, we ll take the train from Ollantaytambo to Kilometer 104 of the Inca Trail. From here, we will walk the lovely uphill path to the ruins of Winaywayna with our guide. As we walk, our guide will point out orchids and other jungle plants, the Urubamba River will rush below us and we ll marvel at the Inca s strength and ingenuity. When we reach the ruins, we ll rest, explore and enjoy a delicious al fresco lunch. Then we ll hit the trail once again. A walk of approximately two hours brings us to the famous Sun Gate. We ll approach this stone construction, catch our breath and then lose it again as we see Machu Picchu, nestled and hidden between steep peaks below us. We ll tread in the footsteps of the Incas as we descend over ancient paving stones to the city. We ll take in the perfection of the stone construction and the audacity of building in this stunning location before heading to our hotel. We will get checked in then rest and enjoy the evening. Accommodation: Inkaterra Machu Picchu el Pueblo Hotel Superior Deluxe Rooms Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 6: The Lost City of the Incas: Machu Picchu Machu Picchu This is your day to relax and enjoy Machu Picchu. In the morning, after breakfast in your hotel, you and your guide will board the bus to the entrance of the ruins. You will then ascend stone steps, through heavy tree cover to finally emerge at the top of the world Machu Picchu! The incredible Inca stone construction will be spread below, alternately hidden and revealed by clouds. Your expert guide will give you a private tour of the ancient city. The adventurous can hike the steep Huayna Picchu peak for the postcard view of the city. Lunch will be at Sanctuary Lodge whenever you get Page 5

6 hungry. You will have the afternoon free in case you want to explore the citadel ruins further. In the late afternoon, you will descend to Aguas Calientes for your train back to Cusco. We will be waiting to collect you in the train station of Ollantaytambo and will bring you to your hotel in Cusco. Accommodation: Belmond Hotel Monasterio Deluxe Rooms Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 7: Exploring the Imperial City of Cusco/Blue Moon Private Tour of Cusco and the Inca Ruins Surrounding the City Our guide will meet us after breakfast and proceed to illuminate the glorious past of Cusco! From the Santo Domingo monastery, built on top of the ancient Inca temple of the sun, to the incredible colonial Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, to impeccably-wrought Inca stones that form the base of modern buildings, we will learn about the astonishing mix that is Cusco. We will next journey into the countryside to visit the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where the Incas staged a great battle against the conquistadors the temple and amphitheater of Q enko and the red fortress of PucaPucara. Before returning to the city, enjoy a unique spiritual experience. An experienced shaman will lead a Pago a la Tierra (offering to mother earth) Andean ritual. Upon conclusion of our tour, our guide will provide suggestions for fantastic dining in the city of Cusco and for activities for our free afternoon before bringing us back to our hotel. Accommodation: Belmond Hotel Monasterio Deluxe Rooms Meals: Breakfast Day 8: Into the Jungle Flight to Puerto Maldonado, Boat to Jungle Lodge We will wake up refreshed and enjoy breakfast in the hotel before we are escorted to the airport for our morning flight to Puerto Maldonado. The Reserva Amazonica team will be waiting for us when we touch down at the small jungle airport. Then it s into the jungle by boat! After just 45 minutes, we ll see the Reserva Amazonica lodge loom into sight. After we arrive at the lodge and we ve had a moment to settle in, enjoying a delicious lunch and tea-time, we ll set out on a guided walk along one of the many beautiful trails. This is a wonderful introduction to the Page 6

7 Amazon Rainforest. As the sun starts to set, we ll take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River and observe how the environment changes as twilight gives way to darkness. Keeping our eyes peeled - we may see such animals as nightjars (a species of bird), owls, capybaras, and caimans! Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening, falling asleep to the symphony of jungle sounds. Accommodation: Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Superior Cabins Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 9: River Otters and Canopy Views A Day of Jungle Activities After an early breakfast, we ll head for Lake Sandoval. Glide in a wooden canoe across a beautiful, mirror-like lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, redbellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. We ll then return to the lodge for lunch. Then, it s time to visit the Canopy Inkaterra Interpretation Center. The center consists of eight observation platforms, located 30 meters up in the canopy and linked by suspension bridges. We ll spend some time walking on the bridges that stretch between the different platforms, observing the jungle from above and seeing various bird species flying in the canopy or landing nearby. Some of the animals you may see include woodpeckers, toucans, monkeys and sloths. We ll end the day with a stroll along the Anaconda Walk wetlands, where we ll learn of the flooded ecosystems and their fauna. Enjoy a delicious on-site dinner and another relaxing evening in the Amazon jungle! Accommodation: Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Superior Cabins Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 10: Creek Walking and Night-Time Creatures A Day of Jungle Activities We wake up early today, and hop back in the boat! After 25 minutes, we ll arrive at Gamitana creek, where we ll enjoy walking up-stream to explore this dark-water creek. Gamitana is home to numerous species of piranha, caiman, turtles and birds, so we ll need to keep our eyes peeled! Visit the Gamitana farm en-route back to the boat. After lunch, enjoy a visit to the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion nature and wildlife area, where we ll also enjoy a canoe trip Page 7

8 looking for exotic herons! Return to the lodge and enjoy dinner, gearing up for the Rainforest by Night excursion. Here, we ll witness the lively nighttime routine of the various nocturnal jungle dwellers, and spot creatures that only come out to play at night. Return to the lodge for a night of well-earned sleep. Accommodation: Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Superior Cabins Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 11: Returning to Peru s City of Kings Fly From Puerto Maldonado to Lima After breakfast, the Inkaterra team will escort us to the Puerto Maldonado airport for our flight to Lima. Watch the windows as the lush green of the jungle becomes arid coastal desert. Our ground crew will meet us upon arrival and bring us to vibrant Miraflores. Overlooking the Pacific, this modern district of Lima is incredibly hip! We can enjoy the seaside parks, visit boutiques and enjoy delicious criolla food like fresh, citrusy ceviche. Accommodation: Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel Ocean View Rooms, Club Floor Meals: Breakfast Day 12: Exploring Peru s City of Kings + Bidding Farewell to Peru Tour of Colonial Lima, shopping time and fly home After breakfast, we will take a private tour of Lima that will bring us to the beautiful colonial center of the city. We will visit the Lima Cathedral and the Convent of San Francisco. The catacombs under the convent house the skeletal remains of much of colonial Lima! We will also visit the fabulous museum at Larco Herrera, to learn about the pre-inca and Inca cultures of Peru. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the Larco Herrera café, before returning to Miraflores in the afternoon. We will have the remainder of the afternoon to explore Lima, visit boutiques, and shops. We will have a guide and private driver at our disposal for 3 hours. At appropriate time, we will be escorted to the airport, to start our journey home. Our guide will help us to check in and wish us buen viaje! Accommodation: None Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Page 8

9 Costs, Inclusions and Exclusions The total cost for the trip is $ per person International Flight not included This price includes three in-country flights: Lima to Cusco Cusco to Puerto Maldonado Puerto Maldonado to Lima Our Per Person Trip Price Includes: GUIDES has personally tailored the trip details and will accompany the group on our journey A Peruvian guide will assist us in every location we won t ever have to worry about transport, check-in/luggage or entrance tickets Each visit and tour will be private will reconfirm all of our international and local flights, so we will have upto-the-minute information ACCOMMODATION Matrimonial/Twin Rooms in Each Location 1 night at Costa del Sol Ramada, Lima 3 nights at Tambo del Inka, Sacred Valley 1 night at Inkaterra Machu Picchu el Pueblo, Aguas Calientes 2 nights at Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Cusco 3 nights in Reserva Amazonica Jungle Lodge, Puerto Maldonado 1 night at Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima TOURS AND ACTIVITIES All tours and activities outlined in the itinerary are included, along with the necessary entrance tickets and transportation, unless otherwise specified TRANSPORTATION All transportation and connections from place-to-place are included All transfers and transportation in private, comfortable vehicles with experienced, cautious drivers Train: Vistadome first-class train tickets: From Ollantaytambo to KM204 From Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) To Poroy (Cusco) Flights: All in-country flights MEALS All meals as specified in the itinerary International flights to and from your home country Travel Insurance: Excess baggage fees Meals not specified above Our Per Person Trip Price Does Not Include: Giving Back in Peru: On this journey we will be providing needed school supplies to a rural community in the Andean mountain of the Sacred Valley. Page 9

10 Booking Information Prices All prices are based on the services detailed in each tour s itinerary. Services are sold as a complete package and is not able to provide a breakdown of the component costs of a trip. Please note that rooms are subject to availability and will be reserved upon receipt of your deposit payment. Deposits and Payments A non-refundable deposit in the amount of $2, is required to hold your space The balance remaining in the amount of $3, will be due once exact dates are determined Payments may be made by personal check to Travel. Insurance recommends the purchase of travel insurance prior to departure. Trip cancellation insurance reimburses for non-refundable air and land costs should there be a need to cancel the trip due to personal or family illness. Emergency medical evacuation insurance and emergency medical expense coverage are also recommended. We are happy to provide more information and recommend providers. Page 10