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Leave no sight unseen!
Mariah Travel
The Best of Peru and Machu Picchu
Exploring the Inca Lands of Peru
Experience the deep-rooted heritage of the Incas, as you meet and interact with the people of the Sacred Valley, enjoy the delicious Peruvian food, and learn about their ancestral beautiful weavings from many strains of wool. Walk the trail and bask in awe of the magnificent Machu Picchu. A lifetime experience with memories that will last and be shared for generations.
Join Mariah Travel on this 8 Day / 7 Night Peruvian Tour.
DETAILED HIGHLIGHTS AND DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE TO LIMA, PERU
Upon your arrival in Lima, you will be greeted by a Mariah Travel host, who will assist you with your luggage and transfer to your hotel. You will receive a Welcome Package with the trip information as well as our contact information for each city and the 24-hour emergency numbers for any assistance you may require. Enjoy a two night stay at the wonderful AC Miraflores boutique hotel, in an ocean view deluxe room.
DAY 2: CITY TOUR OF LIMA & the LARCO MUSEUM
Today, enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of the most important and beautiful sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". Included is Lima's Historical Centre, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral, and its Religious Art Museum. Its construction began on the city's foundation, in 1535.
Visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, considered by some as the greatest architectural complex of Colonial Art in the Americas and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Walk the underground Catacombs that served as a cemetery for the city. Continue with a visit of the Larco Herrera Museum, founded in 1926, showcasing remarkable chronological galleries that provides an excellent overview of 3000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Observe fine examples of textile works, also materials and tools used by ancient Peruvians to produce their work in ceramics and metal, including the finest gold and silver collection from Ancient Peru.
Transfer to Café del Museo restaurant located in the yards of the Larco Museum and enjoy a delicious lunch while surrounded by beautiful gardens. Later, return to your hotel to relax or continuing touring on your own. (B, L)
DAY 3: LIMA – CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. On arrival, meet and greet your guide and transfer to your hotel located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Sacred Valley is located at a lower elevation than Cusco, aiding in altitude acclimation.
En route, visit Awanacancha textile center to observe traditional Andean weavings, view the four types of camel-related Andean animals, the llamas, guanacos, alpacas, and vicuñas. Alpacas wool is mostly used due to the thick warm. The wool from the vicuñas is very delicate and considered the finest. This textile weaving center's goal is to keep the traditional textile arts alive. Observe the different camelids, learn about the harvesting of the different wools, the natural dying techniques and watch the native weavers displaying the different weaving secrets and unique lifestyle.
Later, transfer to your hotel, the Tambo del Inka, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa located in the Sacred Valley. Relax in this beautiful lodge for two nights. (B)
DAY 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO, PISAC MARKET & RUINS
After breakfast, continue to the fortress of Ollantaytambo which was believed to be constructed to guard the the valley from invasions of tribes from the jungle lowlands. Later, it served as a temporary capital for Manco Inca, leader of the Inca resistance in 1537 during the Spanish conquest of Peru, as Cusco had fallen under Spanish domination.
The archaeological site includes a series of superimposed terraces and stunning finely carved stone blocks located on the upper terrace or Temple of the Sun. Witness this journey in time walking through the Ollantaytambo town with its straight streets with perfectly laid stones that feature a canal for water to run through the town.
Lunch is enjoyed in the Wayra Gardens among the native plants. Enveloped by the aroma of freshly baked bread from the wood-burning ovens, delicious empanadas, and an amazing assortment of native potatoes from remote communities, well preserved along with their stories.
Enjoy a Peruvian Paso horse show, and continue to the town of Pisac, where the Incas built an observatory for the study of astronomy. Time permitting, enjoy the opportunity to bargain with the vendors at the local handicraft market in Pisac.
Return to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. (B, L)
DAY 5: SACRED VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU VIA VISTADOME TRAIN
After breakfast, transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Board the VISTADOME train, following the river into the jungle lowlands to Aguas Calientes, known as Machu Picchu Pueblo (2-hours).
Board a bus for the steep climb up the mountain to the pre-Hispanic engineering marvel. The site unveils itself gradually, as this was the site Pachacutec Inca (1438-1572) chose as the royal retreat and where his "malqui" or mummified remains were to be worshiped.
Machu Picchu or "Old Mountain" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Traveler's will sense a beauty unmatched. Granite stone buildings that seem to naturally sprout from the earth instead of being constructed on it. Andean mountain aesthetics can truly be appreciated at Machu Picchu; explore the site at your own pace. Visit the Royal Mausoleum or take the path to the Inca Bridge, or the central flight of steps to reach Intihuatana.
Or one can simply contemplate the sacred geography and beauty that surrounds you. The amazing Urubamba nearly circles the site, with Mount Salkantay, overlooking the citadel. Something in you will change once you've observed this incredible engineering feat.
A buffet lunch will be served at Tinkuy restaurant in Belmond Sanctuary lodge, beside Machu Picchu citadel.
After the amazing visit to Machu Picchu, return to the Inkaterra hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes. Dinner will be served at the hotel (B, L, D)
DAY 6: GUIDED MACHU PICCHU AND SURROUNDINGS TOUR
Early transfer to board the shuttle bus returning to Machu Picchu. This special tour with an expert guide, visiting and interpreting the many aspects of the citadel. Visit the Huayna Picchu Mountain for incredible views, or climb the Wayna Picchu (subject to space availability), which means "Young Mountain". This hike takes about an hour and its main attraction is the "Temple of the Moon", a complex of underground rooms, likely to have been used by the elite.
In the afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes to board the VISTADOME for Cusco. Arrive to Cusco for a private transfer to your hotel. Accommodation at Palacio del Inca Cusco hotel, for two nights in Colonial luxury room.
DAY 7: PRIVATE CUSCO CITY & NEARBY RUINS TOUR
Inca rulers once called Cusco the "Navel of the World". Cusco remains a city that blends colonial Spanish charm with older, more austere remains of pre-Columbian glory. View the foundations of Inca structures on many of its city streets today. Enjoy a private guided visit of the Imperial City of Cusco.
Visit the Main Plaza, which has been the scene of great historical events in the Capital of the Incas, the main Cathedral church, built of great slabs of red granite in renaissance style and thus contrasting with the baroque style silver-work which decorates its interior. Continue to the Santo Domingo church, built upon the foundations of the Inca temple Koricancha, dedicated to Sun worship.
Head to the City’s nearby ruins; the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a magnificent example of Incan military power; Qenqo, a ritualistic site with subterranean galleries that form an underground maze; Puca Pucara, the red fortress and finally Tambomachay, also known as the Incan Baths. After this amazing interpretation of Cusco, return to the hotel and relax for the balance of the day. (B)
DAY 8: CUSCO to LIMA
Transfer to the Cusco airport for your flight to Lima. Arrive in Lima with a reception by Mariah Travel representative to assist with your international departure flight back home. (B)
2024 COST: PRICE UPDATE! Starting for 2 passengers*
Starting at $3499 per person, dbl occupancy, 4-star lodging
$650 single supplement
$3999 per person, double occupancy, luxury 5-star lodging
$1145 single supplement
*Inquire for small group pricing
INCLUDED WITH YOUR TOUR:
• Private services with local English speaking guide.
• Seven nights in luxury hotel accommodations
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• All entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary
• Round trip train and bus tickets to Machu Picchu
• All entrance tickets to Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu
• All tips (except hotel staff & guides)
• Continuous assistance during the trip
NOT INCLUDED WITH YOUR TRIP:
• International and domestic airfares
• Meals not described in the itinerary.
• Personal expenses.
• Drinks during meals, hotel extras and personal spending
• Tips to guides and hotel staff
• Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended USI Travel Insurance Services)