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Peru Adventure with Machu Picchu,
Cusco
and
Lake Titicaca - October 5th - 14th
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 This
will be our 4th Peru trip with Machu Picchu and Cusco and our 2nd time to Lake
Titicaca.
Machu Picchu, called the Lost City of the Incas, is of on most people's
list of places to see but you will also love our other two destinations.
We land in Lima, Peru and spend one night before departing for Cusco, the center of the Incan world. We’ll tour the
city and ruins including the Temple of the Sacred Water and we’ll
even have an opportunity to mountain bike through the
Sacred Valley (see itinerary below). After 2-nights we will
then take the Inca Express train through the unforgettable Urubamba Gorge for our 2-night visit to
Machu Picchu
where we can
trek through the final stretch of the Inca Trail.
 There are really
no words to explain Machu Picchu adequately except to say it is majestic
and magical. With surreal clouds that hang from the surrounding
mountains it appears as if these sacred ruins are leaping out from a
fantasy. It is one of my favorite places destinations on earth. If you
are not up for the approximate 5-6 hour and very steep hike to the Sun
Gate, you will stay on the train and can visit the next day. You will
also have the option to take the smaller hike to
Huaynapicchu
mountain that offers an incredible view of Machu Picchu (see details
below).
NOTE:
Our Inca Trail hike is now sold out that is described above. All new
sign-ups will not be able to join us for this hike but we will sign you
up for the hike up to
Huaya Picchu (see photo above. It's the peak behind us) the
following day, still part of the Inca trail and very well worth coming
on this trip.
From there we’ll
spend one more night in Cusco and then take a bus to Puno and the
shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.
We’ll enjoy the incredible view of the herds of alpaca and llamas
grazing on these highland pampas, interspersed with small villages, and
the majestic backdrop of the Andes. Here, indigenous culture is at its
height despite modernization of the rest of the Andes.
 The Uros Islands
are divided into 35 floating islands with about 1000 habitants
divided into 250 families. In the 13th century the Uros Indians took
refuge in the middle of the lake’s water in order to escape slavery and
fighting with the Incas. We’ll even have an opportunity to stay with the
locals (an experience you will never forget). Then we’ll visit to the famous pre-inca tombs of Sillustani
on the way, located on the shores of the solitary Umayo Lagoon,
these tombs or “Chullpas” with circular shaped towers were a cemetery
for the religious leaders of Tiawanacu Culture almost 2000 years ago.
We’ll head back to Lima, spend the night, and
then head home on Sunday the
14th.
 Cost:
10 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS - $2,179
INCLUDES:
- Round trip
international air from LAX (deduct $584 with your own air)
- 10-nights
accommodations (double occ.)
- Domestic air
- All ground
transportation
- Daily Breakfast
- 4 lunches
- 4 dinners
including a Folklore show.
- All entrance
fees
- Option of
mountain biking or tour of
Ollaytatambo
Single supplement: $395
DOES NOT
INCLUDE:
- Departure taxes
or fuel surcharge (currently at $676)
OUR
AIR: We are on LAN
airlines from LAX. You are welcome to do your own air but would also
need 2 domestic flights. You would deduct $584 with your own air
and would need to also purchase the domestic flights.
1 LA 601 05OCT
LAX-LIM 120P
1201A 06OCT
2 LA 2097 06OCT
LIM-JUL 1050A
1225P
3 LA 2032 13OCT
CUZ-LIM 420P
745P
4 LA 2604 14OCT
LIM-LAX 1255P
735P
OUR HOTELS:
Our hotels are either 3 or 4-star
LIMA: San Blas Hotel-
http://www.sanblashotel.com/home.php
CUSCO: Siete ventanas hotel
-
http://www.hotelsieteventanas.com/en/index.html
Trip Advisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294314-d2234959-Reviews-Siete_Ventanas_Hotel-Cusco.html
MACHU PICCHU: Wiracocha hotel
–:
http://www.wiracochainn.com/index.php
Trip advisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g304036-d878103-Reviews-Wiracocha_Inn-Aguas_Calientes_Sacred_Valley.html
LAKE TITICACA: Eco Inn Hotel
-
http://www.ecoinnhotels.com/main.php?K=4510
Trip Advisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298442-d456118-Reviews-Eco_Inn_Puno_Titicaca_Lake-Puno.html
ITINERARY:
October 5th
12:01 am (Oct 6th ) – Arrive Lima. After collecting luggage
we’ll transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in Lima. Meals not included
October 6th
LIMA Buffet breakfast
9:00
AM Transfer to airport for your flight to Cusco. 11:10 am departure
time, Lan flight LA 023.
12:25 PM Arrival in Cusco. Transfer to your hotel or start city
tour after arrival.
1:30 PM CITY TOUR + RUINS
The tour will show you the amazing colonial city built
on the foundations of the Inca palaces. You will visit the Koricancha
or Temple of the Sun, where you can appreciate the incredible masonry
of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved
woodworks, altars and paintings. Then you will be driven to the
Inca fortress of Sacsahuamán, to the underground cave and temple of
Kenko and to Tambomachay, known as the Baths of the Inca.
8:00 PM Dinner & folklore show at Tunupa restaurant
Overnight in Cusco. Breakfast included
October 7th
CUZCO
8:30 AM – Depart for PISAC MARKET
You will be driven through a scenic landscape to the Urubamba
Valley, the "Sacred Valley of the Incas". Arriving at the town of
Pisac, an hour drive from Cuzco, you will visit the colorful Pisac
Market, where the local Indians meet to sell their merchandise as they
have done for centuries. There is also a handicraft market.
*Optional mountain biking after Market – For those not biking. They will
take the tour of Ollaytatambo.
Overnight in Cusco. Breakfast and lunch included
OLLANTAYTAMBO FORTRESS
The town of Ollantaytambo with its imposing Inca
fortress. It was here that Manco Inca defeated the Spanish in 1538
before fleeing to the Vilcabamba. You will climb the steep stone
steps up to the fortress and can admire the huge monoliths
that form the Temple of the Sun and the view down the valley.
October 8th
CUZ CUSCO- CHACHABAMBA- WIÑAYWAYNA
Bring luggage to lobby & pack an overnight bag for the trip (approx 20
pounds, like a backpack) to Machu Picchu & a small back pack. Cannot
bring large luggage on train
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the Train station.
Train stops at Km 104 and this is where the hikers will exit the train.
This hike is optional, but if you signed up for this trip late we were
not able to sign you up. If you would like to read more about this
hike, here is a website that describes it some more:
http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/
THE HIKE: We cross a hanging bridge and we
continue to Chachabamba site, These ruins, discovered in 1940, are
located on the old Inca road that ran along the southern bank of the
Urubamba river. The style of buildings and stonework suggest that
this was an important religious site, as well as having the
secondary function as a gate house guarding this entrance to Machu
Picchu. From Chachabamba the Inca Trail climbs the hillside,
entering some woods and crossing a small stream. After about 2 hours
after leaving Chachabamba, the path at last descends into a nice
Valley where it becomes a canyon and the cloud forest begins to appear.
(Lunch time) After lunch we continue and we'll reach a beautiful
waterfall, and soon after leave the forest to arrive at the foot of
the superb ruins of Wiñay Wayna. You will climb up stairway and pass
through the urban area of the terraces and many stone buildings
passing a series of Inca baths. In the afternoon we will finally reach
the door of the sun (INTIPUNKU) from where the trail winds downhill.
The classic view into the lost citadel will be a unique experience, we
descend toward the town of Aguas
Non-hikers – Arrive into Aguas Caliente 9:15 am and
have a free day. Our tour includes one day in Machu Picchu,
which we have set up for Tuesday. If you wish to go in today you will
need to purchase your own ticket at a cost of approx. $50.
Dinner at Hotel. Overnight at Aguas
Calientes
Breakfast and Box Lunch included
October 9th
AQUA CALIENTE American breakfast
After an early breakfast we will take the bus to
get Machu Picchu and make a guided tour to the Inka Citadel and
surroundings. We can form 2 groups today to see Machu Picchu. We
will discuss the times with you when we are there.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Breakfast and lunch included
October 10th
AQUA CALIENTE
American breakfast
The morning is free. You may want to visit the hot springs or
just stroll and do some shopping.
2:30 p.m. This is the time to meet at the train station. You
can bring your own baggage or the hotel will bring it for you.
Return by train to Cusco, reception at Rail station and
transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Cusco -
Breakfast included
October 11th CUSCO-PUNO
CUZ Buffet breakfast
06:30 Early morning you will be picked up in your hotel
for the day long bus journey to Puno on the shores of Lake
Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Enjoy the
incredible view of the herds of alpaca and llamas grazing on these
highland pampas, interspersed with small villages, and the majestic
backdrop of the Andes. You will be served lunch at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Puno
Breakfast and lunch included
October 12th
PUN Buffet breakfast
06:00 You will be informed by your guide about the,
schedules and necessities for the trip. Departure time by car from the
hotel to the port of Puno. Departure by boat to the floating islands
of the ´´Uros´´ The ancient people that lived on Lake Titicaca keep
their own ways of survival - fishing and picking up products that are
offered by the lake. After, we’ll visit Taquile, the Island of
mystery, where time has stopped. The people preserve their ancient way
of life, and according to their philosophy, trust, kindness and
values, almost forgotten today, are seen on this island. The
passengers will be accommodated in the homes of the local people.
After lunch we will have a complete visit of the island in its
archaeological, mystic and esoteric parts. We’ll enjoy a typical dinner
and music at their restaurant. Free time for more music or join a ``Pacco``
that could see your future in coca leaves, always conducted by their
guide.
Overnight in Home stay in Taquile
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
October
13th
PUN Breakfast
If you wake up early you can enjoy the most spectacular
sunrise of the Andes. From the island you will be able to see the lake
and across it, the chain of the Illimani snow mountain. After breakfast
we will visit some of the houses and ways of life of the people.
Departure from the island to Puno and transfer to hotel.
12:00 SILLUSTANI GRAVES: We will have a guided visit to the
famous pre-Inca tombs of Sillustani. Located on the shores of the
solitary Umayo Lagoon, these tombs or "Chullpas" with circular shaped
towers were a cemetery for the religious leaders of Tiawanacu Culture,
almost 2000 years ago.
Then, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima 15:25
Departure time Lan Peru flight
5:35 Arrival in Lima by Lan Peru flight. Reception and
transfer to the Rosa Nautica Restaurant
17:35 Dinner at Rosa Naútica restaurant
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Lima.
October 14th
9:10 am – Depart Lima for LAX
3:50 pm – Arrive LA.
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