Machu Picchu Vacation Adventure: Machu Picchu & Beyond

Machu Picchu Vacation Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins in Lima, Peru. Your exact itinerary can be worked out with a member of the REI Adventures air department. One group transfer from the Lima airport to our hotel in Miraflores or San Isidro will be arranged for trip participants arriving in Lima this evening. All meals on your own today.

• Day 2

  An early wake-up call today in preparation for the transfer back to the airport for our morning flight to Cusco (11,150’). Upon arrival in Cusco, we will be met by our local guide and taken to our centrally-located hotel where a brief orientation meeting will be held. After a relaxation break and lunch, we’ll depart on a tour of this beautiful Andean city that was once the center of the Inca Empire. Highlights include a visit to the bustling Plaza de Armas, the Inca temple Koricancha and neighboring Santo Domingo Church, as well as the imposing ruins of the monolithic Sacsayhuaman fortress that offer panoramic views of the entire red-roofed city far below.  Breakfast and dinner included.

• Day 3

  We spend the late morning visiting the famous market village of Pisac (approximately one hour’s drive from Cusco) where shopping and photographic opportunities abound.  Peru is well known for high quality local crafts including handknit wools, ceramics, leather goods and jewelry - all available in Pisac as we time our visit to coincide with market day.  The day’s adventure concludes with a two-mile hike and an exploration of the nearby Pisac ruins.  The steep terraces and intricate Inca stonework that this complex is known for offer insight into the skill and creativity of its former inhabitants.  Overnight again in Cusco.  Hiking: 2 miles.  Breakfast and lunch included.

• Day 4

  This morning we visit Chincheros, an Indian town that served as an important population center in Inca times and is currently known for its commanding view of the snowcapped Andes, centuries-old houses and inhabitants who still dress in traditional Quechua clothing. Following our stop in Chincheros, we travel to the nearby village of Maras where we begin a two-hour downhill hike to the Pichincoto mines, local salt mines used by the Inca and still used by local residents as a mineral source today. This afternoon, we drive through the Sacred Valley, past Incan terraces and fields of corn, wheat, barley and quinoa, ultimately arriving in the small town of Ollantaytambo, whose street plan still maintains its original Incan layout. We spend some time exploring the town and then enjoy a tour of the impressive, terraced fortress where Manco Inca made his last stand against the Spanish Conquistadors. Time permitting, we visit the Baño de la Ñusta (or Princess' Bath), a lovely ceremonial site whose fountain, fed by waters from neighboring hills, runs clear and sweet to this day. Overnight in a small hotel in the nearby town of Yucay. Hiking: 2 hours. All meals included.

• Day 5

  Our excitement mounts this morning as we board our private van for the ride to Ollantaytambo (approx. 25 minutes) where we connect with the scheduled daily train to Machu Picchu. We arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes mid-morning, take a shuttle to the ruins and get our first glimpse of this spectacularly located archeological treasure. Our knowledgeable guide leads us through, recapping Machu Picchu's rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and explaining the significance of the various structures that cover the complex. Later this afternoon, we hop aboard the shuttle back to Aguas Calientes and check into our lovely hotel in town, located at the base of the site. All meals included.

• Day 6

  A full day at Machu Picchu today affords us the luxury of exploring at a leisurely pace while learning more about the Inca culture and the latest theories behind the construction of this marvelous complex. We have an early breakfast and return to the ruins before the morning tourist train arrives in order to experience the peace and solitude of this mystical place. A hike to the dramatic viewpoint of Intipunku (the Sun's Gateway) is planned, offering breathtaking views of the entire lost city spread out below our feet. Other possibilities include an easy hike to an ancient Inca drawbridge or more vigorous hiking options to the Temple of the Moon (inside a cavern on the north face of Huayna Picchu) or an ascent up Huayna Picchu itself. Of course, we can also choose to independently continue our exploration of the main site and daydream about what life must have been like here centuries ago. We return to our hotel in Aguas Calientes again tonight. Hiking: 2 miles. Breakfast and dinner included.

• Day 7

  We have another opportunity today to return to Machu Picchu during the early hours, taking advantage of the soft morning light for dramatic photography, or using the additional time to complete another scenic hike. After lunch, we head back to Aguas Calientes and board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo, connecting there with our private van to Cusco, arriving in early evening. Overnight in Cusco. Breakfast and lunch included.

• Day 8

  After breakfast, we head to the airport for our morning flight to Lima where we are once again met by a local city guide.  This afternoon, we’ll visit one of Lima’s notable museums and perhaps do some final shopping at the Indian Market before bidding farewell to our newfound friends at a final group dinner.  Trip members scheduled to fly out of Lima this evening will be transferred back to the airport in time for their departure.  Breakfast and dinner included.
  
  Extend your visit to South America with an incredible excursion to the Peruvian Amazon or cruise to the Galapagos Islands!  Please call or e-mail us for additional details and prices.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

Hotel accommodations with private bath; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; expert bilingual guides; all ground transportation within Peru as noted; airport transfers within Peru for those individuals traveling on group flights; all sightseeing excursions as noted (including daily admission to Machu Picchu).

Air transportation to/from Lima/Cusco; 3 lunches and 2 dinners; guide gratuities; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; airport taxes and items of a personal nature such as laundry fees, immunizations or insurance of any kind.

This trip is rated as Easy Active [2].  Participants should enjoy hiking/walking and arrive in good physical condition.  Although the majority of our hikes are not overly strenuous, we will be spending all of our time at moderately high altitude (7,800’ -12,300’) where most trip members will feel the effects of the thinner air.  Daily hikes/walks may include some short, steep ascents and descents and climbing numerous flights of stairs at various ruins complexes.  We highly recommend a conditioning regimen consisting of activities such as hiking, jogging, stair-climbing or cycling beginning several months prior to departure to get in shape for the adventure.

Average daytime temperatures in and around Cusco generally range from 55° - 75° F with Andean evenings cooling down into the 40s and 50s. Much of the itinerary takes place in the mountains where weather can change very quickly. During the months of May-October, days are typically clear and pleasant, with afternoon clouds occasionally building and leading to small amounts of precipitation. While rainfall is more common during the months of December-April, all-day rain is unlikely and many individuals choose to travel to Machu Picchu during this time period knowing the region will be visited by fewer tourists.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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