Compare Adventure in Peru by Audley Travel vs Peru with Machu Picchu 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 14 days | 10 days |
Price From | $ 5,181 | $ 4,157 |
Price Per Day | $ 370 | $ 416 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Private guided tour | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
Description |
Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the fabled lost city of the Incas. Hike the Inca Trail and approach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Bike, trek, and raft your way through the Sacred Valley. |
Feast on Peruvian delicacies in Lima, tour the ancient Korikancha temple in Cusco and adventure through the Ollantaytambo ruins of Machu Picchu, on this 10-Day exploration of Peru. Embark on a Private Planetarium Tour in Cusco and uncover the influence of astronomy on Andean culture. Join a Local Expert in Machu Picchu for a guided tour through the ancient ruins—set high in the Andes against breathtaking backdrops. Visit the salt pans of Maras in the Sacred Valley where the Incas used to harvest the mineral and visit with a local Quechua Weaver to learn their ancient weaving techinques in a private presentation. In Paracus, be sure to pause at the Pisco distillery to sample this tasty local aperitif. |
Day 1 : Lima
On arrival to Lima airport your private driver and guide are waiting to take you to the hotel in the lovely Miraflores area of town.
Day 2 : Lima
A different way to see some of the city is by bike. You will join a small group on this tour to visit both Miraflores and Barranco.
Day 3 : Cuzco
Your private driver will return you to Lima airport for the short flight to Cuzco high in the Andes. Your private driver and guide will drive you to your hotel.The afternoon will be yours to enjoy at your leisure as you adjust to the altitude.
Day 4 : Cuzco
A great way to adjust to the high altitude and see the main sites of Cuzco is on foot. First, visit Tambomachay in a private vehicle and then walk back down to Cuzco visiting different Incas sites with your private guide.
Day 5 : Cuzco
The morning is spent rafting on class III and IV rapids on the Urubamba River before a picnic lunch on the banks of the river.
Day 6 : Cuzco
Enjoy a day at leisure in Cuzco. It is a great town to wander about and enjoy the local markets and cafes that look out over the main square.
Day 7 : Sacred Valley of Incas
Your private guide will accompany you for 2 days of mountain biking on small mountain trails into an area of the Sacred Valley that is well-known for its traditional weaving techniques. You will spend the night camping close to hot springs.
Day 8 : Sacred Valley of Incas
The private car drives you to the top of a mountain pass where you begin biking down through a beautiful canyon with a mix of Inca pathways and farming roads.
Day 9 : Sacred Valley of Incas
Enjoy a day of leisure in Ollantaytambo. This small Incan village has ruins well worth exploring.
Day 10 : Sacred Valley of Incas
You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the beginning of the Inca Trail where you will be given a briefing and start the trek.
Day 11 : Sacred Valley of Incas
The most challenging day on the trail as you cross Dead Woman's pass at 4,200 meters above sea level.
Day 12 : Sacred Valley of Incas
This day involves trekking down Inca staircases and through Inca tunnels, it is a truly spectacular day of hiking.
Day 13 : Cuzco
An early departure towards Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) where you see Machu Picchu and then head down into the ancient citadel. You will have a guided tour and then board your train to head back to Cuzco for the night.
Day 14 : Return home
Your guide and driver will bid you goodbye as they take you to the airport to begin the journey home.
Day 1: Welcome to Lima
Arrive in Lima for the first day of your journey. In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers at the hotel bar for a welcome dinner and drinks.
Day 2: Explore Lima Relaxed Start
Explore the colourful capital of Peru this morning with your Local Expert. Delve into its colonial past and see key attractions, including the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall. Visit the San Francisco Monastery and its underground cemetery. One for those with an appreciation for art, head to Museo Larco, a private museum located in Lima’s Pueblo Libre District. It is the highest-rated museum in South America and houses the largest collection of Pre-Columbian art. Indulge in a Highlight Lunch with an 18th-century garden as your backdrop. After lunch, meet a local guide who will take you around the Museo Larco and share the museum’s private collection with you. Delve into Peruvian culture, its ancient history and the country's religious beliefs. Return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 3: Lima to Sacred Valley
Take a transfer to the airport in the morning, where you'll catch your flight to the ancient capital of Cusco. Begin your tour of the Sacred Valley, while taking in impressive views on your scenic drive along the way. After a few stunning photo stops, enjoy lunch at Altar Inca, surrounded by some of the most impressive views of the region. Enjoy a leisurely trip to your hotel for the next couple of nights, where the evening is yours to do as you please. We recommend that you rest in order to adjust to the altitude comfortably.
Day 4: Explore Sacred Valley Relaxed Start
Start the morning off with a visit to the Maras salt pans, where the Incas harvested their salt. Today, the salt from Maras is exported to the entire world. Move on to an Incan laboratory in Moray, an archaeological site close to Cusco. Find out more about the ideal altitude to grow crops in the Sacred Valley. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience as you visit a local traditional Quechua weaver in the Sacred Valley and learn about the importance these textiles have in shaping personal and regional identities. Afterward, make your way to Laguna Piuray, where you’ll enjoy a Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian feast, for your Highlight Lunch. In the evening, transfer to Hacienda Huayoccari, where you'll discover this gem of the Sacred Valley while exploring its grounds and small museum. Sit down for a special Peruvian dinner before heading back to your hotel, the luxurious Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel.
Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu
Transfer to the station for your IncaRail train ride. Enjoy lunch on your way to Machu Picchu pueblo, the gateway village to Machu Picchu. On the way, visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, followed by a stop at a local house in the village’s cobblestoned old town and visit with the family living there. In the afternoon, visit Machu Picchu, where you’ll meet your Local Experts for a guided visit in small groups. They will take you through the ruins and explain their historical and archaeological significance, as well as the importance of their location. Set high in the Andes Mountains, it offers spectacular scenery and history, dating back to the 15th century. End your day with a relaxing dinner and drinks at your hotel.
Day 6: Machu Picchu at Leisure
Take in the breathtaking landscapes of Machu Picchu for a second time. Spend your morning exploring at your own pace, with your Travel Director on hand to answer any queries you may have. The afternoon is yours at leisure. Relax back at your hotel or perhaps explore the town of Aguas Calientes on your own. Spend the evening as you please before sitting down to a Highlight Dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 7: On to Cusco
After breakfast, return by train to Ollantaytambo, where you will transfer to the ancient city of Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco showcases a mix of Spanish colonial architecture, ancient remains and a lively cosmopolitan scene for modern inhabitants. On arrival in Cusco, head out on a walking tour with a Local Expert. Visit its cathedral and the Korikancha temple, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The evening is yours at leisure. Ask your Travel Director for local restaurant and bar recommendations.
Day 8: Exploring Cusco
Start your day with a walking tour of Sacsayhuaman, a citadel built in the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the ninth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco. Afterward, choose to join a local expert on a guided hike of the Inca ruins at Puca Pucara. Alternatively you can explore the artisan bohemian neighborhood of San Blas and visit the prestigious art galleries. After lunch at Pachapapa, visit San Blas Church and the surrounding streets, before making your way to San Pedro Market, where you will find local produce. Later, make your way to the city’s planetarium, for a private, after-hours tour. Learn about astronomy, cosmology, and its influence on Andean culture. While here, try some local delicacies paired with hot wine.
Day 9: Leisure time in Cusco Relaxed Start
Choose between an optional visit to Rainbow Mountain, the ChocoMuseo, where you’ll learn more about the chocolate making process, or perhaps relax and simply enjoy the facilities at your hotel? Set in a beautiful 16th century building, make the most of this boutique hotel’s signature spa and Andean-inspired healing treatments, massages, facials and custom spa packages. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable Celebration Dinner at Calle del Medio, where you will toast to your adventures and end of your trip.
Day 10: Depart Cusco
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Take a private transfer to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.