Treasures of Peru

 

Travel from your home city to Lima, Peru. Welcome to the capital of Peru! Transfer to the hotel located in the Barranco district of Lima. It is a Belle Époque mansion built in 1914, restored and returned to life as a boutique hotel. Most international flights arrive in the evening.

Accommodations: Hotel B, Lima

DAY 2:  Barranco Walking Tour, Visit to Victor Delfin & Studio, Free Time, Hotel B Mixology Class, Welcome Dinner at Hotel B

Today, take a walking tour of Barranco - one of Lima’s most interesting and colorful districts. This area is known for its bohemian lifestyle and is a favorite among local artists. You will see colorful stately mansions, churches and the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean while learning about the history of the area. Visit the famous Bajada de los Baños Walkway. the iconic Bridge of Sighs and Plaza San Francisco.  Then, tour the home and studio of celebrated Peruvian artist & sculptor Victor Delfin overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the later afternoon to relax. In the early evening, take a mixology class at your hotel. Learn to make a classic Peruvian cocktail. Discover the history of traditional Peruvian spirits. Then, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at Hotel B featuring contemporary Peruvian cuisine from its celebrated chef. Eat in the library, on the patio or on the rooftop.

Accommodations: Hotel B, Lima

Meals: B, D

 

THURS, Oct 3: Transfer to the Lima Airport, Fly Lima to Cusco, Transfer to the Sacred Valley, Chinchero Visit & Weaving Demonstration

In the morning, you will fly to Cusco. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Incas - a long fertile valley surrounded by snowcapped peaks that lies between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Then, you’ll head out for an excursion to Chincheros, a small town situated on a plateau overlooking the Sacred Valley. Chincheros is home to a local market and several highly-regarded weaving cooperatives known for their high-quality textiles. These intricate traditional weavings often use symbols to tell stories or depict daily life. You’ll observe a weaving demonstration at one of the cooperatives. Enjoy a traditional Andean lunch in Chincheros and return to the hotel in the later afternoon.

Accommodations: Sol y Luna, Urubamba
Meals: B, L

FRI, Oct 4: El Huacatay Cooking Class, Lunch, Maras Agricultural Terraces, Moray Salt Pans, Free Evening

Today, join Pio Vazquez, owner of the restaurant El Huacatay, an Andean-style kitchen located in the town of Urubamba. You’ll participate in a hands-on cooking lesson to learn about local gastronomy and cooking techniques used in Peruvian cooking. You’ll prepare an appetizer, main dish and dessert – all inspired by traditional Peruvian cooking. That afternoon, visit Maras Agricultural Terraces - a fascinating archaeological site in the Sacred Valley. These Inca ruins are a system of circular terraces each with their own microclimate. You’ll learn why the Incas constructed it. Nearby, you’ll stop at the Moray Salt Pans, a complex network of nearly 6000 salt pans or shallow pools that are filled by an underground spring. The naturally pink salt pans get their beautiful hue from the trace elements in the spring water. The salt in the pans is still harvested today as it was in Inca times. The evening will be at leisure.

Accommodations: Sol y Luna, Urubamba
Meals: B, L

SAT, Oct 5: Train to Machu Picchu, Lunch, Guided Tour of Machu Picchu, Dinner, Free Evening  

You’ll start your journey to Machu Picchu by train - the only way to arrive (other than hiking the Inca Trail). Machu Picchu is arguably the most outstanding achievement of the Inca civilization. On the train ride, you’ll be treated to views of picturesque mountains and valleys from the VistaDome car. On arrival in Aguas Calientes, head to Machu Picchu and enjoy lunch before entering the park. Afterward, take a guided tour of Machu Picchu to learn about this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner will be at the hotel set in the cloud forest. Experience fine Peruvian cuisine that features dishes prepared with exotic, regional ingredients and innovative special touches.

Accommodations: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Meals: B, L, D

SUN, Oct 6: Morning Guided Return to Machu Picchu, Lunch in Aguas Calientes, Free Afternoon

This morning is free to make a guided return to Machu Picchu or to hike on your own. Your shuttle and entrance tickets are included today. Going early in the morning allows for time when there are fewer visitors. Take an easier hike to the Sun Gate or opt for a more challenging hike. You can hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or  Huchuy Picchu for aerial views of the ruins and surrounding mountains. (Note: permits are required for some hikes and are subject to availability). Afterward, enjoy lunch at a well-loved restaurant in Aguas Calientes. After lunch, the afternoon and evening will be free to relax at the hotel or participate in their local guided excursions (additional cost). Dinner is included tonight at your hotel located on its own 12 secluded and lush acres.

Accommodations: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Meals: B, L, D

MON, Oct 7  Train to Ollantaytambo, Ollantaytambo Ruins, & Town, Pachamanca, Arrive Cusco

Today, take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo where you’ll disembark. On arrival, visit Ollantaytambo - massive Inca ruins thought to have been a fortress or temple. Set on a hillside, the Incas constructed this site made of both stone walls and intricate cut field rocks. Visit the town of Ollantaytambo - one of the few to survive today in its original layout from Incan times. Then, enjoy a pachamanca feast for lunch in gardens overlooking the mountains. A pachamanca is a traditional method of cooking in the Andes where an oven of hot stones is created in the ground and layers of vegetables, corn, potatoes, fruit and meat are cooked inside it. Observe the preparation for the pachamanca which is part of the authentic experience. Sample artisanal coffees and spirits from a local roasting and distilling facility. Finally, transfer to Cusco where the evening will be at leisure.

Accommodations:, Cusco
Meals: B, L

TUES, Oct 8: Half-Day Cusco City Tour, Q’orikancha Temple, Sacsahuaman Fortress, Optional Hike, Tour Farewell Dinner

Enjoy a half-day guided tour of the city of Cusco and the surrounding ruins. Visit Q’orikancha Temple - once the richest temples of the Inca empire. The ruins have some of the finest stonework in all of Peru. Visit Sacsahuaman, the massive fortress on the hill above the city where the Incans made their fiercest stand against the Spaniards. It is possible to hike back down to Cusco from Sacsahuaman for those that want to do so. Exploring these sites is a highlight of any visit to the highlands of Peru. In the evening, enjoy a tour Farewell Dinner at one of Cusco’s top restaurants.

Accommodations: Palacio Del Inka, Cusco
Meals: B, D

 

WED Oct 9:  Transfer to the Cusco Airport, Fly to Lima, Flight Home

Transfer to the Cusco Airport for your flight to Lima. Most flights home leave late at night or after midnight. Depending on your arrival time in Lima, we can arrange for you to visit the Larco Museum. Alternatively, there are airport lounges or an airport hotel where you can relax before your trip home. If there is time to visit the Larco Museum, you will be transported to this private museum that houses 5000 years of Peruvian Pre-Columbian history.  Afterward, transfer back to the Lima Airport for your flight home.

Meals: B

 INCLUDES:

• 10-day fully-guided tour
• 9 nights of accommodations in select city, valley & rain forest hotels (4* hotel in Lima & 5* hotels in Urubamba, at Machu Picchu & in Cusco)
• 10 days service of a certified Peruvian tour guide who will travel with you
• Airport transfers
• Transportation by private coach
• Breakfast in the hotel daily
• Lima city tour of the Barranco district
• Walk on the Malecon, Lima's cliff-top ocean walkway
• Visit to the studio & home of celebrated Peruvian artist, Victor Delfin
• Lima Culinary Walking Tour with stops at four select restaurants
• Visit to a women's weaving cooperative in the Sacred Valley with weaving demonstration
• El Huacatay hands-on cooking class in the Sacred Valley
• Tour of the Moray agricultural terraces
• Tour of the Maras salt pans
• Machu Picchu entrance fee & hiking permit (if needed)
• Tour of the Ollantaytambo Inca ruins
• Round-trip Vistadome train ticket to/from Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu
• Traditional Peruvian pachamanca
• Cusco City Tour to include visits to Q'oricancha & Sacsahuaman
• Gourmet Peruvian meals in hotels & restaurants showcasing artisan foods and local dishes
• All airport transfers

NOT INCLUDED:

• International airfare
•  Domestic airfare between Lima & Cusco
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities for the guide and driver
• Travel insurance

 

REGISTRATION: 

Registration for this tour can be done online via the Registration page of this website

 

TOUR DEPOSIT: 

A non-refundable deposit of $2500 is required to register for this tour.  The balance is due 90 days out from departure.

TOUR CANCELLATION:

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to offset tour cancellation fees if something prevents you from taking the tour.  Consider a policy with 'Cancel For Any Reason' for more complete coverage.

If Pack A Fork cancels the tour, all monies will be refunded.