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This eight-day adventure in Peru takes us to
Lima and Cuzco, to the
Sacred Valley, and to the world famous ruins of Machu Picchu.
This tour is for those who wish to delve a little deeper into the Inca
homeland and their fascinating remains. And as on all Southern
Crossings trips, you're taken care of from beginning to end: airport
transfers are included!
8 days:
US$2135 / UKŁ1065
Depart
any day!
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Day |
Location |
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1 |
Arrive
Lima |
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2-3 |
Cuzco |
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4 |
Sacred
Valley |
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5-6 |
Machu
Picchu |
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7 |
Lima |
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8 |
Departure Day |
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Want more or less time in
Peru? We do custom vacation packages, or check out our
5 day,
15 day,
or
22 day
trips
INCA EXPRESS
TRIP
ITINERARY
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Day |
Activity/Location |
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1
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Arrive in Lima and transfer to our hotel. If
arriving during the day, your hotel will be in the neighborhood of
Miraflores, with good shopping and restaurants, and you'll have an
included city tour in the afternoon. If arriving late at
night, you'll be close to the airport for a bit more sleep before
your next day's flight, and you'll have a city tour upon your
return to Lima.
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2-3
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A short flight
this morning brings us to Cuzco, capital of the old Inca Empire.
On an included city tour, we'll have time to explore Cuzco's markets
and churches and visit the imposing Inca fortress of Sacsaywaman.
Over the course of today and tomorrow, there is the opportunity to
visit Cuzco's excellent Inca Museum, retrace the steps of the
conquistador Pizarro and the Inca rebellion that almost retook
Cuzco, take walks to little known Inca sites above town, and
generally take in the splendor and beauty of this fascinating
region.
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4 |
This morning we're
off to the Sacred Valley, a short and scenic ride from Cuzco.
Fifteen hundred feet lower than Cuzco, the warm and fertile Sacred
Valley was of immense strategic and agricultural importance to the
Incas. We'll visit two sites today: Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
Pisac is a beautiful Andean town with a great handicrafts market.
After shopping and bargaining for Andean goods, we'll head up to the
imposing Inca fortress/temple above the town. Then in the
early afternoon, we'll head down the valley to Ollantaytambo, the
only Inca village still inhabited today. Peer through ancient,
trapezoidal doorways into courtyards where life has changed little
in 500 years, then explore the huge ruins which loom above the town.
Early to bed, as we head further down the valley tomorrow to Machu
Picchu.
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5-6 |
This morning we're off on
a beautiful morning train journey
down the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. Unlike most other
companies' trips, we actually spend a night at the village below Machu
Picchu. So after your guided Machu Picchu tour, take
your time and enjoy this magnificent place. While most of the
tourists are heading down to catch the afternoon train, we can stick
around and have the site almost to ourselves, and also come back the
next day for more exploration. This allows us plenty of time at
the ruins, as well as time for some beautiful day hikes in the
surrounding mountains. We return to Cuzco by train on the
afternoon of Day 6.
If you wish to return to Cuzco on Day 5 for a free day there instead,
you are welcome to. Just let us know in our booking form.
Also, those wishing to add days in Cuzco after visiting Machu Picchu may
do so at a rate of US$65 per night (double room). There is plenty to see,
including Inca ruins, colonial churches, museums, and colorful local
markets. There is also plenty to do, such as horseback riding,
whitewater rafting, and mountain biking. Our Cuzco coordinator
will assist you in planning your time there. When you're ready to
return to Lima and your flight out, you will be transferred to/from the
airports in Cuzco and Lima and will have a room at our hotel in
Lima that night. Again, let us know when you fill out the booking
form.
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7 |
After a
morning flight to Lima, it's a free day or an included city tour,
depending upon your itinerary. For your free time, we include our
own useful guide to Lima and are always happy to recommend
activities or make restaurant reservations. Just ask! |
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8 |
Departure
Day. International flights may depart any time today, or on
Day 7 if you've got less time. |
TRIP
DETAILS
8 days:
US$2135 / UKŁ1065
Depart any day!
Is this trip for me?
Inca Heartland
is an eight-day adventure tour which includes walking in various ruins
and on city tours. As always, a certain patience is required for the
inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.
Joining the tour
You will be given the name, address and phone number of our joining hotel
before departing, but that won't be necessary.
On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by
one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who
will accompany you to our joining hotel. No bargaining or being
ripped off by airport taxis!
What's included in the trip
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Airport pickup at
the beginning of trip and drop off at end of the trip
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Southern Crossings bilingual
guide
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All other
internal transport (excluding transport to optional
restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)
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Internal
flights, Lima-Cuzco, Cuzco-Lima
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Seven
nights of hotel accommodation
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Breakfast
included with all hotel stays
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Machu Picchu
tour, including bilingual guide, return train fare,
transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and two-day entrance to
the Machu Picchu sanctuary
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Sacred Valley excursion
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Cuzco city tour
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Lima city tour
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Cuzco Visitor's Ticket, which gives
entrance to the major ruins, churches and museums in and around Cuzco
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Southern Crossings T-Shirt or Cap
What's not included
International flight to/from Lima,
international airport departure taxes (US$25 from the Lima airport), pre-
& post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance,
meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while
on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature.
Travel insurance is not included
through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy.
Check www.travelguard.com to
purchase a policy for your trip.
Extra Accommodation
We
will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you
before or after your trip:
In Lima: $110 double/$90 single
In Cuzco: $95 double/$70 single
Single
Person Supplement: $380
Please add this to your total
payment if you will be travelling alone or wish to have private
accomodation
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Pre-Trip Planner
Required documents
All travelers
to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months
from
date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S.,
Canadian, Australian or New Zealand
passport holders. For other
nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or
consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at
entry and
should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks,
currency, or a bank
statement, from the bank or printed off the
internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.
Required immunizations
No
immunizations are required of travelers to Peru. Travelers may
wish to receive
hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all
other standard vaccinations. The
rainforest area of Peru (approx. 3500
ft. and below, east of the Andes) is a malarial and
yellow fever zone,
and travelers may wish to receive a yellow fever vaccination and
take
malarial prophylaxis. Please consult your physician or local health
department for
more information.
Things to bring
Our trip will
be a backpacker-style adventure. One
should come well prepared for
outdoor activity at temperatures ranging
from 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for
extremes of sun and the
possibility of rain. A list of things to bring would include:
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Passport and, if necessary, visa
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Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
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Airline ticket and Travel Insurance Policy
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Photocopies of airline ticket and documents
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Wearable pouch for documents and money
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Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase
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Smaller, comfortable day pack
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Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in
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Sandals or flip-flops
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Rain poncho or jacket
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Waterproof pants
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Sun hat
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Hat for cold weather
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Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)
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Scarf and gloves
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T-shirts
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Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments
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Towel and swimsuit for hot springs
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Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)
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Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
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Sunscreen
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Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
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Lip balm
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Earplugs
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Alarm clock or watch
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Sanitizing hand wipes or gel
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Camera and film/digital memory cards
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Camera batteries
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Playing cards, games, reading material
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Prescription medications
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Toiletries
Note that
common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as
toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene
items are
available in Peru.
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear
and care, extra
large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera
batteries. Also note that most digital
camera memory cards can be
downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in
any large city.
Climate
Rain is
possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud
forest, and
one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will
visit is as follows:
Cuzco and
Machu Picchu:
days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are cold in
Cuzco.
Lima:
warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain. Often overcast.
Money guide
The unit of
currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Current currency conversion
1 U.S. dollar =
2.8 nuevos soles
1 GB pound =
6.16 nuevos soles
Automatic cash
points are available in Lima and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and
Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler's checks
(American Express is
best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances
are also options. Do not bring Money
Grams or International Money
Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks
and exchange
houses are available in Lima and Cuzco. For currency, U.S. dollars are
recommended and most easily exchanged. Please
note that cash must be untorn. It
can be older-looking, but even the
slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills
come out of the ATMs in country.
Expect to spend
about US$3-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru.
Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters,
for example, run between $5 and $30.
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