Inca Heartland:
Econoclass

8 days: US$1475 per person
Domestic flights included
Depart any day
(What’s Included)

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 and domestic flights are included!

Depart any day and customize your tour at no extra charge!

 

INCA HEARTLAND TRIP ITINERARY

Day	Activity/Location
1	Arrive in Lima and transfer to your 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.
2-3	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 your free day 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 región.
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.
5	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 6 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$120 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.
6	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!
7	Departure Day.  International flights may depart any time today, or on Day 7 if you’ve got less time.

TRIP DETAILS

8 days: US$1475 per person
Domestic flights included
Discount for groups
Depart any day!

Is this trip for me?
Inca Heartland: Econoclass is an eight-day 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
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:

· Airport pickup at the beginning of trip and drop off at end of the trip

· Southern Crossings bilingual guides

· All other internal transport – (excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)

·Domestic flights – Lima-Cuzco, Cuzco-Lima

· Seven nights of hotel accommodation

· Breakfast – included with all hotel stays

· Machu Picchu excursion – including bilingual guide, round trip Vistadome or Executive train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and two-day entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary

· Sacred Valley excursion

· Cuzco city tour

· Lima city tour

· Cuzco Visitor’s Ticket – which gives entrance to the major ruins, churches and museums in and around Cuzco

· Southern Crossings T-Shirt

What’s not included
International flight to/from Lima, airport taxes (approx. US$32), 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. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy. We recommend www.travelguard.com although any travel medical coverage is acceptable.

Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip:
In Lima: $85 double/$75 single
In Cuzco: $70 double/$60 single
In Machu Picchu: $80 double/$80 single

Single Person Supplement: $275
Please add this to your total payment if you will be travelling alone or wish to have private accommodation.

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 these areas of Peru. Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations. No areas visited on this trip are malarial or yellow fever zones. Please consult your hysician or local health department for more information.

Things to bring
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:

· Passport and, if necessary, visa

· Traveler’s checks and/or cash card

· Airline ticket and Travel Insurance Policy

· Photocopies of airline ticket and documents

· Wearable pouch for documents and money

· Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase

· Smaller, comfortable day pack

· Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in

· Sandals or flip-flops

· Rain poncho or jacket

· Waterproof pants

· Sun hat

· Hat for cold weather

· Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)

· Scarf and gloves

· T-shirts

· Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments

· Towel and swimsuit for hot springs

· Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)

· Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)

· Sunscreen

· Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)

· Lip balm

· Earplugs

· Alarm clock or watch

· Sanitizing hand wipes or gel

· Camera and film/digital memory cards

· Camera batteries

· Playing cards, games, reading material

· Prescription medications

· 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: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are cold in Cuzco.
Machu Picchu: similar to Cuzco but a bit warmer and with more chance of rain.
Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain but often overcast.

Money guide
The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol.

Currency Converter
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.