Many of the participants on our Galapagos Islands Cruise program have requested that we add an optional visit to Peru and the fabulous Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. We have now run this extension very successfully for the last couple of years. It is fully escorted by bilingual guides who are very knowledgeable about the archaeology and culture of the region.
On this one-week trip, you’ll tour two of the most interesting cities in South America, Lima and Cusco, as well as the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu. You will also explore the most important Inca ruins in the Andes, such as Sacsayhuamán, Ollantaytambo, and the Lost City of Machu Picchu. While moving through the country, you will be able to visit craft shops, extraordinary museums and also have a wonderful opportunity to stroll through village markets where ancient traditions live on in the hearts of the Andean people.This is an easy paced weeklong journey that is perfect for anyone with a sense of curiosity and adventure.
MACHU PICCHU EXTENSION
Itinerary
(Breakfast - B, Lunch - L, Dinner - D)
Day 1 Wednesday
Arrival in Lima, Peru
On arrival in Lima, Peru from your departure point in North America, you will be met by our guide and taken to your hotel.
o/n Faraona Grand Hotel, Lima
Day 2 Thursday
Fly to Cusco
You will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the airport for the flight to Cusco, the archaeological capital of South America. You will be met on arrival and taken to your hotel where you will be able to relax and acclimatize yourself to the high altitude of this Inca city (3400m / 11,200ft).
o/n Novotel Hotel, Cusco (B, L, D)
Day 3 Friday
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Today, you’ll have a wonderful drive to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to visit Pisac ruins. After a steep climb, you will see terraces, houses, a large group of temples, rock altars and the remnants of a solar calendar that was used by priests to determine seasons and organize the agricultural production of the adjacent valleys. Lunch will be en route. In the afternoon, we arrive in Ollantaytambo, a city located in the far-western part of the Urubamba Valley, just 97km from Cusco. This archaeological complex was a gigantic agricultural, administrative, social, religious and military centre in the era of the Tahuantinsuyo. The Spaniards called it the Fortress of Ollantaytambo.
You will have a guided tour of the city and be able to observe the distinctly pre-Hispanic architectural style of its streets and squares, with enormous polyhedrons forming the walls and trapezoidal doors of temples and palaces. The urban distribution was set along rectilinear and narrow streets that have been inhabited constantly by natives since the Incas' time.
o/n Casona Yucay Hotel, Ollantaytambo (B, L, D)
Day 4 Saturday
The Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu
After breakfast, you will be taken to Ollanta train station. You will depart for Machu Picchu on the Vistadome train, this morning, for the two-hour ride to Puentes Ruinas, from where the buses leave for the Machu Picchu Citadel. You’ll tour the ruins with your guide and then have lunch. You’ll spend the night at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, at Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy the orchid garden and the nearby hot springs.
o/n Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Machu Picchu (B, L, D)
Day 5 Sunday
Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco
After breakfast, you will have another chance to explore the ruins at your own pace. Lunch is included at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. This afternoon, you will return to Aguas Calientes to board the train for your return to Cusco. You will be met and taken to the same hotel as before.
o/n Novotel Hotel, Cusco (B, L, D)
Day 6 Monday
Cusco City Tour
Andean history comes alive as you take a formal city tour to explore Cusco, the fascinating capital of the Inca Empire in the 15th and 16th Centuries. Quechua speaking descendants of the Incas fill the streets and markets, colonial churches sit atop bases of smooth stonework laid centuries before the Conquistadors, and campesinos (Peru's rural farmers) in colourful dress move busily back and forth across the plazas. You’ll also venture out of town to the nearby ruins of the fortress Sacsayhuaman and the ceremonial centres of Kenko and Tambomachay.
o/n Novotel Hotel, Cusco (B, L, D)
Day 7 Tuesday
Cusco to Lima
This morning you will fly back to Lima where you will stay for one night. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will have a guided city tour that will include visits to Huaca Huallamarca, a restored adobe temple and the Gold Museum. The Gold Museum has a magnificent collection of ancient Peruvian art treasures of gold, silver and ceramic; including necklaces, funerary masks, sceptres, ceremonial cups, tumis (sacrificial knives), nose rings, earrings and idols.
o/n Faraona Grand Hotel, Lima (B, L, D)
Day 8 Wednesday
Lima, Peru to Quito, Ecuador
You will be transferred to the airport where you will board your flight to Quito, Ecuador. On arrival, you will be taken to the Grand Hotel Mercure, where you’ll join the rest of the Quest Galapagos group.
Please Note: We will try to confirm the hotels as listed in this itinerary however they are subject to change depending on availability. We may have to substitute with a hotel of similar quality.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Level of Difficulty – Moderate
Many of the trails follow the contours of the hills, valleys or cliffs and a few have steep inclines. The high elevations are also an important issue and you should be aware of how you physically react to moderate activities at these heights. Cusco is around 3400m / 11,200ft. Machu Picchu is around 2600m / 8500 ft. The trails have to be traversed carefully but are accessible to anyone who has normal walking ability and stamina. Sturdy hiking shoes or boots are strongly advised. We also recommend you take a trekking pole for extra balance and safety. If you have any concerns about being able to participate on this extension, please contact Audrey Nowicki for further information and advice.
Flights to Peru
Quest Nature Tours will arrange flights to Peru and then on to Ecuador for you. We have checked all flights to Peru from Canada, and consider the recommended flights as having the best connections available. Please call Audrey Nowicki for specific details of the flight dates, prices and itinerary.
Once the main trip to the Galapagos has been confirmed as operating, we will be able to book your flights to Lima. Please Note: Since the airlines are constantly changing their prices, the first quote we give you will be subject to change until you actually confirm and book your flights with us.
Accommodations
Faraona Grand Hotel, Lima
This is a modern hotel in Miraflores, a district in Lima. It is modern with comfortable, bright rooms.
Novotel Hotel, Cusco
This four star hotel has a central location, nice courtyard and offers comfortable rooms each with private bathrooms.
Casona Yucay Hotel, Ollantaytambo
This is a three star smaller hotel with 39 newly renovated rooms. All rooms have their own private bathroom. The hotel has beautiful views of the Sacred Valley and surrounding mountains.
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
This beautiful hotel, situated in Aguas Calientes is an attraction in itself. It is modeled after an Indian village and has extensive grounds that support all types of flowers with their attendant hummingbirds. The rooms are all well appointed with private bath and showers. There is easy access to Machu Picchu from here.
Food and Drink
Tap water is not safe to drink in Peru and we recommend that you drink bottled water as a matter of course to be on the safe side. If in doubt, check with hotel management. If you are susceptible to changes in the water, you will find that fresh juices, soft drinks, bottled water and beer are readily available. The restaurants feature international and Peruvian cuisine. Some hotels wash fresh vegetables and fruit in purified water. It will serve you well to check before hand.
Travel Documents
You will require a passport to enter Peru. Please make sure that it is valid for at least six months after your intended dates of travel. It is advisable to keep a photocopy of the information page of your passport and keep it in a separate part of your luggage. We also recommend leaving a copy with your contact person at home. If you lose your passport, this will make it easier to replace.
Canadian and U.S. passport holders do not require a visa for Peru.
Currency and Currency Exchange
The currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sole currently at 3.24 PEN to US$1 (2.69 PEN to CDN$1). Most hotels will also exchange your US$ currency at moderate premiums, but usually at a lower rate than at the bank. We suggest that you take cash in US$ or traveller's cheques in US$ in $20 or $50 denominations. Major credit cards are accepted in Peru in larger hotels and in many shops in the main cities.
Airport Departure Tax
An airport departure tax is levied and payable when departing on international flights from Jorge Chavez International Airport. The current tax is US$25, in cash, and is subject to change at any time.
Health Requirements
There are no required inoculations for Peru at this time. However, it is a good idea to ensure that your tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster is up to date and precautions against, typhoid and hepatitis A, are highly recommended.
Boards of Health in many Canadian cities operate travel clinics. We strongly recommend that you consult with your physician or local health service to obtain up-to-date health information about visiting Peru.
If you live in the Toronto area, Dr. Mark Wise is our consulting travel physician and is available to Quest Nature Tours participants for pre-travel advice and inoculations. He may be contacted at The Travel Clinic, 3292 Bayview Avenue, Suite 308, North York, Ontario, M2M 4J5.
Phone: (416) 221-7990. Website: www.drwisetravel.com
Tipping
Gratuities are not included in the tour cost of this extension.
Climate
In Peru, the climate varies from region to region. The summer months run from mid-December to mid-March. Average temperatures at this time in Lima are 25 - 28ºC while in the highlands, the sun shines all year round during the morning but temperatures lower considerably at night.
Electricity
Electricity throughout Peru is 220v and 60 Hz. Converters and adapters can be found in most travel related stores.
Time Zone
Peru is one hour behind Eastern Standard Time.
CDN$ Price of Extension to Peru
Our extension to Peru is priced in both US$ and CDN$. We are able to guarantee the US$ cost because we are charged for all land services in US$ by our foreign operator. Since the monetary policy of the Bank of Canada is to have the CDN$ float against the US$, the approximate CDN$ cost listed represents the value of the CDN$ at the time this itinerary was printed and is subject to change.
Once you’ve made a reservation, we will invoice you in US$ which is the fixed cost. As a Canadian company, we will gladly accept Canadian dollars at our current exchange rate at the time of payment(s). Please Note: once final payment is made the cost is guaranteed and there will be no currency exchange adjustments.
Single Supplement
The cost listed is based on a minimum of two people on the extension. If you wish single accommodation or we cannot match you up with a roommate, the single supplement for this trip is an additional US$445 / Approx. C$470..
Cancellation Policy
Your deposit(s) are non-refundable. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are non-refundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds will be given for services not used. If you wish to cancel your trip with us, you must notify Quest Nature Tours immediately and in writing. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds will be given for services not used.
Participation on Quest Tours
When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and detailed itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. If you wish to sign up for one of our tours, all travellers must sign the enclosed Health Statement and return it along with their reservation form and deposit.
Since our small group adventures bring together people of all ages, it is very important you are aware that 'an average level of fitness and mobility is required' to undertake our programs. At a minimum, our travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, walk over uneven and slippery terrain, climb 2-3 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage.
The minimum age to participate on a Quest tour is 16. An adult must accompany participants between the ages of 16 – 18.
Travellers over the age of 75 are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, as well as a Medical Advisor's Opinion, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that senior travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. These forms will be sent upon reservation with the pre-departure package and need to be returned to the Quest office no later than 90 days prior to departure.
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