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| LIMA - ICA - PARACAS - CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU EXPLORE PERU WITH US - 10 DAY ADVENTURE
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| DESCRIPTION This Peruvian journey will take you from ocean to desert, through mountains and millennia of history as you visit unique places and experience ancient cultural ways. Learn the best kept secrets about Pisco and its wine elaboration process, explore and sandboard the giant sand dunes of the Huacachina desert, sail alongside Humboldt penguins, whales and sea lions and discover Paracas National Reserve. Then continue your journey into the heart of the Inca Empire, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu! Below are details about your fun and unique Peruvian escape. Find out about what you’ll discover and experience and how you’ll be surrounded by the incredible beauty and mystery of Peru.
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| DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY
Upon arrival to Lima's Airport, take a taxi or shared shuttle to your hotel in Miraflores, where you are free to relax and wander around at your own pace. Depending on the time of arrival, we have plenty of suggestions for you so you can make the most of your first day in Lima.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Lima
Included Meals: We have included every breakfast in this package and have kept lunches and dinners extra as food choices are very diverse and inexpensive in Peru. You can therefore choose what to eat, share or even skip a meal if you want! All meals will be typically held together as a group in wonderful restaurants along the way. Budget between 20-50US per day for food and alcoholic beverages.
Recommendation: We recommend trying to arrive in Lima between 10am and 4pm so you have some time to relax in the city today. Otherwise, consider arriving a day earlier. Airport taxis to your Miraflores hotel cost approximately 20US and can be booked directly at the arrivals gate (look for Green Taxi). Additionally, there is also an airport shuttle bus that costs 8US and leaves you in downtown Miraflores (Airport Express Lima). If you arrive in a group and would prefer to be picked up by a private van, we can coordinate this for you for 50US to be shared between all passengers.
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| DAY 2: THE PISCO VINEYARDS & SANDBOARDING AT HUACACHINA OASIS
This morning we have an early departure. In our private transport we’ll be driving for 300km along the Pan-American Highway. We’ll be heading to the valley of Ica, (located 4 hours south of Lima), which is surrounded by endless sand dunes of the Ica desert. Ica is well known for its warm and dry climate, which is perfect for growing grapes, so when approaching Ica, we’ll make a short stop for a guided tour through a historical vineyard where our famous Pisco liquor is made. During this visit, we will learn about and taste the various types of Pisco that exist.
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| Afterwards we’ll have lunch at a traditional restaurant, where we can try some delicious Afro-Peruvian dishes and, at about 3pm, we leave for the natural lagoon of Huacachina, known as the Oasis of the Americas. From this beautiful “Arabian-like” landscape, we’ll venture into the desert dunes aboard powerful sand buggies. During the ride we’ll be stopping at selected dunes where we can practice sandboarding and test our skills in this fun sport. As this landscape offers incredible views, it’s a perfect opportunity to take some photographs. After observing the sunset from the vastness of the desert we head to Paracas and relax in our charming hotel.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Paracas
Included Meal: Breakfast
Included Activities: Pisco tour + buggy ride & sandboarding.
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| DAY 3: BALLESTAS ISLANDS & PARACAS RESERVE
After breakfast, we’ll board fully equipped speedboats departing from the Libertador Pier towards the Ballestas Islands, also known as “the little Galapagos” because of the great variety of marine wildlife that inhabit them. En route, our boat stops to observe "The Chandelier", a mysterious and enigmatic figure that can only be seen from the sea. We’ll be circumnavigating the islands as we approach caves and other rock formations while we intend to view and photograph the local wildlife, which amongst others consists of: sea lions, humpback whales, dolphins, sea otters, Peruvian booby, Humboldt Penguins, cormorants, pelicans and various other marine bird species.
Once we’re back again on dry land we’ll drive to the Paracas Reserve, one of Peru’s most important and protected natural areas. First, we’ll visit the park’s visitor centre and then walk along a trail to try and see the Parihuanas (Andean flamingos). Afterwards we drive along a dirt road to some cliff top lookouts where we can admire the immensity of the ocean and beautiful beaches. We have lunch in the tiny fishing village of "Lagunillas" where you can try delicious, fresh seafood and then we return to Lima.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Lima
Included Meal: Breakfast
Included Activities: Boat tour to the Ballestas Islands + visit to the Paracas Reserve.
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| DAY 4: CUSCO & THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS After an early breakfast we have a short drive to the airport to take our 55 minutes flight to the city of Cusco. If possible, we will try to get a seat on the left side of the aircraft as some of the best views of the Andes can be seen by this side of the plane. Upon arrival to Cusco airport we will be met by local staff that will welcome us and take us on our private transport towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Because of its lower elevation (2,870 meters or 9,415 feet above sea level) and its peaceful atmosphere, the Sacred Valley is the perfect place to enjoy your first days in Cusco as you adapt to the high altitude. The drive to our hotel is a scenic one as we go past fields, mountains and cozy Andean villages. It will take us about 1.5 hours to drive from Cusco to our hotel in the Valley. The rest of the day is free to get settled in. If you're up for some photography and/or yoga, you can join Helen on a walk around the gardens and afterwards join Martine in the yoga room for sunset practice.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley.
Included Meal: Breakfast
Included Activities: Sunset yoga (optional).
Flight: Not included. Will be added to your final payment and will be booked by RR Escape.
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| DAY 5: THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS: AWANACANCHA AND PISAC
This morning we'll set off on a tour to visit the southern segment of the Sacred Valley. As we leave our lodge and head on our way to Pisac, we'll stop at Awanacancha, a live museum where you can meet native weavers and see South American camelid species including: llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas. After this stop we continue onwards to one of the Sacred Valley's finest and most impressive Inca complexes, the archaeological site of Pisac, with terraces built along its hills. To visit the site, you must walk along winding paths on a mountain cliff. Among the most important buildings are Pisaca, which is a curved wall, the Intihuatana, a solar clock among a group of temples and the military zone called "Q'Allaqasa".
We'll also spend some time at the actual village of Pisaq itself. This charming town is located just under the Inca complex. We'll have some time to explore the town before returning to our hotel in the early afternoon.
Around 5pm, those interested can join us at a local restaurant for a traditional Pachamanca dinner. “Pacha” means earth and “manca” means oven in Quechua, the language of the Inca which is still widely spoken in the Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. So the name quite literally describes the cooking method, where meat and vegetables are cooked on hot stones, buried under earth.
For the Incas, Pachamanca was much more significant than just a cooking style.
Pachamanca was not an everyday cooking method, it was a highly ritualized and sacred meal for special occasions. The connection between Pachamama (mother earth) and the food she provided was extremely important to the Incas.
We'll then return to the hotel by tuk-tuk (motorcycle taxi) or shared taxi.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley
Included Meal: Breakfast
Included Activities: 2 hour hike down from the village to our hotel (optional - for those who want to hike).
Optional Activities: Traditional Pachamanca dinner ($30US per person + transportation). Highly recommended!
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| DAY 6: THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS: MARAS & MORAY
This morning we'll set off on a tour to visit the Sacred Valley's most impressive sites. First we'll reach Moray, one of the most unusual Inca sites consisting of circular terraces built upon a natural depression which seem to have been an agricultural experimental station used to adapt crops to different temperatures. Then we continue to Maras, an impressive salt-extraction complex consisting of thousands of small terraces. During the dry season the pans are filled every 3 days with salty water that comes from a natural spring. Once the water evaporates, they collect the salt and sell it at local markets, much like it's been practiced from generation to generation, since before Inca times. We should be returning to our hotel before lunchtime. The afternoon is free for relaxing, more exploring, optional photography and/or sunset yoga.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley
Included Meal: Breakfast
Included Activities: Guided visit of Moray + Maras. Sunset yoga (optional)
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DAY 7: FULL DAY HIKE ON THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU This morning, we’ll leave very early (before 6am) to take one of the first trains departing Ollantaytambo train station to km 104 of the train track (Chanchabamba), where our trail starts. From here, we begin our adventure by hiking for approximately 4 hours towards Wiñaywayna, which is probably the most impressive site of all the Inca Trail. We’ll have some time to explore the area a little and maybe enjoy a quick snack. Then we continue hiking for another 2 hours until Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), from where we’ll have our first views of Machu Picchu from a distance. From here, as we enjoy a tasty box lunch, we can take great panoramic photos of the famous Inca Citadel. Afterwards, we’ll begin our descent to Machu Picchu itself. Our guided tour of Machu Picchu will start between 2 and 3 pm so we can enjoy the site when there are fewer people around. This will provide a better experience and photographic opportunities without the dense crowds. We’ll explore Machu Picchu together with our guide until it closes around 5pm and then we’ll continue by bus to Machu Picchu town, otherwise known as Aguas Calientes where we’ll spend the night. Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town)
Included Meal: Breakfast. (Box lunch - optional).
Included transport and activities: Train ride, guided hike to Machu Picchu and guided tour of the site.
Important: Bring your passport as it will be needed to enter Machu Picchu.
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| DAY 8: MACHU PICCHU & RETURN JOURNEY TO CUSCO
This morning we give you the opportunity to make a second visit to Machu Picchu so that you can experience this impressive citadel at your own pace, during the early morning light of day. (For those interested, this will provide more time to explore and photograph this magical site). The cost of the entry ticket is 50US and booking extra buses up and down from Machu Picchu is 24US. The entry ticket to Machu Picchu can be booked the evening before at Aguas Calientes Village. Typically it isn’t a problem to book the evening before, however we can’t guarantee that tickets won’t run out, so if you are 100% sure that you would like to do a second visit on your own, let us know and we’ll book this for you in advance and we’ll include this in your package.
If you wish to do any of the extra hikes in Machu Picchu like the Montaña hike or Huayna Picchu, then the cost of the extra ticket is 65US. In this case, you definitely must book it in advance as spaces are limited. Those who prefer to explore the small town of Machu Picchu can do so on their own. There is a lovely thermal spring area that can be visited if you prefer a rest (bring your bathing suit). In the afternoon, we take our return train to Ollantaytambo and from here we continue on to Cusco.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Cusco
Included Meal: Breakfast
Included transportation and activities: Train back to Ollantaytambo. Activities are optional and extra today.
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| DAY 9: YOUR DAY TO EXPLORE CUSCO
Cusco is one of the most interesting cities in Peru and South America. Today we'll have the entire day to explore the streets and plazas of this UNESCO World Heritage City at our own pace. You can visit Sacsayhuamán, one the most impressive archeological sites in the country. Only minutes away in the northern outskirts of Cusco, this site will leave you in awe of what could be accomplished architecturally in the Inca days. You can also visit the city's many markets, shops and churches. We'll meet later for our last fun group dinner together!
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Cusco
Included Meal: Breakfast
Recommendation: Join our guide this afternoon for a visit of the famous Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán. Your entrance fee will be included but not your transportation to the site (which will be inexpensive as the site is located close to the city center).
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| DAY 10: FAREWELL DAY
Today, we'll have some free time to maybe take a last walk around Cusco's shops and markets and then at the coordinated time, you'll head to Cusco's airport by taxi to board your flight to Lima and international connecting flights to your next destination.
Included Meal: Breakfast
Airport transfer is not included. Cost of a taxi is approx. $7USD per taxi.
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YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS Below is a list of potential hotels that we will be using for the trip. The hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. If unavailable, similar options will be suggested. Day 10 - Departure Day
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| YOUR ESCAPE PACKAGE
INCLUDES
- Accommodation in comfortable hotels as mentioned in the program
- All breakfasts (We prefer to keep your lunches and diners optional for more flexibility. Food in Peru is quite inexpensive. Budget about +/- $30 per day.)
- All tours and entrance fees as mentioned in the program
- All private transfers for the group including the train ride to and from Machu Picchu!
- English-speaking Peruvian guide and RR Escape host throughout the trip as this is a fully hosted adventure escape!
- For interested participants of the group:
Photographic opportunities and guidance available with Helen Paryniuk
Yoga sessions available in the Sacred Valley with your RR Escape host Martine
DOES NOT INCLUDE
- International flights (we can advise).
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure (20US in Lima + 7US in Cusco per taxi).
- Domestic flights between Lima and Cusco. Costs vary depending on the ticket purchased. We recommend you let us book these tickets for you or at least the flight from Lima to Cusco so that we can keep the group together. Price of tickets can vary from 100US to 350US return
- Lunches and dinners.
- Travel Insurance.
- Extras and tips.
COST
See main invite. Includes taxes. Based on double occupancy. Add 395US for a single occupancy upgrade.
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| WHAT NEXT... Contact us for more information and to join our exciting Peruvian Adventure in South America. Spots are limited to 12 participants so join fast! Once you sign up, we'll send you a complete packing list and more information on how to prepare for this exciting Escape!
If you have a Q, we have an A.
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