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JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF PERU |
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| TRIP DETAILS LIMA - ICA - PARACAS - CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU 10 DAYS
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| DESCRIPTION This adventure yoga journey will take you from ocean to mountain. Learn the best kept secrets about Pisco and wine elaboration process, sand board the giant dunes of Huacachina desert, sail with Humboldt penguins and sealions and discover Paracas National Reserve. Then, discover the heart of the Inca Empire, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu! Everyday you'll have a mix of fun adventures and once in the Sacred Valley, yoga to realign mind, body and soul.
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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: None
Important note: We have included every breakfast in this package and have kept lunches and dinners extra as food choices are quite varied and inexpensive in Peru. You can therefore choose what to eat, share or even skip a meal if you want! All meals will be held together as a group in wonderful restaurants along the way. Budget between 20-50US per day for food and alcoholic beverages.
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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 and surrounded by the endless sand dunes of the Ica desert. Ica is well known for its warm and dry climate, which is perfect for growing vines, 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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| After, we’ll have lunch at a traditional restaurant (not included), 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 sand boarding and test our skills in this fun sport. 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
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| DAY 3: Ballestas Islands & Paracas Reserve
Today, after an early rise, we’ll board the 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", an 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 intent to spot the local wildlife which, amongst others, consist on Sealions, Humboldt Penguins 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 area. First, we’ll visit the park’s visitor centre and then walk along a trail to try and see the Parihuanas (Andean flamingos). After, we drive through a dirt road to some cliff top lookouts where we can admire the immensity of the ocean and beautiful beaches. We have lunch (not included) in the tiny fishing village of "Lagunillas" and then we return to Lima.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Lima
Included Meal: Breakfast
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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 one of local staff who 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 drive 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 and enjoy some meditation and yoga surrounded by the lovely rural countryside of Peru.
The Sacred Valley is where we will concentrate most of your yoga sessions but yoga opportunities may also be available along the way.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Cusco
Included Meal: Breakfast
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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 Cusco and on our way to Pisac, we'll stop at Awanacancha where you can meet native weavers and see South American camelid species, including llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuna. After this stop, we continue to Pisac, one of the Sacred Valley's finest and most impressive Inca complex, the archaeological site of Pisac, with terraces built on 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 continuing to our lunch venue and reaching our hotel in the early afternoon.
We'll be spending the next few days in a charming hotel in the Sacred Valley countryside. Here, we'll have plenty of time to relax, explore the natural surroundings and also practice yoga and meditation.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley
Included Meal: Breakfast
Optional: Traditional Huatia dinner ($30US per person) - 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 they fill the pans every 3 days with salty water that comes from a natural spring, once the water is evaporated, they collect the salt they have been selling at the markets of the region since before the Inca times. We should be returning to our hotel before lunchtime. The afternoon is free for yoga and relaxation.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley
Included Meal: Breakfast
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| DAY 7: Discover the Lost City of the Incas
Today is the big day! Early in the morning, we'll board our train heading to Machu Picchu Town. The train journey is a spectacle in itself as we'll be able to appreciate the changing landscape from green fields and eucalyptus forests to lush jungle, always travelling beside the meandering Urubamba River. Upon arriving we’ll drop our bags at the hotel and have a little time to relax. Then at midday we’ll head up to Machu Picchu. We take a 20-minute bus up the steep zigzagging road to Machu Picchu Citadel, located on an impressive mountain setting.
On arrival, we’ll decide if we would like to first hike up to the Inti Punku viewpoint (Sun Gate), a nice spot located about 1 hour away from the main site. Then, at around 3pm, it’s the ideal time to take our guided tour around the main areas of the citadel as most travelers should already be leaving at this point. We can tour the site until it closes and 5pm, at which time we’ll head down to the village.
The rest of the evening is free to relax.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes
Included Meal: Breakfast
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| DAY 8: Jungle Hike, Hot Springs and Scenic Journey to Cusco
This morning, after an early breakfast, we begin our 3-hour trek from Aguas Calientes to the closest stop on the railway accessible by car. This is a beautiful 7 miles hike which will take us along a flat path that crosses the cloudforest. If anyone is not comfortable walking this distance, you will have the option of taking the train from Aguas Calientes for about 35 minutes to the first available station of the railway. We will coordinate for all of us to meet there.
Upon arriving at our destination, our private transport will be waiting to take us to the Cocalmayo hotsprings, one of the most beautiful in Peru (about 35 minutes away). We can relax in the hotsprings for about an hour before continuing our journey to Cusco. The next segment is extremely beautiful. In this same transport, we ascend from the cloudforest across the Malaga Pass (4200 meters above sea level) and then descend again towards Ollantaytambo. This part of the journey takes between 3 and 4 hours.
Upon arriving to Ollantaytambo we can have a rest and, if we still have spare time and energy, we can visit the archaeological site in the area. On route we can stop for pictures along the way and photograph the beauty of this impressive landscape.
We can have a short rest in Ollantaytambo, before continuing our journey to Cusco where we will spend the night.
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Cusco
Included Meal: Breakfast
Optional train ride: Approx. 35US per person
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| DAY 9: Cusco At Leisure
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 Saqsayhuaman, 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!
Suggested Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Cusco
Included Meal: Breakfast
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| DAY 10: Departure 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.
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YOUR ACCOMMODATION 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
- All tours and entrance fees as mentioned in the program
- All private land transfers for the group
- Energizing yoga sessions in the Sacred Valley
- English-speaking Peruvian guide and RR Escape host the whole way through as this is a fully hosted yoga adventure retreat!
DOES NOT INCLUDE
- International flights and airport transfers
- Domestic flights from Lima to Cusco return (unless otherwise specified on the main invite)
- 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 Yoga Adventure in South America. Spots are limited to 10 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 Yoga Escape!
If you have a Q, we have an A.
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