• 9 Days, 8 Nights
• September 25th - October 3rd 2009
• Deposit: $500
• Full Trip Price: $1,725

Day 1 Fri Sep 25th . ARRIVE LIMA AND TRANSFER TO CUSCO

Please book your intl flight for:

Arrival in Lima on your intl flight no later than 8 am on Sep 25^th.

(If you need to arrive on the 24^th, ask us for a rt airport transfer and extra night at a hotel in Lima close to the airport- $99)

Mid- Morning flight from Lima to Cusco (this flight included in package)

At arrival in Cusco, we will get our luggage,  and be transferred to the Hotel in Cusco.

Upon arrival at hotel- checking in. Unwind from the flight and relax.

In the afternoon we will get together for a meet and greet with all members of the trip, introductions, and a chance to taste a Coca tea (Andean leaf) while you are informed and given some tips about Cusco of what to do or where to go on your free time. Then  your tour guide meets you at your hotel and takes you on a sightseeing tour of the town taking in the colonial churches and visiting Inca ruins outside the city; Sacsayhuaman (temple of the Lightning), Qenqo (ceremonial place, Pucapucara (Inca Fortress) and Tambomachay (Temple of the water). Lunch and Dinner on your own.  Hotel Residencia de Sol (or similar)

Day 2   CUSCO: Breakfast is included. Free day in Cusco to partake in one of the numerous adventure tours at additional cost (horseback riding, white water rafting, mountain biking-  or just take a free day to explore on your own (ideas include catching a soccer match or shopping for crafts)

Lunch and Dinner on your own arrangements.  Free evening.  Hotel Residencia de Sol

Day 3  PISAC RUINS AND MARKET: Breakfast is included  

At 9:00 am This excursion takes you through the Urubamba Valley to the colorful Indian Market of Pisac where natives from the region of Cusco come to trade their products to then visit this magnificent site above this town from where you have a great view of this valley. Also visit a Llama farm and learn about these unique animals as well as traditional weaving techniques of Peru. Overnight in Urubamba. Lunch and dinner on own Hotel in Urubamba

Day 4   MORAY AND SALT MINES - Breakfast is included OLLANTAYTAMBO.

At 9:00 am Moray is located one hour aprox from Urubamba Cusco City, and provides one of the most spectacular views of the Urubamba Mountain Range. It is also the location of some dramatic conical depressions formed by a unique form of Inca Terraces. This site is thought to have been an experimental natural greenhouse to grow an extraordinary variety of tropical crops beyond their normal altitude. We do small hike down the Salt mines and we will visit the local salt co-operative, which extracts the mineral by evaporation from a natural spring, thereby demonstrating that early Andean civilizations were not necessarily dependent upon coastal trade for this important mineral. Reaching the valley of Urubamba our Van meets us to take us to Ollantaytambo tour guided of this site.

 Lunch and Dinner on Own. Overnight at Ollantaytambo Hotel

Day 5  AGUAS CALIENTES: Breakfast is included

At 9:05 Morning train to Aguas Calientes arriving in Aguas Calientes at 10:30 am. Afternoon on your own to explore the Machu Picchu Museum near Aguas Calientes, day hikes available (such as the jungle ladders), markets and shopping, or just relax at the hot springs. That evening reunite with the trekking group. Lunch and dinner on own Overnight Hotel Intipunku (or similar)

Day 6  MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO: Breakfast is included

At 5:30am early morning bus up to Machu Picchu. There should be 6 to 7 hours available to spend in this unique archaeological site, allowing ample opportunities to explore on your own. Those not yet tired of heights might like to climb Huaynapicchu for an unparalleled view of the lost city of the Incas. Bus back to Aguas Calientes included. Afternoon transfer returns to Cusco. Optional visit to Aguas Calientes Hot springs (extra charge 2$ per person) before the train ride back to Cusco at around 4:30 pm arrive 9pm. Transfer to hotel. Lunch and Dinner on own arrangements.  Hotel Residencial de Sol

Day 7 CUSCO: Breakfast is included.  Free day to do another adventure activity or just relax, go shopping, and check out exciting nightlife of Cusco. Lunch and Dinner on own arrangements.  Hotel Residencial de Sol

Day 8- LIMA:  Breakfast Included.  Morning at leisure. Lunch on your own.  Group transfer to Cusco airport. Late morning fly back to Lima (included in package).

 When you arrive at the Airport in Lima you will come out to arrivals, there will be a staff member there to meet you with a sign with your names on it. Transfer to hotel. Optional- Farewell dinner in Lima plus 3 hour city tour $60 (includes rt transport to restaurant, 3 hour guided city tour of Lima, and dinner at Argentine style steakhouse with a glass of champagne or Pisco sour included, plus 1 wine, bottled water, or soda- other drinks are etxtra).  Hotel Melodia (or similar).

Day 9-LIMA:. Breakfast Included. We will transfer you to the airport for flights back to the US based on your departure time. If your flight is in the evening you may leave luggage in the hotel's luggage storage after checkout.  

"END OF TOUR"

*Please note all times for tours, transfers, daily arrival/departure times,etc are approximate and subject to change at the guide's and or host's recommendations. Learning Escapes reserves the right to alter the itinerary if necessary due to safety concerns, circumstances outside its control (ie worker strikes, weather, government, etc.)

LAND PACKAGE COST $1,725 * **
* double occupancy accommodations
** Additional 5% Service Charge for Credit Cards

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: 2,175 *
* Additional 5% Service Charge for Credit Cards

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE !!

(Balance due 60 days ahead of travel)

Questions? Call 703-862-3526 or e-mail david@learningescapes.com

Important International Flight info:

- Please book to arrive in Lima from your home city on September 25th by no later than 10am in morning or earlier(anytime on the afternoon or evening of the 24th for arrival is fine also)
- Please book your departure flight from Lima to your home city on the 3rd of October  anytime during the day or evening.
- Flight Booking:  Beat the Internet Prices! Call Gabriele at International Travel Consultants 301-294-0222

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INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE:

• Domestic flights within Peru (Lima /Cusco and Cusco / Lima)
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure in every destination
• 01 night's hotel in Lima and 04 nights hotel Cusco.1 night in Urubamba, 1 night Aguas Calientes, 1 night Ollantaytambo.
• Professional local tour guides while on the tours and trek.
• Private transport on all tours.
• Hotels include: breakfast and taxes.
• Excursion in Cusco and nearby sites.
• Economic Tourist Train return from Aguas Calientes to Ollayantamabo and Bus from there to Cusco
• Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes (25')
• Entry into Machu Picchu
• US Based Host for trip

DOESN'T INCLUDE:

• Visitors pass for Cusco sites $ 61.00 (this is valid for the Sacred Valley)
• Airport departure tax ($ 6.00 each way)
• International departure tax $ 31.00
• (taxes and entrance fees subject to change)
• Entry fee to Maras and Moray $ $ 4.00 in soles S/ 10.50
• Tips
• Extra personal expenses and optional tours
• Meals not mentioned on the program.
• Limit of weight on domestic flights 22 kilos

TRAVEL BAGGAGE:
Each hotel has a storage room where you can leave the extra travel luggage that you wont take on the Inca Trail and there is no fee for it.

SUGGESTED TRAVEL LIST
* Valid Passport.
* If you have travel insurance, be sure to bring copy of policy details
* Money Belt or Neck Pouch
* MedicAlert bracelet if appropriate
* Cash, credit cards, ATM card. The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club. There is often an 8 to 12% commission for credit card charges. It is often cheaper to use your credit card at an ATM to get money.
* Phone card if you plan on phoning home.
* Baggage:
        -Two pieces of baggage are allowed up to 50 pounds plus one carry on.
        -The weight limit for internal flights in Peru is often 22kg.

WHAT TO TAKE :
You will be on the move a great deal, so our general advice is to pack as lightly as possible. And old rule of thumb has always been to lie out what you think you will need, put half of it back, and you will still have too much.
At the higher altitude inn the Andes Mountains the temperature can feel cool especially at night. You should pack for both a hot climate as well as an autumn type climate. On July and August is dry season but there might be some rains in the mountains so you should include a rain gear.
We recommend using a duffel bag or backpack. Suitcases are not to appropriate. A small daypack is also essential. The following list is a general guideline:

ITEMS
Insect repellent
Rain jacket
Toiletries
Hat
Battery operated alarm clock (there are a lot of early mornings you need to be up, we have found your own time piece helps even if there are clocks in rooms some may not have alarms.)
Water bottle

CLOTHING
Light pullover or sweatshirt
Warmer sweater or polar jacket or polar fleece
4 shirts, 4 t-shirts
2 pairs of shorts / skirts
3 pairs of long pants
Underwear and sleepwear
Thongs or flip-flops
Walking shoes or hiking shoes
Towel and swim wear
Thermal underwear.

OPTIONAL
Camera
Playing cards or other favorite games
Reading / writing material
Sunglasses
Baseball cap
Sandals
*Travel insurance is highly recommended!

Altitude Sickness: This is a high altitute site and the air is much thinner up there. Check with your health care provider (physician or Nurse Practitioner) to see if you are candidates for a medication to prevent altitude sickness.

PLEASE NOTE: Learning Escapes reserves the right to increase published trip, cruise rates and air fare supplements without prior notice when necessary because of vendor increases.

ROOMMATES: Learning Escapes will assign roommates on a first come, first serve basis. You must be prepared to pay the single supplement for a private room should we not have a roommate to share the cabin with you. Roommates are matched according to gender and general age range. We cannot be responsible for roommate compatibility.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: travel insurance is available and insures and reimburses you in the event you must cancel(and forfeit the moneys you have paid for your trip) because of illness, family or personal emergency as well as trip delays due to weather, flight delays, traffic accidents, strike, job actions, medical expenses during trip, bag delay and more. VISIT www.travelguard.com for travel insurance pricing.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellation of trip reservations are costly and penalties apply. CLICK HERE to read cancellation penalties