Tour Map

Duration:

9 days / 8 nights

Tour Type:

Ecological, archaeological and mystic

Price:

From US$ 850

Places to be visited:

Cusco. Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes
Lima. Sightseeing tour

Activities:

Trekking and camping

Reservation:

Minimum 45 days prior to the date of travel (for inca trail 4-6 month in advance)

Tour Description

All our programmes can be tailor made according to your requirements, whether regarding the length of your tour, any special interests or specific activities, flight reservations, optional destinations or tours.

DAY 01: International Arrival in Lima
Assistance at your arrival to Lima International Airport and transfer to your hotel. There you will receive a briefing on your tour; receive vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organisation of your Peru trip.

Meals Included: None

DAY 02: Lima / Cusco - Sightseeing Tour and Visit to Nearby Ruins
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport in Lima to take a flight bound for the City of Cusco. At your arrival reception and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the morning off to acclimatized.We recommend you to have lunch at your hotel, since in the afternoon we will know the City of Cusco on a guided tour, visiting the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha. The excursion continues out of the city to visit the Inca complexes of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco. Famous for its huge carved stones assembled with astonishing precision, which conform the external walls of the complex. Some of these stones are more than 9 meters high and weigh over 350 tons. Return to the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Optional: Dinner in a typical restaurant with a folklore show where the musicians play their melodies with Andean instruments of beautiful sounds while typically dressed dancers will show you different ancient Peruvian dances.

DAY 03: Cusco Day off
Breakfast. Day off for personal activities.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Opcional: We suggest you the following tours:

• Sacred Valley of the Incas (only on Tuesdays, Thursday, Sunday)
• Rafting in the Urubamba river.

DAY 04: Cusco / Machu Picchu - Inca Trail (Cusco - Piscacucho - Wayllabamba)

At approximately 6:30 am, our guide will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you by bus to the km 82 where you will arrive at approx. 10:30 am. Here you will meet the team that will join you during the trek, such as the porters, camp assistants and cooks. You will begin the walk, the first day is quite easy and during the first kilometres you will have a beautiful view of the snow peaked Veronica Mountain, walking alongside the Vilcanota River until you arrive at the Archaeological Complex of Patallacta, where you will have lunch and gain energy to reach Huayllabamba, where the first camp is set up.

Meals Included: Breakfast, snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner

DAY 05: Inca Trail (Wayllabamba - Warmiwañusca - Pacaymayo)
After breakfast, the hardest part of the trail begins, with a steep ascent, followed by 3 hours walking until reaching the first step, Warmiwañusca called (Dead Woman), up to 4200 m.a.s.l. approximately. You will not only enjoy incredible panoramic views from here but you will also have the satisfaction to have reached the top. After lunch in Vizcachayoc we will descend towards Pacaymayo (3500 m.a.s.l.) for dinner and camp.

Meals Included: Breakfast, snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner

DAY 06: Inca Trail (Pacaymayo - Phuya Patamarka - Wiñay Huayna)
After breakfast the ascent will begin until the second more important step of the route, up to 3900 m.a.s.l., where you will enjoy a guided visit to the Archaeological Complex Runkurakay and the Inca Citadel of Sayacmarca (3600 m.a.s.l.). Lunch in Chaqquicocha. Then, you will continue walking towards Phuya Patamarka (Town in the Clouds), another important Archaeological Monument. After a brief rest , we will continue walking until arriving at Wiñay Huayna (Always Young), for a guided visit to this spectacularly located Archaeological Complex . Dinner and overnight in the camp. Note: The above are the regular camp sites according to the circuit operated by Enjoy Peru, however, these can vary according to disposition levied by the Machu Picchu Management Unit without previous warning, but which will not affect the itinerary.

Meals Included: Breakfast, snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner

DAY 07: Wiñay Huayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
After breakfast (05:00 approx.), start walking for one hour by the forest until the Inti Punku (Door of the Sun), known like the front door to Machu Picchu, from where we will be able to have an impressive panoramic view of the Inca citadel. Upon arrival to Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial for astronomical alignments , , the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. Free time to stroll around the Citadel and then meet the rest of the group to be transferred by bus to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon return to Cusco by train. Upon arrival in Cusco, transfer to your selected hotel. Evening free. We recommend you to dinner out at any of the restaurants in downtown Cusco and stroll around the Main Square.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 08: Cusco / Lima /
: Lima: Sightseeing Tour
. Transfer to the Airport for your flight to Lima, where you will be transferred to your hotel and in the afternoon (at 2.15pm aprox.) you will do the Sightseeing tour of Lima. (4 hours aprox.)
The best tour to become familiar with Lima and its history
This excursion offers the best combination of the differents attractions in Lima and its three historical periods: pre-hispanic, colonial and contemporary.In Lima, there were several different pre-columbian cultures which are dated thousands of years back. Lima was part of the Inca Empire until was founded by the spaniard Francisco Pizarro on the 18th. of January, 1535. During our guided tour we will travel along its millenary history.
ANCESTRAL LIMA.At the Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological precint build in the IV century A.C., we will have a panoramic view of this magnificent ceremonial and administrative centre which was considered by the Incas a holy village. We will learn about the life and rituals of its ancient inhabitants and admire its typical piramidal building, very characteristic of sacred pre-hispanic edifications which were adored in the coast of Perú.
COLONIAL LIMA. The peruvian Viceroyalty was the most important one in the Spanish Empire and Lima was its capital. The highlights of its historical centre are its architecture and the urban design of the city, found in thold streets filled with colonial houses adorned with moorish-style balconies. Our trip includes the Paseo de la Republica (Promenade of the Republic), Plaza San Martin(San Martin Square) and the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), with their different buildings: Palacio de Gobierno(Government Palace), Palacio Arzobispal the (Archibishop's Palace), the Basilica Catedral (Cathedral Basilica) and the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace).
In its historic centre we shall visit one of its most beaautiful buildings, the Museum of the Banco Central de Reserva, where we can admire Perú's treasures: a fine selection of objects made in gold, ceramics and textiles of its different pre-columbian cultures, ranging since their origins to Inca times (1).We will enter the monumental Convento de San Francisco (Convent of Saint Francis), which displays the biggest collection of religious art in America. We can admire the Choir Room and the Monks’ Library, the Sacristy, with its collection of Zurbaran and Rivera paintings. The Big Patio of the Main Cloister, decorated with sevillan tyles from the XVI century, its beautiful moorish arches and its subterranean crypts known as The Catacombs, where you will feel the presence of Lima's colonial past.
CONTEMPORARY LIMA Visit to the most traditional residential areas in the capital: The Olive Grove of San Isidro, Miraflores and Larco Mar, distinctive tourist centre of contemporary Lima.
(1) Museum of Banco Central de Reserva, closed to the public on Saturdays and Sundays afternoon and Monday all day.* The promotions and visit of this pamphlet can change or finalize without previous warning.

• Meals Included: Breakfast
  
• Transfer to the airport for international flight The same night you can take your International flight or next day (9th day) morning.

End of our services.

Tour Rates

Price per person in US dollars
Prices are not valid for peruvian residents

Referential Prices 2009

Referential Prices Only. May be modified without previous notice depending on US Dollar exchange rate with local currency.
Note 1: Above rates are subject to change without notice i.e. Easter Week, Labour Day, Christmas, New Year, etc.

Note 2: Single room basis value stands for 1 person travelling alone.

Note 3: Our package tours are sold on a daily basis.

Note 4: There are Special Rates for 4 passengers onwards.

Hotel Options for the Tour (or Equivalent)

Tour Inclusions

INCLUDED:

In Lima: Transfers, Sightseeing Tour. lodging and breakfast
In Cusco: Sightseeing Tour, Inka Trail, lodging and breakfast
In Machu Picchu: Guided visit of the Inca Citadel.

• 8 Nights accommodation
• All breakfasts and meals as specified in the programme
• All entrance tickets for the excursions mentioned above
• All the transfers indicated in the itinerary.
• Train ticket Cusco - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu- Aguas Calientes
• All applicable taxes
• All bilingual guided tours (english/spanish) as described in the itinerary

NOT INCLUDED:

• International and domestic flights
• Airport taxes ($30.25 for international flights and $6.05 for domestic flights)
• Baggage excess
• Alcoholic drink, soda or bottled mineral water
• Personal expenses
• Tips
• International or National personal telephone calls
• Meals not mentioned
• Optional post-tour (cost given separately)

Useful Information

PARK REGULATIONS
The Inca Trail is part of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary: an area protected by the National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA) being the maximum number of visitors for day permitted of 500 persons (about 250 tourists and 250 porters). Consequently, all reservations should be placed with a minimum of 45 days in advance prior to the date of travel. Every visitor must obey the park regulations which forbid us to litter, cut or damage trees, take or damage stones of the ruins or the trail, collect plants, kill animals, light fires or camp in the Inca ruins. You will only be able to camp in authorized sites.

ORIENTATION
Peru is located on the central west coast of South America. Its neighboring countries are: Ecuador and Colombia to the N; Chile to the S; Brazil and Bolivia to the E; and the Pacific Ocean to the W. It is the third largest country in South America, with a surface area of 1 285 215,6 km2 (larger than France, Spain, and Germany combined) distributed approximately in the following manner: 12% coastal territory, 28% Andean highlands and 60% Amazon jungle. Its capital, Lima, is located in the coastal area, where the country's greatest economic activities take place.


TEMPERATURE
Being such a geographically diverse country within the tropical belt, the weather in Peru is determined both by altitude and season. However, it also means that there is almost invariably sunshine somewhere in Peru ! Below is a summary of the weather conditions you can expect to find in each different region of the country at different times of the year.

Coast (Ica, Chiclayo, Lima, Piura, Trujillo, Tumbes)
Northern region: warm year-round with highs of up to 35°C in the summer.
Central and southern regions: two well-defined seasons, winter between April and October, and summer between November and March.

Highlands (Ancash, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, Puno)
This region has two seasons, dry season between April and rainy season between November and March.

Rainforest (Iquitos, Madre de Dios, Manu)
High rainforest (over 2,300 feet asl): has a temperate, subtropical climate with some rainfall.

WE RECOMMEND YOU TO
- Use boots or trainers along the trail.
- Drink lot of liquid during the excursions and the Inca Trail.

WHAT TO BRING
Hiking boots, trainers and shoes.
- Long pants or slacks.
- Long-sleeved shirts.
- T-shirts.
- Sweaters and a jacket.
- Rain wear for rainy season.
- Camera.
- Insect Repellent and sun lotion.
- Personal toilet items and first-aid kit (plasters, Bandaids, cotton, alcohol,
  Aspirins).
- Medicine to arrest or prevent the so called ”Soroche” or altitude sickness.
  Please consult your physician what medicine is best suited for your organism.
- A Flashlight with spare batteries and bulbs and a knife.
- A container for water and some purifying pills.
- A backpack (you carried yourself)
.and a duffle with 12lbs weight (of your own belongings) to be carried by our porters
- Underwear.
- Gloves, scarves, wool socks and a hat or cap.
- A towel and toilet paper.
- Dried fruit, candies and chocolate.

WEATHER
Peru's climate may be divided into two: The Western Andes and the Desert Coast. On the Coast, it does not rain and the temperature is warm trough the year. On the other hand, in the Andes, there are two seasons: Rainy and dry.

As Cusco is situated in the Eastern Andes its rainy season is between november to May. The rest of the year, it is dry.

Rainy time, starting in October/ November has its own maximum in January, continuing until March/ April. In some years, it has meant landslides, floods, etc.

I n High altitude cities, it is cold in the evenings but sunny and warm in the mornings. It is even possible to wear t-shirts, but when the sun sets it gets really chilly so please bring a warm sweater (or buy an alpaca one in Cusco) and a good jacket.

Finally, the weather in general does not represent a limit to provide any tourist services, except from some particularily bad years.

ALTITUDE
Lima: Sea level, 54 m.a.s.l.
Cusco: 3360 m.a.s.l.
Machu Picchu: 2400 m.a.s.l.
Urubamba Valley: 2850 m.a.s.l.

WATER
Tap water in most of Peru is potable, but the chemical content varies from place to place. To avoid problems, we recommend you to always drink bottled water.

AIRPORT

Hand luggage regulations

a) All liquids must be carried in containers whose capacity can not exceed of 100 ml (or its equivalent in other volumetric units, such as liquid ounces for instance). No liquids will be allowed in containers of more capacity than the said 100 ml, even if the container is not completely full.

b) The containers must be placed in reclosable plastic bags with a maximum capacity of 1 liter. The containers must fit effortlessly in the transparent plastic bag, which must be perfectly sealed.

c) The plastic bag must be presented at the inspection post for its visual examination. Only one plastic bag per passenger can be allowed.

d) Exceptions must be made in case of medications, milk and baby food, as well as in case of passengers who require a special diet. There must be the appropriate means in place to verify the nature of these liquids.

Likewise, exceptions must be made regarding liquids purchased in the duty free shops at the airport or on board an aircraft, provided that these liquids are packed in a sealed plastic container foolproof against undue manipulations, and that a satisfactory proof (receipt) is produced showing that the article was acquired at the airport’s duty free shops, or aboard an aircraft on the traveling day(s) for passengers leaving an airport or being there on transit.

LANGUAGE
The official languages of Peru are Spanish, spoken by 73% of the population, and Quechua spoken by 24% of Peruvians. English is widely spoken in hotels and shops.

CURRENCY
Peru's official currency is the Nuevo sol ; its symbol is S/. The denominations in circulation are bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 nuevos soles; coins of 1, 2, and 5 nuevos soles; and coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 céntimos of a nuevo sol. US$ are widely accepted.
At the moment, US$ 1.00 is worth around 3.00 Nuevos Soles.

TIPPING
Whilst tipping is a personal matter, we are happy to give some guidelines:
Most restaurants add a 10% tip. The total tip should be about 15%.
Doorkeepers should be tipped 1 US$ per bag. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.

Full-day excursion : US$6.00 per person
Half-day excursion : US$3.00 per person

PHOTOGRAPHY
If you are taking photographs of local people, always ask their permission beforehand. Your guide can assist you in this. Do not take photographs of military installations or airports. Film is readily available in all tourist areas. It is advisable to carry your camera in a dust-proof bag. Photography or camera fees are applicable at most sights and museums; your guide can give you details of the latest charges.

ELECTRICITY
Power voltage in Peru is 220 Volts AC, 60 Hz. Most modern electrical appliances do not need adapters since they will accept both 110 as well as 220 AC voltages. Please make sure to check the voltage options of those artefacts you intend to take with you during your trip, such as hair dryers, battery chargers, notebooks and lap tops, video cameras, etc. Most of these do not usually need a special adapter, but it is important that you make sure of that before leaving your country of origin in order not to have to buy special 110 V / 220 V AC adapters, which, however, can be found in the local market here in Peru.

HEALTH
Vaccinations
Full details of the latest health requirements should be obtained from an authorized medical source, such as your doctor. There are no mandatory health requirements for Peru.
Because you are visiting Andean areas, don't forget to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. Be sure to try hot tea or infusion of coca leaves on your arrival in the altitude; during your first day move slowly and eat lightly.

PERUVIAN GASTRONOMY
Peruvian cuisine is highly varied and spicy. Some of our typical dishes are: "cebiche" (raw fish marinated in lemon juice), "aji de gallina" (de-boned chicken cooked in a milk and aji sauce), and "anticuchos" (shish kebabs of beef heart and meat), apart from the typical dishes from each region.
Be sure to try "Pisco Sour", Peru's typical mixed drink prepared with pisco, lemon, egg white and sugar.

DRESS CODE
Dress in general is very casual unless you want to eat in one of the more expensive restaurants in Lima for example, in which case a tie and/or jacket will be required and smarter ladies' wear. Due to the altitude, it is important to remember whatever the season, to take some warmer woollens for the nighttimes drop in temperature.

IMPORTANT: We reserve the right to make changes to the order of the trip, without prior notice, due to changes in climate conditions, river water levels, flight or bus arrival and departure times or any other reason relevant to the best development of the trip.