Insight - Peru with Machu Picchu & the Nazca Lines - Small Group (02/2023 - 10/2023) (SZPERPNN18)

13 Days From Lima to Cuzco 
Tour Style: Latin America
Insight Brochure Price from $6,120.00
Brochures: IV Latin America 2023
Visits: Peru

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Feast on Peruvian delicacies in Lima, tour the ancient Korikancha temple in Cusco and adventure through the Ollantaytambo ruins of Machu Picchu, on this 13-Day exploration of Peru. Embark on a Private Planetarium Tour in Cusco and uncover the influence of astronomy on Andean culture. Join a Local Expert in Machu Picchu for a guided tour through the ancient ruins—set high in the Andes against breathtaking backdrops. Visit the salt pans of Maras in the Sacred Valley where the Incas used to harvest the mineral and visit with a local Quechua Weaver to learn their ancient weaving techinques in a private presentation. In Paracus, be sure to pause at the Pisco distillery to sample this tasty local aperitif.
Choice Highlights

• Cusco: Choose to join a Local Expert on a trek of the Inca ruins in Puca Pucara. Alternatively, choose to explore the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas and visit the prestigious art galleries.

Well-being

• : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
• : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests).
• : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Insight Experiences

• Nazca: Fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines and see this UNESCO World Heritage Site from above. From the air you'll be able to see these giant geoglyphs drawn in the desert sand by the Nazca people, composed of over 10,000 lines, some of which measure 98 feet (30 metres) wide.
• Paracas: Meet a local fisherman who will share details about their daily life and routine in Paracas, the beautiful national reserve which is home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, flamingoes and other protected species.
• Machu Picchu: In the afternoon, take your first guided visit to Machu Picchu with Local Experts where you’ll explore the sophisticated 15th century Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains.
• Cusco: This evening, make your way to Cusco's planetarium to learn more on how the Incas interpreted the stars. After a reception with hot wine (or tea) and appetizers, local experts will explain and share stories about the influence the stars had on Andean culture. You'll then be led to a room specially accommodated to view the ancient night skies, weather permitting.

Authentic Dining

• Lima: Unwind at your luxury abode, before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers in the evening for a Welcome Dinner.
• Lima:  Make your way to Lima's Pueblo Libre District and indulge on a Highlight Lunch in the Museo Larco's 18th century garden.
• Sacred Valley: Enjoy lunch at Altar Inca with impressive views of the Sacred valley surrounded by the breathtaking Andes Mountains.
• Sacred Valley: Make your way to the small lagoon of Laguna Piuray where you’ll enjoy your Highlight Lunch of Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian feast.
• Machu Picchu: Head back to your hotel to unwind, before sitting down to a Highlight Dinner with your fellow travellers.
• Cusco: Enjoy an immersive slow-cooked Cusquenian lunch at Pacha Papa. Lunch will be served al fresco at the courtyard of a historic mansion in the artsy neighbourhood of San Blas.
• Cusco: In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a memorable Celebration Dinner at Calle del Medio, where you'll enjoy innovative interpretations of classic Peruvian Creole dishes while toasting to your new adventures.
• Dining Summary: 12 Breakfast (B), 6 Dinner with Wine (DW), and 7 Lunch (L)

Top Rated Highlights

• Cathedral of Lima: This morning, explore Peru's buzzing capital with your Local Expert, including the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall.
• Lima: After lunch, meet a local guide who will take you around the Museo Larco, a private museum located in Lima's Pueblo Libre District and home to the largest collection of Pre-Columbian art.
• Sacred Valley: Start your day with a visit to the Maras salt pans, where the Incas once harvested their salt. Today, salt from this regions is exported to the entire world. Afterwards, make your way to Moray where you'll visit an archaeological labratory.
• Machu Picchu: Transfer to the station for your 360° IncaRail train ride. This train ride offers an unforgettable experience journeying through the Andes Mountains in style with large panoramic views allowing guests to enjoy the amazing scenery of the lush mountains and the Urubamba River en route to Machu Piccu Pueblo.
• Machu Picchu: On the way, visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, consisting of a large fortress built in the 1400s, a stepped terrace, and an area known as the Princess Baths, where ceremonial bathing took place. Later, stop by a a local house in the village and meet the family living there.
• Cusco: Once you arrive, head on a walking tour of Cusco with a Local Expert. Explore what's known as the "historic capital" of Peru as you discover its ancestral magic through visits to the cathedral and the Korikancha temple.
• Cusco: Start your day with a walking tour of Cusco, before heading to Sacsayhuaman.

Make Travel Matter

• Sacred Valley: Visit a local traditional Quechua weaver in the Sacred Valley for a private textile presentation. You'll learn about ancient weaving techniques and the importance these textiles have in shaping personal and regional identities.

Insight Choice

• Cusco: Choose to join a Local Expert on a trek of the Inca ruins in Puca Pucara. Alternatively, choose to explore the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas and visit the prestigious art galleries.

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Insight Tour Itinerary

Day 1	Arrive Lima
	Arrive in Lima for the first day of your Nazca excursion. Situated in southern Peru, Nazca Lines is made up of around 300 geoglyphs, spread over 500 square metres. These include impressive animal and plant drawings. In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers at the hotel bar for a welcome drink.
	Visits: Lima, Lima
	Accommodation: MGallery Manto Lima
Day 2	Coastal Paracas Relaxed Start
	In the morning, head out on a leisurely coastal drive to the beach town of Paracas. Known for its sandy beaches, wildlife and the Paracas Candelabra geoglyph, you'll take in the area from above with an aircraft ride over the mysterious Nazca Lines. This top-rated highlight is truly the best way to experience this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site in all its glory. In the evening, catch up on your day, as you enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers at your luxury hotel.
	Visits: Lima, Paracas
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort
Day 3	Ballestas Islands and Peruvian Wildlife
	Have your cameras at the ready as you head out on a scenic cruise to the Ballestas Islands. Famous for its rock formations and marine life, you'll discover the wildlife sanctuary that holds over 200 species of birds including Peruvian boobies, Inca terns, pelicans, red-legged cormorants and Humboldt penguins. Explore this beautiful area before heading to the nearby city of Ica for lunch. Visit a pisco distillery for a tasting of the local spirit, followed by a stop at a local museum, where you’ll learn more about the city’s culture. The rest of your evening is free to do as you please.
	Visits: Paracas
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
	Accommodation: Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort
Day 4	Coastal Peru and Lima
	The final day of your Nazca extension will begin by the coast. Meet a local fisherman who will talk to you about their daily life and routine. Later, enjoy lunch at a historic hacienda on your way to Lima. You’ll get a tour of the plantation and learn more about a dark chapter in Peruvian history and the area’s heart-breaking past of slavery in the cotton business. You’ll also visit the long tunnels which were used to bring slaves from the coast to the hacienda. If you are joining the Peru with Machu Picchu journey today, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Unwind at your luxury abode, before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers in the evening for a Welcome Dinner with drinks.
	Visits: Paracas, Lima
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: MGallery Manto Lima
Day 5	Explore Lima Relaxed Start
	Explore the colourful capital of Peru this morning with your Local Expert. Delve into its colonial past and see key attractions, including the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall. Visit the San Francisco Monastery and its underground cemetery. One for those with an appreciation for art, head to Museo Larco, a private museum located in Lima’s Pueblo Libre District. It is the highest-rated museum in South America and houses the largest collection of Pre-Columbian art. Indulge in a Highlight Lunch with an 18th-century garden as your backdrop. After lunch, meet a local guide who will take you around the Museo Larco and share the museum’s private collection with you. Delve into Peruvian culture, its ancient history and the country's religious beliefs. Return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.
	Visits: Lima
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
	Accommodation: MGallery Manto Lima
Day 6	Lima to Sacred Valley
	Take a transfer to the airport in the morning, where you'll catch your flight to the ancient capital of Cusco. Begin your tour of the Sacred Valley, while taking in impressive views on your scenic drive along the way. After a few stunning photo stops, enjoy lunch at Altar Inca, surrounded by some of the most impressive views of the region. Enjoy a leisurely trip to your hotel for the next couple of nights, where the evening is yours to do as you please. We recommend that you rest in order to adjust to the altitude comfortably.
	Visits: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
	Accommodation: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
Day 7	Explore Sacred Valley Relaxed Start
	Start the morning off with a visit to the Maras salt pans, where the Incas harvested their salt. Today, the salt from Maras is exported to the entire world. Move on to an Incan laboratory in Moray, an archaeological site close to Cusco. Find out more about the ideal altitude to grow crops in the Sacred Valley. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience as you visit a local traditional Quechua weaver in the Sacred Valley and learn about the importance these textiles have in shaping personal and regional identities. Afterward, make your way to Laguna Piuray, where you’ll enjoy a Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian feast, for your Highlight Lunch. In the evening, transfer to Hacienda Huayoccari, where you'll discover this gem of the Sacred Valley while exploring its grounds and small museum. Sit down for a special Peruvian dinner before heading back to your hotel, the luxurious Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel.
	Visits: Sacred Valley
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
Day 8	Explore Machu Picchu
	Transfer to the station for your IncaRail train ride. Enjoy lunch on your way to Machu Picchu pueblo, the gateway village to Machu Picchu. On the way, visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, followed by a stop at a local house in the village’s cobblestoned old town and visit with the family living there. In the afternoon, visit Machu Picchu, where you’ll meet your Local Experts for a guided visit in small groups. They will take you through the ruins and explain their historical and archaeological significance, as well as the importance of their location. Set high in the Andes Mountains, it offers spectacular scenery and history, dating back to the 15th century. End your day with a relaxing dinner and drinks at your hotel.
	Visits: Machu Picchu
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Inkaterra Forest, Machu Picchu
Day 9	Machu Picchu at Leisure
	Take in the breathtaking landscapes of Machu Picchu for a second time. Spend your morning exploring at your own pace, with your Travel Director on hand to answer any queries you may have. The afternoon is yours at leisure. Relax back at your hotel or perhaps explore the town of Aguas Calientes on your own. Spend the evening as you please before sitting down to a Highlight Dinner with your fellow travelers.
	Visits: Machu Picchu
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Inkaterra Forest, Machu Picchu
Day 10	On to Cusco
	After breakfast, return by train to Ollantaytambo, where you will transfer to the ancient city of Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco showcases a mix of Spanish colonial architecture, ancient remains and a lively cosmopolitan scene for modern inhabitants. On arrival in Cusco, head out on a walking tour with a Local Expert. Visit its cathedral and the Korikancha temple, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The evening is yours at leisure. Ask your Travel Director for local restaurant and bar recommendations.
	Visits: Cusco
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
Day 11	Exploring Cusco
	Start your day with a walking tour of Sacsayhuaman, a citadel built in the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the ninth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco. Afterward, choose to join a local expert on a guided hike of the Inca ruins at Puca Pucara. Alternatively you can explore the artisan bohemian neighborhood of San Blas and visit the prestigious art galleries. After lunch at Pachapapa, visit San Blas Church and the surrounding streets, before making your way to San Pedro Market, where you will find local produce. Later, make your way to the city’s planetarium, for a private, after-hours tour. Learn about astronomy, cosmology, and its influence on Andean culture. While here, try some local delicacies paired with hot wine.
	Visits: Cusco
	Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
	Accommodation: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
Day 12	Leisure time in Cusco Relaxed Start
	Choose the optional visit to the ChocoMuseo, where you’ll learn more about the chocolate making process, or perhaps relax and simply enjoy the facilities at your hotel? Set in a beautiful 16th century building, make the most of this boutique hotel’s signature spa and Andean-inspired healing treatments, massages, facials and custom spa packages. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable Celebration Dinner at Calle del Medio, where you will toast to your adventures and end of your trip.
	Visits: Cusco
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
Day 13	Depart Cusco
	It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Take a private transfer to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.
	Visits: Cusco
	Meals: Breakfast

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Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin
Child: ages 5 to 17