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HEART OF THE INCA WORLD:
CUZCO-MACHU PICCHU ADVENTURE
 

Weekly Departures Year-Round

(Also arranged as an extension for other trips)

T R I P  B A C K G R O U N D

Some of the most spectacular ruins in the world are found in the Andes of Peru. This eight day cultural and soft adventure expedition focuses on Cuzco, its neighboring villages and markets, and on Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.

In Cuzco, archaeological capital of South America and the cradle of Inca civilization, you’ll wander along narrow, cobblestone streets lined with Spanish colonial buildings built on Inca foundations. (You may even enjoy a listening or participatory seminar on Andean Music and/or meet with an Andean Mystical Healer, a “curandero”, who will demonstrate several fascinating methods of curing ill patients!) Next explore the incomparable Lost City of Machu Picchu, perched atop a mountain ridge in the Vilcabamba range, above the Urubamba River gorge. This wonder was “lost” until American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911.

Your trip will be enhanced by two very scenic, low-intensity adventures (elective but included): whitewater rafting down the Urubamba River (class 2-3 rapids); and bicycling or horseback riding near picturesque Andean villages and Inca ruins. You may even decide to go hot air ballooning over the Sacred Valley (optional).

Ask about an extension to the Galapagos Islands, Lake Titicaca, Trujillo/Chiclayo (Lord of Sipan), Nazca and/or the Amazon!

You may also enjoy an optional lecture (surcharge). Sample topics are listed below. Delivered by a regional specialist, this lecture(s) would supplement the information you receive from your top-notch guide. Some lectures may not be available on certain departures.

– Overview of Peruvian History
– Inca architecture and archaeology
– Amazonian flora and fauna
– Paso horses
– Gemology and the Lord of Sipan
– Natural healing in the Amazon
– The Nazca culture
– Mummies of the Andes
– Peruvian cuisine

I T I N E R A R Y

Note: We will gladly customize an itinerary to meet your preferences.

Depart for Lima, arriving in the evening. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel.

Hotel Melia (5 stars) or Country Club Lima (surcharge)

Short morning flight to Cuzco, the fascinating center of the Inca Empire, rich in archaeology and Spanish colonial heritage. According to legend, Cuzco was founded in 1200 B.C. by Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, who emerged from Lake Titicaca at the command of their father, the sun. You’ll enjoy a private historical tour of Cuzco, passing through narrow cobblestone streets and visiting the nearby Inca ruins of Tambomachay, situated in the rolling hills above Cuzco. You’ll also visit the mysterious carved rock Kenko shrine and the massive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, with its zigzagging walls of precise stonework. Optional supplemental lecture. Hotel Libertador or Monasterio (B)

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OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY IN CUZCO:

Today you may choose one of three activities. Your first option is to enjoy an educational meeting with an Andean Mystical Healer, a “curandero”, who will discuss and demonstrate several fascinating methods of curing ill patients. Second, you may take a listening or participatory seminar on Andean music at the local musical institute (novices welcome!). Your third option is to enjoy a tour of the excellent Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Free afternoon to explore Cuzco’s art district of San Blas. Libertador or Hotel Monasterio (B)
Note: We can also arrange hands-on educational seminars on traditional mask making, ceramics, Mendivil sculptures and/or painting.
Surcharge for additional day: $200 per person (Hotel Libertador)/$300 per person (Hotel Monasterio)

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In the morning, you’ll enjoy an exciting, scenic, and low-intensity whitewater rafting trip down the Urubamba River (class 2-3 rapids). You'll pass by picturesque Andean villages and Inca ruins, enjoying the backdrop of the snow-capped Andes. Note: We can arrange a cultural excursion if you would prefer not to do the rafting.

After lunch at a good restaurant, you will visit Ollantaytambo, a very impressive mountainside fortress and supply station that was successfully defended by Manco Inca against Hernando Pizarro in 1536. Inca terraces around the fortified city are still used by today’s inhabitants to grow crops. Hotel Sol y Luna (B, L, D)

Your day begins with a drive to Awanacancha to observe traditional Andean weaving and to see the four types of camel-related Andean animals – llamas, guancos, alpacas and vicunas. You will then visit the colorful market and ruins at Pisac, an Indian village in the Urubamba Valley, or Sacred Valley of the Incas. Many of the wealthiest Inca families had their country estates in this area — their first experimentation with private property.

You’ll then be driven to the town of Maras, where you will mount gentle horses or mountain bikes and begin your very easy ride to the photogenic salt ponds of Salinas, enjoying lovely views of impressive Andean peaks. (You may be driven instead if you prefer.) You’ll also observe many cactus plants and the occasional eagle. The approximately 3,000 mountainside salt ponds at Salinas date back to the early Incas, and current residents of Maras still trade the salt at nearby markets. After exploring the salt ponds, you may continue another 30 minutes on foot (downhill) to the town of Pichingoto or be picked up by car.

Your day concludes with a visit to a special ceramics workshop that uses pre-Columbian methods to produce beautiful clay artifacts.

Hotel Sol y Luna 4 stars (B,L,D)

Note: If you prefer not to do either horseback riding or biking, then you can instead enjoy a driving tour of Maras and/or the ruins of Moray, where the Incas built an outdoor agricultural laboratory to study how crops fared under different microclimates.

Note: The Pisac Market is only open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, so the itinerary may need to be rearranged to accommodate this.

Morning train ride to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas and one of the most intriguing remnants of civili zation in the world. This well preserved city of stone homes, temples and an elaborate system of agricultural terraces, discovered by Prof. Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911, was unknown to the Spanish during the Conquest four centuries earlier. You’ll have ample time for on-site lectures and personal exploration during your two-day stay, including an optional hike up Huayna Picchu. Overnight on day 5 at Inkaterra Machu Picchu or Sanctuary Lodge (B,L,D) We have included the second park entrance ticket for day 6. Return by train to Poroy on the afternoon of day 6. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel in Cuzco.

Hotel Libertador or Monasterio (B-2,L-2,D-1)

Note: Depending on the latest airline schedule, it may be possible to fly back to the US late in the evening of Day 7 if you prefer.

Land Cost Includes:
o All elective "soft" adventures (hiking, rafting, bicycling, horseback riding)
o Accommodations for 7 nights (primarily in deluxe hotels)
o Private touring with bilingual guides
o 13 meals
o All transfers and land transportation
o Entrance/park fees

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS EXTENSION

Nature Expeditions International also offers 4 and 7-night cruises to the Galapagos Islands which explore the island's unique wildlife and rich natural history. To receive detailed itineraries of our cruise options,
please call (800) 869-0639 or e-mail us at info@naturexp.com

GENERAL INFORMATION

Trip Grade: Easy. All included adventures are elective and low intensity. They include nature walks, bicycling, rafting, horseback riding and exploring ruins on foot. Except for optional hikes at Machu Picchu, physical activities are not rigorous. Travelers may substitute cultural excursions for soft adventures. There may be occasions when discomfort arises from the elements, cultural differences, travel over rough roads, early morning departures, lodging, high altitudes or time schedule changes.

Land Cost Includes: All vehicle transportation and transfers as stated in the itinerary; accommodations for 7 nights primarily in deluxe hotels (based on double occupancy); 13 meals (as indicated); entrance/park fees; private touring with bilingual guides; service and handling charges.

Land Cost Does Not Include: Airfares (quoted separately); excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; laundry, passports or visas, personal insurance, other personal items; airport departure taxes.

Accommodations: Accommodations are based on double occupancy, primarily in deluxe hotels. If traveling alone, there will be a single supplement charge.

Climate: The seasons in Peru are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. The weather in Peru, however, is affected by a variety of climatic factors including altitude, ocean currents, wind patterns and seasonal variations. In general, Cuzco and Machu Picchu are usually clear and sunny from April through October, while Lima may be covered by fog. Highland temperatures generally range from 30 to 80 degrees, depending upon sunshine and the season. Because this trip travels to a variety of physical environments, be prepared for changing weather patterns and a wide variation in temperature.

Reservations and Payments: A deposit of $400 with the completed reservation form will ensure you a place on this trip. Departures are guaranteed with a minimum of two travelers. Final payment of the land cost is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds: The initial deposit for the trip is refundable up to 90 days before departure, less a $200 handling fee. Any cancellation occurring between 60 and 89 days will result in a cancellation penalty of $400 (the full deposit) based on nonrecoverable deposits and expenses. Any cancellation occurring between 30 and 59 days will result in a cancellation penalty of 50% of the trip cost. Unless a suitable replacement can be found, there will be no refunds for any cancellation within 29 days of departure. There are no refunds for any unused meals, accommodations or other trip activities. In certain cases, the cancellation policies of NEI's subcontractors will supersede NEI's policy.

Insurance: Trip cancellation, accident and baggage insurance are recommended and will be offered to all participants. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised; this will protect you in the case of cancellation due to personal or family illness.

Responsibility: Nature Expeditions International is responsible for conducting this trip as outlined in the published itinerary. It reserves the right, however, to cancel the trip should it become affected by conditions beyond the company’s control. In such an event, NEI will return all monies paid to it by the affected participants as full and final settlement.

NEI also reserves the right to substitute other lodging during the trip or to change the tour leader(s), itinerary, or travel arrangements if the staff believes it is in the best interest of all participants. In addition, NEI may decline to accept or retain any member or prospective member of an announced trip. Full refund for the unused portion of the trip will be paid to the affected participant in such an event.

Airline Clause: All arrangements for airline transportation are made by the respective airlines, which companies shall not have or incur any responsibility or liability to any person taking a trip except their liability as common carriers. Nor shall such carriers be or be held responsible for any act, omission, or event occurring after the passenger has disembarked from the conveyance. The usual passage contract in use by the carrier, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between said carrier and the passenger. All rates are based on tariffs currently or those tariffs to be placed in effect and are subject to adjustment in the event of changes therein. The air transportation services of any IATA/ARC member may be used.