DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
PLEASE NOTE: THIS OVERLAND CAN OPERATE FROM CALLAO OR SALAVERRY. THE DESCRIPTION BELOW REPRESENTS THE “QUICKEST” WAY TO SEE MACHU PICCHU, HOWEVER A VARIETY OF OTHER OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE, INCLUDING A FULL-DAY EXCURSION TO THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS AND AN OVERNIGHT AT MACHU PICCHU, DEPENDING ON THE CRUISE ITINERARY.

When National Geographic expeditionary archaeologist Hiram Bingham first glimpsed the ruined citadel of Machu Picchu (or “old mountain”) at noon on July 24th 1911, he wrote “I was left truly breathless.” It is perhaps because so many tourists today experience the same feeling as they view what are probably the most spectacularly situated ruins in the world, that Machu Picchu was recently voted one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Located 120 kilometers (74 miles) northwest of Cusco, and only accessible by train, this site is for many the main reason to make the pilgrimage to Peru. After Bingham first “discovered” the citadel, it would take a further three expeditions backed by the National Geographic Society and Yale University to unveil the most amazing archaeological site ever found intact in South America in its full splendor. Nearly 100 years later, research at this incredible site continues in the hope of shedding more light on the secrets buried for 400 years in the “Lost City of the Incas.” This 2-night overland offers the chance to see what are perhaps the most famous ruins in the world, along with a stop in the beautiful city of Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire.

DAY 1 - Callao to Cusco
In the morning, you will be transferred to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the mighty Inca Empire (flight time approximately 1hour 15minutes). The remainder of the morning is left free to relax and acclimatize, as you are now at an altitude of 3400 meters (11 thousand feet). We recommend minimal activity and the local remedy of coca tea (which is in plentiful supply) for those who are susceptible.

This afternoon, enjoy a city tour which includes the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo, a Dominican church and convent built upon the foundations of the Koricancha, or the “place of gold,” the Incas’ principal religious building dedicated to the worship of the sun.

After seeing the sights of the ancient city, your visit will take you to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a true testimonial to Incan architectural skills. Compiled of massive stones (one weighs 125 tons!) you are challenged to try to slip a piece of paper through the cracks between these blocks, cut and fitted together with incredible precision without a single drop of mortar to hold them in place. This ancient fortress (where the greatest battle between the Spanish and Incas took place) overlooks the red-tiled roofs of Cusco and the breathtaking countryside surrounding the city. Also visit Qenqo (“The Labyrinth”), an Incan shrine dedicated to Pachamama (“Mother Earth”), and the small fortress of Puka Pukara.

Dinner today will be served at the Restaurant in the Pre-Columbian Art Museum. This building was originally an Inca ceremonial court around 1450 AD before becoming the mansion of the Spanish conqueror Alonso Diaz in 1580 and in 1850 the mansion of the Earl of Cabrera. In June 2003 it was restored and turned into Cusco’s Pre-Columbian Art Museum. This extraordinary historic monument is home to the only museum in Peru dedicated to the art of ancient Peruvian cultures.

Overnight at the breathtaking Hotel Monasterio: originally built in 1592 on the site of the Inca Amaru Kuala Palace, the building was a monastery up until 1995, when it was converted an Orient Express hotel.

DAY 2 - Cusco to Machu Picchu to Cusco
This morning, you will be transferred to the Poroy train station to board the autorailcar bound for Machu Picchu, where a late morning arrival gives you time to begin your explorations of this breathtaking Incan citadel.

Accompanied by your guide, explore the city's ruins, and feel its pulse as you visualize the lives of the priests, craftsmen, and servants who inhabited this seemingly uninhabitable citadel. Excavations at the site have revealed skeletons, artifacts and woolen clothing, but no gold. The same precision of assembled stones exists here as in other Incan sites.

Overlooking the raging Urubamba River and discovered in a hidden tangle of vines and trees atop the mountain, the city of Machu Picchu will forever hold its secret of its destruction - the Incas left no written record. Enjoy lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge and continue your visit of this incredible monument in the afternoon before returning to Cusco by train.

Overnight at the Hotel Monasterio.

DAY 3 - Cusco to Callao
The morning is at leisure to relax at your hotel prior to transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. On arrival in the capital you will be transferred to the pier or assisted to connect with your onward flight.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Recently voted one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu may be the most spectacularly situated ruins in the world. Fly to the beautiful city of Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire, where you spend the night and explore its own wonders. Machu Picchu is accessible only by train, and from Cusco you travel through Peruvian countryside to the mountain where these amazing ruins sit perched above the raging Urubamba River. This unforgettable day ends with another night in Cusco before your return flight.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
DAY 1
00:00 - 00:15 Drive from Pier to Airport
00:15 - 02:00 Check-in and boarding formalities at Lima Airport; Bathrooms available
02:00 - 02:15 Flight to Cusco; Bathrooms available
02:15 - 02:45 Arrival procedures at Cusco aiport; Bathrooms available
02:45 - 03:15 Drive from Cusco airport to hotel
03:15 - 06:35 Time for relaxation and lunch at hotel; Bathrooms available
06:35 - 10:05 Afternoon sightseeing tour of Cusco and nearby ruins; Bathrooms available at some points
10:05 - Return to hotel for dinner at Pre-Columbian Art Museum (located across square from hotel) and overnight

DAY 2
00:00 - 00:20 Drive from hotel to Poroy Station
00:20 - 00:45 Boarding formalities at Poroy Station; Bathrooms available
00:45 - 03:35 Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes; Bathrooms available
03:35 - 03:50 Arrival procedures at Aguas Calientes Station; Bathrooms available
03:50 - 04:15 Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Ruins
04:15 - 06:30 Guided tour of Machu Picchu; Bathrooms available
06:30 - 07:30 Lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge; Bathrooms available
07:30 - 08:30 Further time to explore the ruins; Bathrooms available
08:30 - 08:55 Return bus to Aguas Calientes
08:55 - 09:30 Boarding formalities at Aguas Calientes Station; Bathrooms available
09:30 - 12:30 Return Vistadome train service to Poroy Station; Bathrooms available
12:30 - 12:45 Arrival procedures at Poroy Station; Bathrooms available
12:45 - 13:05 Drive from Poroy to hotel for overnight

DAY 3
00:00 - 00:30 Drive to Cusco airport
00:30 - 01:40 Check-in and boarding formalities at Lima Airport; Bathrooms available
01:40 - 02:55 Return flight to Lima
02:55 - Drive to pier or connect with onward flight (typically to Trujillo/Guayaquil for northbound itineraries or Chilean airports for southbound itineraries)

Approximate duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- This overland involves tours and walking at altitude in Cusco (11,152 feet above sea level) and Machu Picchu (7,710 feet above sea level) and a minimum level of fitness is required
- Hotel Monasterio subject to availability and advance booking
- Many sites visited on this tour, including Machu Picchu, are not equipped for wheelchairs
- Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect-repellent are recommended
- The chronological order of this tour is subject to change
- Activity level is Moderate

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