Trip Dates: October 1 -10, 2011
Oct 1: Depart home on own
Oct 2: Arrive on own to Lima airport; In Lima airport, make your way to the domestic airline terminal. Check-in on your own for your flight to Cuzco. Please allow at least two hours prior to departure for your check-in to the flight. Upon arrival into Cuzco, look for a representative of Andean Treks who will be holding a paddle with your names on it. You’ll be transferred to your hotel, Hotel Rumi Punku. The remainder of the day is open to explore Cuzco on own
Oct 3:
AM depart for the Sacred Valley for your private full day tour; Our first stop is to visit Awana Kancha Llama Reserve; afterward, we travel to Pisac and explore the fortified ruins above the town. Following lunch we visit the Pisac Market; Picnic lunch is included; transfer to Hanaq Pacha retreat center (booked directly by group) Dinner is on own tonight
Oct 4 Full day at retreat center doing service and orphanage visits with group
October 5: A day of private Sacred Valley touring: We will visit the small village of Izcuchaca and visit a traditional inside market for a look at the local produce and products. Continuing on to the Moonstone and the site of Quillarumiyoc. We will continue on to visit Moray terraces and Maras Salt mines. Hike down on foot through the salt flats to the river below and enjoy a picnic lunch. The views are stunning on this hike down and the glimpses of the workers on the salt mines and the different methods of mining and caring for the plots which have been used since Inca Times are very interesting. Travel to Ollantaytambo and tour the fortified site and ruins, ending at the sun temple. Lunch included in a local restaurant; return to the Hanaq Pacha retreat center for overnight. Dinner on own tonight
Add on to Machu Picchu:
October 6:
Early AM Transfer to Ollanta station for your train to Machu Picchu, board the 7:05AM Vistadome 301 train to Aguas Calientes; Arrive mid-morning into the station. Check-in to your hotel; Shuttle bus up to the ruins with your guide and group. Explore the sanctuary with your guide and group; There is optional time open to wander and explore on own; Buffet lunch is included at the Sanctuary Lodge; Machu Picchu closes at 5:00PM; Depart via shuttle bus to the town below. Visit the thermal baths if you would like and enjoy time in Aguas Calientes; Overnight in the Hotel Presidente; 1 night standard room; Dinner is on own tonight
October 7: Your morning is open to explore Machu Picchu on own; Second day entrance tickets and shuttle bus tickets are not included; You may even want to explore the town and its surroundings this morning; Depart on the train this afternoon to Ollanta station; Station reception; Transfer to Hanaq Pacha retreat center. Lunch & dinner on own today
October 8: Open day at Hanaq Pacha retreat, Optional Orphanage visit
October 9: We will pick you up this morning and transfer you back to Cuzco; our stop this morning is the Saqsayhuaman fortress and ruins; we will visit the site extensively and explore the entire area. Picnic lunch included today; after lunch we will travel to Cuzco and your hotel. Hotel Rumi Punku, 1 night Open afternoon to explore Cuzco and its museums; Dinner on own tonight. Transfer to hotel
October 10: Transfer to airport for flight TBA to Lima; on own in Lima; you can also store your luggage at Lima airport ($4 per bag) and take a taxi to LarcoMar or similar for a farewell dinner on own; return to airport via taxi and check in for flight on AA departing late evening.