Highlights of Peru

All the "must-visit" sites of the center of the Incan empire-including one night at the famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu. You'll also tour Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and have a free day to enjoy Cusco at your own pace.

This program is our suggestion of a customized itinerary that includes the important sites of Peru. It uses group tours where available, such as the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, and private tours in other areas. The itinerary can be modified to include all private tours, or to add additional days or tours, such as a visit to the Amazon in either country. We have priced this trip using 3 star hotels, as well as a 4-5 star option. 

2009 Departure dates: Daily, year round--Special rates apply for Mondays, Thursdays or Saturdays, which allow for a group visit to the Pisac market and Ollantaytambo.

2009 rates for 3 star/moderate hotels: (such as the Faraona Grand in Lima, Plaza de Armas or Casa Andina in Cusco, Pakaritampu in Ollataytambo, Andina Luxury in Machu Picchu-or similar)

Mon, Thu or Sat departures:

• $1400 per person double occupancy

Departures other days, or for private tour to Pisac market and Ollantaytambo (Day 4):

• $1485 per person double occupancy

2009 rates for 4-5 star/deluxe hotels:(such as the Casa Andina Private Collection in Lima, Libertador in Cusco, Sol y Luna or Casa Andina Private Collection in Urubamba, El Pueblo or Sumaq in Machu Picchu-or similar)

Mon, Thu or Sat departures:

• $2095 per person double occupancy

Departures other days, or for private tour to Pisac market and Ollantaytambo (Day 4):

• $2180 per person double occupancy

Single & Triple rates, and upgrades to private Cusco & Machu Picchu tours available on request

Note: This tour is a suggested, customized itinerary that is very flexible. We can make changes in hotels, excursions and destinations to suit your travel dates, style and budget. Itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1: Travel to Lima. You will need to clear customs and immigration before exiting the airport. Our local representative will meet you outside, and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2: Breakfast is included at your hotel. Today you will enjoy a half-day private tour of the city of Lima, including a visit to the Archaeological Museum (closed Mondays. A visit to the Larco Herrera museum will be substituted) (B)

Day 3: You will be met and transferred to the airport for your flights to Cusco. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You have some free time to rest and acclimatize to the 11,600' elevation. Later this afternoon, you will have a group tour of the highlights of the city of Cusco, and several of the surrounding archaeological sites. Remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

Day 4: Today you will have a full day group tour to the Sacred Valley (Group tours operate Sunday, Tuesday & Thursdays. Private tours will be substituted on other days). First, explore the Pisac market, with its bright stalls full of local textiles and other handicrafts. Continue through the valley to a local hacienda for lunch. In the afternoon, tour the ruins of Ollantaytambo. You will be dropped off at your selected hotel, where you will spend the night. (B, L)

Day 5: You will be transferred by local taxi to the train station at Ollantaytambo, where you will meet the tourist train as it travels from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Meet your guide on board. Transfer to ruins + entrance fee + guided tour + lunch are all included. Be sure to note the time for the last bus down to Aguas Calientes, which is usually around 5:00 PM. Spend the night in this town, conveniently located to restaurants & the bus stop for Machu Picchu, and the train station back to Cusco. Dinner is included for stays at the hotel el Pueblo or Sumaq (deluxe option). (B, L)

Day 6: Entrance fee to ruins, transportation and breakfast are included to use at your leisure. Late afternoon return by train to Cusco. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you stay for the next two nights. (B)

Day 7: Day at leisure to enjoy the markets, shops, restaurants and museums of Cusco. (B)

Day 8: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your return flights to Lima. On arrival in Lima, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure. Optional tours can be arranged on request . Or you may wish to explore the suburb areas of Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro. (B)

Day 9: You will be transferred to the airport for your return flights to the US. (B)

Trip Notes:

• Specific hotels, or private tours may be substituted at applicable costs at client request
• Alternate hotels in similar price range may be substituted based on availability
• Airline tickets for flights Lima-Cusco-Lima are required for this itinerary, and are not included in the above prices. Rates currently range from approximately $360-$375 round-trip. We will confirm your space on these flights, and the exact price once you place a deposit on your trip.
• This trip begins and ends in Lima, Peru, which can be reach by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines.
• Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted international airfares from most US cities, local airpasses, and complete land packages through-out Latin America. Peru offers excellent Amazon rainforest, and also combines well with a trip to the Galapagos Islands in nearby Ecuador.
• For a more extensive Peru program that also includes all of our “Highlights of Peru”, plus the recently uncovered Royal Tomb of Sipan, other archaeological sites near Chiclayo and Trujillo, and the famed Nazca lines, request our “Insider’s Peru” itinerary.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Note Special restrictions apply to Peru departures:

Note: A change in travel dates is considered a cancellation

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.