Pre- or Post-Cruise Extension: Six Days
Five hundred years after its inhabitants disappeared, Machu Picchu is still a mystery.
High in the Andes mountains, one of the greatest Native American cultures once flourished: the civilization of the Incas, "Children of the Sun." These sophisticated people built extensive cities and roadways, formulated complex systems of religion and mathematics, and fashioned examples of gold- and stonework without equal in even the modern world. However, in the 16th Century their empire, already weakened by a civil war, met a sudden and violent end at the hands of ruthless Spanish adventurers armed with guns, horses, disease and the Incas' own belief in the strangers' divine origin. On this cruise extension you can explore one of the Incas' greatest legacies: the "Lost City" of Machu Picchu. Was it a ceremonial center, a garrison or a refuge for women and children? The stones still guard many of their secrets. This fascinating extension also includes a stop in Cuzco, once the capital of the Incan empire.
| Day 1 | ||
| Lima, Peru | ||
| We arrive in Lima and are met and transferred to our hotel, just outside the city in the fashionable suburb of Miraflores. This afternoon we explore colonial and modem Lima on a city tour which includes the fascinating Gold Museum. This evening we are free to dine as we please. | Miraflores Cesar's Hotel Breakfast | |
| Day 2 | ||
| Lima - Cuzco | ||
| After landing in Cuzco on a morning flight, we visit the Urubamba valley before lunch. A tour of the Ollantaytambo Fortress precedes our return to Cuzco, with stops en route to visit the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the Tambomachay Baths. | Libertador Hotel Breakfast, Lunch | |
| Day 3 | ||
| Cuzco - Machu Picchu | ||
| We board the autorailcar bound for Machu Picchu, where a late morning arrival gives us time to begin our explorations of this incredible Incan citadel. | Hotel Machu Picchu RuinasBreakfast, Lunch | |
| Day 4 | ||
| Machu Picchu - Cuzco | ||
| Machu Picchu at sunrise will inspire early risers, and after breakfast we have time on our own to walk through this "Lost City," whose spectacular situation and incredible workmanship impress us as it impressed archaeologist Hiram Bingham, who first stumbled onto this site in 1911. After lunch, we transfer back to the autorailcar for Cuzco. | Libertador Hotel Breakfast | |
| Day 5 | ||
| Cuzco - Lima | ||
| We return to Lima where those of us continuing on to the Amazon can connect with an onward flight to Iquitos or, for those of us ending our trip, we check into our day room and then have the day free in Lima before connecting with our outbound flight. | Miraflores Cesar's Hotel (day rooms) Breakfast | |
| Day 6 | ||
| USA or Canada | ||
| This morning we land in Miami, with outbound connections for our final destination in the USA or Canada. | ||
Tour Cost Per Person
| Land Arrangements | ||
| Double occupancy | $1190.00 | |
| Single supplement | $455.00 | |
| Internal Airfare: Lima/Cuzco/Lima (subject to change) | $217.00 | |
| Your land arrangements include: | ||
| All hotel accommodations | ||
| Meals as indicated in the itinerary | ||
| All sightseeing as shown | ||
| Services of local professional guides | ||
| Cuzco/Machu Picchu train ticket; airport transfers | ||
| Porterage of 2 bags per person | ||
| Not included are personal expenses such as beverages; laundry; travel insurance; excess baggage fees; communication charges; international airfares; meals or sightseeing not included in the itinerary; cost of obtaining passport or visas; gratuities to guides; airport departure taxes. | ||