Highlights of the Andes JUNE 9-18, 2017
DAILY ITINERARY
are still in use, harvesting salt as it evaporates from shallow pools the Inca
Day 1 - Friday ARRIVE LIMA Fly
originally dug into a sloped hillside.
to Lima, Peru, the nation’s capital
Savor a taste of local life during a
and largest city, and overnight at the
cooking demonstration in a private
Swissotel.
home. (B,L,D)
Day 2 - Saturday LIMA / CUSCO /
Day 4 - Monday URUBAMABA
URUBAMBA VALLEY This morning,
VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU Wind our
fly to Cusco — the heart of the Inca
way into the mountains to visit the
Empire and the oldest continuously
remote Willoq community, virtually
inhabited city in the Western
unchanged in its dress, language and
Hemisphere. Descend immediately into
social structure from pre-Inca times.
the historic Urubamba Valley. Along
Board the train to Machu Picchu. Your
the way, we visit the Awanacancha
afternoon is free to take advantage of
Weaving Center, a community
activities around the Inkaterra Machu
program specializing in teaching
Picchu Pueblo Hotel.
traditional Andean art and textile making techniques. Continue to Pisac
If you wish to hike on the Inca Trail,
Market to browse and shop for the best
this is your opportunity! Enjoy a fully
handicrafts and alpaca sweaters. Spend
guided excursion on the historic Inca
the next two nights at the Inkaterra
Trail to Machu Picchu with lunch en
Hacienda Urubamba. (B,L,D)
route. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Sunday URUBAMABA VALLEY
Day 5 – Tuesday MACHU PICCHU
After a morning weaving demonstration,
Tour the ruins with our guide, who
continue to the famed salt pans near
points out the significance of the
Maras. These terraced Inca salt pans
stone structures, temples and plazas.
Willoq village children
This impressive ruin, hidden for 400 years by semi-tropical jungle, lies in a saddle with the peaks of Machu Picchu, “Old Mountain,” and Huayna Picchu, “Young Mountain” rising dramatically on either side. Our home for the next two nights is the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, an intimate luxury hotel nestled on 12 secluded acres of tropical cloud forest. (B,D) Day 6 – Wednesday MACHU PICCHU / OLLANTAYTAMBO / CUSCO You may
wake up early and hike to the Sun Gate or enjoy some early morning birding in the abundant gardens surrounding our hotel. Catch the train back to the Sacred Valley. Explore the fortress of