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Machu Picchu, hiking, biking, and rafting the sacred valley, touring the ancient city of Cuzco, and kayaking the world's highest navigable lake
Discover Peru
Peru boasts one of the most spectacular ruins in the world — Machu Picchu — reason enough to journey to this incredible country. But Peru offers so much more to the adventurous traveler. After meeting in Lima, we travel to the continent's oldest continually inhabited city, Cuzco, with its narrow, lively streets and foundations of original Inca stonework. From there we bike, raft, hike, and journey by train through the Sacred Valley towards Machu Picchu, sampling largely unknown ruins, markets, and Andean life along the way.
Several hiking options to and near Machu Picchu afford us incredible views of the ruins and nearby mountains and rivers before we spend a day touring the site. After a day back in Cuzco to shop at the market and visit a small volunteer project in a nearby town, we fly to the southern edge of the country. Here we'll kayak Lake Titicaca at just over 12,500 feet, to Isla Taquile—an island with no roads or cars, and electricity in only a few solar-powered buildings—to experience another side of this diverse country.
Days 1-2, Lima and Cuzco Meet in Lima and overnight in the vibrant Miraflores section of the city • Short scenic flight over the Andes to the ancient Inca city of Cuzco • Explore nearby ruins on foot or by horse • Enjoy Cuzco's cuisine, combining Andean specialties with modern tastes
Days 3-6, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley Bike to the unique Inca site of Moray and the incredible salt pans of Maras • Raft the Class III Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley • Tour the ruins of Ollantaytambo • Hike the Royal Inca trail to Machu Picchu or other equally spectacular trails • Half day tour of Machu Picchu
Days 7-10, Kayaking Lake Titicaca Train back to Cuzco, flight to Puno • Kayak across Lake Titicaca to Isla Taquile • Hike and explore the traditional culture of Isla Taquile • Visit the floating islands of Uros • Fly back to Lima and onward home • Note that because return flights to the United States are usually overnight flights, you will arrive back home on day 11 of the trip.
Alternative option: Anyone who wishes to see Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, but without the time to include Lake Titicaca and Isla Taquile, may depart the trip with a flight back from Cuzco to Lima on Day 7 and an international flight overnight or the next day.
Lodging highlights
In Lima our home for the night is La Hacienda Hotel, a modern hotel situated just a few blocks from the lively center of Miraflores, with its shops, nightspots, and sidewalk cafes.
Casa San Blas in Cuzco’s artisan district, is our home in Cuzco. The San Blas provides easy access to the main square and is in the heart of this ancient, vibrant city, but is situated on a quiet street. All rooms have private hot water bath.
In Ollantaytambo we stay at the Pakaritampu Hotel, set in a stunning location on the edge of town. It is a five minute walk from the train station, and a ten minute walk from both the ruins and the town plaza. The hotel consists of several different buildings set amid landscaped grounds; the main lodge building has a restaurant, common room, bar, and fireplace which makes an excellent area to congregate, or relax alone. All rooms have private bath.
In Aguas Calientes we stay at the Hanaq Pacha Inn Hotel, located in town between the Urubamba River and the railroad tracks. It is a short walk from shops, restaurants, the bus to Machu Picchu, and the train to and from Cuzco. All rooms have private bath.
In Llachon and Taquile we overnight at guesthouses; local families have added rooms either to existing houses or in buildings adjacent to their houses. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and basic. They are not heated, but the beds have plenty of thick wool blankets. Bathrooms are shared and adjacent to the rooms, with running water, but no showers. In Llachon, the rooms have electricity, while in Taquile, most buildings do not have electricity and rooms are lit by candles. In both cases rooms, are separate enough from the home to provide privacy, but close enough to see and experience the details of daily life.
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