Down to earth holidays

Description

This is an excellent adventure holiday which introduces you to the culture and heritage of modern and ancient Peru. Travel to the heart of the Inca empire!

In Cusco, high in the Andes, your brush with Incan culture begins. This is the historical capital of the Incan Empire. Even today you can see walls made of huge interlocking granite stones which were carved so precisely that no mortar was needed to keep them together. And many of the city's buildings are built on the foundations of Inca buildings, such as Korikancha and the cathedral. But you don't just come here for the fascinating past, you also come for the vibrant and colourful present. Cusco is a bit of a ‘mecca' for travellers, and is an exciting place to be. Enjoy the bars and restaurants, watch the Quechuan people go by in indigenous dress, and even bump into the odd llama. The shopping here is excellent too, so be warned!

About an hour's drive out of Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas was probably called this because of its great fertility. The Urubamba Valley (as it is officially known) was the bread basket of the area, and actually still is. You can still see people working the terraced hillsides which have been farmed like this for hundreds of years. It is a very scenic area with lots of small traditional villages such as Pisac, which has a not-to-be-missed market several times a week, and Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo was one of the Inca's last strongholds, and today it retains superbly preserved ruins.

But of course the main highlight of Incan heritage is the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. A shared tour of the ancient city will undoubtedly be one of the most unforgettable parts of your holiday. Arriving by train at the small town of Machu Picchu (formerly called Aguas Calientes) at the foot of the mountain on which Machu Picchu itself stands, you then take a zig-zag bus journey up to the ruins. Enjoy the spectacle of this magical set of ruins in this dramatic mountain landscape, explore the city with a guide to get all the history and hearsay, then come back and just wander around and soak up the magical atmosphere.

Your last stop is Lima. This is a busy modern city, but has an interesting historical quarter which is well worth exploring if you have the time. Miraflores with its mix of trendy bars and shops is a popular place to hang out and watch the world go by, before you return home.

Detailed Itinerary

1. DAY 1 (Thurs): Depart the UK on the day flight to Lima (if selected). You'll be met on arrival and taken to your hotel.
2. DAY 2 (Fri): This morning you will be driven back to the airport for the short flight to Cusco (approximately 1 hour). On arrival you'll be met and transferred to your hotel which is within easy walking distance of the centre of this lively and bustling city. We have left the rest of the day free, allowing you to do as much or as little as you like. If you just want to take it easy at the hotel that's fine. Alternatively you can indulge in our optional culinary tour and get your first true taste of Peru! B
3. DAY 3 (Sat): You have a free morning to relax, further explore Cusco or maybe go shopping. In the afternoon you'll join a tour of Cusco which will give you some insight into the history of this remarkable town and will take in the main sites within the town such as Korikancha (The Sun Temple) and the Cathedral, and the nearby Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuaman and Tambomachay. B
4. DAY 4(Sun): Head into the Sacred Valley! Join a tour of the Sacred Valley and visit some of its lovely villages, revel in the scenery - awe-inspiring mountain views, terraced hillsides and spectacular Inca ruins. Among today's highlights are Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The traditional town of Pisac is home to a lively market several days a week and particularly on a Sunday. It also has some wonderful ruins located above the town. Lunch is at a local restaurant. The day finishes at Ollantaytambo with its seriously impressive ruins. This is also an interesting little village in its own right and you will spend the next two nights at a small hotel here. B,L.
5. DAY 5 (Mon): We've left this day free, so you can choose how you'd like to spend your time. There is plenty to see and do if you want to walk around town or in the surrounding area. The hotel has lovely grounds, too, so you don't need to venture far to enjoy the mountain views. We've also arranged a choice of optional excursions you might like to try. One option is a weaving tour where you can watch the experts as they weave the traditional bright textiles that are so typical of the area. Perhaps buy some souvenirs or gifts for the folks back home. For the more active adrenalin junkies, white water rafting on the Urubamba River is surely an option not to be missed! B?
6. DAY 6 (Tues): To Machu Picchu! You board the train to the world famous site of Machu Picchu, 'the city in the clouds' and your opportunity to explore this ancient Inca city. Discovered as recently as 1911, Machu Picchu will not fail to impress. You will have a guided tour of the citadel to help you understand just what this magical place is all about. You overnight in Aguas Calientas, at the foot of Machu Picchu. B
7. DAY 7 (Wed): A free morning - you can spend more time soaking up the atmosphere of Machu Picchu and taking shots to impress your friends back home (a second visit to the ruins is optional and the entry price is therefore not included). In the afternoon you'll take the train back to Cusco and your hotel. Maybe enjoy a sundowner in the Plaza da Armas and then have dinner in one of the city's many restaurants. B
8. DAY 8 (Thurs): All day at leisure. What would you like to do? Maybe take in some more of the city sights, visit a museum or find a cafe and watch the world go by. There is an option to take our day trip to Chinchero village, the salt pans at Maras and the bizarre circles at Moray which are thought to be an ancient agricultural station. Or as another option you could do a day's mountain biking making the most of this spectacular mountain location. B
9. DAY 9 (Fri): After breakfast you'll be taken to the airport for the morning flight to Lima, to connect with your onward overnight flight back to the UK (if selected). Depending on the flight timings you may like to take the optional city tour of Lima. Alternatively you can extend your trip in which case you would be continuing from Cusco to connect with our Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, or Amazon extensions. B