Please forgive me for not writing sooner - I arrived home to a large exam and lots to catch up to. We want to thank you for arranging the most wonderf ... more Kimberly Wyszkowski
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 12 nights (3 nights in Lima, 3 nights in Cusco, 1 night in Machu Picchu, 2 nights in Santiago, and 3 nights in Easter Island), and 15 meals (12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 1 dinner).
Elevations: Cusco is 10,912 (above sea level), the Sacred Valley of the Incas is 8,944 feet, and Machu Picchu is 7,900 feet.
Machu Picchu and Easter Island
Our Machu Picchu and Easter Island Tour offers an opportunity to explore two of the most interesting archaeological sites in South America. The citadel of Machu Picchu served as a center of worship, an astronomic observatory, and a private hacienda for the Inca Pachacutec. It was recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Easter Island, located 2,200 miles west of Chile in the Pacific Ocean, is home to over 800 colossal Moai statues that stand up to 33 feet tall, and whose origin is still a mystery.
Customization: This tour can be customized to suit your requirements.
Activities: Cultural/historical sightseeing and hiking.
Day 1: Lima
Depart to Lima. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Lima.
Day 2: Lima/City Tour
In the afternoon, you will have a city tour of Lima. You will visit downtown Lima and see several examples of the Spanish architecture of the colonial period including the Plaza de Armas, the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and the Church of San Francisco and Catacombs. After that, you will see Huaca Huallamarca, a restored adobe pyramid dating from the pre-Inca period located in San Isidro. You will tour the upscale residential and commercial district of Miraflores and see the Parque del Amor, a seaside park with a huge statue of a kissing couple, before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Lima. (B)
Day 3: Lima/Cusco/City Tour
Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Because of the high altitude (10,660 feet above sea level), we recommend that you rest for a short period. In the afternoon, you will have a city tour that includes a walk through of the Cathedral, the Koricancha ('site of gold'), typical streets, and the four ruins that surround the city: the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Kenko, Puca Pucara, and Tampumachay. Overnight in Cusco. (B)
Day 4: Cusco/Sacred Valley/Awanakancha/Pisac Market/Ollantaytambo
Today you will have a full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The tour begins at Awanakancha, a living museum of the Peruvian Andes, where you can observe traditional textile dyeing and weaving techniques and the four types of camelids that are native to the region. You will also visit the Indian artisan market in Pisac and have lunch at a local restaurant (included). The last stop is the impressive Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo that served as both a fortress and ceremonial center, and is the site of a short-lived victory by the Incas over the Spanish. Overnight in Cusco. (B,L)
Note: The Indian market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from October to March, and daily from April to September. On the days of the week that the market is not open, you will be taken to the Inca ruins above the village.
Day 5: Cusco/Machu Picchu
Morning transfer to the train station for the ride to Machu Picchu, 'the Lost City of the Incas' (7,900 ft.). This mountaintop citadel, which served as both a center of worship and an astronomic observatory, is located in the middle of the cloud forest overlooking the Urubamba River. There are both agricultural and urban areas constructed with the precision stonework that the Incas are known for. The agricultural area consists of terraces and food storehouses, and the urban area contains temples, squares, and royal tombs. Guided tour followed by lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. Free afternoon. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. (B,L)
Day 6: Machu Picchu/Cusco
This is a free day to explore Machu Picchu on your own. You may want to hike Huayna Picchu or enjoy another activity. Mid-afternoon, you will depart from Machu Picchu by train to Poroy Station in the Sacred Valley, and then be taken to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight in Cusco. (B)
Day 7: Cusco/Lima
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. You will have the afternoon free. Overnight in Lima. (B)
Day 8: Lima/Santiago
Early morning transfer for the airport for your flight to Santiago. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Santiago. (B)
Day 9: Santiago/City Tour/Folkloric Dinner Show
In the morning, you will have a panoramic city tour of Santiago, which will include Parque O'Higgins, Plaza de Armas (the city's historic center), Palacio de la Moneda, ex-National Congress, Mapocho Station Cultural Center, Santa Lucia Hill, the place of Santiago's founding in 1541,and the Bohemian district of Bellavista. In the evening, you will have a folkloric dinner show with typical Chilean dishes, dances, music, and costumes. Overnight in Santiago. (B,D)
Day 10: Santiago/Easter Island
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Easter Island. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Easter Island. (B)
Day 11: Easter Island/Rano Raraku/Anakena Beach
Full day excursion visiting the archaeological site of Akahanga and the quarry at Rano Raraku volcano, where all of the moai on the island were carved. You will see over 300 statues in various stages of completion, and one giant moai, 21 meters (69 ft.) tall. You will also visit Ahu Tongariki, the largest ahu (burial site), whose moai were re-erected after a tsunami flattened the statues, Ahu Te Pito Kura, site of the largest moai moved from the quarry, and the ahu Nau Nau at Anakena Beach. Picnic lunch at Anakena Beach. Overnight in Easter Island. (B,L)
Day 12: Easter Island/Orongo/Ahu Akivi
Morning visit to the Rano Kau extinct volcano crater (1.6 km in diameter), the ceremonial village of Orongo, which features the largest concentration of Petroglyphs on the island, with images of post-moai deity's, such as Tangata Manu (birdman), Make Make (the creator), and Komari, and then to Ahu Vinapu. After lunch (not included), the tour continues on to Ahu Akivi, site of the seven moais overlooking the sea, the Caves of Ana Tepahu, among the largest on the island, and Pun-a-Pau quarry, the sole source of red scoria that was used to carve the pukao (topknots) of some of the moia. Overnight in Easter Island. (B)
Day 13: Easter Island/Santiago
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Santiago and your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Machu Picchu and Easter Island
Single
Double
Triple
3 Star
$3,499
$2,269
$2,029
4 Star
$4,669
$3,349
$2,829
5 Star
$6,399
$4,159
$3,539
Deluxe
$8,579
$5,269
$3,849
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
Notes:
The above prices are valid until December 10, 2013.
Room upgrades and additional nights in each destination are available upon request.
Machu Picchu Pueblo, Hatuchay Tower, and Sanctuary Lodge accommodations include breakfast and dinner.
Upgrade to the Hiram Bingham train, which operates every day except Sunday, is available for $450 per person.
Oxygenated rooms are available at the Monasterio in Cusco for an additional $50 per room per day.
Christmas Season and High Season (from June to August) surcharges may apply.
Machu Picchu and Easter Island
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
Hotel accommodations including service fees and taxes.
Excursion to Machu Picchu via Vistadome train and other excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
The Price of This Tour Does Not Include
International airfare.
Domestic airfare within Peru and Chile.
Chilean reciprocity tax ($140).
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Gratuities, gifts, and personal items.
Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
