International Expeditions - World Leader in Nature Travel

A visit to Machu Picchu, the grandest of all the Inca sites, must stand out as a highlight of anyone’s travels. It has the most dramatic of settings, atop an Andean mountain surrounded by other peaks. For all its extent — Machu Picchu has some 200 structures, along with brilliant stone masonry — it was almost forgotten until its rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. On our extension you have ample time to explore Machu Picchu, staying in the superb Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, with nature trails that are worth the journey in their own right. But there is a great deal more to see, and we’ve included a variety of experiences in the great city of Cusco and in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This extension is the perfect complement to your Amazon journey.

Day 1
IQUITOS / LIMA
Fly to Lima and transfer to our hotel for the night. (Meals Aloft)

Day 2
LIMA / CUSCO / URUBAMBA VALLEY
This morning, we fly to Cusco — the heart of the Inca Empire and the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and leave for the historic Urubamba Valley. Along the way, we stop at the Chincheros Indian Market to browse and shop for the best of Andean handicrafts. We enjoy lunch in the Urubamba Valley, and drive into the mountains to visit the remote Willoq community, virtually unchanged in its social structure, dress and language from pre-Inca times. We spend tonight at the Sonesta Posada Yucay. (B,L,D)

Day 3
MACHU PICCHU
This morning we explore the mighty archaeological wonder of Ollantaytambo, where ancient temples and fortresses were built to protect the Sacred Valley. We take a short ride to the Ollanta train station, where we board the train to Machu Picchu. A bus takes us up the mountain to Machu Picchu. We spend the afternoon exploring the ruins with our guide before returning to the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 4
MACHU PICCHU
We may spend this morning back at the ruins or exploring the grounds of the hotel and visiting the extensive orchid garden. The hotel grounds are home to a variety of exquisite birds, including 16 species of hummingbirds and the cock-of-the-rock — the national bird of Peru. This afternoon, we take a train to Cusco where, upon arrival, we transfer to the Hotel Libertador. We enjoy a nice dinner and relax for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 5
CUSCO / SACSAYHUAMAN
After breakfast, we set out by bus and ascend the mountains surrounding Cusco where the Inca built Sacsayhuamán — a huge fortress of massive stones which zigzags across the side of the mountain. We also stop at the amphitheater of Kenko, a rare example of curvilinear construction in Inca architecture. We enjoy a guided tour of the city of Cusco and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the Hotel Libertador. (B,L,D)

Day 6
CUSCO LIMA
We return to Lima this morning. After a visit to one of Lima’s finest museums, we have the rest of the afternoon to relax. (B)

Day 7
LIMA / U.S.
This morning, we transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals Aloft)

B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner