Peru Family Adventure

Transcription

1 Peru Family Adventure Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights Start: Lima Finish: Lima Price From: $7,295pp (based on 4 people) Request your date for exact pricing. Designed by Veronika Macas From an early age, travel tantalized Veronika s senses, and she continues to engage all of her senses when on the road. When she s not skiing and cycling, she s drinking in the views of the Remarkables in Queenstown NZ, finding the freshest feta in Greece, or enjoying the fragrance of lavender in Provence. Find her on the Champs-Elysees at the Arc de Triumph corner snapping photos of Le Tour the last week of July. This is one of our Private Ready-to-Book trips. Think of B&R s Ready-to-Book collection of carefully crafted itineraries as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer. These trips showcase the essential highlights of each destination, and because they are set to go, booking your private trip couldn t be easier. Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip, customizing your experience to match your interests and tastes. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations Butterfield & Robinson Inc

2 Your Journey You will discover the Incan capital of Cusco, take in colonial Spanish art and architecture throughout the valley, and of course, explore ancient Incan sites from the fantastic ruins of Pisac to the magnificent Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. Along the way, encounter traditional masters of craft: from Peruvian hat makers to tile makers and charming fabric weavers. Day 1 Arrival in Lima Arrive at the Jorge Chavez International Airport; typically international flights arrive in the late evening. You ll be met by your driver and taken to the Miraflores Park Hotel for the evening and a well-deserved rest. HOTEL Miraflores Park Hotel Set in one of Lima s most fashionable areas, the Miraflores Park Hotel takes you straight to the heart of all that's best about this great capital city. Renowned for its beautiful garden location beside the Pacific Ocean, it has breathtaking views out to sea. Colonial architecture, superb museums with Inca gold and Pre- Columbian antiquities, and glamorous shops, bars and restaurants are all just moments from the hotel. Day 2 Cusco and the Sacred Valley In the morning you will be met at the hotel and driven to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Once in Cusco you will be welcomed by your guide, who will join you for the 90 minute drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Valley is located 500 metres lower than Cusco City, allowing a gentle acclimatization process to the increasing altitude. We will enjoy lunch at a charming, yet simple restaurant in Yucay village. Your guide and transportation will be available during the afternoon if you want to begin exploring the area - a drive to Urubamba to experience Valley town daily life would be an excellent start! Later, you will be driven to a local hacienda that has belonged to the same family for hundreds of years. Here you will participate in pachamama, a traditional offer to mother earth. A local musician will help you get in touch with the spirit of the Andes. A la carte dinner is included at Wayra restaurant. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Activity: 2 km (1.3 mi.) of walking and visits to small villages.

3 Day 3 Horse Riding at Maras and Moray Spend the morning on horseback and experience for yourself why the Peruvian Paso horses are named one of the smoothest rides in the world. If you d prefer, go by foot and hike the trail, both experiences are amazing! Your route will take you through Andean villages bordered by the Sacred Valley s snow-covered mountain peaks. For lunch, we re treated with a charming picnic lunch at a very special location. Afterwards you ll visit the famous Maras salt ponds where local people have been harvesting and processing salt for more than 1,000 years. Finally, you will be driven back to the hotel. Dinner takes place at Huacatay restaurant. Of course there are plenty of activities available in the Sacred Valley so just ask your trip designer if you would prefer to incorporate some of the following: Hiking Fly Fishing River Rafting Mountain Biking Via Ferrata Rock Climbing Yoga and Paddle Boarding Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Activity: Several options including horseback riding, hiking or mountain biking. Day 4 Andean Community- Sacred Valley This morning your guide will take you to visit the authentic Quechua Andean Community. After a warm welcome, the community members will invite you to participate in their daily activities, giving you the opportunity to try your hand at different crafts. Knitting and agriculture are two of the most important skills performed by this community dating back to pre-columbian times, so you will have the chance to walk through the field crops, learning about native products, and the various plants used to dye their textiles. Afterwards, a delicious and exotic Watia will be enjoyed before departing for Pisac Archeological site. A la carte dinner is included at Paca Paca restaurant in Urubamba. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Activity: Approximately 2 hours of village walking.

4 HOTEL Sol Y Luna Sol y Luna blends Old World charm with the tranquility of the Sacred Valley. Our hosts, Marie-Helene and Franz, have made Peru their home since the early 1990s. The stylish bungalow-style cottages on this intimate property are all thoughtfully decorated with local ceramics and indigenous woods. The hotel is surrounded by lovely gardens and features a fully equipped spa. Day 5 The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Early in the morning you ll depart from the hotel to the Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. This rail journey is one of the most spectacular in the world as it follows the Urubamba River through the Canyon of Vilcantota to the Lost City of the Incas. Our train will stop in the jungle for us to venture onto the Inca Trail with our expert guide. After crossing the Vilcanota River you will visit the preserved Inca site, Chachabamba and then follow the trail to an impressive archaeological site called "Wiñay Wayna." Observing the masterful Inca engineering used to create these structures is a highlight of the trail and sure to amaze you. The site features a series of Inca baths that help pressurize water for agricultural irrigation and the city s food production. Before continuing towards "Inti Punku" you can stop for lunch and let the first views of Machu Picchu astound you. A quick descent along the wide royal Inca road takes you to Machu Picchu s gate. The afternoon, when most people have left the area, is a nice time to relax and observe the citadel. At this time of day the sunlight allows you to appreciate one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a special way. When your day inside the Lost City has ended, you will take a 25-minute bus to Aguas Calientes, where a five-minute walk separates you from the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner Activity: A 13 km (8.10 mi.) walk which takes approximately 6-7 hours. The maximum altitude point is 2,650m (8,600 ft). HOTEL Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is located in the town s outskirts. This is a quite unique property, which not only has a beautiful infrastructure built in harmony with nature, but amazing jungle-like gardens where you will find orchids, tea plantations, exotic birds (especially hummingbirds) and other charming surprises. This hotel is the perfect way to enjoy the full Machu Picchu experience.

5 Please Note: Inca Trail passes are not guaranteed. We will need your passport information several months in advance to reserve your pass and will notify you once it has been secured. Day 6 Machu Picchu to Cusco The Incas worshiped nature and built many of their structures in harmony with the dramatic landscape. In the morning you ll board a bus to Machu Picchu where you ll begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel, which will take approximately two to three hours. Then, at your own pace, explore the ruins and take in the spectacular views of the valleys and mountains surrounding you. If you are feeling adventurous you can even hike Huayna Picchu Mountain (limited spaces available, please advise if you would like to book this in advance). Lunch is included at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary lodge. After this visit, board the bus to Aguas Calientes, and catch your train to Ollantaytambo where a private transport will take you back to Cusco. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Activity: 2 hours of walking through the Machu Picchu Site. Day 7 Cusco This morning we will begin with a visit to the busy and colourful central market, which features everything from fruits and vegetables to healing herbs. Later, we will drive to Sacsayhuaman, which was the ruling palace of the Inca and contained a temple where the living god directed his people. The Europeans called it a fortress due to the immense stone pieces that were used in its construction but the Incas designed it as a depiction of a puma s head. In fact, Saesayhuaman literally means decorated head of the Puma. Oral tradition claims that around 70,000 people worked on the palace for 50 years. Later in the morning, your guide will take you to the Chocolate Museum to make your own chocolate and learn about the production process of the cacao, from the seed to the chocolate. Like its coffee, Peruvian cacao has been recently named one of the best organic cacaos in the world. During the early afternoon you will have the chance to visit a local musician s house for a music demo using the most amazing and exotic native instruments. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Activity: Approximately 2 hours of urban walking.

6 HOTEL La Casona This historic colonial manor house (perhaps the first Spanish construction in Cusco) is centrally located on an ancient Incan settlement near Cusco s present-day main square. Eleven spacious suites surround a sumptuous courtyard, where the patina of time is tastefully preserved. Contemporary amenities create the ambience of comfort and exclusivity enjoyed by guests of the hotel. Day 8 Farewells You ll journey back to the Cusco airport today to catch your flight to Lima. Depending on your flight home you may need to spend an extra night in Lima. Meals: Breakfast

7 The Details Pricing From: 4 travellers - $7,295 Start: Lima Finish: Lima Best time to visit: March to December LEVEL OF ACTIVITY This trip is rated Recreational. Our daily walks range in distance from 4 to 10 km (2.5 to 6 mi.), on cobbled city streets, grassy terraced hillsides and along the winding footpaths of Machu Picchu. We travel throughout the Sacred Valley at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,200 m (5,000 to 11,000 ft.). Apart from one challenging walk around Machu Picchu, it s moderate going. You may find, however, that the effect of the altitude will make the walks require more effort than they would at lower elevations. Expect some uneven stairs on our hikes in the ruins as well as some sheer drop offs in places. WHAT S INCLUDED All hotel accommodation (Ocean View Junior Suite at Miraflores, Casita Deluxe at Sol Y Luna, Superior Deluxe at Inkaterra, Suite Balcony at La Casona) Domestic Flights All transfers in private vehicles Meals as indicated with wine (as selected by B&R) Entrance fees to all sites Detailed maps, route suggestions and water bottle All special events and private tours All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off All baggage transportation All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service WHAT S NOT INCLUDED International flights Cancellation insurance Items of a personal nature Gratuity for your guide(s) Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations. All pricing in U.S. dollars Butterfield & Robinson Inc.

8 About our Private Trip Collection The ready-to-book trips in our Private Trip Collection offer all the hallmarks B&R s known for great hotels, unparalleled immersion and unforgettable experiences with the flexibility of going on your own schedule and with your own travel companions. Think of these trips as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer: simply pick your dates, back your bags, and go. How it Works 1. Get Inspired. Go to to browse our Private Trip Collection and find a flavour of adventure that suits your palate. 2. Get in Touch. Found a trip that s caught your eye? Call our Private Travel Advisors at Just give them a few details about your group and your preferred dates, and they ll spring into action. 3. Have it Tailored. Our ready-to-book Private Trips are designed to be enjoyed off-the-rack, but there is room for minor adjustments to fit the trip to your needs. Looking for something totally customized? One of our expert Private Trip Designers will take on your request and tailormake a Bespoke trip for you from scratch. 4. Pack your Prada. Once the date and the price is finalized, we ll take care of the rest, confirming hotels, finalizing events and mobilizing our expertly trained local partners. All you have to do is prepare to be transported 5. Bon Voyage! Next Steps READY TO BOOK? Contact us at or bespoke@butterfield.com with any remaining questions, or consult your travel professional. Note that a $500 deposit is required in order to reserve dates. After you ve booked, you will receive a confirmation package containing detailed information to help you prepare for your trip.