Peru

• It all starts today on your amazing Peru group travel trip! Today you’ll arrive in Cusco in the morning upon which you’ll be taken to Ollantaytambo, our home base for the next three nights. The Sacred Valley is located at a high altitude (9,000+ feet above sea level) so we’ll take it easy for the rest of today as we get acclimated to the elevation change.

• Taking it easy involves getting to know your fellow trip mates, of course, so we’ll kick off the bonding process with our first group dinner over Peruvian food. Note: Peruvian food is delicious – you’ve officially been warned.

Daily Inclusions:

• Lodging: B&B in Ollantaytambo (double occupancy)
• Transportation: Private airport transfer from CUZ to B&B in Ollantaytambo
• Meals: Dinner

• We’ll be picked up at our hotel in the morning and head towards the cute town of Chinchero. Chinchero offers a wonderful display of Inca architecture, ruins and megalithic carved rocks. Next we’ll head to the fascinating display of terraces in Moray. Moray, made by the Incas, boasts three amphitheater-like terraces which are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape, thought to be used to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops. Then we’ll head to the salt mines of Maras, a village known as a former salt-producing center, thought to date back to pre-Inca times. There are over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountain side, being filled daily by a little stream of water. It’s truly an impressive site (check out the picture). After taking an (insane) amount of pictures we’ll head back to town and grab lunch and have some free time to explore the town of Ollantaytambo a bit further.

• There’s nothing “official” planned tonight but relaxing at a local bar seems like a lovely idea.

Daily Inclusions:

• Lodging: B&B in Ollantaytambo (double occupancy)
• Meals: Breakfast
• Transportation: Private transportation during the tour
• Activities: Tours of Moray, Maras and Chinchero
• Other: Entrance fees to all sites visited

• Today we’ll explore the Sacred Valley region a bit more. The Sacred Valley was a key area of settlement to the Incas; it’s a combination of agreeable climate and fertile plains bestowing an unusual abundance for the high Andes. After breakfast we’ll start our day in our own backyard by exploring Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is a town of important Inca construction built during the Inca’s heydays (in the ruins you’ll find an amazing rock formation representing the Inca god Wiracocha – it’s pretty cool). After some light hiking we’ll get picked up and head towards a famous point known as El Mirador (Lookout Point) where you can see the entire Sacred Valley and learn about the Incas’ history. We’ll then proceed to the ruins of Pisac where we’ll learn about different aspects of Inca culture, after which we’ll then visit the town of Pisac (and the famous Pisac market). Lastly, after lunch, we’ll drive along the Urubamba River to a local community for a fascinating textile presentation complete with the communities’ local alpaca residents. Yes, alpaca selfies are encouraged.

• What better way to conclude an amazing day of Inca exploration than another delicious dinner? That was rhetorical. Group dinner numero 3. Good stuff.

Daily Inclusions:

• Lodging: B&B in Ollantaytambo (double occupancy)
• Meals: Breakfast
• Activities: Tours of Pisac and Ollantaytambo
• Transportation: Private transportation all day
• Other: Entrance fees to all sites visited

• This morning we’ll take it easy and rest up a bit as we prep for our afternoon departure to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. We’ll head to the train station and board the train which will take us to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. The train ride is a special, fun experience with large windows that allow you to appreciate the incredible scenery as we follow the Urubamba River.
  Simply put, you’re going to love this ride!

• Tonight, in Aguas Calientes, grab some din and take it easy before an early night’s rest (as tomorrow will be an early day, but well worth it).

Daily Inclusions:

• Meals: Breakfast
• Lodging: 3* hotel in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
• Transportation: Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

• How often can you wake up and say “I’m about to see one of the New Seven Wonders of the world”. Well, that’s about to happen today as we hit up Machu Picchu! Our day starts early as we attempt to beat the crowds at Machu Picchu, the citadel of the Inca Empire, hidden away high in the mountains. This once-great fortress was built in the 15th century and abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. You’ll have the morning to explore this amazing site with fellow group mates as you wish – selfie taking is highly encouraged.

• The day was long, but beyond rewarding, and there’s no better way to wind down than over a chill night. For the record, Cusco is a fun and lively city so those of you who can’t wait to hit the night scene until tomorrow will find yourselves venturing out at night.

Daily Inclusions:

• Lodging: 3* hotel in Cusco (double occupancy)
• Meals: Breakfast
• Activities: Machu Picchu
• Transportation: Round trip bus to/from Machu Picchu, train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
• Other: Machu Picchu entrance fee

• Today is a free day to spend as you wish in Cusco. You could explore the famous Cathedral of Cusco, take in the local cuisine via the San Pedro market or a cooking class, or explore the art scene and the many artisan shops featuring paintings, local goods and crafts! Or, if you want a more lively adventure, you could go ATVing in the beautiful Cusco countryside or paragliding over the Sacred Valley. Decisions, decisions.

• This evening we’ll meet back up for some dinner and a night out in this fun city. Pisco shots anyone?

Daily Inclusions:

• Lodging: 3* hotel in Cusco (double occupancy)
• Meals: Breakfast

Optional Excursions:

• Paragliding: $150
• Cooking class: $70
• ATVing: $130

You can read more about the optional excursions here.

• Today we’ll take on the most difficult (but of course most rewarding) hike of the trip – the stunning Rainbow Mountain! We’ll start our day very early and drive to the base of Vinicunca (as the Rainbow Mountain is known locally) where we’ll embark on the hike that will take us over a valley, across snow topped mountains and finally to a point 17,000 feet above sea level where you’ll witness the multi-colored mountain top! We’ll take in all the stunning views before making our way back down to the base and the drive back to Cusco.

• After arriving back in Cusco you’ll have some free time this afternoon to do last minute souvenir shopping or rest after the epic hike earlier.

• Tonight we’ll end our trip in Peru properly. First, a farewell group dinner with Peruvian food. After dinner our night continues as we’ll head out to a beautiful bar, called the Pisco museum, with a menu full of uniquely infused Pisco liqueurs and great live music! But, let’s be honest, our night won’t end there – Cusco’s nightlife is oh-so-fun.

Daily Inclusions:

• Lodging: 3* hotel in Cusco (double occupancy)
• Activities: Rainbow Mountain hike
• Transportation: Private transportation to/from Rainbow Mountain from/to Cusco hotel
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Today, sadly, is your last on our Peru group travel trip for young professionals. While you will be going home today the experience on the trip and friendships made will last a lifetime! You’re free to depart from Cusco at any time today.

Daily Inclusions:

• Meals: Breakfast
• Transportation: Transfer from hotel in Cusco to airport