☼  Highlights for Glories of Peru

★ Experience guided tours of the citadel at Machu Picchu and the Huaca Pucllana pyramid at Lima
★ Enjoy a demonstration of the making of a picaron – a delicious Peruvian dessert
★ View the astonishing ancient salt mines of Maras
★ Savor a wonderful evening at an authentic Peruvian restaurant
★ Stroll around the magnificent historical center of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire

  What’s Included for Glories of Peru 

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   ACCOMMODATION       6 nights of accommodation at highly rated, centrally located hotels.  All hotel taxes, porterage fees, and housekeeping tips are included.

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   TRANSPORTATION       Private airport transfer upon arrival.  A round trip flight between Lima and Cusco.  All transfers to and from airports and train stations.  A round trip train ride between Cusco area (Ollantaytambo) and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu).

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   MEALS      8 meals:  6 breakfasts, 2 dinners.

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   EXCURSIONS AND ENTRANCE FEES       Guided tours of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid in Lima and the Citadel at Machu Picchu, including entrance fees.  Semi-guided visit to the salt mines at Maras, including entrance fee.  Picaron-making demonstration from a local chef.  Optional tour of historical Lima and optional second visit to Machu Picchu (Visit to the main citadel of Machu Picchu is already included in tour).

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   TOUR LEADER       A Blue Onyx Tour Leader to handle all logistical aspects of the group, offer valuable information, and guide your group from start to finish.

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   Itinerary for Glories of Peru (8 days)

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DAY 1:  DEPART FOR LIMA
If you opted for the tour with included international flight, enjoy your voyage to Peru.  

DAY 2:  ARRIVAL IN LIMA
Arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport where a Blue Onyx Travel representative will meet you and direct you to your private transportation en route to your centrally located Lima hotel.  At 6 p.m., your tour group will meet in the lobby of the hotel with your Tour Leader where there will be a brief orientation, followed by a special welcome dinner at a wonderful local restaurant.  

  MEAL:  Dinner         ACCOMMODATION:  Hotel Lexus (2 nights)

DAY 3:   TOUR OF HUACA PUCLLANA, OPTIONAL WALKING TOUR OF LIMA, FREE TIME
Your group will meet in the lobby at 10 a.m. and then proceed to the Huaca Pucllana, a gargantuan ancient pyramid that was discovered midway through the 20th century.  The Huaca Pucllana was built by the people of Lima Culture, an ancient culture of central Peru which actually predates the Incas by over 1,000 years. 

After the tour, you’ll have time to roam around the charming Miraflores neighborhood, gaze at the cliffs overlooking the pacific ocean, or learn more about Peruvian history at a local museum.  Or, you have the option of taking a walking tour of the historic center of Lima, also known as the “Ciudad de los Reyes” (City of Kings).  Along the way, our guide will discuss the colonial history and architecture of this Unesco World Heritage Centre.  A full lunch is included. 

  MEAL:  Breakfast (and lunch, if one opts for the walking tour of central Lima)        

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Walking tour of central Lima, with round trip transportation and lunch ($55).

DAY 4:   FLIGHT TO CUSCO, TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES, TOUR OF MACHU PICCHU
Our group will catch an early flight to Cusco, after which we’ll proceed by private transfer to Ollantaytambo, a town that was conquered in the middle of the 15th century by Pachacuti, the ninth Sapa Inca of Cusco.  We’ll have about an hour and a half for sightseeing before catching the train to Aguas Calientes.  After hotel check-in, we’ll journey to Machu Picchu via local bus to enjoy our guided tour of this extraordinary Inca citadel.  Abandoned in the late 16th century following the Spanish conquest, Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham.  Our Local Expert will not only guide us through the most significant portions of the citadel (including the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, and the Temple of the Three Windows) but also educate us about the restoration of Machu Picchu.  With any luck we’ll be able to stand above the citadel just as the sun begins to set.

Many of our guests might be wondering why we visit Machu Picchu before visiting Cusco (most tour groups visit Cusco first).  The reason is very simple:  Machu Picchu has a much lower elevation than Cusco.  Aguas Calientes, the town near Machu Picchu where our hotel is, has an elevation of 6,700 feet.  Cusco has an elevation of  11,150 feet.  Going from sea level to 6,700 feet is far easier than going from sea level to 11,150 feet.  Going from sea level to 11,150 can cause altitude sickness in some people. 

Another way in which our tour is different from other tours of Peru is that we spend two nights at Aguas Calientes (near Machu Picchu).  This helps our guests in two ways.  First, it gives our guests more opportunities to see and explore Machu Picchu over multiple visits, if they choose to do so.  Second, it allows our guests a second full day to acclimate to an intermediate altitude before proceeding to the higher altitude of Cusco.

  MEAL:  Breakfast         ACCOMMODATION:  Hotel Andino (2 nights)  

DAY 5:  FREE TIME AT AGUAS CALIENTES OR OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS TO MACHU PICCHU
For individuals in our party  yearning for another visit to Machu Picchu, we’ve arranged optional journeys to the citadel in both the morning and the afternoon.  A robust hike to the Sun Gate might be in order.  Or how about an easy walk to the Inca Bridge?  For our more adventurous hikers, a climb to the top of Huayna Pichu (the iconic mountain behind the citadel) or to the top of Machu Picchu itself could provide a challenging yet rewarding adventure. 

For those in our group who don’t opt for additional time at Machu Picchu, there are many things to do in Aguas Calientes.  How about a refreshing soak in the local hot springs?  Or perhaps a hike to the lovely Jardines de Mandor, a local garden graced with waterfalls and a swimming hole.  

  MEAL:  Breakfast      

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: 
Visit to Machu Picchu, including timed entry ticket to Machu Picchu, and round-trip local bus transportation – $85. 

Visit to Machu Picchu, including entry ticket to Machu Picchu, special hike to top of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu, and round-trip local bus transportation – $105. 

DAY 6:  ONWARD TO CUSCO, FREE TIME
After catching our morning train to Ollantaytambo and private transfer to Cusco, the rest of the day is yours to delve into the local culture of this former capital of the Inca Empire.  Saunter through the beautiful Plaza de Armas, just a stone’s throw from our hotel.  Wander around the San Pedro Market.  Check out the Sacsayhuaman archaeological site.  Or visit the Qorikancha, an important Inca temple where Incan and Spanish styles intersect.

  MEAL:  Breakfast  ACCOMMODATION:    Hotel Monasterio San Pedro (2 nights)  

DAY 7:   PICARON-MAKING CLASS, SALT MINE AT MARAS, FAREWELL DINNER

In the early part of the day, a local dessert maker will teach us how to make a picaron, a sweet potato-based dough deep fried and drizzled with syrup.  Later, we’ll voyage to the astonishing Salineras de Maras, the location of an ancient salt mine.  After some free time and relaxation, we’ll enjoy our special farewell dinner at a celebrated local haunt.

  MEAL:  Breakfast, Dinner  

DAY 8:   RETURN TO LIMA
In the morning, we’ll provide you with a transfer to the airport where you can catch your included flight back to Lima.  From there, feel free to extend your stay or return to your final destination.

  MEAL:  Breakfast

 
   Optional Excursions for Highlights of Greece

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DAY 2: 

Optional Excursion #1:  Optional tour of central Lima with lunch.

Take a guided tour of historical Lima, ending with an authentic Peruvian lunch at a great local restaurant (Price: $35 per person).

DAY 4: 

Optional Excursion #2:  Additional visit to Machu Picchu.

An extended timed visit and guided tour of the main sites of Machu Picchu is already included.  But we recommend taking advantage of this opportunity to explore Machu Picchu more as there’s so much to see.  (Price: $85 per person for additional timed entry plus round-trip bus transportation between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.  $105 per person for additional timed entry, round-trip bus tranportation between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, and access to hike to the top of Machu Picchu (elevation over 10,000 feet).

*Please note that optional excursions are reserved and paid for on the first day of the tour.

 
   Dates & Prices for Glories of Peru

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June 6 – 13, 2023 (Tues – Tues)  Tour Only                                                              $999                          Book Now

June 6 – 13, 2023 (Tues – Tues)   Tour with International Flight              $1729                        Book Now
(only from the following cities:  New York City, Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami, Washington DC, Boston, and Atlanta)

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   What to Expect for Glories of Peru

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  The Weather

The weather with regard to this tour tends to be somewhat mild.  In Lima, you can expect highs in the 70’s and lows in the 60’s.  Sunshine alternates with cloudiness.  Rainfall is occasional.

In the Cusco/Machu Picchu area, it tends to be somewhat sunny with occasional clouds and rain showers throughout the year.   Highs are usually in the 50’s and lows are in the 20’s or 30’s.  It is recommended that you bring a jacket.  

We advise our guests to bring sunscreen and an umbrella with them on this tour.

  Bugs and Pests

Although Lima and Cusco don’t have a serious pest problem, Machu Picchu does.  We recommend wearing long pants to Machu Picchu.  We also recommend that you bring insect repellent.

  Physical Activity of Tour

On a scale of 1 to 10, the level of physical activity of this tour is 7, which is moderate.  Some days will incur a great deal of walking, and there will be some steep stairs to ascend, such as on the slopes of Machu Picchu and other places.  

  Potential Issues

We urge our guests to use common sense on our tours.  Be wary of strangers offering you something or trying to sell you something.  Keep guard of your important belongings, such as purse, wallet, keys, and cell phone.  Pickpocketing is a problem in Lima.  A common scam that occurs is where one person will walk up to you, pretending to ask directions, while his or her partner in crime will slip past you from another direction entirely, casually taking your wallet or cell phone.  Be aware of your belongings at all times.

We will be going from sea level to nearly 7,000 feet on day 3.  Although altitude sickness is uncommon with this amount of ascent, if you’re concerned about altitude sickness, we recommend taking the following steps:  Drink lots of water, eat carb-heavy food, walk more slowly than you normally would, and bring altitude sickness medicine with you.

  What to Bring

We urge our guests to pack light.  As previously stated under our Terms and Conditions, all of our guests are allowed one carry-on measuring 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9) and a personal item, such as a laptop bag or purse.  We strongly recommend bringing travel size toiletries.  We recommend bringing sunscreen, insect repellent, and an umbrella.

  Journeys Between Destinations

All journeys on this tour will be two hours or less.

  Your Hotels

We strive to book hotels that are centrally located, highly rated, and close to major attractions.   The service level of this tour is Standard, which means that the hotels are upmarket, in the 3 and 4 star range, and usually include a full breakfast.

    Your Restaurants

We strive to treat our guests to lunches and dinners at restaurants with interesting settings and this tour is no exception to that concept.

Currency Exchange and Credit Card Usage

The Tour Leader will be able to tell you where to exchange currency and there will usually be a place to do so within walking distance of your hotel.  Most major banks will be able to exchange any currency that you have brought with you, for a small fee.

In most countries (Peru included), a very good exchange rate can be obtained by simply withdrawing money from a standard bank ATM using your debit card (not to be confused with your credit card).  You can also get a good exchange rate at casas de cambio and banks.

Fake money is a problem in Peru and we recommend avoiding any other venue for exchanging money outside casas de cambio, banks, and your hotels.

  The Tour Leader

All of our Tour Leaders must undergo a rigorous training course designed to help them handle not only the ups and downs of a tour group situation, but also the disparate personalities that they might encounter.  All of our Tour Leaders are thoroughly background checked and must adhere to a strict code of conduct at all times.  You can rest assured that we are placing you with a Tour Leader who has your best interests at heart.

★★★★★
“Manuel did a great job of keeping things running smoothly.  My husband and I were nervous, having never been this far from home before and Manuel put our minds at ease.  And all of the sights were stunning.  Cusco was lovely.  An unforgettable adventure.” 

-Linette, San Diego, CA

★★★★★
“The guides (there were two of them) went above and beyond, even helping me solve an issue I was having with my iPhone.  Regarding the tour itself, I had been looking forward to visiting Machu Picchu my entire life and the walking tour of it could not have been handled better.  The walking tour ended prior to sunset, which gave my wife and I a chance to experience Machu Picchu at its most glorious.  The tour was great, no complaints at all.”

-John, Niles, OH  

★★★★
“The tour was fun but I would have liked a little more time to relax at the beginning.  Nevertheless, I knew it was a fast-paced one-week tour going in.  Maybe add a day to the itinerary?  Having said this, the tour was well-run and I got to see everything I wanted and more.  Machu Picchu and Maras (salt mines) were extraordinary.  The hotels were good, especially the one in Cusco.  Manuel is a very good leader and kept everything on time.”

-Linda, Fort Collins, CO