☼  Highlights for Inca Ultra Saver

★ Experience a fuly guided tour of the citadel at Machu Picchu, entrance fee included
★ Enjoy guided visits to the Inca sites of Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Maras, entrance fees included
★ Take advantage of optional extra time at Machu Picchu
★ 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 Inca Ultra Saver 

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

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   TRANSPORTATION       Private or semi-private airport transfer upon arrival in 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      6 meals:  5 breakfasts, 1 dinner.

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   EXCURSIONS AND ENTRANCE FEES       Guided tour of the Citadel at Machu Picchu, including entrance fee.  Guided visits to the salt mines at Maras, the concentric farming terraces at Moray, and the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo, including entrance fees.  Optional additional visit to Machu Picchu (Visit to the main citadel of Machu Picchu is already included in tour).  Visits to Pisac archaeological site and Humantay Lake.

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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 Inca Ultra Saver (7 days)

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DAY 1:  ARRIVAL IN CUSCO, TRANSFER TO OLLANTAYTAMBO, TOUR OF MACHU PICCHU

Arrive at Cusco International Airport in the early morning, where a Blue Onyx Travel representative will greet you.  Please note that you must be able to arrive at Cusco airport no later than 9 a.m. in order to avail yourself of our group shuttle to Ollantaytambo.  If you plan to arrive in Cusco later than 9 a.m., you will have to arrange your own transportation to the Ollantaytambo train station. 

After arriving in Ollantaytambo, a quaint town that used to be an Inca outpost, you’ll have a bit of time to relax before catching the train to Aguas Calientes.  After hotel check-in, you’ll journey to Machu Picchu via local bus to enjoy your 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.  Your Local Expert will not only guide you 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 you 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.

     ACCOMMODATION:  Hotel Encanto (2 nights)

DAY 2:   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 EXCURSION:  Visit to Machu Picchu, including 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 3:   GUIDED TOUR OF OLLANTAYTAMBO, ARRIVAL IN URUBAMBA

Today, you’ll depart Aguas Calientes for a special tour of Ollantaytambo, a town that was conquered in the middle of the 15th century by Pachacuti, the ninth Sapa Inca of Cusco.  Later you’ll arrive in charming Urubamba where you’ll have plenty of time to take in the rustic atmosphere, peruse the ceramics shops, or enjoy the local produce.

  MEAL:  Breakfast         ACCOMMODATION:  Quilla House – or similar (2 nights)  

DAY 4:  GUIDED VISITS TO MORAY AND MARAS
Today, two Inca sights which are sure to create an indelible impression on you.  Moray, with its otherworldly concentric rings of terraces, and Moray, with its pinkish rectangles of salt-infused land.  You’ll learn about the special history and significance of each locale before returning to Urubamba for more leisure time.  

  MEAL:  Breakfast 

DAY 5:  VISIT TO PISAC, WALKING TOUR OF CUSCO
On your way to Cusco, we’ll stop at Pisac, a large mountainside Inca complex, constructed under the direction of Pachacuti sometime in the 15th century.  Here, you’ll be able to explore at your own pace with some independent discovery.  

Later, you’ll arrive in glorious Cusco where you can take pleasure in a special guided tour of this once capital of the Inca Empire.  

The rest of the day is yours to continue your visit as you please.  Saunter through the beautiful Plaza de Armas, just a stone’s throw from our hotel.  Wander around the San Pedro Market.  Check out the spectacular Sacsayhuaman archaeological site (fee is included in the tour).  Or visit the Qorikancha, an important Inca temple where Incan and Spanish styles intersect.

  MEAL:  Breakfast           ACCOMMODATION:  Hotel Colquewasi (2 nights)  

DAY 6:   FREE TIME IN CUSCO OR HUMANTAY LAKE EXCURSION

No one could possibly blame you for wanting to have some leisure time after such an ambitious tour, but for those who are inclined to go forward with more sightseeing, there will be a hike to Humantay Lake, a turquoise body of water nestled in the Andes mountains that was thought to be a sacred Inca site.  Keep in mind that the hike to Humantay Lake is a fairly challenging one and you must be in good health to proceed.

At the end of your last full day on the tour, enjoy a special dinner on us.

  MEAL:  Breakfast, Dinner  

DAY 7:   END OF TOUR
The tour ends with the final hotel checkout.  We hope you enjoyed your tour of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.  Tupananchikama!

  MEAL:  Breakfast

 
   Optional Excursions for Inca Ultra Saver

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DAY 2: 

Optional Excursion #1:  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.  Or: $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).

DAY 6: 

Optional Excursion #2:  Hike to Humantay Lake

Humantay Lake at Salktanay Mountain with hike led by Tour Leader.  (Price: FREE).

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

 
   Dates & Prices for Inca Ultra Saver

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Nov. 10 – 16, 2022 (Thu – Wed)                       $759                         Book Now

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   What to Expect for Inca Ultra Saver

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  The Weather

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 Cusco doesn’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 high.  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.  

Although altitude sickness is uncommon on our tours of Peru, 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 Value, which means that the hotels are in the 2 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 venue for exchanging money outside of 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.

★★★★★
“!”

-Gillian, Kansas City, MO