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Itinerary
Day 0: Lima
Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met by ROmanCE VOYAGES representatives and transfer to Lima Marriott Hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean and chic Miraflores district. Leisurely explore Lima in the evening.
Day 1: Lima
Spend the morning at Lima at your leisure enjoying the sights this wonderful city has to offer. To welcome you, we have a special evening planned at Casa Aliaga, the home of Don Jeronimo de Aliaga, a trusted and loyal lieutenant to Francisco Pizarro during the conquest of Peru. In honor of his loyalty, Pizarro awarded Aliaga an original huaca (Indian temple) which he transformed into this magnificent home in 1535, the same year Lima was founded. It is still owned and occupied by the seventeenth generation of the Aliaga family. The interiors are beautifully hand-crafted and original furnishings decorate every room. It is one of the finest and most perfectly preserved Spanish Colonial mansions in the Americas. We will have an exclusive tour of the mansion followed by a cocktail reception and gala dinner.
Day 2: Cuzco
Transfer from the Lima Marriott to Lima airport. ROmanCE VOYAGES will provide assistance to your flight to Cusco. Check into the famed Hotel Monasterio , operated by the 5-star Orient Express Hotels, upon arrival. The monastery was originally built on the site of the palace of Inca King Amaru Qhala. In 1598, it was founded as the Seminary of San Antonio Abad by the sixth Bishop of Cuzco to train Catholic priests. Today, it is a national historical landmark and has retained its character and charm. It is a splendid example of the colonial renaissance style.
Our day begins with a bit of leisure and time for adjustment to the altitude. Cusco is at a towering 11,300 feet. In the afternoon we will tour the city starting with the Santo Domingo Convent Monastery. This former colonial monastery was also the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. According to history, it was covered in gold and filled with golden statuary and religious articles. Other stops will include the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. After touring the best sights in Cusco we travel by luxury coach to the countryside outside Cusco to visit the most remarkable Inca ruins: the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, the Inca Baths of Tambomachay and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.
Day 3: Machu Picchu
On Wednesday we will transfer to Poroy Station and board the super-deluxe Hiram Bingham train, operated by the famed Orient Express.
You will be treated to a rail experience right out of an Agatha Christy novel for the descent through the Urabama Valley to the town of Aguas Calientes just below the citadel. The train is named after Sir Hiram Bingham who discovered Machu Picchu in 1911. The journey will take approximately three and a half hours, during which you will enjoy a first-class brunch while enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Andes.
From Aguas Calientes we board busses for a quick trip up to Machu Picchu, arriving at the summit around 1:00pm and check into the Sanctuary Lodge for one night. The Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located at the gates to Machu Picchu. An extensive, guided tour and plenty of free time ensures you get the best possible experience at Machu Picchu. Enjoy afternoon tea and dinner at the lodge before retiring for the evening. But, please, don't go to bed too early, the view of the ancient citadel by moonlight is an amazing experience.
Day 4: Cuzco
Wake up early for the amazing sunrise over the citadel then enjoy the balance of the morning at your leisure. We will board the Hiram Bingham and begin return to Cusco late in the afternoon.
Enjoy red carpet service onboard. Cocktails will be served while locals entertain. After cocktails, we retire to the elegant dining car for a 4-course gourmet dinner. The train ride alone will be an unforgettable experience.
We returning to Poroy station in Cusco and transfer back to the Hotel Monasterio.
Day 5: Urubamba Valley
On Friday, we travel by luxury coach to the Urubamba valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to visit the Inca temple fortress of Ollantaytambo. Scientists believe that construction began here well before the Incas. Mysteriously, building ceased and the site was abandoned just prior to the arrival of the Spanish. The granite was brought 2.5 miles from the quarry. The ancient Quechua stonemasons were so meticulous; you will find it impossible to insert a credit card in any of the amazing joins. After marveling at this magnificent fortress we will stroll the quaint streets of the present town. Traveling from town to Pisac, we will have a chance to bargain with the vendors at the famous handicraft market.
We will lunch at Casa Hacienda Orihuela, where the Orihuelas, a family of great art collectors, will be your hosts. The house has a vast collection of popular and colonial art, ceramics, paintings, weapons, photography, ceremonial vessels and
the ceramic bulls of Pucara.
In the afternoon, we return to Cusco spending the night at the Hotel Monasterio.
Day 6: Lima
Today we fly back to Lima and the Lima Marriott.
Our tour will include more of the colonial landmarks and monuments that earned the historic center of Lima inclusion in UNESCO's 'World Heritage' list. Starting with the Convento de los Descalzos, built in 1592, we pass through the historic district of Rimac, where we see the Paseo de Aguas and Alameda de los Descalzos, two of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial construction in Peru. Finally, we visit the San Francisco Monastery, an architectural masterpiece, and the renowned Gold Museum and its priceless collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts. Afterwards, we travel back to the Lima Marriot for a relaxed, quiet evening on your own.
Day 7: Lima
Awake refreshed and enjoy the complimentary breakfast. Coaches will transfer you to the airport for your return flights home from this fantastic place.
Join us for ROmanCE VOYAGES' Galapagos Adventure and get more than just a vacation. Our customers say that ROmanCE VOYAGES is the best vacation they have ever taken as a couple.
For more information click the ROmanCE VOYAGES link below and come back and book with us. Also, pricing for this cruise is $4,599 for double occupancy and $6,899 for single occupancy.
http://www.romancevoyages.com/default.aspx?page=voyages&v=MachuPicchu&ta= |
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| Tour Highlights |
Join ROmanCE Voyages for a Machu Picchu 7-night Deluxe Tour
May 10-17, 2009
Amenities
* Transfers from airport to hotel in Lima and Cuzco
*Welcome Dinner at Casa Aliaga with mansion tour including cocktails.
* 5-star Hotels as indicated J.W. Marriott Lima, Monasterio Cuzco, Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu.
* Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu.
* Full Day Excursion to Sacred Valley of Urubamaba and Pisac Market.
* Porterage at airport and hotels.
* All VAT taxes.
* Meals as indicated. (B,D,L)
* Tours with english speaking guides.
* Events as indicated in the itinerary.
* Attentive personal service, including an experienced Tour Manager.
Included:
Transfers mentioned on the program, guided tour, accommodation including breakfast daily and meals mentioned above, Cuzco tourist tax, tour to Machu Picchu includes: train fee, guided tour to the citadel, train journey to Machu Picchu, brunch, afternoon tea, cocktail dinner, water, coffee and tea, tour with entrance to Machu Picchu, round trip bus to the ruins, porterage at airport and hotel during transfers, VAT.
Not included:
International and domestic airfare, International (USD$ 28.24) and domestic (USD$ 5.04) departure taxes. Personal expenses such as laundry, beverages, phone call, internet access. |
May 10, 2009 - May 17, 2009
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