There is nothing quite like seeing the peaks surrounding Machu Picchu in the early morning light. The mystery of these ruins cannot be appreciated in a few hours or even in a day. On this itinerary, you spend three days and two nights at Machu Picchu. You have time to find hidden structures and gardens, hike to adjacent ruins, and have quiet time, alone, in the early morning and late afternoons (the day-tour visitors swarm in and out between ten and two!).
Your adventure begins in Lima with a morning visit to the extensive pre-Columbian collection in the new Museo de la Nacion. After a short tour of Lima, you enjoy an elegant buffet lunch at the beachfront restaurant Costa Verde. Later you visit the spectacular collection of Incan art and artifacts at the Museo de Oro. Then on to Cuzco, fabled capital of the Incas, where you explore ancient ruins, sample local foods, and listen to the music of the high Andes.
You wander through the beautiful and fertile Urubamba Valley where you can see local farmers working the fields along the river or on mountainsides so steep that "falling off the farm" is an agricultural risk. High protein crops of quinoa an amaranth, corn, wheat, oats, barley, cabbages and carrots, along with many varieties of potatoes, are the staples. Fuzzy pigs, cows, chickens, sheep, and goats are tended by children while their parents work the fields by hand, with oxen or mules, and even with tractors.
You visit the colorful native market at Chinchero and explore the ruins at Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Weather permitting, you travel to the remote village of Huilloc, high above the Urubamba Valley where daily life is little changed since the time of Incas.
You go to Machu Picchu on a rail journey that ranks as one of the world's most spectacular. The narrow-gauge track runs down a steep and narrow canyon following the Vilcanota River as it races wildly through gigantic boulders on its way to the Amazon and 5000 miles to the Atlantic. Flowers line the twisting route and you sometimes get a glimpse of snow-capped peaks far above you. At Pte. Ruinas you transfer to a small bus for an exciting 20-minute ride up to Machu Picchu, hidden 1,500 feet above the river. On arrival you fly out of the bus and into the ruins for the first of three glorious days. Later you retrace your steps to Cuzco before flying on to Ecuador to join up with other Inca Floaters on the 11-Day Galapagos Adventure.
DAY 1
Arrive in Lima, Peru where an Inca Floats' agent will transfer you to a hotel in the Miraflores District.
DAY 2
Full day in Lima with guided city tour and visits to the Museo de la Nacion and Gold Museum.
DAY 3
Fly to Cuzco (el. 11,400 ft) in the early morning, than have a walking tour of Cuzco. Dinner is at a restaurant specializing in Andean food and music. Overnight at Hotel Libertador.
DAY 4
Tour the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Quenco and Tambo Machay en route to Pisac ruins in the Urubamba Valley (el. 9170 ft). Overnight at a country inn.
DAY 5
In the morning visit Chincero Market (el. 12,00 ft), then tour the village and ruins of Ollantaytambo. Overnight at a country inn.
DAYS 6-8
Catch the early morning train to Machu Pinchu (el. 7,500 ft), where you will transfer to Hotel Machu Pinchu Ruinas or Hotel Machu Picchu Pueblo for two nights. Your three days here give you ample time to hike with the guide, take inspiring photographs, and have private time to ponder the meaning of this site. Late on the last day here you return to Cuzco and transfer to Hotel Colon for overnight.
DAY 9
Transfer to a morning flight from Cuzco to Lima. If flight schedules permit, you may visit the Archaeological Museum and enjoy a light lunch in the Puebla Libra section of Lima before connecting to an afternoon flight to Quito, Ecuador. Transfer on arrival to Hotel Colon for overnight.
DAY 10
Morning tour of Quito. Afternoon free. Overnight at Hotel Colon. (This day is NOT included on Reina Silvia departures.)
DAYS 11-12
Fly to Galapagos where a licensed naturalist will meet you. During these two days, you explore the Santa Cruz highland rain forest, see giant tortoises, and investigate ancient lava tubes. You learn about Galapagos research and enjoy an overnight at charming Hotel Galapagos before boarding the yacht.
DAYS 12-19
You live aboard the yacht and, with the naturalist, learn about the birds and animals, geology, marine life, and oceanic systems as you explore the islands on daily shore visits. You can swim and snorkel with sea lions and even penguins! During the night the yacht travels on to the next islands. At the end of the week's cruising you board the midday return flight to Quito where you transfer to Hotel Colon for dinner and overnight.
DAY 20
Transfer to airport for your flight home.
ISLANDS YOU MAY VISIT
Baltra
Floreana
Hood
James
Mosquera
North Seymour
Rabida
Santa Cruz
Santa Fe
Tower