Compare Taste of Peru and Machu Picchu Tour by The Table Less Traveled vs Peru with Machu Picchu 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 9 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 7,265 | $ 4,157 |
| Price Per Day | $ 807 | $ 416 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
9 Breakfast 9 Lunch 6 Dinner |
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| Description | Explore Incan treasures and colonial cities on an intimate tour through Peru. Your adventure starts in the majestic Sacred Valley, from which you explore Machu Picchu. You'll continue to the lively city of Cusco before ending in the capital, Lima. Your journey will intertwine traditional Peruvian meals like a "pachamanca" with creative cuisines at restaurants from Pellegrino's list of "The World's 50 Best Restaurants". You'll learn techniques to use local ingredients at home including quinoa, raw fish, and Peru's famous variety of potatoes. To work up your appetite we'll venture out to paddleboard on serene lakes and hike on mild terrain through the Andes mountains. Note: This tour does not include the intense Inca Trail hike and camping. Instead, we will be enjoying boutique hotels at night and we will take alternate transportation to reach Machu Picchu. We will have some "light" activity such as a 3-hour downhill walk on trails and optional paddleboarding. If you prefer more activity, we will also have the Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu hike as an option. | Feast on Peruvian delicacies in Lima, tour the ancient Korikancha temple in Cusco and adventure through the Ollantaytambo ruins of Machu Picchu, on this 10-Day exploration of Peru. Embark on a Private Planetarium Tour in Cusco and uncover the influence of astronomy on Andean culture. Join a Local Expert in Machu Picchu for a guided tour through the ancient ruins—set high in the Andes against breathtaking backdrops. Visit the salt pans of Maras in the Sacred Valley where the Incas used to harvest the mineral and visit with a local Quechua Weaver to learn their ancient weaving techinques in a private presentation. In Paracus, be sure to pause at the Pisco distillery to sample this tasty local aperitif. |
Friday, Day 1
Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco (CUZ) you will be met by your private driver for a beautiful 90-minute drive through the mountains to your lodge in the Sacred Valley. We begin our trip in the valley so you can spend some time acclimatizing to the altitude of the Andes Mountains. Our tour leader will meet you at the hotel lobby upon arrival to help with check in. After you book your tour we’ll help coordinate your international arrival, early check in if necessary, or extra nights accommodations if you’d like more time to acclimatize and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
12:30 PM
Welcome Meeting, Lunch, and Paso Fino Horse Show
Meet your tour leader and the rest of your group for the first time in the hotel lounge area near the pool. We will have a short introduction about what to expect over the duration of the trip. Then we will walk 5-minutes to the onsite restaurant where we will begin our introduction to Peruvian food with a multi-course lunch with traditional food from the Sacred Valley. During lunch you can also watch the Peruvian Paso Horse Show.
6:00 PM
Cooking Class
After a few hours of rest time, you’ll meet your group again to get behind the scenes and become a part of the action in the kitchen at the onsite restaurant. We’ll prepare a 3-course dinner led by our favorite chefs and dine in our creations. The class is about 2 hours so you have plenty of time to rest on your first night.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Saturday, Day 2
8:00 AM
Paddleboarding and Ruins Excursion
Prepare for a full day! We’ll give you a quick check list to make sure you have everything you need in your day pack before we head out from the resort. We’ll start with a visit to the local market and continue on to a nearby lake to try your hand at paddle boarding. We have certified swift-water trained guides so you’re in safe hands in case you need extra help or instruction.
We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch right by the lake, enjoying the serene surroundings of the mountains before we move on for a short walk around the Moray ruins. Finally, we’ll descend to the Maras Salt Mines where you’ll learn why these salt pans are so important to local families. We will return to our hotel approximately 5:00 PM.
7:30 PM
Dinner with Wine Pairings
Peru might not be known for the wines, but tonight you’ll have an opportunity to have some Peruvian and South American wines paired with a 7-course tasting menu. Sit back and relax and let your taste buds be dazzled!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sunday, Day 3
This is where the magic-makers of luggage logistics make your travel life easier! You will pack an overnight bag as the rest of your luggage is forwarded on to the following hotel so you don’t have to lug it all with you on our magical journey to Machu Picchu.
8:00 AM
Sacred Valley Leisure Hike
Throw on your hiking boots for a mild, two-hour, mostly downhill hike. During our casual stroll through the mountains our guide will stop for breaks to explain more about the local farming terraces we pass on our way down to the town of Ollantaytambo.
1:00 PM
Traditional Pachamanca Lunch
Experience a true “Earth-To-Table” meal as we participate in a pachamanca, a traditional Andean way of using hot stones buried in the earth to cook meats, vegetables, and seafood. After lunch we will board the Vistadome train towards Machu Picchu town, watching as the flora changes on our way to the highland rainforest.
After checking in to our rainforest hotel, we will have a relaxed dinner at the onsite restaurant in order to leave plenty of rest time before our full day!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Monday, Day 4
8:00 AM
Machu Picchu with a Private Guide
It’s finally here! Prepare for a day of exquisite views and spiritual connection as we take a bus from Machu Picchu town to the archeological site. There we will have a short introduction with our guide, and optional hikes at the site. After lunch we will have an in depth tour of the site with plenty of time to learn about the intricate details of the ruins and take plenty of photos.
Leisure Evening in Machu Picchu
Upon returning to the hotel in Machu Picchu, your dinner is included at the on site restaurant, which you can coordinate at your leisure. As such, you may want to schedule a spa service or take time for souvenir shopping in the small town.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tuesday, Day 5
10:30 AM
Train to Cusco
After a leisurely morning for resting or shopping in the market, we will take the train back to the Sacred Valley. There we will stop for lunch before visiting a local co-op where they produce and sell alpaca-wares. Meet some of these sweet and soft creatures while you learn how the yarn is made into incredibly warm garments. We will drive about 60 minutes further to the city of Cusco where we will check in to our boutique hotel.
Take a short walking tour of the city to get your bearings.
5:00 PM
Leisure Evening in Cusco
You’ll have the rest of the evening free at your leisure to explore the city and have dinner on your own. We’re happy to recommend restaurants and coordinate dinner reservations.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Wednesday, Day 6
8:00 AM
Cusco Ruins with Private Guide
Join our guide for an optional tour to the archeological ruins surrounding the city of Cusco. Or - sleep in and meet us in the hotel lobby for our next activity!
10:00 AM
Coffee Museum Tour + Tasting
Get your morning fix at the coffee museum where we will have an in depth lesson about the growth and production of organic coffee in Peru. We will continue on to a local home where Chef Mila will host us as she makes empanadas, causa, and a few other surprises.
4:00 PM
Market Tour + Cooking Class
Meet for a cooking class as we meander through the local market with a chef, learning about local ingredients, traditions, and customs. We’ll then head to a beautiful kitchen overlooking the city of Cusco and make our own Pisco Sours as we watch the sunset. We’ll finish off the evening learning the simple dishes that you will be able to replicate at home.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thursday, Day 7
8:00 AM
Flight to Lima
On the move again! We will depart Cusco on a 1.5 hour nonstop flight to Lima. Upon arrival we’ll go straight to lunch as the ‘magical luggage elves’ take care of handling the bags.
1:30 PM
Tasting Menu Lunch at Astrid y Gaston
Looking for an experience of a lifetime? We will have a luxurious, chef’s tasting menu at the world-renowned Astrid y Gaston restaurant in San Isidro. Chef Gaston Acurio has been an integral part of bringing Peruvian cuisine to the international community and you’ll have an opportunity to experience the dishes you’ve been trying throughout the course of the tour presented in a new, creative way.
Leisure Evening in Lima
After our late lunch we will retire to our boutique hotel in the artsy, hip Barranco neighborhood. Given our very filling lunch, you’ll have the rest of the evening on your own to explore the neighborhood, and have dinner, or a liquid dinner for those who are too full to eat anymore!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Friday, Day 8
9:00 AM
Lima City Tour with a Private Guide
We will be picked up at our hotel by our local guide and driver who will take us around the heart of the colonial center of Lima. We’ll learn about this massive city’s history before taking a step back in time at the Larco Museum which houses one of the largest collections of Pre-Incan artifacts.
1:00 PM
Mindful Lunch with a Local
We’ll return to the Barranco neighborhood just in time to meet Brisa at her apartment for lunch. She’s a trained chef and mindfulness instructor who creates beautiful, delicious, and nourishing dishes. After a full stomach, we will return to the hotel or have free time before our farewell dinner.
7:00 PM
Farewell Dinner at World Famous Maido
Indulge in Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cultures, at Maido, currently #8 of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. We will have a sweet farewell at our last dinner together before returning back to our hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Saturday, Day 9
Bid your guides and new friends farewell as your driver takes you back to the Lima airport for your international flight, or onward on any of our customized extensions if you’d like to explore more of Peru.
Included Meal: Breakfast
Day 1: Welcome to Lima
Arrive in Lima for the first day of your journey. In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers at the hotel bar for a welcome dinner and drinks.
Day 2: Explore Lima Relaxed Start
Explore the colourful capital of Peru this morning with your Local Expert. Delve into its colonial past and see key attractions, including the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall. Visit the San Francisco Monastery and its underground cemetery. One for those with an appreciation for art, head to Museo Larco, a private museum located in Lima’s Pueblo Libre District. It is the highest-rated museum in South America and houses the largest collection of Pre-Columbian art. Indulge in a Highlight Lunch with an 18th-century garden as your backdrop. After lunch, meet a local guide who will take you around the Museo Larco and share the museum’s private collection with you. Delve into Peruvian culture, its ancient history and the country's religious beliefs. Return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 3: Lima to Sacred Valley
Take a transfer to the airport in the morning, where you'll catch your flight to the ancient capital of Cusco. Begin your tour of the Sacred Valley, while taking in impressive views on your scenic drive along the way. After a few stunning photo stops, enjoy lunch at Altar Inca, surrounded by some of the most impressive views of the region. Enjoy a leisurely trip to your hotel for the next couple of nights, where the evening is yours to do as you please. We recommend that you rest in order to adjust to the altitude comfortably.
Day 4: Explore Sacred Valley Relaxed Start
Start the morning off with a visit to the Maras salt pans, where the Incas harvested their salt. Today, the salt from Maras is exported to the entire world. Move on to an Incan laboratory in Moray, an archaeological site close to Cusco. Find out more about the ideal altitude to grow crops in the Sacred Valley. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience as you visit a local traditional Quechua weaver in the Sacred Valley and learn about the importance these textiles have in shaping personal and regional identities. Afterward, make your way to Laguna Piuray, where you’ll enjoy a Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian feast, for your Highlight Lunch. In the evening, transfer to Hacienda Huayoccari, where you'll discover this gem of the Sacred Valley while exploring its grounds and small museum. Sit down for a special Peruvian dinner before heading back to your hotel, the luxurious Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel.
Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu
Transfer to the station for your IncaRail train ride. Enjoy lunch on your way to Machu Picchu pueblo, the gateway village to Machu Picchu. On the way, visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, followed by a stop at a local house in the village’s cobblestoned old town and visit with the family living there. In the afternoon, visit Machu Picchu, where you’ll meet your Local Experts for a guided visit in small groups. They will take you through the ruins and explain their historical and archaeological significance, as well as the importance of their location. Set high in the Andes Mountains, it offers spectacular scenery and history, dating back to the 15th century. End your day with a relaxing dinner and drinks at your hotel.
Day 6: Machu Picchu at Leisure
Take in the breathtaking landscapes of Machu Picchu for a second time. Spend your morning exploring at your own pace, with your Travel Director on hand to answer any queries you may have. The afternoon is yours at leisure. Relax back at your hotel or perhaps explore the town of Aguas Calientes on your own. Spend the evening as you please before sitting down to a Highlight Dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 7: On to Cusco
After breakfast, return by train to Ollantaytambo, where you will transfer to the ancient city of Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco showcases a mix of Spanish colonial architecture, ancient remains and a lively cosmopolitan scene for modern inhabitants. On arrival in Cusco, head out on a walking tour with a Local Expert. Visit its cathedral and the Korikancha temple, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The evening is yours at leisure. Ask your Travel Director for local restaurant and bar recommendations.
Day 8: Exploring Cusco
Start your day with a walking tour of Sacsayhuaman, a citadel built in the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the ninth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco. Afterward, choose to join a local expert on a guided hike of the Inca ruins at Puca Pucara. Alternatively you can explore the artisan bohemian neighborhood of San Blas and visit the prestigious art galleries. After lunch at Pachapapa, visit San Blas Church and the surrounding streets, before making your way to San Pedro Market, where you will find local produce. Later, make your way to the city’s planetarium, for a private, after-hours tour. Learn about astronomy, cosmology, and its influence on Andean culture. While here, try some local delicacies paired with hot wine.
Day 9: Leisure time in Cusco Relaxed Start
Choose between an optional visit to Rainbow Mountain, the ChocoMuseo, where you’ll learn more about the chocolate making process, or perhaps relax and simply enjoy the facilities at your hotel? Set in a beautiful 16th century building, make the most of this boutique hotel’s signature spa and Andean-inspired healing treatments, massages, facials and custom spa packages. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable Celebration Dinner at Calle del Medio, where you will toast to your adventures and end of your trip.
Day 10: Depart Cusco
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Take a private transfer to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.
