Cusco & Machu Picchu Overland Adventure - Gold (Double)
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Port
Callao (Lima), Peru
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$3999
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
3 Days/2 Nights
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Meals Included
Meals included
Peru, the Kingdom of the Sun, captures a mix of native and European cultures. It is a country of antique cultures, where the traditional way of life is still evident, and of great scenic contrasts. It's easy to accept that Peru is one of the greatest treasures of the Americas -- of 103 possible ecological zones on earth, 83 are represented here. The Spanish conquistadors came to Peru in search of gold, but they never found the most elusive prize of all -- the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
Day 1 (L/D)
Leaving the ship in Callao, you will transfer approximately an hour to Lima Airport for a flight to Cusco.
Meet your guide and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Later, a city tour of Cusco introduces you to the Coricancha Temple of the Sun, built by the Inca Pachacutec in the 15th century. The Spaniards later built the Convent of Santo Domingo over the top of it.
Admire the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas. This is one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in America. It is shaped like a Latin Cross and houses about 400 colonial paintings from the Cusco art school, as well as impressive gold, silver and precious stone works. Its construction began in 1560 and ended almost a hundred years later.
At the hotel, check in and enjoy a dinner show with ancestral music and folk dances.
Hotel: Belmond Monasterio (or similar)
Day 2 (B/L/D)
Your trip to Machu Picchu begins with a 1.5-hour transfer from Cusco at 11,152 feet above sea level downhill to the station at approximately 9,350 feet. Board the elegantly-appointed Vistadome Observatory train for a scenic ride through the Sacred Valley. Panoramic windows beside and above each seat offer marvelous views. You are also free to move between your seat and the impressive Observatory Car for the widest possible views. Much of the scenery is above you in the form of cliffs and sheer mountains. Enjoy authentic Peruvian culture through a typical Saqra music and dance presentation. A small packaged snack box served en route introduces you to some Andean specialties. Skirting the Urubamba River, you will journey to Machu Picchu Station in Aguas Calientes, 6,690 feet above sea level.
In Aguas Calientes, it is just a short walk to the bus loading area and a 30-minute winding and steep ride to Machu Picchu -- the Lost City of the Incas -- at an elevation of 7,874 feet. The bus ride is on unpaved roads, but the end reward is to immerse yourself in the timeless history and intangible magic of this strange and wondrous ancient citadel. Your guided tour is an awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime experience. This stone city was constructed by incredibly sophisticated techniques with huge blocks of stone fitted together perfectly -- an example of precision that is elusive even with today's technology.
After your guided visit to the ruins, a buffet lunch is served at the on-site Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.
Return to Aguas Calientes for some time to browse in the colorful market adjacent to the train station. Board the Vistadome Observatory train for the 1.75-hour ride back along the Sacred Valley, with a snack included. Then, transfer 1.5 hours by road back to Cusco.
You will arrive in the late evening after a day of dazzling sightseeing and wonderful memories.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cusco.
Hotel: Belmond Monasterio (or similar)
Day 3 (B/L)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport in time for a flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, you will transfer to the pier in General San Martin, about four hours south of Lima, to meet up with the ship. You will stop at a local restaurant for lunch en route.
Cancellation Policy:
60 Days prior to arrival in the excursion port. This excursion is non-refundable within 60 days of arrival into the excursion port. Any cancellations made after this deadline will be subject to full payment of the tour. This will include if a guest cancels their voyage within 60 days of arrival into the excursion port.
Machu Picchu Tickets:
Additionally, kindly note that Machu Picchu tickets necessitate the provision of passport information upon purchase. The exchange of tickets between guests is prohibited, and passport details must be submitted via the designated booking portal at least 100 days before the voyage commences. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in penalty fees, and individuals may face restrictions from entering the site concurrently with the group. Routes within the ruins are allocated based on the submission of passport details. Please note that guests cannot select their preferred route, and tickets are non-transferable between individuals.
Notes:
You must book this tour overland PRIOR to sailing. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The tour to Machu Picchu requires traveling from sea level to an elevation of 11,200 feet in Cusco, which may cause altitude sickness for some guests. Touring the ruins of Machu Picchu requires climbing many stairs and negotiating uneven and rugged terrain in rarefied air at 7,874 feet above sea level. Guests with a heart condition and/or known respiratory difficulties should consult their physician prior to booking this tour. Wear comfortable, casual clothing in natural, breathable fabrics. Temperatures will change as elevations and time of day change, so it's best to bring shorts as well as long trousers, and clothing you can layer. A sweater or lightweight jacket will be needed for the cooler evening temperatures common in upland regions. Heavy, unpredictable, seasonal rainfall can change some operational aspects of this tour. Should this occur, Holland America Line will notify guests in advance of any significant changes and participants will be given the opportunity to cancel their reservation without penalty. All meals are included unless specifically noted otherwise. The tour is guided; an escort from the ship's staff may or may not also accompany the group. Important: It is solely each guest's responsibility to obtain (before traveling) any visas, vaccinations or tourist cards that are required for participating in Overland Adventures or Overnights, unless noted otherwise in the description.
Visas:
Kindly note that it is the responsibility of guests to ensure they possess the necessary visas for all countries that will be included in their Overland Adventure or Overnight trips, as well as for re-joining the ship at the designated location. Guests are encouraged to seek assistance with visa requirements from their travel agent. Holland America does not provide visa procurement services and therefore, guests are advised to obtain the required visas independently before embarking on their journey.If you require further assistance, Holland America Line's preferred visa service is CIBTvisas. Residents of the USA and Canada phone: 866-935-8472; or email: hollandamerica@cibtvisas.com. CIBTvisas' phone numbers and email addresses for residents of Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website, in the Cruise Preparation area. Applications and additional information can be downloaded from the CIBTvisas website at https://CIBTvisas.com/hollandamerica. You must advise CIBTvisas of your Overland Adventures or Overnights, as the visa requirements for these vacation enhancements may vary from those required for your cruise.
Breathing devices:
There are stringent regulations regarding the transportation of breathing/respiratory devices for any purpose during tours or overland trips. Guests intending to bring such a device must notify the home office or shore excursion staff at least 30 days before the start of the tour. They are required to fill out the necessary FAA documentation, furnish a physician's authorized letter detailing the device's particular use, and provide information about the device. It is imperative to understand that each airline will conduct an inspection of the device before boarding to ensure compliance, which may result in delays at the airport.
Airlines:
We partner with Latam and Sky airlines for our trips. Please contact our home office to confirm which airline will be used for your specific journey.
Latam Airlines:
For passengers requiring medical clearance, please follow these steps:
1. Visit Latam Airlines Medical Certificates.
2. Download the MEDIF form, complete it, and have it signed by your physician.
3. Submit the signed form at least 30 days prior to your departure to allow Latam’s medical team sufficient time for review.
4. Ensure any medical devices you plan to use are approved by visiting Latam Airlines Medical Devices.