Cusco & Machu Picchu Overland Adventure - Gold Option (Double)
-
Port
Callao (Lima), Peru
-
Activity Level
Strenuous
-
Excursion Type
All
-
Wheelchair Accessible
No
-
Starting At
$3999
-
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
-
Duration
3 Days/2 Nights
-
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) Callao - Cusco
Leaving the ship in Callao, you will transfer 45 minutes to the airport in Lima for a flight to Cusco. A boxed lunch is provided.
Upon arrival in Cusco, meet your guide and visit Cusco’s Coricancha Temple of the Sun, built by the Inca Pachacutec (1438 - 1572). 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 the Americas. It is shaped like a Latin Cross and houses about 400 colonial paintings.
Dinner is served at the hotel and includes entertainment in the form of ancestral music and folk dances.
The Gold Option includes five-star hotel accommodation.
Hotel: Belmond Monasterio (or similar)
Day 2 (BR/S/D) Cusco - Machu Picchu - Cusco
The Gold Option offers a memorable train ride on the Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu. The timing of this very special adventure enables you to explore Machu Picchu during a less-crowded time for a more intimate and up-close look at this remarkable historic landmark.
Your trip to Machu Picchu begins with a coach ride from Cusco to Rio Sagrado Station, followed by the 2.74-hour train ride along the Urubamba River. The Urubamba River snakes through the Sacred Valley, approximately 9,350 feet above sea level. The railway is an adventure in itself. You will enjoy brunch upon boarding the train. Warm hues, elegant upholstery, two dining cars and a bar make the Hiram Bingham train, named for the explorer who ‘discovered’ Machu Picchu almost a century ago -- a pleasant experience indeed.
From the Puente Ruinas Station, it is just a short walk to the bus loading area and a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu -- the Lost City of the Incas -- at an elevation of 7,874 feet. The bus ride is on steep, unpaved, switchback roads, but the end reward is to immerse yourself in the timeless history and intangible magic of this strange and wondrous ancient citadel. You’ll arrive just as many visitors are leaving for lunch, and you will have plenty of time to explore Machu Picchu in relative peace and quiet. Your guided tour is an awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime experience. This stone city was constructed with incredibly sophisticated techniques, with huge blocks of stone fitted together perfectly. After a guided visit to the ruins, you will enjoy an afternoon tea buffet at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, transferring afterward back to Puente Ruinas to reboard the Hiram Bingham Train. On the 2.75-hour train ride back to Rio Sagrado, relax over a cocktail; then, dinner is served in the dining car (Nov 2025 guests, please see the Notes section below for differing rail arrangements).
You will arrive back in Cusco in the late evening after a day of dazzling sightseeing and wonderful memories.
Hotel: Belmond Monasterio (or similar)
Day 3 (B) Cusco - Lima - Callao
Enjoy a city before transferring to the airport for a flight to Lima and a road transfer (45 minutes) to the pier in Callao, where the ship is waiting for you.
Notes:
On the November 2025 departure only, participants will take the Hiram Bingham Train one way to Machu Picchu and will take the Vistadome train one way back to Ollantaytambo Station, followed by a transfer back to Cusco by coach. Dinner will be at your hotel upon arrival.
Bring sturdy non-skid walking shoes. The tour is guided; an escort from the ship’s staff may or may not also accompany the group. Tour operates subject to meeting a minimum number of participants. You must book this overland PRIOR to sailing; the cut-off date is 60 days before the ship’s call at Callao. Accommodation is included (hotels are subject to change). Airport assistance and transfers (if any), transportation by air-conditioned coach, any flights and entrance fees indicated in the itinerary, an English-speaking guide (unless otherwise noted), water on the vehicle, and meals (as indicated) are also included. Gratuities and personal expenses are not included. Bring your passport with you on tour. For compliance with airline ticketing requirements, please visit Login | Holland America Line to complete the immigration to complete the immigration section for online check-in no fewer than 60 days prior to the cruise. Machu Picchu Tickets: You must submit your passport details via the designated booking portal at least 100 days before the voyage commences for tickets to Machu Picchu to be purchased on your behalf. Routes within the ruins are allocated based on the submission of passport details; participants cannot select a route, and tickets are non-transferable between individuals. 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. Terrain includes even and uneven or rugged surfaces, cobblestones, inclines, gravel, grass, and many steps 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. Bring shorts as well as long trousers. Dress in layers; bring a backpack to stow any layers you shed. A sweater or lightweight jacket for cooler temperatures in upland regions. Heavy, unpredictable, seasonal rainfall can change some operational aspects of this tour; Holland America Line will notify guests in advance of any significant changes, and participants will have the opportunity to cancel their reservation without penalty. Cancellation Policy: This excursion is non-refundable within 60 days prior to arrival into Callao. Any cancellations made after this deadline will be subject to full payment of the tour cost, including if you cancel your cruise voyage within 60 days prior to arrival into Callao. Respiratory Devices: Stringent regulations apply to air transportation of breathing/respiratory devices. Guests intending to bring such a device must notify Holland America’s Line’s head office or the Shore Excursions team on board at least 30 days before the start of the tour. FAA documentation and a physician’s authorized letter detailing the device’s particular use and technical information about the device are required. Each airline will inspect the device before boarding to ensure compliance; it is your responsibility to ensure adequate screening time before boarding your flight. Important information regarding visa requirements: It is solely each participant’s responsibility to obtain any necessary visas, tourist cards and vaccinations, if required, to participate in Overland Adventures and/or Overnights and to keep apprised of any policy changes. Visas may be required for any/all countries your tour departs from and travels through and for the country where you will rejoin the ship. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the cruise. Your travel agent can assist you with your visa needs. If you require further assistance, Holland America Line’s preferred visa service is CIBTvisas. US and Canadian citizens can reach them by phone or email: US citizens: 866 788 1100 or email
Latam Airlines:
Participants 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.
5. You must visit this link and make sure your device is approved.
Please visit: https://www.latamairlines.com/us/en/experience/prepare-your-trip/well-being/medical-certificates
And: https://www.latamairlines.com/us/en/experience/prepare-your-trip/well-being/medical-devices#breathing-devices
Sky Airlines:
Participants requiring medical clearance, please follow these steps:
1. Visit Sky Airlines Medical Assistance.
2. Scroll down to the relevant link, print, and complete the medical disclaimer form.
3. Obtain a medical certificate from your physician detailing your diagnosis, confirming you are fit to travel, and stating there is no risk to other passengers.
4. If you have any questions, please contact Sky Airlines at (786) 405-0680.
Please visit: https://cda.skyairline.com/en/unitedstates/servicios/centro-de-ayuda/search/medical