Cusco & Machu Picchu Overland Adventure - Gold Option (Double)
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Port
General San Martin (Pisco), 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
$4399
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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 General San Martin you will transfer approximately 4.5 hours to Lima Airport and enjoy lunch at a hotel located within the airport perimeter. Board an afternoon flight to Cusco, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
In the evening, enjoy a dinner show with ancestral music and folk dance at the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
Hotel: Belmond Monasterio
Day 2 (B/L/D)
The Gold Option includes five-star hotel accommodations, as well as a memorable train ride on the Hiram Bingham railway 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 today begins with a bus ride from Cusco to Rio Sagrado Station, followed by a train ride along the Urubamba River. The Urubamba River is located in the Sacred Valley, approximately 9,350 feet above sea level. Relax for three hours on this railway that 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 train station in Puente Ruinas, it is just a short walk to the bus loading area and a 25-minute coach 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. You'll arrive just as many of the visitors are leaving for lunch, and you will have plenty of time to explore Machu Picchu in relative peace and quiet. 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 laser technology used in building today.
After a guided visit to the ruins, you will transf back to Puente Ruinas to re-board the Hiram Bingham train. On the train ride back to Rio Sagrado, relax over a cocktail; then, dinner is served in the dining car. You will arrive back in Cusco in the late evening after a day of dazzling sightseeing and wonderful memories. Overnight in Cusco.
Hotel: Belmond Monasterio
Day 3 (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a city tour of Cusco, Including the foundations of the 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 America. It is shaped like a Latin Cross and houses about 400 colonial paintings from the Cusco art school, and impressive gold, silver and precious stone works. Its construction began in 1560 and ended almost a hundred years later.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Continue to the airport in time for a flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, you will transfer to the pier and meet up with the ship in Callao.
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 90 days of arrival into the excursion port.
Passport information:
30 days prior departure. This excursion requires your passport information to secure flights and admission into Machu Picchu. You must have your passport details uploaded into your booking portal 30 days prior to departure. Late submission of passports will be subject to late fees.
Notes:
You must book this tour PRIOR to sailing. A minimum number of participants are required to operate this tour. Final hotel/flight manifests must be provided well in advance of the tour, therefore we recommend booking no later than 60 days prior to your voyage. This unusually long Overland Adventure requires your patience, stamina and understanding to make enjoyable and meaningful. While the journey itself is taxing, the memories of the experiences it offers make it entirely worthwhile. Participants are most welcome (and encouraged) to relax and/or nap on the flights and on the train rides; bringing earplugs and/or an eye mask may make this easier. The tour is guided on the Galápagos Islands and in Cusco/Machu Picchu; an escort from the ship's staff may or may not also accompany the group. All meals are included unless specifically noted otherwise.
Special notes for Machu Picchu: 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. The bus route to reach the site is winding. Guests who are prone to motion sickness should consider this before booking and/or take appropriate medication. 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. If you feel more comfortable touring the site independently at your own pace, you will be given directions regarding where and when to meet back up with the guide. Wear comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing in breathable fabrics. Temperatures will vary as elevations and time of day change, so it's best to bring shorts as well as long pants, 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: Visa requirements for these vacation enhancements may vary from those required for your cruise. 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. Please be aware that you may need a visa for any and/or all countries that you will depart from and travel through as part of your Overland Adventure or Overnight, and for the country in which you will re-join the ship. Holland America cannot assist guests with obtaining visas. If you require further assistance, Holland America Line's preferred visa service is CIBTvisas. 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. For CIBTvisas contact information, please visit https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/faq/cruise-planning/identification-passports-visa
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.