Cusco & Machu Picchu Overland Adventure - Gold Option (Single)
-
Port
Manta, Ecuador
-
Activity Level
Strenuous
-
Excursion Type
All
-
Wheelchair Accessible
No
-
Starting At
$5699
-
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
-
Duration
4 days/3 nights
-
Meals Included
Meals included
Peru, the Kingdom of the Sun, blends Indigenous and European influences into a vibrant cultural tapestry. It is a land of ancient civilizations, dramatic landscapes, and living traditions. With 83 of the world’s 103 ecological zones represented within its borders, Peru is one of the most ecologically diverse countries on Earth. The Spanish conquistadors arrived in search of gold, yet they never discovered the greatest treasure of all: Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.
Day 1 (D)
After leaving the ship in Manta, you will be transferred to Guayaquil Airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, you will walk directly to your hotel inside the terminal. Dinner and overnight accommodations are provided.
Hotel: Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol Lima (or similar)
Day 2 (B, L, D)
In the morning, you will fly from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival, meet your guide and begin a comprehensive city tour. Your exploration includes the Coricancha Temple of the Sun, originally built by Inca Pachacutec and later transformed into the Convent of Santo Domingo by the Spanish. You will then visit the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, one of the most impressive colonial churches in the Americas, known for its Latin Cross design, its collection of nearly 400 Cusco School paintings, and its extraordinary gold and silver works. Continue to Sacsayhuamán, a monumental Inca complex constructed with massive stone blocks whose transportation and placement remain a mystery. This site is also where the Inti Raymi Festival is reenacted each June. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the evening, enjoy a dinner show featuring traditional music and folkloric dance at your hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
Hotel: Belmond Monasterio Hotel (or similar)
Day 3 (B, L, D)
Your day begins with a scenic drive from Cusco to the Rio Sagrado Station, where you will board the elegant Hiram Bingham railway. As the train follows the winding course of the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley—set at approximately 9,350 feet above sea level—you can relax in beautifully appointed carriages featuring warm wood tones, plush upholstery, and refined décor. A gourmet brunch is served shortly after departure, allowing you to enjoy exceptional cuisine as the dramatic Andean landscape unfolds outside the panoramic windows.
Upon arrival at the station near Aguas Calientes, it is a short walk to the shuttle buses that ascend the mountain. The 25-minute ride travels along narrow, unpaved switchbacks, gradually revealing glimpses of the lush cloud forest and steep terraces that surround Machu Picchu. When you reach the entrance, your guide will lead you into the ancient citadel just as many visitors are departing for lunch, giving you the rare opportunity to explore the site in relative tranquility.
Your guided tour provides a deep look into the history, engineering, and spiritual significance of this remarkable city. You will walk among precisely carved stone structures, temples aligned with celestial events, and terraces that cling impossibly to the mountainside. The craftsmanship of the Incas—achieved without mortar and with a level of precision difficult to match even with modern tools—becomes even more impressive as you explore the site up close.
After your visit, you will enjoy a “Cocktail in the Mountains” at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (time to be advised), a serene moment to reflect on the experience while surrounded by breathtaking scenery. You will then return to Puente Ruinas to re-board the Hiram Bingham train for your journey back to Rio Sagrado. A cocktail service welcomes you aboard, followed by a refined dinner served in the dining car as the evening descends over the Sacred Valley.
You will arrive back in Cusco later that night, carrying with you the memories of a truly exceptional day at one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Overnight in Cusco.
Hotel: Belmond Monasterio Hotel (or similar)
Day 4 (B, L)
Transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you will visit the Larco Herrera Museum in the Pueblo Libre district. Founded in 1926 and housed in an 18th-century mansion built atop a pre-Columbian pyramid, the museum contains the most extensive collection of pre-Hispanic gold and silver artifacts in Peru, along with an internationally renowned collection of ancient ceramics. After lunch at the museum, you will transfer to the Callao pier to rejoin the ship.
Important Participation Note
This program involves strenuous activity and requires a high level of mobility. Guests must be able to embark and disembark motor coaches with little to no assistance. Guests using mobility aids such as walkers or wheelchairs must ensure these devices are collapsible and can be stored under buses or carried onto water taxis without staff assistance. If you are unable to manage your mobility device independently, you must travel with a companion who can assist you. Motorized scooters of any kind are not permitted on this tour. Participation in this program requires physical capability to navigate uneven terrain, ramps, and steps, so please carefully consider your mobility needs.
Cancellation Policy: This excursion is non-refundable within 90 days prior to arrival into Manta. Any cancellations made after this deadline will be subject to full payment of the tour cost, including if you cancel your cruise voyage within 90 days prior to arrival into Manta.
Machu Picchu Tickets: Access to Machu Picchu is limited and regulated. To guarantee your spot, tickets must be purchased at least 90 days in advance. You must upload your passport details in order for us to purchase Machu Picchu tickets for you. Once tickets are purchased they cannot be exchanged. If your passport details are uploaded past the due date, you may have a different enternce time then the rest of the group.
Machu Picchu Information: This tour is strenuous and not recommended for guests who use a wheelchair or have mobility challenges. Visiting Machu Picchu involves traveling from sea level to high altitude—up to 11,200 feet (3,400 meters)—which may cause altitude sickness for some individuals. The site itself includes many stairs, uneven paths, and rugged terrain, all in thin mountain air. Routes are assigned based on availability. Wear comfortable, casual clothing in natural, breathable fabrics and good hiking shoes. 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. Bring 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 will notify guests in advance. If you have a heart condition or breathing difficulties, please consult your doctor before booking. Oxygen tanks are available upon request at the hotel. The tour operator may change hotels if needed, but any replacement will be of the same quality and category.
Notes: 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. 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 | Hollandamerica.com You must complete the immigration section for online check-in no fewer than 90 days prior to the start of your voyage. If this section is not completed at least 90 days prior to the start of your voyage, your Machu Picchu Tickets maybe be booked at a different time slot then the rest of the group and may incur additional fees.
Important 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's preferred visa service is CIBTvisas. US and Canadian citizens can reach them by phone or email: US citizens: 866 788 1100 or email customerservice@cibtvisa.com . Canadian citizens: 866 935 8472 or email customerservice@cibtvisas.ca. CIBTvisas phone numbers and email addresses for Dutch, German, Australian, United Kingdom, Belgian, Singapore, Spanish, Swiss and French citizens can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of Holland America’s 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.
Respiratory Devices: Stringent regulations apply to air transportation of breathing/respiratory devices. Guests intending to bring such a device must notify Holland America’s head office Shore Excursions at least 30 days before the start of your voyage. 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.