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
$4199
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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) 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 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.
You will arrive back in Cusco in the late evening after a day of dazzling sightseeing and wonderful memories.
Train: Hiram Bingham Train
Hotel: Belmond Monasterio (or similar)
Day 3 (B) Cusco - Lima - General San Martin
Enjoy a city before transferring to the airport for a flight to Lima. From Lima, transfer about four hours south to General San Martin, to meet up with the ship. You will stop at a local restaurant for lunch en route.
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 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 at Callao. If you cancel your overland booking 91 days or more before departure, a $60 fee will be charged to your account to cover the cost of the non-refundable entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (if it has already been purchased). Cancellations within 90 days of departure will be subject to full payment of the tour cost, including if you cancel your cruise voyage within 90 days prior to arrival at Callao.
Notes:
You must book this overland PRIOR to sailing; the cut-off date is 90 days before the ship's call at Callao. Tour requires strenuous activity and a high level of mobility. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Collapsible mobility devices such as walkers or wheelchairs can be stowed on the transportation but must be managed/stowed/carried independently by the user or a companion. Motorized wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on the transportation. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, inclines, mud, gravel, ramps, and many steps. Please realistically assess your physical fitness and ability prior to booking. 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. 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. To comply with airline ticketing requirements, please visit Login | Holland America Line to complete the immigration section for online check-in no fewer than 90 days prior to the cruise.
Machu Picchu tickets and information: You must submit your passport details via Manage My Cruise > Check In at https://www.hollandamerica.com 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. Tour requires traveling from sea level to an elevation of 11,200 feet in Cusco, which may cause altitude sickness for some guests. Terrain at Machu Picchu 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. Temperatures will vary as elevations and time of day change. Bring shorts and long trousers; wear comfortable, casual clothing in breathable fabrics. Dress in layers with a sweater or lightweight jacket for cooler temperatures in upland regions. Bring a backpack to stow any layers you shed. 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.
Important information regarding visa requirements: You must bring your passport with you on tour. 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 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 Line'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 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 specific use and technical information 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.
Airline requirements: The tour operator partners with LATAM and Sky Airlines. Please contact Holland America Line to confirm which airline will be used for your specific journey. Each airline has its own requirements (as follows) for flying into Cusco, as its elevation can present difficulties for some guests:
LATAM Airlines:
Participants requiring medical clearance, please follow these steps:
1. Visit LATAM Airlines Medical Certifica