Ecorating 3.5

Expedition Machu Picchu, the Inca valley, Andernas forests and Lake Titicaca, Peru

Peru has it all. A mix of world-famous destinations to hidden gems. This enormous country has more than 47 spoken languages and 55 indigenous communities, spread over rainforest, mountains, coast and desert. This diversity creates fantastic food experiences and a wealth of culture. By getting to know its people, you get to know the real Peru.

Experience the colorful Lima, the sacred Inca Valley with the charming city of Ollantaytambo, the iconic and mythical Machu Picchu and the world’s highest lake – Titicaca. You stay in a small-scale boutique hotel, you have a private guide who guides you, you meet local artisans and you get a good insight into Peruvian culture. On this trip, we take the train between several of our destinations.

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Sample Itinerary

The experience

This program is a source of inspiration — each trip is unique and tailored to you.

Day 1 Lima/ Barranco

Your adventure begins in Lima, one of South America’s largest cities. On arrival you will be met at the airport and a transfer will take you to the hotel. (Private / English transfer guide included). Here, nine stay at Hotel B – Lima’s only Relais & Châteaux hotel, a restored Belle Époque mansion. Hotel B has its own unique art collection with over 300 original works of art and installations spread across the premises. Overnight at Hotel B. The hotel is located in the bohemian Barranco district

Day 2 Lima / Barranco

After breakfast, you will take a guided walk among artists’ workshops, craft shops and enjoy some of the best street art next to spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Lima Bay.

Enjoy a good lunch at Café del Museo. In the afternoon, you visit the colonial part of the city of Lima, also called “City of Kings”. Overnight at Hotel B: Aposento Room. The hotel is located in the bohemian Barranco district

Day 3 The Inca Valley/ Sol Y Luna

After a quiet morning with breakfast, the hotel offers a transfer to the airport. (Private | English guide included). You fly to Cusco and on arrival you will be met at the airport with transfers to the hotel. You will have an afternoon to adapt to the high altitude (2,800 m) and you will do so at the beautiful hotel Sol Y Luna. Here you live in Deluxe Casitas – cottages in stone and terracotta with fantastic views over the sacred valley. You have a fireplace, elegant living room and spacious bedroom. Walk around the area, eat a good ceviche or another Peruvian dish for dinner.

Overnight at Sol y Luna Hotel

Day 4 The Inca Valley / Sol Y Luna

Today awaits a full day of interesting experiences in the Inca Valley. You will visit Chinchero, a picturesque town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Come to the home of a textile craftsman, where you will see some of his original works and learn about his technique, as well as his creative process. Afterwards, on the way to Ollantaytambo, you stop at a viewpoint, for one of the best views of the sacred valley. You eat an a la Carte | Lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari.

Then it’s on to Ollantaytambo, one of the Inca Empire’s most representative building complexes and the site of one of the rare strategic defeats of the Spanish conquerors. Famous for its terraced fields, Ollantaytambo was a very effective fortress and a religious center.

Then you visit the town of Pisac, where you will explore its archaeological site, which is located on top of a slope and is one of the most important in the sacred valley. This place will surprise you with its platform system and town planning, both very advanced for the time they were developed. Dinner & overnight at Sol y Luna Hotel

Day 5 The Inca Valley / Sol Y Luna

Today’s adventure takes us to Andernas forests on the way to the Ollantaytambo ruins. Here you will explore a truly impressive archaeological complex, one of the largest in Peru, which is strategically located on top of a mountain and once guarded the road to Machu Picchu.

We continue with a visit to Pumamarka, about an hour from Ollantaytambo, where we visit the Pumamarka ruins, which are believed to have been part of the Wari/Inca empire and are located in one of the less visited areas of the sacred valley. From there we visit the Choquechaka Conservation Area to learn about Anderna’s forests and their ecosystem. After exploring these places and learning about their significance, we will enjoy a traditional Pachamanca lunch at El Albergue Farm’s restaurant. Pacha means earth and manca clay pot in the Quechua language – the indigenous language of the Inca Empire. It is possible to end the tour with a visit to El Albergue’s distillery and coffee roastery before returning to your hotel in the sacred valley. Dinner at Sol Y Luna.

Day 6 Machu Picchu / Cusco

A full day at Machu Picchu awaits. You take the classic fog up towards Machu Picchu. On board the Vistadome train, take nine to Aguas Calientes and continue by local bus to Machu Picchu Sanctuary.

You will visit one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world: Machu Picchu. Your excursion begins on board a train towards the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. The natural beauty of the surroundings makes the train journey the best way to start your visit. When you arrive, you begin the ascent to the ruins. When you have reached the top, you will take a tour of Machu Picchu and learn the history and mysteries surrounding one of the seven wonders of the world. And with fantastic landscapes all around, you will surely have more than one spectacular photo opportunity. You eat a good buffet lunch at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. In the afternoon you can enjoy an unforgettable journey on the Hiram Bingham train to Poroy station in Cusco. Nine stay at the historic hotel Palacio Manco Capac, which is located on the hill of San Cristobal. Enjoy the view over Cusco. Overnight and dinner at Palacio Manco Capac / Ananay Hotels.

Day 7 Cusco

A fascinating tour of Cusco, known as the imperial city of the Incas, will give you insights into the city’s history, the daily life of its inhabitants and its importance to the Andernas region.

We start at the town’s iconic local market – for locals this is the town’s real, beating heart. We get the chance to explore the colors, flavors and traditions in a modern and at the same time traditional Cusco. We then continue to Koricancha, also known as the Golden Temple, the most important temple in the Inca Empire and the center for the worship of Inti, the sun god. When we leave this Inca temple, we continue to the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Built with massive stone blocks, this impressive example of Inca military architecture is located on the outskirts of the city. From here we continue on foot along the picturesque cobbled streets and pass through the famous San Blas craft quarter on our way down to the Plaza de Armas (the main square).

Dinner & Overnight at Palacio Manco Capac By Ananay Hotels

Day 8 Lake Titicaca / Hotel Titilaca

Early in the morning we travel by train from the city of Cusco to Puno – the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Enjoy the astonishing high Andean plateau landscape, where you will find grazing alpacas and llamas, and small towns scattered along the way with Anderna’s spectacular backdrop. This experience is full of romance and style. The elegant Titicaca train offers a panoramic carriage, with windows on both sides and on the roof, and open balconies to enjoy the surrounding landscape outside. A delicious lunch will be served on board. On arrival at Puno station, you will be taken to your hotel. (Private | English transfer guide included). Located on a private peninsula is the Titilaca hotel – far away from everything right on the shore of Lake Titicaca. This is a wonderful place to melt all the impressions and enjoy.

Dinner & overnight at Titilaca

Day 9 Lake Titicaca / Hotel Titilaca

Today you can only stay at this fantastically beautiful lodge with a wonderful view. Here you can choose to do your own activities at Titilaka Lodge. Activities that are available are boat trips around the islands in Lake Titicaca – full day, bird watching, paddling, stargazing – all booked directly with the hotel. This is an incredible place! Or just take it easy and enjoy the place and the view. Lunch & dinner at Titilaca Hotel.

Day 10 Puno - Lima

Say goodbye to this special place. After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport in Juliaca awaits. On arrival in Lima, you can fly home or continue your adventure.

Details

Everything you need to know

Travel facts

Eco rating: 3,5

Season: April – October

Airport: Lima, Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) and further flights to Lake Titicaca

The price of the trip includes:

• All activities, accommodation in a double or single room, food and drink as mentioned in the travel description, plus taxes, tourist tickets and entrance fees.
• Domestic flights (Lima/Cusco – Cusco/Puerto Maldonado – Puerto Maldonado/Lima).
• All excursions come with an English guide

The price of the trip does not include:

Early check-in, late check-out, services and food not included in the itinerary, drinks during meals, hotel supplements and personal expenses.
Tips for guides, chauffeurs and waitresses, if not stated in the description.

Tips for your journey

Good to know about Peru:

Travel etiquette: Always have a photocopy of your passport with you. Out of respect, ask before taking photos. Dress is respectful. .

Packing: Many places in Peru are at high altitude and there can therefore be big differences in temperatures during the day. The hotel is not always as warm in the rooms as we are used to in Sweden. It is therefore good to bring fleece, a windbreaker and an undercoat.

Local Currency: Sol. It can be good to exchange US dollars at home for Sol in Peru at the best exchange rate, alternatively you pay with US dollars on the spot. Payment cards work well in the larger cities.

Mobile network: internet access are available

Water: Buy bottled water, make sure that the bottles end up in the rubbish bin. Water quality in taps varies.

Safety: Your safety is our priority. Peru is a safe tourist country, but as usual common sense applies. Do not leave things unattended and keep an eye on money and passports. In addition, large gatherings of people, such as markets and festivals, are often attractive places for pickpockets. Please take a copy of your passport with you.

3.5

Ecorating · Bra för människa & miljö

Travel with purpose

How does my trip contribute?

This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.

The hotels that Ecolyx has chosen for this trip are all 5-star and sustainable hotels that all work responsibly in terms of the environment, people and nature.

Sol & Luna

Hotel Sol y Luna opened in 2000 with 14 casitas. The reason for the hotel’s creation was to collect money via hotel night bookings for the Sol y Luna Foundation, which was on site back in 1998. The owners have, during the last decades, worked to alleviate extreme poverty in the Peruvian countryside by providing love, care and education Sol y Luna Foundation.

163 students from different areas of Peru are educated at the Sol y Luna school

14 children receive special support via Paqari – a center for disabled children

84 students have 100% of their costs covered by Sol y Luna (51% of the total number of students).

191 students and teachers receive healthy food daily at Sol y Luna

19 children live at Sol y Luna Home – an orphanage that provides a loving and safe home for Peruvian children who have been abused or abandoned.

Palacio Manco Capac

A rich and historic hotel built on the 1300 roof by the Incas, rebuilt in 2015 into a hotel with an incomparable view over Cusco.

The hotel has a strong social and environmental commitment. The hotel’s processes are characterized by a strong environmental commitment which they have succeeded in transferring to both employees and suppliers. Their environmental management system, in continuous review, allows them to minimize any environmental impact.

The hotel values Peruvian domestic products and only offers quality products from Peruvian vineyards, Peruvian distillers, Peruvian producers, jams, cheeses, yogurt, all ingredients that are basically used for food and drink.

Their philosophy is to have a minimal or almost non-existent use of plastic in the hotel, as it is in line with their way of working and seeing how the world should be at large.

The hotel protects cultural sustainability. They focus on culturally interesting properties that have been restored and preserved. Buildings come back to life and are offered as culturally interesting accommodation for the traveller.

Hotel Titilaca

The hotel understands the need for responsible travel and is deeply committed to both minimizing its ecological footprint and being the best possible neighbor to its local communities, which have welcomed both the hotel business and guests with open arms. CALTUR is the Peruvian government’s certification for tourism quality, which includes both environmental and social standards. Titilaka has qualified every year.

Titilaka’s social commitment is aimed at supporting sustainable economic development in the towns around the lodge. By offering members of the local community a stable, well-paid job that is all too rare in this part of the world, these jobs complement their traditional lifestyle focused on small-scale agriculture. Three quarters of the hotel’s staff come from local communities and ingredients are bought locally as much as possible, which gives the families an important market for their products, from food crops to Andean textiles.

Titilaka also works hand in hand with a non-profit organization that supports the communities around the lake. The hotel makes a donation on behalf of each guest. Guests will also have a chance to give back personally by making their own donation or visiting a local town.