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Peru 2012
A Quick and luxurious trip to Machu Picchu
2017 Was another "Big" birthday year for me, and I found out I could take a luxurious train to Machu Picchu instead of hiking there at high altitude! Vacation time was limited that year, but we made the most of our week off XXXXXXX
Pro Tip for Machu Picchu
LITTLE BIT ON MP ENTRY/TOURING REQUIREMENTS
Our Itinerary
dAY 1 - TO lIMA, pERU
Day 3 - The Sacred Valley
dAY 1 - TO lIMA, pERU
We lucked into an affordable business class airfare, so our long day on airplanes was as comfortable as possible. We arrived in the early evening and loved that Lima only has a 1 hour time difference from our home in the Eastern U.S., so we didn't need to worry about jet lag.
Day 2 - to Cusco
Day 3 - The Sacred Valley
dAY 1 - TO lIMA, pERU
We spent the morning walking around the Miraflores neighborhood before taking an early afternoon flight to Cusco. We checked into our hotel, a former monastery, and walked around the Plaza de Armas to start getting acclimated to the altitude.
Day 3 - The Sacred Valley
Day 3 - The Sacred Valley
Day 3 - The Sacred Valley
Our guide collected us in the morning, and we drove over the mountains to the Sacred Valley. We stopped (and shopped) at a heritage weaving center, explored the little town of Chinchero, and visited the massive Inca site of Ollantaytambo before returning to Cusco in the evening.
Day 4 - Cusco
Day 5 - to Machu Picchu
Day 3 - The Sacred Valley
This morning our guide took us around Cusco, showing us the Corichancha, the Cathedral, and then taking us to Sacsayhuaman, where I tried out an ancient slide down a rock face! In the afternoon we visited the Museo Precoloumbino, found a restaurant serving alpaca steaks for dinner, and got the classic Cusco tourist photo!
Day 5 - to Machu Picchu
Day 5 - to Machu Picchu
Day 5 - to Machu Picchu
Today we reveled in our journey to Machu Picchu aboard the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham Train. After enjoying amazing views and a sumptuous brunch on the train, we met up with our guide and began exploring the amazing ancient city.
Day 5 - Machu Picchu
Day 5 - to Machu Picchu
Day 5 - to Machu Picchu
We stayed overnight at the hotel directly next to the ruins, so we were able to spend a second day exploring. I climbed to the Sun Gate, while my husband and our guide climbed Machu Picchu mountain! We finished the day with an evening ride back to Cusco, and a wonderful dinner, on the Hiram Bingham Train.
Day 7 - To Lima
Day 8 - Return Home
We took a morning flight back to Lima, and were met by a guide who showed us the Plaza de Armas and the sights in downtown Lima. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset from our hotel's rooftop, ocean-front pool, and went out in the evening to explore the Barranco neighborhood.
Day 8 - Return Home
Day 8 - Return Home
Our trip home was another long day on airplanes, but business class made it more pleasant, and we were happy to have had a wonderful experience visiting one of the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Peru is a beautiful country and I couldn't wait to get back to see more of it!
