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Peru | 2023

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

Machu Picchu will draw you in…

but the warm people, spectacular scenery, fabulous food, and colorful traditions will captivate you. This special WOW! adventure takes you to THREE UNESCO World Heritage sites: coastal, colonial Lima; Machu Picchu – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World; and Cusco – the former capital of the Incan empire!

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The WOW! Travel Club requires that all travelers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including booster).
Why? Un-vaccinated travelers could restrict the freedom of movement of the rest of the group. In addition, the rules, restrictions, and requirements relating to COVID-19 vary from country to country, and can change at any time, without notice.
The health and safety of our WOW travelers is a priority. All guests will be asked to show verification of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Overview

June 2023

Activity Level: 3 out of 4

You are an active traveler who loves to see things up-close and personal. You aren’t bothered by standing or walking for long periods of time (1-2 hours) and you can navigate uneven surfaces and easily climb into and out of different kinds of vehicles or vessels. You can handle the rigors of exploring the world in a hands-on way, even if that means getting up early or staying up late!

Highlights & Inclusions:

  • Round-trip airport transfers in Peru on scheduled arrival/departure dates
  • Seven (7) nights total accommodations in unique, boutique hotels
  • Lima: Accommodations guaranteed for early arrival and check-in on June 23rd
  • Most meals, as referenced in the itinerary, including wine, beer, soft drinks, water & coffee/tea
  • All transportation within Peru in deluxe, climate-controlled vehicles (including trains)
  • Internal economy class domestic flights within Peru*
  • Excursions and tours as outlined in itinerary (subject to change)
  • Expert guides with passion and personality
  • Gratuities included for guides, drivers, restaurant staff, and hotel porters
  • Pre-trip documents with important travel information including “Know Before You Go,” luggage tags, and signature WOW! surprises
  • Assistance with air booking (complimentary for repeat “WOWees”; service fee of $75 for first-time “WOW!” travelers)
  • Basic emergency medical insurance
  • “WOW!” surprises along the way!
  • The experience and expertise of Ellen Gruetzmacher for pre-trip planning and on-site escorting

*Included airfare is limited to flight to Cusco on June 25th

Exclusions:

  • International airfare (fare will be quoted upon request)
  • Extra hotel nights, if requested
  • Meals not noted in itinerary
  • Incidental charges (shopping, spa, food and beverage not included in the itinerary, etc.)
  • Supplemental travel insurance (for trip cancellation, pre-existing conditions, lost luggage, trip delay reimbursement, etc.)
  • Covid tests required at time of travel

**Itinerary Subject to Change**

Itinerary - June 23-30, 2023

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY ONE – Friday, June 23rd – Lima

Most flights arrive in the early morning hours. You’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel where your room will be waiting for immediate check-in at the beautiful Country Club Hotel. You’ll have a chance to rest-up and get settled. We’ll gather in the hotel, then head out to Larco Museum for an overview of Peruvian history, followed by lunch on the beautiful grounds. After lunch we’ll enjoy a short walking tour of the historic city center. We will return to the hotel for a brief rest, then off to dinner to celebrate the beginning of our Peruvian adventure!
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Country Club Hotel

DAY TWO – Saturday, June 24th – Lima

Today is all about Peruvian culture: we’ll visit with local artisans who relocated from the mountain regions to Lima, followed by a visit to a gorgeous rancho where Peruvian Paso horses are raised. We’ll see these gorgeous animals showing off their unique gaits and festive tack. Lunch will be a feast of real Peruvian fare! The historic city of Barranco will be where we’ll walk off our lunch – stroll around at your leisure and maybe grab an ice cream or cold cerveza.  Tonight we’ll enjoy a sampling tapas dinner on a rooftop, serenaded by local musicians, then head “home” after a full day.
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Country Club Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY THREE – Sunday, June 25th – Sacred Valley

Today we’re headed to the scenic and spiritual Sacred Valley – the gateway to Machu Picchu, but beautiful in its own right. We’ll fly from Lima to Cusco, then travel by coach for a scenic drive to Urubamba; meeting some llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas (oh my!) along the way. Oh, and maybe do a little shopping, too. Our hotel, the Hacienda Urubamba is an oasis unto itself. We’ll learn about Pachamanca – a traditional form of cooking in the earth, get a bit of education about the stars, then meet up and enjoy a lovely dinner together.
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel   Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel   Hacienda Urubamba

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY FOUR – Monday, June 26th – Sacred Valley

Today is one of cultural immersion – we’ll head to the village of Chuquibamba – doesn’t get more immersive than this! The morning begins with a pre-Inca ceremony lead by a shaman of  the village, starting our day with gratitude as we “thank mother earth for all the gifts she offers us”. We will mingle with the locals and learn from the artisans about their wares: cooking, weaving, ceramics, and medicinal herbs. We’ll enjoy lunch in this beautiful village. Heading back to our hotel in the late afternoon with hearts full of joy! Dinner will be on our own at the hotel or we can arrange transportation into town (soles will be provided).
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Hacienda Urubamba

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY FIVE – Tuesday, June 27th – Machu Picchu

Today’s the day to check this one off your bucket list – Machu Picchu! We’ll be traveling aboard the Inca Rail First Class train (lunch included) – with panoramic windows offering you unbelievable views. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we meet with our guide and begin the hike to the 15th century Inca citadel – a magical place that has drawn curious travelers for decades. We’ll have three hours to explore Machu Picchu, then return to our hotel, the beautiful Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, to relax and get ready for dinner together at the hotel.
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY SIX – Wednesday, June 28th – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The morning is yours to do as you wish: a second visit to Machu Picchu (at an additional cost), guided tour of the extensive grounds of the hotel – including bird watching (no charge), a pampering spa session (at an additional cost), wander around the cute town of Aguas Calientes, or relax and enjoy this beautiful property. We’ll provide you with some Peruvian soles (dollars) to enjoy lunch in town or at the hotel. Prior to our trip back we’ll make a brief visit to a local school for children with special needs. Early evening we’ll board the iconic Hiram Bingham train for Cusco – enjoying dinner and entertainment with a vintage, luxury feel. Upon arrival we’ll check-in to the Antigua Casona San Blas Hotel in the historic city center of Cusco.
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Antigua Casona San Blas Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY SEVEN – Thursday, June 29th – Cusco

Today we’ll explore Cusco – the former capital of the Incan empire – via a guided walking tour. We’ll stroll the streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site as we learn about Cusco’s complex history. We will perform a farewell Cusquenian ceremony thanking the local spirits/gods for allowing us to visit and enjoy their land. You’ll be provided with Peruvian soles (dollars) to use for lunch on your own and some wonderful suggestions of where to dine, followed by the afternoon to explore independently. We’ll regroup for a special farewell dinner to say an official “adios” to this beautiful South American country.
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Antigua Casona San Blas Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY EIGHT – Friday, June 30th – Depart for US

Today we head to the airport for our connecting flights in Lima with our hearts and minds full of memories of this very special country.
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast

**Itinerary Subject to Change**

Accommodations

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

Country Club Hotel – Lima

Staying at the Country Club Lima Hotel means living part of the history of a city like Lima: cosmopolitan, historic, unique. It is a latent icon, which does not stop transforming, preserving in its corners legends, celebrity visits and countless social gatherings experienced in one of the most exclusive areas of the capital.

**Updated August 8, 2022

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Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba – Sacred Valley

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba is a contemporary hacienda-style hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and spans approximately 100 acres surrounded by imposing green mountains, breathtaking views of the valley, immersing guests in open space, serenity and relaxing solitude. An Earth to Table concept is operated with a 10-acre organic plantation where guests are welcome to pick their own produce. Carbon-free crops such as quinoa, Urubamba giant corn, medicinal herbs and a variety of potatoes are farmed with traditional hand tools and oxen, as done centuries ago.

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Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel – Machu Picchu

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways and 83 whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest. The property has 12 acres of exquisite natural beauty; Unu Spa, which combines the classic nurturing with a mystical Andean approach; and a first-class restaurant features stunning views of Vilcanota River, and shares the secrets of Peruvian cuisine with a contemporary twist.

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Antigua Casona San Blas  – Cusco

This beautiful hotel is located in the artisan neighborhood of San Blas, only four blocks from Cusco’s main square amongst some of it’s oldest casonas in the baroque art district. The Antigua Casona San Blas, with its authentic colonial architecture, beautifully appointed rooms, lounges and central courtyard, will provide you a warm welcome and an authentic introduction to the culture heritage, art and history of the capital of the Inca empire. Rated #1 Cusco hotel on Trip Advisor.

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