Cordillera und die Schätze der Anden

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Enjoy four unforgettable days between Santiago and San Pedro to discover the ancient pre-Columbian cultures and the immensities of Atacama. Dive into Chile, between palace, desert, and fortress. This rich programme of experiments will be the perfect prelude to your embarkation.

Day 1 – Santiago

Meet and greet in the airport arrival hall.

Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative and transferred to Ladera Hotel 4* (or similar). Early check-in.

Enjoy some time at leisure.

Lunch will be served at the hotel.

In the afternoon, panoramic tour of Santiago.

You will be taken to the historical area of Santiago, Chile’s capital city. Santiago was founded in 1541. You will appreciate a first stop at Plaza de la Constitución where the Palacio de La Moneda sits. This palace served as presidential residence between 1845 and 1930; today it houses the offices of the President and three ministers cabinet. You will then proceed to the famous Town Square, Plaza de Armas which is surrounded by some historical and beautiful buildings including the Cathedral Church. You will then walk a short distance to the Pre-Columbian Museum. The display covers a period ranging from the beginning of ceramics and textile art in America until the arrival of the European conquerors. The collection includes sculptures, pieces made in ceramics and many other objects to understand the native cultures through time and space. Your tour will continue with a drive up San Cristobal hill. You will enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the Andes Cordillera offered from the top of hill. Before returning to the hotel, you will pass by the upper districts of Santiago - Las Condes and Vitacura, with their modern glass office blocks, trendy street cafés and embassies.

Dinner will be at leisure and at your own expense.

Overnight in Santiago.

Day 2 - Santiago / San Pedro de Atacama

Early bird coffee and pastries served at the hotel. Check-out.

Early morning transfer to SCL Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport on time for a domestic flight selected by PONANT to Calama Airport.

Check-in at the airport (max 23kgs baggage allowance on domestic flight Santiago/Calama).

You will fly to Calama (approx. a 2-hour flight).

You will be greeted off the flight by our local representative. From the airport you will depart towards San Pedro de Atacama. On the way, visit Pukara de Lasana Fortress, a pre-Columbian fortress built in the 12th-century. It currently preserves its old architecture of narrow streets, rectangular and circular houses made of stone whose roofs were thought to be made of wood and mud. It was declared a National Monument in 1982.

You will continue your way to San Pedro de Atacama.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant before you head to the lodge.

Check-in from 3.00pm at Terrantai Andino Lodge (or similar).

In the mid-afternoon, you will depart the Lodge to explore Pukara de Quitor located just 2 miles away and explore the ruins of this 12th-century strategically located (pre-Inca) fortress. Upon returning to San Pedro, visit the picturesque village with its traditional adobe houses and pretty streets and the colonial style San Pedro Church.

Dinner in a local restaurant before you head back to the Lodge.

Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 3 - San Pedro de Atacama

Breakfast.

This morning, you will depart the Lodge for a full day excursion to the Atacama Desert.

The largest salt flat in Chile, the Salar de Atacama, covers almost 3,000 sq m. south of San Pedro de Atacama. A track runs along the eastern edge, branching off to Toconao village, an oasis with orchards and white volcanic rock houses (liparite). This desolate place has a scattering of watering holes, including the Chaxa Lagoon, and it is here where you may see the various species of Chilean flamingos. You will have some time to walk around and fully appreciate this spectacular environment.

You will return to San Pedro for lunch in a local restaurant and afterwards will have time at leisure.

In the late afternoon, you will leave towards the Valle de la Luna - the Moon Valley. Tectonic movement over millions of years has raised the bottom of a dry lake and pushed up this Cordillera. Water, wind and sand erosion has shaped this area into strange figures and given the desert a whole range of colours and textures. The colours and light in this stunning landscape are at their best in the twilight. You will admire sunset while enjoying cheese & juice.

Return to San Pedro.

Dinner served in a local restaurant and transfer back to the lodge.

Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 4 - San Pedro de Atacama / Santiago / Valparaiso

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Check-out.

You will depart the Lodge early this morning for a direct transfer to Calama Airport (approx. 1 h 30 drive) on time for the domestic flight selected by PONANT to SCL Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport.

Check-in at the airport (maximum 23 kgs baggage allowance on domestic flight Calama/Santiago).

You will fly to Santiago (approx. a 2-hour flight).

You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT and transferred by coach to Valparaiso. Stop en route for lunch.

Sailors, writers and travellers have all sung the praises of its beautiful bay which makes Valparaiso such a legendary port. Perched on the 42 hills which form an amphitheatre above the deep blue waters of the Pacific, the colourful houses recall the town’s glory days. By 1900, this port at the mouth of Cape Horn dominated continental trade.

Upon arrival, you will appreciate a panoramic drive around Viña del Mar, a popular seaside resort well known for its long sandy beaches and Valparaiso before being transferred to the pier to embark aboard your ship. 

Your hotel:

Hotel Ladera 4* / Santiago

Providencia neighbourhood, where Ladera Hotel is located, has the perfect mix between neighbourhood and city life. It still has the roots of its surroundings, which for years had a tranquility in the air and the opportunity to unwind. This boutique hotel offers an amazing view on the city and on the San Cristobal Hill “Le Cerro”.

Terrantai Andino Lodge / San Pedro de atacama

Terrantai Lodge is an old Andean home that has been restored using ancestral techniques. Retaining the traditional Atacama architecture, it has been built with natural materials such as adobe and stone from the desert. The owners have managed to preserve their heritage while offering a warm welcome in a comfortable, spacious and peaceful environment.

The lodge has: a bar, room service, safe and internet access.

Your programme includes:

• 1-night accommodation at Ladena hotel 4* (or similar), with early check-in from 11.00 am.
• 2 nights’ accommodation at San Pedro De Atacama, in Terrantai Andino Lodge (or similar).
• Flights Santiago / Calama / Santiago in economy class.
• Meals and beverages during meals (mineral water + 1 local beer of 1 soft drink + 1 coffee or 1 tea) as mentioned in the programme.
• Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Local English speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

• Dinner on Day 1.
• Tips for the driver and local guide.
• Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note :

• The official currency is the Chilean peso. In Santiago you can pay with US dollars (make sure you have small denomination notes) and credit cards are accepted in most hotels and shops. You can also take out pesos from cash-point machines. For San Pedro de Atacama, you are strongly advised to have small change in pesos. Credit cards and Euros are rarely accepted.
• Variations in temperature during the summer season mean you need summer clothes for the hot, dry days (light cotton items, T-shirts, bermuda shorts) and winter clothes for the cold evenings (fleece, trousers, windcheater, hat).
• You will be required to walk several miles a day on uneven, rocky or sandy ground. It is very important that you are fit enough. This programme is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Altitude of San Pedro de Atacama: 7,704 ft
• Before you sign up for this programme, we advise you to see your doctor. Anyone suffering from respiratory or cardiac problems should have a medical certificate.
• Bring with you: comfortable trekking shoes, sunglasses, sun-cream, hat and binoculars.
• Luggage: the luggage allowance is strictly limited to 1 piece of 23 kgs. Additional charges will apply for baggage which is not within the free baggage allowance. 1 piece of 5 kgs max. as hand luggage can be taken aboard to ensure safe travel. An excess baggage fee will be assessed for times exceeding the permitted volume for carry-on items.
• Medication: if you are on regular medication please do not forget to bring enough with you as medical facilities are limited.

Contact of your hotel:

Ladera hotel 4* / Santiago

Los Araucanos 2021, Providencia

Tel: +56228715700

Terrantai Andino Lodge / Sab Pedro de Atacama

Calle Tocopilla 411

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Telephone: +56-55 851045

Duration of the visits is given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel advisor; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Take advantage of four days to discover Quito, a lively city of art with a prestigious past. Go explore a national park and meet the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, admire the Andes mountains from one of the most spectacular railway lines in the world, visit the Inca temple of Ingapirca and stroll through the streets of Cuenca, the Ecuador’s “hidden treasure”, for and ideal conclusion to your journey.

Day 1 - Guayaquil/Quito

You will be greeted at the port by our local representative. Once the clearance is obtained, you will depart the pier by coach for a direct transfer to the airport.

Flight from Guayaquil to Quito.

You will be greeted at Quito Airport by our local representative and transferred to the historical district of Quito.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

You will begin your afternoon with a panoramic tour of Quito, the colonial city. This will help you understand why the capital of Ecuador had the honour to become the first to be ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover San Francisco Church, built on the site of the former Atahualpa Palace, La Compañía de Jésus Church with its superb Baroque-style facade, and the always lively Independence Square, framed by the Presidential Palace and Quito Cathedral. With its picturesque cobblestoned streets, balconies of flowers and a way of life that has remained the same for centuries, the historic centre is truly unique and the beating heart of Quito.

Check-in at Casa Gangotena hotel.

Dinner at leisure

Day 2 - Equator line “Mitad del Mundo”/Quito/Lasso

Departing Quito, we’ll drive north through dramatic mountain landscapes dotted with tiny villages, white churches, and blue lakes. Your first stop will be at the Quitsato Sundial about 70 kilometres from Quito. Here you will find a monument to the Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World) designed as a huge sundial.

From Quitsato, continue north to Otavalo. This small town, with a population of about 50,000, is justly renowned for its friendly people and their world-famous market, a gathering that has occurred here since pre-Incan times. Otavaleños are the most prosperous Indian group in the country -- surely because their weavings, carpets, colourful ponchos, Indian jewellery and needlework are so attractive! You can also visit the colourful and authentic produce market, which gives you the opportunity to see many of the unique fruits and vegetables of Ecuador.

One of today’s highlights will be a visit to Hacienda La Compañía and their rose plantation. This gorgeous property originally belonged to the Jesuit order and is now in the hands of lovely owners Francisco and María Gloria. First, you will be shown around the spectacular property, which was constructed in 1919 in a French Republican style. Its interior is lavishly decorated with antiques and incredible rose displays. Next door is the original 16^th century chapel, where María Gloria and Francisco themselves were married. Across a small lane is the granary, which has been converted into a flower showroom. The arrangements are truly unbelievable.

Lunch will be served at this lovely venue and you with then depart on a 2-hour drive towards Lasso. You will head south on the magnificent “Avenue of the Volcanoes”, named by the German scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt, who came to Ecuador in the 18^th century to gather information on the country’s ecology and geography.

Upon arrival, check-in at Hacienda Cotopoxi Pungo (or similar).

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 - Cotopaxi/Riobamba

This morning, you will depart for the visit of Cotopoxi National Park.

Explore the park with in the background the sight of the famous Cotopaxi volcano which has a perfectly conical shape; this is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world: it rises at a height of 5,900 metres (19,357 ft). Once inside the park, you can walk around the impressive Limpiopungo Lagoon or visit the pre-Inca era Salitre fortress’ruins. During your walk, you might also see wild horses and the Andean condor which is an endangered species.

Lunch at Hacienda San Agustin del Callo.

In the afternoon, you will head for Riobamba. Surrounded by spectacular snow-capped peaks like the Chimborazo (20,702 feet or 6,310 m, the highest in Ecuador), Riobamba is often referred to as the “Sultan of the Andes”.

You will arrive at the Hacienda Andaluza. Check-in.

You will have some time at leisure before dinner.

Day 4 - Riobamba/Cuenca

You will depart for one of the most beautiful and impressive train journey on the continent. Upon arrival in the delightful town of Alausí, take a local train that links up with the famous Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) train. The scenery along the route is breathtakingly beautiful and takes you across the Palmira desert before you reach the Devil’s Nose (duration: approx. 1 hour). One of the great engineering feats of the late 19^th early - 20^th century, the train ride is spectacular and probably the most famous in South America. When building this Quito to Guayaquil line, the engineers ran into a major obstacle: the Andes. In the absence of a clear run inland with no threats, they decided to solve the problem by creating a series of switchbacks to allow the train to navigate the 45-degree rocky slope, with a drop of more than 795 metres (2,608 feet). This is what sets this train journey apart, as well as the fact that it crosses some of the most picturesque scenery in Ecuador. After years of renovation, the track as it was over a century ago has now open again. There ingapircais also a museum of interesting information on the local culture, history, flora and fauna.

A packed lunch will be distributed.

Back to Alausí, you will head for Ingapirca Inca ruins. Ingapirca in Quichua means “Inca Wall”; this is the most imposing complex of ruins in the country, built on the remains of Cañari buildings dating back to 1200. The site was a political and religious centre for the Cañari people until their conquest by the Incas who began building their Sun Temple in 1460. The site was dedicated to worshipping the Sun and served as an agricultural calendar. The complex gathers other important buildings such as the Virgins of the Sun residence and the Inca baths. There is also a small museum showcasing objects from the Inca and Cañari civilisations.

At the end of the visit, you will depart for Cuenca. Arrival at Mansion Alcazar Hotel, check-in.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 5 - Cuenca/Guayaquil

After an early breakfast, you will have a city tour of Cuenca.

Many consider Cuenca to be the country’s most beautiful city, indeed it is often referred to as Ecuador’s hidden treasure. Cuenca was given the UNESCO World Heritage site status in 1999, mainly due to its beautifully preserved cultural and architectural characteristics the most interesting of which being in the historic centre. Today you can stroll along the cobblestoned streets admiring the colourful squares and picturesque buildings.

After visiting Cuenca, you will start your drive to Guayaquil airport. Lunch will be served on the way in a local restaurant.

Please note that the drive to Guayaquil airport lasts approximately 4 hours and takes you through the varied landscapes of the Cajas National Park. This park was recently declared as a UNESCO Reserve, and expands over 70,500 acres (28,544 ha), it also lies at an altitude of 10,500 to 14,700 feet (3,200 to 4,500 m); several animal and flora species can be found in the park. During the drive, a few stops will allow you to stretch your legs and observe these ever-changing landscapes, from the table lands’moor to the plain below.

At your arrival in Guayaquil, you will be transferred directly to the airport on time for the flight selected by PONANT.

Your hotels:

Casa Gangotena

In the heart of Quito, Casa Gangotena enjoys an incredible location right across from central Plaza San Francisco, just a few blocks from the gold-laden Jesuit church of La Compania de Jesus, the city museum, the Plaza Santo Domingo, the Presidential Palace, cultural centers and the bustle of Quito’s old town and historic quarter. Inspired by the biodiversity of their local ingredients, Casa Gangotena’s restaurant offers in a refined atmosphere, a very own creative signature cuisine. You will enjoy at Casa Gagotena, a family home, an intimate and sophisticated space with all the facilities and services today’s most refined world travelers expect.

Hacienda Cotopaxi Pungo

The Hacienda Cotopaxi Punto lies on the slopes of Pasochoa Volcano and is surrounded by Cotopaxi, Antisana and Sincholagua volcanoes, with spectacular panoramic views. Cotopaxi Pungo means “Gate to Cotopaxi”. The hotel is new with an architecture modelled on traditional architecture. From all rooms, you can contemplate the beautiful landscape of the Andes through large picture windows. The bedrooms are comfortable and the service authentic and of superior quality.

Hacienda La Andaluza

Hosteria la Andaluza is located ten minutes away from Riobamba (Province of Chimborazo) at the site of Chuquipoggio Hacienda. Its century mansion has been declared Cultural Heritage of Ecuador is a unique site which houses centuries of History; remembering the roots of Ecuadorian culture, Spanish colonial experiences with people yearning for freedom and setting goals Republican. The Andean landscapes, the beauty of its architecture with conjugated service excellence make Hosteria La Andaluza ideal for rest and relaxations in direct contact with nature.

Mansion Alcazar

The Mansion Alcazar boutique hotel is near Cuenca’s Parque Calderon square, churches and museums. The elegantly refined architecture provides the ideal setting for a visit to Cuenca. The comfortable, traditionally furnished rooms have all modern conveniences.

Your programme includes:

• 1 night in Quito at Casa Gangotena hotel (or similar) – Standard/Luxury room, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Lasso at the Cotopaxi Pungo Hacienda (or similar) – Standard room, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Riobamba at Hacienda la Andaluza (or similar) – Standard room, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Cuenca at Mansion Alcazar Hotel (or similar) – Standard room, including breakfast.
• Flight Guayaquil/Quito in economy class.
• Train ride Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose).
• Meals as mentioned in the programme (one lunch box included).
• Beverage package during meals (mineral water + 1 local beer or soft drink + 1 tea or coffee).
• Transfers and visits as per programme.
• Local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

• Tips for the driver and local guide.
• Personal expenses.
• Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

• The official currency in Ecuador is the US dollar (have small denomination notes with you) you may also pay with a credit card in the hotels and large stores.
• Climate: the mountainous region in the centre of Ecuador has a subtropical climate which remains fairly constant all year round. During day time, temperatures range between 15°C (59°F) and 20°C (68°F). At night, they fall to around 10°C (50°F). The dry season lasts from June to September and the wet season from October to May. However, it can be very variable and it is not unusual to have rain and sunshine in the same day.
• We advise you to drink mineral water only. Avoid ice, as well as raw fruit and vegetables (always opt for cooked food).
• We advise you to bring cotton trousers and a pair in a synthetic material, long and short-sleeved T-shirts, fleeces, a windproof/waterproof jacket, walking shoes or trainers, hat or peaked cap, sun-cream, even on cloudy days, sunglasses and binoculars.
• Quito is at an altitude of 2,800 m/9,240 ft, Lasso 3,048 m/10,060 ft, Riobamba 2,750 m/9,075 ft and Cuenca 2,800 m/9,240 ft. This trip is not recommended to anyone suffering of breath or heart problems. We advise you to check with your doctor, whether travelling at such high altitude is recommended or not.
• Luggage: the luggage allowance is 23 kg. Carry-on items that can be taken aboard are restricted by size, weight and quantity to ensure safe travel.
• Should your flight transit through the US and if you are not a US citizen, you will need to have the ESTA.

Contacts of your hotels:

Casa Gangotena

Bolivar Oe6-41 y Cuenca

Quito - Ecuador

Tel: + (593 2) 400 8000

Hacienda Cotopaxi Pungo

Via Pita Tambo y Via Condorcucho, Rumipamba, Pichincha

Sangolqui - Ecuador

Telephone number: + (593) 099 9551 215/216

Hacienda La Andaluza

Panamericana Norte Km 16

Riobamba- Ecuador

Telephone number: + (593 3) 233 3000

Mansion Alcazar

Boutique Hotel Mansion Alcazar

Bolívar 12-55 y Tarqui

Cuenca - Ecuador

Tel : + (593 7) 2 82 3889

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of visits may be reversed. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel advisor; It is also indicated on electronic ticket included in tour travel documents.

This overland must be pre-booked and prepaid at least 60 days prior to your cruise. Any reservation made after this deadline will be confirmed onboard based on availability.

A minimum of participants must be booked in order to operate this tour. 100% of total cost for cancellations made less than 60 days before departure.

Machu Picchu is the crowning jewel of Inca architecture, a sacred site representing the ultimate expression of how man can live in harmony with his environment. A fortress built on top of a narrow ridge above a fast-flowing river, the city is exposed to strong winds off the rugged mountains in the Amazonian foothills.

The famous Lost city of the Incas of Machu Picchu (or “old mountain” in Quechua) is perched in the heights of the Andean Cordillera at an altitude of 2,350 m / 7700 ft above the Urubamba (meaning sacred) Valley in Peru.

The city remained hidden until 1911 when Yale University professor and archaeologist Hiram Bingham revealed it to the world in his best-selling book on this pre-Columbian site 130 km north-west of Cuzco. Machu Picchu was also to inspire the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda one of whose most famous works is entitled “Heights of Machu Picchu”. He describes it as “a journey to the serenity of the soul, to the eternal fusion with the cosmos, there we feel our own fragility” and he goes on to say that one of South America’s marvels is “a haven for butterflies in the epicentre of the great circle of life. And a miracle.”

Given its architectural riches it is one of Latin America’s most important archaeological sites.

Day 1:

Disembarkation and transfer to Lima airport.

Arrive Lima airport, registration formalities.

Flight to Cuzco.

Arrive at Cuzco airport.

Cuzco means “naval” in Quechua. The Incas believed that the naval was the centre of life and for them Cuzco was the umbilicus of the world!

The capital of the Inca Empire that the Spanish conquistadores discovered in 1533 was home to 100,000 people and continued to wield a certain amount of influence for several decades after the conquest before it started to decline. Abruptly rescued from oblivion by the discovery of Machu Picchu in 1911, it is now a capital of tourism and point of departure for all excursions to the Sacred Valley. The most striking aspect of Cuzco is the architecture and the vast stone walls, so perfectly constructed without mortar and testimony to the artistic and technical genius of these people. The city is a prime example of the fusion between Inca and Spanish cultures.

Cuzco city tour starting at the main square and visit the cathedral. Cuzco cathedral was built in the mid-1500s on the foundations of an Inca palace. Many of the stones used in its construction were looted from the nearby Sacsayhuaman fortress.

Continue to Koricancha. Here, admire the lovely Dominican Convent of Santo Domingo that was built on the foundations of the Temple of the Sun, the most sumptuous temple in the Inca Empire. The curved, mortar-less masonry wall at the west end of the church is considered to be one of the greatest existing examples of Inca stonework.

After the visit, transfer to a local restaurant for lunch.

Transfer by bus to Ollanta railway station (duration: around 1h45) for a journey by train – 1^st class to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) (duration: around 1h30).

The train has very comfortable carriages with reclining seats and large windows. The trip is a sheer delight for those who love nature as the track takes you through the Urubamba river valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Arrive at Aguas Calientes and walk to the hotel (10 minutes) Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel 5* or similar.

Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 2:

Early morning buffet-style breakfast.

Walk for 10 minutes and take the shuttle to an altitude of 2,430m where the Inca city, completely intact, has survived for so long – totally forgotten.

Machu Picchu site visit

It is thought the city was built during the reign of Emperor Pachacutec around 1440 and probably abandoned before the Spanish invasion of 1532. According to archaeological excavations, Machu Picchu was not a conventional town but a fortress that was used as a secondary palace by the emperor and his entourage. The site has a large palace and temples dedicated to Inca divinities in the main courtyard with other annexed buildings for servants. It is estimated that there were no more than 750 people living here at any one time. Some theories claim that the place was a llacta, in other words a fortress built to control trade in conquered regions. Considered to be the finest llacta of the Inca Empire, the city would have been built to protect the Inca aristocracy in the event of an attack. One legend claims that the shape of the mountains behind Machu Picchu represent the face of an Inca looking up at the sky, and that the highest point, Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain), is the nose.

Having been completely forgotten, the city was rediscovered on 24 July 1911 by Hiram Bingham and his guides, Sergeant Carrasco and local farmer, Melchor Arteaga. He led the first excavations and wrote the book entitled Lost City of the Incas, which brought the site to the world’s attention.

Since its discovery, this city of granite extending across several terraces overlooking the gorges of the Rio Urubamba has remained swathed in mystery. It appears that even during the Inca Empire period only selected people were allowed to enter, and it may even have been a sanctuary. Like Pachacamac and other holy sites of the Incas, Machu Picchu appears to have been home to priests, senior officials, domestic staff, artisans and especially the “Virgins of the Sun”.

After Hiram Bingham’s discovery the city remained inaccessible until an archaeological mission discovered the Inca Trail in 1940 which crosses the Sacred Valley to the fortress. The fate of the city’s inhabitants is not known. At the time of the Conquest and during the colonial period the Spanish never found the Machu Picchu site as it is not visible from the valley. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the disappearance of the people living there: an epidemic or maybe ostracism when a vicious civil war split the empire before its downfall. The Incas have left no trace either written or orally to explain what happened.

Excavations have only served to heighten the mystery, as they uncovered 173 skeletons of which 150 were female, but no golden objects. In the tomb of the grand priestess the remains of a woman and a dog were found alongside several ceramic objects, two brooches and a woollen garment.

Since 1981, Machu Picchu has been part of a 325 km² nature reserve with the aim being to protect not only the archaeological site but also the native fauna and flora.

In 1983, Machu Picchu was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A buffet style lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure at the Citadel. Next, descend to the Aguas Calientes station.

Enjoy time at leisure for some shopping. Train departs for Ollanta station. Dinner on board.

Transfer by coach to Cuzco and the hotel JW Marriott Hotel 5* or similar.

Overnight at the hotel.

 Day 3:

Buffet-style breakfast at the hotel.

Early-morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to Trujillo.

Depart for the port of Salaverry.

Arrive and re-embark on board your ship.

Your hotels or similar:

Popular with those heading to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways and 81 whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest. Member of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, the property has 12 acres of exquisite natural beauty, where 214 bird species – such as the golden-headed quetzal and the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock – and the world’s largest native orchid collection (372 species) have been registered.

The JW Marriott Cusco Hotel is located in the city of Cusco, "The Navel of the World." It's located a few blocks from the Main Square and surrounded by the main historical sites such as the cathedral, Qoricancha, and San Blas Neighbourhood. Surrounded by ancient Inca ruins, the JW Cusco courtyard is the ideal place to unwind and admire the architectural structure of the hotel.

 Your programme includes:

• Roundtrip flight: Lima – Cuzco – Lima - Trujillo.
• Return 1st class train transport Ollanta / Machu Picchu / Ollanta.
• Transfers, visits, activities and entrance fees as per programme.
• Meal(s) mentioned in the programme:
• 2 breakfasts.
• 2 lunches including 1 bottled water, 1 beer or 1 soft drink and tea or coffee.
• 1 lunch box on day 3.
• 2 dinners including 1 bottled water, 1 beer or 1 soft drink and tea or coffee.
• 1 night at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel 5* - Aguas Calientes or similar
• 1 night at JW Marriott 5* - Cusco or similar.
• Local English speaking guide.
• PONANT tour leader.

Your programme does not include:

• Personal expenses.
• Gratuities to guide and driver.
• Meals, drinks and all services not mentioned in the programme.

 Please note - Important information:

• A medical certificate is required in order to participate in this programme. At time of booking, you will receive a document to be completed by your physician. The city of Cuzco lies at an altitude of around 3 350m / 11 700 ft and Machu Picchu at 2 500m / 8 250 ft

Contact of your hotels: 

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo 5* - Aguas Calientes

Av. Imperio de los Incas No 608

Machu Picchu, Cusco Perú

Telephone number: 51 1 610 0400

JW Marriott 5* - Cusco

Esquina de la Calle Ruinas 432 y San Agustin ·

Cusco, Peru

Telephone number: 51 84 582200

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed.