Meaning ‘Ancient Mountain’, mysterious Machu Picchu lay undetected for centuries, now it basks in global acclaim. This truly spectacular citadel, once the heart of the Incan empire, lies deep within the Andes Mountains and has fascinated travellers since its discovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911.
Here at Hays Travel we’ve created a sublime 8-night programme which includes a full-day visit to Peru’s Sacred Valley, where colonial towns nestle in the Urubamba River Valley, considered sacred by the Incas. The following day an expedition train takes you from Ollanta to Aguas Calientes, nearby to Machu Picchu - named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. The construction of this ‘Lost City of the Incas’ started around 1450, with temples and palaces built from huge blocks of precisely-sculpted granite. A great example is the Temple of the Sun. There’s the chance to explore more than 150 buildings ranging from dwellings and baths, to temples and sanctuaries. The Sacred Plaza includes the Temple of the Condor, where a vast rock was sculpted to resemble the massive bird in flight. Machu Picchu lies at a relatively modest altitude of 2,430 meters above sea level; by contrast, Cusco sits at 3,400 metres. This underscores the benefit of a hotel within the Sacred Valley, which allows the chance to acclimatise. Cusco is known as the ‘Jewel of the Andes’ due to its pre- Columbian buildings which have ensured the city UNESCO World Heritage status. From here, it’s a scenic drive into the Sacred Valley, where the lofty fortress of Ollantaytambo; the rustic town
of Chinchero; and the Museum of Living Culture of Yucay are enthralling highlights of this all- encompassing tour. Such a foray into a bucket-list of famous archaeological sites is the perfect prelude to Oceania Cruises mind-blowing 24-day ‘Legendary Latin America’ sailing aboard the 1,238-passenger Marina, which departs Callao, the port for Lima, on 21 December 2024. Imagine spending Christmas and New Year cruising around the spectacular coast of South America, seeing the stunning Chilean Fjords; Paradise Bay and Half Moon Island in Antarctica; as well as the Falkland Islands. This seaborne odyssey, which blends nature’s majesty with Latino charm, concludes in Buenos Aires – the Paris of South America. Best of all, it’s mid-summer down in the southern hemisphere. _____
8 night 4* to 4.5* bed & breakfast in Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cuzco with magical
train journey through dramatic Andean landscapes plus 24 night full board cruise on Marnia. Flying from regional airports on the 13 December 2024. Interior Stateroom from £7,899 per person. Scan the code or contact us for more information and to book.
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