CUSCO & THE SACRED VALLEY
Tucan Travel has introduced a tool
on its website that shows live availability of Inca Trail permits. Only 500 are available per day – which includes guides and porters – with permits often sold out several months in advance. The Sacred Valley’s Sol y Luna hotel has
introduced Achuma, a 45-minute show about Peruvian folklore. It features a cast of five acrobats and musicians and operates four nights a week. The price of $60 includes dinner, wine and transfers. The Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel is now
a member of Ecoluxury following the award of three ‘golden tents’ in the hideaway retreats category. The hotel also obtained Rainforest Alliance sustainability verification in 2011. Libertador’s Tambo del Inka hotel in Urubamba has been awarded the best hotel in South America in Trip Advisor’s 10th annual Travellers Choice Awards. It is the only hotel in the Sacred Valley with a private station for train services direct to Machu Picchu.
From The Front Line ALLISON LEE
Peru Product Manager, Imagine Latin America “Cusco and the Sacred
Valley have become world-class destinations. Many travellers are keen to challenge themselves with the four-day trek along the world famous Inca Trail, rewarding them with a view from the Sungate of Machu Picchu at its most glorious – sunrise. “Other trekking opportunities exist
such as the Salkantay Trek, for example, which is said to be as good, if not better than its more proclaimed cousin. Cusco and the Sacred Valley are worth lingering in for their excellent museums, Inca ruins, spectacular scenery and an interesting blend of Inca and Spanish architecture.”
BRIAN HAWE Latin America Product and Purchasing Manager, Travel 2
“Peru is home to some of the most spectacular ‘must do’ sightseeing in the whole of Latin America. This is an area that really does offer something for everyone. History buffs will marvel at the ancient Inca ruins and the incredible Machu Picchu, while nature lovers and the energetic will delight in the Sacred
42 July/August 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Valley’s fantastic scenery and activities such as hiking, cycling and rafting. “Ancient Cusco was once the capital
of the Inca Empire and the cobbled streets are a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Accommodation varies and suits all pockets from modest hostels through to the deluxe hotels formed from converted monasteries.”
SONIA ROJAS Latin America Travel Specialist, Rainbow Tours “Both Cusco and the
Sacred Valley are really popular destinations for first time visitors not only to Peru, but to the South American continent in general. “Cusco is one of Peru’s major attractions in its own right, full of beautiful colonial buildings and Inca heritage, but it is also known as the starting point for the Inca Trail. “The city appeals to all clients, with a
huge choice of accommodation from budget to really top end, and a great choice of restaurants too. For those not tackling the Inca Trail, the Sacred Valley is the gateway to Machu Picchu and a train from Ollantaytambo takes only 90 minutes to reach the iconic site. “Within the Sacred Valley itself, accommodation tends to be dotted around rather than concentrated in one centre, however visitors are rewarded with beautiful Inca buildings and ruins such as those at Ollantaytambo. The best time to visit this area is between May and October.”
Where To Book It JOURNEY LATIN AMERICA 020 3603 7280
www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk The 13-day Condorito Journey includes three nights in Cusco and a visit to Machu Picchu, as well as taking in the Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca. It is priced from £2,898pp including flights.
DRAGOMAN - 01728 885171
www.dragoman.com Offers a Community Inca Trek as part of several tours, including the 22-day Inca Heartland trip. Prices for the latter start from £870pp plus a US$920 local payment, not including flights.
COX & KINGS - 0845 564 8279
www.coxandkings.co.uk An 11-day Peru in Luxury tour featuring the new Palacio Nazarenas hotel in Cusco and the Orient Express Hiram Bingham train starts from £3,985pp if booked by September 15.
RAINBOW TOURS - 020 7666 1260
www.rainbowtours.co.uk New from Rainbow Tours is a honey- moon package, Peru: Land of the Incas, Canyons and Condors. The ten-day tour is priced from £2,999pp including VIP meet and greet, private transfers and tours and luxury accommodation, but not international and domestic flights. •
Pictured above from left: the terraced slopes of Machu Picchu; Cusco Cathedral on the city's central Plaza de Armas
CUSCO AND THE SACRED VALLEY
Top Selling Tips...
• “Trekking opportunities other than the Inca Trail exist such as the Salkantay Trek, for example, which is said to be as good, if not better than its more proclaimed cousin”
ALLISON LEE Peru Product Manager, Imagine Latin America
• “The energetic will delight in the Sacred Valley’s fantastic scenery and abundant choice of outdoor activities such as walking, cycling and rafting”
BRIAN HAWE Latin America Product and Purchasing Manager, Travel 2
• “Cusco appeals to all clients, with a huge choice of accommodation from budget to really top end, and an excellent choice of restaurants too”
SONIA ROJAS Latin America Travel Specialist, Rainbow Tours
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68