Peru: Machu Picchu tour blends ancient ruins with local culture
Machu Picchu was brought to the world’s attention after American Hiram Bingham III rediscovered the Incan site more than a century ago, a blip in time for the high-altitude ruins that date to the 15th century.
San Francisco-based Llama Expeditions leads a weeklong trip to Peru that links tours of Incan temples and ruins with modern-day dwellers in the Andes Mountains. The tour begins in Peruvian capital Lima before flying to Cuzco for sightseeing and dinner with a family in their home. The next day features a visit to a nearby mountain village to see the art of textile weaving and share lunch with the locals.
Participants then take a train to Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu for a day exploring the ruins. Other highlights include the Old Town of Ollantaytambo and a visit to salt mines that have been operating from ancient times to the present.
The deal: The company offers discounts of up to $1,000 off a group of four ($100 off the first booking, $200 off the second, $300 off the third and $400 the fourth). The discounts are good for trips booked by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time Feb. 14.
Dates: The weeklong tour is available on dates year-round, except during February.
Price: $3,548 per person for two to four people, $2,888 per person for groups of five to eight. It includes hotel (double occupancy), airport transfers, guides, entrance fees for tours and archaeological sites, some meals and ground transportation by train, private car and buses. International and domestic airfare is extra.
Contact: Llama Expeditions, (415) 553-7731
Mary.Forgione@latimes.com
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