Insight Into Peru
Insight Vacations is celebrating the launch of its first foray into South America with the addition of the new “Luxury Gold” itinerary entitled, Treasures of the Incas – a Peruvian journey into the mysterious world of the Inca.
Ranked as one of the top destinations in 2014 by TripAdvisor, Peru has long been a dream destination for many seasoned travellers.
“I am thrilled to introduce Peru as as our newest Insight destination with the launch of our ‘Luxury Gold’ and classic premium escorted journeys collection which takes your clients by road, rail and cruise,” says Cris David, president, Insight Vacations Canada. “Our Americas program contains a kaleidoscope of cultures and scenery, and our guests will now be able to travel in true elegance and style on our ‘Luxury Gold’ itineraries.
The first departure of the Treasures of the Incas itinerary is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2016.
The mysterious world of the Inca Empire is played out on this 12-day stylish exploration of Peru – a truly diverse country with 11 eco regions and 84 of the 117 life zones that exist worldwide. Starting in the capital of Lima, gourmands will enjoy lunch at Amor Amar – a hidden gem in the bohemian district of Barranco that serves classic Peruvian dishes with a touch of the Mediterranean. Guests are also treated to dinner at one of Peru’s top restaurants, Huaca Pucllana where chefs Marilú Madueño and Andrea Massaro serve their take on “new Andean” cuisine – all while patrons dine overlooking the illuminated ruins of a 1,500 year old pre-Inca pyramid.
From there, travellers board a flight to Cusco – a UNESCO Heritage site since 1983 and known by the Incas as the “Sacred City” – where a drive down to Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas is sure to captivate the senses. Stretching between the former capital of one of the main pre-Columbian empires, the Tahuantinsuyo, and the legendary city of Machu Picchu, lies what was once the fertile homeland of the Incan Empire. While at Cusco, guests meld the worlds of travel and the ability to make a difference into one where they meet with Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a Quechua weaver, scholar and TreadRight Foundation Heritage Initiative grant recipient. During lunch at her workshop, guests learn about the mission to preserve traditional Andean weaving techniques – a 10,000-year-old textile tradition that is in danger of disappearing.
After exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu with a local expert, guests board the award-winning Andean Explorer that traverses between mountains, clouds and highlands. On this 10-hour journey to Lake Titicaca and Puno, the Orient-Express style train takes passengers back in time to the bygone era of glamourous train travel. Upon arrival to Lake Titicaca, guests cruise the most sacred lake in the Incan civilization, to the floating islands of Uros where they will meet the native Kotsuña (the “lake people”) as a Signature Experience.
Travellers can take advantage of early booking savings when booking and paying early – guests who pay in full before Nov. 19 can save up to 10%.
