MEDIA CONTACT: Patty Disken‐Cahill Lindblad Expeditions 212‐261‐9081 [email protected]
NEW YORK, NY, April 2011 ‐‐‐ On July 24, 1911, as part of the Yale Peruvian Expedition, Hiram Bingham gazed upon the great Inca city deep in the Peruvian Andes and has been credited with its discovery. Now, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Machu Picchu, Lindblad Expeditions is offering a complimentary Machu Picchu & the Land of the Inca 4‐night pre‐extension to Peru on eight Galapagos departures beginning July 23 this year.
The 4‐night extension features four exhilarating nights in Peru (itinerary below), including an overnight at Machu Picchu, prior to the Galapagos voyage. This special “commemorative” itinerary is a compressed version of Lindblad’s longstanding 8‐day Machu Picchu extension and includes the Sacred Valley, the Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, the capital city of Cusco and the vast Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Guests will be joined by archaeologists Peter Frost or Jean‐Jacques Decoster, who will provide an inspiring orientation before their visit to Machu Picchu.
The complimentary Peru extension does not include air, cannot be combined with other offers, and is valid on new bookings only when guests book one of the following 2011 Galapagos departures:
- National Geographic Islander ‐ July 23, Aug 13, Sept 3, Sept 10, Nov 5, 2011 •National Geographic Endeavour ‐ Sept 30, Oct 14, Oct 21, 2011
Guests booking this commemorative itinerary will also receive a complimentary copy of Hiram Bingham’s book, “Last City of the Incas” which became a best seller upon its publication in 1948; and an archival photograph from that expedition, signed by the former Chairman of National Geographic, Gil Grosvenor, whose grandfather pledged National Geographic Society support to Bingham’s 1912 and 1915 expeditions.
Rates for the Galapagos voyages on the National Geographic Endeavour begin at $5,230 per person based on double occupancy; and on the National Geographic Islander at $5,550 per person based on double occupancy.
For reservations contact your travel agent, or for additional information on Lindblad Expeditions’ voyages to some of the most beautiful and fascinating places on earth, visit www.expeditions.com or call 1‐800‐ EXPEDITION.
Machu Picchu & the Land of the Inca 4‐Night Pre‐Extension Itinerary
Day 1: U.S./Lima, Peru
Depart the U.S. on overnight flight to Lima, Peru, airfare not included.
Day 2: Lima/Cusco/Sacred Valley (L,D)
Arrive in Lima and connect with our flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, transfer to a local restaurant for early lunch. Afterwards, drive to Awanacancha, a farm where South American camelidae are bred. Visit the Pisac market, the gateway to the Sacred Valley, and walk through the local food market. Check into the Aranwa Hotel.
Day 3: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu (B,L,D)
Visit the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo. Continue from the valley to Machu Picchu. We’ll have a guided introduction to the site and overnight at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.
Day 4: Cusco (B,L,D)
This morning, hike to the Sun Gate, the ancient final checkpoint to Machu Picchu, and watch daybreak over the quiet ruins. The morning is free to explore. After a train and bus ride we arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon and check into the Aranwa Cusco Hotel.
Day 5: Cusco (B,L)
Explore the Inca Empire’s capital city of Cusco and visit the vast Sacsayhuaman Fortress. The afternoon is open to stroll around the city. Relax, shop or visit one of the museums or convents including the magnificent 17th century cathedral and convent of Koricancha. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Day 6: Cusco/Lima/Guayaquil, Ecuador (B)
This morning we return to Lima and connect with our flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador. You will be met upon arrival in Guayaquil and transferred to the Hotel Hilton Colon where you will spend the night before departing for Galápagos the following morning.
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