2020 GeoEx Catalog

MOUNTAIN LODGES OF PERU

Hidden Corners of Peru  MACHU PICCHU AND BEYOND TOURING · DAY HIKING · RAFTING | 7 DAYS · CUSTOM

O ur senses snap to attention in Peru, where past and present intertwine beautifully, dramatically. Tradition mixes with innovation from the country’s glorious cordilleras and Amazonian waterways to its Pacific coast, resulting in exquisite weavings, inexplicably exact stonework, sophisticated arts, and world-renowned cuisine. No wonder Peru attracts so many visitors, which is why we focus on its hidden corners. Machu Picchu, the crown jewel of Incan civilization, is a must-see: its mystical energy vibrates through us dur- ing the quieter hours of dawn and dusk. But the lesser- visited Incan and pre-Incan sites of Tipón, Pikillacta, Pisac, and Maras are also marvels to behold, set below Andean snow titans. We connect them with stops at local markets and untouristed villages. At a women’s textile cooperative, we discover how alpaca wool is transformed into vibrantly hued blankets using techniques passed down for generations. Our gateway to the Sacred Valley is Cusco, the old Incan heart that “combines the compulsions of Stonehenge, a small Barcelona, and a Kathmandu,” as Jan Morris wrote. We wander its ruins and charmingly narrow streets before continuing to other captivating parts of Peru,

the stories of the civilizations that preceded the Incas and of the Incas’ sudden, heartrending downfall. Along the way are opportunities to kayak on Piuray Lake (spotting cinnamon teals up close and ice peaks on the horizon), raft the Urubamba, bike to Moray’s agri- cultural terraces, and hike into isolated valleys, learning about the thousands of potato varieties and their cultural importance. We also appreciate the diversity and delec-

tability of Peruvian gastronomy, feasting on rustic pachamanca meals, experimenting with huacatay and other Andean herbs at a cooking class, and relishing a culinary tour in Lima—complete with ceviche making and pisco sour mixing—

It’s easy to spend two or three weeks getting to know Peru. We’re happy to make recommendations for you and your friends or family.

that ties together the indigenous, European, African, and Asian influences that have shaped this fascinating nation. offered mar.–nov. from $6375 Day 1  arrive in Lima ✦  2 & 3  fly to Cusco; visit Pisac, Moray, Maras, and Ollantaytambo ✦  4  train to Machu Picchu, optional Inca Trail hike ✦  5  morning at Machu Picchu, return to Cusco ✦  6  explore Cusco and nearby ruins ✦  7  fly to Lima, sightseeing, depart.

Peru

ABOVE  Machu Picchu. “Then up the ladder of the earth I have risen,” Pablo Neruda wrote, “through the awful tangles of lost forests, up to you, my friend, Machu Picchu . . . the cradle for lightning and people. . . . High reef of the human dawn.”

like Lima, the multicultural capital whose outstanding archaeological museum tells

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