Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(11
days/10 nights)
Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(12 days/11 nights)
Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(14 days/13 nights)
Colca Canyon - Machu
Picchu
Lake Titicaca
(16 days/15 nights)
Archaeological & Ecological
Treasures
Galapagos - Machu Picchu
Lake Titicaca (or Amazon)
(18 days/17
nights)
Colca Canyon - Amazon
Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca
(22 days/21 nights)
Machu Picchu
(10
days/9 nights)
Machu Picchu
(13 days/12 nights)
Machu Picchu - Galapagos
(15 days/14 nights)
Galapagos - Machu Picchu
(18 days/17 nights)
Manu National Park
(8 days/7 nights)
Enchanted Isles of the Galapagos
Galapagos
(11
days/10 nights)
Galapagos & the Kingdom of Quito
Galapagos - Andes
(16 days/15 nights)
Galapagos - Amazon
(16 days/15 nights)
Historic Haciendas of the Andes
Cotopaxi - Antisana
- Otavalo
(7 days/6 nights)
© 2008
Inka's Empire Corporation.
All rights reserved.
Traditional, horse-drawn carriage, Quito, Ecuador.
Photo: Hotel Plaza Grande.
I fear you've spoiled us forever...
-- K. Ebel & S. Root
Why Inka's?
Just about everything you'll want to know about our tours and our company is on or linked to this page, including land and cruise prices, intra-tour air flights and fares, private guides, itineraries, regal accommodations, gourmet cuisine, travel insurance, exceptional guest satisfaction, how to compare tours, our story, reservations and payments, tour documents, vouchers and tickets and travel advice.
Mochica, 500 AC.
Photo: Museo
Larco, Lima, Peru.
Thank you for your perfect work and help in every situation...
-- Heike Verfürth & Holger Steffentorweihen
Land & cruise prices
For the same price that other luxury operators charge, Inka's gives its guests dedicated attention, enhanced itineraries, upgraded accommodations, superb meals and travel insurance.
Three prices are quoted for the land and cruise portions of our tours: Royal Class, Imperial and De Luxe. In our Royal Class, you will stay in a deluxe suite in the finest hotel at each destination; in Imperial, a suite; or in De Luxe, a deluxe room. Although the accommodations differ, all other services are identical. (On some tours, not all hotel categories are available.) For details, see What's the difference?
Although the accommodations differ, all other services are identical. Each price includes escorted transfers, private excursions with professional guides and chauffeurs (rare exceptions are clearly noted, such as our Galapagos cruises, which are semi-private with a naturalist), entrance fees except Galapagos National Park, indicated category of accommodations, all meals except beverages, all transportation except air flights, and travel insurance for guests through the age of 59 years. Over that age, there is a supplementary fee.
All prices are for travel during 2008, and are per person based on two people sharing a guest room. Prices are subject to change prior to purchase but are guaranteed upon payment of the deposit.
Land and cruise prices do not include air flights or South American airport taxes. Nor do they include passports, visas, vaccinations, $100 Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Chilean entry fee ($100 for U.S. citizens), food and beverages not on the "prix fixe" menu, gratuities or any other item of a personal nature.
Mochica, 500 AC.
Photo: Museo
de Arte Precolombino, Cuzco, Peru.
The arrangements were like clockwork...
-- Bert & Pat Hewitt
Intra-tour air flights & fares
To assure perfect coordination, Inka's provides the intra-tour air flights at additional cost. Consult the itineraries or intra-tour air flights and fares for details. We do not sell international flights, which guests are advised to obtain directly from their preferred airline or travel web site.
Mochica, 600 AC.
Photo: Museo
Larco, Lima, Peru.
for getting us such warm and knowledgeable people...
-- Chris Davis & Gordon Stone III
Private guides
On your journey by Inka's Empire Tours, private guides and a masterfully designed itinerary assure an authentic experience with the people, places and cultures of the Inca Empire. From seeing sunrise over Machu Picchu to sailing the ancient sea of Titicaca, exploring the Amazon and yachting the Galapagos; every encounter will be unique and exclusive. One Hundred Views of Peru and A Voyage in the Enchanted Isles hint at what's to come.
Each of our guides is an English-speaking professional, licensed by the Peruvian government. On your escorted transfers from and to the airport at each destination, you'll be accompanied by your guide and chauffeur. Upon your arrival, your guide will welcome you, brief you on the area, review your excursons and help you check in to the hotel. At the agreed-upon times, your guide and chauffeur will meet you in your hotel to begin each excursion and will return you to the hotel or another location of your choice. Upon your departure, your chauffeur will take you to the airport and your guide will help you check-in.
Mochica, 500 AC.
Photo: Museo
Larco, Lima, Peru.
We loved every one of the planned outings...
-- Martin & Judy Deggeller
A masterfully designed itinerary
To begin, see our Tour Portfolio of selected archaeological and ecological experiences. For all of our experiences, discover the Wonders of the Empire. Or simply inquire. We will work closely with you to make your dreams come true. Since our tours are private, you may depart on any day you wish, and any tour can be modified to meet your needs. Most have longer and shorter versions to which you'll find links at the top of each itinerary. If you have an extra day or two, consider What You Could Add in Peru and What You Could Add in Ecuador.
You can review some of our guests' itineraries in photo albums by Bill Gass and Billie Spinat, Marcia Brandes, Iolanda Costa, Gaye Plunkett, Lorraine Volkers and Taylor Poole, and David Bate. Letters from Peru by Monika Jensen and Giselle Barretto describe their experiences on our Grand Tour of the Inca Empire, while Giselle Barretto and Marco Pedro have created an extraordinary web site of their tour.
For a detailed comparison of an Inka's itinerary to that of another luxury operator, see What You Won't Be Missing.
Lambayeque, 700 AC.
Photo: Museo
Larco, Lima, Peru.
The Country Club was luxurious and obviously meant to assure us that we were going
to be well cared for during the tour. We were not disappointed...
-- Nigel and Shoenad Sutherland
Regal accommodations
Inka's returns guests to the golden age of travel with accommodations that Luxury Link aptly describes as "regal". In our Royal Class, you will stay in a deluxe suite in the finest hotel at each destination; in Imperial, a suite; or in De Luxe, a deluxe room. Although the accommodations differ, all other services are identical.
In Lima, we have chosen the swanky, 1927 colonial-style Country Club Lima Hotel, which overlooks the Lima Country Club's golf course, in the garden district of San Isidro.
We prefer hotels in historic Spanish colonial buildings to enhance your experience of the culture. In Cuzco, the Orient-Express Hotel Monasterio, a four-century-old monastery, retains its religious art, arcaded cloister, garden courtyard and three-hunded-year-old cedar tree. From the Monasterio, take an Orient-Express rail excursion to the Sanctuary Lodge, next to the ruins of Machu Picchu.
In the heavenly Sacred Valley of the Incas, the charming bungalows of the Sol y Luna Lodge are literally at the end of the rainbow. At Lake Titicaca, we favor the Hotel Libertador Puno, on private Isla Esteves, with a view of sunrise and sunset over the lake; and in Quito, the Villa Colonna, a colonial home, or the resplendent Hotel Plaza Grande.
What's the difference between Royal Class, Imperial & De Luxe?
For our most frequent destinations, the hotel and type of accommodation provided for our Royal Class, Imperial and De Luxe categories are shown below.
De Luxe
Our De Luxe category provides these deluxe accommodations in Peru's and Bolivia's finest hotels:
Lima: A Master Room in the 5-star Country Club Lima Hotel.
Cuzco: A De Luxe Room in the 5-star Orient-Express Hotel Monasterio.
Machu Picchu: A Mountain View Room in the 4-star Orient-Express Sanctuary Lodge.
Sacred Valley: A Bungalow at the 3-star Sol y Luna Lodge.
Lake Titicaca: A Suite in the 4-star Hotel Libertador Puno.
Quito. A Suite in the Villa Colonna.
Imperial
Our Imperial category provides these upgrades from De Luxe:
Lima: A Gran Clase Suite in the 5-star Country Club Lima Hotel, instead of a Master Room.
Cuzco: A Junior Suite in the 5-star Orient-Express Hotel Monasterio, instead of a De Luxe Room.
Machu Picchu: A Suite in the 4-star Orient Express Sanctuary Lodge, instead of a Panoramic View Room with Terrace.
Sacred Valley: A Suite at the 3-star Sol y Luna Lodge, instead of a Bungalow.
Lake Titicaca: As in De Luxe, a Suite in the 4-star Hotel Libertador Puno.
Quito. As in De Luxe, a Suite in the Villa Colonna.
Royal Class
Our Royal Class provides these upgrades from Imperial:
Lima: A Governor's De Luxe Suite in the 5-star Country Club Lima Hotel, instead of a Gran Clase Suite.
Cuzco: A De Luxe Suite in the 5-star Orient-Express Hotel Monasterio, instead of a Junior Suite.
Machu Picchu: As in Imperial, you'll stay in a Suite in the 4-star Orient Express Sanctuary Lodge. However, to reach Machu Picchu, you'll travel in 1920s style aboard the Hiram Bingham Orient-Express, instead of the Vistadome Orient-Express. Rather than spending a second night in the Sacred Valley as shown in our itineraries, you'll return to Cuzco and stay overnight in a De Luxe Suite in the Orient-Express Hotel Monasterio before setting out the next morning on a luxurious rail excursion to the "Lost City of the Incas".
Sacred Valley: As in Imperial, a Suite at the 3-star Sol y Luna Lodge, instead of a Bungalow.
Lake Titicaca: As in Imperial, a Suite in the 4-star Hotel Libertador Puno.
Quito. A Royal Suite in the Hotel Plaza Grande. Although called a "Royal Suite", the accommodation is more accurately described as a De Luxe Room.
Mochica, 50 - 800 AC.
Photo: Museo
Larco, Lima, Peru.
Sitting out on the balcony sipping beer and watching Huayna Picchu
in the clouds was an absolute delight...
-- John Scriven & Sheyenne Jin
Gourmet cuisine
An integral part of the cultural experience is traditional cookery and its nouvelle interpretations. During your tour, you'll savor gourmet cuisine by the great chefs of South America, such as Peru's prestigious Gastón Acurio. You'll be able to choose an appetizer, entree and dessert from among those offered on any of the "prix fixe" menus. Beverages and any other items are at additional cost and will be billed directly to you by the restaurant. For dinners only, we offer an "a la carte" option.
If you prefer dining "a la carte"...
While the "prix fixe" menu is more convenient because all of the dinners and a 10% gratuity are included in your tour, some of the restaurants offer more choices if you order "a la carte". To make a decision, we recommend that you compare a typical "prix fixe" menu with a typical "a la carte" menu. If you select the "a la carte" option, we reduce the tour price by $25 per dinner, and you pay the hotel or restaurant directly for your dinner and any gratuity.*
In either case, we will make your reservations and provide any needed transfers. Reservations will be for 7:30 pm, unless you request otherwise at the time of booking your tour.
*An "a la carte" dinner and gratuity is included with your accommodation at Machu Picchu.
Bottled water
We provide a bottle of water with your morning excursion, lunch and your afternoon excursion. In the Andes, drinking plenty of water is recommended to alleviate altitude sickness.
Breakfast
A buffet or American breakfast is served in your hotel each morning.
Lunch
A gourmet lunch is provided each afternoon at a Frommer's Favorite restaurant, where available. Your guide will join you unless you request otherwise when booking your tour.
Lima: On the first day, a lunch of traditional Peruvian cuisine at the Café del Museo, directed by Peru's most prestigious chef, Gastón Acurio, and located in the gardens of the Museo Larco. On the last day of your tour, if you are returning home from Lima, a lunch in the Peruvian Criollo tradition at chef Marilú Madueño's extraordinary Huaca Pucllana restaurant. A Frommer's Favorite, it is located on the grounds of a 1,500-year-old adobe pyramid built by the original inhabitants of Lima.
Cuzco: On the first day, a lunch of traditional Andean cuisine in the patio of Pachapapa, a Frommer's Favorite, and on the second day, a lunch of Italian-Peruvian cuisine at Incanto,
Machu Picchu: On the first day, a sumptuous buffet luncheon of typical or international cuisine at the Tinkuy Restaurant, in the Orient-Express Sanctuary Lodge and on the second day, a lunch of typical or international cuisine in the hotel's Tampu Restaurant.
Sacred Valley: On the first day, a gourmet lunch of Mediterranean-Asian-Peruvian fusion cuisine in the patio of El Huacatay, a country restaurant with big-city sophistication. Indeed, Pio Vazquez de Velasco Jimenez (known simply as chef Pio) is making a name for himself throughout Peru after mastering his skills in the kitchen of Lima's culinary landmark, Astrid & Gaston. On the second day, a lunch of traditional Peruvian cuisine in the garden of the Hacienda Huayoccari.
Arequipa. On the first day, a typical lunch at the classic, open-air Tradición Arequipeña, a Frommer's Favorite, and on the last day, at La Cantarilla.
Orient-Express Andean Explorer: A three-course lunch of typical or international cuisine, followed by coffee in the glass-walled observation car.
Lake Titicaca: On the first day, a typical lunch with a local family in the village of Llachon and on the second day, aboard the catamaran to the Island of the Sun.
Quito: Depending on your choice of afternoon excursion, Ecuadorian cuisine at Octava de Corpus or La Choza.
Dinner
A gourmet dinner is provided each night at a Frommer's Favorite restaurant, where available. You will dine privately, without your guide. When dining out and where needed, escorted transfers are provided.
Lima: On the second night, a welcome dinner of Criollo cuisine at chefs Gastón Acurio and Astrid Gutsche's Astrid & Gastón, one of the highest notes in the Peruvian culinary scene. On the last night of your tour, if you are returning home from Lima, a farewell dinner of Peruvian or international cuisine at the Country Club Lima Hotel's Perroquet Restaurant.
Cuzco: On the first night, a dinner of nouvelle Andean cuisine at the MAP Café and on the second night, a dinner of Mediterranean cuisine at La Cicciolina, both Frommer's Favorites.
Machu Picchu: A gourmet dinner of typical or international cuisine at the Tampu Restaurant, in the Orient-Express Sanctuary Lodge, where our guests often say they enjoyed their best meal while in Peru. Upon your return to Cuzco, a dinner of typical or international cuisine at the Restaurante Illariy, a Frommer's Favorite and the city's most refined dining establishment, in the Orient-Express Hotel Monasterio.
Sacred Valley: A nouvelle Andean dinner at the Killa Wasi, a Frommer's Favorite, in the Sol y Luna Lodge.
Arequipa: On the first night, dinner of Italian cuisine at famed Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio's La Trattoria del Monasterio, a Frommer's Favorite, and on the second night, at Los Robles, in the Hotel Libertador Arequipa.
Lake Titicaca: A dinner of typical or international cuisine each night at Los Uros, in the Hotel Libertador Puno.
Quito: A fusion of Peruvian and Mediterranean cuisine at chef Rafael Osterlicht's Blu on the first night, gourmet fushion cuisine at La Belle Epoque on the second and French gourmet cuisine at Chez Jerome on the third.
Huari, 900 AC.
Photo: Museo de Arte Precolombino,
Cuzco, Peru.
We received a check for the full amount covering both what we missed
and what Wilma could not enjoy due to her illness...
-- Brent & Wilma Garren
Travel insurance
Inka's includes travel insurance for guests through the age of 59 years. Over that age, there is a supplementary fee. U.S. or Canadian residents are covered by AIG Travel Guard's ProtectAssist policy. International residents will receive different coverage with similar benefits. For questions about the coverage and how it applies to your particular circumstances, please call AIG Travel Guard directly at 1-800-826-4919. You may wish to consider Air Ticket Protection Plan for your international flights. Inka's can include it at additional cost. Why does Inka's include travel insurance?
Lambayeque, 1000 AC.
Photo: Museo
Larco, Lima, Peru.
I've had nothing but rave reviews of your trip. Thank you!
-- Peter Keller, Director, The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art
Exceptional guest satisfaction
All in all, it was one of the best weeks of my entire life. -- Chris Davis
I'm infinitely glad that I engaged the services of Inka's Empire Tours... -- Valerie Seefried
I fear you've spoiled us forever. -- Karen Ebel & Steven Root
It was everything we had hoped for and expected and more. -- Jim Wood & Shirley White-Black
Truly, one of the very best travel experiences we've ever had... --Pat & Stan Palombo
Endorsed by IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network)
Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York, New York City, 212-533-6200
Chancay, 1100 AC.
Photo: Museo
de Arte Precolombino, Cuzco, Peru.
I'm infinitely glad that I engaged the services of Inka's Empire Tours...
-- Valerie Seefried
How can I compare tours offered by different companies?
First, is the tour private or in a group? Ours are just for you. Second, study the itinerary -- which excursions are included and, importantly, which are not? You'd have every right to expect that well-known companies would have the best itineraries, but that's simply not true. To save time and money, they often skip important places, such as the Pisaq ruins. However, if you're not an expert, it might be hard to tell. So, ask Inka's. We'll analyze any itinerary and give you our honest opinion. For an example, see What You Won't Be Missing. Third, which hotels and types of accommodation are used? Abercrombie & Kent provides a standard room without a view at Machu Picchu's Sanctuary Lodge, while Inka's gives you a preferential, mountain view room. The costs vary greatly, and you should insist on knowing exactly which hotels and types of accommodation you will be getting. Fourth, are all meals included? With Inka's, they are. Fifth, is travel insurance included? With Inka's, it is. Finally and crucially, how satisfied were previous guests? What do ours say? See their quotes and letters.
Inka's provides masterfully designed, privately guided tours; regal accommodations; gourmet cuisine; insurance to protect you and exceptional guest satisfaction. Even more, when you choose Inka's Empire Tours, you'll be helping to guard the Amazon's rare species.
Our tours offer excellent value. For comparable services and quality, our prices are 11% to 24% lower than those of other companies.*
*After adjusting the tour price for Inka's additional excursions, higher quality accommodations, provision of all meals and inclusion of insurance; Inka's De Luxe category Galapagos Islands & Machu Picchu is 11% less expensive than Abercrombie & Kent's Signature Galapagos with Peru, and our De Luxe category Ancient & Colonial Capitals is 24% less expensive than their Signature Peru. Comparisons are based on itineraries and prices published on each company's web site on 24 March 2006.
Chimu, 1200 AC.
Photo: Museo
de Arte Precolombino, Cuzco, Peru.
One of the best weeks of my entire life...
-- Chris Davis
Our story
Inka's Empire Tours is a boutique tour operator that offers luxurious archaeological and ecological expeditions in the land of the Incas -- present-day Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile. Private service with warm and knowledgeable guides assures our guests an authentic experience with the people, places and cultures of the Inca Empire. Uniqueness and exclusivity is the hallmark of every Inka's journey. For a tour proposal with your personal itinerary, please inquire.
Inka's was founded in Cuzco, Peru in 1991, established as an American firm in New York in 1997 and incorporated in 2001.
Inca, 1300 AC.
Photo: Museo de Arte Precolombino,
Cuzco, Peru.
Truly, one of the very best travel experiences we've ever had...
-- Pat & Stan Palombo
Reservations & payments
Our chosen hotels are small and in high demand. As accommodations are subject to availability at the time of booking, we suggest early reservations and maintain the right to use an alternative hotel or type of accommodation of comparable quality in case the indicated one is unavailable.
Upon your approval of the itinerary and price, each person should fill out and send in a separate Application. Copy and paste that page into a new mail message, answer the questions in red and return to tours@inkas.com. All sales are governed by the provisions of the Application, which define the rights and responsibilities of the guest and Inka's. All information is maintained as private and confidential.
A deposit of 50% of the land and cruise price, intra-tour air fares and insurance supplement (if over the age of 59 years) is required at the time of booking your tour. The balance is due at least 30 days prior to departure (45 days if the itinerary includes a stay in one of Chile's Hotel Explora or Awasi and 60 days if it includes a Galapagos cruise). All payments must be made in U.S. dollars.
If you wish to pay by credit card, fill out and return the Credit Card Authorization. For security, be sure to phone in the card number. If the deposit has been made by credit card, the balance automatically will be charged to the same card on the due date, unless you request otherwise. If you wish to pay by bank transfer, ask for our banking information. You may also pay by check, which should be sent at least 10 days before the due date.
In using e-mail, you acknowledge your agreement to the provisions of the Application and Credit Card Authorization exactly as if you had signed and initialed them.
Inca quipu, 1500 AC.
Photo: Museo
Larco, Lima, Peru.
We were very pleased with all the arrangements...
-- Kenneth Bachman, Esq. & Sharon Bachman
Tour documents
All tour documents are delivered electronically. Upon receipt of your Application and deposit; Inka's will send the following Tour Documents: Tour Itinerary (incorporating the contact information for the local representatives and hotels), About Our Tours, Travel Advice, Insurance Confirmation and, for a few destinations, Pre-Departure Information. Importantly, since we may correct, update and improve your tour itinerary, we ask that you print a final copy a day or two before departure.
We request that you send us a copy of your international flight itinerary, including the record locator number (passengers on Continental Airlines should also provide their ticket numbers). We need this information to verify you are on board the indicated arrival flight and to reconfirm your departing flight, as required by the airline. Be sure to advise us of any changes in your flight schedule.
Inca, 1500 AC.
Photo: Museo de Arte Precolombino,
Cuzco, Peru.
We had so much fun we didn't want to leave...
-- Gertrude and David Dreyfuss
Vouchers & tickets
Your vouchers for services and tickets for intra-tour air flights within or from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile will be provided by our representative in Lima, La Paz, Quito and Santiago, respectively. Tickets for other modes of transportation and for local attractions will be provided by our representative at each destination, who will also provide you with the exact times for your flights, other modes of transportation, transfers and excursions.
Inca, 1450 - 1532 AC.
Photo: Museo
Larco, Lima, Peru.
It was so great never having to worry about where we were or where we were going!
-- Edward & Leslie Lerner
Travel advice
To prepare for your tour, consult our Travel Advice. Topics are is it safe?, passports and visas, health, airline flights, baggage, arrival and departure in South America, help on your tour, climate, clothing, money, textiles and other crafts, music, suggested reading, tipping and standards.
Copyright notice: All images published on this page are for personal or educational use only. None of the images published hereon is in the public domain. Any commercial use or publication is strictly prohibited, as is reproduction, redistribution or exploitation for personal or corporate gain. For information concerning images for publishing, reference or commercial use, contact the Museo Larco, Lima, Peru.
Photos © 2008 Museo Larco. All rights reserved.
Text © 2008 Inka's Empire Corporation, Luxury Peru Tours & Travel. All rights reserved.
