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 From the roaring waves of the Pacific to the airy Andean peaks, you will enjoy a wonderful variety of experiences. Sunrise over Machu Picchu, lunch at a private hacienda overlooking the Sacred Valley, daybreak in the square at Cusco and Lima's nightlife are all there for the taking. Contemplate the mountains (the Inca's gods) at the Sanctuary Lodge, shop for crafts at Pisac's colorful market, drink Pisco Sours and listen to native music. Peru is a wealth of experiences for the body, mind and soul.
 Machu Picchu was recently voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World (July 7, 2007) and we were delighted. Hanns Ebensten Travel has been leading tours to Machu Picchu and other sites throughout Peru for over thirty-five years. From the excitement of Lima to the beauty of the Sacred Valley and the charm of Cusco, our intimate tour of Peru is filled with wonder.
Our tour starts in Lima, with a rare look into a private art collection and a tour of South America's oldest colonial home (the family still lives there). We spend two days exploring the Sacred Valley, with its lovely terraced fields and beautiful river views.
 Then we head to Machu Picchu, a wonder of human strength and spirit whose mystery still haunts the stones of this great city. Our rare two-night stay is at the renowned Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located adjacent to the ruins. We conclude our tour with two nights in Cusco at the Hotel Monasterio (a former monastery, complete with beautiful courtyard), voted as the top hotel in South America by readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. This itinerary allows plenty of time for sightseeing and leisure and offers a taste of the best Peru has to offer.
 • Tour Lima and see stunning architecture and unusual museums.
• Enjoy a scenic ride over the Pampa de Anta to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• Ride the train through the beautiful Urubamba Gorge.
• Explore Machu Picchu, the most dramatically situated archeological site in the world.
• Hike, rest and relax for two nights at the Orient Express Sanctuary Lodge, an exquisite site overlooking the beautiful ruins.
• Discover Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, high in the Andes.
• For 2011, earn a $300 discount on your second trip is this tour is combined with Alyson Adventures' Galapagos Wildlife Adventure (preceding) or Hanns Ebensten Travel's Gods of Easter Island Tour (following).
Our journey begins in Lima, whose history is laden with tales of conquest and intrigue. During our two days in this "City of Kings," we experience the strong influence of both the Inca and Spanish cultures. We fly to Cusco to spend a glorious week in the Andes and take a scenic drive over the Pampa de Anta to the Sacred Valley of the Inca.
After two days exploring the valley, we board the train for a trip through the narrow gorge of the swirling Urubamba River to Machu Picchu, the most dramatically situated archaeological site in the world, where we stay two nights at the Sanctuary Lodge, next to the Inca ruins. Once acclimated to the high elevations, we spend two days visiting Cusco with its splendid Inca walls, colonial churches and palaces.
Day 1 - 2 - July 13 - 14, 2011
 There are no activities scheduled on the arrival day, so you can schedule your flights to arrive in the evening of Day 1 or during the night. Whenever you arrive, we offer a transfer to our hotel, where rooms have been reserved starting from the evening of Day 1. On Day 2, we enjoy a full day tour of Lima including the Colonial section, the cathedral, San Francisco Church, and the presidential palace. We will also visit a private art collection and a Museum showcasing Peru's heritage. This evening we enjoy dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant overlooking a pre-Incan site.
Day 3 - 4 - July 15 - 16, 2011
 In the morning we transfer from our Lima hotel to the airport for the scenic one-hour flight over the Andes to Cusco.
Upon arrival at the Cusco Airport, we will transfer to our private air-conditioned van for a ride into the Sacred Valley. We drive over the Pampa de Anta Pass, then descend a steep mountain road into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the loveliest valleys on earth. Look for llamas, women dressed in colorful clothing and stunning mountain vistas as we make our way through the valley. During our two days in the Sacred Valley, we will visit the Incan ruins at Ollantaytambo. We spend the next two nights in our individual round bungalows at the charming hotel, Sol y Luna.
A day in this beautiful and fertile valley provides us with a restful interlude between our busy days of sightseeing. A short morning drive takes us to Pisac, with its extensive Inca terraces, the remains of a royal palace and a colorful market. After lunch at a private hacienda, the afternoon is at leisure.
Day 5 - 6 - July 17 - 18, 2011
 Today, we drive to Ollanta station where we board the train for Machu Picchu. Riding along the Urubamba River is an exciting and visually stunning experience. We pass through narrow gorges and see lovely terraced fields verdant with vegetation high up in the mountains. Our home for two nights is the fine Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, managed by Orient-Express. Lunch will be served upon arrival.
Just beyond the terrace of our hotel is Machu Picchu, a complete Inca city high on a mountain saddle, sometimes hidden in a forest of clouds. Its steeply terraced slopes fall away to the river, which rushes through a great hairpin bend 1,200 feet below. The Spaniards supposedly never found it, and for centuries it remained unknown, untouched and overgrown with vegetation. In 1911, Dr. Hiram Bingham rediscovered it and brought it to the world's attention. Since then, Machu Picchu has attracted travelers, explorers and archeologists. Much has been written and revealed about this great city, but much is still debated and unknown.
 Over the next two days, we will have plenty of time to contemplate the mystery of this fascinating site as we walk among the ancient ruins of staircases, temples and a sundial. Nothing is more delightful than stretching out on a blanket alongside the Inca walls amidst the wildflowers, lying in the sun, reading, writing up travel notes, or daydreaming.
Dawn is an incredible sight at Machu Picchu. As the clouds part and the sun appears over the tops of the snow-capped Andean peaks, the light begins to color the ancient stones. Shadows and light transform the ancient city. If you wish you can be awakened early to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, a challenging climb of about an hour and a half (not recommended when wet), and return to the hotel for a well-earned breakfast.
During our time here, we can return to the Inca city at our leisure, making additional hikes to the Sun Gate or to the curious Inca drawbridge, or simply relaxing in this unique place.
Day 7 - 8 - July 19 - 20, 2011
Our last morning at the Sanctuary Lodge is free for one final personal exploration of Machu Picchu. After lunch we take the bus from our hotel down to the railroad station in the valley, and return to Cusco by train and bus, a journey of approximately four hours.
For our stay in Cusco, our accommodations are at the stylish Hotel Monasterio, a restored 16th century monastery now managed by Orient-Express. The traditional Spanish-style rooms are beautifully appointed and offer oxygen enrichment for those who feel affected by the altitude. The courtyard, dining area and main hall offer a quiet charm unknown in most hotel experiences. Dinner is on your own this evening, with a wealth of fascinating restaurants to choose from in the nearby main square.
On our morning tour of Cusco we see the great Spanish colonial churches and palaces built upon massive Inca stone foundations. The cathedral is atop the Inca Wiracocha's palace. Santo Domingo Church stands upon the huge semi-circular walls of Coricancha, the Inca temple dedicated to the sun. To saunter along the cobbled streets of Cusco is to see archaeology come to life. Lunch is on your own, then dinner is at a very special restaurant inside a museum.
Day 9 - July 21, 2011
In the middle of the day we transfer from our hotel to the airport for the one-hour flight to Lima. Travelers leaving in the late evening can make arrangements for a day room at a hotel by Lima Airport, sightseeing or last-minute shopping. Individual extensions to an Amazon eco-lodge or to a private island in Lake Titicaca may also be available following our tour. Please contact us if you would like to extend your Peruvian holiday.
For 2011, earn a $300 discount on your second trip is this tour is combined with Alyson Adventures' Galapagos Wildlife Adventure (preceding) or Hanns Ebensten Travel's Gods of Easter Island Tour (following).
• Airport-hotel transfers on arrival and departure days;
• Flights between Lima and Cusco;
• All ground transportation within Peru;
• Deluxe hotels each night, with private bath;
• Most meals according to the itinerary including wine at Welcome and Farewell dinners;
• All hotel service charges, government taxes, porterage, and meal gratuities.
• International airfare;
• Departure taxes for international flights;
• Meals not included in tour package;
• Personal items including: alcoholic beverages, snacks, laundry, and telephone calls.
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Historic Machu Picchu Tour Itinerary
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Date |
Destination |
| 13 July |
Lima |
| 14 July |
Delhi |
| 15 July |
Cusco to Sacred Valley |
| 16 July |
Sacred Valley |
| 17 July |
Machu Picchu |
| 18 July |
Machu Picchu |
| 19 July |
Cusco |
| 20 July |
Cusco |
| 21 July |
Cusco / Lima/ Home
Easter Island Extension |
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 Journey to the top of the world to explore one of the greatest archeological treasures in existence. The Inca ruins at Machu Picchu have attracted and inspired adventurers since its discovery in 1911. High in the clouds, this ancient civilization remains remarkably intact. Get ready to take your imagination on a voyage in spirit and history.
How many people are in your average Hanns Ebensten Travel group?
One of the distinguishing features of Hanns Ebensten Travel is the intimacy of the group. We are not only a gay-friendly option for travelers, but we are also an alternative for people who like companionship but prefer to avoid large buses and crowds of people. Consequently, our groups range in size from six to twenty participants. In the monasteries at Mount Athos we are limited to no more than ten non-Orthodox visitors. On the ss Karim, our luxury stern paddlewheeler on the Nile, we can comfortably accommodate twenty-five guests. On our other tours, we typically restrict our groups to 10-16 participants. This allows for a more relaxed experience since restaurants can seat us at one or two tables, and we can move our groups more easily through the sites that we've traveled to see.
How old are most tour members? What is an average group like?
One of the nice things about a Hanns Ebensten Travel group is the diversity of ages and backgrounds. Most of our tours are designated for gay men, but some are open to both men and women, as noted for each trip on our website.
The age of participants typically ranges from early 30's to 60's, although we occasionally see younger participants, and some of our fittest travelers have been in their 70s or even early 80s. Our tour members are mostly professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, professors, scientists and marketing representatives. We also have our fair share of artists, writers, musicians and their publicists, and occasionally surprises (good ones!).
Our tours are not "party tours" and consequently our tour members are mostly mature travelers (although not necessarily in years) who are seeking a personal, educational and even spiritual adventure with like-minded people. We also make a point to allow time to relax and have fun. Whether that means skinny dipping around our private huts in Tahiti or dancing at the bars in local clubs, there is always time for playfulness and high spirits. We are on vacation after all!
Do I need to speak a foreign language for your overseas trips?
No. Most people who travel abroad with us don't speak the language. But we encourage you to brush up on any language skills you have that are relevant for the area you're going to, and to learn a few basic phrases, such as hello and thank you, in the local language. You'll find even a few words make a big difference in your interactions with local people
I'm a vegetarian. Will that be a problem?
No. Let us know about that, or other special dietary restrictions on the questionnaire we send out before the trip.
Is it any problem if a straight friend joins me on a trip?
Each year we designate some of our trips as being for "gay men, lesbians, and friends." so we encourage any of our straight friends who enjoy traveling with an open-minded group to join these tours.
In addition, many of our trips are designated for gay men only or for gay men and lesbians. The Hanns Ebensten was founded because, even these days, gay men and lesbians sometimes encounter a cool reception from people who aren't gay, and many of us would rather take a vacation in an atmosphere where that's not an issue. Our groups are also mostly small and intimate (some with as few as six participants) and the camaraderie is as important as the scenery. So while we occasionally welcome friends and family to join us, we keep a majority of our groups designated for gay men. Our mission from the beginning has included offering trips for gay men (and sometimes lesbians) to be together without the pressures they may experience at home (especially in smaller cities) and in their jobs. At the same time, we have also found that sometimes a wider mix of participants and personalities can make for a great trip so we offer several "all welcome" tours each year.
So your open-minded straight friends are certainly welcome to travel with us on all-welcome trips. We think they'll have a great time!
 
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