DAY 1: Depart for Peru
- Depart for Lima, Peru arrival and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure with time to rest, relax and acquaint yourself with Perus vibrant capital, founded in 1535 by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro
- Overnight: Lima
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DAY 2: Lima City Tour, Larco Herrera Museum with lunch
- This mornings tour of Lima, with its 2000 years of history, begins at the colonial center of the city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic buildings surrounding the splendid Plaza Mayor. View the impressive Palace of the Archbishop with its fine carved balcony, the opulent Government Palace, official residence of the President, and the 16th century Cathedral of Lima whose first stone was laid by Pizarro. Continue to the 17th century Monasterio de San Francisco complex with its magnificent tiles, ornate carved ceilings, exceptional paintings and world-renowned library. Countinued with Larco Herrera Museum with lunch, Take a scenic drive through Lima and arrive at the magnificent Larco Herrera Museum. The museum is located in an 18th century restored mansion, built over a 7th century pyramid and surrounded by gardens. Following lunch, immerse yourself in the cultural intrigue of the museum with your local guide. Admire the worlds largest collection of pre-Columbian masterpieces and a stunning exhibition of gold and priceless jewels.
- Overnight: Lima
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 3: Fly to Cuzco, Cuzco City Tour
- Depart Lima this morning by flight to Cuzco in the Peruvian Andes. This ancient capital of the Inca Empire is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in this historic city. In the afternoon, depart for a tour of Cuzco. View the impressive Colonial Cathedral, which contains over 400 paintings from the Cusquena School in addition to colonial art. Continue on to visit the Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun, once the most important religious site of the Incas, whose walls and floors were allegedly once covered by sheets of solid gold
- Overnight: Cuzco
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 4: Discover Machu Picchu
- Early morning transfer to the Sacred Valleys Ollanta Station to board the Expedition Train that travels through misty peaks to the astonishing ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas", designated by UNESCO as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu was virtually unknown to the western world until Hiram Binghams rediscovery in 1911. Spend the morning viewing the unforgettable wonders of this 15th century retreat, abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the conquistadors. See the highlights of the site including the imposing Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved rock likely used as a sundial by the ancient Incas. The images of this significant archaeological site will be a long-lasting memory. Return to the Sacred Valley in the early evening and transfer to your hotel in Cuzco for overnight
- Approximate time spent at the ruins of Machu Picchu is 3 hours
- Overnight: Cuzco
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 5: Full Day in Cuzco
- Spend today in the "Imperial City" of Cuzco. Take time to explore some of the citys stunning sights or shop for some of the finest handicrafts and textiles in all of Peru. Countinued with Half Day Cuzco Behind the Scenes, Todays tour will give you a glimpse into the other side of Cuzco, the oldest continuously inhabited city of the western hemisphere. Begin with a "Healing Ceremony". Meet with an Andean shaman or healer and witness an offering to mother earth & the sacred mountain protectors to thank them for this trip. Continue with a visit to a local fruit and vegetable market and observe the locals shopping for their daily goods. Try the local chuta bread and enjoy this colorful market where you will experience many new things. Later, head to the local Cuzco cemetery, where you will learn about the Andean understanding of life and see how the locals decorate the graves with gifts and food for their dead. It is traditional belief that the dead eat and drink as they would during life. Conclude the tour with a cooking demonstration by a local chef showing you how to make a traditional dish from Cuzco, followed by lunch. Then we spend Half Day Ancient Cuzco Ruins, This half day tour explores numerous Inca ruins that all served unique purposes. First head to Saqsaywaman, an enormous Inca site that overlooks Cuzco. Here observe precision masonry of the massive stones that fit perfectly within one another without requiring any mortar to remain standing walls. Continue on to Kenko and navigate through the engraved passages and canals of this once active worship site. From Kenko proceed to Puca Pacara, &ldquoThe Red Fortress&rdquo, used by the Incas not only as a control station and look-out, but also used to house weapons and provide military support. Continue on to Tambomachay and discover the many aqueducts, canals and also waterfalls used by the Incas as an indulgent spa.Tonight, join your fellow travelers for dinner
- Overnight: Cuzco
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
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DAY 6: Raqchi & Puno
- Depart Cuzco early in the morning on a long drive today. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you drive through the Andes mountain range and the Andean plains to Puno on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. In this area, South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) graze on the immense plateaus and plains. En route visit the 15th century Temple of Wiracocha, with its elaborate stonework, the largest Inca temple ever discovered. Today, Raqchi remains home to many farmers, ranchers and artisans. Then, arrive at pristine Lake Titicaca sitting majestically at 12,500 feet above sea level, backed by the snowcapped peaks of Bolivias Cordillera Real range. This is the highest navigable lake in the world and South Americas largest fresh water lake. A box lunch will be provided en route
- Overnight: Puno
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 7: Excursion to Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca, Half Day Sillustani Tombs
- This morning, an excursion by boat transports you from Puno to the fascinating Uros Floating Islands where the indigenous people of the area, the Uros, live on islands that dot the lake. The Uros live very much the same way as their ancestors did and still follow the ancient customs and traditions. These islands are completely man-made structures, using the totora reeds from the lake to build the islands and houses. Return to Puno for spending Half Day Sillustani Tombs, Afternoon drive to the pre-Incan burial ground of Sillustani. Upon arrival, a walking tour to the "Chullpas" of Sillustani on Lake Umayo, where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests, in cylinder-shaped tombs. Please note that the archaeological site is located approximately a half-mile, 15 minute walk uphill from where you exit the bus. Evening is at leisure in Puno
- Overnight: Puno
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 8: Travel through Andean Hills to Colca & Discover Colca Canyon
- The scenic drive to Colca takes you into some of the most magnificent terrain youre ever likely to see. Admire tiny villages on an unspoiled countryside of Andean hills and terraced farmlands sloping into vast valleys. Perhaps you will see shepherds, some of who are descended from indigenous tribes like the Collagua and Cabana, tending to their alpaca. Upon arrival in Colca, settle into your comfortable accommodations at Colca Lodge. The land here is fed by hot springs, and there will be time to relax and enjoy the medicinal benefts of thermal baths, that are due to the high content of calcium, zinc and iron. Tonight, turn your gaze upward to a blanket of stars
- Overnight: Colca
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 9: Full Day in Colca Canyon
- This mornings journey takes you to the Colca Canyon, reportedly the deepest in the world, thought to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The Colca River has carved this geologic wonder over millennia and some of the terraced hillsides are known to predate Incan civilization. Here, the Canyon is home to the extraordinary Andean condor. Although the population of condors in South America is dwindling, at the Colca Canyon they can be seen soaring gracefully overhead. The floor portions of the canyon are surprisingly habitable, with fields still supporting agriculture and human life. Colca Valley has been known by many different names including The Valley of Wonders, The Valley of Fire and The Territory of the Condor - and now is recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
- Overnight: Colca
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 10: Explore Arequipa
- This morning, enjoy a scenic drive to Arequipa. Arrive in time for lunch. Afterwards explore this remarkable colonial city, guarded by three dramatic volcanoes. Its beauty lies in its cultural purity Arequipas remote location has allowed its Spanish-based culture to thrive with little outside influence. Much of the citys breathtaking architecture was built with sillar, a white volcanic rock. The shimmering stone lends a bright air to the streets - and has earned the city the nickname "La Ciudad Blanca," the White City. Youll visit two striking 16th-century structures in the historic Plaza de Armas - the massive cathedral and the Santa Catalina Monastery, beloved for its vividly painted façades. Youll also browse the local San Camilo Market, whose stalls overflow with colorful produce and textiles. Sample some local fruit here and mingle with farmers who cart in their harvest from the Andean countryside. Enjoy the evening at leisure
- Overnight: Arequipa
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 11: Fly to Lima
- Transfer to the airport after breakfast for your flight to Lima. Afternoon is at leisure for individual pursuits. Tonight, enjoy a dinner at a restaurant in the trendy Miraflores District and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
- Overnight: Lima
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 12: Depart Peru
- Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your departure flight
- Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 12 and will require a transfer on Day 11. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.
- Meal: Breakfast
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