Description

Day 1 – Arrival in Lima

Upon your arrival at Lima’s International Airport, you will be met by a representative who will be holding a name-board. Receive a warm welcome with transportation to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

• Overnight in Lima

Day 2 – Lima

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then depart for your guided tour of Lima’s key attractions. Visit the colonial downtown, the Historic Centre of Lima, go around Main Square where you will see the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Metropolitan City Hall in addition to varied historic and traditional buildings. You will then see Santo Domingo Church and Monastery, recognized as a UNESCO heritage site. Continue on to the modern district of San Isidro, considered the financial quarter of the city where many businesses now call home, and then head to the Larco Museum, housed in an 18th century Viceroyalty-era mansion, surrounded by gardens. With your guide, gain insight into Peru’s intriguing ancient history. Afterwards, return to the hotel and have the afternoon at your leisure. This evening, be met at the hotel for your guided tour of the bohemian district of Barranco and its traditional Bridge of Sighs. Located in the cliff area of Lima, this historic district was once home to wealthy Peruvians as they built their summer homes. As this became too much, they left, but are now returning along with a rich artistic community. With brightly painted art-deco buildings, a new collection of modern homes, and a delightful atmosphere, Barranco is a pleasant place to mill about to get a great perspective of a part of Lima far removed from the uninspiring business districts. A buffet dinner is included this evening along with a cultural show boasting dance, music and folklore.

• Overnight in Lima
• Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 3 – Lima – Cuzco – Sacred Valley

This morning, after breakfast, you will be met at the hotel for transportation to the airport for your flight to Cuzco. On arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Later, with your guide, set off for the Sacred Valley of the Incas, heading towards the town of Pisac to tour its impressive archeological site on the mountain top, one of the most important in the Valley, featuring incredible terraced hillsides and a high degree of urban planning. After the tour, you will descend to the town and spend some time in the local market, interacting with the people, observing the local identity, and doing a little shopping. A Peruvian lunch is included during the tour.

• Overnight in Sacred Valley
• Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 4 – Sacred Valley

This morning, depart for Moray, a fantastic setting where circular and semi-circular agricultural terraces have been built into the top of a limestone hill overlooking the Urubamba Valley. Close at hand is the Colonial village of Maras, famed for its salt pans where the finest salt in the world is extracted: Maras salt. The area looks like a patchwork of terraces and ponds, excellent for photography. You will also visit the Andean community of Misminay where you will immerse yourself with the townsfolk, who have preserved their ancient traditions. The families live in small one or two room houses made of adobea, and they raise Guinea pigs, cows, and sheep. If you wish, you can help them plow or harvest their crops, depending on the time of year. You can even take part in an offering to the earth in a ceremony that honors mother earth. In addition, you will see them spin and dye wool thread using natural dyes as well as weave fabric following their ancient techniques.

• Overnight in Sacred Valley
• Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 5 – Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu

Meet at your hotel for transportation to the Ollantaytambo train station for your train journey to Aguas Calientes. Awaiting you today is one of the most extraordinary experiences on the world map: Machu Picchu. Your adventure starts on a train ride to the city of Aguas Calientes where you will disembark and then board a bus that drives you to the actual Machu Picchu archaeological site to begin your unforgettable Machu Picchu experience. The tour includes every nook and cranny of this Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site; afterwards, there is some free time for you to explore the site on your own and relax in one of the world’s most remarkable settings. Enjoy lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, and at the agreed upon time, you will descend to Aguas Calientes and transfer to your hotel. Dinner is included at the hotel restaurant.

• Overnight in Aguas Calientes
• Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6 – Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes – Cuzco

Today, you will an opportunity for a second visit to Machu Picchu (unguided) including second day admissions and round trip bus tickets (optional, extra cost). Should you wish to add this optional tour to your itinerary, you will have the morning to explore at your leisure. In addition, you will have a permit included to hike up Huayna Picchu where the best panoramic views of Machu Picchu can be had, or you may explore the Sun Gate, which is the last part of the Inca Trail. Lunch is also included with this optional arrangement. This afternoon, you will board the Vistadome train and head back to Ollantaytambo where you will be met for transportation to your hotel in Cuzco.

• Overnight in Cuzco
• Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – Cuzco

Spend half a day guided walking tour of the city of Cuzco, an ancient capital of the Incan Empire and where we can see the interesting blend of Incan and Spanish cultures. The outing begins at the Koricancha Temple, an old Incan palace and main center for the worship of the sun god, Inti. Once the Spanish conquered Peru, the Dominican order built a lovely church over this temple’s foundations: the church of Santo Domingo, which is still there today. You will continue on foot to the neighborhood of San Blas, where the finest artisans of Cusco live and work. Take some time to explore at your leisure and then head to the Inka Museum, located in an old colonial period house. Exhibits show the history of the city that is intimately linked to the Incan past.

• Overnight in Cuzco
• Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – Cuzco – Departure

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then be met at the appointed time for transportation to the airport.