7 Days
Day 1 - Arrive Lima
Depart North America today and arrive in Lima, Peru. You are welcomed
and transferred to the hotel.
Day 2 - Lima – City Tour & Larco Herrera Museum
Lima has long been considered the colonial capital of South America.
Founded in 1535, Lima was called the “City of Kings” by the Spanish conquistadors.
Visit the Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace, the Cathedral,
the Santo Domingo or San Francisco convents and the modern garden
suburb districts of Miraflores and San Isidro. At the Larco Herrera Museum,
see the ancient relics and shining treasures of the mighty Incas. (BL)
Day 3 - Lima / Cuzco / Sacsayhuaman
Fly to Cuzco, the oldest inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Travel
to Pisac to see the ruins of an ancient citadel that once controlled a route
that connected the Inca Empire with the Paucartambo River. The panoramas
from Pisac are magnificent, offering views of the impressive patchwork
effect in the countryside below, which was accomplished by patterned
fields and rimmed by vast terracing cut out of solid rock. In the upper
section lies the main Sun Temple and above the temple are still more unexcavated
ruins and hidden burial sites. Later, visit the market for a taste of
colorful local life. (BL)
Day 4 - Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu
Travel aboard the HIRAM BINGHAM TRAIN from Ollantaytambo to
the archeological wonder of Machu Picchu, built in the late 14th century.
Machu Picchu was obviously a well-planned and carefully built city, made
up of two clearly different sectors—one agricultural and the other urban.
With mountains to one side and a river roaring far below, this solemn fortress
is a fascinating remnant of a once-bustling city that was mysteriously
abandoned after the middle of the 16th century. Secreted amidst dense
jungle vegetation and steep hills, Machu Picchu remained undiscovered by
the modern world until 1911. Learn about the many legends and strange
truths of these ancient ruins from your local guide. (BLD)
Day 5 - Machu Picchu / Cuzco
As the sun rises over the mountains, watch the morning mist disappear
once again to reveal this awe-inspiring city, probably the most amazing
urban creation of the Inca Empire. Return to Cuzco aboard the “Inca
Train.” Sip a cup of tea and enjoy panoramic views as the beautiful greenery
of the Urubamba Valley rolls by. (BL)
Day 6 - Cuzco / Pisac
Today, visit several ruins, including Kenko and Tambomachay. Journey to the Sacsayhuaman fortress in the “Valley of the Incas.” Later, see the hillside
fort and Puca Pucara. Overnight at the hotel. (BL)
Day 7 - Cuzco / Lima
Fly back to Lima this morning. You have free time before driving to an
excellent restaurant for a farewell lunch. The remainder of your afternoon
and evening is free before you pack for your late-night departure. (BL)
Extend your vacation by flying to Quito for the Galapagos Islands cruise adventure
or extend your trip and head to the Amazon.
