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
- 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. Today we will start with Evening Larco Herrera Museum with dinner, This evening drive through Lima and arrive at the Larco Herrera Museum. Experience one of Lima&rsquos most magnificent museums by night on this tour that also includes dinner. Sit down to a light supper in the elegant dining room. The museum is located in an 18th century restored mansion, built over a 7th century pyramid and surrounded by gardens. Following supper, 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. Countinued with Pachacamac Pre-Inca Ruins, Visit the archaeological site of Pachacamac, one of the largest religious centres in pre-Inca times on the Peruvian coast. Uncover the ancient mystery of the Pachacamac Temple with the help of your knowledgeable guide. Explore the remarkable religious compound and discover its intriguing history and 200 AD origin. Marvel at the majestic pyramids dedicated to the sun and the moon and admire the architectural precision of the buildings while learning about the customs and traditions of the pre-Inca civilization.
- Overnight: Lima
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 3: Fly to Cuzco, Chinchero Weaving Demonstration
- Depart Lima this morning by flight to Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire and the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America. Upon arrival, drive through the rugged mountainous region with its magnificent panoramas, along roads with farms and small villages to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, stop in Chinchero. Here, enjoy an authentic Peruvian lunch followed by a demonstration of the ancient Andean tradition of making textiles from naturally dyed handwoven alpaca wool. Remarkably, the source for the vibrant colors are dyes that come from plants, minerals, and insects. Wander around the complex and shop for souvenirs among the fine textiles and other local treasures. Continue to your hotel in the Urubamba Sacred Valley. This evening, dinner together with music at a lovely restaurant
- Overnight: Urubamba Sacred Valley
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 4: Sacred Valley & Ollantaytambo Ruins
- This morning, visit the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, an ancient complex of temples and terraces towering high over the valley, the last stand of the Incas in their defense against the Spanish conquistadors. Marvel at the architecture of the Incas in this well preserved settlement, considered a living museum of 15th century life.. Today we will starts with Dinner with Local Peruvian Family, Tonight, youre invited to dine with a traditional Peruvian Family in their countryside home. Sample delectable local home-cooked Peruvian cuisine along with a warm and friendly cultural exchange with the family. As you share dinner, you&rsquoll get to know the family first-hand and learn about work and everyday life in Peru. countinued with Maras & Moray Tour, Begin the tour in Moray, an impressive agricultural center that demonstrates the ancient Incan&rsquos mastery of high-altitude crop growing. Here, you&rsquoll see a large complex of terraced circular depressions in the earth which historians believe were used to study the climatic conditions on crops. As you descend each layer, the surrounding temperature descends as well, degree by degree, making for a unique and highly sophisticated thermo graphic tool. During the tour, you&rsquoll have the opportunity to see the local farmers and shepherds working with native crops and animals all along the valley. This is a unique chance to peer into the daily lives of the indigenous people. Next, visit the colonial town of Maras, known for its nearby salt evaporation ponds in use since the time of the Incas. Learn more about salt extraction from the locals.
- Overnight: Urubamba Sacred Valley
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 5: Discover Machu Picchu
- Early morning transfer to the Sacred Valleys Ollanta Station to board the Vistadome 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 re-discovery 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 6: Full Day in Cuzco
- Spend today independently discovering the "Imperial City" of Cuzco, once capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This lively city, rich in history, reveals remains of both the Incan and the Spanish presence. Take time to explore some of the citys stunning sights, or, shop for some of the finest handicrafts and textiles in all of Peru. At first spend 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. Countinued with Half Day Highlights of Cuzco, Todays tour starts at the impressive Colonial Cathedral in Cuzco which contains over 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School in addition to an impressive collection of colonial art, including Marcos Zapatas depiction of The Last Supper displaying Cuy, or Guinea Pig, as the main course. Continue on to visit the Temple of the Sun, whose walls and floors were allegedly once covered by sheets of solid gold. This temple was once the most important religious site of the Incas. From here you will travel to Sacsayhuaman, located on the northern slope of Cuzco. This impressive fortress, which consists of individual stones weighing well over 100 tons, took over seven decades to complete and is a prime example of Incan military architecture. Conclude the day at the Kenko amphitheater, a mysterious limestone formation decorated by intricately carved depictions of mythical entities. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit a local shop featuring alpaca clothing and accessories, and a local jewelry shop, featuring gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
- Overnight: Cuzco
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 7: 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 before arriving in Puno for overnight
- Overnight: Puno
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 8: 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 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. Countinued with 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.
- Overnight: Puno
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 9: Fly to Lima, Farewell Dinner
- Transfer to Juliaca airport, for your flight to Lima rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, you bid farewell to your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at a special Farewell Dinner with Peruvian specialties
- Overnight: Lima
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 10: Depart Peru
- Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
- Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 10 and will require a transfer on Day 9. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.
- Meal: Breakfast
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