Classic Peruvian Highlights Itinerary Aug, 8-16, 2018
AUG 8 | Depart from your hometown AUG 9 I LIMA Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel. AUG 10 I LIMA Today’s Lima city tour starts in the downtown historic district. Visit the Plaza Mayor ("Main Square"), surrounded by the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, and City Hall. Then we head to modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. San Isidro, an upscale residential and commercial neighborhood, houses a pre-Hispanic sacred structure (Huaca Huallamarca). Next see Miraflores, with its chic shops, restaurants and casinos. Return to your hotel. (B) AUG 11 I LIMA I CUSCOI SACRED VALLEY Early transfer to Lima airport to board our flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, depart on a tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at Awana Kancha, a farm with typical animals of the region: alpacas, llamas, guanacos, and vicunas. Learn how the indigenous people use plants and natural elements in making wool. Visit Pisac Inca site in the Urubamba Valley and Ollantaytambo, an Incan military, religious, and agricultural center. Lunch is included. (B,L) AUG 12 I SACRED VALLEY I MACHU PICCHU Early morning transfer to Ollantaytambo train station. Our adventure starts on a train ride to the city of Aguas Calientes, then it’s on to awe-inspiring Machu Picchu archaeological site. You will never forget this mind-blowing journey through the history of the Inca civilization. Explore Peru’s most important archaeological site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Later, we descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch at a local restaurant. Check in to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge where you can see a magnificent sunrise and sunset. (B,L,D) AUG 13 I MACHU PICCHU I CUSCO Today explore Machu Picchu at your pace. Morning visit to the Machu Picchu archeological complex (tickets for the site and buses included). Delve into the Inca ruins, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture situated on a mountain ridge nearly 8,000 feet above sea level that served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec. In the afternoon take the Vistadome Train to the Sacred Valley or Cusco. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel. (B,L) AUG 14 I CUSCO Morning at leisure. Today we explore Cusco starting at Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca worship center of the Sun God that was once covered in gold. Next, stop at the Plaza de Armas and see the Cathedral. Continue to the church of San Cristóbal, then Sacsayhuaman, an Inca building known for its 30-foot tall walls. Visit the complexes of Qenqo with its stone labyrinth and sacrificial alter, and Puca Pucara, an architectural marvel of rooms, waterways and aqueducts. (B) AUG 15 I CUSCO I LIMA Private transfer to Cusco airport to board your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel. (B) AUG 16 I LIMA TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY) After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B) |