Depart from Home
Depart from your home for your flight to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Most flights arrive late.

Lima
After breakfast at our hotel we meet for our tour of Lima. We begin with a tour of the 'City of the Kings'. We start in the Historical Center and see the Plaza Mayor which is surrounded by the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. We continue and visit the Casa Aliaga, America's best preserved colonial mansion in continuous occupancy by the same family since 1535. Afterwards we enjoy a drive through the residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro where you will enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. This evening we gather together for our welcome dinner and get better acquainted with our fellow travelers. Meals: B, D.

Cusco - Sacred Valley
This morning we transfer to the airport for our short flight to Cusco. Upon arrival we will begin to acclimatize ourselves as we drive to the 'Sacred Valley of the Incas' and visit Ollantaytambo, a well preserved Inca fortress. This well preserved site was the first defense against the Antis and the site of the Inca's greatest victory over the Spanish during the war of conquest. We enjoy walks through the quaint streets of the nearby town. After lunch, we drive through the valley and bargain with vendors at the typical market in Pisac. Meals: B, L, D.

Machu Picchu
After breakfast we transfer to the train station to begin our one-and-a-half hour train journey to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival we ascend by motorcoach to 'The Lost City of the Incas' where we enjoy a guided tour of the marvelous citadel, an awe-inspiring experience. Our lunch is included today at the famous Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. Meals: B, L, D.

Machu Picchu - Cusco
Today we rise early to admire the sunrise at Machu Picchu, while we stroll by these extraordinary Inca remains or hike up the Huayna Picchu. In the afternoon we take our motorcoach followed by our railcoach back to Cusco. Upon arrival, the evening is free to begin our exploration of Cusco. Meals: B.

Cusco
Today we being our tour of Cusco, the southern capital of the Inca empire. Our tour today includes the Santo Domingo Convent Monastery - the legendary Koricancha 'Site of Gold', the most important temple devoted to the worship of the sun and whose walls were plated with sheets of gold. We also visit Plaza de Armas, which according to belief was the exact centre of the Inca empire; and the Cathedral, a baroque-style church which is widely considered one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in the Americas. After seeing the most interesting sites of the city, we will drive out into the countryside to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area. The centre of Sacsayhuaman, a massive complex perhaps the most important Inca monument after Machu Picchu. The stones used to build the complex come in astonishing sizes and weights, the largest weighing 361 tons. We also visit the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko where the mummies of nobles and priests were kept and brought out on sunny days for ritual worship and then moving on to Tambomachay and Puca Pucara. Meals: B.

Cusco - Free Day
Today is a free day to continue to explore this fascinating city. Cusco has great shopping opportunities, night life and splendid terraces allowing us to simply sit, relax and take a moment to absorb and be in awe this unique culture. We will schedule and optional activity for those who would like to visit the Maras Salt mines. These mines are famous because they have been exploited since Inca times until today. Meals: B.

Lima
This morning we fly back to Lima and upon arrival we transfer to our hotel. Our tour continues this afternoon as we drive to the modern district of Monterrico where we visit the renowned Gold Museum and admire its collection of priceless Inca and pre-Inca treasures. This evening we gather together for one last farewell dinner and share stories of our exciting adventure as we traveled through this ancient land once know as the land of Incas. Many flights will depart Lima late at night or very early tomorrow morning. You are welcome to make your return flight arrangements either for late tonight or tomorrow morning. We have reserved a room for your at the hotel in either case. Meals: B, D.

Return Home
Those who have morning departures, we will transfer you to the airport with assistance for your departure home. Meals: B.