day
1
SAT I LIMA
Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Lima. Enjoy the remainder of your day to explore the city’s museums, archaeological sites, lush greenery, beautiful beaches, bustling boardwalk, and lively nightlife at your own pace.
day
2
SUN I LIMA
After breakfast, join in a tour of colonial and modern Lima, the “City of Kings.” Start in San Isidro, an upscale residential and commercial neighborhood that houses a pre-Hispanic sacred structure called Huaca Huallamarca. Then stop at Parque del Amor or Lovers Park in Miraflores, known for its magnificent view over the Pacific Ocean. The tour also includes the Historic Center based around the Main Square, where the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop´s Palace, the Municipality of Lima and the Cathedral are located. Visit one of the largest colonial-era convents before returning to your hotel. (B)
day
3
MON I LIMA I CUSCO I SACRED VALLEY
This morning, transfer to Lima airport to board your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Relish the balance of the day at leisure. (B)
day
4
TUE I SACRED VALLEY I MACHU PICCHU
Power up with breakfast at your hotel and get ready to discover the best of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Start with a visit to the PARWA Center, where you can appreciate beautifully colored textiles that are still made in the same ancestral way. Continue with a visit to the Chinchero Church built by the Spanish in 1607. Continue on to the ruins of Chinchero where you will find an important Inca center on which terraces and aqueducts were built. Afterward, lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Then head to Ollantaytambo, where you will find an imposing Inca fortress. Descend into town to view one of the most monumental architectural complexes of the ancient Inca Empire known for its “andenes” (terraces dug into the slopes of mountains for agricultural purposes). In the afternoon, board the train to Machu Picchu and transfer to your hotel upon arrival. (B,L)
day
5
WED I MACHU PICCHU I CUSCO
Rise and shine with breakfast at your hotel then embark on a full day visit of the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu archaeological site. This comprehensive tour will take you through the history of the Inca civilization. Here you will understand why Machu Picchu was chosen a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Once the tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own. Later, descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon board your train back to the Sacred Valley and then transfer to your hotel in Cusco. (B,L)
day
6
THU I CUSCO
Enjoy a full day at leisure to relax or take in the charm of this beautiful colonial city that was built upon the remains of amazing Inca buildings. Take time to see the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha), San Blas artisans’ neighborhood, the Cathedral and the Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. You can also take an optional tour of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman, and nearby archeological sites. (B)
day
7
FRI I CUSCO I PUNO
After a delicious buffet breakfast, you will be transferred to the bus station for the departure to Puno. Enroute, enjoy the magnificent scenery of the southern valley of Cusco. Stop in Andahuaylillas and see the town’s beautiful 17th Century church containing an impressive organ decorated with angels and cherubs. After that, visit the ruins at Racchi – also known as the “Temple of Wiracocha.” Next, you will enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant featuring typical cuisine from the region. Then you will visit the archaeological site of Puca-Pucara, a military camp that also functioned as an administrative center. Later, you will arrive in Puno where you will be transferred to your hotel. (B,L)
day
8
SAT I PUNO I COPACABANA I SUN ISLAND
After breakfast, travel from Puno to Copacabana, a delightful town on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Visit its church and the famous “Virgen Morena.” Boat across the lake to the Island of the Sun and have a typical lunch in the highlands. The trip continues by boat up to the ruins of the Pilkokaina Inca temple. Hike to La Estancia and take in the wonderful view. Tonight, you will overnight in Sun Island at the Ecolodge La Estancia, situated on the southern part of the Island of the Sun in Lake Titicaca. It was built preserving the Andean architecture and combines modern comforts, while always respecting the harmony of nature. (B,L,D)
day
9
SUN I SUN ISAND I LA PAZ
Hike down through Yumani visiting the Inca stairs and the Fountain of Eternal Youth, then take a trip north by boat to visit the Chincana ruins and the Sacred Rock. Continue by boat to the Island of the Moon and the Inca ruins of Iñak Uyu temple to finally reach Copacabana. You’ll enjoy a private transfer to La Paz where you can take in the awe-inspiring views of the Andes Royal Range. (B,L)
day
10
MON I LA PAZ
After breakfast, depart your hotel for a half day city tour through La Paz, celebrated as one of the world’s New Seven Wonders Cities. This fascinating city is located in a valley at the foothills of the Andes Range, situated at 11,942 ft. above sea level. Tour the open-air markets rich in handicrafts, weavings, and locally made items. Then visit the colonial section of the city, San Francisco Church, Gold Museum, and Murillo Square before heading to the viewpoint “Mirador de Killi Killi,” and the outdoor replica of Tiwanaku temple. Descending next to the more modern, southern part of La Paz, you will visit the Valley of the Moon, where a clay mountain has been impressively shaped by erosion. Enjoy a ride by cable car or “teleférico” to discover an excellent and beautiful view of La Paz. (B)
day
11
TUE I LA PAZ I UYUNI
Have breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight to Uyuni, located on the Bolivian Andean Altiplano and covering over 5,000 square miles. Visit the Salt Lake, an expansive desert of crystalline, white salt… truly a place like no other in the world. Discover “Isla Incawasi,” a rare outcrop of land in the middle of the Salt Flat. It is covered by thousands of giant columnar cacti, which can be more than a hundred years old, growing to a height of over 12 meters. Then head north to visit the pre-Columbian fort of Ayque Pucará and the nearby chullpares, both on the foothills of the Thunupa volcano. Continue east to Colchani and enjoy a beautiful sunset then overnight in the Salt Hotel, where the walls, ceilings, chairs and tables are all made of salt. (B,L,D)
day
12
WED I UYUNI I LA PAZ
This morning, we recommend taking advantage of a very unique optional tour, “Sunrise in Uyuni Salt Flats” to enjoy a peaceful landscape surrounded by water, salt, and a spectacular sunrise. After breakfast, you will be transported to the airport for your flight back to La Paz. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B)
day
13
THU I LA PAZ TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY)
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight back home. (B)Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
