Mystical Peru

Day 1, Thursday – Arrive Lima
Upon arrival in Lima, your Tour Manager will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and registering. Lima, the "City of Kings", is famous for its Spanish Colonial architecture, extraordinary museums and cuisine. Internationally recognized as the "Gastronomic Capital of the Americas", the cuisine of Lima is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world on par with French cuisine.
Overnight: Lima
 
Day 2, Friday – Colonial Lima Tour, Cooking Demonstration, Casa de Aliaga
Breakfast is served at your hotel. This morning, you will tour the colonial section of Lima. Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, San Francisco Church and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace, modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later, you will visit El Señorio de Sulco, the most outstanding venue for Peruvian Cuisine. Here tradition and modernity mingle in a beautiful decorated environment; the magnificent iconographic designs tell you the history of Peruvian flavors. Enjoy a view of the sea while you savor the finest Peruvian cuisine prepared by one of the best chefs in the country. In the evening, you will visit la Casa de Aliaga, the oldest inhabited home in South America. Built in 1535, it is one of the best-preserved colonial homes in Peru, and consists of a series of great salons representing decor from the 16th, 17th, and 18th century. The visit is followed by a delicious dinner.
Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Day 3, Saturday – Flight to Cusco, Awana Kancha, Ollantaytambo, Ceramic Workshop
Breakfast is served at your hotel. Rise early this morning for a short flight over the snowcapped Andes to the oldest inhabited city in the hemisphere, Cuzco, elevation 11,440 feet. From the airport, continue by ground transfer to the spectacular Sacred Valley, elevation 8,200 feet, with a stop enroute at Awana Kancha. A Living Museum of the Andes, Awana Kancha showcases llamas, vicuñas, guanacos and alpacas in their natural environment. Native flowers and agricultural terraces from the time of the Inca are also on display. You will witness a demonstration of ancient spinning and weaving techniques using wool fibers. You then continue to the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex, built by the Incas as a fort that includes a temple, agricultural terraces, and urban area. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a "Living Inca Town" since the inhabitants maintain ancient practices and customs. Enjoy lunch at a beautiful country estate on the shores of the Urubamba River. After lunch, you will visit the Pablo Seminario Ceramic Studio which is dedicated to the discovery of techniques and designs from ancient Peruvian cultures. Dinner will be served at your hotel.
Overnight: Sacred Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Day 4, Sunday – Chinchero, Weaving Demonstration
After breakfast, you will depart to the unspoiled Andean village of Chinchero for an Impressive weaving demonstration by Nilda Callañaupa. Offering an indigenous, multi-faceted perspective on the arts, Nilda is truly a one of a kind artist. Enjoy a relaxed, fascinating workshop on traditional back strap weaving techniques and a discussion on the role of weaving in contemporary Andean culture. Lunch will be served at Hacienda Huayoccari with its magnificent views of the Urubamba River. In the afternoon, you will visit an authentic Quechua Village to feel the way of life of the Inca's ancestors. Dinner will be served at your hotel.
Overnight: Sacred Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Day 5, Monday – Train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu
Breakfast is served at your hotel. You will board the morning train and ride through the sacred valley of Urubamba to the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca "Virgins of the Sun" took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, it’s a short bus ride up to the citadel for your fully guided tour of the ruins. Check-in and enjoy lunch at your hotel and the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this quaint town. Dinner will be served at your hotel.
Overnight: Aguas Calientes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Day 6, Tuesday – Aguas Calientes, Return to Cuzco
Breakfast is served at your hotel and the rest of the morning is at your leisure. You may opt to return to Machu Picchu, a most splendid sight in the early morning. Take your time exploring these magnificent ruins; hike the steep stone-paved trail of Huayna Picchu, the pyramid-shape mountain above Machu Picchu for a breathtaking view of the site; stroll to the Inca Bridge, a secret entrance used by the Inca Army; or walk to the Inca Trail to find the historic Intipunku or Sun Gate. In the afternoon, board the train for your return to Cuzco.
Overnight: Cuzco
Meals: Breakfast
 
Day 7, Wednesday – Cuzco and Nearby Ruins
Breakfast is served at your hotel. Today, you will explore Cuzco and the Nearby Ruins. Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, is a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. You will visit the important landmarks such as the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha "The Temple of the Sun". This tour of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere also includes the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay as well as the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture. Lunch will be at authentic local restaurant followed by a demonstration of Andean Instruments. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Cuzco
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 
Day 8, Thursday – Cuzco to Puno, Travel Across the Highlands
Breakfast is served at your hotel. Today, experience one of South America's most extraordinary overland trips traveling by coach to Puno, passing through striking highland scenery and picturesque Andean villages. Brief stops at the town of Andahuaylillas, a showcase of the colonial art in Peru, sometimes called "the Sistine Chapel of America" and at Raqchi to see the remains of the remarkable temple of Viracocha, considered by the historians an important Inca construction. Lunch is included enroute. Upon arrival to Puno, check-in and the rest of the evening is at your leisure. Dinner will be served at your hotel.
Overnight: Puno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Day 9, Friday – Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titikaka
Breakfast is served at your hotel. Today, you will travel across the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titikaka, to visit the man-made, floating islands of the Uros Indians. Considered the Lords of the Lake, they hunt wild birds and maintain traditional fishing methods. The Uros have developed an extraordinary skill in weaving totora reeds into houses, boats, handicrafts and even the islands on which they live. Continue across the lake to Taquile where a native community of about 400 families still lives with the traditions and high principals of the Incas. Taquile is important for its archeological remains, the sacred and ceremonial sites, the festive activities and rituals. Taquile friendly inhabitants are famous for their detailed, fine, and colorful textiles with symmetrical decorations and symbols that reflect their way of life and Andean beliefs. Lunch will be at an authentic restaurant on the island. Upon return to Puno, the rest of the day is at your leisure. Dinner will be served at your hotel.
Overnight: Puno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Day 10 Saturday – Puno to Lima
Breakfast is served at your hotel. Transfer to the airport in Juliaca for your departure to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in and the rest of the day is at your leisure. You may choose to visit the Larco Museum. Your farewell dinner will be served at Huaca Pucllana.
Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
 
Day 11, Sunday – Return to the US
Breakfast is served at your hotel. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. Most international flights depart Lima just after midnight. If you book your flight for early morning Monday, you must check out at the standard time but you may leave your luggage at the hotel. Another option is to book an additional "Day Room" so that your room is available until your transfer arrives Sunday evening. Contact us for additional information and prices.
Meals: Breakfast