Peru Escape

ARRIVE IN LIMA PERU

Arrive in Lima where you will be met by your Tour Director.

LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY

Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping at AWANAKANCHA to meet local families who preserve the ancient technique of Pre-Columbian weaving using South American camelid fibers. Here is your chance to get up close to the various camelids indigenous to the region, including alpaca, llama, guanaco, and vicuña. Next, continue to PISAC, an old mountain village where you will have free time to shop for local wares such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases. Enjoy lunch today at a local restaurant and stay overnight in the Sacred Valley.

SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO.

Transfer to the Ollanta station and board the Expedition TRAIN for a short journey through the lush Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the mountain where Machu Picchu is located. Then, transfer to a motorcoach for the ascent to legendary MACHU PICCHU, the “Lost City of the Incas,” high above the steep valley overlaid with dense tropical jungle. Your Local Guide will bring you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the PreColumbian masters of this sacred land. Later this afternoon, return by train to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

NOTE:7-8 hours is spent in Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes region

CUSCO.

Spend the day discovering some of the most famous ancient, Inca sites including semi-circular KENKO Temple with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages, the red fortress of Puca Pucara and the TEMPLE OF SACSAYHUAMAN, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons—was built.

CUSCO

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city of Cusco. Perhaps take an optional walking tour to learn more about the Incas and their struggle against invading Spaniards. Visits include the imposing Cathedral and the Inca Temple of the Sun, Koricancha, which became the Spaniards’ Santo Domingo Monastery. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for a special farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director.

CUSCO–LIMA

Board your return flight to Lima. On arrival, your Local Guide focuses on the city’s colonial heritage during a walking TOUR. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and the Cathedral. From here, stroll to the venerable SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals and underground network of catacombs. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Tonight you may want to join our optional excursion to visit the Larco Museum with time to explore and have dinner at its restaurant.