Day 1: Monday, April 1, 2024 -- Arrival in Lima, Peru -- After a late afternoon arrival in Lima, Peru, we will be met by our guide and driver at the airport and head to our hotel, Aloft Lima Miraflores, where we will be staying for our 3 days in Lima. Along the way we will have a brief tour of the area, learn a bit about the history as well as the cultural and economic changes Lima is experiencing.
Day 2: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 -- Explore Barranco, Miraflores, cooking class, city tour of Lima -- After breakfast we will start with a scenic tour of the boardwalk, crossing the bohemian district of Barranco and the modern district of Miraflores. We will see Love Park and its impressive view of the Pacific Ocean. After our morning tour, we will head over to Urban Kitchen for a participative cooking lesson where we will learn about traditional Peruvian cuisine and make one of their typical dishes, including....Pisco Sours! After that we will have our lovely lunch that we have prepared while overlooking the sea.
After lunch we will explore Lima's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with fascinating historic buildings. The route will begin at the traditional Pueblo Libre district, where we will visit the Larco Museum, located in a beautifully restored vice regal mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the seventh century. The museum boasts a complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects. We will then visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jeronimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time that still belongs to the same family. We will continue with a scenic tour through the colonial downtown and Main Square, to see the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire, including Lima's Cathedral, built during the 16th century. We will then visit the church, San Francisco de Lima, with its collection of old books and authentic network of catacombs.
Meals included: Breakfast, snacks
Meals included: Breakfast, snacks
Day 3: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 -- Tour the Palomino Islands, Paragliding (optional) -- Today we will head on over to the Callao Yacht Club were we will set sail to the Palomino Islands, located in front of the coast of the Callao Constitutional Province. On the way, we will see lots of yachts, warships and merchant vessels. We will pass San Lorenzo Island which has played an important role in the history of Lima. We then visit the Palomino islands, two islands that are part of a very special ecosystem, with extraordinary fauna - primarily sea lions and local and migratory birds. The lack of predators makes it possible to see the lions and penguins at a relatively short distance.
We then return among the islets inhabited by many species of birds including the second largest colony of Humboldt Penguins in Peru. Did you know that bird guano (excrement) has been collected from many of the small islands off the coast of Peru and has been the most important source of soil amendment - for over 5,000 years! We will be traveling in a public boat but with a private guide. The rest of the afternoon will be spent back at our hotel, or exploring locally, or ..... Paragliding (optional activity, see below)!
Paragliding in Peru! -- Optional Activity
What a great way to see Lima!! But not for those afraid of heights. We are using Aeroxtreme, a very reputable company that has been paragliding in Lima for many years. Make sure to visit their website for more details!
This optional activity has an additional non-refundable cost of $125.00.
Meals Included: Breakfast
What a great way to see Lima!! But not for those afraid of heights. We are using Aeroxtreme, a very reputable company that has been paragliding in Lima for many years. Make sure to visit their website for more details!
This optional activity has an additional non-refundable cost of $125.00.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4: Thursday, April 4, 2024 -- Cusco, Capital of the Inca Empire -- Today we will leave Lima and take a short flight to Cusco, altitude 11,152 feet, where we will take it easy for the next couple of days so we can acclimate (for more information on altitude acclimation please click here). Our next 6 days will be spent exploring the Inca Empire in the Cusco and Sacred Valley area and we will be relocating a few times to be closer to our venues.
On our first day we will participate in two workshops offered by Totemiq an artistic and cultural development project where Cusco traditions are rescued and given new life in artistic sessions. The first workshop is at Cusco Colonial Glazed Ceramics where we will learn to make a bull of Pucara, a traditional Cusco figure, which we will then enamel, giving it a lovely glazed effect. The second workshop will focus on a unique painting style using the characteristic colors of the mountain range. We will then finish our creations with sheets of bronze, aluminum, and copper. By the end of the sessions, we will have two personalized works representative of the the area which will be delivered to our hotel the following day - what great keepsakes! We will be spending the next two nights at the Casona de Yucay in the Sacred Valley.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
On our first day we will participate in two workshops offered by Totemiq an artistic and cultural development project where Cusco traditions are rescued and given new life in artistic sessions. The first workshop is at Cusco Colonial Glazed Ceramics where we will learn to make a bull of Pucara, a traditional Cusco figure, which we will then enamel, giving it a lovely glazed effect. The second workshop will focus on a unique painting style using the characteristic colors of the mountain range. We will then finish our creations with sheets of bronze, aluminum, and copper. By the end of the sessions, we will have two personalized works representative of the the area which will be delivered to our hotel the following day - what great keepsakes! We will be spending the next two nights at the Casona de Yucay in the Sacred Valley.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Friday, April 5, 2024 -- Chinchero -- Today we visit the town of Chinchero, altitude 12,342 feet, with beautiful views of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve their artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas and display them in their clothes and customs. In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. While in Chinchero we will enjoy a demonstration at the Traditional Textile Center. There we'll meet with native weavers who will share their traditional weaving techniques with us. We will attend a private demonstration presented by neighboring weavers affiliated with the Center, who will show us the manufacturing process and final garment, each being unique, a gem that is the result of methodical and meticulous work. These local techniques are old and institutions such as this have committed to promote their preservation for the enjoyment of future generations. Natural elements and landscapes, such as mountains, stars and rivers are shown in opaque colors, exclusively obtained from natural dyes. The wool used is carded, spun, and dyed to create ponchos, belts and shawls.
Then we head over to the Living Museum of Yucay, a center for Andean Traditions where we'll see demonstrations on textiles, adobe work, pottery and silverware that are carried out in the same manner that they were in antiquity. And we will see plenty of llamas, alpacas, and sheep! We will have a lovely lunch followed by a visit to the Ollantaytambo ruins (altitude 9,160 feet). Inca Pachacutec conquered and rebuilt Ollantaytambo in the 15th century, designing terraces for farming and an extensive irrigation system. There will be time to walk the iconic steps to the top of the fortress, where the important Temple of the Sun is located, if you would like to do so.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Saturday, April 6, 2024 -- Machu Picchu Citadel -- Today we begin our journey to the citadel of Machu Picchu, altitude 7,972 feet. We will be driven to the Ollantaytambo train station and board the Vistadome train to the town of Aguas Calientes. We then take a short bus ride to Machu Picchu, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture that served as a sanctuary and resting residence for the Inca Pachacutec. Machu Picchu, which means 'old mountain', is considered a World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the modern world. At the end of the tour, we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes to enjoy a delightful lunch at the Cafe Inkaterra. We will be spend the night in Aguas Calientes at the El Mapi Hotel ByInkaterra. The afternoon we will have free time to explore Aquas Calientes, altitude 6,692 feet after which we will enjoy a group dinner at our hotel. Exertion on this day is minimal.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Sunday, April 7, 2024 -- Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu -- Today they are three options for how to spend the morning; each of us can choose from one of the following:
Option 1. Spend the morning relaxing at the hotel and recharge your batteries or exploring Agua Cllientes.
Option 2. Re-visit the Citadel of Machu Picchu and explore it in more depth. This is an additional non-refundable cost of $90 per person which includes the entrance fee and round-trip bus fare. You will have 3 hours to explore the Citadel at your leisure.
The next option requires that you be in good physical condition and be able to complete the hike within a 2.5 - 3 hour time frame. We do not recommend this hike for anyone with cardiac or lung issues as well as joint issues, or for those continuing to have symptoms of altitude sickness.
Please click here for more detailed information on altitude sickness.
Option 3. Hike neighboring mountain Huayna Picchu, or the 'young mountain', considered one of the 'bucket list hikes'. This mountain, seen in most photos as the backdrop to Machu Picchu, is a mountain of great beauty where the Incas built temples and platforms, which you can see while climbing the mountain. Once at the top, you will have a unique view of Machu Picchu. This hike takes approximately 2.5-3 hours; you begin at an elevation of 7,972 feet and end at 8,835 feet for a total gain of 863 feet. Much of this hike is on steep vertical steps, built by the Incas. Those with vertigo and fear of heights are strongly discouraged from doing this hike. This hike is an additional non-refundable cost of $140 that includes entrance fees and round-trip bus fare.
Option 1. Spend the morning relaxing at the hotel and recharge your batteries or exploring Agua Cllientes.
Option 2. Re-visit the Citadel of Machu Picchu and explore it in more depth. This is an additional non-refundable cost of $90 per person which includes the entrance fee and round-trip bus fare. You will have 3 hours to explore the Citadel at your leisure.
The next option requires that you be in good physical condition and be able to complete the hike within a 2.5 - 3 hour time frame. We do not recommend this hike for anyone with cardiac or lung issues as well as joint issues, or for those continuing to have symptoms of altitude sickness.
Please click here for more detailed information on altitude sickness.
Option 3. Hike neighboring mountain Huayna Picchu, or the 'young mountain', considered one of the 'bucket list hikes'. This mountain, seen in most photos as the backdrop to Machu Picchu, is a mountain of great beauty where the Incas built temples and platforms, which you can see while climbing the mountain. Once at the top, you will have a unique view of Machu Picchu. This hike takes approximately 2.5-3 hours; you begin at an elevation of 7,972 feet and end at 8,835 feet for a total gain of 863 feet. Much of this hike is on steep vertical steps, built by the Incas. Those with vertigo and fear of heights are strongly discouraged from doing this hike. This hike is an additional non-refundable cost of $140 that includes entrance fees and round-trip bus fare.
In the afternoon after all of our adventures, we head to the Aguas Calientes train station to board the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo. Once we arrive at the Ollanta station we will head to our hotel, the Costa Del Sol Ramada where we will stay the next 3 nights.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8: Monday, April 8, 2024 -- Cusco -- Today we will have a tour of Cusco. We'll start by visiting the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, residence of artists and craftsmen and explore the fascinating streets including bars, shops and art galleries. Then we'll head over to the dynamic market of San Pedro, which has a lot of stalls selling local products including traditional foods, flowers, etc.
After our tour of San Blas, we will go to the main square and visit the Cathedral and Convent of Santo Domingo, which was built on top of the most important temple of the Inca Empire, Koricancha. We'll end the day with a visit to Sacsayhuaman, an impressive example of Inca military architecture, where the Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) is held, on June 24th of each year.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 9: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 -- Temple of the Moon, Inca Trail -- Today we will begin at the archeological park of the Temple of the Moon, where we will walk along the Inca trail, observing the nature of the flora and fauna and some sacred places or 'waqas' accompanied by a special guide and Andean musicians - quechua. Later we will perform a 'kintu' ritual to the Pachamama, in the waqa "Chuspichayoc". After we will go to the Sulca House Museum where the Sulca family awaits us, with traditional Andean snacks, a truly authentic Andean experience. Physical exertion for this day is minimal.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 10: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 -- Return to Lima, Huaca Pucllana -- Today we will leave Cusco and fly back to Lima where we will be staying overnight at the airport at the Hotel Costa Del Sol Wyndham Lima Aeropuerto. Tonight we will have a special farewell group dinner at the famed Huaca Pucllana restaurant. Located in an unparalleled setting within the complex of an adobe pyramid build by the original inhabitants of Lima more than 1,500 years ago, is is one of the biggest surprises in the city at dinner time. The restaurant is beautifully designed in a rustic colonial style. The menu is creative with spicy touches of the classic Peruvian Creole cuisine. We will then return to our hotel for our last night in Peru!
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11: Thursday, April 11, 2024 -- Leave Lima and return home -- Today we will all say goodbye to Peru and return on our respective flights home.
While we make every effort to follow our itinerary as set forth here in the website, occasionally due to matters beyond our control, we may have to substitute destinations, lodging or attractions other than those set forth.