DAYS 1 & 2

Arrive in Lima on Day 1. On Day 2 start your exploration of Lima at the Larco-Herrera Museum, located in a majestic 18th-century colonial mansion, to view the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian art. Continue on your tour of this “City of the Kings,” and visit the San Francisco Monastery and the Plaza de Armas. Enjoy lunch at the oldest private mansion in continuous use in the western hemisphere, Casa Aliaga. Later, see more examples of exquisite pre-Columbian and colonial art when you visit the collection of Enrico Poli, one of the best private collections of its kind in the world.

Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima

DAYS 3 & 4

Fly to the mountains to Cuzco, and then drive down to the urubamba Valley, the “Sacred Valley of the Incas.” Your time here will help you acclimate to the high altitude as you ascend gradually. Arrive at the colorful village of Chinchero and visit the Traditional Textile Center. On Day 4 drive to the Huilloc community, to meet the children at a local school and learn about their culture. Then enjoy lunch at the Wayra Ranch, where you will watch a performance of the Peruvian Paso horses. Finally, visit Pisac, best known for its market and friendly people.

Hotel Rio Sagrado, Urubamba Valley

DAY 5

This morning board the Vistadome train in Ollantaytambo for your journey to Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of Incas.” Explore the Inca city accompanied by your professional guide who will answer all of your questions about this fascinating site and the civilization that built it. Afterwards, have a typical English afternoon tea at the Sanctuary Lodge. While visiting, enjoy an unforgettable sunset, enchanting night and the remains of the ancient culture of this unique place, considered part of Peru’s and the world’s cultural heritage. It is truly a magical place you will never forget.

Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu

DAYS 6 & 7

Absorb the sheer mystical experience of sunrise over Machu Picchu, a spiritual experience that has no rival. Enjoy your time at this sacred location before the day-trippers have arrived. After returning to Cuzco via the Vistadome train, it is a short drive to Ollantaytambo, an old town full of remarkable Inca ruins. 

On Day 7 take a tour of Cuzco: the main square, the Plaza de Armas, the city’s beautiful cathedral, the artisans’ quarter of San Blas and the Convent of Santo Domingo. Next, drive into the countryside to see the remarkable Inca ruins at the archeological site of Sacsayhuamán. Your expert local guide’s narration and stories will make the Inca’s history come alive.

Hotel Monasterio, Cuzco

DAYS 8 & 9

A local guide will take you to the Cuzco airport for your late morning flight back to Lima. upon arrival in Lima, you will be met and transferred to the luxurious Miraflores Park Hotel. (Enjoy use of your room at the hotel until 6:00p.m.) The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore Lima on your own. The evening of Day 8 you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home (arriving the following day) or to your next destination.

Day room at Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima

NOTE:

High Altitude. This journey spends three nights in Cuzco at over 10,000 feet. These high altitudes will affect your blood pressure and breathing. Caution must be observed.

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Miraflores Park Hotel
Lima, Peru

Located in Malecon de la Reserva, an exclusive residential area with a spectacular ocean view, Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel is a relaxing, comfortable oasis.

Your ocean view guestroom features an ample private bathroom in marble and granite, comfortable king-sized bed, air-conditioning, heating, spacious closets, a sitting area equipped with the best in communications technology—fax machine, two phone lines, data port. Access to the Internet and personal computers are available upon request.

Hotel Rio Sagrado
Urubamba, Peru

In the Sacred Valley of the Incas, among verdant fields and towering mountains, lies Hotel Rio Sagrado. Set on the banks of the rushing Urubamba River, this beautiful Orient-Express hotel is built in natural materials to resemble an authentic Andean village. Situated at a lower altitude than nearby Cuzco, its delightful hotel villas provide the perfect environment in which to relax and acclimatize. So savor fresh produce in the restaurant, enjoy a local Sacred Valley massage in the hotel spa and slip into the spirit of Peruvian life.

Sanctuary Lodge
Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, at 8,200 feet above sea level, is the only hotel located within the very sanctuary of the Inca citadel. It is located right on the top of the mountain, only a couple of seconds from the actual ruins themselves. Reflecting the casual, intimate atmosphere of a home away from home, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge has 29 well appointed rooms and 2 suites, with some of the best views of the world: the ruins of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Mountain. The interior garden has a variety of local flowers and orchids in addition to a beautiful panoramic view.

All rooms are equipped with private telephone, cable TV, mini bar, and safe-deposit box. The hotel offers room service and serves Peruvian and international dishes at the buffet restaurant, which is open to the public for lunch, and the à la carte restaurant, open only to Lodge guests.

Hotel Monasterio
Cuzco, Peru

Hotel Monasterio del Cuzco is located in a 17th-century building that was once the Seminary of San Antonio Abad. In 1995, the seminary was tastefully converted into a hotel, while still preserving its original historically relevant architecture. Today the hotel provides a unique opportunity to experience the comfort and service of a five-star hotel in an amazing museum setting.

The decoration and furnishings combine the best of modern and traditional Spanish colonial style, many of them with charming views of the city or the colorful rooftops of Cuzco. You can feel the presence of the past as you are pampered with every luxury and modern comfort.
The original architecture and design of the Monasterio has not been significantly altered, and thus the rooms reflect their origins as a home for Jesuit seminarians. There are no two rooms alike and they all vary in size and format.

A fine restaurant, coffee house and bar are located in the hotel. Your comfortable and elegant room includes telephone, mini bar, cable television, hairdryer and room service. The Hotel Monasterio has taken steps to alleviate altitude sickness by introducing an oxygen supplementation system, which is a special feature of your guestroom

Marta Luna

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Marta speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and English. She’s an “insatiable traveler”, very interested in history, art and literature, and also paints as a hobby. She resides both in Argentina and Italy.

Travel Dates: December 11, 2012