Meals included: all breakfasts.

Lima is Peru’s historic capital. It was from this venerable city that, beginning in the 16th century, one of the Spanish Empire’s two viceroys in the New World ruled all of South America save Brazil.

Upon arrival, guests will transfer to the luxurious Country Club Hotel (http://www.hotelcountry.com/), a restored colonial delight located in the chic San Isidro district. It's a fabulous place to recharge after the flight. Because guests will arrive at different times, there are no activities planned.

However, in the evening, we'll get together for a "Welcome to Peru" cocktail party, where those who wish will have the opportunity to sample Peru's national drink, the pisco sour. This is a concoction of potent pisco, lime juice, ice, sugar and frothy egg white (and sometimes sprinkled with cinnamon)... absolutely delicious.

On Sunday, we will set out at around 9:00 on a morning tour of Lima. We'll begin at the city's prime attraction, the magnificent, 450-year-old Plaza de Armas, located in the Old Quarter. This historic square, in which bullfights were held in the 17th century, has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It is also the location of Lima's three most famous buildings: the impressive, 16th-century cathedral; the Archbishop's Palace, which features a beautiful Moorish wooden balcony; and the grand, stately Palacio de Gobierno, the presidential palace.

Afterward, we'll visit the city's extraordinary open-air market, where all manner of textiles, clothing, handicrafts, local foods and art are sold.

Following the market, we'll head to lunch in a nearby restaurant specializing in local delicacies. One of the great pleasures of visiting this small South American nation is to savor the superb cuisine for which Peru in general, and Lima specifically, are renowned. Some of the country's best restaurants are located quite near our hotel in the San Isidro and Miraflores neighborhoods.

After returning to the haven of our hotel, the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Most guests will probably opt to spend Monday on an optional, day-long adventure, a flightseeing tour of the Nazca Lines.

In 1939, an American scientist named Paul Kosok, while flying over southern Peru, observed a series of gigantic designs painstakingly scratched in the parched land below. They were dubbed the Nazca Lines. Because the area is one of the driest on Earth, with portions never having recorded rain, the antiquated designs have endured intact. Carbon dating places the earliest of them at approximately 400 BC and the most recent at 900 AD.

The strangest aspect of the Nazca Lines (including a rabbit, a turtle, a hummingbird, etc.) is the fact that the immensity of each design precludes its being visible from the ground. This begs the question, "Who would bother to produce elaborate art so large that it can’t be seen?"

Some alternative theories maintain that the Nazca Lines are not art at all but served a more utilitarian purpose. One suggestion - among the more popular, but far from universally accepted - is that they are components of an enormous astrological calendar or timekeeping mechanism.

Another hypothesis, made famous by Erich von Daniken in his controversial book Chariots of the Gods, proposes that they were constructed to assist alien beings in landing their spacecraft.

Regardless which theory strikes you as most realistic, the Nazca Lines are an unforgettable sight and qualify as one of the world's great mysteries, on a par with Stonehenge and Easter Island. They are protected by the United Nations as a World Heritage site. To learn more about the lines, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazca_Lines.

Our morning flight will depart from Lima Airport, to which we will return in the afternoon. Flight times can fluctuate, but typically we need to be at Lima's airport by 8:00 am, and we usually arrive back at the airport around 6:00 pm. The day will include a round trip flight to Ica, lunch, a visit to the museum in Ica (where some gruesome pre-Inca skeletons, some with trepanned skulls, are on display), a spectacular sightseeing flight directly over the Nazca Lines, and all transfers.

There are no activities planned this evening. For those not visiting Nazca, the day is at leisure.

CUZCO: Tuesday, August 26 to Thursday, August 28

Meals included: both breakfasts.

The Andes beckon, and today we heed their call by traveling to Cuzco, erstwhile capital of the Incan Empire and one of the most fascinating metropolises in the western hemisphere. Merely its name, along with Zanzibar, Timbuktu, Marrakech and Tibet, evokes the fabled and the exotic.

We'll fly from Lima to Cuzco on LAN Peru, a partner of American Airlines (AAdvantage members can earn points on all LAN Peru flights.) We'll try to book our group on a mid-morning departure in order to have more time to enjoy Cuzco. The flight duration is approximately an hour.

Upon our arrival, we'll be driven to our hotel, the Novotel Cusco (http://www.novotel.com/novotel/fichehotel/gb/nov/3254/fiche_hotel.shtml), located in the city's delightful center. The hotel, ensconced in a building constructed in the 16th century and loaded with atmosphere, is only a short walk from Cuzco's central square, the awesome Plaza de Armas. Lodging is also available at Cuzco's famous Hotel Monasterio (http://monasterio.orient-express.com/web/ocus/ocus_a2a_home.jsp) with a surcharge.

After checking in and taking time for lunch, we'll visit some of the incredible Incan and pre-Incan archeological sites in the Sacred Valley, a 20-minute drive from Cuzco. The talent of the Incan architects is immediately evident in the staggering precision with which stones are laid one upon the other. Many of the walls are so well fitted that it is impossible to insert a knife between them.

Upon our return to the city, we'll enjoy afternoon tea in one of Cuzco's delightful cafes.

The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure.

Cuzco is an enchantingly easy and enjoyable place to explore on foot; a promenade through its ancient streets is a must. Many tourists often feel, after having diligently taken in all of Peru’s top sights, that Cuzco is where they would first return to spend a week or two.

No activities are planned for Wednesday, so we'll have some time to savor the thrill of discovering Cusco on our own.

However, this evening, we'll plan to have dinner together in a wonderful little restaurant overlooking the Plaza de Armas. The view is sublime and the food is fantastic, highlighting local dishes.

MACHU PICCHU: Thursday August 28 to Friday, August 29

Meals included: breakfast.

Machu Picchu, the undisputed highlight of any trip to Peru, is our destination today. For most visitors, the raison d’etre of a trip to Peru is experiencing the indescribable splendor of this supreme display of Incan power and artistry. Its setting is unequaled: a magical, mystical aerie perched high in the Andes. When coupled with the awe-inspiring complex of buildings, erected by the Incas and then eerily abandoned, it is clear why Machu Picchu rests firmly near the top of the list of the world’s greatest treasures.

We’ll take the morning train from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes (meaning "Hot Waters"), an exceptionally lovely railway journey of approximately four hours. (The train leaves very early in the morning, so we'll want to turn in at a fairly reasonable hour the night before.) It rolls alongside a roaring river at the bottom of a soaring canyon, passing through a non-stop procession of dramatic Andean scenery. Our first class compartment is encased in windows, allowing superb sightseeing.

Once we arrive in Aguas Calientes, we'll check into our restful hotel, the Hatuchay Tower(http://www.hatuchaytower.com/) whose rooms offer great views of the swiftly running Urubamba River below. Those who wish may also elect to stay at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu (http://inkaterra.com/en/machu-picchu) with a surcharge.

After a break, during which we can wander through the pleasant town and take lunch, we'll ascend to Machu Picchu, only a fifteen minute bus ride up the mountain to what is undoubtedly South America's greatest man-made wonder. Gazing at its majesty, one can only marvel at the unimaginable difficulty of building such a city in the sky. The overpowering grandeur of the ruins will leave you, in a word, speechless. We will appreciate the expertise of our licensed local guide, who will illuminate for us the many marvelous aspects of this city in the sky. However, guests are free to explore the ruins on their own if they wish.

Machu Picchu is approximately 600 years old. For the Incas, it was both a sacred site and an astronomical observatory. The Incan Empire dominated much of South America by the end of the 15th century and its rise and subsequent demise is shrouded in mystery. To learn more about Machu Picchu, visit http://www.sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu.html.

The last bus back down to Aguas Calientes departs in the late afternoon. If one misses this (or if it is full), one has to walk down the mountain (which actually isn't nearly as difficult as it sounds if one is reasonably fit). The ruins themselves close at 5:00 pm.
 
CUZCO: Friday, August 29 to Saturday, August 30

Meals included: breakfast.

After admiring the Andean sunrise, those guests who want to snag a second look at Machu Picchu may make the short bus trip back up the mountain. We’ll take the afternoon train back to Cuzco and arrive at the Novotel Cusco around dinner time. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.

RETURN HOME: Saturday, August 30

Meals included: breakfast.

Sadly, today we must leave enchanting Cuzco. We'll fly to Lima, where we'll connect to our flights home or onward.

Comprehensive concierge service by Douglas Easton Travel throughout the trip.

All lodging (shared occupancy) at hotels ranging from very comfortable to 5-star luxury, including all taxes and service.

Delicious Peruvian breakfasts throughout the trip.

Welcome to Peru cocktail reception.

Lunch in Lima following tour of Old Quarter.

Afternoon tea in Cuzco following Sacred Valley visit.

Dinner in Cuzco overlooking the Plaza de Armas on the evening before departure for Machu Picchu.

Experienced, bilingual tour leadership.

Expert guides in Lima, Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.

All land transportation as described herein.

All hotel transfers (unless otherwise mentioned below in What's Not Included).

Sightseeing tour of Lima.

Walking tour of Cuzco.

Escorted tour of the Sacred Valley.

Tour of Machu Picchu led by a local, specially licensed guide.

Admission fee to Machu Picchu

Admission fee to Incan sites in the Sacred Valley.

Airfare to/from/within Peru. As a service to our guests, we're happy to arrange for them the absolute least expensive economy airfare we can find without adding any markup whatsoever - and we're really good at finding the cheapest fare available!.

We can also easily arrange business and first class airfares. Though we don't arrange flights which involve using guests' frequent flyer points, we're happy to offer advice on how to do this.

Any airport departure taxes not previously included with cost of airfare.

Any passport and visa fees.

Any hotel incidentals, including but not limited to room service, telephone, laundry or any hotel charge other than for the room and tax thereof.

Transfer to hotel from airport in Lima August 23, or any transfer deviating from itinerary described herein. (However, we're happy to arrange this for you.)

Any immunizations.

Any travelers insurance (this is worth considering, though not necessarily for everyone).

Any luggage insurance (worth considering).

Any beverages, including beverages consumed at meals included in tour, unless specified in tour description herein.

Any discretionary transportation not mentioned in tour description herein, such as taxis, etc.

Any meals other than those specified in tour description herein.

Any deviations from the tour itinerary.

Nazca Lines overflight.

Any tips or gratuities to maids, porters, guides, drivers, etc.

Any medical treatment prior to, during or after tour.

Any excess baggage fees.

Any health expenses.

In the event of complete cancellation of tour and/or any add-on package arranged by Douglas Easton Travel, the following charges will apply to the affected respective portions:

151 or more days before departure 10% of tour and/or add-on price.
150-121 days before departure: 25% of tour and/or add-on price.
120-91 days before departure: 40% of tour and/or add-on price.
90-61 days before departure: 60% of tour or add-on price.
60-31 days before departure: 80% of tour or add-on price.
30 or less days before departure: 100% of tour or add-on price.

In  the event of cancellation of, or failure to use, any portion of tour itinerary and/or add-on package arranged by Douglas Easton Travel, no reimbursement will be made.

Any airfare arranged by Douglas Easton Travel will not be reimbursable. If the canceled airfare has been included as part of an add-on package, the cost of the airfare will be first be deducted from cost of canceled add-on prior to calculation of any refund due.

TRANSFER TIMES DURING THE TRIP: Depending on what flights are arranged, it is possible that some of us may be traveling on different flights than our fellow guests. However, for planning purposes, it may be useful to know the following (approximate) transfer times:

Lima - Cuzco - 1 hour by plane
Cuzco - Aguas Calientes - approximately 3 -1/4 hours by train

INTERNET: There is high speed, in-room internet access at our hotel in Lima. Our hotel in Cuzco offers both internet wireless and internet connectivity. Finally, our hotel in Aguas Calientes hotel offers complimentary internet access in the business center, and complimentary wireless in the lobby and restaurant. There are also internet cafes located near our hotels in Lima, Cuzco and Aguas Calientes.

ROOM SERVICE: Very good (and reasonable) room service is available at our Lima hotel.

MINI BAR: Our hotels in Lima and Cuzco both provide fully-stocked mini-bars in their rooms.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: These vary widely among airlines. For international flights, passengers are usually (but not always) restricted to two suitcases together weighing a maximum of 40 kilos (88 pounds).

On domestic flights on LAN Peru, checked luggage is limited to 25 kgs. (55 pounds) while hand luggage is limited to 8 kgs. (17.5 lbs.) Excess baggage charges are US$1.80 per kg.

However, luggage limits and excess baggage penalties change frequently, so please check with your various carriers to obtain the most up-to-date information. For more information about LAN, visit http://plane.lan.com/index-en-us.html.

SHIPPING: Many guests like to ship purchases, rather than lug them home. However, this can be an expensive proposition.  It is never advisable to use regular mail, as many articles simply disappear and never arrive at their destination. Express carriers like Fedex and DHL are vastly preferable, but they are quite expensive. Storekeepers usually can arrange shipping... however, this option should only be exercised if your purchases are paid for by credit card. Otherwise, they may never arrive. For more information, contact Fedex, DHL or any other reputable overseas shipper. Be advised that most individual artists and craftsmen accept cash only.

HOTEL CONTACT NUMBERS:
Country Club, Lima 51-(1)-611-9000
Novotel Cusco, Cuzco: 51-(84)-581-030
Hatuchay Tower, Aguas Calientes: 51-(84)-211-201

DOCUMENTS: A valid passport is required for entry into Peru. It is not uncommon for a country to require that a visitor's passport have at least six months validity beyond the anticipated date of conclusion of his or her visit in that country... please let us know immediately if yours has less than that. Please also make sure that you have two empty pages in your passport... if you don't, please inform us immediately so that we can advise you on how to proceed.

Travelers using US passports do not require visas issued in advance to enter Peru. If you are not traveling on a United States passport, it is your responsibility to contact the Embassy of Peru to determine whether an advance visa is required.

It is highly advisable to make three photocopies of the information page of one's passport prior to departing on the trip.  In the event that one's passport is lost or stolen, this simple act can reduce a wait of days to a wait of a few hours in terms of obtaining a replacement. One copy should be brought on the trip but kept safely stored in luggage in which one's passport is not normally placed. The other two copies should be left at home with friends, family, business colleagues or one's attorney.

CEL PHONES: Your normal cel phone may be able to be configured to make and receive telephone calls while on this tour. You may wish to check with your service provider.

Many experienced travelers carry an unlocked, tri-band phone. This allows one to purchase a local SIM card in most countries, which provides the user with an actual local phone number from/to which calls can be made/received. The unlocked tri-band phone is a one-time purchase; the local SIM cards are usually a nominal expense. Credit is easily purchased and added as needed. In most countries, it is free to receive calls. This is the best, easiest and least expensive option for travelers who wish to be reachable.

PHOTOGRAPHY: You'll be visiting several different photographer's paradises... you will absolutely want a decent camera, but avoid super-complicated operations which involve multiple lenses... the trouble involved hardly justifies the results, unless you're a pro. We suggest one good lens that can go from fairly close up to zoom. Bring plenty of film or memory cards.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: highly recommended! Usually, this needs to be purchased within 2 weeks of payment of deposit on trip. We recommend Travelex, which may be reached at 800-228-9792.

HEALTH INSURANCE: You will want to check with your medical insurer to ascertain your medical and hospitalization coverage while traveling abroad. If this should prove inadequate, it is strongly advised that you arrange for such insurance to cover you during your trip.

TIPPING: Waiters customarily receive up to 10% for special service. It is appropriate to tip porters and drivers approximately 75 cents for each bag carried or moved. A tip equal to a dollar for each day lodged in a hotel is appropriate to leave for the maid. (Be sure to leave these in the room or else offer them directly to the recipient.) Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. For more tipping information, please visit http://www.magellans.com/store/article/367?Args

CURRENCY: Peru uses the new sol (nuevo sol). As of September, 2007, the exchange rate was approximately 3 nuevos sols to 1 US dollar. However, this rate fluctuates. Please visit http://www.xe.com/ucc/full.php for the most recent exchange rate.

TIME ZONE: Please visit http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/custom.html?sort=1 to learn what the current time zone difference is for Peru.

DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION: For information on US embassies and consulates, please visit http://usembassy.state.gov/.

CALLING TO/FROM PERU Peru's international telephone code is 51. The area code for Lima is 1 and for Cuzco is 84.

To call overseas from Peru, one would dial 00-country code-area code-number.
To call Peru from the US, one would dial 011-51-area code-number.
To call within Peru, simply dial the area code and number.

STATISTICS: For detailed information on Peru's geography, politics, main religions, ethnic groups, agriculture, history and other topics, please visit http://www.infoplease.com/countries.html

GUIDES: This tour will be led by our excellent bilingual guides.

LANGUAGE: Peru's two official languages are Quechua (which was spoken by the Incas) and Spanish. Aymara is also widely spoken.

FOOD AND DRINK: Peruvian cuisine is delicious. Seafood figures prominently, as do dishes based on corn. Pisco, a strong grape brandy, is the national drink. For more information on Peruvian food, Visit http://www.quixo.com/peru/peru_special_interests_cooking.htm to learn more about Peruvian cooking.

ELECTRICITY: Peru uses 220 v. For information on plugs, converters and transformers, visit http://kropla.com/electric2.htm.

HAIR DRYERS: All hotels on this tour equip their rooms with hair dryers.

SAFES: Guest rooms in Lima and Cuzco are each equipped with a safe.

NON-SMOKING ROOMS: Available in Lima and Cuzco.

HANDICAPPED GUESTS: Peru can be quite unaccommodating to handicapped visitors. Please ask us for more information.