DAY ONE.   BIENVENIDO. ARRIVAL IN LIMA.  Lima was founded January 5, 1535 by Francisco Pizarro during the Catholic feast of Epiphany or the Day of the Kings. Thus Lima is known as “the city of the kings.” Because of its Spanish colonial origins, Lima is relatively easy to navigate with a center square called the Plaza de Armas and wide avenues. Bienvenido! There are direct flights from several major US cities to Lima. You can travel during the day and arrive in the evening, or you can fly overnight and arrive in the morning. In either case, upon arrival in Lima you will be greeted at the airport and helped with your transfer to our hotel in the Miraflores district.
Accommodations: DoubleTree El Pardo Hotel 

DAY TWO.   SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS.  From Lima, we fly to Cuzco and transfer by private bus to the Urubamba Valley, or the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our hotel is the Hotel Posada del Inca Yucay, boutique accommodations nestled in the Sacred Valley. You’ll walk through beautiful gardens on your way to your room. Enjoy a Pisco Sour in the pub before your dinner of European and regional cuisines.
Accommodations: Posada del Inca Yucay

DAY THREE.   INCA RUINS AND WHITE WATER RAFTING.  In the morning, we visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, a major Incan ruin. We walk up huge steep terraces that are built into the mountain. At the top is the temple area that overlooks the sacred valley. In the afternoon, we’ll raft the Urubamba River. The rapids are class III and a good introduction to whitewater.

Today we’ll visit the Pisac ruins and village. Hiking to the ruins is spectacular. From a hilltop you see a gorge and agricultural terracing. In the ruins, you’ll find rooms, temples, and garrisons. Back in the village, you can wander through the colonial streets and markets. Lunch is served at the private Casa-Hacienda Orihuela, a private family estate with a rich history.
Accommodations: Posada del Inca Yucay 

DAY FOUR.   JOURNEY TO MACHU PICCHU.  Early in the morning, the group will make the journey to Machu Picchu. There will be two options to access the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.

Everyone will board the train that goes to Aquas Calientes, the village at the bottom of the valley below the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Those that are hiking the trail will disembark at a train stop several kilometers before the village. Those who are not hiking will take the train the entire way to Aquas Calientes.

For those who book the tour well-enough in advance and want a moderate to strenuous hike, you get off the train at Kilometer 104, the trailhead of a section of Inca Trail. The hike takes 4 to 6 hours. You will carry your own daypack that will contain your lunch and personal items. Along the way we pass many ruins including the Wayna Wayna Inca Fortress. As you walk through the Intipunku, or “the Sun Gate,” you gaze down upon the Machu Picchu Sanctuary from above. This is available to those who book many months in advance and indicate at time of booking that they want to do the Inca Trail hike for an additional $85 fee. You must book this additional excursion early because availability is limited and regulated by the Peruvian government.

For those who stay on the train, you’ll disembark in Aquas Calientes and be transferred to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. You can then explore the ruins. If you want to do some hiking on the Inca Trail, you can hike toward the Sun Gate to gaze down upon Machu Picchu.

That evening the group stays in Aquas Calientes at Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel.
Accommodations: Sumaq Machu Picchu

DAY FIVE.   EXPLORING MACHU PICCHU AND THE CLIMB TO HUAYNA PICCHU.  Not discovered by Westerners until 1911, Machu Picchu is considered “the lost city of the Incas,” and still remains a ruin shrouded in mystery. After exploring the main archeological sites you have the option to hike up the Huayna Picchu peak overlook. Or you can tour the site during the day at your leisure.
Accommodations:  Sumaq Machu Picchu

DAY SIX.   THE TRAIN TO CUZCO.  You’ll have your final opportunity to visit Machu Picchu in the morning. In the afternoon, the train takes us back up the valley to Cuzco. Cuzco has been a hub of South American travel and trade for centuries. Massive Inca-built stonewalls line many of Cuzco’s streets. The Spanish built a central plaza and churches. Today, tourists from all parts of the world come to see Cuzco’s ancient ruins, colonial architecture, and indigenous people- the Quechua.
Accommodations: Picoaga Hotel

DAY SEVEN.   CUZCO.  A walking tour of Cuzco includes the Loreto Alley, Santo Domingo Monastery, and the district of San Blas. We have an excursion to the archeological Inca remains of the Tambomachay Baths, Kenko Amphitheater, Puca Pucara, and the impressive fortress Sacsayhuaman. That afternoon is free to spend exploring the colonial city of Cuzco.
Accommodations: Picoaga Hotel

DAY EIGHT.   DEPARTURE.  In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Lima to make international connections, or continue on to Arequipa for the post-tour of Colca Canyon. Adios!