• DAY 1
• LIMA

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• Get Settled
• Upon arrival to Lima, you will be welcomed outside of Customs by an English-speaking assistant holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel to assist with check-in.
• A welcome package containing a city map, tour vouchers, and other useful information will be waiting for you upon arrival to your first hotel.

DAY 2

• LIMA

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• A Healthy Dose of History
• Founded in 1535 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, Lima’s history is both fascinating and tumultuous. Discover this history firsthand with your private guide and driver, beginning with a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, home to the most comprehensive collection of pre-Columbian art in the world. Peer at ceremonial masks, elaborate busts, golden headdresses, necklaces and earrings, and a sweeping array of earthenware on an insightful curated tour led by an associate scholar of the museum. After lunch at the Larco Museum Café, visit Lima’s historic center to marvel at centuries-old buildings, such as the Government Palace and City Hall in Plaza Mayor. In the same square, completed in 1774, is the San Francisco Convent. An impressive example of Spanish Baroque architecture, it remains as striking today as it was in the 18th century. Extensive catacombs underneath the convent host the remains of an estimated 25,000 individuals who were buried prior to the opening of Lima’s city cemetery - a visit to the aged tombs is one you won’t soon forget. Rounding out the day, stop by two of the city’s trendiest barrios, San Isidro and Miraflores. Stroll through well-tended promenades, lush city parks, past embassies, consulates and thriving businesses as you explore San Isidro. Please note: Your tour of the Larco Herrera Museum will be led by an associate scholar and your guide will not join you.

DAY 3

• LIMA TO CUSCO TO SACRED VALLEY

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• A Change of Scenery
• Enjoy a private transfer between your hotel and Jorge Chávez International Airport provided by a professional driver and an English-speaking representative.
• Board a flight in Lima with direct service to Cusco. Approximate flight time is one hour and 15 minutes.
• Enjoy a private transfer to the Sacred Valley, stopping along the way to tour Sulca Textiles. A popular artisan outpost and outdoor museum, Sulca Textiles offers insight into an ancient and traditional way of weaving. Using the wool of alpacas, llamas, guanacos, and vicunas, weavers craft intricate designs through natural dyes. These unique dyes have existed in the Andes since the time of the Inca. In addition to admiring these vibrant works, you'll enjoy the chance to peruse outdoor crafts and observe nearby llamas and alpacas. Following your visit to Sulca Textiles, your private transfer concludes at your Sacred Valley hotel.
• The effects of being at high altitude vary from person to person. While some travelers will experience no discomfort, others may find the process of acclimatization more challenging. To ensure an enjoyable experience in the coming days, take some time to rest and allow your body to adjust to the change in environment.

DAY 4

• SACRED VALLEY

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• It’s All Ancient History
• Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the idyllic town of Chinchero would be similar to many other quiet Andean villages that dot the land if not for the bustling open-air market found in the main square. World-famous, this colorful fair operates seven days a week and is the best place in the country to barter for hand-woven dresses and carefully-crafted trinkets, or to simply peruse seemingly endless wares. Chinchero is also host to the remains of an Inca wall and an excellent fresco on the portico of the nearby colonial church, both of which will be visited. Open daily, Sunday is one of the best days to visit the market, which is when vendors are selling their fruits and vegetables for the week ahead.
• Carrying on with your guide and driver, visit Ollantaytambo Fortress,  the last Inca stronghold to resist the Spanish conquistadors. It is an incredible example of Inca military architecture, found on the outskirts of the namesake town in an area known as Temple Hill, and is often the starting point for intrepid hikers heading out on the last leg of the journey to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail. Lunch at Tunupa, a buffet-style restaurant featuring a range of Novo-Andean cuisine, is included.
• The mandatory tourist ticket, necessary for explorations in and around the Sacred Valley, is included. This tourist ticket is valid throughout your stay in the region.

DAY 5

• OLLANTAYTAMBO TO SACRED VALLEY TO AGUAS CALIENTES TO MACHU PICCHU

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• Cross an Item off the Bucket List
• Note on Luggage: This morning, the private guide and driver who accompany you to the train station in the Sacred Valley will also transport your primary luggage back to Cusco for secure storage. You will bring a personal overnight bag aboard the train to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, you will disembark the train and meet your Machu Picchu guide immediately. This local guide will ensure your overnight bag is forwarded to your hotel in Aguas Calientes via hotel porters. This will allow you to continue directly to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival in Cusco, your primary luggage will be waiting for you.
• In the company of a private driver and local representative, depart from the Sacred Valley en-route to Ollantaytambo Train Station, the penultimate stop on your journey into the ancient capital of the Inca Empire.
• Set near the base of the imposing Pinkuylluna Mountain, meander through the sleepy town of Ollantaytambo to arrive at the centrally-located train station where you will bid farewell to your local assistant and board the iconic Vistadome. Having settled in, the train will depart along a route that traces the Urubamba River, affording striking views of the dramatic landscape as you approach the valley below Machu Picchu. After a two-hour journey, the Vistadome will pull into a train station on the foothills beneath the ancient citadel in the town of Aguas Calientes. Here, your local guide will welcome you together with local hotel porters who will transfer your luggage to your accommodation.
• Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply aboard the Vistadome: 1) Only one piece of hand luggage is permitted per guest, weighing a maximum of 11 lbs (5 kgs). 2) Hand luggage cannot be larger than 62 linear inches. Baggage that exceeds weight or measurement restrictions will not be permitted. Please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.
• Board a shuttle bus in Aguas Calientes and begin the 30 minute ascent up Machu Picchu Mountain on a switchback road carved into the mountainside. Buses depart frequently, leaving Aguas Calientes approximately every 30 minutes.
• Steeped in mystery, the mountain citadel of Machu Picchu has dazzled visitors since its discovery by American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Believed to have been constructed sometime around 1450 CE and abandoned just over a century later, it is one of the world’s most prized heritage sites, and for good reason; complementing a fascinating history and incredible architecture are unforgettable views of the surrounding mountain ranges and the wild Urubamba River some 2,000 feet below. With a private guide catering to your personal interests and providing an informative overview of the history and architecture of this ancient citadel, gain a firsthand understanding of – and intimate appreciation for – the pièce de résistance in Peruvian travel. Depending on the timing of your arrival, you will visit the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel found atop Machu Picchu, to enjoy a leisurely lunch either before or after your in-depth tour.
• Board a shuttle bus at the entrance to Machu Picchu and make the 30 minute return to nearby Aguas Calientes. Shuttle buses depart frequently, leaving Machu Picchu approximately every 30 minutes.

DAY 6

• AGUAS CALIENTES TO MACHU PICCHU TO CUSCO

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• Lose Yourself in Nature
• Board a shuttle bus in Aguas Calientes and begin the 30 minute ascent up Machu Picchu Mountain on a switchback road carved into the mountainside. Buses depart frequently, leaving Aguas Calientes approximately every 30 minutes.
• Savor a return journey to the breathtaking Inca citadel, exploring this world-famous landmark in greater depth. Accompanied by your knowledgeable private guide, discover Machu Picchu's incredible ruins, terraces and photogenic alpacas. Admire the stunning backdrop of Huayna Picchu Mountain and drink in the majesty of the citadel from the highest point of the complex. During this unforgettable exploration, your guide will help unravel the mysteries and astonishing history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Board a shuttle bus at the entrance to Machu Picchu and make the 30 minute return to nearby Aguas Calientes. Shuttle buses depart frequently, leaving Machu Picchu approximately every 30 minutes.
• After a fascinating experience in the heart of the ancient Inca world, it is time to depart for the Imperial City, Cusco. Board the Vistadome in Aguas Calientes and relax as you embark on the scenic, four-hour journey to Poroy Train Station near Cusco. The route follows along the Urubamba River, climbing and descending through mountainous terrain utilizing, where necessary, a series of switchback rails. Consider purchasing a light snack or refreshment to make this sojourn through the countryside even more enjoyable. Before long, you will arrive at Poroy Station near Cusco.
• Enjoy a private transfer between your hotel and Poroy Train Station with a professional driver and an English-speaking representative.

DAY 7

• CUSCO

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• Secrets of the City
• Get introduced to the traditions, history and unanswered questions surrounding Cusco and the nearby ruins on a privately guided tour. Visit Qorikancha Temple, once walled in plated gold and featuring courtyard statues made of solid gold, Conquistadors described it as “fabulous beyond belief.” Today, the Church of Santo Domingo rests on the site of the original temple, making it an excellent location to learn about both Inca and Spanish culture and architecture from your private guide. Next, head to the picture-perfect Plaza de Armas, the heart of this vibrant Andean hub.  Visit the resplendent Cusco Cathedral and see one of the city’s finest collections of colonial art. Your morning continues as you begin your exploration of the historic sites surrounding Cusco. Even after decades of exploration and study, many mysteries are lost in the lands outside of Cusco. How was the massive complex called Sacsayhuaman constructed? What was the purpose behind the waterfalls and terraced rocks of Tambomachay? Why was Puca Pucara seemingly built in a rush? Was the amphitheater of Kenko used for human sacrifices? Although you may not find the answers to these questions, discover the known history and storied fables surrounding these ancient sites with your guide. Your excursion concludes when you are transferred back to your accommodation in Cusco.

DAY 8

• CUSCO TO LIMA

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• Until Next Time…
• Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the quaint, historic city of Cusco. Whether strolling through the Imperial City to discover the rich history seemingly found around each bend or in search of delicious Novo-Andean cuisine utilizing fresh ingredients sourced from the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco is sure to delight.
• Enjoy a private transfer between your hotel and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco alongside a professional driver and an English-speaking representative.
• Board a flight in Cusco with direct service to Lima. Approximate flight time is one hour and 25 minutes.

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