Peru

Arrive into Lima and transfer to your hotel. Today we will visit the old & charming district of Baranco. Out of all the barrios in Lima, Baranco has best preserved its authenticity. It used to be and still is the favorite location of artists and designers. The route passes by the typical ranchos in all possible colors and houses of past en present sculptors, writers and poets, including of course the house of Mario Vargas Llosa, now and then overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This evening we will dine at a seaside restaurant in Miraflores.

This morning we will board our flight to Cusco, an Andean community and former ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival in Cusco, you are transferred to your hotel. We spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Sites include the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas. The Santo Domingo Temple is a Dominican Church and convent built on the foundations of the Koricancha or “place of gold”, the Incas principal religious building, dedicated to the worship of the sun.

Today we travel from Cusco past Saqsaywaman & Tambomachay, over the mountains toward the Sacred Valley. We descend 1500 feet to the valley floor of the sacred Urubamba river and the village of Pisac where we will visit a traditional market and you can buy some local souvenirs. Admission to Citadel of Pisac where you can observe temples, residences, altars, channels, carvings, tunnels/caves and the famous Intihuatana “The hitching post of the Sun”. After lunch we will make our way to Ollantaytambo, where we will again discover the magnificence of the Incan constructions, the amazing temple of the Sun, enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished, stone water fountains, stairs, terraces and the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress, all surrounded by the sacred mountains and Valley of Patacancha and Willoq.

After breakfast, transfer to Ollanta station to board the train bound for Machu Picchu. Over the next two days we will explore the city’s ruins. Overlooking the raging Urubamba River and discovered in a hidden tangle of vines and trees atop the mountain, the city of Machu Picchu will forever hold its secret of its destruction – the Incas left no written record. You have the opportunity to take one of two famous hikes with your guide. The first is to Inti Punku, or Sun Gate, which is the entry point to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail and offers excellent views of the ruins. The second is the chance to hike up the Huayna Picchu – the highest mountain which is actually part of the ruins, from where you are afforded excellent views of the surrounding area, as well as a unique view of the famous “lost city”.

Over the next few days we will visit Lake Titicaca, he highest navigable lake in the world. You will stay on the floating islands of the Uros. The islands themselves are constructed from the tortura reed found in abundance in Lake Titicaca. The Uros’ homes and boats are also made of tortura, and their entire lives revolve around their famed reed-weaving. We will also visit the island of Taquile where its inhabitants dress in homemade traditional colourful clothing – men in elegant waistcoats and floppy knit caps, women in layered skirts and embroidered blouses. Quechua is their language and they maintain a very individual and independent lifestyle. This beautiful island setting holds several terraced hillsides of Inca ruins which you are free to explore.

Flight departs for home.