| Day 1 | ARRIVE IN LIMA. |
| | Welcome to Lima. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums. |
| Day 2 | LIMA–PISCO–PARACAS. |
| | Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to Pisco, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for flightseeing over the Nazca plains, which can only be appreciated by air. Your pilot will point out the mysterious markings known as the Nazca Lines, a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil—some up to 1,000 feet long! Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the “astronomical calendar” of the ancient Peruvians. (B) |
| Day 3 | PARACAS–BALLESTAS ISLANDS–LIMA. |
| | Head north to the Bay of Paracas. Cruise out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, an unexplained candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Later, return to Lima. (B) |
| Day 4 | LIMA |
| | Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias. (B) |
| Day 5 | LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY. |
| | Fly to Cusco, high in the Andes. Upon arrival, begin your scenic drive into the lush Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas and your home for the next two nights. (B) |
| Day 6 | SACRED VALLEY |
| | Today, your private sightseeing of the Sacred Valley begins in the market town of Pisac. Handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry can be bought here at bargain prices. After time in the market, your next visit is the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo. Here, some of the finest examples of Inca masonry can be seen. Enjoy an included lunch before returning to your hotel this afternoon. (B,L) |
| Day 7 | SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU. |
| | Board a train trip bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. On a guided tour, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO |
| | A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your included second entrance to the ruins. Return to Cusco by train trip. (B) |
| Day 9 | CUSCO |
| | Your guided tour of Cusco visits the Plaza de Armas and its Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Monastery, previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. This afternoon, in your free time, perhaps visit the Inca Museum or wander through the artisan district of San Blas. (B) |
| Day 10 | CUSCO–JULIACA–LAKE TITICACA (PUNO). |
| | Fly to Juliaca, where you will be transferred to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B) |
| Day 11 | PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA |
| | Today, enjoy a full-day sailing on Lake Titicaca and take a motorboat to some of the lake’s more unique islands. Start with Taquile Island, once part of the Inca Empire and one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island, which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating Uros Islands, home to the Uros Indians who were forced to live on the lake as the Incas pushed farther into their territory. These islands are completely made from reeds, which are continually added to as they disintegrate to the bottom of the lake. (B,L) |
| Day 12 | PUNO–SILLUSTANI–JULIACA–LIMA |
| | Depart for Juliaca this morning, visiting the ruins of Sillustani en route. At this pre-Incan burial ground, see where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests in chullpas (above-ground cylinder-shaped tombs) dating back to the 1400s. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
| Day 13 | LIMA |
| | Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B) |