Peru, of Legends & Lost Civilizations

Day 1 - Arrival in Lima

Welcome to Lima, gateways to the fascinating regions of Peru, one of the most interesting cities in South America. For many visitors Lima is merely an unavoidable stopover; a sprawling, chaotic, disorganized metropolis; the starting and ending point on their trip to more interesting and exciting gems Peru has to offer. But this assumption is misleading. Lima is much more than a gateway, and rushing through this amazing city you might miss a vital part of what Peru is today. Lima is a standalone destination and warrants attention. Take your time to acclimatize yourself, look behind the sometimes chaotic, maybe less then peasant surface and discover what this metropolis has to offer and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. Famous for its Spanish Colonial architecture, extraordinary museums and cuisine. Lima is internationally recognized as the "Gastronomic Capital of the Americas", and its cuisine is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world on par with French cuisine. Meeting services upon arrival to the city dubbed the "City of Kings" and transfer to you hotel
Overnight at the Belmond Miraflores Park, Ocean View Junior Suite.

Day 2 - Lima (City Tour)

This half-day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of Lima. Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, San Francisco Church and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima, drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro.
Overnight at the Belmond Miraflores Park, Ocean View Junior Suite. (B)

Day 3 - Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley

Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport for a short but spectacular flight over the snowcapped Andes to the oldest inhabited city in the hemisphere, Cusco, at an elevation of 11,440 feet. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transfer to the Sacred Valley at 8,200 feet of altitude

Continue with a visit to Awana Kancha,, an open-air museum of the Andes showcasing the South American Camelids such as llamas, vicuñas, guanacos and alpacas in their native environment. You will also enjoy a spinning and weaving demonstration of ancient techniques on how to make clothing from the wool fibers of these animals. You can also see native flowers and some agricultural terraces from the Inca times.
Overnight at the Belmond Rio Sagrado, Deluxe Terrace. (B)

Day 4 - Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Fortress with lunch at Wayra (B,L)

Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside of the Urubamba Valley to the colonial village of Pisac where a unique Indian Market takes place daily. The variety of products offered is overwhelming, from pottery with reproductions of archaeological pieces, to all kinds of textiles, jewelry and Peruvian handicrafts. During your visit to this bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the artisans and indigenous traders. Grab the items you like, you will hardly see the same one again.

We break for lunch and Peruvian Paso Horse Show at the Wayra. "Caballo de Paso" known worldwide for their smooth gaited movements and unusual spirit. No other horse combines strength, intelligence and beauty as the Peruvian Paso Horse. The particular characteristic of the Paso Horse is precisely the reason for its name: the sublime charm of its typical step. As it walks, its front legs step very high and forward while the hooves sway to the sides in a graceful and synchronized movement. Enjoy a delightful demonstration of the skills of this unique member of the horse kingdom. Lunch at the celebrated Wayra at "Sol y Luna" in the Sacred Valley.

Continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex, the Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a "Living Inca Town" since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs.
Overnight at the Belmond Rio Sagrado, Deluxe Terrace. (B,L)

Day 5 - Moray - Machu Picchu (Moray and Misminay with lunch)

Picchu missing a c Pass through unspoiled and picturesque Andean communities on your way to the Incan agricultural experimental center of Moray, famous for its sunken amphitheater, made up of four circular terraces, which appear to fade away into the earth like an artificial crater. The site was apparently an Inca agricultural research station filled with fertile earth and watered by complex irrigation systems, designed for experimenting with crops at various altitudes (some of which run down to depths of 100 meters).

Continue to the impressive Maras salt pools formed by water emerging from a lake inside a mountain in the Urubamba Valley. An amazing view of evaporating ponds for the extraction of salt. Learn about ancestral techniques, which are still used, in agricultural, irrigation and salt-recollection tasks, as well as in Andean festivals and rites.

Finally, you will arrive to the community of Misminay, elevation 3700 meters, in the Urubamba Valley, where the townsfolk will greet you. You will be able to join with the families as they perform their daily tasks, like plowing or harvesting, depending on the time of year. You will enjoy a traditional lunch made by the community women from ingredients organically grown in their fields.
Afternoon train ride to Machu Picchu.
Overnight Machu Picchu at Sumaq Hotel, Sumaq Deluxe Room (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Machu Picchu (Visit Ruins)

This morning we ascend by a minibus, making the awe-inspiring climb to the ancient citadel to explore the temples, altars and more than 200 buildings. Standing at the top of a steep, forested hill overlooking the Urubamba River, the citadel was hidden by dense vegetation for centuries until Hiram Bingham began to clear the site. This was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The ruins have been restored, and even if it has lost some of its mystery it still remains an unforgettable sight. Our guided tour will take us through the temples, plazas, palaces, watercourses and residential areas. After the formal tour we break for lunch at the Belmont Sanctuary Lodge atop the citadel. Following lunch free time for exploration on your own before returning to the hotel for overnight.
Overnight Machu Picchu at Sumaq Hotel, Sumaq Deluxe Room (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Morning is free to visit the ruins once again on your own. If you feel a bit more adventurous we suggest a hike along steep stone-paved trail of Huayna Picchu, the pyramid-shape mountain above Machu Picchu for a breathtaking view of the site. Afternoon return by train back to Cuzco and transfer to the Cusco at Belmond Monasterio Hotel, a 16th-century former Jesuit seminary, a relic of Spanish colonial architecture with two landscaped courtyards and covered arcades, transformed to a unique hotel.
Overnight at the Belmond Monasterio, Superior Room (B)

Day 8 - Cusco (City Tour and Nearby Ruins)

Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco's Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha "The Temple of the Sun". This tour of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere also includes the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay as well as the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture.
In the middle of the manorial and ample patio of the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art of the city of Cusco, MAP Café is a singular restaurant that surprises through its contemporary proposal that has character and boldness, and which deliciously incorporates the most extraordinary ingredients of the region. The menu includes tasty classics of the Peruvian cuisine, prepared with a very personal touch, as well as original dishes and desserts.
Overnight at Belmond Monasterio, Superior Room (B,L)

Day 9 - Depart Cusco (B)

Transfer to the airport for your departure to Lima and your connecting international flight.

Not Included:

• Extra expenses in case of modifying the itinerary due to flight cancelation, strikes or blocking of roads and train tracks by demonstrators or political activists. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
• When staying overnight in Machu Picchu, second entrance fee to Machu Picchu is not included. This can be added to the itinerary upon request
• Expenses such us beverages on meals, tips, laundry, phone calls and other personal expenses are not included

Luggage Restrictions:

Important information on luggage restrictions to Machu Picchu and to the Sacred Valley :

• Your backpack or carry-on on the train to Machu Picchu should not exceed 11 lbs. or 5 Kgs. And its size should not be larger than 62 inches or 1.57 meters. Passengers taking the "Inca Trail" will be excluded from this restriction.
• Passengers with overnight in Machu Picchu or in the Sacred Valley It is advisable to leave the bulk of your belongings in your luggage in Cusco; and take only what you need to the Sacred Valley and on to Machu Picchu. You can also request the "transfer service" of your luggage from the Sacred Valley to Cusco or vice versa for $30 for 1 to 3 pieces of luggage.