Machu Picchu & Cusco

Soul of the Andes

Day 1 • Friday
U.S. / Lima
Fly to Lima and transfer to Costa del Sol Ramada for the night. (Meals Aloft)

Day 2 • Saturday
Lima / Cusco / Urubamba Valley
This morning, we fly to Cusco — the heart of the Inca Empire and the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and leave for the historic Urubamba Valley. Along the way, we stop at the Chincheros Indian Market to browse and shop for the best of Andean handicrafts. We enjoy lunch in the Urubamba Valley, and spend tonight at the Aranwa Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 3 • Sunday
Machu Picchu 
Explore the mighty archaeological wonder of Ollantaytambo, where ancient temples and fortresses were built to protect the Sacred Valley. Take a short ride to the Ollanta train station, where we board the train to Machu Picchu. A bus takes us up the mountain to Machu Picchu. We spend the afternoon exploring the ruins with our guide. Our home for the next two nights is the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, an intimate luxury hotel nestled on 12 secluded acres of tropical cloud forest. (B,L,D)

Day 4 • Monday
Machu Picchu 
Today is yours to explore Machu Picchu or simply relax! You may wake up early and hike to the Sun Gate or enjoy some early morning birding in the abundant gardens surrounding our hotel. All wildlife-related activities and your entrance fee to Machu Picchu are included, and your guide will be on-hand to help you make any needed arrangements. For a more relaxing day, treat yourself to the spa or visit the extensive orchid garden, currently considered the biggest in-habitat garden on the planet. The grounds of the Machu Picchu Pueblo are home to exquisite birds including 16 species of hummingbirds and the Andean cock-of-the-rock, the national bird of Peru. Tonight, enjoy an enriching lecture on the history and mysticism surrounding the ruins, along with a detailed discussion of Inca culture. (B,L,D)

Day 5 • Tuesday
Cusco / Sacsayhuamán
After breakfast, catch the morning train back to Ollantaytambo. Continuing across the valley toward Cusco, we stop at Sacsayhuamán — a huge fortress of massive stones which zigzags across the side of the mountain. Arrive in Cusco this evening before dinner and spend tonight at the Hotel Libertador. (B,L,D)

Day 6 • Wednesday
Cusco
Spend the morning strolling the streets of Cusco, exploring the Koricancha — also known as Santo Domingo, Santa Catalina Convent and the Cathedral. The Church and Convent of Santo Domingo are beautiful examples of Spanish architecture superimposed on Inca construction — the complex was built over the Koricancha, a temple dedicated to the sun, the Inca’s most important god. After lunch, the afternoon is free to explore on your own before a farewell dinner featuring Andean delicacies. Return to the Hotel Libertador for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 7 • Thursday
Cusco / Lima / En Route  
After breakfast, fly back across the Andes to Lima. Enjoy a superb lunch of local delicacies at Puro Peru before an afternoon at leisure. Dayrooms are available at the Swissôtel. Transfer to the airport this evening for flights home. (B,L)

Day 8 • Friday
U.S.
Arrive in the U.S. and connect with your flight home. (Meals Aloft)