Plaza de Armas, Lima
SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Chinchero village
Grand Circle Foundation-supported school, Izcuchaca
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U. S. • Lima, Peru Fly to Lima, Peru, where an O. A. T. representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel.
José Antonio Lima Hotel or similar
DAY 2 • Lima • Miraflores district Meet your Trip Experience Leader and fellow travelers— including those joining us from our optional pre-trip extension to The Peruvian Amazon: Treks, Cruises & Indigenous Communities. Later, take an orientation walk through the boulevards and plazas around our hotel— situated in the stylish Miraflores district, which is a cultural and artistic center of Lima.
Meals: B, L | José Antonio Lima Hotel or similar
DAY 3 • Colonial Lima Embark on a tour of Lima, beginning at a fish market, where we’ ll mingle with the fishermen and vendors and browse the day’ s catch. Then, we’ ll drive to the Larco Museum, home to an impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. Our discoveries conclude in Lima’ s colonial downtown, where we’ ll admire vestiges of the city’ s Spanish heritage. This evening, gather for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: B, D | José Antonio Lima Hotel or similar
DAY 4 • Cuzco • The Sacred Valley and Pisac Ruins Fly to Cuzco, the capital of the Incan world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Descend into the Sacred
Valley before visiting Pisac, where we’ ll explore the well-built stone dwellings and temples of this ancient city, before taking in the modern town of Pisac.
Meals: B, L, D | Villa Urubamba or similar
DAY 5 • Ollantaytambo Inca Fortress • Urubamba River rafting • Home-Hosted Lunch
Visit the splendid ruins of Ollantaytambo, including its ancient fortress, baths, and huge terraces guarding its hilltop temples. After your explorations, take a rafting trip down the Urubamba River. Then, enjoy a Home-Hosted Lunch with a Peruvian family, where you’ ll sample the locally made corn beer.
Meals: B, L, D | Villa Urubamba or similar
DAY 6 • Train ride through the Sacred Valley • Machu Picchu
Travel by train to Machu Picchu, the legendary“ Lost City of the Incas” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See remnants of the Ritual Baths, Palace of the Princess, the Main Fountain, and the Sun and Condor temples. Later, arrive at our hotel, which is conveniently located near the base of Machu Picchu, so you can explore the ruins long after tour groups have departed.
Meals: B, L, D | Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu or similar
DAY 7 • Machu Picchu Return to Machu Picchu for our second visit today. Wander the sprawling ruins on your own during the relatively quiet morning hours before the crowds arrive. Among the enigmatic remnants of this Incan
sanctuary we find an observatory meant for solstice worship and a stone altar marking the holy center point between the nearby sacred peaks.
Meals: B, L | Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu or similar
DAY 8 • Train ride through the Sacred Valley • Colonial Cuzco
Return to Ollantaytambo by train this morning, taking in final views of the spectacular Urubamba Gorge. From there, we’ ll transfer to Cuzco by bus, arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, explore Cuzco on a walking tour, including the site of the
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Days 6 and 7, spend two nights in Machu Picchu, giving you time to explore the famous Inca city after tour groups have departed and in the quiet morning hours.
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www. oattravel. com / rap 237